The Marriage Sacrifice

“Yes, it has been hard without her. She would know what to do. Your woman, keep hold of her, Dominick. You only realize how precious life is when your time with that person is running out. I’d give anything to have my wife back.”

He had noticed that Booker never mentioned her name, and he chose not to do so either. From the look on Booker’s face, it was still a painful reminder of all that he’d lost.

“Shall we?” Dominick asked.

“Yes.”

For the next hour, trying not to watch the clock and hoping Alice kept Sage in his building, he tried to focus on the deal in front of him.

“My wife liked women of natural beauty. She always said it was about breaking the mold. The women don’t have to be flawless. I also don’t want any Photoshop.”

“I’m afraid that is a given.”

“Then I cannot continue. Check through our old portfolio. No Photoshop. Natural. Real. It’s what made my wife’s product stand out above the rest.”

“I will do so.”

“I like you, Dominick. I’m not trying to be difficult.”

“I understand. I want you to know that I will do everything possible to keep the integrity of your wife’s work. I’m passionate about this.”

Booker nodded. “You know, a year ago, I wouldn’t have even considered my wife’s baby in your hands. You’ve changed my mind. Hearing of your upcoming marriage, seeing your wife and the way you look at her, I know there’s something there, that spark that you can’t deny.”

“We’re not usually so … confrontational.”

The man before him laughed. “Don’t knock a bit of passion. It can work wonders in certain areas.”

“I’ll have the new work in a week,” Dom said.

“Excellent. I look forward to seeing them.”

Before Booker will agree to any kind of deal, he wanted to make sure that the company he was handing over his wife’s life dream to was someone he could trust and rely on. The money he was putting into this investment would be more than worth it. The only problem was, Dom was using money he didn’t have.

Chapter Five

“This is a surprise,” Sage said.

“See, I told you.”

Sage stepped into Dom’s apartment. They had just been to the grocery store when he had told her to buy anything she wanted to make for dinner. As far as a dinner date went, it was different. She didn’t like restaurants. She always worried either the chef or one of the waiters had put something in her food. Cooking for herself was by far one of her favorite ways of spending her time.

One of her many nannies had taught her how to cook.

From the age of about five she had stood at the kitchen counter, taking it all in. She figured the nanny knew she’d be alone one day. Her parents were always off doing what they wanted without a care in the world for anyone else.

Dom’s kitchen wasn’t too large, but a nice-sized space for a couple of people. She opened the cupboards, and now the reason for the purchase of plates and cutlery was made known.

“Your kitchen is completely bare,” she said.

“I don’t cook. I order in, and all I have is a coffee.” He put the bags down on the counter and walked to the cabinet near the percolator. Inside was a single cup.

“Wow,” she said. “I don’t actually figure out how you’ve been able to make this work for yourself?”

“Easy. I order in a lot.” He opened the fridge, and she saw cartons of leftovers.

“You date your leftovers?”

“Yep. I’ve had stomachache once in my lifetime, never again.”

“Wouldn’t it just be easier to learn how to cook?”

“Nah, not for me. I’ll stick with, you know, ordering in.”

“I’m going to convince you,” she said.

“Convince me of what?”

“To cook for yourself. I believe everyone should be able to cook and have a right to cook themselves. I’ll teach you.”

He laughed. “You’ll teach me?”

“Yep. I was taught.”

“By who?”

“One of my nannies. She made everything from breakfast, through to lunch and dinner. I also make a damn good chocolate chip cookie.” She winked at him. “Don’t worry, you’ll be able to do this in no time.”

“Yeah, I don’t see that happening.”

“Stop being such a drag. Come on. This is going to be a lot of fun.”

“Your idea of fun and mine are two different things.”

She rolled her eyes. “Spoilsport.”

Sage gasped as he moved up behind her. She’d already started to unpack the bags of goodies they’d purchased together. She was going with a stir-fry. They were quick, easy, and a lot of fun. She’d been experimenting with them for ages.

Her mind went completely blank as he pressed his rock-hard cock against her ass.

“I’ve got something to ask you, Sage.” His lips nuzzled her neck, and she closed her eyes at the temptation he was presenting her.

From their kiss that afternoon, she’d been thinking about nothing but. She’d wanted him to push all of his stuff off his desk, and to take her right then and there.