Page 24 of Kidnapped in Dark Waters
“I know. I’ve just really been busy lately,” Dominique replied.
“Yeah, busy with the handsome Officer Madison. What is going on between you and Luke?” Sunny gazed at her with open curiosity.
Dominique opened a locker and put her purse inside before replying. “Luke and I are just friends. He’s…uh…helping me out with a personal problem.”
Sunny’s gaze turned sardonic. “It sure didn’t look like just friends when the two of you had lunch together the other day. That man looked at you like he wanted to eat you up.”
Dominique laughed. “He was probably looking at me as if I was an alien being. The two of us are very different.”
Sunny shook her head. “Nope, that wasn’t it, but obviously you’re being tight-lipped about your relationship with him. I get it if you’re not wanting to share it with me right now.”
“Sunny, I promise you there is nothing to share and you know I’d tell you if there was anything,” Dominique said with a small laugh. She slammed the locker and pocketed the key. “Now, it’s time to get to work.”
Minutes later, Dominique was taking orders and delivering food to the people in her section. There were several of her regulars there, including Burt and Austin.
“Hey, Jacob. What can I get for you this morning?” she said, greeting another one of her regulars. Jacob Benoit wasa fisherman. He was single and rather attractive, and often blatantly flirted with Dominique.
“I’ll take a serving of you on a silver platter,” he replied with a bright twinkle in his dark eyes.
“Sorry, Jacob, unfortunately we are all out of our silver platters this morning,” she replied.
“Damn,” he replied with a grin. “Then I guess just give me my regular number two breakfast special. Hopefully, tomorrow morning there will be some silver platters in the house.”
She laughed. “We’ll have to see about that.”
“Maybe you could save one for me,” he replied.
“Sorry again, but we aren’t allowed to save the silver platters.”
“Oh, Dominique, you’re absolutely breaking my heart,” he said with mock melancholy.
She laughed once again. “I’m sure eating your breakfast will heal it right up. I’ll be right back with your food.”
She was still smiling as she moved away from his table. She had to admit, she enjoyed some of the teasing and flirting as long as it didn’t go too far and get creepy. It was all in good fun.
She also enjoyed it when the café was busy. Although it kept her on her feet, running from the pass where she picked up the food and then carrying it to tables to be served, it also made the time go very quickly.
Before she knew it, it was three o’clock and her day at work was finished. She couldn’t wait to get home and take a shower. She always felt like she smelled of fried onions when she left work. Since it was a hot day with the sun bright overhead, she knew the rainwater she showered in would be nice and warm.
It didn’t take her long to arrive at the swamp’s entrance. She got out of her car and then began the walk in toward her shanty. As she walked, her thoughts were a jumble with Luke at the forefront.
How long would he be willing to continue backing her up at night when she shadowed Pierre? He’d mentioned that he was on vacation. When his vacation time was over, would he still continue the nightly quests with her? More concerning was without his presence as backup, would she be willing to do it all alone?
All of a sudden, from behind her a burlap bag fell over her head. She instantly stiffened as abject fear torched through her. What? Dear God, what was happening? She couldn’t see and danger screamed in her head.
The person behind her attempted to pull the large bag farther down her body and she knew if he managed to do that, then she would either be dead or she would never be seen again.
LUKE PUSHED BACKin his recliner. The plan was to get a short nap in before meeting Dominique later that night. It was just after three so he should be able to sleep for about an hour and a half, and then get up and fix himself some dinner.
He thought about the brief conversation he’d had with Dominique about his meal times. Logically, he knew the world wouldn’t explode if he ate at a different time. But emotionally it was difficult to give up on the schedules that had made him feel safe and in control after his tumultuous childhood.
He closed his eyes and tried to empty his mind as he sought sleep. But a vision of Dominique danced through his brain. She had wanted him to kiss her the night before.
She had leaned toward him, her lips parted in open invitation as her scent eddied in his head. Damn, he had wanted to kiss her again but was now thankful that he’d managed to keep his control. Kissing Dominique was dangerous because he knew it would only make him want to kiss her again…and again. Eventhough it would be wonderful, it wasn’t appropriate for their relationship as friends.
He had just drifted off when his phone rang. He grabbed it from the end table next to him. “Madison,” he answered.
“Luke…it’s…it’s me. I… I need you to come to my shanty.” Her voice was shaky and it sounded like she was crying.
