Few words had been spoken during their one-hour lovemaking session. Aside from commands such as “spread your legs,” “touch me there,” “deeper,” “more,” and “harder,” their bodies had done the talking. But now, in the aftermath, the lovers’ haze lifted, Dominique realized that there were some pretty important issues they probably should talk about. Like the fact that even as mind-blowing and earth-shaking as the sex with Jake had been, there was no way that they could continue to see each other. She had taken Reggie’s advice and screwed Jake’s brains out. But obviously part of hers remained as she thought somberly, This can never happen again.

Before Dominique could get into full backpedal mode, Jake spoke. “I usually like small women.” He felt her stiffen up and hurried on before she could interrupt. “But this,” he ran his hand from her shoulder to her thigh, “all of this, is absolutely incredible.” He leaned in to whisper into her ear. “The best I’ve ever had.”

Oh, Lord, help save me from myself. Why did he have to go and say that she’d been his best? Now, she knew that he felt the exact same way that she did. What they’d just experienced didn’t happen every day.

“I loved making love to you, Nick, I mean... Dominique.”

“All right already. You can call me Nick...”

Jake smiled as he nuzzled her neck. “Nick, I love the way your body fits with mine, the way your breasts and booty are the perfect size for my hands. I love how when I hold you I’m holding something solid, something thick and meaty, juicy—”

“Are you talking about me or a steak?” Dominique drawled sarcastically, covering up the fact that his words were making her whole body smile.

“I love eating steak,” he responded, his hands seeming unable to stay away from Dominique’s lusciousness. “But you’re even more delicious.”

Dominique shook her head as if to clear the lusty clouds that threatened to once again settle around her. They needed to talk. She needed to explain that as wonderful as tonight had been, they needed to put it behind them. She took a deep breath, unwrapped herself from Jake’s embrace, and sat up against the headboard.

Jake rolled onto his back, looked up at the ceiling but after a moment, joined Dominique in her seated position against the headboard. “What is it?”

Dominique sighed.

“Aw, hell. Is this when you deliver the ‘Dear Jake’ speech?”

Dominique looked over at the man who’d just made her nana applaud, and didn’t miss how good and right he looked in her bed. “You made me see stars, several times. I’m not going to lie. But I think this is the moment we come back to earth and discuss what can happen in the light of reality.”

Jake turned to her. “And what’s that?”

Dominique sighed. “Nothing, Jake.”