Just what had gone down between them while they’d been gone?
This was my chance to move away. To leave Dominic here and find Kate. But it was like my feet had been encased in concrete. They wouldn’t move.
“Pinecone?” I heard myself ask.
“Military code.” Dom shoved his hands into his jeans pockets. “Mimic was in our unit.”
“And now you’re…”
Dom smirked. “Now we’re here together.”
The rushing noise was back in my ears again. “If you think you’re going to get anywhere by trying to make me jealous, Dom, then you’re sorely mistaken.”
“Trying?” Dom’s voice dropped low as he took a step closer. “There’s no trying, Shadow. But don’t worry about it. Kate wasn’t even touching you and I was jealous enough to want to throw you over my shoulder and run until my lungs gave out.”
My chest expanded as I closed the distance between us. “You know what, Dom?—”
“Hey.” A small hand touched my arm, the contact jarring. “Everything okay, babe?”
“Of course.” I stepped back and smiled pleasantly at Kate. “Why wouldn’t it be?”
Kate’s eyes flicked between me and Dom. Dom, who was staring at Kate’s hand where it was resting on my forearm.
Guilt rushed through me as I had the strangest urge to move out of her reach. Instead, I stepped closer. “Just catching up with Max’s friend here.”
Dom stiffened. Guessed he didn’t like the reminder that that was all he was in my life either.
“We’re so glad you could join us.” Kate smiled at Dom, the perfect hostess.“Were you in the military with Max?”
Dom nodded curtly. “Served three tours together. Met Mimic over there in basic.”
Basic. Right after he left me. Which meant that the man he’d been groping had been present for every one of the years I’d missed.
I rubbed my arms, wishing for a jacket. I was so fucking cold all of a sudden.
Kate nudged my side. “How weird that both your twin and your bestie ended up signing up. It’s like you were destined to have long-distance relationships.”
She didn’t know the half of it. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think I had commitment issues.”
Okay, so that was a dig at Dom, the man I would’ve committed to in a fucking heartbeat if he’d given me a chance. Wouldn’t have mattered if he’d been stationed in Timbuktu, I would’ve made it work.
Dom didn’t seem to pick up on it. He was frowning at Kate. “Bestie?”
Kate laughed. “I know, such a juvenile term. But it’s really the best way to describe Xander. He and Ryan have always been thick as thieves. I can’t wait to meet him.”
Now I was the one Dom was frowning at. “Xander? I’ve not heard that name before.”
I smiled sweetly. “Funny that you haven’t, given what a large part of my life he is. Everyone important to me knows who he is.”
Dom winced as that hit landed.
“Oh, I love your tattoos,” Kate exclaimed suddenly,oblivious to the rising tension.I had to force myself not to react as she lightly touched Dom’s wrist. “Is this a paintbrush?”
My chest tightened as Dom smiled tightly, stretching his arm out for her to see. “Yeah. Most of the sleeve is just tribal patterns, but there’s a few special details hidden in there.”
“Fascinating,” Kate murmured, tracing the ink with her fingers before her blue eyes flashed up to his. “Sorry, do you mind that I’m looking?”
Dom gave her a lazy grin that sent my blood pressure skyrocketing. “Be my guest, sweetheart.”