by Rumer Raines
My face creases into a sudden smile.
Dominic pulls into traffic, and we don’t talk on the way to the restaurant. There are plenty of stolen glances as I watch how his hands control the wheel. When I’m not stealing glances, I can feel his eyes on me as he steals his own.
It feels like we have been driving forever, but glancing at the dashboard, I can see it’s only been thirty minutes.
When Dominic pulls into the parking lot, my brows lift. The restaurant is not in the best neighborhood, and it looks like a dump. I stare at him in astonishment. This is where he brings me?
“Trust me, it doesn’t look like much, but they have the best tacos in Chicago.” His eyes darken as he holds my gaze.
Dominic orders us both the taco platter, which includes three tacos and rice. He was right; the tacos are the best I have ever eaten.
His dark eyebrows slant in a frown as his cell rings. He glances at it and presses the ignore button. Seconds later, it rings again. A muscle quivers at his jaw as he answers.
“What? This isn’t a good time. You can’t handle it. Fuck, I’ll be there in forty-five minutes.” His mouth is tight and grim as he glances at me.
“I’m sorry, something has come up. We need to go.”
“I can call Uber if it’s an emergency.”
His mouth twists into a snarl. “No, you won’t. You came with me, you’ll leave with me.”
Dominic tosses more than enough money on the table before placing the same hand on my lower back and leading me back to his car.
I can’t help but feel there is something menacing about this man. He is sexy as hell, but he feels like danger. I should run away, but I don’t want to. I don’t know how close I’ll get to the fire before I get burned.
9
IT’S BEEN a week since I saw Dominic. He dropped me off at my car and took off, not looking back. I have had two parties since, and they both have been successful. Despite the shame I feel about having parties with sex toys, it pays the bills. I have made enough to pay my parents’ insurance for the next four months. My mother had suspicion in her eyes when I handed her the money, but I promised her it was all legal.
“I’d like it picked up at noon,” Ted states as he places his lunch order on my desk.
“I can’t pick up your lunch today. I have plans, Ted.”
Hatred blazes in his eyes. “I think the only plan you have is picking up my lunch unless you prefer your plans to include us walking over to HR.”
Biting my lip, I snatch the lunch order off my desk and turn away from him.
The man is a power-hungry bastard who enjoys dominating others. Why do people like this move up in Corporate America?
I cancel the lunch plans I had with my mother and place Ted’s order. The only bright side is that I’ll get to chat with Monique.
The bar is busy, and Monique waves while yelling that she’ll bring over Ted’s order. I never would have thought the bar would be this busy at noon with business people.
“Who is Ted?” His voice sounds gruff and intimidating.
I jump at the sound of Dominic’s voice. He stands within inches of me holding Ted’s lunch.
“None of your business.”
“I think it is my business.”
“Why?”
“Steph don’t play games with me. You won’t like the outcome. Who the fuck is Ted?”
A new and unexpected warmth surges through me when he calls me Steph.
I reach for the bag, and he moves away.
“Dominic… I don’t have time for this.”
Our eyes meet, and I feel a shock run through me.
“Who is he?” He rips out the words impatiently.
“My boss. Can I have it now?”
“Why are you picking up his lunch?”
“I owe him,” I whisper.
Dominic stiffens as though I’ve struck him.
He gives me Ted’s lunch, and I walk away from him without looking back.
“I DON’T like your attitude, and I feel you don’t respect me as a manager,” Ted rants as he slams his fist on the table that separates us.
He has called me into another meeting and mentions every mistake I have ever made.
If only we could all be perfect like Ted.
I don’t respond since I know it won’t do any good anyway. He has his mind made up, and only his opinions matter.
Back at my desk, I check my cell and find I have four messages. Listening to each one, my heart races realizing I have four ladies requesting parties. I can’t believe how much money I am making at these sex toy parties. I send them texts to set up the dates and put my meeting with Ted completely out of my mind.
I have a party tonight. After going home to shower and change, I go to my first client’s home. She has six other ladies with her, and the party earns me thirteen hundred. I just earned more money in one night than I make in two weeks at work. It’s only Tuesday, and I have four other parties this week.
Wednesday is another day from hell until I go to my party, where I earn twelve hundred dollars. It isn’t as much as I made last night, but there were fewer ladies.
Ted doesn’t show up for work on Thursday. The day couldn’t have been more perfect. At least, that is what I thought until I had my party and earned another twenty-two hundred dollars. I love the sex party business.
Friday, there is still no Ted, and I make twenty-three hundred dollars. On Saturday, I drive home in tears after making twenty-six hundred dollars. I can’t believe how blessed I am to be making this money, and I am my own boss. I pick who I work with, and I pick my own hours and what days I want to work. I made almost ten thousand dollars working my part-time business that I was hesitant to start. I need to thank Monique for introducing the business to me.
Sunday morning, I visit my parents and hand my mother the envelope.
“What is this?” she asks.
“It’s just a little something to help you with the insurance payments.”
She opens the envelope, and her eyes widen. She takes out the cash and counts the five grand.
“Where did you get this money?” The color has drained from her face.
“I have a part-time business. I am doing very well.”
“Stephanie, what is this business? I want you to tell me right now or I will call the cops myself.”
“Mom…”
She walks past me, reaching for the phone.
“Mom… I am a consultant for Pure Love,” I whisper.
“You sell sex toys?”
“I sell bath products and items that help couples.”
“You sell sex toys. Do you know what a sin that is?”
“A sin? Are you kidding?”
“Do I look like I am kidding? You sell sex toys, Stephanie. What would the pastor say?”
“I don’t plan on inviting him, but I do plan on giving the church a donation.”
I can see the disgust on my mothers’ face.
“I don’t think I can take this money, Stephanie.”
“Are you kidding, Mom? I am doing this for you and Dad. I can’t believe you’re acting like this.”
Storming out, I slam the door and don’t stop until I am in my parking lot.
I push open my car door and slam the door. I can’t believe her. I also can’t believe the shadowy figure that is heading in my direction.
Taking a deep, unsteady breath, I step back when I see him walking in my direction. What is he doing here? The smile in his eyes contains a sensuous flame.
“What are you doing here, Dominic?”
“I need to see you.”
“Why?”
“I thought I could take you out to dinner.”
I offer him a small, shy smile.
“I think we already did that, didn’t we?”
“It didn’t end the way I wanted it to. Look, I know you probably think I’m playing games with you, but I am interested in you, Steph. I want to get to know you better. I want to spend time wit
h you.”
“Am I being punked?” I glance around the empty parking lot.
“Punked?”
“Yeah… you’ve never seen that show where someone plays a mean joke on some innocent person just to get them on TV?” I force a demure smile for the hidden camera.
“I don’t have time for that shit, Steph.”
“Okay, I’m really not in a good mood Dominic. I wouldn’t be good company, so if you could just leave?”
A cold, congested expression settles on his face. “Who fucked with you?”
“My mother. Apparently, I am going to hell for selling sex toys even though I just handed her the money to make her insurance payments for one year.”
He throws back his head and lets out a great peal of laughter.
“You think that is funny?”
“Baby, your mother doesn’t want to face the facts. Her daughter not only sells sex toys, but she was made for some lucky bastard to implant his dick so far between those thighs that toys should be the least of her worries. Unless she does know it and thinks sex toys is just the beginning.”
My panties are now drenched.
Lightly, he fingers a loose tendril of hair from my cheek. His fingers are cool and smooth.
“I… think… you need to go.” I inch away from him and turn to walk away, but my legs aren’t moving fast enough to get away from him.
I close my apartment door and practically fall against it. I can’t believe Dominic said those things to me. What is worse, I can’t believe I liked it.
10
AFTER TAKING A LONG COLD SHOWER, I check my cell phone to make sure I didn’t miss any calls. I have five text messages from a number I don’t recognize.
Unknown: My dick is so hard I can barely drive home.
Unknown: I want you so bad, baby, and I know you want me too.
Unknown: I bet you had to take a cold shower. I know you are wet for me.
Unknown: I can’t wait to get my tongue inside you. I bet you taste as sweet as you look.
Unknown: Just tell me when, baby.
At this point, my cold shower seems useless.
Unknown: Are you touching yourself?
Dominic sends another text again while I am still reading his messages.
Stop… I reply.
Unknown: I haven’t even started, baby, and once I do, you won’t be telling me to stop.
I moan and grasp the counter, wanting to tell him to get back here and fast.
After another cold shower, I climb into bed and dream about Dominic.
“SOMEONE HAS ROSES!” Monica squeals as she places the dozen red roses on my desk. I am so embarrassed. Everyone circles around me to find out who sent them.
“Aren’t you going to read the card?” Tiffany asks.
I don’t even talk to most of these people and suddenly they care?
“Nope. I’ll read it later… in private.”
They all gripe about me being anti-social and go back to their desks. All of them except Monica.
“You’re not even going to tell me?” she questions.
“Nope.”
Monica practically stomps away. When no one is around, I read the card.
I want you. ~ Dominic
He wants me? He is so fucking romantic.
A few seconds later, I hear my email ping. It’s the director calling an impromptu meeting that starts in five minutes.
Everyone knows that a spur of the moment meeting is never a good thing.
Our mouths all drop when we find out that Ted is out on medical leave and there is no timeframe for him to return. I don’t know whether to send him a get well soon card or go to the parking lot and do cartwheels.
I spot the red roses before I get back to my tiny cubicle. They smell heavenly, and I am sure Dominic paid a pretty penny for them. I have never had anyone send me roses before. Maybe I should give him a chance. What’s the worst that can happen if we go out one more time? Our last date wasn’t bad, it was just uncomfortable.
I scroll through my contacts and find Dominic’s number, smiling as I glance at the name, I gave him… Temptation.
Dinner… I pick the place… I’ll meet you there.
I hit send.
Temptation: We’ll do it your way this time. When and where?
I have just the place in mind, and it will be interesting to see how he reacts.
Dominic wrinkles his nose in disgust as he glances at his black shirt for stains. He doesn’t fit in, and I fight to keep my laughter from escaping.
His brows draw together in an agonized expression as two kids run past and spill their soda next to our table. He pinches the bridge of his nose, and I start to wonder if he’ll walk out.
Sitting back, he crosses his arms and quirks his eyebrow questioningly.
“Why?” he grunts.
“I like this place. Don’t you like your fish?”
“I’ve had better.” He gives an impatient shrug.
“I bet you haven’t had better fries,” I tease.
“Steph, I realize I agreed that you could choose when and where. What I didn’t expect was you would insist on coming to McDonald’s for our date.”
“I guess I can be full of surprises.” I smile, but his smile holds a spark of eroticism.
Dominic watches as I eat my fish and moans when tartar sauce falls onto my chin and I slowly lick it off. When I finish eating, he pushes his food aside, and his hand comes down on mine possessively.
I wish I could remember how we got back to my apartment. I am pressed against the door with one leg draped over Dominic’s shoulder as his mouth assaults me. I have never seen a man shred a pair of panties the way Dominic tore mine. All I can do is pull on his hair as he sucks and licks between my legs. It feels so good… like he is exactly where he is supposed to be. My hips thrust in a steady rhythm, edging me closer to the breaking point. He pushes my legs open farther as if he can’t slip his tongue inside me far enough. His hand moves down to the soft skin of my inner thigh as I shake with the greatest release, I think I have ever had.
I collapse in his arms, and he carries me to my bed. Dominic pulls the covers over me and softly kisses my lips.
“Wait.” I reach for him. “You’re not staying?”
He tilts his head and smiles. “No, I have a business meeting. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
How can he have a meeting at eleven-thirty at night? I turn away without waiting for him to say more. I doubt that he has any plans to do so anyway.
I felt more exposed asking him to stay than I did with my leg wrapped around his shoulder.
My heart breaks as I watch him leave. I was tempted to beg him to stay, but my pride won’t let me. We just had our second date, and he devoured me like I was his last feast before walking out like it meant nothing. Confused, I wander restlessly around the room and make sure he locked the door behind him. A tumble of confused thoughts and feelings assails me as I pick my pants and torn panties off the floor. I am done with Dominic Manso. He may have gotten what he wanted from me tonight, but it will never happen again.
11
IT HAS BEEN a week since I had my night with Dominic. He texts me several times a day, but I always ignore him. I gave him a second chance and he blew it. I just hope he forgets about me and moves the hell on. As if my life couldn’t get any more complicated, Ted returned today. He walks down the aisle telling everyone that he is back. I hold back my vomit as everyone welcomes him home.
He sits and chats with my co-worker Eddie, who gives the play by play of everything he missed. Ted’s cold eyes glance at me as they chat. I start to wonder what time I will have to pick up his lunch. A war of emotions rages within me. I feel fear, hate, and anger as his eyes meet mine.
Ted strolls over to my cubicle and smiles. He bends his head slightly forward. “How have you been, Stephanie?”
I raise my chin with a cool stare in his direction. “Fine.”
“That is good. Hopefully, we are able to chat more la
ter.” He nods with a taut jerk of his head.
“I suppose this will be at lunchtime?”
“No, I will not ask you to do that again.”
I remain motionless for a moment. Did HR find out about him? If they did, I am sure he tattled on me regarding the limp dick comment. Why wasn’t I called in?
My phone buzzes with another text message, and I see that it’s Dominic. Pushing it aside, I send Monica an email asking if she wants to have dinner. I have just the place in mind, and I think she’ll love it.
Her eyes widen when the valet opens her door, and I walk over to meet her.
“What the hell are we doing here? We can’t afford this place!”
“Don’t worry, it’s on me,” I tell her as I wrap my arm inside hers and pull her along.
This must be the most upscale restaurant in downtown Chicago. There was even an article in the Chicago Tribune calling it the place to be if you want to marry a billionaire. I would normally not be able to even look at the building, but thanks to my new business, I have the extra money to splurge. Who better to splurge with than my best friend?
Monica is heavier and heavier to pull as we are escorted to our table. The waiter is older with a black vest, pants, and a little yellow bow tie. He pulls out the first chair, and I practically push Monica into it. I smile and thank him as he pulls out mine.
“What the hell are we doing here, Stephanie?” she asks as she glances around, practically signaling security.
“We are going to have dinner.”
“We can’t afford this place. I think that was an NBA player that we walked past at that first table.”
The waiter comes over delivering water and menus and asks if we want to taste the champagne of the day. I nod as Monica still has the suspicious look on her face. She declines as I order us both a glass.
She throws her hands up in disgust. “Talk. What the hell is going on? How can you afford this restaurant, and why are you acting like money is no object?” She claps a hand to her cheek, waiting for me to talk.