by Ursula Dukes
“Damn you look good,” said a strange man who stood at the bottom of the brownstone steps.
“You live here?” Dominique didn’t know what to say, she wasn’t used to being accosted. What was I thinking wanting to wait outside? She thought to herself as she remembered the realtor telling her the neighborhood wasn’t the safest.
“Hey, I’m talking to you; do you live here or not?”
Dominique stammered as she thought of the right answer. “Um no I am just visiting,” she said nervously as she watched him ease his way up a step.
“Then how come you ain't going inside?” He asked taking another step.
“Oh I’m just waiting, but I think I’ll give a call,” she laughed nervously as she fished inside her purse for her cell.
Dominique stood frozen as the stranger quickly made his way up the remaining steps and now stood directly in front of her. She did not want him to see the fear in her eyes as she tried to walk past him.
“Where do you think you’re going?” He said gruffly while he grabbed her arm.
“Let go of me NOW!” she shouted as she kneed him in between the legs.
Her attacker let out a howl as he grabbed himself with both hands.
“You fuckin bitch!” he shouted at her as he began to go after her once again.
Dominique had barely a second to move out of the way as Adam pounced on her attacker forcing him onto the ground.
“I think you owe the lady an apology,” said Adam as he held the stranger in a headlock.
“Sorry lady geez, can you let me go now, I can’t breathe.”
“That's the whole idea asshole, and I don’t want to see you around these parts anymore, because you know what'll happen if I do? He asked, tightening his grip. “I'm gonna tell my buddies over at Mickey’s bar, to come and take care of you, you got that you piece of shit? I'm sure you know just what I mean don’t you? “
“Ah, yes sir, I just want to go, can I go now?”
“What’s the magic word asshole?”
“Please.”
“Get the fuck out of here and remember what I said low-life.”
Humiliated and ashamed, the man straightened out his dirty overcoat and took off running down the street.
“God you look beautiful! Are you alright Dominique? I'm sorry you had to see that but that guy had it coming. Come on let's get you warm,” he said very casually as if nothing out of the ordinary had just occurred. He opened the door to his range rover and helped her inside. Dominique was a bit excited by what she had just witnessed, she had seen a side of Adam that she hadn't expected but it didn’t scare her, in fact she liked it. She liked having him come to her rescue, she was turned on by it.
“Thank you,” she said when he got into the car. “I guess I should think twice before I step outside for some air huh? I certainly wasn’t expecting that,” she said letting out a small gasp.
“Dominique, you've got to be careful, now I know that you told me that you've just moved here, but you failed to tell me from where?”
Dominique wasn’t sure if she was ready to share that part of her life with Adam, no, she would wait. See where things go first, if she allowed things to go anywhere at all, that is.
“Oh, not from a city I can promise you that,” she said with a nervous laugh.
“Okay Dominique I am guessing that you have your reasons for not telling me where you’re from, but I hope that you learn to trust me enough to maybe tell me one day, but until that day comes, I won't pressure you.”
“Thank you Adam. Not just for saving me, but also for respecting my wishes.
“You’re welcome Dominique and did I mention how stunning you look in that dress?”
“Well you did say beautiful yes, but stunning? I would have remembered that,” she said laughing now.
“Well let me say it again, you look absolutely stunning.”
Dominique reached out and gently touched his hand. “So where are you taking me?”
“I hope you like French food because I made reservations at Mistral's.”
“I've never had French food but it looks like I’ll be trying it tonight,” she said with a grin.
“Dominique if you want to go somewhere else, you just say the word and I’ll take you wherever you want to go.”
Dominique knew that he meant every word.
“No of course not. I’m quite open to trying new things Adam really, it's Okay.”
A sly grin crept across his face. “I will definitely keep that in mind Dominique.”
The moment she'd made the comment, she wished she could take it back. Oh what he must be thinking, she wondered to herself. Maybe I’m not ready for this dating thing, or maybe I should do what Pam said and go with the flow. Dominique tried to redeem herself by telling Adam that she simply meant that she was open to trying new foods but it was too late, he told her. He already had images of all the many, many things that he would like seeing her try and food only being a very small part of it. Dominique blushed and folded her arms as she listened to Adam go on and on about all the things she should be open to try. Finally when they arrived at Mistral's, Adam turned to face Dominique.
“I told you I’d get you back,” he laughed as he watched the expression on Dominique's face.
“YOU ASS!” Dominique said laughing and punching him hard in the arm.
Adam had managed to stop laughing long enough to tell Dominique, “You walked right into that one.”
“I suppose I did,” she said as they continued to laugh and smile. Dominique could not remember the last time she had laughed so hard and so much. Not since she was with her boys. The thought sobered her.
Adam seeing her expression turn grim, thought he had offended her.
“Dominique, I am sorry, it was only a joke, really. Once you get to know me, you’ll find that I'm not an asshole, really. Say something Dominique.”
“Adam, I’m sorry, my mind was somewhere else, and don’t worry, I don’t think that you’re an asshole, I know you were only joking. So are you planning on taking me to dinner in there or are we going to sit in your car all night? Come on I’m hungry.” She said stepping out of the car.
“Yes ma'am.” Adam said as he followed her inside.
When they walked into the restaurant, Dominique couldn’t help but notice the beautiful interior. There was handpicked pottery along the arched floor to ceiling windows, and high ceilings housed gorgeous chandeliers made out of old wine barrels. Small lights adorned each table and the bar, well there was only one word to describe the bar, and that was sexy, simply sexy. It was a French Provencal style lounge area that just emulated warmth and sensuality. She pictured herself lounging sexily next to Adam as they sipped a hand crafted drink and gazed into each other’s eyes.
“Shall we have a drink at the bar Dominique?”
“NO! I mean, no thank you let’s just head over to our table,” she said. Dominique knew that if she sat with Adam at the bar, she would get caught up in the moment and lose herself. She could not let that happen. This is just a friendly dinner with a little bit of flirting thrown in she kept trying to convince herself.
During dinner Dominique made sure to steer the conversation away from her and onto Adam and his family. She did not let on that Molly had filled her in a lot about his life already because she wanted to hear about it from Adam himself. She listened intently while Adam spoke of his privileged childhood and all the luxurious advantages he was awarded while growing up and how although his brother was given the very same advantages he chose to follow the wrong path. Adam told her that his brother dabbled in small time drug dealing in college and soon dropped out. That is when he started hanging out with Nick and the DiNunzio crew. Adam explained to her that DiNunzio was one of the most dangerous mob families in Boston. Dominique couldn’t help but tell him that their lives sounded like that of a movie script.
“Forgive me for saying this Adam, but it all sounds dangerous and exciting at the same time. It's like even thou
gh you were both lucky enough to live such an opulent lifestyle, for one of you at least, that was never enough. Sounds like your brother Brandon likes to live on the edge, I mean it’s one thing to take the occasional risk but just as long as it doesn’t hurt anybody else Adam. But tell me, has he ever hurt anyone Adam? Come on, you can tell me,” she said with a wink. “I mean you did say that he was involved with the mob, do you think he's gone so far as to hurt people?” Dominique was trying to be subtle and find out whether or not Adam knew about the evil doings of his brother, she hoped not, despite her better judgment, she was already beginning to like him.
“No.” Adam stressed. I don’t believe so, at least I hope not but with Brandon, you never know. Dominique, you wouldn’t believe how much time and money my parents spent trying to get him on the right track, but he always found his way back to his old habits.”
“Do you think the job as an investigator will do him some good?” asked Dominique as she sipped her wine.
“I'd like to say that I hope it will, but I already have my doubts but there is no telling my father that, it’s as if he refuses to give up on Brandon.”
“Well I don't think he should give up Adam, but maybe he should cut the ties a little you know? Let him take responsibility for his own actions, whatever they may be.” she said snidely.
Listen to me, it’s none of my business,” she said with a nervous laugh.
“Dominique it’s alright really, I really enjoy talking with you. I haven’t had this much of a good conversation in quite a long time so thank you and I hope that we can do it a lot more,” he said, eyes on fire and boring into her. Dominique fought to look away from him as his stare seemed to stir something so deep inside of her that she thought she might burst.
“I'd like that Adam,” she said returning his gaze. There go the damn hormones again.
Adam was intrigued by Dominique, she was the first woman he had met that seemed to leave him wanting more, and not just in the physical way. There was an air of sorrow that surrounded her no matter how hard she tried to mask it. Something terrible happened in her life and he wanted to know what it was so that he could tell her that if she let him, he'd make sure not to let anyone or anything hurt her ever again.
Chapter Nine
“I had a wonderful time Adam, thank you so much for dinner. That restaurant was spectacular and the food was delicious, thank you again.” Dominique hoped that he wouldn’t offer to walk her to her door, but she knew it was inevitable, given the type of man he was and his proper upbringing, there was no way he was not going to.
“You’re quite welcome Dominique,” he said getting out of the car.
Dominique rung her hands together as Adam opened the door. Not since Stephen had anyone showed her so much attention, even though she liked the way it made her feel, she knew that if she didn’t store it deep inside, she would succumb to it and let herself feel again.
“You don’t have to walk me to the door Adam, I’ll be fine really.” Dominique's protests fell upon deaf ears as Adam protectively placed his hand along her back.
“Now Dominique what kind of man would I be if I didn’t walk you to your door?” he said with a grin.
Dominique felt like a school girl getting dropped off after a first date by a guy she really liked. The only difference was there was no father to turn the porch light on signaling that the date was over.
“Well thank you again Adam, I had a … Adam could watch her lips no more as he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her closer to him. Dominique could not resist, she wanted to feel his lips on hers, it had been so long. Adam could feel the hunger and sense of urgency in Dominique's kiss and he wanted to be the one to feed that hunger. Dominique wanted to pull away, but she couldn’t, it had been so long since she felt another's hands on her, she wanted him and she wanted him now. Dominique handed Adam the house key and once he unlocked the door and they were safely inside of the brownstone, Adam gathered Dominique in his arms and kissed her hard. She fed his hungry mouth with hers and as their tongues twisted and tangled, Adam expertly untied her dress. Once he had gotten her out of it, he picked her up and as Dominique wrapped her legs around him he carried her into the bedroom. Adam marveled at the way her body seemed to fit his and as he made his way inside of her, he grew hungrier and hungrier with each thrust.
Dominique moaned with each thrust, she loved the way he took her, the raw hunger of it all, skipping foreplay and getting right to it. She had wanted that, she needed to feel him inside her. He moaned her name and Dominique could feel that he was on the edge. In a move that surprised even her, she pushed Adam onto his back and slowly, and deliberately climbed on top of him. He let out a low growl as she lowered herself onto him, the slow steady moves soon turned fast and heated. As she climaxed, Dominique called out his name.
Adam felt the heat of her climax all around him. Dominique was still hungry for more, Adam had set her free and she relished in the feeling. “I want to feel you deep inside of me.” Adam was more than willing to oblige and as she laid on her back once more, Adam thrusted into her. Dominique still quivering from her own climax opened herself even more to accommodate him fully. Adam knew he was about to explode and with every urgent thrust, he kept his eyes on her, Dominique returned his gaze and she knew when he was about to go over the edge. Her muscles clenched tightly around him and he kissed her deeply and passionately as she brought him over, causing him to shudder and collapse as he laid his head upon her chest.
Both lay still as they caught their breath. She wasn’t expecting what came next.
“Being with you just now was amazing Dominique, to be honest, I was hoping this night would end this way. I know I don’t what this to end.”
Dominique couldn’t believe what she was hearing, she immediately sat up. She did not want this, she wanted simple sexual gratification and that’s just what she got and now here was this incredibly attractive man telling me that he wants more. Could she do it? He did make her feel alive again and that was something she hadn’t counted on. But she also couldn't stop thinking about his brother Brandon and what he did to her family.
“Adam, I thought my feelings for you would be purely sexual and that once we had sex, I’d be able to detach myself from you but it only intensified my feelings for you Adam and that thought terrifies me.”
“Why Dominique, why does it scare you?”
Because you’re the brother of a cold blooded killer who left my husband and son to die. “Because Adam, we just met. I'm sorry Adam but I need for you to leave,” she said, her voice trembling.
Adam also sat up and looked at Dominique as she sat cradling herself.
She's shielding herself away from the world; Adam thought to himself, she's shielding herself from me.
“Dominique I’m gonna go out on a limb here and tell you that even though we just met, things happen Dominique and this is one of those things. We are both attracted to each other and we're both adults, so let’s just take it from there, I want to know everything about you Dominique Foster, absolutely everything. I will never hurt you and I promise, if you'll give me a chance, I’d make you the happiest woman in the world, I don’t waste time when going after what I want Dominique and I make no qualms about it. I also don't think that you want me to leave,” Adam said, as his hand brushed against her cheek.
Dominique hated the fact that he was right, no she didn't want him to leave but she knew that there was no way she could fall for him. Not under these circumstances, she thought to herself.
Burying her head in her hands she whispered, “Adam, I’m so sorry but I can't do this and please don’t ask me why, I just can't. Adam please, if you have any feelings for me at all, you'll leave,” she said, her eyes wet with tears.
“As you wish Dominique but know this, I’m not giving up, I want you Dominique and I know you want me, I’m not giving up.”
Adam took her face in his hands and kissed her long and deep. Then he reluctantly got out of bed, got dressed
and walked out the door.
Dominique had spent nearly an hour talking on the phone to her friend Pam. After the night she had just shared with Adam, she needed someone to tell her what to do.
“I can’t tell you what to do Dom, but what I can tell you is that it sounds to me that by your ready to move on but you’re feeling a bit guilty, so listen to me, and listen good. It's been two years since you lost not only your son but your husband, who was also your best friend and lover. Nothing can change that Dominique and spending the rest of your life alone is not going to make you feel better and it’s not going to bring them back. You know, sometimes we think that if we hold on to those who have left, it will make us stronger, but I know that in your case, letting go will make you stronger and Stephen would not want you to avoid moving on Dom, he just wouldn’t and you know that.
If there is nothing that you have learned from this tragic act, it’s that life is short and you deserve to be happy Dominique so please, please try and open yourself up to Adam and remember, just because you move on does not mean that you forget. Teddy and Stephen will always be with you Dominique, and as long as you remember that you can and will move on. Now get going, you've got an office romance to continue today. One that will hopefully end up with you falling madly in love and you don’t want to be late do you?”
Dominique knew her friend was right. But you don't know that Adam is Brandon's brother she thought to herself, I wonder if you'd change your mind if I told you. But Dominique had a feeling that her best friend would still stand by her feelings, she would tell her that as long as Adam wasn't involved, then there would be no reason why she shouldn’t get involved with him. “Alright, alright, she said. “As usual Pam, your right and I’ve kept you long enough. Thanks again for the advice.”