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6621 Words
Nicki leaned against the wall of the shop trying to relieve the pressure on her leg. They had all headed into the city to do some shopping. Everyone was so excited, but Nicki felt like this was a big mistake. She didn’t fit in with Dominic’s crowd. She was going to look like a fool, and everyone would be staring at her.
The guys had headed off to look around the mall while the ladies browsed the dress shops. The men had it easy all they had to do was put on their Sunday suits, and they would meet the dress code. On the other hand, though the ladies had appropriate church dresses, they had nothing formal enough for such a high-class event.
Jove and Bryce had offered Millie and Lacy some shopping money, and Bryce even gave Lacy a little more for Nicki. Nicki hadn’t an income of her own since she’d been unable to work in a year and her father who paid her way didn’t have the kind of money to throw away on a dress, so Bryce had offered to flip the bill. Nicki felt a little bad about accepting his money. It wasn’t his responsibility to provide for her, but she took the money anyway.
This was the third store they had been to that morning, and Nicki was getting tired. Her sisters were browsing the racks for something suitable. Millie found herself a short red cocktail dress that hugged her figure flawlessly. Millie had always been the prettiest. Men found her sexy and she didn’t even have to try. Nicki envied her. She wished it was as easy for her.
Lacy tried on a few dresses before settling on a deep blue dress with a scooping neckline and a knee-length hemline. She looked very classy. Suddenly Millie appeared at Nicki’s side with a deep green dress and a thick black belt around the narrow waist. “This would look stunning on you Nicki.”
Nicki shook her head. It was way too short it would never hide her scar. “It’s too short.”
Millie frowned and hung the dress back up. “Ok, so something longer.” She said looking around. She took a long black dress off the rack and held it up to Nicki. It was floor length which was nice; it felt like silk when she touched the skirt. Only it has a draped neckline and no back. It was beautiful, but she couldn’t see herself wearing it.
“It’s too bold; people will be staring.” Nicki rejected it.
“That’s the point Nicki; to get people to look and say wow she’s beautiful.”
“I don’t want people to look at me.”
“You want Dominic to look at you.” Lacy teased. “He won’t be able to take his eyes off you in this dress. Go try it on.”
Fine to humour her sisters she would try the dress on. She took it into the change room and wrestled her way into the gown. Turning around, she looked in the mirror and kind of liked the way it looked. It made her look like she had a figure to speak of. She would have to do something with her hair, but she liked it.
“Come out Nicki and let’s see.” She heard Lacy call from the other side of the door. Nicki stepped out and both her sisters smiled. “Oh Nicki, it’s stunning.”
“It’s settled then we’re buying this dress.”
Nicki looked down at the tag. It was three hundred dollars. “It’s so expensive for something I’ll probably only wear once.”
“Nicki, you’re buying the dress,” Millie said firmly. “So, let’s ring it up and hit the salon. You’re going to need an elegant up due to go with the dress.”
Nicki shook her head no. “I don’t even want to go.”
“Yes, you do,” Lacy called her bluff. “You’re just self-conscious about the cane. We can do something about that. I saw a medical supply store a few blocks back. I bet we can find a temporary brace for your leg that will help you go without your cane for a little while and since the dress is so long no one will even see it.” Lacy suggested.
It did sound like a good solution to her problem, but she wasn’t so confident that a brace would be enough, although she had been making slow progress in her physiotherapy sessions. If she didn’t walk around too much, she might be able to limp by for an hour. Ok, she’d do it.
They bought their dresses and first went to the medical supply store where they fitted Nicki with an ill-fitted brace. It would have been better if it had been custom made but it would do the trick for the night. She managed to slowly limp across the small distance in the store without her cane.
Once they had the brace, they met up with the guys for lunch and then they went to the salon where they indulged in a manicure and a wash and style. Nicki particularly liked the manicure; it made her farm girl hands look more ladylike. From there they headed home and had a quick dinner then changed into their dresses.
They then piled into the family van and drove into the city. Nicki felt horrible pulling up to the gala in a rusted farm van when everyone else was showing up in limos and sports car. The valet looked at the van surprised and politely took the keys after practically prying them from her father’s hand. Jove had to reassure the old man that no one was trying to steal his crummy ride. Out of all of them, Jove was far more useful to the finer things in life. Before settling down with Millie on the farm, Jove had lived his life out of his suitcase, spending his time in posh hotels and living on room service. He’d even taken Millie on a jaunt around Europe.
Nicki had left her cane in the van, and with her brother’s assistance, she made it inside. She was perhaps leaning on him a bit more than she would like but Clint was a big boy and farm boy strong, he could more than support her. Once inside they moved out of the way of the entrance and looked around at the vast wide-open room. There were a few free-standing white walls with paintings and series of framed sketches mounted on them. There were pillars with sculptures of clay, stone, and brass. It would appear Dominic did more than paint.
In front of all the art were small stands with papers and pens. Nicki took a closer look at one and realized it was a bidding form, this was a silent auction, and judging from the one she was reading it was way beyond her price range.
“Wow, this painting is going for the same price I paid for our house,” Jove said trying to keep his voice down so not to stand out. “No wonder he can afford that car. This is crazy.”
Nicki looked around the vast room at all the people there. They were all dressed in designer clothes, and all looked like they were in their element throwing money around like nothing and discussing art like they were connoisseurs. As a couple strolled past and out of her line of sight, Nicki caught sight of Dominic talking to another man.
Suddenly Nicki couldn’t breathe. Dominic dressed in a fine dark grey suit. His jacket was left open casually. His slacks looked like they had been tailored to him. Beneath his suit, he wore dark blue button up dress shirt and one of those sleek, stylish thin ties. His hair was gelled and styled in a very trendy almost rock’ n roll style that gave him an air of mischief. Like he was too cool to care what people thought about him, which made everyone love him. He was smiling that bright smile, and his eyes were laughing. He looked too good to approach.
What was she doing here? This wasn’t where she belonged. She was crazy to have come. She had to get out of here before Dominic saw her. “Let’s leave,” Nicki said quietly drawing her family’s attention. “We have to leave now.”
“Calm down Nicki; we just got here,” Bryce said.
“No, we need to leave before he sees me.” She insisted.
“Why?” Millie asked.
“Look at him,” Nicki said gesturing in Dominic’s direction. “I don’t belong here. Let ’s just go, please before he sees me.” Just then Dominic glanced in her direction and smiled. It was too late he had seen her. She couldn’t run away now.
“Nicki, just breathes,” Millie said, “he’s just a guy; don’t let him freak you out.”
“Oh god, here he comes.” Nicki barely managed as she watched him say goodbye to the other guy and come her way.
***
Dominic had been going all day; he hardly had the time to eat. He had done a local TV appearance to promote the gala and then spent the afternoon setting up with the others. He took an hour to head back to his hotel and shower before dressing and returning to the gala where he had been working the room, smiling and shaking hands. Answering questions and listening to blowhards go on about how his vision resonated with them.
He was barely tolerating the politician he was talking to when he glanced around the room and spotted someone that brought a genuine smile to his face. There she was the woman that had been on his mind all day. Nicki was standing near the entrance she must have just arrived. She hadn’t come alone, but he barely noticed the others as he stared at her.
She looks incredible in her floor-length black dress. It was elegant and classy, and she looked breathtaking in it. The neckline draped, and from what he could see from where he was it was backless which meant she wasn’t wearing a bra… sexy. Her dark chestnut hair was whisked up off her shoulders and pinned up with wisps of dark hair framing her pretty face. She was easily the most enchanting woman in the room.
“Excuse me Paul, but I see someone I must speak with. I will catch up with you later tonight, enjoy the show.” He said heading in Nicki’s direction. He grabbed two glasses of champagne from the passing waiter. Their gaze met as he came across the room and held out a glass to her. “Don’t you look stunning? I’m so glad you came.” He grinned and watched as her family quickly disappeared into the crowd leaving the two of them alone, well as alone as two people could be in public.
Nicki accepted the champagne and took a big unladylike swig. She was feeling nervous. “This place is big.” She managed.
“Have you had the chance to look around?”
“No.”
“Then let me be your escort.”
Nicki shook her head. “Oh no, I would rather just stay here, I can see from here just fine.” She didn’t want to walk around, that was when he realized she didn’t have her cane, and she probably couldn’t walk around.
“Where is your cane?” He asked.
“I didn’t want to bring it in. I’m just fine standing here.” She assured him.
“How?”
She looked uncomfortable and then lowered her voice. “I have on a brace.” She whispered. “It holds me up, but it’s not helpful for walking.”
Dominic held out his arm to her. “Well, then we can be discreet. You take my arm, and I’ll lend you the support you require. We’ll walk slowly, so no one sees you limping.” He offered. He wanted to show her around, but he understood that she was uncomfortable with people knowing she was disabled.
Dominic took Nicki’s hand and laced her arm with his as if casually escorting a beautiful woman, nothing a true gentleman wouldn’t do. He took a step and felt Nicki follow leaning heavily on his arm for support. He casually led her toward some paintings that were nearby. Once they reached the painting, he couldn’t help but notice Nicki drain the rest of her glass. She was edgy.
“Easy doll that will go right to your head.” He said sipping his own. “You need to relax.”
Nicki glanced around. “People are starring.”
“Of course, their staring, they always stare at beautiful women.”
“More than likely their wondering why I’m wearing this ridiculous dress.”
“It’s not ridiculous; I think you look very elegant. What they’re wondering is who you are-”
“And why you’re with me.”
“No, they’re wondering how I got so lucky. I have the most interesting women in the room on my arm.”
“I wish you would stop saying that.”
“Why?”
“It’s a lie; you insult my intelligence by telling me you think I’m beautiful. I don’t know what you’re after, but I’m sure it’s not because you think I’m the most beautiful or elegant woman you know. I’m a small-town farm girl, not a moron. I’m sure you know all sorts of sophisticated women and Playboy models. I can’t believe that you would consider me prettier than one of those busty blonde bimbos. Let’s be frank. Look at you and then look at me, you could have any woman you want, and you are standing here with me. At best I can only deduce that you lost some bet. At worse you’re a sadistic bastard and are playing some cruel joke on me.” She snapped catching him off guard. She was hostile.
Dominic offered Nicki the rest of his drink; she needed it more than he did. She accepted the glass and drained it in one shot than handed the empty glass back to him. “First, I lost no bet. Second, I’m not playing any sadistic games. Third, I do think you’re beautiful. You’re right I know lots of cookie cutter bombshells. I won’t dispute that I can have any woman I want. What I don’t understand is why it is so hard for you to believe that I might genuinely like you because you’re intelligent, witty, and funny; you put a smile on my face because you’re unique. I’m tired of dating women who think Confucius is a sexually transmitted disease.” Nicki chuckled, and Dominic smiled, he liked her better when she was smiling. “I know people look at me and think I must be some shallow self-absorbed, what did you call me… trust fund baby, but I’m not. I like you because you’re different, and I thought that if anyone could see past the glitz and glam and see the real me, it would have been you, now I’m not so sure.”
Nicki looked away like she was ashamed. “Dominic, I’m sorry, you’re right. I’ve been so worried that you were judging me that I didn’t realize I was judging you. It wasn’t fair. Can we start over? Go back to the way things were online before I went and ruined everything?” Normally he would have washed his hands of her, he didn’t need crazy in his life, but he remembered what she had been like online, and he liked that woman.
“Ok let’s just pretend the last ten minutes didn’t happen.”
“Deal.”
“So, what do you think?” He asked looking at his painting. It was a landscape of a waterfall he’d seen in Japan surrounded by beautiful stone and cherry blossoms.
“It’s beautiful. Did you imagine this or is this someplace you’ve been?”
“It’s Sakura Japan. I was there for a month last year. Such a gorgeous country.”
“You certainly have an eye for beauty.” She said.
“Let me show you one of my favourites.” He said slowly leading her across the room.
They stopped in front of a large canvas with a young woman in ballerina tights and silk wrap prancing gracefully across a hardwood floor with the soft morning sun filtering in through the tall windows. Nicki gasped. “This is lovely. She is beautiful.” This woman was his favourite model, she was small and thin with a sleek dancer’s body, not one of those plastic curvy busty blondes, but a graceful, swanlike dove with alabaster skin and raven hair pulled tight in a bun. To Dominic, this was the panicle of beauty. “How much is this one going for?” She asked.
“I’m not selling this one it’s just on display. This is part of my collection. This is my idea of beauty.” He said staring at the painting.
“Who is she?”
“My Mother.” He confessed. “Growing up I must have watched her dance a million times. I painted this from memory.”
“This isn’t how I pictured your mother,” Nicki admitted.
“You thought she would be some tall supermodel with fake breasts and bleached blond extensions.”
Nicki blushed. “Yes, I’m sorry to say I did.”
“People say I look like my Mother.”
She looked at him and then the woman in the painting. “Yeah, I can see that.” Nicki shifted her weight and then winced slightly.
Concerned Dominic put his arm around her waist, “Are you ok?”
“Yes, I just need to sit down.”
Dominic looked around; there was no place to sit down. He looked across the room to the glass staircase leading up to the second floor. It wasn’t a designated seating area, but it would have to do. Dominic slowly ushered Nicki across the floor to the staircase; his hand on her arm and around her waist, offering her the stability of his body. Reaching the stairs, he eased her down close to the wall so people could still get past them. She sat with her injured leg stretched out in front of her. She was trying to hide it, but he could see the pain in her eyes.
“You should have brought your cane.”
“People would have stared.”
Dominic looked around; people were staring, wondering why she was sitting on the stairs, probably assuming she was drunk. “You have too much pride. You should have brought it. Is it close?”
“It’s in the van.”
“I’ll go get it.” He offered.
“No please. I’ll be fine I need a moment. I can do this. The muscle is strained.”
“Does this happen a lot?”
“Every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon when I go to physiotherapy.”
“Is it helping, the physio I mean?”
“It’s frustratingly slow, but I have made some progress. I hope one day to be able to walk without the cane.”
“Can I do anything?”
“No.”
Dominic looked around at all the whispering faces. He could tell Nicki was noticing them too as she diverted her eyes and became agitated. “I need to get some air.”
“It can wait a moment.”
“No, I have to go. I have to leave.” She insisted, trying to stand up.
“Ok.” He took her hand and pulled her to her feet. He put his arm around Nicki and led her to the back of the room to the fire exit. He pushed open the door and walked her out into the alley letting the door fall shut and lock behind them. They wouldn’t be going back in that way.
Out of the public’s eye, Dominic bent over and lifted Nicki in his arms. She wasn’t very big, so it wasn’t a burden. He carried her the thirty feet to the parking lot where the valets were parking cars. His Bugatti was close to the building. Finding his car, he gently placed Nicki on the hood. She cringed in pain and rubbed her leg.
“Let me see.” He said taking her ankle in his hand and supporting her leg, with one hand he pushed her skirt up to her knee and noticed a long scar, likely from surgery. It was still fresh maybe a year old. Nicki tried to push her skirt, so it covered her knee, and he didn’t fight her. If she felt more comfortable covered up, he would allow her that comfort. Dominic released the straps of the snug fabric brace and removed it laying it on the hood of the car next to them.
Dominic ran his hand over her calf, he could feel the tight muscle and what he could only assume was probably inner scarring on the muscle. She jumped, and Dominic apologized then he applied a little pressure and massaged the corded muscle. At first, she looked like she was in pain, but after he worked the muscle for a few moments she began to sigh with relief, her eyes fluttering closed; her lips parted slightly as a soft, breathy sigh escaped her lips.
Dominic’s gaze fell to her lush lips; the moment was strangely erotic. More compelling than any other he’d experienced. She couldn’t possibly understand just how sexy she was. She was so fragile yet strong. It was a captivating combination. Unable to resist Dominic leaned forward and his lips captured hers in a gentle kiss. With her eyes closed, Nicki hadn’t seen it coming. She tensed at first but only at first and then he drew from her a favourable response.
Her lips parted giving way to his probing tongue; he could taste the sweet champagne on her lips. Nicki kissed him back; it was soft and uncertain but willing. Her arms came up and wrapped around his shoulders. Dominic took hold of her knees and pulled her to the edge of the hood pulling her legs around his waist as he leaned into her pushing her back against the car.
Their kiss quickly became heated and eager. His hand moved from her waist to her breast, and suddenly Nicki was pushing him away. “What am I doing?” She gasped her hands on his chest pushing him off her. “Dominic, stop. I can’t; this isn’t me.” She said scurrying away and pushing her skirt down.
“You’re just going to pull away? I thought we were having a moment.” He didn’t understand how she could get him worked up and then put on the brakes. Like he could switch gears that quickly, frankly he was annoyed.
“Well, the moment’s over.” She snapped getting on her feet and stepping away, putting distance between them. “I’m not the kind of girl that just goes to bed with a guy she just met.”
“Who said we were going to bed, it was just some harmless fondling.” He said with a smile. “I’m willing to settle for some heavy petting.”
Nicki just glared at him. “Pet someone else. I was stupid to think you were different. You’re just like any other guy; thinking with your c**k instead of your head.” She snapped and then started to limp away. Dominic was confused. What had he done wrong? Things were going so well and somehow; he had managed to offend her.
“Nicki.” He called to her, but she didn’t turn around as she headed back to the front door. “Nicki come back.” He called as he tried to catch up to her. “Nicki, stop.” He said taking her by the arm and stopping her. Nicki pulled away and backed away from him. “I didn’t mean to offend you. I just wanted to kiss you.”
“Well, maybe I didn’t want to be kissed.” She snapped.
Dominic laughed. “I beg to differ it sure felt like you wanted to be kissed.”
“Well, I didn’t.” She hissed.
“I’m usually pretty good at reading women, and you wanted to be kissed.”
“You were reading me wrong.”
Dominic took her hand and pulled her back into his arms. “Let’s test that theory.” He dipped his head and kissed her again this time he wasn’t holding back. His kiss was bold and demanding. She resisted and then quickly melted into his embrace and began to kiss him back with an intensity that matched his desire. This time his hands stayed at her waist pulling Nicki against him moulding the contours of her body to his.
***
His kiss took her breath away. Her eyes had fallen shut while his tongue swept over hers. He tasted sweet, so intoxicating. She was trying to keep her wits about her, but Dominic was tearing down her defences and drawing her in. His body felt marvellous against her own, hard and strong compared to her soft, delicate stature. Lost in his arms, she couldn’t even feel her leg anymore. His body offered all the support she needed.
After an intense moment, Dominic’s lips lifted from hers, and he gazed down at her with a victorious look in his bright eyes. Nicki’s head was spinning she could barely form a thought. “See I told you, you wanted to be kissed.” His self-assurance annoyed her, but unfortunately, he was right she had given in to the inebriating kiss.
She would never admit it out loud, but she wanted Dominic. She wanted him so much she was willing to put aside her better judgment for a few moments of his attention. When else would she ever have the chance to be the object of a celebrity’s affection?
Nicki had never been kissed like this; actually, she’d never been kissed. She hadn’t been popular in school, and when she graduated she just resigned herself to a life on the farm, working, she never had the opportunity to get to know anyone well enough to be kissed. She had never experienced the high school infatuation.
Dominic stepped back, his hand still holding hers as he coaxed her back towards his car. He opened the door and eased her inside. He then walked around the front and climbed in next to her. “Are we going somewhere?” She asked unsure about what was happening.
“I figured you would be more comfortable sitting down and that we might want some measure of privacy.” Dominic shifted in his seat to face her, his arm on the back of her seat. He pulled Nicki forward and then playfully kissed her lips again. “When was the last time you parked?” He asked grazing his lips over hers.
“Never.” He seemed to be surprised. “This is my first kiss.”
He didn’t look like he believed her at first, but as he searched her eyes, she saw the moment of acceptance. “Are you a virgin?” She just looked away, embarrassed by her inexperience. “You are, aren’t you?” Then he laughed. Nicki shot him a nasty glared; she didn’t see what was so funny. “Sorry doll, I’m not laughing at you I’m just a little bit surprised to find a virgin over the age of thirteen. I didn’t think people waited that long anymore.”
“How old were you when you lost your virginity?”
“Thirteen.” He admitted. “My Mother caught me with the neighbour girl down the street.” He then chuckled again with a guilty smile. “Well since you missed out I say we catch up for lost time.” He said leaning in and kissing her again. She was going to resist, but when his lips found hers, she gave in.
Dominic pressed Nicki back against the seat. His mouth ate at hers while his hand caressed her face and moved down her neck and shoulders. Nicki submitted to his lead enjoying the way his mouth felt on her mouth and neck. His hand moved over her arms and shoulder sometimes coming to rest on her waist pulling her closer, but when his hands began to wonder, she would grab his wrist and move his hands back to her waist. She might have been letting him steal kisses, but she was keeping it PG.
Things were getting hot, and the windows were getting steamy when there was a knock on the window startling Nicki out of her lusty haze. Dominic lifted his hand and wiped the steam away from the window only to find an older gentleman looking in and tapping his wristwatch. Dominic rolled down the window and smiled at the man frowning back at him.
“You are missing from your party.” The man snarled. “People are looking for you.”
“Ok, I’m coming.” Dominic smiled politely. The man looked at Nicki and made a snickering sound before he walked away. Nicki felt humiliated to have been caught necking like horny teenagers. Nicki covered her face with her hands to hide her blush, but Dominic noticed regardless. He chuckled at her reaction. “It could be worse; it could have been your dad that caught us.”
“Oh, God.” She groaned.
“Let’s go inside.” He grinned opening the door and getting out. Dominic came around the car and opened her door offering Nicki his hand to help her from the car.
Nicki put her brace back on, and they returned to the party where Dominic excused himself, he had a lot of hobnobbing to do, and Nicki was only slowing him down, it wasn’t how he put it, but she knew what he meant. Dominic left Nicki by the stairs. It wasn’t long before Millie and Jove joined her having noticed that Dominic left her.
“Are you enjoying the show?” Jove asked with a mocking smile that didn’t make any sense. “We haven’t seen you around for a while.”
“I was outside getting some air.” Nicki lied.
“Alone?” Jove asked leadingly.
What was he getting at? “No with Dominic.” Jove tried not to laugh; he diverted his eyes and took a sip of the champagne in his hand. “What the hell is so amusing?” She demanded, looking at her sister who was also doing her best to remain calm, trying so hard to hide the wicked smile that was curving her lips.
“Um Nicki hon, you might want to let your hair down,” Millie suggested quietly.
“What for?” It had taken half an hour and sixty dollars to get her hair to look this way.
“To hide the love bite on your neck.” Jove teased and was slapped by his wife for his candour. “What? I was polite about it I could have said hickey.”
Nicki’s eyes widened in horror. Her hands went to her neck, had Dominic left evidence of their tryst? “His kidding me right?” She asked Millie hopefully. Millie just smiled. Oh, dear, he had. Nicki immediately began pulling the pins from her hair and let her dark tresses tumble down around her shoulders. She ran her fingers through her hair trying to tame it and then looked at her sister. “Can you still see it?”
Millie reached out and pushed Nicki’s hair around and smiled. “All good.” She said. “So, my grounded level-headed sister was necking in the parking lot.” She teased.
“Shut up.” Nicki snapped. “You’ve done way worse.” She reminded Millie of her first date with Jove, at least Nicki wasn’t throwing it in her father’s face. If it was at all possible to conceal this development from her father, she was going to.
“Yeah, but Daddy expects more from you; when he sees that hickey, he’s going to flip out.”
Her sister was right. How was she going to hide this? “How long does it take to heal?”
Millie’s eyes narrowed as if insulted. “How should I know? I’ve never had one.”
“Might be fun to give you one.” Jove winked drawing a grin from Millie.
Nicki rolled her eyes these two were always at it. “Please attempt to control yourself.” Nicki scolded. She had enough to worry about she didn’t need to watch these two make out.
“Party pooper.” Jove grinned.
They enjoyed the show for another hour before Mitchell began to round up his offspring. They had a long drive back to Devon, and it was already late. “I have to say goodbye to Dominic.” Nicki insisted. She couldn’t just leave without a word, not after what had transpired between them earlier.
Nicki skirted the room and found Dominic talking with a wealthy couple. He was telling some story that was making them chuckle. Nicki stood next to them patiently until Dominic looked at her. “Sorry to intrude but I’m leaving.”
He looked disappointed and with a pleasant practiced smile excused himself from the couple’s company. With his hand at the small of her back, Dominic escorted Nicki off to the side where they could talk privately. “Why are you leaving?” He asked quietly, as he looked her over, “and why is your hair down it looked so nice up?”
“It’s after eleven.” She informed him.
Dominic glanced down at his watch as if he didn’t believe her; then he made a surprised sound. “So, it is. Where did the night go? You can’t leave, yet I wanted to spend more time with you. I didn’t show you the rest of the exhibit.”
“I’ve seen the exhibit.” She said. “It’s been four hours.”
He frowned. “I’ve been neglecting you. I’m sorry, these things consume a lot of my time.”
“I think I’ve had enough of your time.” She said casually moving her hair aside to show him the evidence of their time together.
Dominic grinned and repositioned her hair to cover it. “Sorry about that, I don’t know what got into me. It was fun though right?” She just blushed. “You had fun, admit it.” He dipped his head trying to catch her diverted gaze. “Yeah, you had fun. Look I’m in Helena for a few more days, and I’d like to see you again. Maybe with some effort, I could get to second base.” He teased. He laughed when she turned bright red. Dominic pulled her into his arms and hugged her. “Relax Nicki; I’m kidding…” He paused thoughtfully, “unless you’re going to do it.”
Nicki punched him in the shoulder. “I think you’ve gotten as far as you’re going to. Is this the only reason you want to see me again so that you can get lucky?” She asked annoyed.
“Of course not.” He said offended. “If s*x were all I wanted I’d go home with her.” He said pointing at a blonde across the room. “I want to spend time with you. Some alone time. What do you say I come by tomorrow?”
“I don’t know, things are moving rather fast and then you’ll be leaving.”
“And you’re afraid I won’t call you after I leave?” She didn’t want to say it, but that was what she was thinking. He was charming, and she was having difficulty not being taken in. “I suppose nothing I can say will put your mind at ease.”
“We could get married.” She grinned.
“Oh, funny.” He smiled. “I don’t think I’m ready for locking down forever.” It was Nicki’s turn to laugh. “Ok, what if I promise to keep my hands to myself until you give me the go ahead?” He suggested hopefully.
“What if I never give you the go ahead?” She asked.
“Then I leave with no hard feeling, and we stay friends.” Then he smiled. “But let me just say there is no worse place for a man then the friend zone.”
Nicki looked at him skeptically. “But?”
“But I can live with just being friends if that’s what you want.”
“Good-night Dominic.” She said turning to leave.
“Wait does that mean I can come by tomorrow or not?” He called after her. She just waved at him and went in search of her family.
- Writer
