Twins for the Bull Rider (4 page)

Cissy lifted to her toes, peering over Dominic's broad shoulder. She just caught the angry frown of a tall, disheveled man. Shifting his weight, Dominic brought Jayden fully into the man's line of sight.

Her stomach turned over and she clutched Kayden closer to her chest. It was much too late for visitors. She wouldn't blame the guy—
Logan, was it?
—if he shooed them off and slammed the door.

Dominic's bulk moved forward and she followed in his wake. Crossing the threshold, she stopped and glanced at Logan. There was a remarkable resemblance to Dominic, although this man was leaner and the lines on his face were slightly deeper.

His eyes were tired. Cissy winced. He probably thought she was an insensitive jerk for ripping him from his bed. She opened her mouth to issue an apology but he spoke first.

“Sorry. I didn't see the boys.” Logan's eyes swept the length of her, pausing to scrutinize Kayden's face. “Please come in.”

“Thank you.” She lowered her chin to rest it on Kayden's soft hair as she proceeded inside.

She kept close to Dominic's heels, noting the kitchen was larger than the last three apartments she'd lived in put together. Granite countertops gleamed, stainless-steel appliances lined every wall and several oak tables were stationed about.

“Here,” Dominic instructed, pulling a chair out with his foot. “Have a seat. If you'll hold on to them for a minute, I'll get a room ready.”

Cissy lowered into the chair, adjusting Kayden onto her left hip as Dominic maneuvered Jayden onto the right one. Their legs dangled off on either side and she wrapped her arms tighter around them.

“Got 'em?” Dominic's big, tanned hand hovered above Jayden's back.

She looked down and readjusted the boys. Her scuffed sneakers were a marked contrast with the polished hardwood floor. She slid them underneath her chair.

“Yeah.” Her face flamed.

Dominic stepped away. “I'll be back in a minute.”

Logan cast one last look at the boys before leaving the room. Closing her eyes, Cissy sighed. Wisps of the boys' hair moved and tickled her chin. She dropped her cheek to the top of their heads, rubbing it back and forth.

How had they ended up here? And in the middle of the night with an almost stranger?

She cringed. There was no way she could pay for her car being towed, a new tire and room and board for the night. What would Logan and Dominic do when they found out she was broke and had no place to go? Would they throw them out? Or worse, call Family and Children Services?

Clutching the boys tighter to her chest, she whispered an apology when Jayden whimpered. “It's okay. Everything's gonna be okay.”

And if it wasn't, she'd make it okay.

The cell phone in her pocket buzzed against her thigh. Cissy's hands curled tighter around the boys. The incessant vibrations persisted despite her attempts to ignore them.

Keep our boys together, Cissy.

She firmed her features. She'd make it okay. She had to.

* * *

“A
RE
THEY
YOURS
?”

“Hell, no,” Dominic spat.

He winced at the harsh words that burst from his mouth. The warmth from Jayden's body still lingered on his right side. And it wasn't the kids' fault his brother had turned into a cynical ass.

It was just like Logan to come out with guns blazing. This was the exact reason he'd put off coming home for so long this time out. Dominic gritted his teeth and flicked his eyes over the room to rein in his temper.

Not much had changed in Raintree Ranch's main office over the past year and a half. It remained organized, controlled and presentable. Just like Logan.

Shoving his fists into his pockets, Dominic stared his brother down. “Those boys have to be at least five. For God's sake, Logan, is that what you think of me? That I'd abandon my own flesh and blood for the first years of their life?”

“I don't know, Dom,” Logan returned, eyes piercing into his. “You just hit twenty-five. And you sure as hell left a trail in your wake. You probably don't know what you've left behind.”

Dominic straightened. “Oh, I'd know. That's one chance I don't take.”

Logan maintained his stance behind the mahogany desk. Hands flat on the counter, head lifted. “Mistakes happen.”

“Yeah,” Dominic sneered, “and don't you know it, big bro?”

That got a reaction.

Logan shoved off the desk, rounding it and bringing his face so close it blurred. “If you came home just to stir shit up, you can haul your ass off right now. Don't have time for it. Some of us work for a living.”

“And I don't?” Dominic jerked his chin up. “Whose work produced the money to build this place to begin with?”

“I wouldn't call getting thrown on your back by bulls and buckle bunnies actual work.” Logan stepped away and narrowed his eyes. “But heaven forbid we ever forget that you still cut us a check every month.” His brows rose. “Want to see 'em? I haven't been cashing them. Just stacking them up all nice and neat in a pile and locking them in the safe so you'll have proof you did your part when the time comes.”

Dominic's gut roiled. “You're a real bastard when you want to be, Logan.”

“Yeah,” he said, nodding, “and you love it. Makes it real easy to sweep back in here and be the charming hero every couple years. Tell me, how many times did you call Pop over the past year and a half?”

Dominic spun around, then strode to the window and hunched his shoulders. “He has you.”

“He sees me every day, you know? It's not me he wants to talk to. It's you.” Logan's scornful laugh crossed the room to grate over his ears. “Don't worry. He won't hold it against you. He never does.”

“Where is he?”

“Where do you think? It's after eleven at night. This is a working guest ranch. We get up at the crack of dawn here. We don't wallow around until noon recovering from parties the night before.”

Shame washed over Dominic, burning his neck. This was going nowhere.

Yanking his fists free, he stalked across the room. “You think you can put this in your back pocket until morning? I'm not feeling it right now and those kids out there are 'bout dead on their feet. All I need is a room key and I'll be out of your hair for a few hours.”

Logan sighed then moved back behind the desk. He yanked a drawer open and rustled through it before holding out a key. “Twenty-seven's the only one empty. Has a king-size bed and en suite bathroom. It's on the second floor.”

“I know where it is. I haven't been gone
that
long.”

“I assume you plan on staying in the bunkhouse as usual.”

The bunkhouse. Away from the main house. Away from Logan's stifling grip.
Hell, yes
.

“You assume right.” Dominic swiped the key out of Logan's hand and jerked his wallet free from his back pocket to produce a wad of bills. Tossing them down, he jeered, “Brought cash this time instead of a check. Throw that on the pile.”

His boots landed with thuds on the wood floor as he stomped away.

“Dom?”

A softening in Logan's tone halted him. Dominic tilted his head but didn't turn around.

“Stay awhile this time, yeah?”

Dominic looked over his shoulder. Logan's expression was still carved in stone, but his eyes pleaded with Dom's.

“We'll see,” he murmured.

A tremor tore through his frame at the gruff sound of his voice. It was just exhaustion. He'd been on the road too long and he needed to recuperate. And he needed to get those boys settled before he did that.

Jerking away, he returned to the kitchen, drawing to a halt in the doorway. The boys were still knocked out, their limbs draped around Cissy. Her cheek rested on top of their heads and their bodies lifted and lowered with each soft breath that passed between her parted lips. The blond sweep of her hair had fallen to one side and settled in a silken pool on one of the boy's shoulders.

Her expression was softer. No angry scowl or judgmental glare. Sleep had claimed her, too.

Dominic grinned. She sure was a lot less temperamental in this state. And even in her sleep, her arms were like steel bands wrapped around those boys. It was obvious she cared for them.

The grin vanished as his gut churned. Still, having kids didn't always mean someone stuck around. He'd found that out first hand. Unlimited funds and fun was all it had taken to lure his mother away. He'd learned a long time ago that everyone had their price. And expectations.

Rolling his shoulders, he shrugged off the unpleasant thoughts and refocused on their peaceful faces.

Well, damn
. He couldn't carry all of them up the stairs. He'd have to wake her. He moved with soft steps across the room then lowered to his haunches at her feet.

“Cissy,” he whispered. He ran his eyes over the freckles scattered across the bridge of her nose. Unable to resist, he touched the pad of his thumb to them and drifted it over the soft skin of her exposed cheek. His tanned hand stood out in stark contrast to her porcelain complexion.

Her eyes popped open and she lifted her head. Beet-red heat covered her other cheek. It glistened with sweat and the boys' hair stuck to it.

“Hey.” He bit back a smile. “I got a room for you. Think you can make it up a flight of stairs?”

Blinking hard, she shifted upright and nodded. “Yeah.”

“There was only one open.” He lifted Jayden from her and arranged the boy on his hip. No response. These boys were like the dead when they slept. “It's only got one bed but should be big enough for all of you.”

“I'm sure it'll be fine.”

Her voice was husky with sleep. It whispered over him and stirred a deep ache. He forced himself to concentrate on the task at hand.

“Well, come on and I'll take you up.”

Leading the way up the winding staircase, he kept a firm hand on Jayden's back, glancing back at Cissy every few feet. She held Kayden close, but the boy's weight seemed to take a toll on her, slowing her steps and weighing her small frame down.

“This is it.” Dominic unlocked the door, opened it a crack and waited for her to reach his side. “No chance they're gonna be up and about anymore tonight. I'll bring your bags in tomorrow morning if you can do without them till then.”

She puffed a gold strand of hair out of her eyes. “That's fine.”

He toed the door open and moved to the bed, depositing Jayden on one side. Cissy followed and laid Kayden down, as well. Dominic stepped back, hands hanging at his sides.

Cissy's hip brushed his when she leaned in to untie and remove Kayden's shoes. Her shirt rose from the waistband of her shorts, revealing smooth, silky skin. Dominic stifled the urge to run his palm over it and focused on her slim hands as she peeled off Kayden's socks.

Seeking a distraction, Dominic did the same for Jayden and dropped the items in a pile by the bed.

The boy's head was at an awkward angle, his mouth open and snoring. Dominic smirked. He'd passed out in the same position on many occasions. And nine times out of ten woke with a kink in his neck. Better head that off at the pass.

Reaching down, Dominic shifted Jayden's head to a more comfortable position and started when his eyes fluttered open. Jayden blinked several times before a slow smile stretched across his face, his eyelids heavy and drooping.

“Cowboy,” Jayden whispered. His small hand fluttered upward to grasp the leather cord of the choker dangling from Dominic's neck. Curling his fingers around it, he tugged hard.

Dominic lowered his head, easing the pull of the cord around his neck and bringing his face close to the boy's. Jayden's other hand rose to bump and glide over the stubble on his jaw, his tiny palm warm and sweaty against his cheek.

“You'll be here when I wake up?” Jayden's words emerged soft and slurred. He was already drifting back off.

Dominic's chest tightened and his face flushed. For sure, he'd be here tomorrow. Beyond that, it was anyone's guess.

Jayden's sleepy gaze clung to him, hopeful expectancy glowing on his face.

“Yeah, buddy,” Dominic whispered.

Gently untangling Jayden's fingers, he laid the boy's arms back on the bed and stepped back. The weight of Cissy's stare pressed on his face. He averted his head and moved awkwardly toward the door.

“Dominic?”

Rubbing his hands over his jeans, he turned. Cissy's hair was mussed and her eyes shadowed but her voice rang clear.

“Yeah?”

“Thanks for this.”

Her hands twisted at her waist, pulling on her thin shirt. There was a small wet spot on the material. It clung to the upper curve of her breast where Kayden's face had rested.

She looked vulnerable, lost and alone.

His palms itched to reach out and pull her in. Tuck her head beneath his chin and hold her close. He stepped forward.

She reached him first, pressing her fingertips against his chest and propelling him toward the door. “Good night,” she whispered.

The warmth from her fingers spread throughout his body as she nudged him into the hall. The soft fall of her blond hair and curve of her rosy cheek disappeared behind the firm click of the closed door.

The warmth dissipated, leaving cold emptiness behind. Dominic ran his palm over the smooth wood. Straining, he listened to the faint rustlings as she moved around the room.

A wry grin crept across his mouth and a low laugh escaped. “Well...
damn
.”

It was the first time a woman had ever shown him the door. And, for the first time, he wanted nothing more than to get back on the other side of it.

Chapter Three

It was too still. Too quiet.

“Boys?” Cissy called out.

She smoothed an arm out to her side, sighing with pleasure at the coolness of the sheet. Her fingers crept over the lumps and bumps of the bedding before bumping into the bulk of a pillow. She cracked her eyes open to find a deep impression in the down where a head had burrowed the night before.

Bolting upright, she found the other side of the bed empty, as well. A quick scan of the room revealed the same. The only sign of the boys' presence from the night before were the creases and folds left in the linen.

Her heart pounded. “Boys?”

She dropped over the side of the bed, dipping her head and finding the floor empty. There were no giggles or whispers of mischief from hidden spaces. They weren't hiding.

They were gone.

Cissy scrambled out of the bed. She shot to the door and flung it open, stumbling to a stop in the hallway.

Over six feet of rock-solid muscle and a throaty purr met her at the door. “Morning.”

Dominic tipped his dark head in greeting, then resumed his relaxed stance against the opposing wall. The soft fabric of his T-shirt stretched across the bulge of his chest as he crossed his burly arms.

“Where are the boys?” Could he hear the breathlessness in her voice? She hoped not.

Her stomach flipped over at his lopsided grin.
Damn the man
. It was downright sinful for a guy to look this good on a Sunday morning.

“Right there.” He nodded to his left.

Kayden stood at the end of the hall, feet planted wide apart, swinging a lasso over his head. Jayden stood motionless a few feet away, his face contorted with apprehension.

“You ain't doing it right,” Jayden warned.

“Aw, just be still,” Kayden said, twirling the lasso with more gusto.

“You gave Kayden a rope?” Cissy shuddered at the images that popped into her mind.

Turning, she caught Dominic's gaze transfixed to the top of her head. He rolled in his full bottom lip and stifled a smile.

“What?” Cissy glared, searching his face.

He held on to his silence, shaking his head. The smile he fought reemerged. Dimples broke out on both lean cheeks and his dark eyes crinkled at the corners.

Men
. She'd given up trying to figure out their thought process a long time ago.

“Look.” She ground her teeth together. “I appreciate you giving us a room for the night but I don't want you taking the boys off without me
or
my permission.”

“Wasn't a way around that this morning.” Dominic turned to study the boys. “They ventured out before the crack of dawn. Needed something to do. And I didn't want to wake you.”

She followed his line of sight to the boys and winced as Kayden slung the rope with bad aim. It smacked against the side of Jayden's face and rebounded, knocking against a picture on the wall and clanging it to the floor.

“Ouch!” Jayden rushed over and shoved his brother. “I told you you weren't doing it right.”

“Boys,” Cissy shouted, “stop that and get over here.”

They both jumped at her voice and spun, bounding down the hall toward her. Kayden halted a foot away and burst into laughter.

“Aunt Cissy, you got a Mohawk,” he cackled.

She jerked her eyes upward. A few clumps of hair stood on end above her forehead, waving slightly with her movements.
Oh, for goodness' sakes
.
She'd been in such a panic to find the boys she hadn't bothered to comb the rats' nest.

Face burning, she groaned and dropped her eyes to her wrinkled shirt. She'd worn her clothes from yesterday to bed, and they were rumpled almost beyond recognition. And she'd torn out of the room in such a hurry she'd left her shoes behind.

This had to be a nightmare. She wiggled her unpolished toes against the gleaming hardwood floor just to be sure she was awake.

“Here,” Kayden called. A sharp tug on Cissy's wrist had her at eye level. “I'll fix it.”

“No, Kayden, wait.”

Dominic's deep tenor and heavy footsteps registered right before Kayden jabbed his hand in her hair, fingers snarling in her bangs.

“Ow.” Cissy grabbed his wrist and yanked, but something sticky snagged every strand.

“It's the syrup,” Dominic whispered softly into her ear as he gently untangled Kayden's hand. “They just had pancakes.”

She peeked at him from the corners of her eyes. His chiseled jaw was fresh shaven and the soft scent of soap and detergent accompanied each of his movements. His deep chuckle rumbled at her side, the heat of his palm caressing her scalp sending a thrill down her spine.

“Thanks,” Cissy mumbled. She stepped away and smoothed a shaky hand over her matted hair.

“The pancakes were awesome, Aunt Cissy.” Jayden reached her side and wound his sticky fingers through hers. “Ms. Betty cooked some for you, too.”

“Ms. Betty?” Cissy couldn't help but smile at his excited expression.

“Head chef,” Dominic answered for him. “Though she refuses the title. Ms. Betty's been heading up the meals here for years.”

Cissy nodded, eyeing Kayden. His knuckles tightened around the rope, wiggling the end that trailed along the floor. She stooped, grabbed it with her free hand and tugged.

“Have you been torturing your brother with this all morning?”

“No,” Kayden said, pulling.

Cissy narrowed her eyes and gave it a firm jerk. He snatched back.

“No, ma'am,” Kayden reiterated, chin jutting. “Ain't had time to. Mr. Dominic took us out on the paddleboats before breakfast and showed us everything. They have a pool, and game room and—”

“Lots of horses,” Jayden added, leaning against her hip. “They have lots of horses, Aunt Cissy.”

“Uh-huh.” Cissy relinquished her hold on the rope and nudged the bedroom door open with her heel. “Why don't you two go on in the room and wash up?”

“But Mr. Dominic said he'd let us pet the horses.” Kayden frowned in concentration, winding the rope up in his fist. “He said they have painters and nickels.”

Kayden whipped the rope out against the floor with a sharp snap, causing them all to jump.

“Easy, now.” Dominic reached out, big palm up, for the rope. “And they're paint and quarter horses,” he stressed with another dimpled grin.

“Yeah. That's what I said.” Kayden's face puckered in affront but he handed over his prized possession with no resistance.

Cissy fought to keep her jaw from hanging open. Who would've thought this handsome, muscled flirt would be so good with kids? Most men only thought of kids as a nuisance. They dropped tail and ran at the sight of them.

Jayden squeezed her hand. “Mr. Dominic promised we could feed the horses.”

“Regardless—” Cissy bent and steered the boys by their elbows through the door “—we all need to freshen up a bit. And I'm sure Mr. Dominic has other things to do.”

Dominic cocked his head and shrugged. “Well, I did promise them. And I try not to break my promises.”

His deep tone made her blood rush. It was husky and warm. The kind of voice a woman would expect a man to have first thing in the morning, his arms wrapped around her and his body hard.

Cissy firmed her mouth.
Promises
. She'd made one of those, too. And so far, she hadn't delivered. She had to get her feet back under her, regain her focus and avoid distractions. She averted her gaze from Dominic's knowing eyes.

All distractions
.

“Yeah,” Cissy muttered, “most men try not to break promises. But they're usually not successful.”

Dominic's bright smile dimmed.

Cissy cringed at the bitter tone lacing her words. He'd been nothing but kind and she was being an ungrateful guest. Crystal would've kicked her square in the rump right about now.

She dragged a hand across the back of her neck and regrouped before speaking with more care. “That was nice of you to offer. But I'd hate to interrupt anyone's day.”

“It's not an interruption.” Dominic moved closer, bracing his hand on the door frame above her head. “I'll bring your bags up and tell Ms. Betty you'll be down soon. After you've had some breakfast, we'll head out. I'll show you around.”

Cissy deliberately avoided the bulge of his biceps and focused on a point over his broad shoulder.

No distractions.
If she had any sense about her, she'd turn him down flat.

But she couldn't disappoint the boys. It was rare for the three of them to be able to spend a day of leisure together. And lately, a day where she wasn't dragging them around in search of work from sunup to sundown.

“Okay.” Cissy paused at the threshold. It was best to be straight with him from the get go. She clarified over her shoulder, “For the boys. I'd hate to disappoint them.”

“I'll take it.” Another grin crinkled the corners of his eyes and sparked a flirtatious glint in the dark pools.

She spun back around, placing the door between them with no finesse. Dominic's genteel tone and rugged charm were enough to reduce a woman to a puddle at his feet. And she refused to melt.

A quick shower, fresh set of clothes and pair of sneakers had her feeling halfway decent again. The boys showered next, taking full advantage of the toiletries provided in the en suite bathroom. Most of which ended up on the floor.

Mouth full of toothpaste, Cissy rubbed a towel over the boys' wet heads. Her cell phone vibrated with a clatter across the nightstand. She froze. It could only be Jason again.

“I can't breathe.” Kayden's whine barely broke through the fluffy cloth of the towel draped over his face.

“Sorry,” she muttered absently, slinging the towel away and rinsing her mouth in the sink. “You two finish up.”

Unplugging her cell from the charger, she scrolled through and found over a dozen missed calls since last night. All of them from Jason.

Cissy shoved the cell in her pocket, her jaw clenching. That was it, then. She had to take his next call. If she didn't, she'd only make things worse. There was no way around it.

She helped the boys dress, then they made their way down to join Dominic. A large plate of pancakes, warm syrup and crisp bacon was waiting for her. Ms. Betty turned out to be a small, bubbly woman with a bright smile. And the boys weren't exaggerating. She had to be the best cook in Georgia. Kayden and Jayden even found room for second servings.

After waiting patiently for the boys to refill their bellies, Dominic led them outside and down a trail to the paddock. Cissy followed behind him and the boys, taking in the sights around her.

The bright morning sun hadn't quite begun blazing yet, making the air less humid. Several guests strolled about the grounds or splashed in a large pool on the side of the main building. Azaleas, grouped around the walkway, boasted brightly colored blooms.

Cissy inhaled, pulling in the sweet fragrance of the flowers and savoring the stroll down to a paddock below. The boys' giggles mingled with Dominic's deep tones, stretching a smile across her face. It was nice to ease her vigilant grip on them and relax.

She glanced around once more, noting the extensive grounds peppered with bunkhouses, roaming horses and guests enjoying outdoor activities of all kinds. Surely a bustling business like this would have a need for extra help.

Cissy smiled wider. A job. The first step of a solid plan to salvage the mess she'd made of her life. She'd ask if there were openings. Hopefully, there'd be something. If she could secure a job and board here, she could earn enough money to fix the car and save to pay for a new apartment. She'd work every hour of the day if she had to.

That was it. A strategy she could swing. A job, money and a new home.

She turned back and sighed with satisfaction at the boys' excited skips ahead of her. They bounced at Dominic's side with glee, stretching up every now and then to snag his jeans and tug for his attention. Each eager pull drew the denim tighter across his muscular thighs and buttocks.

Cissy's skin tingled. Dear Lord, that man had a fantastic a—

Stop
. She had a plan now. Job, money, apartment. There was no room for diversions. And there sure as heck wasn't any room for a man. Even if he did have the sexiest butt on the planet.

Kayden released his hold on Dominic's jeans and tore off to clamber up a white fence surrounding the paddock. Jayden held Dominic's hand, pulling at it as he ran.

Dominic's attention clung to the lithe man who'd opened the door to them last night, who stood a few feet from them, grooming a horse. “I brought you some help, Logan.”

Jayden added, “Mr. Dominic said we could pet the horses.”

Logan's arm stilled, the brush hovering over the horse's back as he smiled at the boys. Tipping his hat, he stepped forward and held out his hand to Cissy. “Morning. Don't think we had a proper introduction last night. I'm Logan Slade. Dom's older brother.”

She took his hand, his warm greeting putting her at ease. “Cissy Henley. I'm sorry about us barging in on you last night.”

Logan waved away the apology. “Don't worry about it. I'm sorry I wasn't more cordial.” His eyes cut to Dominic. “Just didn't know company was dropping by.”

“Yeah, well, that'd be my fault.” Dominic moved to the fence, lifting Jayden up on the rail beside Kayden. “Didn't think I needed to call seeing as how I'm family.”

“You don't,” an older man said, ambling up to the fence. “Both my sons can come and go as they please.” He gripped Logan's shoulder, then stretched an arm out over the fence to shake Cissy's hand. “I'm Tate Slade. Dominic and Logan's dad. But you can call me Pop. Everyone else does,” he added with a wink.

Cissy smiled, briefly shaking his hand and thanking him for allowing them to stay the night. He had a kind face and gentle voice. She could easily see where Dominic and Logan got their gentlemanly qualities.