9 1/2 Days (16 page)

“Sure.” He stood aside to let her pass. “Do you want something to drink?”

“No, thank you. I want to talk about what happened tonight.”

Here it comes. He braced himself to deal with a jealous scene. Or a plea to take their agreement to the next level. Well, he’d handled this before. He’d be kind, remind her that they didn’t have any sort of commitment, and let her down as gently as he could.

“Have a seat while I turn off the TV.” He grabbed the remote and shut down the movie he’d been watching. When he turned, though, she was still standing. Great, it was going to be that kind of talk. “I realize you’re upset, Jordan. I’m sorry I didn’t pay more attention to you at the game.”

“What you did was embarrass me in front of my family.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Of course you don’t.” A note of irritation crept into her voice.

Danny immediately got defensive. “No, I really don’t. All I did was talk to someone for a few minutes.”

“It was a few hours, Danny. And I’m not the only one who noticed.”

“It was a perfectly innocent conversation. Keisha’s actually a nice person when she wants to be. I think you got the wrong impression.”

Jordan’s eyes seemed to be focused just over his shoulder. “I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t lead my cousin on.”

“I wasn’t—”

“Keisha tends to blow things out of proportion, Danny. She has a habit of confusing sex with love and then getting hurt.”

“Are you talking about your cousin or about yourself?” She held his gaze until he shifted from one foot to the other and glanced away. “I’m sorry. That was uncalled-for.”

“I know the difference. All too well.”

Her quiet dignity made him feel like a first-class jerk. He
hadn’t
been flirting with Keisha, but that didn’t excuse him. Danny scratched his chin. “I guess I didn’t hold up my end of the deal tonight.”

“The thing is—the thing is, I think we both know this isn’t working out the way we’d planned.” The look on her face was an odd combination of resignation and hope.

Danny suppressed a sigh. This was familiar territory. She was about to ask for something he just couldn’t give her. Wanting to put it off as long as possible, he turned in the direction of the kitchen. “Are you sure I can’t get you something to drink?”

“The deal is off, Danny. I’m ending our agreement.”

Her voice was stronger now, decisive. He heard the words, but they didn’t register at first. Jordan was breaking up with him? She was ending it? Her eyes searched his, waiting for a response. He just stared at her, uncomprehending. Then her expression cleared and she offered him a polite smile.

“Okay. Well, I’ll be going. Take care of yourself.”

This was what he’d wanted. Sort of. But now he wasn’t so sure. A chill danced over his skin and his heart slammed against his chest at the thought of her walking out the door. He caught her arm to keep her from leaving.

“Wait a—just wait!”

“Why, Danny?” Her tone was gentle, with just a trace of huskiness.

He dropped her arm, feeling as if a pit had opened up beneath him. If he took one step, he’d be trapped. But he wouldn’t go back on what he’d promised. “What about your grandparents’ party?”

“I’ll go alone. Everybody is used to my fiancé having to work odd hours or suddenly go out of town.” She sighed and he suddenly realized the strain her lies had caused. “Or I’ll tell them we broke our engagement. Or… I don’t know. I’ll tell them something.”

“You don’t have to do that. I’ll still take you.”

“Listen, it’s obvious you’re not interested in playing the part anymore. And I’d rather be spared the public embarrassment of having to watch you romance my cousin. All I ask is that you wait until we’ve ‘officially broken up’ before you call her, okay?”

Danny rubbed his forehead. Christ, what a jerk he’d been. He’d only intended to put some distance between them—he honestly hadn’t meant to hurt her. “I’m not going to call her at all. Come on, sit down and tell me what this is about.”

Jordan reluctantly allowed him lead her over to the sofa. She dropped onto the nearest cushion, clenching her hands in her lap. He sat down beside her and lightly touched her hand. “Now, tell me, what makes you think I would choose Keisha over you?”

Her laugh was devoid of humor. “Why wouldn’t you? She’s slim and beautiful, easygoing and uncomplicated. Exactly the kind of woman your brother said you always date.”

That was true enough. He tended to gravitate to independent women who didn’t mind a casual relationship. But since he’d met Jordan, his tastes had changed without him realizing it. Keisha did absolutely nothing for him. “No man in his right mind would prefer your cousin.”

She shrugged and wouldn’t look at him. “It wouldn’t be the first time.”

“Will you tell me about it?”

She didn’t want to. She hated to even remember. It had been the worst moment in a long history of tricks Keisha had played on her. Danny took her hand and she felt the warmth travel all the way to her heart. Maybe this was a turning point. Maybe, if she shared something personal and painful, the way he had, maybe he would open himself to her.

“His name was Aaron Lawrence. He was the most popular boy in school. All of the girls had a crush on him.” Including Jordan, who never would have dreamed he’d look twice at her. “I guess I should have questioned a guy like him asking me to the Senior Prom.”

“He didn’t take you?”

“No, he took me…” She paused, then went on. “My mom bought me a beautiful evening gown. She had it tailored so it fit me perfectly…so it hid my belly and thighs. Aunt Celeste owned a salon and she treated me like a princess. She styled my hair and did my nails and makeup. I was so excited because this was my first dance.”

“What happened?”

“Aaron was really nice at first. He was attentive and seemed like he was really interested in me.” Jordan laughed bitterly. “Halfway through the night I was entertaining fairy tales about him, stupidly thinking that this could lead to something, that he saw who I was inside of my big, fat body.”

“Jordan—”

“You saw the photos, Danny. You know what I looked like then. Would you have asked me to a dance?” She didn’t wait for an answer, because she knew he wouldn’t admit the truth. “He led me outside the gymnasium and kissed me. My first kiss at my first dance. It was sweet initially, but then he got more aggressive and I tried to pull away.”

Danny’s hand tightened around hers. “Please tell me he didn’t…”

“No, it didn’t go that far. He just— He just put his hand inside my dress and squeezed my breast. I pushed him away just as some of his friends came out and asked if he’d gotten anywhere with me yet. Aaron laughed and told them, not yet but he’d get lucky later.”

Danny shook his head. “What a bastard.”

“I just stared at him. Then I finally got the courage to ask why he thought I would have sex with him. He said…” She cleared her throat. “He said, ‘everyone knows fat girls are easy.’ Keisha wouldn’t date him unless he asked me to the prom as a favor.”

Danny slipped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her to his side. “I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry she did that to you.”

“I was devastated. I knew Keisha didn’t like me, but I never thought she’d do anything like that. And, by the time I got back inside, all of Aaron’s friends were laughing about it. Everyone was laughing at me. I’ve never felt so horrible in my life.”

Danny held her for a moment, slowly rocking from side to side. Then he stood up and held out his hand to her. When she took it, he pulled her to her feet.

“Come with me.”

When he led her across hall toward the bathroom, she stopped in confusion. “What are we going to do in here?”

He tugged her hand until she stepped inside. “Turn around, Jordan.”

She did so automatically, but then realized she was fully exposed to the mirror above the sink. Damn it, what was he trying to do? She attempted to turn away, but Danny moved behind her, his hands on her shoulders to hold her in place. “Look.”

“I don’t want to play.”

“This isn’t a game, not for you.”

The slight pressure of his grip implied that he wasn’t going to let it drop, so she did as he asked. Defiant, unhappy and irritated, her expression clearly indicated what she was thinking—
Let’s get this over with.
The image in the mirror changed and there she was. The heavyset, ugly duckling she used to be. She averted her eyes.

“Do you know what I see, Jordan?”

“What?” Her tone was curt.

Placing his fingertips under her chin, Danny tilted her head up until their eyes met in the glass. “I see one of the most beautiful women in the world.”

“Don’t—”

“I see an intelligent mind and a sharp wit. Eyes that notice the best in people. A mouth that smiles easily and is quick to laugh. When I look at you, I see a heart that’s compassionate and kind. An enchanting spirit. I see a woman who is beautiful on the inside, and always has been.”

His deep, rich voice soothed her. The sincerity of his words touched her, breaking through her fragile control. Hot tears welled in her eyes and spilled over. Danny wrapped his arms around her, resting his cheek against her temple. She raised her hands to clutch his forearms as she cried.

For so long, she’d believed she had to be perfect to be loved. She’d wished for someone to accept her, thinking that would make her feel whole. But in fact what she needed was to accept herself, to realize she was worthy of affection no matter what she weighed or how she looked. Danny had shown her that.

“And on the outside you’re beautiful, too. Except for your flushed cheeks and runny nose.” He placed a kiss on her brow.

Embarrassed, she reached for a tissue and wiped her face. Danny caressed her upper arms, smiling at her in the mirror. “Your eyes gleam like the brightest stars. Your hair shimmers with fire and light, just like in the shampoo commercials.”

Jordan burst out laughing.

“What? I’m praising your gorgeousness. Where was I?” He pretended to contemplate her features. “Your skin is as soft as a baby’s butt. Your lips are like the petals of a rose.”

He leaned forward and she turned her head to meet him. His hot mouth covered hers in a kiss that was both tender and demanding. When they came up for air, Danny grinned at her. “And they sure can kiss.”

Their eyes met in the mirror and her heart turned over in response. She watched as he cupped the fullness of her breasts in his palms. He slowly circled his thumbs around her nipples and she gasped softly at both the sight and the sensation. As his hands glided down her torso, she leaned her head back against his shoulder. Her eyes drifted shut and she smoothed her palms along the hard sinews of his thighs. Desire danced along her nerves as his hands moved over her hips.

Danny bent his head to nuzzle the side of her neck and she felt the hard ridge of his erection against her bottom. “You’ve got a great body. Real women have curves. You’re like a fantasy come true.”

And with those words, Jordan was reminded of the true nature of their relationship. She opened her eyes and her hands dropped away from him. Disappointment washed over her and she felt an acute sense of loss. Fun and games were all she could ever expect from him. She broke out of his embrace and turned to face him.

“Fantasy number forty-two. Mirror, Mirror on the Wall, isn’t it?”

His dark brown eyes widened and he stepped back, bumping the edge of the tub. He looked as if he’d been slapped. For a second there was such vulnerability in his expression it broke her heart. “This isn’t one of your fantasies, Jordan…”

Danny startled, as if he hadn’t realized the impact of what he’d said. Then the shutters came down and she watched him completely withdraw. “I’ve been honest with you from the start. We can’t put on costumes or take on roles and make any of this real.”

Resignation settled on her shoulders. She offered him a gentle smile, her voice soft as she spoke. “I know we can’t.”

She turned out of the bathroom. Her chest ached under the weight of melancholy and pain and regret. But she was strong, stronger than she’d ever realized, strong enough to walk away.

Danny followed her into the hall. “What about Saturday?”

He was trying to put the decision of where they went from here on her. If he didn’t know by now how she felt, then he never would. She loved him. But the next move was his. Jordan opened the front door. “It’s late. I’ve got to go.”