by Zuri Day
Dominique was deep in thought as she left the conference room and headed for her office. The meeting with the sales team hadn’t quite gone the way she’d expected. In fact, it had basically gone to hell in a hand basket. When she’d pushed the execs to double their efforts and try for longer contracts and more full-page ads, one of the top producers had responded by tendering his resignation. After the meeting, the sales manager had pulled her aside to assure her that what she’d said had nothing to do with their colleague leaving. The seemingly unhappy employee had been wooed away from Capricious, and was going to work for the new, competing magazine. Dominique only hoped that this was the end of the exodus of good employees, and not the beginning.
“Whew, Miss Dom,” Reggie said as soon as she’d entered their offices. “You look like you’re ready to kick some butt!”
“I could go a round or two and hold my own,” Dominique admitted, walking to his desk to retrieve messages.
“Well, girl, something is getting ready to put a smile on your face.”
Dominique looked up from the papers. “What?”
Reggie’s eyes twinkled. “Just go into your office and find out.”
Jake’s here? Dominique’s heartbeat quickened as she walked toward her closed office door. She opened it, entered her office and looked around. No one. She walked to her desk, and didn’t see anything unusual, saw nothing that wasn’t on it when she’d left an hour ago. “What is he talking about?” she asked aloud as she rounded the corner to where the ten-seat conference table and buffet were placed. That’s when she saw it: a huge, beautiful bouquet of flowers.
Her feelings were mixed as she walked toward the display. There was no doubt in her mind about who’d sent them. But that she’d received flowers instead of a phone call didn’t exactly make her feel all warm and fuzzy inside. In fact, a part of her was downright peeved. What did he think a bouquet of flowers would do? Make up for the unreturned phone calls, or the fact that he’d been MIA from her life for weeks?
She walked over to the bouquet, and the scent of orchids, lilies, and star gazers assailed her nostrils. She touched the silky white and pink petals dotted with black, leaned in and inhaled. The smell was heavenly and her frown somewhat lessened as she reached for the card.
Nick,
I’ve been the senseless jerk that I warned you about, and I’m sorry. I know that we need to talk. I’ll be at our restaurant at six o’clock. Hope you can meet me there.
Jake
Dominique read the card a second time before she folded it and walked to her desk. Now that a conversation she swore would happen today was about to take place, Dominique wasn’t sure she was ready for it. What if he wanted to meet to officially break things off? Or as important, what if he didn’t? Was she willing to continue with someone haunted by his father’s death and the heart disease that ran in their family? What if Harold had another heart attack, or worse? Would Jake run away again? Dominique placed the card in her purse and turned to her computer. There were a few hours left in her workday and she needed to stay focused. She’d have the answers regarding Jake McDonald soon enough.
At exactly six PM, Dominique handed her car over to the valet at the cozy Italian eatery in her and Jake’s neighborhood. She hadn’t eaten there since running into him there months ago and was immediately filled with thoughts of that evening. The flutter that often happened when he was near began in the pit of her stomach. Dominique took a breath, reached for the door, and walked inside.
She saw him right away, sitting at the booth where they’d shared dinner. He looked up immediately. Their eyes met and held. Dominique lifted her chin, quelled her nerves, and walked back to where he was seated.
Jake stood as she approached. He wanted to take her into his arms and kiss her senseless, but he could tell from the look on her face that that probably wasn’t a good idea. So instead, he said simply, “Dominique.”
“Jake,” she said, sitting on the other side of the booth.
Jake sat as well. “You look beautiful.”
And you look fine as hell. “Thanks.”
An awkward silence followed, ended by the waiter who came over to take drink orders. Jake ordered a beer; Dominique, a white wine.
Eyes met and held again.
More silence.
“I owe you an apology,” Jake finally began. “For how I’ve acted since Harold’s heart attack and for not returning your calls. You don’t deserve how I’ve treated you and ... I’m sorry.”
“You’re right, Jake. I don’t deserve it.” And then, “Why didn’t you call me?”
Jake sighed. “I don’t know.”
“You don’t know?”
“I mean ... look, I know you’re angry but ... chill out a little, all right? This isn’t easy for me—”
“And you think I’m skipping to my Lou?”
“But I want to tell you everything; I need to try and make you understand.”
Jake was right. Dominique was angry. Still, she remembered what Johnny had told her about the little boy who still lived inside this massive man sitting in front of her. So she took a breath, uncrossed her arms, and waited.
After the waiter had placed down their drinks, Jake continued. “Something happened that day in the skating rink parking lot when I heard about Harold’s heart attack. I went into shut down mode, much like I did when Daddy died. Back then I buried my feelings, stuffed all of that hurt and anger and anguish deep inside me and basically tried to ignore how bad I felt. Over the years, I never dealt with it. When Robin died, I did the same thing—buried the hurt under work and a string of casual affairs. But that day, that phone call pulled the scab off the wound and all of that pain came rushing back full force.
“From the time I was twelve, losing the people around me that I love has been my biggest fear, even bigger than the fear of my dying young. But that fear, that belief, that I wouldn’t live to see my fiftieth or sixtieth birthday, is probably the reason I waited too late to have children with Robin. I never want to put a child through what happened to me.
“When I sat in that hospital with Harold clinging to life, all I could think about was Justin, and how he’d feel if I died. I remember what you said about Kevin, and how hard it was for Justin when that man left his life. I thought about you,” Jake continued, looking deeply into Dominique’s eyes, “and how hard it would be for you, too.”
Dominique swallowed past the lump in her throat. “But you left me anyway.”
“I didn’t mean to; I didn’t want to. But can’t you see that I was only trying to protect you? To keep you and Justin from being hurt?”
“But you did hurt me!” Dominique said, her voice rising along with her ire. She got why Jake had been afraid but he didn’t seem to get that his argument was seriously flawed. “You’re hurting me now, with this ... explanation that, while understandable, makes no sense! Justin is wondering why you don’t come over, I’m at home with no clue as to what you’re thinking, and Johnny is telling me to give you time. Your father died when you were twelve, Jake,” Dominique continued, her voice softening. “You’re almost forty years old! How much more time will you need to move past the fear of what happened when you were a boy, and be able to love completely?”
She meant well, but Dominique’s words angered Jake. “How much time did you take to let me in after what had happened to you because you were hurt by that thief? I’m not the only one with issues at this table!”
“I never said I was perfect,” Dominique replied heatedly. “But I was woman enough to not let the relationships of the past affect my future.”
“And I’m man enough to be sitting here right now, Dominique, trying to do the same thing!”
A few patrons looked in the direction of the back booth, but neither Jake nor Dominique noticed. They were staring down each other, the air fairly crackling between them.
The waiter who’d brought their drinks hesitantly approached the table. “Would you like to order appetizers now?” h
e asked.
“No,” Jake said as he stood, reached into his pocket, and threw a twenty-dollar bill on the table. “We’re leaving.” He turned to Dominique. “Let’s go.”
Dominique raised a brow. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me. We need to finish this conversation, but not here.”
“I’m not sure I want to go anywhere with you, Jake.”
“I didn’t ask you. I’m telling you. We’re leaving. Now.”
Without waiting for an answer, Jake reached over, firmly gripped Dominique’s arm and pulled her up. To resist would have been futile; plus, Dominique didn’t want to cause a scene. Jake was probably the one person in California who was more stubborn than she was.
“Wait, Jake,” she said when he continued out the door and began walking them to the parking lot. “I valeted my car.”
“I’ll call them later, have someone drop it off at the house,” Jake said, ushering her into the passenger seat of his car. There was no way he was taking the chance of Dominique getting in her car and making a beeline for her house. He took a deep breath before starting the car and easing into the heavy, rush-hour traffic. He had handled things poorly; he acknowledged that. Dominique had a right to be angry. He acknowledged that, too. But he was determined to get through to her, resolute about trying to bring back what they had. By the end of the evening, Dominique might decide to end the relationship. But if you think I’m letting you go without a fight, baby girl, then you are totally misinformed.
56
The five-minute ride to Jake’s house was a quiet one. The silence continued as they walked to his front door and entered the home.
Once inside, Dominique turned to him. “Okay, we’re alone. What else do you want to tell me?”
Jake looked at her, noted her eyes, bright with anger, her pouty lips, and heaving breasts. The breasts he’d missed and longed to touch. “I love you,” he answered simply.
“I love you, too, Jake.”
“Then can we sit and talk to each other calmly, listen to each other, and work this out?”
Dominique heaved a sigh and walked toward the couch. “We can try,” she said, sitting down.
“I’m sorry,” Jake said again.
Dominique’s response was not what he expected. “Tell me about your father.”
Jake did that, and more. He bore his soul, sharing experiences that he hadn’t discussed in years. When he talked about finding his father slumped over, tears came to his eyes. “I know he died a long time ago,” he said. “But it still hurts.”
Jake’s tears washed away Dominique’s anger. She listened as he shared his pain, and his fears. Dominique then shared her thoughts and desires, including how she hoped Jake would seek counseling for the grief he still carried. To her surprise and delight, Jake agreed. For the next hour, they had a true heart-to-heart and when it was over, both felt depleted yet relieved.
After a companionable silence, where they simply held hands and absorbed what had just transpired, Jake asked, “So ... are we cool? Am I forgiven?”
Dominique smiled, remembering that these same words were the ones she’d uttered before, when she’d refused to let Justin go to Oakland. “I’ll think about it,” she responded, which had been Jake’s answer.
Jake nodded, even as he turned toward Dominique and looked in her eyes. “I’ve missed you,” he whispered. “I’ve missed these.” He leaned over, licking his lips before pressing them slowly, gently against Dominique’s. The kiss was soft and tender. He kissed her again, and then looked into her eyes. “Have you missed me?”
Dominique nodded, and looked at his lips. “I’ve missed these.” She leaned over and swiped her tongue against his lips.
When she would have leaned back, Jake stopped her, wrapping his arms around her and deepening the kiss. His hand slid from her back to the juicy fruit that for weeks he’d dreamed of touching. He tweaked her nipple before sliding his hand beneath her blouse. Dominique moaned her appreciation, even as her hand slid to the shaft that brought so much pleasure. Jake was already hard; about to bust out of his slacks.
“Come on,” he commanded, taking her hand. “I want to make love to you.”
They walked upstairs to Jake’s master bedroom. When they reached it, Dominique took off her shoes, then reached for the buttons on her blouse.
“No, I’ll do it,” Jake said. His eyes never left hers as, one by one, he slowly unbuttoned her blouse. He pulled back the fabric, kissing her lips, neck and the delectable chocolate mounds spilling out over the top of her black, lacy bra. He reached for the front clasp, undid it, and was quickly rewarded as Dominique’s girls waved their greeting. He buried his head between them before taking one nipple into his mouth, twirling the other with his fingers into a hardened peak. He walked behind Dominique, unzipped her skirt, and admired her plump, round booty as he eased the fabric over her panties and down her big, strong thighs. The skirt pooled at Dominique’s feet and once she stepped out of it, Jake hugged her to his chest, running his hands all over her body. He made quick work of shedding his clothes and then reached for his pants and pulled out his cell phone.
“Call Tessa and tell her you’re going to be late.”
Dominique looked at her watch. “But it’s just seven-thirty. She doesn’t leave until nine.”
“Baby, you won’t be home by then.”
“Why not?”
“Because,” he said, lazily running a finger down her arm before clutching her backside. “I have several things I’m going to do to you, and I’m not going to rush. In fact, judging by the way I feel right now, we’re probably going to be busy all night long.”
Dominique had barely finished the call when Jake reached for her panties and took them off. He picked her up and walked them over to his large, custom-made bed, rubbing her body against his as he put her down.
“Sit down.”
She did. Jake kneeled in front of her paradise, spread her legs and begin kissing the inside of her thighs. Dominique closed her eyes and lay back. Jake kissed her nether lips and then ran his tongue along her already wet folds. Dominique shivered and clutched the sheets. Jake used his fingers to play a melody on her love box, teasing her nub as he licked and stroked and nipped and teased. His strokes were strong and purposeful as he lapped up her nectar, his tongue making love to her, skilled and precise. It had been weeks since they’d enjoyed each other and before long, Dominique cried out in ecstasy, her whole body shaking with the intensity of her climax. But Jake wasn’t finished. He was just getting started. He crawled on to the bed and lay beside her, reaching for her hand and placing it on his manhood. They kissed, and he started to get on top of her. But Dominique had something else in mind.
“Lay back,” she commanded, her voice husky with desire. She kissed him on the mouth, long and wet, before working her way down his body: neck, arms, chest, and stomach. When she reached his navel, she swirled her tongue around it, massaging Jake’s massive erection as she did so. When she raked her fingernails along his inner thighs, he hissed and raised his hips off the bed. Dominique smiled. She knew exactly what he wanted. It was what she wanted, too. She ran her fingers along his mushroom tip before following that same trail with her tongue. Jake was very thick, but Dominique still managed to enthusiastically worship at his nine-inch shrine. She took her time, licking, nibbling, whipping Jake into an erotic frenzy. “Damn, baby,” he whispered. And then again, “Damn.”
Finally, he could take no more. He got to his knees, positioned himself behind Dominique and sank deeply within her with one powerful stroke. He reached around and fondled her breasts as he set up a slow, lazy rhythm—pulling out to the tip before plunging in again and again. He picked up the pace, and felt Dominique’s walls clutch around his shaft. He rotated his hips, making sure that she felt all of him, everywhere. She pushed back against him, demanding even more. Jake couldn’t seem to get enough of her, but for hour after hour, in position after position, he tried and all the while, he branded her bo
dy with his own.
In the early dawn hours, after waking up and making love yet again, Dominique kissed Jake and said the three words that put their relationship firmly back on track: “I forgive you.”
57
That weekend, Dominique and Justin were once again at Faith’s house. But this time, Jake accompanied them. Since the meeting that began at the restaurant and ended at Jake’s house, Dominique and Jake had been together every night. Justin was often included in their outings. They’d informed him that they were dating, and that they loved each other. Justin was thrilled, and asked if they were going to get married. Dominique had truthfully answered, “Son, we’re taking this relationship one day at a time.”
“Sister, I didn’t think it could get any better,” Dominique said, as she and Faith enjoyed an after-dinner walk around the block.
“You don’t need to tell me,” Faith said. “The afterglow is all over your face.”
“Really?” Dominique put a hand to her cheek. “It’s that obvious?”
“It is to the sister who’s known you her entire life. I’m so happy things are working out for you and Jake. He’s a good guy. Aaron and I are rooting for y’all.”
“Speaking of the guys, shouldn’t they be back by now?”
“Girl, please. If I know Aaron, him showing Jake the golf course probably turned into them playing a few holes. I hope you’re okay with hanging out a while.”
Jake took his time, lined up his shot, and swung. The golf ball sailed through the air before banking left near a grouping of bushes. “Damn!”
Aaron laughed. “Better luck next time, man.” They walked a ways to Aaron’s ball. He swung and fared much better.
“You know you’re a bad influence, keeping us away from the house this long. I’m surprised Dominique hasn’t called me by now.”