“Jake, I can’t be clearer than I’ve already been. My attraction for you is undeniable but when it comes to establishing a relationship this isn’t a good time for me. That’s the beginning and the end of this story because I’ve never been good at casual romps in the hay.”

Jake nodded thoughtfully. “Your food’s getting cold.”

Dominique had forgotten all about eating. Mentioning romps in the hay had immediately conjured up an image, making her hungry for a different kind of meal altogether.

Jake reached over, plucked a clam from Dominique’s bowl and sucked it from the shell into his mouth. She watched in rapt fascination, the intimate act of his eating from her bowl escalating the sexual tension. He chewed the tender morsel and licked his lips. “Tastes good; you should try it.”

Thankful for the distraction, Dominique picked up the soup spoon and sipped the tomato broth. With the first taste of it, infused with garlic, lemongrass, and thyme, her appetite was reawakened and she sampled more of the dish.

At this same moment, the waiter reappeared. “Can I get you anything, sir?”

“Yes,” Jake replied. “A table.” Dominique looked up as Jake confidently continued. “Corner booth if you have it. We’d like privacy.”

Dominique didn’t comment or resist, but rather silently followed the waiter to a small booth at the back of the room. The red candle flickering against the stark white linen created a romantic ambiance. Jake stood back to let Dominique slide into the booth and when she sat at the end, expecting him to sit opposite her, he shook his head. “Move over, I want to sit beside you.”

Usually, Dominique was the one giving orders yet, without a word, she acquiesced to his demand. The waiter brought over the appetizer he’d reheated, along with Jake’s calamari order. He then took orders for their entrées and left. Jake dug into the fried squid with gusto and for a couple moments, the two enjoyed the food and a companionable silence.

After both had demolished half their dishes, Jake wiped his mouth and sat back, his thoughtful eyes cast once again on Dominique. “What happened that has you so guarded when it comes to relationships?”

Dominique finished her bite, dotted her mouth with the linen napkin, and turned to answer him. “My last relationship ended badly,” she began, deciding for once to let down her privacy barrier. For some reason she felt she could trust Jake with her truth, and she didn’t exactly know how she felt about that. “He betrayed me, and I’ll admit that it eroded my trust in men.”

“He cheated on you?”