Read Online Twins for the Bull Rider by April Arrington - Free Book Online

anger melted from her face and an embarrassed flush stamped her cheeks. She swung away and smoothed a hand over her hair before facing him again.
    â€œLook, I...I’m sorry.” Her throat moved on a hard swallow. “Can I talk to you and Logan? In private?” She bit her lip, peering over his left shoulder. “Away from the boys?”
    Dominic nodded, caving at the unexpected display of vulnerability. “I’ll get ’em settled with Pop. He loves kids. He’ll keep them busy.”
    Cissy dipped her head in response but maintained her silence. He pressed his lips together to keep from saying anything more. She wasn’t skittish. But damned if she didn’t keep throwing bricks on that mile-high wall she stacked around herself.
    A small bundle hurled into Dominic’s hip, jostling him. He looked down to find Kayden leaning against him. Jayden jumped down from the fence and rushed to Dominic’s other side, weaving his fingers through his.
    â€œAunt Cissy missed the paddleboats this morning.” Kayden grabbed Dominic’s other hand and strained, trying to pull him forward. “So can we go again to show her?”
    â€œKayden, stop it.” Cissy threw Dominic an apologetic glance.
    Dominic stood firm and let him yank. The kid had a strong grip for such a small thing. He laughed when Kayden stopped tugging to let out an exhausted breath.
    â€œNot right now, Kayden. There’s plenty time for that. Your aunt and I need to talk.”
    â€œCan’t me and Jayden just go by ourselves?” Kayden begged.
    â€œNo,” Jayden said, his brow furrowed in concentration. “Mr. Dominic said we weren’t to never, ever go in the water without an adult. Or a life per-suh-va.”
    â€œPreserver,” Cissy corrected, waiting for him to repeat it. “That’s good advice.” She tossed Dominic a surprised glance. Her eyes warmed. “Thank you for watching out for them.”
    Dominic stilled. Such a different look from last night. Something pleasant streamed through his veins.
    Pride .
    It wasn’t that he’d never felt proud before. It just usually only hit when he was standing apart from everyone. In the middle of an arena. Muscles tight, breathing hard and basking in his dominance over a thousand-pound bull.
    It had always been a violent and overwhelming experience. But this was different.
    Dominic focused on the snug grip of the boys’ hands and the gratitude shining in Cissy’s wide eyes. He wasn’t alone. He was surrounded with warmth. With calm.
    His chest rose. Supporting and protecting offered a new kind of pride. It was shared. It was quiet. But it was just as powerful.
    â€œWell...” He cleared his throat. “Let me get them settled with Pop and we’ll talk.”
    Dominic led the boys inside the paddock to drop them off with Pop and they were soon chattering a mile a minute as they were led from one horse to the next. Everything was new and exciting to them and Dominic caught himself missing the days he and Logan used to roam the ranch together as boys. He turned and walked back, reluctant to leave them but equally drawn to their stubborn, beautiful aunt.
    â€œMr. Dominic?”
    He paused. Jayden had followed him a few steps and stood looking up at him with a grave expression.
    â€œAre we gonna stay here for a while?”
    Dominic hesitated. Damned if he knew why, but the boys’ questions were intimidating. And he sure didn’t know the answer to that one.
    Jayden continued to study him and Dominic stifled the urge to toss out a flippant response. It was best to be honest.
    â€œI don’t know.” Dominic tried for a comforting tone. “Don’t worry about all that. Your aunt Cissy will handle things.”
    â€œYeah, I guess,” Jayden said. “But it’s nice here.”
    Dominic took a moment to survey his surroundings through the boy’s perspective. The green