Pleasure for Two

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.”