Chapter 13

Dominique felt like Saturday was dragging as she stayed home. She tried to sleep but kept having the sex dream. Now it was just the sex part of it. She decided she was going to go out and do something. Anything was better than just sitting home bored out of her mind. Dinner and a movie sounded like a good plan. It would have been better to have company but what can you do?

She dressed up in a dress and did her hair and makeup. She couldn't remember the last time she had dolled herself up for anything. Looking in the full-length mirror, she didn't think she looked too bad. The dress showed off her curves and it showed the tops of her breasts. Her hair was halfway down her back and it was wavy. She didn't wear heels but since it was hot out, she wore her sandals with the straps.

Even though she hadn't slept very well, Dominique felt better than she had in a while. Maybe taking some time off work was a good thing. Perhaps she was just pushing herself too hard and this story she was dreaming was part of the stress of it all. She'd written many a book from her dreams. Her imagination has known no limits. Maybe it was just taking her over until she finished the story.

Dominique went to a local restaurant that stayed packed. La Nobles was a high-class restaurant but their steak was killer. She didn't come here often because it was just too expensive for her taste. But why not? She deserved some time to herself and she was going to treat herself to a nice evening. She was sat at a table and was looking over the menu when she heard a familiar voice say her name. Evening officially ruined was all she could think.

Dominique looked up as Tim asked, "Is this seat taken?"

"Yes. I'm waiting for my date. And frankly, I don't want to chat."

"Oh come on, Dominique. It's not like I plan to take your date's place. But by the looks of it, you're here alone," Tim said as he sat down.

"You never were good at taking no for an answer. However, my date is merely running late from his meeting. Now, would you please go away?"

Dominique knew her voice was dripping with the hatred she felt for Tim but she couldn't seem to stop herself. She'd had two years for this rage she felt towards him to sit and simmer. Now it was trying to boil over. She would not make a scene but how did she get out of the trap she had set for herself by saying she had a date?

"No, I never was good at that. I see something I want and I go for it. You were always something I wanted. I was just to immature to see what a good thing I had. I had hoped one day you would be able to forgive me. Why don't you let me buy you dinner and we can talk?"

"No. I don't want to talk to you and I damn sure don't want to feel like I owe you anything because you bought my dinner. And when my date gets here he won't appreciate it either."

Tim laughed as he said, "You and I both know you're lying. A good date would pick you up, not have you meet them somewhere. And you would have waited for him before ordering. Plus, you only have a placement for one here."

Dominique got ready to open her mouth and tell him off when she heard a man's voice say, "I believe the lady told you to leave."

Dominique looked up to see Nathaniel standing there. He looked amazing in dress slacks and a button-down shirt with a tie. The royal blue of his shirt somehow made his eyes look black. His hair was slicked back and curled at the bottom where it just brushed his shoulders. She felt her mouth water. He was a cool drink of water in the Sahara desert. But where did he come from? Her stomach was doing summersaults.

"Who the hell are you?" Tim asked.

Nathaniel replied cooly, "My name is Nathaniel and Dominique is my date for the evening. And you are in my seat. I would appreciate it if you would get up and leave the lady alone. Clearly, you are bothering her."

Nathaniel turned towards her and bent down. He kissed her lips ever so lightly and said, "I'm sorry I'm so late. My meeting ran longer than I thought it would."

Nathaniel looked at Tim and he stood up. Tim looked at Dominique, surprise all over his face. Dominique smiled at Nathaniel but her mind was still reeling from the small kiss he had given her. Just that little bit of contact had sent tingles all through her. Nathaniel sat in the chair that Tim had now vacated.

"Maybe we can catch up later, Dominique," Tim said as he walked off.

"I have to say I'm grateful for you saving me from that guy but where did you come from and how did you know what I had said to him?"

"Well, I had just finished dinner, and I noticed you. So, I came over to say hello and overheard some of the conversation. I apologize if I was too forward by kissing you."

Dominique felt her face heat up as she thought about that kiss. She wondered what it would be like to kiss him for real. To have him touch her in other ways. She looked at him and his facial expression had changed. He had a smile on his face but the look said he knew what she was thinking. Dominique cleared her throat trying to get the dirty thoughts out of her head.

"It's okay. It's a little weird but I appreciate the save. I would say I'd buy you dinner but you've already eaten."

"How about another reward then?"

"Depends. What do you want as a reward?"

"I would like a conversation. You can still eat dinner. I will sit with you and we can chat, get to know each other a little better."

Dominique laughed but she stopped when she saw his face. "Oh, you're serious. I'm afraid I'm pretty boring. I have no life. I go to work and home."

"Dominique, you know that's not true. You have hobbies, people you talk to, a whole past that has led you to where you are today."

Dominique loved the way he said her name with that slight accent. She wondered if she should talk to him. She didn't know him. It could be like a first date she guessed except this wasn't a date.

"Ok, I guess. But why you want to get to know me is beyond me. What's your first question?"

"Why were you really here tonight?"

"Well, that one's simple. I haven't taken a day or night off of work in about a year. When the club wasn't open, I was working on a project. The stress was getting to me so my best friend made me take a night off. Since I couldn't sleep the day away and the night too, I decided to go out and treat myself."