Free The Dominant by Tara Sue Me Page B

It was all very, very humbling.
    “Nate,” he said, throwing his arms around me.
    “Kyle,” I said with a laugh. “How are you?”
    “Great, man. Just great.” He pulled at the neck of his suit. “Even though I have to wear this getup.”
    “You look very handsome. If only the girls in your class could see you now.”
    He chuckled and looked down at his feet. I remembered all too well the difficulties of being a young teenager. I wouldn’t
     want to go back to that time in my life for anything.
    “If you see Jackson,” I said, “make sure to bug him about the Super Bowl. I think I just might be able to score us some tickets
     if New York makes it.”
    He smiled and ran off to find Jackson. I retrieved two glasses of wine and made my way back to Abigail. She took the glass
     with a quiet “thank you” and took a small sip.
    During dinner, I watched as she joined in the conversations around her—sometimes talking animatedly; other times just sitting
     back and listening. She shared a close relationship with Felicia—I could tell by the way they subtly teased each other.
    The only time she appeared uncomfortable was when she stood to go to the bathroom and all the men at the table stood up along
     with her. It angered me that none of the men in her previous relationships had treated her like a lady.
    Yeah, my conscience said sarcastically, because you definitely treated her like a lady last night.
    I couldn’t argue with that, but I was raised to treat a woman right in public. Fortunately, Elaina stood up and went to the
     restroom with her. I made a note to myself to thank Elaina later.
    “Felicia,” I said, turning to Abigail’s best friend. “I understand you’re a kindergarten teacher?”
    “Yes.” She barely looked at me.
    “Is it trying to work with such young children?”
    “Sometimes,” she said in a frosty voice.
    I wondered why Felicia was so cold. She appeared to genuinely like Jackson, and the two of them had spent much of the night
     in close conversation. Even when she talked with Linda or Elaina, she was friendly.
    I didn’t have long to think about it—Abigail and Elaina returned to the table moments later. A slight flush colored Abigail’sface. I wondered what Elaina had said while they were gone. What could have possibly caused Abigail embarrassment?
    I held her chair out while she sat down. It was hard not to touch her—her dress dipped low enough at the back to show glimpses
     of her soft, feminine shoulders, and I wanted nothing more than to stroke the delicate skin there.
    Later. You can do it later.
    We finished dinner, and after the plates had been cleared, the band started playing. I wasn’t typically a dancer. I could
     count on one hand, with fingers left over, the number of times I’d asked a woman to dance. It just wasn’t my thing.
    But this night was different. Abigail was different. I felt different.
    And I wanted to dance.
    So when a slow song started, I pushed back from the table and faced Abigail. “Will you dance with me?”
    I wasn’t asking as a dom. I was asking as a date, and that was uncomfortable territory for me. What if she said no?
    What if she said yes?
    I heard Linda gasp across the table, and Elaina leaned over to whisper something to Todd.
    Damn, crazy people.
    But then Abigail took my hand and I didn’t care what anyone said or did anymore.
    “Yes,” she said.
    I slipped an arm around her once we reached the dance floor, pulled her close, and took her hand in mine. She trembled against
     me.
    “Are you having a nice time?” I asked to calm her down.
    “I am. Very nice.”
    “Everyone is quite taken with you.”
And so am I
. I pulled her closer as the song continued. When we returned home, I’d show her just how much.
    Later, I went with Todd and Jackson to get the coats while the women waited at the table. Todd punched me on the shoulder.
     “I like her,” he said.
    “Abigail?” I asked.
    “Felicia was nice as well,” he said.