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Back Love in Play Save as PDF
Chapters (65)
  1. Dominique’s attraction to Jake was not only undeniable, but almost frightening in its intensity.
  2. Also by
  3. Title Page
  4. Epigraph
  5. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
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  64. LOVIN’ BLUE
  65. Copyright Page

“Next on the program,” she heard as she was midway to her destination, “is one of the NFL’s shining stars, a man who knows firsthand how getting an education can change a life. Ladies and gentlemen... Jake McDonald.”

The audience applauded and, thankful for the noise and distraction, Dominique quickened her pace. She was almost to the doors when she heard his voice.

“Thank you, and good evening.”

The voice was deep like still waters and sweet like molasses. She’d reached the door, but turned to see the being from whom this captivating voice had emanated. The flutter that she’d felt earlier that evening returned full force and a little squiggle went from navel to nana in nothing flat. She was a sistah from the streets who could play it as cool as an ice cream float, but Oh. My. Goodness! The man’s very presence seemed to touch her even though he was on the other side of the room. He easily filled the tall, really tall, dark, really dark, and handsome, really handsome, bill...

But it was more than that.

Dominant. That’s the word that came to mind when she looked at him. And then, in a heartbeat, a few other words filtered in as did remnants from the ain’t-had-none-since-dog-was-a-pup conversation she’d had with Reggie the other night, when both had had probably one too many glasses of wine. But if she was going to do what she and Reggie had discussed, it would be with someone like the chocolate candy now commanding the room. For an instant their eyes locked, and held. The squiggle became a throb that caused Dominique to clench muscles that hadn’t felt action in months. She exited the room on shaky legs, walked across the lobby, and handed her ticket to the valet.

She thought of him. On the forty-minute drive home, while wrapping up work with returned phone calls and e-mails, and while taking a shower. Oh, especially then. Afterwards she performed her nightly ritual of getting in just the right position to welcome slumber—head pillow positioned just right, body pillow snuggled against her stomach. Eventually, finally, Dominique went to sleep. And dreamed of still water and sweet, sticky molasses.

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