Chasing Heartbreak (Dark Love #6) - Kat T. Masen Page 0,9
what if I’m so desperate for a moment that I’d worked it up in my imagination. The temptation taunted me like a delicious piece of candy, and unable to resist any longer, I made an executive decision to send him a text.
Me: Hey, Dominic. It’s Kate from last weekend. Thanks again for the chat. It was nice meeting you.
The second I hit send, I regretted it instantly. There was absolutely no substance to that text. If I’d gotten a text like that, I’d hit delete faster than you could say next.
A shrill echoed through my office, the ring of my phone startled me and caused my body to jump slightly from my chair. Clasping my hand toward my chest to calm my racing heart, I answered the call professionally, noting the private number.
“Kate Hamilton.”
“Hello, Kate, I’ve been waiting for you to contact me,” a deep voice greeted, an edge of persistence in his tone.
“Who’s this?” I asked, still catching my breath. “Dominic?”
“Yes, the man you texted mere moments ago. I don’t bite, you know, you could’ve called me.”
Embarrassed, I closed my eyes, trying to act adult and not give him a cowardly answer. I couldn’t understand why I felt somewhat intimidated by a man. Inside the office, I had no problem being a strong, confident woman. I demanded things, and I always got what I wanted.
Straightening my posture, I smiled politely, though he couldn’t see me.
“Look, I wasn’t sure if you would remember me. Better to be safe than sorry.”
“How could I not remember you? A beautiful woman like yourself is simply unforgettable.”
There’s that word again being thrown around like it didn’t affect me whatsoever. I’d been called beautiful many times, but the power he had over me only added to the mystery of it all. Perhaps, I’d been overthinking our encounter. He was a stranger, after all, and one who expressed twice now what he thought of me.
“I’m slightly hurt,” he asserted with an air of arrogance. “I was expecting a call sooner.”
“Work gets in the way. You know how it is.”
“Yes, exactly. Work does get in the way,” he stated, pausing only momentarily. “Are you free for drinks tonight?”
I could do drinks. What’s the harm in a friendly drink? Except you want more than just a drink, moron.
“Sure, I’ll come straight from work.”
He told me he’d text me the details but gave me some directions. I listened intently, jotting down what he’d said until he said he needed to go.
“Tonight, Kate, I’ll be waiting for you.”
“See you then, Dominic.”
I hung up on the call. My legs were crossed, controlling this desire which flushed through my body with every word he spoke. A gentle knock on my door from my assistant broke my train of thought and brought me back to reality.
All work and no play—my life as I know it.
***
The bar was located in the meat-packing district. Eric brought me here a few times back when he lived in the city, but I wasn’t familiar with the area for the most part. I entered the building, noticing the surroundings being a typical bar with buzzing patrons and music to set the ambiance.
Wooden stools butted up against the brass foot rail caught my attention, as did the back wall with several glass shelves housing every bottle of liquor you could think of. I desperately needed something to calm my growing nerves, so I headed straight to the bar to quench my thirst.
The bartender was quick to serve me, just as fast as downing a gin and tonic in almost under a minute. When I began to feel my limbs loosen, a hand pressed on the small of my back.
Dominic appeared beside me, looking incredibly sexy in a gray blazer with a white collared shirt slightly unbuttoned beneath it. He wore his glasses again, the bane of my existence. How can something so simple be so goddamn sexy?
“You’re here,” I said, surprised to see him thinking he’d ditch the drinks.
“I’m not one to stand up a stunning woman like yourself.”
Dominic motioned for me to take a seat on one of the barstools. As my eyes scanned the area, noticing a few empty tables and chairs in a more intimate spot, I questioned why he wanted to hang at the bar. Loitering at the bar area was where singles generally hang out, hoping to strike up a conversation with someone else or quickly get away if the date wasn’t going as planned.
“Nice bar,” I commented, admiring the wood-grain countertop.