Second Chance at Love (Love Conquers All) (23 page)

At Dom’s skeptical look and raised brow, Henry told him, “That call I made was to a golfing buddy who just happens to be a family court judge. It’s taken care of. Plan your wedding with your beautiful bride-to-be and don’t worry about those jackasses.”

Nodding his head approvingly, Dom shook the older man’s hand. “Thanks, Mr. Henry.” Dom wasn’t above any favors from a well respected retired judge. If he had connections and was willing to make his and Karen’s life easier, so be it.

“I’ll get Frank Bass on the case, too.” Nick chimed in, explaining to Dom that Bass was the best private investigator in the business. If there was a hidden agenda in Karen’s former in-laws wanting to claim grandparents’ rights, Bass would find it.

Dominic offered to pay for the private investigator’s services. Before Dom could refuse his father’s offer, Nick waved him off. “I got it.” He grinned at Dom. “Consider it my early wedding gift, too.”

The men slapped hands and gave each other a male embrace. “Thanks, man.”

“No problem. Karen’s a good mother and woman; she doesn’t deserve this.” Nick flashed a devilish grin. “Now if it was that loud mouth sister of yours…”

“Hey! Watch it! That’s my woman you’re talking about!” Langston said, chuckling and taking a boxer’s stance, ready to square off with Nick.

Nick threw his hands up in surrender. “Man, I’m just saying.”

The loud, boisterous male laughter could be heard all the way upstairs.

Pushing up the sleeve of his black leather jacket, he looked at his watch. There was just enough time to finish the final walk-through and have lunch before he had to go check on the brownstone project.

“Karen! Karen!”

Stopping in her tracks, Karen groaned. The office had been jumping all morning. It seemed that everybody in a ten mile radius wanted their teeth cleaned. Her lunch hour was at twelve-thirty. It was now one-fifteen. If she didn’t get something to eat soon, she was going to pass out from low blood sugar.

Turning around, Karen plastered a smile on her face. “Yes, Patty?

The perky young dental hygienist grinned at Karen. “Your last patient is in room 4.”

Irritated, Karen threw her hands up in the air. “Last patient? I’m on my way to lunch. Can’t you take this one?”

Shaking her head in the negative, Patty explained, “Dr. Smith wants me to run an errand for him.”

Letting out a frustrated sigh, she mumbled, “Oh, alright.”

“Cool! The chart’s in the room on the counter.” Patty said, bouncing off down the hallway.

Rolling her eyes, she shuffled down the hall. Giving two quick taps on the door, Karen opened the door, going straight into her introduction so she could hurry up and finish with the patient. “Hello my name is…” Her words died on her lips as she came face to face with her patient.

“Dom!” Running into his arms, she threw her arms around his neck. She hadn’t seen him in three days and missed him something terrible.

“Hey Babe.”

Wrapping his strong arms around her, he held her tight. The smell of her light floral scent was driving him crazy. Nuzzling her neck he whispered, “Girl, you smell so good. I just want to…”

Karen leaned back. Placing a quick peek on his lips she said, “Behave.”

“Come on, girl. You’re gonna have to do better than that.”

Karen giggled. “As you wish.”

The two melted into each other as their lips met. The kiss started off sweet and tender before deepening and burning with passion. Karen groaned into Dom’s mouth as he pulled her on his lap in the dental chair. The bulge in his pants pressed against her lush bottom. She was tempted to lock the door and have her way with him.

Breaking the kiss, Karen leaned her forehead against his. Her eyes closed as she struggled to catch her breath. Why was she torturing herself like this? Hadn’t they made a vow not to make love again until after the wedding? Disengaging herself from his embrace before she got herself in trouble, she stood up.

“What are you doing here?”

Dom stood to tower over her. Cupping her face in his large hands, he kissed the tip of her nose. “I was hoping I could talk you into having lunch with me.”

“You don’t have to twist my arm. I’m starving. Let me get my purse and coat and I’ll be ready.”

Dom followed as Karen left the room. “I’ll wait in the waiting room.”

“Okay,” Karen threw over her shoulder as she headed to the staff locker/lunch room. Pushing open the door, there sat Patty at the table, feeding her face.

Patty stopped mid-air as she was putting her ham and swiss on wheat bread to her lips. Grinning at Karen she said, “Did you enjoy your surprise in room 4?”

Karen walked over to her coworker. Leaning down, she hugged her. “I did. Thanks little buddy.”

Patty blushed. She really liked Karen. When she started working at the office a year ago, of the three hygienists, Karen had been the only one to warmly welcome her and help her to learn how to do her job efficiently.

Donning her coat and slipping the handle of her purse on her arm, she told Patty she’d see her in an hour.

“Don’t rush back. I told Dr. Smith I would cover you until you got back.”

Karen beamed. “Thanks Patty, I owe you one.”

Leaving the small diner, Karen and Dom strolled hand in hand to his pick-up truck. They’d enjoyed a delicious lunch of French onion soup and roast beef sandwiches. Dom opened the passenger side door and helped Karen into his work truck. Shutting the door, he rounded the front of the vehicle and climbed in. He immediately turned on the heat after starting the truck.

“Do you have to get right back to work?”

“No, Patty said she’d cover for me.”

“Cool. I need you to take a ride home with me.”

Karen shot him a suspicious glance. “Dom…”

He let out a frustrated sigh. He wasn’t thrilled with this waiting until they were married to make love again business. What was the big deal? They’d already consummated the relationship. But he would go along with her explanation that they had the rest of their lives to make love once they got married. Though she hadn’t said it, he believed her decision to wait was also born out of her wanting to keep Ashley and Kyle close until after the mess with Gregory’s parents blew over. And he knew making love under the same roof with her children wasn’t about to happen until they were married and officially a family. Cold showers would continue to be his nightly companion for the next few weeks.

He grinned over at her. “Calm down girl, I just want you to see something.”

“Okay,” she mumbled, looking out the window.

“How are things going with planning the wedding?”

Shifting in her seat, she took in Dom’s profile. Lucky for him he was so darn handsome and she couldn’t stay mad at him if she wanted to. And mad with him she had been. He didn’t want no parts of planning the wedding. He had handed her his black American Express card, told her to get and do whatever was needed to pull off their March wedding.

Because it was going to be a small ceremony, they were able to rent a small ballroom at the Four Seasons on the Parkway where the wedding and reception would take place. Pastor Richardson had agreed to perform the ceremony. So the only things left to do were to meet with the hotel’s caterer, find a florist and photographer, and pick out dresses. Dom volunteered to take Kyle shopping for a suit. That was his extent of helping out with things.

Using her fingers to make quotation marks, she reminded him, “I
could
tell you none of your business since you don’t want no parts in the planning of
your
wedding.”

“Ouch! Damn baby, you don’t have to be so cold.”

“I’m not cold; just telling the truth.” Although she pretended to give him a hard time, she understood his time was tied up with working fulltime and on a side project doing a remodeling job for a friend. Rattling off the short list, she told him all that had to be done.

Pulling up in front of his house, Dom killed the engine. Reaching out, he stroked her check with a knuckle. “I’m sorry I can’t be there to help you.”

“Don’t be. My mom and your mom are really helping me out a lot. Everything is under control.”

Kissing her lips, he said, “Good.”

Getting out of the car, he went to the passenger side to help Karen out. Once they were inside, they both shed their coats.

Karen rubbed her hands together. “Do you want me to make some hot chocolate?”

“Sure,” he told her as he went into his bedroom.

Going into the kitchen, Karen went into the fridge and took out the milk. Rinsing out the tea kettle on the stove, she poured the milk in, estimating how much was needed for two cups of the sweet hot beverage.

Hearing Dom come back into the room, she turned the kettle on before facing him. He was standing there with a hand behind his back and big cheesy grin on his handsome face. “What are you up to?” she asked.

“Come and see,” he taunted.

Karen sashayed the few steps it took her to reach Dom. Tilting her chin up she coaxed, “Let me see what you got.”

Slowly he brought his large hand from behind his back. Karen covered her mouth with her hands. In the center of his palm sat a navy velvet ring box. The first tear slid down her cheek when he opened the box and placed the solitaire two carat diamond on her finger.

Her voice trembled when she spoke. “Dom, it’s beautiful.”

Taking her hand, he kissed her fingertips. “So I take it you like it.”

Karen threw her arms around Dom’s neck. “I love it!” Planting kisses over his face, she chanted, “I love it, love it, loooove it.”

“I’m glad. It belonged to my dad’s mother.” The diamond ring had been one of the first extravagant gifts Luka Peretti had given his wife Rose once the construction business had started turning a profit.

Karen held her hand out and turned it in every direction. The overhead light made the precious stone sparkle. Knowing that the ring had belonged to his grandmother made it that much more special. She would cherish this ring for as long as she lived.

“It’s a perfect fit. How did you know my size?”

Dom gave her a sheepish grin. “I had Ashley swipe one of your rings for me so I could give it to the jeweler to size it.” Reaching into the top pocket of his shirt he pulled out her birthstone ring, holding it between his fingers.

“I’ve been looking for that ring for the last two weeks. I thought I had lost it.” Taking the ring from his fingers, she placed the ruby ring on her right ring finger. Laughing, she promised, “I’m going to get that girl.”

Dom chuckled. “You better leave my princess alone.”

Karen playfully waved him off. Admiring her engagement ring again, she smiled. Tearing her eyes away from the brilliant diamond, she looked up at Dom. “Thank you.”

Pulling her into his arms, he gave her a tight squeeze. “Baby, you’re welcome.”

Rushing in with her head held down, Karen swiftly made her way past the crowded waiting room. Depositing her things in her locker, she made a beeline to the front desk. Picking up the clipboard with the afternoon patient schedule, her eyes scanned the list. Preparing to call the next patient back into an exam room, she was startled by the yanking of her left hand.

“Is that an engagement ring?” Linda, the office’s receptionist, excitedly questioned as she held Karen’s left hand, turning it this way and that way to get a look at the sparkling gem.

“It is,” Karen beamed.

“It’s absolutely beautiful,” Linda gushed, pulling Karen into a tight bear hug.

Linda’s hug felt like warm sunshine, a gentle breeze, and puppy kisses all rolled up in one. Karen imagined this is what a grandmother’s hug would feel like. She lingered there in the woman’s arms just a little longer.