Second Chance at Love (Love Conquers All) (3 page)

Kyle tapped Dom on his leg to bring him out of his reverie. “Mr. Dom, I’m hungry.”

Dom cleared his throat. Smiling down at the children he stood up. “Come on, let’s get something to eat.”

“But I thought you wanted to talk to us.” Ashley reminded him with wide curious eyes. She was hoping Mr. Dom wasn’t going to break his promise of taking them to Disney on Ice.

Smiling down at her, Dom tugged on her ponytail. “It can wait.”

Leading the children into the kitchen, Dom decided he had to come up with a plan B to get next to Karen that didn’t include using the kids.

Freshly showered and dressed, Karen lounged on the sofa reading the latest issue of Essence. Laying the magazine in her lap, she leaned over to pick up a steaming mug of mint tea. Bringing the mug to her lips, she inhaled the fragrant, steamy liquid before taking a sip.

“Mmm, this is so good.” Smiling, she swallowed, enjoying the hot brew. “Ah, listen to that.” Taking another sip, she whispered, “Silence is a beautiful thing.”

Setting down the mug, Karen wondered what her children were doing. Wondered if they were behaving themselves.
Cut that out! They’re in good hands. Enjoy this time you have to yourself.

Karen nodded to herself. It was about time she was able to just kick back and relax with nothing to do. Prior to taking her shower she had gone throughout the house from room to room looking for something to clean or to straighten up. Other than putting away dishes left in the dishwasher everything was in order.

After getting out of the shower she had called over to the Peretti’s home to check on the children and the time she should pick them up later in the afternoon. She could hear Ashley and Kyle in the background pleading to stay another night because they were having so much fun. When Karen hesitated, not wanting to feel like she was imposing, Janet Peretti assured her the kids were being perfect little angels. “We don’t mind having the children here with us. Dominic and I were just saying this morning how much we’re enjoying having children in the house again. And besides, Ashley and Kyle are good company for Zoe.”

Finishing the mint tea, Karen stood to go put the mug in the dishwasher when the doorbell rang. Padding over to the door, she peeped through the peep hole. Quickly inhaling a sharp breath, she stepped away from the door as if her visitor could see her.

Karen placed her hand on her belly to calm the fluttering butterflies. Heat flushed her face as she relived what it felt like being in his arms last night as they danced. Sure, she’d dreamt about him all night and daydreamed about him earlier this morning. But this didn’t mean she was ready to face him again so soon. She hadn’t expected to see him until next weekend when he was due to come by to take the kids along with Zoe to see Disney on Ice. And even then she hadn’t planned on seeing him but for a split second. Her plan had been to have Ashley and Kyle with their coats on, money in their pockets for goodies and souvenirs, and shoved out the door.

So what was he doing here now? The only time he showed up at her place was to take the kids out. And even then he waited in the car. She was certain Dom was aware they were at his parents’ house with Zoe. There was no reason for him to be here.

Having run all this through her mind, an uneasy feeling settled in the pit of her stomach. Panic set in.
Has something happened to the kids?
With that last thought Karen swung the door open.

“What’s wrong? Are my kids okay? Is Zoe okay?”

Dom’s dark gaze roamed Karen from head to toe. Gone were the makeup, updo hairstyle, and evening gown. In its stead were a hot pink, long sleeve t-shirt clinging to her breasts, nice fitting jeans hugging every curve and French pedicure toes peeking from beneath the hem of her jeans. The makeup was scrubbed clean from her face, her dark hair hanging loosely around her slender shoulders. She barely looked twenty-five. No one would believe she was thirty-four with two children ages nine and eleven.

Dom gave her a lazy smile. “The kids are fine. Are you going to let me in?”

Relief washed over Karen. Panic subsided, and before she was aware of what she was doing, Karen had stepped aside and let Dom in.

Bad mistake.

As soon as Karen closed the door she knew she was in trouble. Within the beat of a second she found herself backed up against the living room wall. The next thing she knew, her arms were held high above her head, pinned to the wall by a strong, large hand.

“What are you—”

Karen’s inquiry was cut off by Dom covering her mouth with his. Squirming, Karen made a futile attempt to escape. It was no use. She was no match for his strength. He proved as much as he slipped his tongue in her mouth, holding her wrist firmer and wedging his leg between her thighs just in case she had any ideas of kneeing him in his privates. Leaning against the wall with his free hand near her waist, he created a prison, one from which she wouldn’t escape, not until he was good and ready to free her.

She tried to fight it. Tried to fight him. Honest she did. The more she struggled, the more his tongue stroked the inside of her mouth, driving her crazy. Her nipples puckered and the area between her legs throbbed. Relaxing, Karen welcomed the supporting wall at her back. Any anger she had suddenly evaporated into a thin mist. Letting out a soft moan, Karen fully surrendered to the kiss.

The second Dom felt her relax he released his hold on her wrists. He halfway expected her to haul off and slap him into next week. Pure pleasure coursed through him when she stood on her tippy-toes, leaning her breasts into his chest, wrapping her arms around his neck with no intention of breaking the kiss.

Dom let out a deep groan when Karen’s pelvis bumped into his groin. Threading his fingers in her loose hair, gently tugging her head back, his hot mouth nipped at her exposed neck. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”

Karen didn’t know if she was trembling from the threat of his words laced with promises of pleasure or from the slick, wet tongue gliding along her neck as if she were the best-tasting lollipop in the world.

“Do what?” Karen asked, her voice coming out in a soft sigh.

“This.” Dom answered, thrusting his groin into her pelvis.

The sensual haze wafting around them suddenly vanished. Dropping her hands from their resting place around his neck, Karen placed them on his wide chest, giving him a gentle nudge. “Please back up.”

What in the world had gotten into her? Better yet, what had possessed her to act like a wanton tramp in heat? If he hadn’t said anything she’d probably have her legs wrapped around his waist, dry humping like crazy. Embarrassment coiled all around her. If the floor opened up and swallowed her alive any second it wouldn’t be soon enough.

Backing up, Dom saw the flushing in her cheeks. He wanted to kick himself. Why did he have to go and say something? His intention wasn’t to make her feel bad. Just to kiss her out of her mind.

“I’m sorry.” They both blurted out at the same time.

Chuckling, Dom offered, “You go first.”

Smiling shyly, Karen suggested, “Let’s go sit down.”

Dom followed as Karen led him over to the sofa. Stifling a groan, he looked toward the ceiling. The sway of her jean clad hips was driving him insane.
Please help me.

Shrugging out of his jacket, he laid it on the arm of the sofa as he sat next to Karen.

Facing Dom, Karen tucked her legs beneath her. Nervously she nibbled on her bottom lip. “Dom, we shouldn’t have done that.”

Cocking his head to the side, he gave her a lopsided grin. “What did we do?”

Karen rolled her eyes. “We shouldn’t have kissed.”

Dom leaned into Karen’s personal space. She told herself she wouldn’t let him intimidate her. She would stand her ground. But then he had to go give her that sexy grin that turned her insides into mush. She found herself easing back, putting some space between them.

Reaching up, Dom tucked a piece of wayward hair behind Karen’s ear. “I’ve wanted to kiss you for the longest.”

Karen swallowed hard. She’d wanted the same thing. Imagined him taking her in his arms and kissing her senseless like he’d just done. Imagining it was nothing compared to experiencing it. And what an experience it was. She didn’t know a tongue could make her want to just throw caution to the wind and lose herself in the moment. But after the moment was spent, where would that leave her? Alone.

“Dom, we can never kiss again.”

Inching closer, closing the distance, Dom’s hand snaked around Karen’s neck, invading her personal space once again. Karen’s heart hammered in her chest when he moved in even closer, their lips nearly touching. “I know you don’t mean that.” His voice dropping to a husky whisper, “What if I kissed you again?”

Do it! Do it! Please do it!
“You better not.” Karen wanted to kick herself. She’d meant for her voice to come out stern, no nonsense. Instead she sounded like a purring, sex kitten.

Just as Dom’s lips began to descend on hers, Karen’s stomach let out a loud, obnoxious growl.

“Oh my God! How embarrassing!” Karen squealed, leaping as far away from Dom as she could. Covering her face with her hands she pleaded, “Just leave. Leave now and don’t ever come back.”

Throwing his head back, Dom let out a bark of laughter. Standing up, he reached for Karen’s hand. “Why don’t you let me take you to get something to eat?”

Karen placed her hand in Dom’s. She tried not to laugh, but couldn’t help herself. She playfully swatted Dom in his tummy, marveling at how hard his abs were. “Stop laughing at me. It’s not funny.”

Letting her hand go, Dom cupped his hands around his mouth imitating growling stomach noises. Karen elbowed him in the ribs. “You are so not funny.” Heading out of the room, she called over her shoulder, “Wait here while I go get my sneakers.”

After Karen left the room Dom pumped his fist. “Yes!” Things were finally moving in the right direction.

“Hey big sis. What’s going on?”

Karen smiled at hearing her sister Starr’s voice on the other end of the phone. “Nothing much. Just getting ready to iron the kids’ school uniforms for the week.” Turning on the iron, Karen adjusted the appliance to the cotton setting. “What’s going on with you?”

“Girl, I’m just relaxing. Mom and Poppa Patrick loaded the kids in the stroller and went for a walk. I’m going to cherish every second they’re gone.”

Karen laughed. “I know what you mean. The kids have been with Ava’s folks all this weekend.” Taking a shirt from the laundry basket, Karen gently shook it before laying it on the ironing board. “I can’t tell you how delightful it’s been being all alone.”

“Is that right?” Starr queried. Karen noticed the hint of laughter in her sister’s voice.

“Girl, what are you talking about?”

“Oh don’t even play with me. From what I hear you weren’t
all
alone this weekend.” Starr teased, knowing she was about to rattle her sister’s cage.

An uneasiness swept over Karen at the lie she was about to tell her sister. “I haven’t the slightest idea what you’re talking about.” Okay, why did her voice have to suddenly croak like she had a frog in her throat? Again she reiterated, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” At least this time her voice came out a little stronger.

“Is that so Karen Marie Avery Johnston?”

Standing the iron up so she wouldn’t burn a hole in her daughter’s uniform shirt, Karen prepared herself for Starr’s probing. Once Starr got on a roll she wouldn’t let up until she unturned every stone. But Karen was determined not to give in so easily to the probing.

Sighing as if she was bored to death, Karen said, “Y-Yes that is so Starr Michelle Avery Dawson.”

“Humph, that’s not what a little birdie told me.” Starr taunted.

Padding into the kitchen for a glass of water, Karen shot back, “I don’t care what a little birdie told you.”

Hearing her sister’s melodious laughter caused a smile to curve her soft lips. As children their mother had taught them to verbally spar with one another without the harshness of nasty words. When they were younger they would go on for hours and hours until one of them would finally concede.
It’s not going to be me,
Karen thought as she withdrew a bottle of water from the refrigerator.