Free The Red Shoes - Alison's Story (Erotic Romance) (The Naughty Nights House Party Series) by Sophie Shearer Page B

yet
another dinner for one.
    Alison
knew Dominic was single, he had said as much when they were chatting. She
remembered he had gone through a messy divorce a few years ago. At the time and
according to Andrew, his ex-wife had engaged the best lawyers in order to
extract as much money as possible in the settlement. She had even sued for (and
won) custody of the dog. Andrew had said with a laugh that Dominic was more
upset about losing his dog than the money or the wife.
    So
Alison quickly finished her shopping, put the groceries in her car and walked
across the road to the small Bistro where she had arranged to meet Dominic.
    He
was sitting by the window at a table covered with a red chequered cloth, with
two lattés and two pastries already waiting. He waved to get her attention as
she opened the door. As if she wouldn’t notice him – he was the best looking
man she had seen in ages!
    “Sit
down,” said Dominic standing up and pulling out her chair, “I didn’t know how
long you could stay and they’re so busy here that I thought it best to order so
we wouldn’t have to wait too long; I hope you like pastries.”
    She
loved pastries but didn’t often indulge herself; she had her waistline to
consider. It was becoming increasingly difficult to keep in shape as she got
older; the pounds crept on without her even noticing and took so much longer to
shift these days. But she had always managed to stay reasonably trim with
regular visits to the gym.
    “Thanks,”
she said as she sat down, “I love these.” Alison shook out the linen napkin,
put it on her lap, picked up her fork and began to eat her pastry with
enthusiasm.
    Dominic
chuckled, “I love to see a woman enjoying her food and doing more than pushing a
lettuce leaf and a tiny tomato round a plate”
    “A
rare treat,” she said happily, “But I’ll have to do extra miles on the
treadmill to work it off.” Alison had never been one to push food round the
plate without eating much, she enjoyed her food. But she only ate sweet stuff
occasionally so she was going to enjoy this pastry.
    As
she drove home over three hours later, Alison wondered where the time had gone.
She had felt so relaxed and comfortable as they talked and was already excited
at the prospect of lunch with Dominic the following Tuesday.
    Yes,
he had asked her out on a date; only lunch, but it was still a date!
    She
felt just a tiny bit guilty wondering what the girls would say if they knew.
Their father had only been gone for a short time. But hey, she was still alive;
in fact as she drove home she felt more alive than she had in years.

Chapter 3
     
    Alison
arrived early for their lunch date in the five star restaurant of the hotel
where Dominic was staying. She sat primly with her handbag on her lap on a
comfortable sofa in the bar area and, when the waiter came over, ordered a
glass of wine. She was nervous; what if he’d changed his mind and regretted
asking her.  
    But
right on time Dominic strolled into the hotel bar where they had arranged to
meet, looking extraordinarily handsome in a pair of well-cut stonewashed jeans,
highly polished black brogues and a deep blue sweater with the sleeves casually
pushed up his forearms. His dark hair was still slightly damp.
    Wow,
she thought, he looks so hot! Alison wondered what he saw in her; he could have
taken his pick from any of the beautiful young things eyeing him appreciatively
as he walked over to her; but she wasn’t complaining…
    “Hi,”
he said smiling broadly, “You look lovely, I’m so glad you could come. Can I
get you another drink?”
    “A
glass of red wine would be good thanks.”
    Dominic
called the waiter over and asked for the wine list.  After a brief look he ordered
a bottle of Côtes-du-Rhône. He seemed to know about wine so Alison was happy to
let him choose.
    Alison
didn’t remember an awful lot about the lunch they ate but she did remember
drinking rather a lot of that very good wine. She also remembered