by Zuri Day
Dominique reached for the phone. “Tessa, it’s me. Can you stay a few extra hours? I’m going to be working late.”
“No problem, Dominique.”
“Thank you.” Before she’d replaced the office phone on its receiver, her cell phone rang. “Hello?”
“Hey, baby. It’s me.”
“Hey, Jake.”
Jake immediately sensed tension in Dominique’s voice. “Whoa. What’s wrong?”
Dominique gave him a brief rundown of her day.
“Then what I’ve planned is right on time.”
“What’s that?” Dominique asked, her voice wary.
“I’ll tell you tonight ... at dinner.”
“Ooh, baby, that sounds great. But I have to work late. I just called Tessa so she could stay with Justin.”
There was a pause before Jake replied, “Okay.” And then he added, “Last night you said you were going to start focusing more on yourself and your family.”
“That was before today’s luncheon!”
“So now the workaholic is back, with no thoughts to what happens outside of the office?”
“That’s not fair, Jake. My career may be at stake here,” Dominique said, continuing when Jake didn’t respond. “This situation is temporary. There is another meeting with the investors soon and Solveig Ericksson, a good friend of mine who is a supporter and also on the board, will be there. She knows exactly what François is up to and, believe me, neither one of us is planning for his shenanigans to succeed.”
“All right, then. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Okay.” Dominique replied, though she didn’t think things were okay at all.
37
Three hours later and Dominique was still at her desk. She felt a little better having talked with Solveig in Stockholm to come up with a loose game plan on how to proceed in the coming months. But now she felt even more pressure for the upcoming issues to be flawless. She spent the next thirty minutes talking to the photographer who was scheduled to do the Body By Night shoot the following day, then continued checking the layouts for the upcoming issue.
Her phone rang. Dominique looked at her watch. It was 7:00 PM. Who’s calling the office line at this hour?
“Dominique Clark.”
“Miss Clark, it’s Peter.” Peter was one of the building’s evening security guards.
“Oh hi, Peter.”
“You have a visitor.”
Dominique’s brow rose. “I do?”
“Yes. His name is Jake McDonald. He says that you know him.”
Dominique smiled as she relaxed. “Yes, Peter. I do. Please send him up.”
“Okay, ma’am.”
Dominique walked to the main reception area and unlocked the outer door. Seconds later the elevator dinged, indicating a stop on their floor. Jake walked out, looking like six feet five inches of sexy and smelling the same. She caught a hint of his woodsy cologne as he hugged her, followed by the smell of something delicious.
“Um, what’s that smell?”
Jake broke their embrace. “I figured you might be hungry. Hope you like Greek.”
“Sounds delicious. Let’s go to the dining room.”
Jake and Dominique engaged in small talk while enjoying moussaka, lamb skewers, lemon potatoes, and tapenade. She was glad for the company.
“Thanks, baby,” Dominique said as she finished the last of her tea. “This was such a thoughtful thing to do, and much better than the Chinese takeout I’d planned to order.”
“I’m glad you enjoyed it.”
Dominique rested her chin on her hand and peered at him. “You really are special, you know that?”
“That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you, woman!”
They laughed.
Jake leaned forward, kissed Dominique on the lips. “And there’s more.”
“Oh?” Dominique’s nipples hardened of their own accord. At the thought of his “more,” her vaginal walls contracted and images of their last time together wafted before her eyes.
“Yes.” The look of pure desire in her eyes caused Jake’s dick to twitch and begin to harden. He was thinking about that, too, but later, when he could give her body the type of treatment it deserved. He reached into his pocket and pulled out an envelope. “These.”
Curiosity replaced disappointment as Dominique reached for the envelope. “What’s this?” She reached inside the unsealed envelope and removed the contents. Her eyes widened. “Tickets to the Raiders’ game?”
“I always have access to Raiders tickets. Just haven’t taken advantage of it much in the past few years. But with Justin so disappointed over not being able to go last week, I thought that we could take in Sunday’s game ... just the three of us.”
“Oh.” Dominique’s smile faded. “This Sunday.”
“Yes, but you don’t have to worry about a thing. A friend of mine is flying up to the game in his private plane. He invited us to join him. We’ll leave Saturday evening and return Sunday, right after the game. Justin’s going to be so excited ... I can’t wait to tell him!” When he saw that Dominique didn’t share his enthusiasm, his smile faded. “What is it, Nick?”
“Jake, I’d love to go, but with this new development and my job potentially being on the line ... I just can’t. But Justin can,” she hurried on, placing the tickets back in the envelope and sliding it over near Jake’s hand. “You two can go, have a great time, and then fill me in on the details when you come back.”
“This trip wasn’t going to just be about me and Justin, baby. It was going to be about us, and where this attraction we have for each other is going.” He waited for Dominique to respond. She didn’t. “But I see how it is.” Jake placed the envelope back in his pocket and stood. “Your work comes first.”
“That’s not fair!” Dominique came around the table and placed her arms around Jake’s waist. “I care for you, Jake,” she whispered into his chest. “And I want to keep seeing you.” She tilted her head back to see his expression. His expression was unreadable, but he finally placed his arms around her shoulders and hugged her to him. “You feel good.” Dominique tilted her head once again, and placed her lips along Jake’s strong jaw line. “Maybe I can see you later?” No response. “Jake?” she whispered, lifting her head to place her lips against his.
The warmth of her breath was Jake’s undoing. He opened his mouth, forced his tongue into hers and crushed her ample breasts against his hard chest. Dominique moaned, and he slanted his mouth over hers to deepen the kiss, running his hands over the silky fabric of her dress, wanting her out of it, wanting to be inside of her. Dominique felt his arousal and ran her hand along the hardened shaft. The throbbing at her core grew more prominent, the wetness between her thighs evidence of her raw desire.
Jake broke the kiss. “Dominique, stop.” He took her arms from around him, his breath coming in quick, short spurts. “I want you, baby, but not like this. Not here, like a wham, bam, thank you, ma’am.”
“Tessa is watching Justin. Can I come over when I’m done here?” In a flash, Dominique was transported back nineteen years ago, when she was in college and TLC was all the rage. It was all she could do not to scream their hook: “I ain’t 2 proud 2 beg.”
Fortunately, she didn’t have to. Jake stepped up to her, and placed a kiss on her forehead. “All right. I’ll see you then.” They left the dining room and walked in silence to the elevator. “I enjoyed the baklava,” Jake said, just before the elevator doors closed. “But I have a taste for something sweeter... .”
38
Dominique stood over the table working with the order of interviews and pictures for an upcoming issue. She was satisfied with the Kirstie Alley interview and the accompanying photos. She studied the pictures carefully and felt the one of Kirstie relaxing in her Southern California home should be the centerfold. She went back and forth on what should precede this article and which advertisements should frame it. She liked the idea of the plus-size fashion spread from a
n up-and-coming designer dedicated to making fabulous clothes for big girls. Move over, Lane Bryant. Get out of the way, Ashley! Dominique loved the form-flattering separates the young Asian designer (who was all of a size 2) had created. She especially loved that he didn’t try to hide full figures, but rather accentuated them. “Yes. This should definitely follow the lead article.” She typed notes on her iPad and looked at the next set of pages. But there it was again. Thoughts of Jake, and the night that awaited her. His parting words had plagued her for the last two hours. It was a miracle that more work had gotten done. But covering her back by focusing on the magazine’s future direction had put her behind in her regular duties and, as it was, she saw herself working through the weekend.
“Come on, Dominique,” she told herself. “Keep it together.” But Jake’s words kept floating back into her mind. I figured you might be hungry. Dominique redoubled her efforts to concentrate on the model shots, and what sequence would best highlight the designer’s talents. I want you, baby. But not like this.
Dominique shut her eyes, trying in vain to block out the message of her heart—the message that told her to leave now and go to her beloved. She looked at her watch. Only 9:00, barely an hour since Jake had left the office. “This photo spread is fabulous,” she said aloud, in an attempt to infuse enthusiasm into what she least felt like doing right now. She moved around a grouping of four pictures and placed next to it an ad for Bulgari watches. I have a taste for something sweeter ... you.
Dominique almost moaned aloud at the thought, and as it were, she felt a shiver run down her spine. Adding to her lack of concentration was her text message indicator going off on her desk. She thought she’d be home by now, and knew Tessa was probably wondering if she should prepare to spend the night.
But the message wasn’t from Tessa.
It was from Jake.
My tongue.Your pussy.
That was it. Stick a fork in it because Dominique was done. She didn’t even bother with her usual routine—stacking the mock-up pages to the left of the table and tidying up her desk. She didn’t even stop to text back an answer. She simply walked over to her desk, turned off her computer, grabbed her briefcase and purse, and was gone.
Jake turned off the shower spigots. He stepped from the oversized stall, reached for a towel, and wrapped it around his waist. He tried not to feel down, but at almost ten PM, he felt that he had to face the facts. Dominique was not coming over. Work came first.
He eyed himself in the mirror a moment before deciding to go downstairs and grab a beer. He’d brought home the video from the previous Saturday’s game and figured there were a few tricks for his team he could pull from his sleeve if he continued watching it. The opponent’s quarterback was good, but even the best player had his weakness. Jake had spotted one of them—his inability to run well from side to side. Jake determined that there were probably more where that came from.
There was something else on his mind—an offer that had come to him last week. A school in Texas was waving big bucks in his face to come and direct their athletic department. Middleton Prep’s offer notwithstanding, when it came to being involved in elementary through high school football, Texas was the state where you wanted to be. The Lone Stars took their pigskin seriously and when it came to salary, they’d basically said he could name his price. Part of his hesitation to even considering the offer had been his love for Middleton Prep and the Hurricanes in general, and his growing feelings for Justin and Dominique in particular. But maybe I should consider putting my work first for a change. Jake reached into the fridge, grabbed a beer, unscrewed the top, and leaned against the counter as he took a long, refreshing drink. Many of his family lived near where he’d be working. His twin, Johnny, lived in Baton Rouge; Mike lived in Atlanta; and Harold lived in Birmingham, not too far from where they’d all grown up and where his mother, Bernadette, still lived. He’d been on the West Coast for over twenty years. Maybe it’s time for me to move closer to home.
The ringing doorbell pierced his thoughts. Jake knew it could only be one person. He strode purposefully to the front door.
“Sorry I’m late,” Dominique murmured.
Jake’s eyes narrowed as she leaned provocatively against the jamb. He saw her eyes move from his face to his groin and back again. “Get in here.” Jake pulled her inside the door and into his arms, closing the door with his foot. He seared her mouth with his, thrusting his tongue into her warmth, taking her breath away.
“Wow, that’s some greeting,” she said when they came up for air.
A confident, predatory look came across Jake’s face. “There’s more where that came from. Would you like something to drink? Water, a glass of wine?”
“A glass of wine sounds nice.” Dominique followed Jake into the kitchen.
He reached into the cabinet and pulled out a wineglass, and then into the fridge for a cold bottle of chardonnay. “Did you finish up with everything?” he asked, taking a corkscrew and making quick work of opening the bottle.
“We’re never done,” Dominique answered. “But I was able to cross a couple more things off my to-do list.”
“Let’s take our drinks to the bedroom.” Jake spoke with authority, and without waiting for an answer began walking toward the stairs. As he mounted them, Dominique took in his strong calves, thick thighs, and again, that ass. Her legs faltered for a moment, as she imagined how Jake would use those long, strong legs—all three of them—in just a few minutes. She took a deep breath, and tried to get ahold of herself. But all she could think of was Jake getting ahold of her.
They entered Jake’s master bedroom. With one hand, he took another swig of his beer. With the other, he dropped the towel.
“Take off your clothes.”
His eyes were dark, filled with desire. His stance was strong, with legs apart, his burgeoning soldier standing at full attention, ready to gain entry.
Dominique took another sip of wine and then placed it on the table beside her. With her eyes locked on Jake’s, she reached for the large buttons that decorated the front of her silk, floral-print dress. She’d meant to take her time, but found herself fumbling to hurriedly rid herself of the fabric. She watched Jake’s eyes darken even further, if that were possible, as she stood in her custom-made lace see-through bra and hip-hugging panties—in hot, bright pink. It looked as if one good breath and her girls would spill out of their confines. The panties clung possessively to her generous hips, caressing a stomach that made no apologies for its folds and jiggles. She reached behind her and undid the bra clasp.
Later, she would swear Jake reached her before the lacy number hit the floor. He walked them back to the bed and directed Dominique down on it. All conversation ceased. His focus was singular. He went straight for Dominique’s dark, hardened nipple and hungrily sucked it into his mouth. With his other hand, he worked her other areola into a hardened peak, before brushing his hand over her stomach, and then farther down, using his hand to silently demand that she spread her legs.
Dominique gladly complied.
When she did, he took his finger and ran it back and forth over the thin, wispy fabric covering her heat. He felt her wetness through the material and smiled at the effect that he had on her. It made him harden even more, and he released Dominique’s peak so that he could slide off the bed. With one determined move, he gripped the sides of her panties with both hands and yanked them down her legs. All elegance was over. All pretense was gone. He bent his head and kissed her nether lips, once and again. He parted her folds with his tongue. Dominique moaned as he stroked her, even as she placed her hands on his head and silently demanded more.
He complied.
Deeper, wetter, more forcefully, he kissed, licked, nibbled, loved her.
“Jake!” Dominique’s voice came out in a harsh whisper.
Jake’s laughter was a low rumbling from his chest. But he knew how she felt. He felt it, too. He had to get inside of her before he exploded. Their thoughts were o
n a singular goal—becoming one. The previous night’s conversation had revealed that both had been tested, and neither had had another partner since beginning to see each other. Neither of them thought about the condoms that rested in Jake’s top nightstand drawer. There were way more important things to think about right now.
For Jake, it was the feel of Dominique’s luscious body as he covered it with his own. How her generous orbs cushioned his hard chest and how their hips fit together as if sculpted by the same artist. She lifted her leg and he felt the wetness of her heat, poised the thick, hard evidence of his desire at its entrance and then slowly, oh ... so ... slowly ... slid inside her.
For Dominique, it was the feel of Jake’s big, strong body covering hers, making her feel all girly inside. The way he moved his manhood against her sex, making her wetter still, poking promises of things to come. She spread her legs farther apart, feeling powerful and wanton all at the same time. It was the feel of the girth she’d dreamed up, longed for, filling her full, inch by excruciating inch. Ahhhh ...
He sank in to her core, until their bodies touched in the most intimate of ways. For a moment, he just lay there, basking in a place that felt like home. He felt Dominique’s walls clamping and contracting against him. He pulled out, and in again ... slowly ... just like before.
It was driving her mad. Dominique lifted herself off the bed, trying to force Jake into the frenzied dance her body craved.
Jake laughed. “You want this, baby?”
Dominique raked long, manicured nails down the length of his back.
Jake broke out in goose bumps, but he refused to be hurried. Plus, Dominique hadn’t answered his question. He pulled all of the way out. He’d give her what she wanted, everything she wanted ... but in his time.
“Jake!” Dominique panted. She opened her eyes to see where he had gone, just in time to see him ease down her body until his tongue had found her paradise once more. His tongue worked better than any fencer’s sword ever could. Dominique almost blacked out from the pleasure. He spread her wide and proceeded to act as if he hadn’t eaten a meal in days. Just when Dominique thought she could take no more, Jake climbed back on top of her, sank himself inside to the hilt, and used those strong legs and wide hips just the way Dominique thought he could.
