It’s called not having a life, dearest.
Judging by the knowledge glowing in his eyes, Travis knew exactly what she was thinking, but he didn’t say anything.
“I don’t want to talk about my family anymore. There’s nothing I can do to change them or what happened.”
Hank stopped her and said, “I have just one question for you about your brothers. Were Cord and Jackson there the day Travis came by to follow up with you?”
“Oh, no. They were at college at that time. I don’t think Gordon or Phil would’ve said what they had if Cord and Jackson had been around. They didn’t much care for Gordon and Phil. It’s no coincidence that they didn’t like Brent either.”
“You said you broke up with him.”
“Yeah. He should be moved out of my apartment by now.”
“You trusted him to do that on his own?”
“I didn’t really have much choice, since I was coming here. But the relationship is over and he’ll deal with it.” Travis and Hank both looked like they had opinions but let the subject drop. She didn’t feel inclined to mention the whiny texts and e-mails she’d been getting from him for the last few days. Begging for another chance. She should’ve kicked him out after the first episode of cheating…or maybe even sooner.
Travis asked her how she liked her coffee and then got up from the couch and moved around in the kitchen, preparing mugs of coffee.
Turning to Hank, Veronica asked, “Hank, do you think you’ve always been a Dom? Do you think that Dominance is somehow in your genetic makeup?”
Hank ran his fingers through his hair, obviously trying to figure out the best way to answer. She wished he’d speak without self-editing but then his answer surprised her.
“Have you always been a writer?”
She gazed into his eyes and the smile on her face reflected the one he gave her when understanding lit up in her mind. “Yes. I have. Even before I knew how to write, I think I was. Growing up, I would see the story in everything. My imagination has always been more…”
“Vivid?”
He took her breath away with the understanding in his eyes. “Yes. I’ve always felt as if everything was coming at me as this huge extrasensory experience. Sometimes that meant that I couldn’t understand why others didn’t react the way I did. I just…felt everything so powerfully. But it also meant I ran with a lot of those feelings and got called a drama queen and a daydreamer.”
“Because you’d get so caught up in all of it.”
“Yes. I’d play games of ‘what if’ with myself and lose track of time. And if I tried to explain myself and what I was thinking I got funny looks or was teased.”
He chuckled softly. “I can imagine you doing that. Did you get in trouble?”
“Sometimes. More than a few of my teachers called me a daydreamer. When they mentioned that in my progress reports and report cards, my parents saw that as a negative. They wanted me to be a straight-A student and do well in college so I could become a part of the family business, ranching.”
Hank picked up her hand and played with her fingers as he glanced at her. “You don’t strike me as the ranching type, Nika. No offense.”
It was nice that he understood that about her. “None taken. I love being here on the ranch and didn’t mind growing up on one, but it’s not the career endeavor for me that it is for my parents and my brothers and sister. So you think you’ve been a Dom your whole life?”
“Well, not in the sexual sense. That didn’t come until later, but I’ve had Dominant traits my whole life.”
“Most notably?”
“The need to protect, guide, and inspire trust. I know that sounds kind of lofty, but there are too many assholes in my line of work who get a badge and a gun and suddenly discover an overinflated ego. They want that job because of the power rush. I’m not in this profession to make myself feel important. I hold it so other people will feel safe, so their lives are better and they’re happy. I think those qualities are also needed by my sub.”
“I thought you didn’t have a sub.” She wanted to Hoover the pouty-sounding words as soon as they came out of her mouth.
Hank chuckled quietly and she noted Travis’s interest in the topic by the twinkle in his eyes as he handed her a steaming mug of coffee. It felt odd to be served by him.
“No, I don’t have a sub. I was speaking in general terms. I’m a public servant and it would be difficult to keep that kind of relationship quiet. At least, I haven’t met a woman yet who didn’t tell secrets to her girlfriends. I have to maintain my constituents’ trust.”