Dominique felt as if she were drowning and didn’t want to be saved. Her arm wrapped around Jake’s neck, slid across the broad expanse of his back and back to cup his face. The gentle act intensified Jake’s flame of desire. He moaned and leaned back, pulling Dominique into his arms. With her lying across him, he was able to grab hold of her plump, meaty booty. He ran a hand up her back, and a shiver shortly followed as Dominique felt herself becoming wet and Jake becoming hard. Then she remembered. Justin was upstairs and she was downstairs with a man in the house—something she swore would never happen again.

“Wait, stop,” she said breathlessly, struggling to release herself from Jake’s embrace and put distance between them. Her body immediately felt his absence and there was no doubt in Dominique’s mind that in his arms was where she wanted to be. But this wasn’t about her. This was about Justin. Jake had to go.

“I’m sorry, Jake, but this isn’t happening. My son is upstairs and I’m down here doing something I swore would not happen until he left home—entertaining a man.”

“I’m not just some man, Dominique. I’m your son’s coach and tutor. And quite frankly, though we’ve only known each other a short time, I thought I was a little more than just a man to you. I thought I was your friend.”

“That’s just it, Jake. That you are involved with my son on a professional level is why our relationship needs to stay professional... and platonic.”

“That’s bullshit.”

“Think what you will, but it’s what I’ve decided.”

The air crackled and in the silence, muted sounds from the upstairs TV were heard. Thoughts of Justin entered both of their minds—in different ways, for different reasons.

Dominique was remembering what Justin said once Kevin, her former partner, had left their lives. “It’s okay, Mommy. It’s just you and me.”

Jake was remembering what Justin had shared with him on their drive over. “Coach Mac, you’re awesome. I wish you were my dad.”

20

20

Dominique checked to make sure she had everything before leaving her master suite. It was going to be a long day. On top of the time she and Reggie would spend at the office, she had the undesired task of having dinner with a couple of the board members who’d come from overseas for a meeting the following week. She was especially not looking forward to after the meeting, when she’d be home alone, but was determined not to think about that until later. She’d get to work, drown herself in all things Capricious, and pull Reggie into the office to keep her laughing. After another melancholy, near-sleepless night, she needed his humor as much as his daily delivery of their favorite lattes.