~Dominique's POV~
Living away from the city had it's benefits. For example, the suburbs is so much more quiet and less crowded. However, the trip to the restaurant was long. It took even longer because of the unexpected traffic jam ahead of us. I shouldn't complain too much though, Carlton made the trip interesting by talking about Antonio's and from the way that Carlton had described it, it made me even hungrier. Once we pulled up to the door and we got out, Carlton handed the man his keys before escorting me in. Once inside, I understood immediately why he loved this place so much. Antonio's is amazing! There was a red carpet from outside that lead inside of the restaurant and stopping at the host's desk. The walls sparkled as if it was dusted with gold. The chandelier that was hanging in the center of the dining area, just beyond the host desk, was easily five feet tall. Each light was wrapped in crystals. This place is exquisite.
"Hello there. Lassiter, table for two", Carlton said as we approached the host.
"I'm sorry Sir, but your table is no longer reserved."
"What?"
From Carlton's expression, I knew he was pissed.
"We're only five minutes late!"
"You were twenty minutes late, Sir. And if I may be frank, I think the Lady would find her time with you much more enjoyable if it wasn't being wasted someone who can't manage his time properly", the man said with a smirk.
"Why you snobby pus bucket!"
Carlton went to grab the short bald man by the neck but stopped when I got in between them. I smiled sweetly at my angry date, making him calm down a little bit.
"May I?"
Before Carlton could answer, I turned to the other man with the same sweet smile, opened my handbag and place three $100 bills in front of him.
"I think we got off on the wrong foot. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Dominique Danger and this handsome man, he is Carlton Lassiter. I believe he made a reservation for two" I said as I slid two bills towards the host, "and since this is our first date, a little privacy would greatly be appreciated", I said as I slid the last bill towards the man. He took the money and wrote in the guest book. After that, he motioned for a man to come over.
"This Timothy Omundson, he will have the pleasure of serving you tonight. Mr. Lassiter, as an apology for my rude behavior, you and your lovely lady shall have champagne on the house."
I looked back and smiled at Carlton while he looked shocked and confused at me.
"This way please", Timothy said as he motioned us to follow him.
I wrapped my arm around Carlton's arm and followed Timothy through the maze of table until we've reached a round table in the back corner, almost completely secluded from everyone else. Carlton went to pull a chair out for me, however Timothy got there first. After handing us our menus, Timothy went to fetch the champagne.
"I could've handled that", Carlton stated with an adorable pout.
"I know you could have. However, I'm feeling a little selfish tonight. And as much as I would have loved to see you choke the lights out of that rude insect, I would much rather you spend your time on me than me."
"I would rather spend my time with you to", he said.
Carlton put his menu down and smiled as he grabbed my hand. I can feel the strength in his fingers; he's not a physical push over. I can feel the callus on his fingers and palm; he works with his hands a lot. He must be a physical laborer. His thumb starts to massage my hand. The friction sends a sinational shiver down my spine as well as other lower regions. I have to distract myself quickly.
"So, tell me about yourself, Carlton."
"Well, I'm divorce. I love my job. However with the intensity of it, I sometime come here to unwind or I go to a bar and pretend that I'm Clint Eastwood. It really depends on the day."
Clint Eastwood, huh? That explains the tough persona that he's trying to pull off. Personally, I find cowboys rather boring. However, Clint Eastwood in a gentlemen whose gun I wouldn't mind playing with.
"Blood Sport or Heartbreak Ridge", I asked.
Carlton's face lite up as soon as I asked the question.
"Heartbreak Ridge. You're a Clint Fan?"
I rolled my eyes and laughed.
"No, I only memorized his movies, lines, and life story out of boredom. Of course I'm a Clint fan, you silly, adorable man."
Carlton looks as if he's a child in a candy store.
"So about your job, what is it that you do?"
"I'm the Head Detective of the Santa Barbara Police Station."
"You're what?"
I felt my blood pressure raise. My biggest turn on of all time is an intelligent man who knows how to use guns. I bit hard on my lip. I was using every ounce of willpower not to drag this man in the bathroom stall. If Timothy doesn't get back here soon, I'm going to rip Carlton's clothes of right here and have my way with him in front of everybody.
"You don't like Detectives, do you" Carlton asked with the hurtful thought of something so ridiculous.
"Now that's a ridiculous thought. I really love cops, much more than I could possible describe."
"Really?" He put his elbow on the table, his head on his hand and his smile broaden.
"What do you like about them?"
"What's not to like? I mean come on: stake outs, chases, catching the bad guy, interrogating suspects, and you get to shoot people if need be!"
Carlton nodded as his smile grew wider as my excitement grew more intense.
"Well," he began while trying to act nonchalant, "It's not all that big of a deal. I mean, I did catch a couple of bank robbers, credit card thieves, a few serial rapist here and there, about two hundred murders, which included a few mobsters and a king pin."
Before he knew it, I was sitting right next to him rather than across from him. I wrapped my arm around his and pulled him up. This guy is way too amazing! To hell with dinner, I want dessert!
Carlton was about to speak again when Timothy returned with a bottle of champagne and two glasses.
"Do you know what you want this evening?"
Damnit Timothy! You have the worst possible timing.
"I'll have the chicken, vegetables, and the side salad," Carlton said while finally taking a look at his menu after he sat back down. I sat down as well. I might as well eat something now before I get us thrown out.
"Very good, Sir. And you, Miss?"
I want a Head Detective spread out naked on the table as ride him until he sees the gates of heaven.
"I'll have the steak with mushrooms and onions, loaded baked potato with extra bacon, and the side of soup."
Both Carlton and Timothy stared at me for a moment. Then Carlton finally spoke.
"Scratch my order, I'll have what she's having."
"A woman with a healthy appetite, it's about time. If you want anything else, at anytime, please don't hesitate to ask."
Timothy walked away but not before winking at me. I smiled at the funny waiter and then looked back at Carlton.
"What a jerk", he said to me, "I mean, he can clearly see that we're together, right?"
"Yeah, but I thought it was sweet."
"You like him don't you?"
Carlton's jealousy started to show.
Oh that's too precious. Carlton has extremely low self esteem. Typically, men with low self esteems are the easiest to manipulate. So luring them to where I want them to be is very easy. However, Carlton isn't my target; well, he's not the target that I need to capture for information anyway.
"He is pretty sexy."
I could hear the gasp as I took a drink from my glass while smirking.
"The guy's a creep!"
"Who happens to look just like you", I stated bluntly.
"He doesn't look anything like m-"
Carlton was interrupted when Timothy came to our table and placed too cups of soup in front of us. There he realized what I was talking about. Timothy was the same height, build, face, piercing blue eyes, and they even sounded similar. The only difference was Carlton's hair was short while Timothy's was shoulder length and wavy. Timothy also had facial hair while Carlton has a smooth face.
"Oh Sweet Lady Justice, he is sexy."
Timothy didn't know what to say, at least not at first.
"You're pretty easy on the eyes yourself, cowboy."
Timothy winked at Carlton before walking away.
"D-did I just get hit on by a man?"
"I think you just did, cowboy."
After the soup, Timothy brought us our dinner while Carlton told me all of his crazy adventures back when he was still in uniform.
"And so, he ended up with three bullet holes in him, all by me."
I start to crack up. This story was way too funny.
"God forbid another Clown attacks you with a flower", I said between my laughing.
"Well, how was I supposed to know the flower was only filled with water. There was just as good of a chance it was filled with some kind of clear acid. But not to worry, I made sure he lived, just so he could tell his friends. Mr Giggles wasn't so giggly by the time I was done with him."
Tears ran down my face as my stomach started to cramp. I've never laughed this hard in my life. And the biggest reason this story is so funny, Carlton said how it all started at some small child's birthday party that happened to be in a public park where Carlton just happened to be at the time. Those kids will never sleep again! Oh Lord, Carlton would be a perfect field agent. He has the right paranoia.
"Oh Dear Lord," I said while trying to catch my breath.
"You have a fantastic laugh."
After few moments, I finally got air back into my lungs.
"Thank you. You have fantastic stories."
Carlton took a long drink from his glass before returning his soft gaze back to me. His eyes are so amazing. I could stare at them for hours.
"I want to hear about your stories now."
"My stories?"
"Yeah, after all, you sat here for almost two hours listening to me. I want to listen to you now."
"For two hours; has it really been that long? Wait, you want to sit here for another two hours and listen to me?"
"How ever long it takes."
I felt my blush return as I looked down and smiled. When Carlton told me about his divorce and there's no way I could comprehend how anyone could give up on someone so fantastic. I looked back at Carlton's soft expression and felt guilty. What the hell am I doing? I'm planning on using this man for sex, a man who was so in love with his wife that he never stopped fighting for her, even during their two year separation. A man like that is impossible to find. Think about it now, ever since I was little, men looked at me with want and lust. I couldn't blame them, I'd look back as well. However, Carlton is different. During this whole night, he never once looked at me with lust. He looked at me with love. How could I possibly use him and toss him away now? He's too good for that. Hell, he's too good for me.
"What do you want to know about me?"
"Everything: where are you from, what do you do, and where have you been my whole life?"
"Well, I'm actually from London but I was born in Italy."
"Oh, Italy, that's why you have that accent. It's really cute by the way."
"Thank you. I was taken in at the age of five by my Uncle."
"What happened to your parents?"
"Mother died when I was young. My father didn't want anything to do with me after that."
"I'm so sorry", Carlton said as he reach over to hold my hand, giving it a gentle squeeze, "I've been there myself. My father walked out on me when I was little. When he left, I was determined to be the man of the house."
I squeezed his hand back and smiled.
"You're father lost a precious treasure then. You turned out to be a great man.
Carlton gave me a sad smile.
"I'm not sorry about what happened to me, not completely anyway. My uncle is a wonderful person. He taught me everything he knows and no matter what, he's there for me."
"I'm glad. I would like to meet him one day."
"Maybe you will."
"Ok, what kind of work are you in?"
"I do a little of what you do. I get cases, (I get missions). I interrogate suspects, (I brutally torture people until they talk). I catch the bad guys, (I kill my target). And I clean up my station before heading home, (no evidence and no witnesses)."
"So you're a detective?"
"Something like that."
Carlton looked confused, I can't blame him though.
"Wha-what does that mean?"
"Lassie!"
Suddenly, two strange men picked Carlton up from the chair and carried him a few feet away before all three collapsed on the floor.
"Spencer?"
The other two were too busy panting on the floor to respond. I got up to help Carlton when the two men pulled him further away from me.
"Carlton, that the hell is going on? Who are these two?"
"Dominique, I can explain. These two are idiots."
Once the three got up, the one named Spencer and his friend held Carlton firmly in some kind of protected hugging cage.
"Lassie, just relax, I'm saving your life! As for you," Spencer continued, "I'm Shawn Spencer, I'm a psychic and I work for Santa Barbara Police. I had a vision of you, Dominique, if that is your real name. You're only using Lassie and afterwards, you're going to kill him."
"Fellas, I will cuff you two to the trunk of my car and drive at full speed if the you don't let me go, now!"
"But she's an alien", the dark skin man shouted as he pointed at me.
I look around at the numerous people staring at the circus act that was made of the four of us. I can immediately feel myself blushing from the very unwanted attention.
"I'm-I'm a what?"
I immediately started to look for cameras. Only on Punk'n does something this crazy happen, however, Ashton Kutcher is nowhere to be seen.
"You heard me. Lassie, she's a reptilian alien from another planet. She was sent here to enslave the human race by breeding human/alien hybrid babies. She's not here for your love. She only wants you for your body!"
"Yeah and no one uses Lassie for his body except for me!"
I raised an eyebrow and stared at Carlton, who looked completely horrified from the events unfolding right in front of us. My mind was immediately filled with the idea of Carlton bending Spencer over a couch, and thrusting himself in and out of the squirming body until they both release themselves of the hot white tension. I felt my blush deepen and by Carlton's expression, he knew exactly what was running through my thoughts. The ideas were admittingly arousing, however, that would mean I'd have to share and I don't share.
"I want you two to know, even if it's going to cost me life in prison, I'm going to murder you both", despite the fact that Carlton's voice was calm, his eyes showed total blood lust.
"She has a gun", Spencer shouted, making all of the other guest and staff run out of the door screaming, leaving the four of us completely alone.
That idiot! He's going to single handedly blow my cover unless I do something quick.
"Fine! I admit it."
Spencer and his friend look at each other and then back at me.
"You're really an alien", Spencer asked.
"No, I'm not an alien but, you were right. Carlton, I was actually was planning on using you for my own sexual purpose. The moment we meet, I had this overwhelming attraction to you that I couldn't fight. I'm sorry, Carlton."
Carlton's lovely face fell, as expected. Then he looked thoughtful, as if he could understand. Then he looked slightly aroused, back to understanding.
"Dominique, why didn't you tell me", Carlton finally asked.
"Under what circumstance can I possible say, 'Hey, we never met but I find you incredibly erotic, let's go to my place shag like rabbits' without sounding like a loose woman with no standards. I do have a reputation and it's quite clean; I'd like to keep it that way, thank you very much."
All three men suddenly gave me a slight nod of agreement.
"Wait a second, I still see a gun", Spencer said.
"Of course I have a gun", I said as I went to grab my handbag off of the table.
Opened it to grab my badge but I was suddenly tackled to the floor by the Spencer.
"Dominique", Carlton yell, "dammit Spencer, I'm arresting you for assault!"
"No, Lassie wait. Gus, get the gun, quick", I heard Shawn yell.
The man named Guster, or Gus for short, grabbed my bag and ran a few feet away from me. Smart move. The only thing that I wanted more than sex at this moment was to murder these two. That will have to wait though, I can't let Carlton be a witness.
"Shawn, I think we should leave."
"Why?"
The one known as Gus held up my badge for Shawn and Carlton to see, 'C.I.A. - Agent Dominique Danger' and below was a picture of my face which was next to the presidential seal. Shawn looked down at me and smiled nervously.
"Well, I'm really glad Gus was wrong about you being an alien. You know, Lassie's a very lucky guy, to have someone so special and forgiving and not dangerously murderous."
If only looks could kill, the man laying on top of me would've died a 1000 deaths by now.
"Get. Off. Now!"
Shawn got off of me and Gus placed my badge back inside of my bag. Carlton grabbed my hand and helped me up. Once I was up, I grabbed Spencer by the throat and with one hand, I lifted him up high in the air. Shawn hands wrapped around my wrist. He was kicking his legs as he started to gasp for breath.
"Gus, is it? You have exactly 10 seconds to explain what the hell is going on other wise, I'm going to break your friend's neck."
"Lassiter, help him!"
Carlton was looking at me with love sick puppy eyes.
"She's a C.I.A agent, that means she out ranks me. Oh Dominique, I never did tell you how Shawn and Guster likes to terrorize me at work, did I?"
"Is that right?"
I squeezed the terrified man's throat a little tighter, making him squeak.
"Shawn's a psychic. He really is. Shawn, Lassiter, and myself, we all work together and solve cases. When Shawn had a really bad feeling, we came right here. He was only trying to protect Lassie, I promise."
I dropped Shawn on the floor and watched him scrabble to Gus. He was choking on air while trying to catch his breath. I highly doubt that this Shawn was psychic, however, these guys knew way too much about me. Even if he was hyper observant, there wasn't any possible way he would have know that I had a gun. There was definitely no way that he could have suspected my motives for being with the Detective. After all, most women my age who date older men are typically gold diggers; and I have more money than the Pope. So it wasn't just a lucky guess. I better keep these two close by. They could come in handy.
"Jeez Lassie, couldn't you date someone who isn't the terminator?"
Shawn got up and started to speak, "Listen, I'm sorry about the whole, tackling you, accusing you of being an alien who's only wants to turn Lassie into a sex slave and have his hybrid babies, and completely ruining this date for you two. But Lassie is like a brother to me. For Gus, he's that weird kid who sits by himself and eats mayonnaise on saltines. We may be disagree a lot, but he's my friends and I do care a lot about him. I just wanted to make sure that he was ok. I'm sorry."
He wasn't lying. I took a deep breath as I decided to forgive this whole insane incident. An honest man is a trusted man and a man who's willing to come to a friend's aid is a man that I greatly admire. Carlton must be something really special for his friends to come to the rescue like this.
"Bullshit!"
I looked over at Carlton, a little startled by his outburst.
"I told you Spencer, stay out of this. And what did you do?"
"I got involved."
"You got involved!"
With every passing syllable, Carlton's voice got louder.
"Now do you see why? Look at the mess you've made!"
I wrapped one arm around Carlton's waist. Then placing my hand on his cheek, gently turning his head so he was looking at me, I kissed him sweetly.
"Please Carlton, don't yell at him."
"What? But, our date."
I smiled and planted a sweet kiss on Carlton's lips once more, calming him down even farther.
"Yes, our date. It is by far the most insane, crazy, and fun date I've ever had."
"You're kidding, right?"
"Just between the two of us,"
"Plus me and Gus", Shawn interrupted.
I chuckled, "Well, between the four of us then. I judge man not only by his character, but I also judge a man based on the company that he keeps. And so far, I really like what I see."
"Did you hear that Shawn, she digs the Scooby gang!"
"The Scooby gang?"
I raised an eyebrow at Gus when Shawn pitched in.
"Yeah, we haven't figured out who's who. Though, we thought Jules could be Daphne and Lassiter is Velma."
It took a lot but somehow I managed not to laugh.
"Can I make a suggestion?"
Gus and Shawn glanced at each other, then back at me, and leaned in.
"You're Shaggy, (pointing to Gus). You're Scooby, (pointing to Shawn). Jules can be Daphne. Carlton can be Freddy since he's tall and I'll be Velma since I like her more than Daphne."
"I am not being apart of this", looked grumpy from the idea of being anything with Shawn.
It's understandable but, Shawn and Gus seem like an amusing pair. Carlton seems like he needs to unwind more.
"Question," Shawn said, "Why am I Scooby?"
"Because Gus is taller", I answered.
"Freeze!"
The four of us looked around to find ourselves surrounded by policemen. The tallest one then tackled me to the floor and cuffed me. This was turning out to be one hell of a day for getting slammed to the floor.
"McNab! What the hell do you think you're doing!?"
McNabb hauled me up.
"I'm sorry Sir, but we got a call about a shooter and three hostages."
"I'm telling you, if you don't let her go, I will rain hell down onto your life."
Despite the situation, the way Carlton threaten McNab, using that deep husky voice of his to command obedience, it really turned me on.
"I'm sorry Sir, I can't, Chef's orders."
McNab started to pull me along, gently though. For a seven foot tall giant, this guy is gentle like a teddy bear.
"Dominique, don't you worry. I'll get everything straighten out."
I looked back at Carlton and smiled. I know he will.