Chapter 7

Over the next week, Dominique went back through the applications. She finally settled on one. She just hoped he worked out. She gave him a call and offered him the job. He accepted and agreed to come in and start training.

Dominique was pretty happy with the new bartender. Shane worked hard. He didn't complain, showed up to work early, and had a great personality. Dominique continued testing her machines. Sometimes her dreams invaded her work. She wasn't even having to sleep anymore to have them. It was like she was having visions. She was starting to wonder if she should see a therapist about them.

Dominique went down to the bar. She got on stage along with Post and Melissa. As she sang and played, she noticed a man making his way towards the stage. He was hot. She watched him as he finally got to the stage. He wasn't just hot, he was gorgeous. His dark brown, almost black hair, was just touching his shoulders. His eyes looked dark but that could've just been the lighting. He had a goatee and a chiseled looking face. His body was well built. He obviously worked out.

Every time she looked at him, Dominique caught him looking at her. She smiled at him and he smiled back. Dominique felt her body heat up. She hadn't felt attracted to anyone in a long time. But this felt different somehow. She kept looking at him and she found herself staring into his eyes and it was like she was singing for him alone. He never looked away.

After the set was over, Dominique turned the music on so people could continue to dance. When she got off the stage, the man was still standing there. Melissa came over and grabbed her arm while walking towards the bar.

"That guy keeps staring at you," Melissa said into Dominique's ear.

"I know. I don't know whether to be flattered or freaked out. Do I know him from somewhere? I don't think I do, but, maybe he thinks we know each other?"

"He's definitely hot. Why don't you go talk to him? You deserve love and happiness. If nothing else it would get me off your back about going to a dating site," Melissa smirked.

"Ugh. You are impossible. I'm not walking up to a total stranger and flirting with him."

"Scaredy cat!" Melissa said as they sat at the bar.

Dominique ordered a drink and had just gotten it as the man sat down beside her. She looked at him out of the corner of her eye. He didn't order anything. Instead, he turned towards her and put his hand on her shoulder. She felt her body tense, but at the same time, she felt a tingling sensation go through her. What did that mean?

"Excuse me? Am I correct that you are the owner of this bar?" the mystery man asked.

"Depends on whose asking," Dominique replied.

He smiled and she felt like someone had just blinded her. His smile was even gorgeous. His eyes still looked dark, almost black, but she knew that wasn't possible. She felt her face get hot as his smile widened. Did he think she was checking him out? Aren't you checking him out? she thought to herself.

He held out his hand and said, "My name is Nathaniel."

Dominique was a little taken aback. The man she had been dreaming about was named Nathaniel. Was she dreaming about this man? But how could that be? She'd never seen him before tonight. And besides, she had never seen the man in her dreams. It was just a coincidence.

She placed her hand in his and it felt like electricity going up her arm. Her breathing quickened. Instead of shaking her hand, he brought it to his lips and kissed the back of her hand. Oh, he was good. She was all flustered and had no idea why. She'd never had this reaction to anybody before. The man was gorgeous for sure, but she had seen a lot of gorgeous men. She'd even had a few men hit on her in the club. None of them had ever gotten a reaction out of her, let alone this electric shock running through her.

"Well, I asked around and some of the locals said you owned the bar. Are you the owner or just in the house band?"

"What is it you want, Mr. ?....." Dominique trailed off.

"I prefer if you call me Nathaniel, but the last name is Black. And your name is?"

"Well, Mr. Black, if you asked around then you should already know my name. And you still didn't answer my question."

He smiled that 1,000-megawatt smile of his and said, "I just stopped in to check out the local club. I just moved here. And all I asked was if the owner of the club was here. They pointed to you and said it was the girl on stage, singing. So, may I please have your name?"

"It's Dominique. Dominique Reed. Nice to meet you, Nathaniel."

"Now about my other question, Dominique. Is it okay if I call you Dominique?"

"It's fine. What other question are you referring to?"

"Are you the owner or just in the house band?"

"I figured we had already established I'm the owner since my regulars told you I was. Obviously, I'm in the house band since you saw me singing. This is my good friend Melissa, who plays the guitar. My brother, Post, is our drummer."

"I see. Are you looking for anyone else for your band?"

Dominique looked at him. Was he a musician? A singer? An agent for someone? She had wanted to bring someone else in that could play the guitar. She just hadn't put the time into finding someone. Music had always been a passion of hers. She just played in the club to give life to that passion. She had never wanted to get famous from it. She wasn't sure if anyone else would want that fame so she really hadn't bothered.

"Do you play an instrument or are you asking for someone else?"

"I play guitar. I do it in my spare time. I'm a businessman first. An investor really. So, to have something to relax me, I picked up the guitar."

"Have you ever played in a band before?"

"No. But I would like to expand playing at home. I'd be willing to audition for you. And if you don't like what you hear, you can always tell me no," Nathaniel replied, turning on that smile again.