to do than hang out at the campus library with a womanizing cheat. Spending time with Jenna was important to her, but if Marcel started any mess or made any snide comments, she was hitting the road.
To squelch a sudden wave of nausea, she breathed in deeply through her nose.
Marcel slowly got to his feet, and his lips curled into a wide smile as he approached. “Hi, Jenna. It’s been a while since I saw you last. How was your summer?”
“It was great but way too short,” she said and laughed. “Hey, Marcel, this is my sister, Dominique. I told her the literacy program was short of tutors, and she offered to help out.”
His gaze bounced between them. “You’re sisters? I never would have guessed it. You look nothing alike, and your personalities are so different.”
“In other words, Jenna’s cool and I’m a snob.” It amused Dominique to tease him, but when he averted his eyes, her heart sank. Was that what he thought? Just because she liked dating accomplished men didn’t mean she treated people like crap. She didn’t.
“Marcel, can you pair Dominique up with someone?” Jenna asked, looking over her shoulder. “I need to talk to the girls in my study group, but I’ll be right back.”
His eyes darkened, but he said, “Sure, I don’t mind. In fact, I was about to head back there and see how the groups are faring.”
As they passed the information center, Marcel told Dominique more about the Adult Literacy Program. “There aren’t many groups like this around, and even fewer are geared toward adult learners.” Having reached a row of desks, he stopped and handed her a stack of thin paperback books.
Dominique read the titles out loud. “But these are all children’s books.”
“Most of the adults who come to the program are reading at a fifth-grade level. They can’t read To Kill a Mockingbird or War and Peace yet, Dominique.”
“I understand that, but Maria and the Bully isn’t going to hold their interest.”
The muscles in his neck were pulled tight. “Why don’t you just concentrate on tutoring and let me worry about choosing the right reading materials for the participants?”
Not wanting to overstep her bounds, she apologized. “I’m sorry, Marcel. I didn’t mean to imply that you’re not doing a good job.”
His smile returned, so she continued.
“City University of Seattle offers a similar program for French speakers, and my comprehension improved dramatically once I joined. We watched movies, listened to music and even read popular magazines and comics.”
Marcel shook his head. “That would never work here.”
“How do you know unless you try?”
“Touché,” he said, with a nod. “Maybe you can tell me more about it over coffee.”
“I’d love to.” Guilt rained down on her. What was she doing? Marcel had a girlfriend—correction, a fiancée—and if he was her man, she wouldn’t want him having coffee with anyone but her. “It would probably be easier if I just emailed you the information. I don’t want to take up any of your free time. You’re probably busy getting ready for the fall semester.”
“Nope, I have the rest of the afternoon free. I’ll come find you when your tutoring session wraps up.” The matter decided, Marcel beckoned to someone in the back cubicles. “Zabrina, come over here and meet your tutor for this afternoon.”
A curvy woman with fine features approached.
“Hello, I’m Dominique. It’s a pleasure to meet you. Are you ready to get started?” Once seated, she selected one of the chapter books and turned to the first page. “Now take your time reading the passage. If you come across a word you don’t know then just sound it out.”
“I don’t want to read this,” the woman said, wrinkling her nose. Glancing around, she opened her purse and stealthily pulled out the August issue of Cosmopolitan magazine. It was the annual sex issue, and Dominique knew it well. She’d already read it twice and had plans to read it again.
“I want to be—” she paused, her eyes narrowing in concentration “—how do you say it in English…the sex kitten? Yes, that’s it. Can you help me read the article on page eighty-seven?”
“But Marcel selected these books specifically for you and he—”
“I’m too old to read Here Comes Skipper! These books are for kids, and I’m a woman. A very desirable woman, yes?”
Dominique concealed a grin. “Why don’t you wait here while I go check with Marcel?” The Adult Literacy Program was Marcel’s project, and Dominique wasn’t going to do anything to upset him, and something told her Cosmopolitan magazine’s annual sex issue wasn’t on the approved reading list. “I’ll be back in a sec.”
As she stood, she spotted a striking sister in a bohemian-style dress enter through the sliding-glass doors. She swept into the library with more grace than a queen, and Dominique noticed that everyone cranked their heads in her direction—including Marcel. The mystery woman kissed him on both cheeks and then took the seat beside him.
“Ms. Dominique, are you okay?”
Snapping out of it, she dropped back down into her seat and smiled at Zabrina. “How about we read the article and one chapter of the children’s book? Just don’t tell Marcel.”
Zabrina flipped through the magazine and landed on page nineteen. “The quickest way to a man’s heart isn’t through his stomach. It’s actually further south, so forget what your mother told you and race over to your nearest adult s-p-e-c-i-a-l-t-y store?”
“Specialty,” Dominique corrected, reading the confusion on her face. “It’s a store that carries unique items.”
Nodding, she lifted the magazine until it was right under her nose. “Fill your basket with scented perfumes and massage oils because we’re cooking up a sexual…feast that will arouse your lover’s senses. Whip out the…” She stopped, her forehead rumpling with worry lines. She stared over at Dominique. “I can’t read this.”
“Don’t worry. You’re doing great so far.” To reassure her, she put a hand on her shoulder. “The word is edible. Try sounding it out again.”
Each time Zabrina said the word, an image of Marcel—swimming bare chested in the pool—flashed in her mind. Peeking out from around the cubicle, Dominique snuck a quick look at the handsome program advisor. Was that his fiancée? The woman her sister had told her about? Feeling silly for spying, she settled into her seat and ordered her mind to focus. But a second later, her gaze was drifting back across the room.
How am I supposed to concentrate when this article is making me think about all the naughty things I’d like to do to Marcel?
Chapter 3
“When was the last time you got laid?”
Marcel nearly choked on the water in his mouth. Ignoring the burning sensation in his chest, he turned away and swallowed hard. If not for his quick
