Irresistible Forces - Brenda Jackson [55]
There was no woman who had the ability to literally charge the air between them the moment she walked into a room other than Taylor Steele. No other woman who could bring him almost to his knees with just one kiss—a kiss he had taught her how to perfect. And then there were the times he would be inside her…
Just thinking about it made his entire body ache for something he couldn’t have but desperately wanted. When he reached the kitchen he pulled open the refrigerator and decided he needed a cold glass of water. He’d been dreaming again about Taylor, about them making love. The dream had seemed so real he had awakened in a heated sweat.
“Hey, are you okay?”
Dominic glanced over his shoulder at Ryder. “Yeah, I’m fine. Why aren’t you in bed?”
“I just got in from the gym.”
Dominic glanced at the clock on the kitchen wall. “This late?”
“Yes. This late.”
He watched the huge hulk of a man slide into a chair at the kitchen table. Not for the first time he wondered about Ryder, the man who had been his bodyguard, his confidant and friend for close to twenty years now. Ryder never mentioned a family, although Dominic knew there was some special woman back in France and he left to return there every chance he got. At least Dominic figured it was a woman since whenever Ryder came back he had a better disposition. More than once over the years he’d tried inquiring about Ryder’s other life and if it included a family, but the man had effectively and intentionally changed the subject, letting Dominic know any discussion about him was off-limits.
“So, how did you enjoy your week on Latois?”
Dominic glanced over at Ryder. He hadn’t told anyone where he would be that week other than Matt and he was certain Matt hadn’t mentioned anything to anyone. His secretary had been informed that if an emergency came up to contact Matt. So where had Ryder gotten his information?
“Don’t bother figuring things out, Nick. I know where you are 24-7. It’s my business to protect you. It’s what your grandfather sent me here to do.”
Dominic closed the refrigerator and leaned back against it. He felt irritated that his grandfather intended to be a part of his life even when he didn’t want him to. “It’s been close to twenty years now, Ryder?” he asked angrily. “You can’t be my bodyguard forever. Besides, I don’t need one anymore.” Even though he said the words he knew over the years Ryder had become more than just his bodyguard.
“You are who you are. You will always need someone to watch your back.”
“My grandfather’s orders?” Dominic asked angrily.
“When are you going to stop hating him?”
Dominic sighed. He and Ryder had had this conversation several times. For some reason Ryder was very loyal to Franco Saxon.
“I don’t hate him actually,” Dominic said calmly. “I just don’t want him to be a part of my life just like he chose not to be a part of my father’s life when he married my mother.”
“He made a mistake Nick. Your father has forgiven him. So has your mother.”
“I’m glad to hear it. Now I’m going back to bed.” Dominic turned to leave but Ryder’s next question stopped him.
“And what of the new Saxon heir?”
Dominic slowly turned around and stared at Ryder. Did he have no secrets from this man? He wouldn’t waste his time trying to figure out how Ryder had known he was on Latois for the sole purpose of making a baby. It would have been simple enough since the island advertised heavily their procreation vacations.
“You tell me. What about the new Saxon heir?”
“Your parents and your grandfather would be pleased that you’re carrying the family line forward.”
Dominic was glad his parents would be overjoyed with the news, but as for his grandfather, he really didn’t give a royal damn. “Nothing is definite yet.”
Ryder chuckled at that. “But I’m sure it will be. You’re a Saxon.”
Dominic arched a brow. “Meaning?”
“You’ll make it happen.”
Dominic walked out of the room thinking he certainly hoped so. But he would continue to be on pins and needles while