Chasing Heartbreak (Dark Love #6) - Kat T. Masen Page 0,8
six months. By far exceeds the rest of the cheeses.”
This date is going downhill so fast, as I wait for anything that doesn’t involve cheese. By the end of the date, I probably could’ve gotten a degree in cheese. Hands down, this can officially top one of the worst dates in history.
“Thanks for tonight, Gustave.” I yawn forcefully, hoping he reads between the lines as he calls the waiter over and requests the bill. “I’ve learned a lot about cheese.”
“It was a pleasure, Kate.” Gustave kisses both my cheeks to say goodbye. “Shall I call you tomorrow?”
I pat his shoulder politely. “It’s probably best you don’t.”
Not wanting to watch his reaction, I turn around quickly and leave the restaurant, hailing a cab that happens to drive past.
As soon as I’m back in my apartment, I take off my heels and hit dial with a vengeance.
“Hello?”
“You’re kidding me, right?”
“What?” Charlie groans. “No good?”
“How about we talk about cheese for an hour?”
“Why?”
“Exactly!”
“I’m so sorry. Gustave seemed like a great guy. When he told me he was a food critic, I thought perfect! You like food, right?”
“I do like food, but what I don’t like is being forced to smell cheese and pretend it’s just great when really it smells like an asshole.”
“How do you even know what an asshole smells like?”
“No more. I can’t do this blind date thing anymore. In fact, dating itself is over. I’m happy to be celibate. The end.”
“Just calm down, okay?” Charlie sighs. “No one needs to be celibate. It sounds like you’ve had too much to drink or too much cheese.”
I’m about to defend my choice of being celibate when my phone vibrates. Removing the phone from my ear, I quickly glance at the text.
My heart begins to beat fast, excitement running through my veins. Every inch of my body reacts with a desperate thirst, heightened by the currents awakening every part of me. Charlie’s voice is lost in the background, and with desperation, I hurry to get her off the phone.
“Charlie, I have to go. I need to be in the office early.”
“I’m sorry, Kate.”
“It’s fine,” I rush. “Kiss the girls for me. Bye.”
I press ‘end call’ and re-read the text.
Dominic: I’ll be in Paris next Friday. Shall I book our usual?
I fall onto the sofa, re-reading his text again before my fingers type on their own accord.
Me: Our usual will be perfect. See you then.
Within mere moments, my idea of being celibate has sailed into the night.
Dominic Kennedy is back.
And my body suddenly craves everything I know he’ll give me.
Raw, animalistic sex.
No attachments.
No expectations.
The best kind.
KATE
Four Years Ago
The business card sat between my fingers while I stared at it for the hundredth time that day.
After we left Vivian’s birthday party a few nights ago, I made no mention to Eric about my encounter with Dominic. Even if I had said something, I highly doubt he’d have heard since all he could talk about was Thiago. With a gentle reminder, I mentioned Tristan’s name to bring him back to reality. Eric tended to focus on the wrong thing at times, especially when he’s trying to avoid heartbreak.
“I’m in the prime of my life, Kate. This is as good as I’ll ever look,” he had cried loudly.
“You’re ridiculous. Age can make a man look even sexier. And besides, there’s always Botox.”
Eric slapped his hand to his chest. “Are you looking at my forehead?”
“No,” I dragged, avoiding his eyes. “Stop overreacting. You’re missing the point entirely. Love isn’t defined by how one looks. You need to have trust in your relationship, or it will never work.”
I shook my head to rid myself of the memory. Who was I to give relationship advice? Unless, of course, it’s how to be in a relationship with your job. That, I had mastered like a pro. The longest relationship I had was for a year. Even then, I’d barely call it a relationship since he lived in Australia, and I was jetting between the States and London at the time.
Yet something about Dominic piqued my curiosity in ways I hadn’t felt in such a long time, if ever. Like a moth to a flame, I’m drawn to the mystery of a man who raised questions even I had asked myself. It’s almost as if he climbed into my soul, studied what I had been feeling, and repeated it back word for word.
I want to call him. A part of me is unable to shake the moment which passed between us. But