“When do you want to see me?” she asked playfully, even though Dominique knew what he was really asking. He was wondering if work was always going to continue to come between them, if he’d always feel that he was taking a backseat to her next deadline, photo shoot, or hoop that she had to jump through. The trouble was that Dominique didn’t know the answer to that question. By the look in his eyes she also knew that she’d have to find one soon.

“Tonight.” Jake’s answer was serious, not playful at all.

“You’re insatiable,” Dominique said, hoping to stroke his ego since tonight she wouldn’t be stroking anything else. “You’ve already kept me up the past three nights. Don’t you need some sleep?”

“Like Diddy says, we can sleep when we’re dead.”

“Which won’t be long if I don’t get rest. I’ll call you later, okay?”

Jake nodded and gave Dominique a hug before pulling out of her driveway. As he entered the boulevard, he tried to ignore the emptiness he felt, tried to justify why Dominique couldn’t spend more time with him. He knew one thing: he wouldn’t be happy just seeing her once or twice a week. His sexual appetite had been voracious since he got turned out at thirteen and with Dominique’s hot body, it was even more so. But could she make room for a demanding man like him in her life?

Jake knew that part of the reason his brother’s marriages were successful was that they all worked on them, just like Shawn and Taylor. She just doesn’t get it, he thought with a tinge of sadness. She doesn’t understand that I don’t want a part-time lover. Jake sat up straighter with the realization of what he did want—a full-time wife.

42

42

Dominique worked at the office until almost midnight, editing until her eyes and brains simply refused their continued cooperation. She went home and fell asleep before her head hit the pillow. It seemed mere minutes went by before she was hearing the jazz instrumental from her alarm. With eyes closed, she swatted at the clock, hitting the snooze button twice before finally forcing herself from the bed at seven A.M. It was now eight o’clock, and Dominique was the first one in the building, latte with double espresso shot in hand. She’d need this one and the one Reggie would bring in at nine to make it through the day.

She put down her purse and briefcase and immediately opened up Outlook on her computer. After scanning the task and to-do bar, she clicked on her inbox. One e-mail was marked URGENT. It was from Solveig in Stockholm. Dominique clicked on the link and quickly read the three succinct sentences: Call Mirabelle as soon as you get this. She’s on your side. Wants to talk to you ASAP.