6

The call ended. Sahara brought the phone to her chest and fell back on the sofa, squealing so loud Jami rushed into the room, leaning over her and staring at her like she’d gone nuts.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m wonderful. He’s…he’s amazing. And he wants to go on a date with me.” Clearly, but Jami couldn’t possibly understand what that meant. “A real date!”

That didn’t make anything clear, but Sahara shot off the sofa and ran to her room to find her sexiest red dress. She had tears in her eyes and she wasn’t even sure why. Except…well, she’d avoided relationships because she couldn’t trust a single man who lusted after her. Going to the club, she knew she was safe. And that was because Dominik was always there. And he was the only one she needed with her tonight.

She wasn’t damaged. Wasn’t broken. A wonderful, caring man wanted to take her out and…

It’s just a date, Sahara. Her hands shook as she pulled the dress from her closet and laid it on her bed. She was making way too much of this. She needed to relax or he’d think she was a head case. Not that he didn’t already know, with how often she’d had to safeword during a scene and crawl away in shame.

He understands.

She didn’t doubt that at all. He would probably give her good advice about Grant if she told him about this morning, but she didn’t even want to bring up her ex. Tonight was for her and Dominik. No past, no fear. Nothing but him and her and so many possibilities.

“No more than a kiss.”

The idea of him kissing her made her heart flutter. She threw herself on her bed and laughed into her hands. After the morning she’d had, the evening couldn’t have turned out more wonderful. She heard someone come into her room and peeked through her fingers at Jami.

Who sat on the edge of her bed and took her hand away from her face. “So…you’re happy?”

“I am.” Sahara sniffed and swiped away her silly tears. “And I think I really will be. I don’t want to get too excited, but…”

Jami waited for her to continue, and when she didn’t, simply lay down beside her and grinned. “It’s about fucking time. You deserve this.”

Okay, that was going a little far. Sahara didn’t think she deserved happiness more than anyone else. But she wanted it.

And for the first time, she really believed it was possible.

* * *

Dressed in charcoal slacks and jacket, with a white shirt and black tie and a warm, dark gray wool coat because it was still damn cold out, Dominik stepped up to Sahara’s door and knocked softly. He was well aware that he looked like he was going somewhere fancy. He wanted Sahara to see she deserved the best. Her uncertainty had him reassessing their every encounter, and he was determined to make this one different.

Behind the door, he heard rapid footsteps. Shouting—yes, that was Jami. He grinned, recalling the girl as a shy young teen before she’d gone through her rebellious phase. Now she’d grown into an intelligent, feisty young woman who’d enveloped Sahara in her close-knit group of friends. Friends she was quite protective of.

He wondered if she would have a few things to say to him before he left with Sahara. The door opened and he snorted as Carter let out a heavy sigh and gestured for him to come in.

“If it helps any, she looks really hot.” Carter shut the door behind them and led the way to the small kitchen. He reached into the fridge for a beer, shutting it after Dominik turned down his offer for one. “There’s some lipstick drama going on. They might be a while.”

Nothing new, Dominik had waited on women before dates in the past. He’d never seen Sahara out and about without the extra polish she honestly didn’t need. But he wouldn’t rush her. If putting on just the right lipstick made her more comfortable, all the better.

He sat with Carter in the living room with one ankle propped on his knee, only half listening to the young man until an unexpected subject came up. He dropped his foot and leaned forward. “Ramos is letting you and Jami try to have a baby?”

Carter’s eyes narrowed. “We’re not his damn pets, Mason!” He rolled his eyes when Dominik arched a brow. “Not like that. You know what I mean. It’s not so much that we’re trying. We’re just not trying not to anymore. And he’s doing his fair share.”

“And you’re telling me this because…?”

“There could be a little me in nine months!”

Dominik smiled as the situation became clear. “And you’re scared to death.”

“Fuck yes.” Carter kept his tone low as he rubbed his thighs. “It’s just a lot, you know? Getting married with her dad hating me so much, making a kid a real possibility. I want to be with her and Seb forever, and everything is awesome, but…I know it won’t be easy. I just want everything to be perfect for her.”

Well, the boy’s growing up after all. Dominik patted Carter’s forearm as he met his eyes. “If you weren’t a little afraid, I’d say you were a fool. Both you and Jami are very young, but not so young that you’re not capable of being great parents. It could take a long time or she could be pregnant already. Despite the situation with her father, you know you’re not alone. You, Jami, and Ramos have a strong relationship and so much to offer. And you know the team will be there for you.”

Swallowing hard, Carter nodded. “Right. And she’s got Silver. And the other girls. But…wow. That wasn’t what I was expecting from you.”

Of course not. Knowing Carter, this wasn’t the first time he’d had this conversation. But Dominik was curious. “What were you expecting?”

“Umm, something like we’re too young. Wait until we’re married. We’re not ready and—”

“And I’m not one to waste my time lecturing you on things you already know. I can’t tell you if you’re ready. But I can tell you to take care of my girl, which you’ll probably hear from most of the guys. Jami will always be the little girl we watched grow up, and both you and Ramos will have to answer to all of us if you hurt her.” Dominik gave Carter a pleasant, warning smile. “Not sure what else there is to say.”

“Got it. And I won’t. She’s my boo.” Carter turned at footsteps coming down the hall, opening his arms as Jami came over to sit on his lap. He held her close and kissed her shoulder. “How you feeling?”

“I heard you talking. And I’m not pregnant, so stop worrying. I’m so telling Sebastian what you were saying, and you’re gonna have to bag it again, stud.” She planted a kiss on his cheek as he groaned, then hopped up to give Dominik a hug. “You, however, are awesome. I was going to warn you to treat Sahara good, but I’m not worried.”

Dominik gave Jami a little squeeze, making an “I’m watching you” gesture with two fingers pointed from his eyes to Carter while she settled back on his thighs. She giggled as Carter fell back against the sofa with his hands over his face.

The discussion turned to less serious topics, but Sahara still hadn’t come out. Dominik suspected she was overthinking things and decided to put a stop to that.

Jami grabbed his arm when he stood. “She’s coming.”

“I find that hard to believe.” Dominik glanced down at Jami’s hand, pleased when she moved it without having to be told. He might not even consider being dominant toward the girl, but she knew better than to lay her hands on men who weren’t hers.

Or perhaps he’d grown too accustomed to club protocol. Regardless, he’d come here for Sahara and he didn’t need Carter and Jami as chaperones. The whole setup was mildly amusing, but enough was enough.

He headed down the hall quietly, listening to the shuffling just beyond the last door. And the frustrated groan. He cleared his throat. “Please tell me you’re not worried about looking perfect for me, Sahara. That takes no effort at all.”

Another groan and a strained laugh. “Great, now I feel silly.”

“Which is adorable.” He leaned against the wall by the door. “But either way, I don’t want the fact that this is an ‘official date’ to change how comfortable you’ve been with me in the past. I’m not a new man you’re trying to impress. I’m a man who already is.”

The doorknob turned and the door opened a crack. He heard her take a deep breath before she came out.

Then it was his turn to take in as much oxygen as possible. Sahara always looked amazing, but in a snug, crimson lace dress, clinging to all her curves and falling to just above her knees, she was sexy and elegant all at once. There was something vulnerable in her eyes, in her stance even though she stood with her shoulders back and head held high. He found it hard to believe that she didn’t know how beautiful she was, but maybe that wasn’t the issue at all. The way she looked at him was expectant, almost shy. As though she wanted to know she’d pleased him.

She had, but he hadn’t asked her out just to have a gorgeous woman on his arm. He could call his agent and have his pick of models to make an appearance. He wanted the woman he’d had easy conversations with. The woman he’d held while she cried after the loss of the coach they’d all loved so much.

He could have made this easier on them both by taking her somewhere simple, to a movie, out bowling or…there were many options, but none that would make his intentions clear. He wasn’t taking Sahara out because he had nothing better to do. There was something between them that he wanted to explore. Tonight would be special. Possibly a new beginning.

“Look at me.” He tipped her chin up with a finger. “What do you see?”