Love Again (12 page)

“I’m really sorry this is happening, just be careful okay?  I don’t trust him.”

“Neither do I…Hey I need to go, Corrina just let me know our food is ready.  I’ll stay in touch.”

“Love you baby girl.”

“I love you too.”

While we ate, Corrina confessed that Trevor and her had been texting each other regularly.  “I don’t know that we’ll actually date, he seems like a player.”

“Don’t rush it, get to know each other first.”  We ate in silence for a while, my thoughts kept going back to Justin and when we started dating.  I didn’t even realize I had started crying until Corrina was sitting beside me with her arms around me.  “I hate him so much!” I sobbed. 

“Please don’t move out yet Lennie, I don’t think you’re ready to be on your own.”

I sniffled, “I…I want to.  I’ll be okay, it’s just going to take time.  Maybe since I moved out he’ll realize that we were good together.”

“Key word in that sentence is WERE, he chose to mess that up.”

I shook my head, “He’s really not that bad, I’m the one that pushed it too far and made him say those things.”

“Lennie STOP!” Corrina shook me once.  “That’s classic signs of abuse, you’re sticking up for him.  Listen, I know you love him and this is hard for you but the things he’s been saying to you are NOT TRUE!”

I sobbed against her shoulder unable to talk, someday I wouldn’t love Justin but I didn’t see it being any time soon.  Although I was sickened with what he was doing, the things he said and done cut me deep but…I still loved him. 

“Listen, you can’t fix Justin.  He needs professional help.  Maybe someday he’ll realize that losing you was his own fault and that he messed up.  Don’t you dare take the blame anymore, you didn’t do anything wrong.  He knows you’re blaming yourself and that’s exactly what he wants you to do.”

Corrina was right, I wiped my eyes and took a deep breath.  “I’m sorry…”

Corrina squeezed me tighter, “You have nothing to be sorry for, will you please just stay with me a little longer?  I’d feel so much better if you did.”

I nodded my head, “I’ll stay for a while.”

~~~~~~

The following day at work I talked to Henry and James to get their opinion and they agreed with Corrina that I should stay with her for a while.  “It’s better to have somebody there than to curl up in bed and cry by yourself.” James told me. 

Work kept me busy enough over the following few weeks, that Justin wasn’t on my mind all the time.  Our wedding picture and numerous other pictures were still in frames on my desk, Lana took it upon herself to discard them when she caught me ripping them out of the frames in a rage one day.  After that day I decided that I was going to get my life back, and that started with going and buying another Kindle. 

After setting up a new account I went on a 1-click spree in the Romance section.  I went to a bookstore and bought numerous paperbacks from the Romance section too.  As I was walking out of the store and brochure on the door caught my attention.  There was an author-signing coming up, after reading the list of authors I went back to the register and bought two tickets so that Corrina could go with me. 

I read in the evenings until I couldn’t hold my eyes open, the only bad thing was some of these books had sex scenes in them that left me NEEDING a sexual release.  Maybe Justin had been right all along?  I put my Kindle away and decided to take a shower.  I was tired of crying but crying in the shower was a great stress reliever for me.  After I had stopped crying I finished my shower and dried off.  I heard my cell phone ding with a new message but didn’t rush to check it afraid that it would be Justin.

Much to my surprise it wasn’t, it was a text from Dominique. 

Dominique
:  Strangest thing just happened.

Me
: ?

Dominique
:  I was just talking to Trevor and he told me that you and Corrina live in this building…actually the same floor as I do.

Me
: I’m only staying here temporary and you moved.

Dominique
:  Not yet, so why don’t you come down for that drink?

Me
:  I’m having a bad night…sorry.  I’ll text you Friday.

Dominique
:  Just one…come on

Me
:  I’m in my PJ’s

I didn’t wait for him to text me back instead I powered my phone off and went to bed.  Truth is I would have loved to have went to his apartment but after seeing that other woman go in there a few days ago, I knew that getting involved with Dominique wouldn’t be good. 

Corrina had to leave town the following day for business and wouldn’t be back until late Sunday night.  She promised that she would call as soon as she landed and when she had time between meetings.  Being alone in the apartment was relaxing but pretty boring, so I started looking online for things I wanted to buy for my house. 

At work I reorganized my office and even called in some painters, the plain white walls were just too boring and depressing. 

By Friday my office was a nice mocha color with new colorful artwork hanging on the walls and silk cream-colored curtains to replace the boring mini blinds.  At lunchtime Henry came in and asked if I wanted to join them for lunch. 

“Sure!” I logged off my computer and grabbed my purse. 

“Holy shit, JAMES!” He yelled, “She said yes!”

I laughed and rolled my eyes at him. 

We went to a new American Restaurant, the décor was beautiful and the atmosphere relaxing.  We were seated in a corner booth away from the busy crowded section. 

I was laughing at Henry’s story about losing a bet in college and having to smear peanut butter on his private parts and streak through the co-ed dorm yelling, “It’s peanut butter jelly time…give me your jelly!” When Henry suddenly stopped talking and kicked me under the table.

“Ouch!” I looked over at him while rubbing my ankle.  He tipped his head quickly toward the end of the table. 

There stood Dominique, looking absolutely delicious in a charcoal gray business suit with a royal blue tie that made his eyes look even more seductive.  I cleared my throat, “Hey Mister…Dominique.”

He grinned, “Gentlemen can I talk to this lady privately please?”

I have never seen Henry or James moves as fast as they did, I would have to give them the silent treatment when we got back to the office.  Dominique shook his head, “I meant for you to come with me.” He held his hand out for me to take. 

I shook my head, “Have a seat, we’re waiting for our food.”

Dominique narrowed his eyes at me then sat down beside me, so close I could feel his body heat.  “You didn’t reply to any more of my texts last night.”

“I fell asleep.” I told him then reached for my glass of water.  Dominique grabbed my hand and stopped me. 

“Listen I know you’re going through a rough patch, I’m just trying to be a friend.”

I pulled my hand out of his, “Friend huh?” I finally took a drink of water.  “Was that what you were trying to be at the club too?”

He leaned in, his hot breath blowing across my neck, “We’ll have that discussion over our drinks later.”

I squirmed in my seat, “Drink…one drink.” I said breathlessly. 

“I’ll meet you at your apartment.” He spoke softly into my ear.  I shivered, when I turned to look at him he was grinning.  “I’ll be there at eight.” He licked his lips and slowly dragged his bottom lip between his teeth.  Every nerve in my body was tingling, even my clit was throbbing.  Dominique broke eye contact first, I watched as his eyes moved down to my chest.  He reached up and brushed a thumb back and forth across one of my nipples that was pressing against my dress.  I sucked in a breath and closed my eyes.  “If you give me just one night Lennie,” He licked the outer part of my ear, “I can show you how a real man takes care of a woman.” He grabbed my hand and placed it over his dick.  I could feel it pulsating under the fabric, Dominique squeezed my hand, “Every fucking time I think about you, get close to you…this happens to me.  Let me have one night to show you how you should be treated.”

I quickly pulled my hand away when I remembered the beautiful woman that went to his apartment, “Is that what you were showing the woman at your apartment the other day?” I whispered angrily. 

He smiled and I wanted to slap him, “I’m not her type, but my apartment is her type.”

It took a few seconds for it to register with me what he had just said, “She’s going to be moving in after you leave?”

He nodded his head, “I’m leaving Sunday morning, she’ll be moving in there the following week.”

The waiter appeared with our food, “Did the others leave ma’am?” he asked with a concerned look. 

“Oh, no, they’re over talking to some client’s.” I pointed in the direction that Henry and James had rushed off in. 

He put our food down on the table, “I’ll go tell them it’s ready.  Have you been taken care of Sir?” He asked Dominique.

Dominique looked at me then the waiter, “Not yet, I’ll have whatever she’s having.”

My mouth fell open, the waiter nodded, “Coming right up.” Then he turned and walked away. 

“What are you doing?” I practically shouted at Dominique. 

“Well, I think you look a little flush.  So after you finish your meal we are going back to the apartment.”

I laughed, “I don’t think so, I have work…” Henry and James coming to sit back down interrupted me.  They both introduced themselves and sat opposite of Dominique and me. 

“Gentlemen, Lennie is going to be busy this afternoon.  If that’s okay with you two.”  Dominique told them.

“It’s been a slow day, I’m sure she needs the time away from the office.”  James replied with a wink. 

I wasn’t sure who I wanted to slap first, but judging by the smug grin on Dominique’s face, he would be the best one to start with. 

The guys talked about football and Dominique told us about the youth football programs he had coming up in a few weeks.  I would have never pictured him to be the type to enjoy helping little kids, but the sincerity and excitement when he talked about them softened my icy exterior toward him.  When the waiter brought his food, we were mostly finished with ours and ordered dessert.  I chose a simple chocolate cake with strawberry and whipped cream topping.  It was the most delicious cake I had ever tasted and I’m pretty sure I could have easily asked for the entire pan.  After the three of us finished our desserts the waiter came back and cleared our plates.  When he asked Dominique if he wanted dessert, Dominique told him he would pass.  I tried to encourage him to try the cake but he shook his head no then stood up and extended his hand to me. 

“I really have things I need to finish at the office…”

“They said otherwise, come on.” He smiled at me. 

That smile melted me a little more.  I hugged Henry and James before following Dominique to the front of the restaurant.   He paid for all of our meals and tipped the waiter a nice big tip.  With his hand resting on my back we walked out to the same black SUV he was in when he came to view the Wilson house. 

He opened the back door for me and held my elbow as I climbed in.  The driver smiled politely, “Good afternoon Lennie, names Randy.” I shook his hand that he held over his shoulder.  Dominique climbed in and shut the door, “I think we’ll go to my house, how does that sound?”

“Um, okay I guess?”

Dominique leaned in, “You just answered a question with a question.  If you are really that scared we can go to the club and have a drink.”

I stared into those beautiful blue eyes, “It’s fine, I’m not really in the mood for a crowd.”

He smiled and nodded at Randy. 

Randy pulled into the traffic and Dominique rolled a divider window up.  I raised one eyebrow at him.  We both sat there staring at each other in silence, I waited for him to say something, finally after a few minutes he blew out a breath.  “You seem scared.”

I shook my head, “I’m confused honestly.  Why are you so relentless about having a drink?”

“Did I not make that clear back at the restaurant?” He asked.  He propped his elbow up on the door, he slid his fingers back and forth across his bottom lip as he waited for me to answer. 

I crossed my arms over my chest trying to hide that my nipples were getting hard.  “So you want to fuck me and think that one night with you will change my opinion of men?”

Dominique grinned, “I’m nothing like Justin, just to set the record straight.  He should be damn lucky I didn’t hurt him worse than what I did.”

“Do you pursue all women like this?  Do you wait to find one that’s had her world flipped upside down then try to fuck them?” It sounded harsher than I wanted it to. 

“I’ve never had to pursue a woman, I’ve never wanted to.”

That left me speechless, I looked away from him and watched the city buildings as we made our way through town.  I couldn’t handle the intensity of his gaze but I could feel his eyes were still on me.  I wasn’t scared of Dominique, I was scared that if things started to get to heavy between us that I wouldn’t be able to stop myself…or that I would want to. 

His cell phone rang breaking the silence so I pulled my phone out and sent Corrina a text to let her know I was going to his house.  I didn’t get a response right away so I figured she was probably finishing up in a meeting.