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“You don’t know what you’re missing,” Dominique told her. “I wish I had someone to do my laundry and cook me dinner.”
“Good, then why don’t you go live with Mom?”
Ignoring the jab, she pointed at Jenna’s disheveled closet and packed clothes hamper. “You’re obviously having a hard time staying on top of things. It might not be a bad idea to go home for a while.”
“I haven’t had time to clean up,” she explained, rubbing her eyes with the back of her hands. “I worked forty hours last week.”
“Why? We agreed that you’d only work at the mall part-time.”
“I need the money, Niq. I have to pay my tuition on Monday.”
“Speaking of which, how did you do on your summer courses?”
Jenna yawned. “All right, I guess. I got two As and a B.”
“Way to go! Your GPA’s going to skyrocket this term.” Wrapping her arms around Jenna, Dominique leaned over and pecked her cheek. “We’re all really proud of you, sis. Keep it up!”
“I’ll try.” Standing, she stretched her hands over her head. “Listen, I better get my butt in gear, or I’m going to be late. The Adult Literacy Program meeting starts in an hour.”
“You joined another committee? Why would you do that when you have so much going on already?”
“Because they’re short of tutors,” she explained. “You should come, Niq. It’s a lot of fun.”
Dominique considered going with Jenna. She could hand out some of her business cards and post some Destination Wellness flyers onto the bulletin board. “How long does it last?”
“An hour.” Jenna tossed an arm around her shoulder, an innocent smile on her lips. “Niq, is there any way I could get a small loan? All I need is a hundred and fifty dollars.”
“What is it for this time?”
“I have to get the textbooks for my algebra course, and I don’t get paid until next week.”
There goes my facial, she thought, picking up her purse and plunking it on her lap. Unzipping it, she retrieved her wallet. Dominique counted out two hundred dollars in cash and handed it to her sister. “If you don’t get an A in your algebra class, you’re dead!” she joked.
Staring down at the money, Jenna licked her lips as if a sixteen-ounce steak had just been placed in front of her. “Can I get a pair of jeans, too?”
“Don’t push it,” Dominique warned, concealing a smile. Because of her two jobs, she’d missed out on spending quality time with her sisters, and as she watched Jenna rummaging around in her closet for something clean to wear, guilt consumed her. Now that her dad was gone, she was the head of the family. So she had to do a better job of keeping in touch with Jenna, because it was clear her kid sister needed her support. “Jenna, I told Mom you’d phone her tonight. Don’t forget. She’s expecting your call after dinner.”
“All right, all right. I’ll call her.” Jenna grabbed a towel from her drawer and put on a plastic shower cap. “Will you be here when I get back?”
Dominique put a hand on her sister’s shoulder. “Of course, you’re taking me to lunch after this meeting!”
The sultry August heat was unbearable, and as Dominique trailed Jenna into the large state-of-the-art building, she dabbed at the perspiration on her cheeks. The campus library was thronged with students and faculty, but when Dominique stepped through the beveled glass doors, Marcel Benoit was the first person she saw.
Peering around the checkout desk while still remaining concealed, she tried to get a better look at the sexy heartthrob. Dominique couldn’t remember ever being this enamored with a man. Marcel had a confidence about him—a strong, compelling presence that couldn’t be denied or contained. The sleeves on his button-down shirt were rolled up, displaying arms rippling with muscle.
Growing aroused, she removed every sinful thought from her mind. Get a grip, girl. You’re too old to be drooling over a guy! The library was filled with dozens of cute brothers, but Marcel stood out from the pack. He wasn’t tattooed or pierced, and his pants weren’t hanging off his butt like the other guys strutting around. Marcel obviously took pride in his appearance, and she liked a man who knew how to dress.
“You’re going the wrong way,” Jenna said, taking her by the arm and leading her through the main floor. “The Adult Literacy Program group meets at the learning center at the back of the library.”
Dominique’s heart raced. Now they were heading toward Marcel. Excited to see him again, she picked up her pace. He glanced up from his textbook, and Dominique’s legs froze. His lips clamped together; he wore a serious, almost guarded expression—one that said she wasn’t welcome. “Do you know the guy sitting at the round table?” she asked, glancing at Jenna. “The one in the collared shirt and tan pants?”
“Yeah, that’s Marcel Benoit. His fiancée’s in my study group and—”
“Fiancée!” Seething inwardly, she told her sister about the bachelor party she worked at last week and her conversation with the soft-spoken Frenchman. “He told me he was single.”
“No, he’s definitely engaged,” she said, nodding her head. “Girls are always flirting with him, but he only has eyes for Sarita. He’s completely devoted to her.”
Effecting an air of nonchalance, Dominique pretended not to notice Marcel watching her. He actually had the nerve to glare at her. She didn’t need this. It was a warm, sunny day, and she had better things to do than hang out at the campus library with a womanizing cheat. Spending time with Jenna was important to her, but if Marcel started any mess or made any snide comments, she was hitting the road.
To squelch a sudden wave of nausea, she breathed in deeply through her nose.
Marcel slowly got to his feet, and his lips curled into a wide smile as he approached. “Hi, Jenna. It’s been a while since I saw you last. How was your summer?”
“It was great but way too short,” she said and laughed. “Hey, Marcel, this is my sister, Dominique. I told her the literacy program was short of tutors, and she offered to help out.”
His gaze bounced between them. “You’re sisters? I never would have guessed it. You look nothing alike, and your personalities are so different.”
“In other words, Jenna’s cool and I’m a snob.” It amused Dominique to tease him, but when he averted his eyes, her heart sank. Was that what he thought? Just because she liked dating accomplished men didn’t mean she treated people like crap. She didn’t.
“Marcel, can you pair Dominique up with someone?” Jenna asked, looking over her shoulder. “I need to talk to the girls in my study group, but I’ll be right back.”
His eyes darkened, but he said, “Sure, I don’t mind. In fact, I was about to head back there and see how the groups are faring.”
As they passed the information center, Marcel told Dominique more about the Adult Literacy Program. “There aren’t many groups like this around, and even fewer are geared toward adult learners.” Having reached a row of desks, he stopped and handed her a stack of thin paperback books.
Dominique read the titles out loud. “But these are all children’s books.”
“Most of the adults who come to the program are reading at a fifth-grade level. They can’t read To Kill a Mockingbird or War and Peace yet, Dominique.”
“I understand that, but Maria and the Bully isn’t going to hold their interest.”
The muscles in his neck were pulled tight. “Why don’t you just concentrate on tutoring and let me worry about choosing the right reading materials for the participants?”
Not wanting to overstep her bounds, she apologized. “I’m sorry, Marcel. I didn’t mean to imply that you’re not doing a good job.”
His smile returned, so she continued.
“City University of Seattle offers a similar program for French speakers, and my comprehension improved dramatically once I joined. We watched movies, listened to music and even read popular magazines and comics.”
Marcel shook his head. “That would never work here.”
“How do you know unless you try?”
“Touché,” he said, with a nod. “Maybe you can tell me more about it over coffee.”
“I’d love to.” Guilt rained down on her. What was she doing? Marcel had a girlfriend—correction, a fiancée—and if he was her man, she wouldn’t want him having coffee with anyone but her. “It would probably be easier if I just emailed you the information. I don’t want to take up any of your free time. You’re probably busy getting ready for the fall semester.”
“Nope, I have the rest of the afternoon free. I’ll come find you when your tutoring session wraps up.” The matter decided, Marcel beckoned to someone in the back cubicles. “Zabrina, come over here and meet your tutor for this afternoon.”
A curvy woman with fine features approached.
“Hello, I’m Dominique. It’s a pleasure to meet you. Are you ready to get started?” Once seated, she selected one of the chapter books and turned to the first page. “Now take your time reading the passage. If you come across a word you don’t know then just sound it out.”
“I don’t want to read this,” the woman said, wrinkling her nose. Glancing around, she opened her purse and stealthily pulled out the August issue of Cosmopolitan magazine. It was the annual sex issue, and Dominique knew it well. She’d already read it twice and had plans to read it again.
“I want to be—” she paused, her eyes narrowing in concentration “—how do you say it in English…the sex kitten? Yes, that’s it. Can you help me read the article on page eighty-seven?”
“But Marcel selected these books specifically for you and he—”
“I’m too old to read Here Comes Skipper! These books are for kids, and I’m a woman. A very desirable woman, yes?”
Dominique concealed a grin. “Why don’t you wait here while I go check with Marcel?” The Adult Literacy Program was Marcel’s project, and Dominique wasn’t going to do anything to upset him, and something told her Cosmopolitan magazine’s annual sex issue wasn’t on the approved reading list. “I’ll be back in a sec.”
As she stood, she spotted a striking sister in a bohemian-style dress enter through the sliding-glass doors. She swept into the library with more grace than a queen, and Dominique noticed that everyone cranked their heads in her direction—including Marcel. The mystery woman kissed him on both cheeks and then took the seat beside him.
“Ms. Dominique, are you okay?”
Snapping out of it, she dropped back down into her seat and smiled at Zabrina. “How about we read the article and one chapter of the children’s book? Just don’t tell Marcel.”
Zabrina flipped through the magazine and landed on page nineteen. “The quickest way to a man’s heart isn’t through his stomach. It’s actually further south, so forget what your mother told you and race over to your nearest adult s-p-e-c-i-a-l-t-y store?”
“Specialty,” Dominique corrected, reading the confusion on her face. “It’s a store that carries unique items.”
Nodding, she lifted the magazine until it was right under her nose. “Fill your basket with scented perfumes and massage oils because we’re cooking up a sexual…feast that will arouse your lover’s senses. Whip out the…” She stopped, her forehead rumpling with worry lines. She stared over at Dominique. “I can’t read this.”
“Don’t worry. You’re doing great so far.” To reassure her, she put a hand on her shoulder. “The word is edible. Try sounding it out again.”
Each time Zabrina said the word, an image of Marcel—swimming bare chested in the pool—flashed in her mind. Peeking out from around the cubicle, Dominique snuck a quick look at the handsome program advisor. Was that his fiancée? The woman her sister had told her about? Feeling silly for spying, she settled into her seat and ordered her mind to focus. But a second later, her gaze was drifting back across the room.
How am I supposed to concentrate when this article is making me think about all the naughty things I’d like to do to Marcel?
Chapter 3
“When was the last time you got laid?”
Marcel nearly choked on the water in his mouth. Ignoring the burning sensation in his chest, he turned away and swallowed hard. If not for his quick thinking, he would have spewed water all over his uncle Nigel’s tailored black suit. The First Centennial Trust bank waiting area was not the right venue to discuss his sex life, but if he didn’t answer his uncle’s question, he’d never hear the end of it. “I’m too busy with graduate school to even think—”
“It’s been that long, huh?” Nigel Benoit raised an eyebrow. Hands stretched out across the back of the couch, worry lines wrinkling his dark face, he reminded Marcel of his late father. Hit with sadness, he looked away.
“You need to meet someone new. Sarita isn’t coming back, and furthermore, she wasn’t the right girl for you,” he announced. “Didn’t it ever bother you that she was constantly on her cell phone? I mean, who goes out to dinner and spends the whole night texting her stupid friends? I would have left the table, except her parents were there and I didn’t want to be rude.”
“Uncle Nigel, you’re not being fair.” That was a lie, but he didn’t want his uncle to know that Sarita’s self-centeredness had been the source of many arguments between them. “All that really matters to me is that the woman I’m dating has a great personality and a good heart.”
Nigel snorted. “That’s a load of B.S. What man doesn’t want a hot chick on his arm? I know I do, and so do you. You just haven’t met the right kind of woman yet.” He winked suggestively. “After we wrap up here, I’m taking you to the strip club!”
Marcel checked his watch. “It’s only eleven-thirty in the morning.”
“I know.” His uncle broke into a grin. “Centerfolds opens at noon, so once my meeting’s over, we’re good to go!”
“Forget it, Uncle Nigel. I have a lot to do this afternoon. I need to send out more résumés and track down the job recruiter visiting the university this week.”
“Have you given more thought to what you’re going to do after graduation?”
“I’m hoping to get a full-time position, but if that falls through, I guess I’ll just have to go back home.”
“Your father’s dream was for you to come to the United States and make a successful life for yourself here,” he reminded. “Have you forgotten that you have family depending on you?”
Lowering his head, Marcel rubbed his hands across the side of his jeans. Whenever he thought about his visa situation, he broke out into a sweat. But what more could he do? He’d applied to every engineering company in the city—and even a handful throughout the West Coast. Maybe he was thinking too small. Maybe it was time he expanded his search—made it nationwide. Feeling better about his decision, he continued to listen to his uncle Nigel discuss his newest business venture. “You’re opening a clothing store in New York? Maybe I should forget engineering and come work for you!”
“Just say when. I’d love if you came to…” Eyes wide, he trailed off into silence. He slipped off his designer sunglasses and leaned forward in his chair. “Now that’s the kind of woman you should be searching for. She’s a beauty, and she’s obviously successful, too.”
Raising his head, he followed the path of his uncle’s gaze. Dominique stood behind the counter, pointing at a computer screen, quietly instructing the young, blue-eyed clerk. What was Dominique doing here and looking so authoritative no less? Her yellow blouse added a feminine touch to her sleek business suit. Her deep brown eyes were fringed with dark, curved eyelashes, but what Marcel loved most about Dominique was her hair. It was long, thick and full—perfect to play with and caress. “Her name’s Dominique King.”
His uncle’s jaw dropped. “You know her?”
“Yeah, and she’s a real snob.”
“She has every reason to be. Look at her!” Nigel peeled his eyes away from Dominique and turned to his nephew. “You don’t expect a woman wearing Cartier diamonds to talk to every Joe Blow who approaches her, do you? Marcel, if you want to date a sister of that caliber, you have to come correct.”
To set the record straight, Marcel told Nigel about meeting Dominique at the bachelor party and Sunday’s tutoring session. “We were supposed to have coffee after it wrapped up, but I couldn’t find her.”
“Well, here’s your second chance. Go over and invite her to lunch,” he proposed. “And don’t take her to one of those Asian joints that you like so much. Take her somewhere classy like the Chef’s Quarter.”
“The Chef’s Quarter! The entrées start at fifty dollars.” Before Marcel was finished checking Dominique out, she turned and walked into one of the back offices. “Dating a woman like that will leave me broke, and I have no intention of touching the money in my trust fund, so don’t even suggest it.”
“Tell the maître d’ you’re my nephew, and he’ll give you the best table in the house.” Nigel reached into his pocket and took out his cell phone. “I’ll call and tell the manager to charge everything to my expense account.”
“Uncle, I can’t do that. I don’t have the money to blow on a fancy lunch. Furthermore, I don’t want to misrepresent myself. If a woman doesn’t like me for me, then forget her. There are plenty of fish in the sea, right?”
“You’re right, nephew. There are a lot of women out there but few who look like her. If you’re too proud to accept my offer, then use some of that inheritance money and show Dominique a good time.” He made a point of adding, “Before someone else does.”
“Uncle Nigel, you know I can’t do that. That’s my emergency cash. It’s not for wooing high-maintenance women.” Growing tired of the subject, Marcel lifted a magazine off the table and began flipping through it.
“Smart businessmen operate under one basic rule. Sometimes to make money you have to spend money, and you’ll have to go all out for a woman like Dominique King. Spoil her, charm her, buy her expensive gifts. She’s worth it, Marcel. Trust that I know what I’m talking about.”
Nigel’s cell phone rang, and when he answered it, Marcel sighed. Now he could have some peace and quiet. Summer vacation was over, and it was back to the daily grind, but it wasn’t term papers or exams that filled his thoughts. It was a certain woman with dark, hypnotic eyes.
The deadening routine of his academic life threatened to do him in, but seeing Dominique rejuvenated him. And he wasn’t just attracted to her physical beauty. She had a good head on her shoulders, a witty sense of humor and a sultry voice. It was so thick and so provocative that he could hear it now, falling over him like a sweet morning mist.
“Marcel?”
He felt a hand on his shoulder and turned around. Standing there, looking like a runway model, was the woman who’d dominated his thoughts for the past week and a half. Wondering how long she’d been calling his name, he smiled broadly and rose to his feet. “We have to stop running into each other like this. The next thing I know you’ll be hiding in the bushes outside of my house!” she joked.
Don’t tempt me, he thought with a wry laugh. “Does Destination Wellness know that you’re moonlighting as a bank teller?”
“You mean a bank supervisor,” she corrected. “I only work at Destination Wellness on the weekends. It’s just a part-time job, you know, something fun to do that gives me a little extra pocket money.”
“I understand. This recession’s kicking everyone’s butt.”
