It was actually forty minutes when Dominique arrived at Jake’s place, just so she could show him who was in control. At least that’s what she told herself as she walked up to the well-landscaped residence less than fifteen minutes from her own home. She’d been surprised to learn he lived so close to her. The area wasn’t exclusive but it was expensive, especially on a teacher’s salary. What other surprises do you have in store for me, Mr. McDonald?

6

6

“You’re late.” A perfectly decadent frown marred Jake’s stoic face.

“Does that mean dinner’s cancelled?”

Jake and Dominique eyed each other silently. He took in the fact that she’d changed from her hip-hugging purple number to an equally tantalizing warm-up outfit: a baby-blue color that kissed her mahogany skin in a velvety-looking fabric that he instantly wanted to touch. Even this casual outfit was completed by a pair of three- or four-inch pumps. Does this woman always wear heels? And does she always look this sexy while doing so?

Jake wasn’t the only one battling temptation. Dominique noted the black cotton button-down shirt stretched to capacity over a chest magnifique, with a light sprinkling of hair at its opening just waiting to be rubbed. His arms were large, and thick veins rippled across his forearms and hands. Unlike many men his size, Jake’s stomach was flat, and the shirt tucked inside a pair of well-worn jeans hugged his body the way Dominique longed to do.

“Guys, I’m hungry.” Justin eyed the adults as one who’d reached the end of his patience. “Are you going to stand there staring at each other all day or are we gonna eat?”

“Watch your mouth, boy,” Dominique admonished.

Jake stepped away from the doorway and gave Justin an affectionate slap on the back. “Food’s almost ready, Justin. You played good today, worked up quite an appetite, I reckon.”

Dominique smiled at his choice of words. It reminded her of something her grandfather would say. “You reckon?”

“Ha! In fact, I do. That’s a little bit of ’Bama seeping through. It’s where my family is from.”

“Really? My grandparents were from Alabama, too. What part?”

“Birmingham.”

“Mine were from Huntsville.”

“Good. That way we don’t have to worry about being cousins.”

“Why would we have to worry about that?” Dominique asked. She and Jake had navigated to the kitchen while at Jake’s suggestion Justin had plunked himself in front of a massive flat screen in the living room.

Jake reached the stove, turned around, and allowed the desire that he’d felt for her since the beginning to show in his eyes. “I think you know why.” He lifted the lid on a concoction of chicken, onions, peppers, and sauce, and leisurely stirred it.