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“Tell me about it. Several of my clients lost their homes last week, and we’ve been forced to cut back hours around here. The economy has taken a lot of hits in recent years, and everyone, from the executive director to the small business owner, has been affected.” The compassion he saw in her eyes was real. “I hope things get better soon so we can start spending again. It’s hard not being able to shop at Nordstrom!”
Marcel chuckled. Hearing someone behind him, he turned. Before he could introduce his uncle to Dominique, Nigel clasped her hand and greeted her like a long-lost relative.
“It’s great to finally meet you, Dominique. My nephew’s told me so much about you.”
Eyebrows raised in surprise, she divided her gaze between both men. “Oh, really? I’m curious to know what he had to say.”
Marcel’s tongue felt soft and limp in his mouth. What was his uncle Nigel doing? Trying to make him look desperate? His uncle’s charm was subtle, and he could tell by the expression on Dominique’s face that she was amused.
“He said you were a strong, intelligent woman with a good head on her shoulders.” Nigel smiled widely. “I suggested he take you to the Chef’s Quarter for lunch, but—”
“Uncle Nigel, I’m sure Dominique already has plans,” Marcel interjected.
“No plans,” she confessed. “I’ve been cooped up in my office all morning, and if I don’t get out of here soon, I’m going to lose it!”
The men laughed.
“Then it’s settled,” Nigel said.
“Would you care to join us?” Dominique asked.
“You two go ahead. I have an eleven-thirty appointment, and it’s too late to reschedule.” Straightening his tie, he said, “Do you play tennis by any chance? We’re looking for another player for our mixed doubles game.”
“It’s my favorite sport,” Dominique said with a proud smile. “I’ve been playing since college.”
“That’s great. We’ll set something up in the near future.”
Dominique opened her purse, pulled out her sunglasses and slipped them on.
“All right, you two kids have fun!” Nigel shot his nephew a grin. “I’ll talk to you later.”
Falling in step with the curvaceous bank supervisor, Marcel took a good, long look at her. Dominique really knew what worked for her, and though he wasn’t up on the latest trends, he knew what looked good on women, and she was working the hell out of her designer suit. Enthralled, he tried hard not to stare. She was feminine but projected a powerful, confident air. That was more of a turn-on than her sultry perfume. Something took over his brain when Dominique smiled at him, and as she sashayed past him through the open door, a chill zigzagged down his spine. Lunch was definitely going to be interesting.
Chapter 4
“Are you comfortable?” Marcel watched Dominique shift around on the floor cushion and wondered if he should have taken her somewhere else. The Seoul Kitchen had tacky oriental paintings on the walls, but the entrées were succulent and generous in size. “I can ask our server for another cushion if you’d like.”
“I’ll live.” Wearing a tight smile, she inched closer to the small, wooden table. “It’s too bad the Chef’s Quarter had such a long wait. I was really looking forward to having some lobster.”
“You’ll love the food here,” he promised, opening his menu. “I eat here several times a month, and I have never been disappointed.”
“What do you recommend?”
Marcel was admiring the delicate slope of her collarbone when her words reached his ears. “That depends on what you’re in the mood for. The barbecued short ribs are one of my favorites, but the fried prawns with vegetables are delicious, too.” He knew that she was open and curious, willing to learn and try new things, but he didn’t know how adventurous she was when it came to food. “I just hope you’re not one of those women who eat nothing but salad.”
Dominique smirked. “Does it look like I skip meals?”
Seizing the opportunity to check her out, he leaned sideways, allowing his gaze to creep up and down her chest and hips. Dominique King was a fox, and seeing her womanly curves made his head spin. If he was in the market for a girlfriend, she would be at the top of his list.
“I’m not disciplined enough to follow a strict diet. I like French bread way too much!”
Marcel raised his glass. “Then may this be the first of many lunch dates,” he proposed. “Here’s to good food, great conversation and plenty of wine.”
They clinked glasses.
“Welcome to the Seoul Kitchen. What can I get for you today?”
While the waiter took their orders, Marcel checked out his stunning lunch companion. Dominique’s brown hair enhanced the golden undertones of her skin, and tiny freckles dotted her cheeks. In this day and age, meeting a woman with model-like looks and intelligence was next to impossible, and he felt his attraction to her growing. He loved her presence, her aura and how effortlessly she held his attention. No easy feat, considering how many things he had on the go.
“How long have you lived in Seattle?”
“Five years,” he said, drawing his eyes away from the curve of her mouth. “I got my undergraduate degree at Seattle University and liked the program so much that I decided to stay to complete my doctorate. I was born and raised in Mauritius though, and my family still lives there.”
“I’ve heard of the country before, but I’m embarrassed to say I don’t know where it is.”
“Don’t be embarrassed. Few people do.”
Sucked in by his smile, she inched forward, bent on committing the impending geography lesson to memory. Dominique knew a lot of great-looking men, but she’d never met someone like Marcel Benoit. The intelligent, soft-spoken graduate student was in a class all by himself.
“Mauritius is a tiny island on the African coast, about six hundred miles east of Madagascar,” he explained. “Indian, European and French influences created a remarkable land rich with culture and people who are as complex and diverse as the country itself.”
“It sounds like my kind of place. What do you recommend I do if I ever go there?”
He rested his elbows on the table, his eyes aglow with desire, his body emanating a slow-burning passion. “Let me know when you’re ready to make the trip. I’d love to show you around, and I know the best places to watch the sun rise.”
His voice floated across the table, tickling her ears. He didn’t touch her, but his words evoked lustful thoughts. Determined to withstand the heat, she took a long sip of her drink. Something told Dominique that if she didn’t get a grip she’d wake up tomorrow morning in Marcel’s bed, so she quit making eyes at him. “Do you go back home often?”
“Not as much as I’d like. I went home last year when my father died, and depending on what happens after graduation, I might return to Mauritius permanently.”
At the thought of not seeing him again, she felt a deep ache in her chest. “It must be hard being away from your family. I talk to my sisters every day, and they’re always dropping by my place for one thing or the other. Life would be pretty boring if I didn’t have them around.”
The server returned with a plate of raw meat, turned on the built-in stove in the middle of the table and plunked long strips of seasoned beef and shrimp on it.
Marcel’s stomach rumbled. The scent of the sautéed onions whet his taste buds, but it was Dominique’s sweet smile that incited his sexual hunger. When the waiter departed, Marcel picked up the tongs and added more peppers to the grill. “You have an advanced degree in finance, and a managerial position at First Centennial Trust, so what made you decide to become a masseuse? The economy’s not that bad, is it?”
Marcel loved the sound of her laugh, and when she spoke, he had to remind himself this was nothing more than an innocent lunch date. He had a habit of moving too fast, and his last relationship had been a painful reminder that he had to take his time instead of diving headfirst into love. Furthermore, he had too much going on in his life to get caught up with another high-maintenance woman. A six-figure income and a lavish home were all prerequisites for dating a sister like Dominique, and even if he drained his trust fund and cashed in all of his business investments he wouldn’t be able to afford a woman like her.
“When I was younger I had dreams of owning a day spa, but my dad wouldn’t hear of it. So I went to college, got my business degree and applied at the bank,” she explained. “For fun, I took a massage therapy training course with a friend last year. I like working at the spa, but it’s just a side gig. Trust me, there’s no way I’m ever quitting my day job!”
Seeing the food was ready, Marcel dished rice, vegetables and meat onto Dominique’s plate. He handed it to her, and when their eyes met his heart stalled. Her smile widened, revealing even white teeth, and he found himself wondering what it would feel like to kiss her. “Bon appétit.”
“Everything smells really good,” Dominique noted, draping a napkin over her lap.
“Allow me.” Using chopsticks, Marcel picked up some shrimp and extended his right hand. “Tell me this isn’t the best thing you’ve ever tasted.”
She opened her mouth and chewed slowly. “This is delicious. I can’t believe this place is around the corner from the bank and I’ve never even tried it before.”
“I told you you’d like the food here. Want some more?”
Dominique reached for her fork. “Yes, but I think I can feed myself!”
They talked about living in Seattle, and the more Dominique learned about Marcel the more impressed she was. He was a modern-day Renaissance man who possessed a charm so subtle she didn’t notice they were touching until he caressed her elbow.
“How long have you been engaged?” The question flew out of her mouth before she could reel it back in.
Dominique studied his facial features with a critical eye. The muscles around his mouth tightened, giving him away. This wouldn’t be the first time a man had lied to her about his relationship status. They all played the game until they got caught, and Marcel was cold busted.
“I’m not engaged anymore.” After pausing to take a sip of his water, he said, “She was the one who broke things off, but we’d both been unhappy for a while.”
“Is there any chance you’ll get back together?”
He shook his head. “She wasn’t ready to commit, and—”
“And you were?”
“Dominique, I’ll be thirty-six in a few months.”
“Is that old?”
“From where I come from it is.” He chuckled when her eyes widened in surprise. “In Mauritius, most men get married after they finish their military service and start having kids soon after. My siblings are all happily married, and every time I call home my mom asks if I’m engaged yet. In her day, there was no such thing as dating, so she doesn’t understand why it’s taking me so long to find a bride.”
“I’ve never heard of a man being pressured to settle down.”
“Well, believe it. Back home, children are seen as a sign of prosperity, and fathers are treated like royalty in their communities. A man with a nice house or an expensive car isn’t nearly as revered as a man with three or four sons.”
“Do you plan on having a large family?”
“Definitely.” He sat with his fingers intertwined under his chin, watching her. “What about you? Is your family on your case to tie the knot?”
“No. I got divorced last year, and I’m not ready to date again.”
“If you don’t mind me asking, what happened between you and your ex?”
She chewed the food in her mouth, then took a long drink of her wine. “We met, fell in love and married shortly after. Everything was great for the first few months, but then things slowly fell apart. Earl was a struggling musician, content to do the occasional gig, but I wanted more—a lot more. I busted my butt to pay the bills while he partied with his friends and blew money we didn’t have. I finally got tired of supporting him and kicked him out. We were only together for three years, but it’s been a nightmare trying to move on with my life.”
“Do you ever regret your decision?”
“No. I enjoy my life just the way it is, thank you very much.”
“But don’t you want to have children someday?”
“I don’t need a husband to have kids. Hey, if Octomom can do it alone, so can I!”
Marcel didn’t laugh. “Dominique, you’re right. Most single moms do an incredible job raising their children, but a two-parent home is the ideal. In Mauritius, elders often say, ‘a woman living alone isn’t truly living.’”
“That’s sexist,” she said, staring coolly at him. “You’re still single. Do you feel your life is incomplete because you don’t have a wife?”
“Yes.” The strength of his gaze seared her flesh, and when he spoke again, his tone was convincing. “I like hanging out with the guys, but I’m happier when I have a steady girlfriend.”
Shocked by his admission, she fell silent. Reaching for conversation, Dominique said the first thing that came to mind. “This is the first time I’ve ever had Korean food, but it definitely won’t be my last.”
“Did you really mean that, or are you just saying that to make me feel good?”
She flashed a smile. “Marcel, I wouldn’t say it if it wasn’t true.”
The waiter returned, and once the dishes were cleared and the bill was paid, Marcel offered to walk her back to work. “I don’t mind,” he said when she protested. “I don’t have classes this afternoon.”
Marcel stepped forward and rested a hand on her lower back. Lust shot through his body like a bolt of fire. Surprise registered on her face, and he knew she felt the electricity that had passed between them, too. For a moment, he didn’t say anything. They stood in the middle of the restaurant, staring intently at each other for several seconds.
“We better get going,” she finally said, breaking eye contact. Between work, her sisters and her position at Destination Wellness, she had no free time. None at all, she told herself stubbornly. And just because she felt a connection to Marcel didn’t mean she had to act on her feelings. “I only have ten minutes left on my lunch break, and I don’t want to be late.”
Dominique’s forearm accidently grazed across his chest, and Marcel felt the flow of blood surge below his belt. Enjoying the feel of her skin against his, he moved closer. Using his free hand to open the door, he led Dominique outside into the humid afternoon.
“So, what do you do when you’re not managing the bank or working at Destination Wellness?”
“I like to hang out with my friends, cook and work up a sweat at my coed spin class.”
“Is that for couples or something?”
“No, it’s for singles. We work out together and then go out for cocktails and appetizers. You should check it out. It’s an awesome workout and a great opportunity to meet people.”
“Now I understand why you’re the most popular masseuse at Destination Wellness,” Marcel said, shooting her a smile. “You’re vivacious, and you have an infectious personality. I can honestly say I don’t remember the last time I had this much fun with someone.”
“Oh stop. I just love to talk!” Dominique laughed. “I monopolized the conversation at lunch, but you’re too much of a gentleman to admit it.”
“You have a strong opinion about everything, and you don’t hold back. That’s refreshing.” He lowered his mouth but didn’t kiss her. “I like being with you very much, Ms. King.”
Her eyes fell across his lips, and a delicious heat flowed through her. She didn’t know if she believed the story about his broken engagement, but she wasn’t going to sweat it. They were just friends, so it didn’t matter if he was telling the truth or not. But when he bent down and pecked her cheek, friendship was the last thing on her mind. For the past nine months, she’d been happily single, dating this guy and the next, but when Marcel touched her, she yearned for his kiss. Stealing herself against the thought, she vowed in her heart never to make the same mistake again. Falling for a man she was insanely attracted to had almost ruined her once, and she wasn’t going to get hurt by another good-looking man who told lies.
“What are you doing next weekend?” he asked, as they continued up the street. “I’m having a few friends over. You should come by.”
“I’ll think about it. I’m behind on paperwork, so I was planning to work that weekend.”
Undeterred, he made another plug for his party. “There’ll be good music, food and more than enough of everything to go around, so invite a few of your friends. The more the merrier.”
“I thought you said your apartment was small?”
He chuckled. “It is, but whenever the word gets out that I’m cooking Creole food my friends come out in droves! The last time I had a get-together, over fifty people showed up.”
“I love Creole food. Why didn’t you mention that part sooner?” she asked, laughing. “I don’t know if I’ll be able to make it, but put my name down on the guest list just in case. Should I bring anything if I decide to come?”
“Nothing but that pretty smile.”
“Marcel, are you flirting with me?”
“Yes. As a matter of fact, I am.”
Her laughter sounded sweet. “I like you,” she confessed, staring up at him. “A single girl can never have too many friends, and you’re a really cool guy.”
