Seducing an Heiress (19 page)

When the reporter saw who it was, his eyes widened in alarm. Trey blocked the door before he could slam it closed.

"I've got a business proposition for you," he said.

"I already have one."

"Mine could be worth four-hundred thousand to you."

The pressure on the other side of the door eased up. Aines slowly opened it. "I'm listening."

"I'm here to offer you an exclusive. The article and pictures will be worth a fortune and not just to your usual crap publications. You'll be the
only
member of the press there to cover it."

Aines looked him up and down. "What's in it for you?"

"I'm motivated purely by friendship."

"I bet," Aines said, sneering.

Trey held in his temper, at least the bulk of it. "Wouldn't you like going home to your family and telling them you did an honest day's work for a change?" 

The reporter's expression darkened, but he didn't shut the door. "You have a funny way of convincing someone to cooperate with you."

Trey held up a piece of paper. "That's because I have something to sweeten the deal. The name and number of a guy at Harvard who can help your daughter." When Aines reached for it, Trey snatched it back. "You'll get it when you show up for the story."

Crossing his arms, Aines gave him a grudging look of respect. "I won't ask how you know my girl wants to go to Harvard, but I would feel a lot more motivated if I knew who this 'guy' is who's so willing to help."

Trey named the Associate Dean with whom Dakota had spoken and the reporter's eyes widened.

He stuck out his hand. "What do you want me to do?"

"This negates any known or perceived agreements you have with Dakota," Trey said, firmly.

"Sure, sure."

Trey put a contract into Aines' hand, surprising him. He must have been expecting nothing but a handshake to seal the deal. That almost made him laugh. 

"I'll be back for that in a couple hours," Trey said. "It outlines our requirements for you to interview Dakota in a couple days, and then release the story and pictures as fast as you can at any price you can negotiate. We'll also expect you to stay around to cover the fallout from the story. We'll need copies of everything including eight by ten glossies at no cost to us, but any fees you negotiate for the coverage are yours to keep."

His beady eyes skimmed over the contract Trey had given him. "Sounds like you've thought of everything. What kind of scam are you two cooking up?"

He gave Aines a level look. "All we need from you is the most sensational coverage you can manage. Do you think you can handle that?" 

The reporter's mouth pulled into a straight line that Trey supposed was meant to be a smile "I'm a professional, Peters. You won't be disappointed." 

*  *  *

Looking around her revamped restaurant, Dakota knew she should be proud of their efforts. And she was, she told herself. It was just... Absently, she touched the bridge of her nose to push up her glasses. They weren't there, of course. She didn't need her disguise anymore. She'd even had her hair dyed back to black.

Anxiety trickled through her. 

She shouldn't be scared, she told herself. Everything was coming together beautifully.

The meeting with Aines had gone surprisingly well. He'd turned out to be a much savvier interviewer than she ever would have guessed, steering the conversation in a way that would not only give her the best publicity, but would also spin things in her favor.

That wasn't to say she trusted him, but she had come away from the encounter hating him a little less. 

Facing him one on one like that had felt like a personal triumph for her, as well. She hoped she could use a little of the courage it gave her to handle the meeting with Dad that lay ahead.

The bell rang on the back door and after a moment Trey came through the beaded curtain. "Ready for tomorrow?" 

She gave him a wry smile. "No. But I'm going through with it anyway."

"Everyone seems on board with what's coming." He came around the counter and laid his arm across her shoulders. "I think there's going to be about twenty garage sales in the empty lot by the bank, and twice that many booths up and down Center Street."

She was glad for her friends, but worry over her own future dimmed her happiness. "When the story hits, Dad will send for me. Will you be there when I see him?" she asked, quietly.

His arm tightened, pulling her closer against him. "Your father has no reason to include me."  

She looked up at him and her gaze moved across the flow of his profile. She remembered how the classic lines and square-cut jaw had been a source of annoyance when he first came into her life. Now they seemed almost precious to her. 

Deep down she believed he was a good man. He must have equally good reasons for needing her to go back. If she knew what they were, she could face what was ahead for her.

Stepping fully into his arms, Dakota lifted her chin to meet his gaze. "When Dad told you to find me, what did he promise you?"

His chest expanded against her as he pulled in a deep breath. Regret and sorrow played over his face, settling in his eyes like the burdens of a thousand life times. "Years ago, I was able to find my mother. At least where she was buried. But never my sister. She'd been adopted and her records were sealed." 

The weight of his pain etched a deep V between his brows. "He can get Rosie's file opened."

She knew how it hurt to wish for a family and be denied. Grief for Trey resonated through her. Bargains hadn't been necessary between them. She would have helped him because it was the right thing to do. Because she understood. 

Even though going back to her father's fortress-like mansion scared her more than anything she'd ever faced. "What if he won't let me go, again?" she said, needing to voice her unease, hoping that somehow that would take the power from it. 

"He can't keep you against your will. You're an adult. There are laws against that sort of thing." 

She told herself Trey was right, but anxiety settled over her.

He drew a lock of her hair gently through his fingers. "Are you thinking of backing out of our bargain?"

Dakota laid her cheek against his chest wanting very much to believe she were safe. His heart thumped steadily under her ear, strong and sure. "I won't back out. This is your best chance at finding your sister." 

"I've waited a long time." The hope in his voice touched her heart, strengthening her courage. She could never take that away from him.

Moving back a bit, Dakota kissed his lips lightly, savoring how even such a small gesture aroused her. 

His hands swept down her back to cup her bottom and his eyes darkened. "Let's go home."

Home. 

But for how long?

*  *  *

As Dakota drove toward her apartment, Trey following behind in his Jag, the deeper fear trembling through her rose into her throat, making her breath catch.

Tonight was her last night with Trey.

She hadn't wanted to face the truth of it, but she had to for her own sanity. Once he had what he wanted, their time together was over. 

Trey had no interest in living a quiet life in a slow-paced community like Harts Creek. He had his career and when he found his sister, a relationship to build with her. 

Once she severed ties with her father for good, she had her business to run and a town of friends she cared about. She could never stay willingly in her father's world, not even for Trey.

They had only one more night together. 

She wasn't going to waste it.

*  *  *

Trey closed the door of Dakota's apartment and reached out, enclosing her hand in his. She'd been quiet since they'd gotten back, her eyes touched with a deep sadness that unsettled him. 

The muffled ache in his chest was back and it felt a lot like what he saw in her eyes. Plus a heavy dose of guilt. 

Would Dakota's father find a way to keep her in New York like she feared? Even though he tried to soothe her, Trey knew that was a very real risk she was taking.

Stopping her would be so easy. Just tell her their bargain was off. Stay, enjoy your life. I'll find another way.

Only there was no other way. He wanted to find his sister more than he wanted Dakota to be happy.

He was a pig, just like she'd said that first day he'd walked into her restaurant.

He didn't deserve her, and yet he wanted her as if he did--as if he were the kind of man who could keep and love a woman like Dakota forever. 

Quietly he led her toward the bedroom, his heart full of regrets for what might have been. He turned and traced her beautiful face with the tips of his fingers. 

For tonight, at least, he vowed to be the man he should have been.

*  *  *

Dakota's breath caught as Trey slid his hand over her neck to the first button of her shirt. Slowly and deliberately, he moved down the row until the garment hung open. 

His palm swept across her waist and her muscles quivered, sending a chill skating up her spine. He continued up over her ribs to cup her breast almost reverently, and then he brushed his mouth across hers. He kissed her gently, as if he feared she might break.

A flood of desire rose up from her center, spreading through her belly. She groaned as he worked the clasp of her bra, her body tightening with impatience. Leaning into his kiss, she opened her mouth to him.

His tongue traced the inside of her bottom lip as the weight of his palm caressed her bare breast, sending streamers of sweet fever coursing through her blood. 

Hungry to touch him, knowing the luxury of his lovemaking would never be hers again, Dakota eagerly pushed her hands under his T-shirt. As she stroked her fingers up over his body, she willed herself to always remember the smoothness of his skin over ridged muscles, the light dusting of hair across the flat surface of his chest, the sharp nubs of his nipples.

Tugging off his shirt, she moved her gaze along the course her hands had taken, determined to keep the memory of tonight with her always to comfort her in the empty days ahead. Trey pushed her shirt and bra off her shoulders and nuzzled her neck as he pivoted her toward the bed. Laying her back on the covers, he closed his mouth over the tip of her breast. 

A burst of need arced through her, incinerating all thoughts, all regrets, leaving only her desperate craving to have Trey inside her. Fumbling with the snap of his jeans while he suckled her breast, she nearly cried with frustration. 

He swiped his tongue across her swollen nipple and stood up, quickly stripping off the rest of his clothes, and then retrieving one of the foil packets from the bedside table. He turned back to her, his eyes blazing with hunger, and pressed his palm to the juncture of her thighs.

She gasped, as the heat of his touch penetrated her jeans and spread across the center of her building passion. He slowly unzipped her pants, easing them over her hips, his gaze never leaving hers.

A lump knotted in her throat as his mouth came down on the curve of her belly, nibbling, licking, his tongue circling her naval. She threw her head back as the fervor built inside her and opened her legs to him.

His strong, gentle fingers parted her folds and she sighed as his tongue stroked across her in one sure movement. He suckled her there as he had her breasts, and as she climbed toward her release, tears pooled in her eyes. 

A moment later, he pushed to his feet, the scorching desire in his gaze shadowed with remorse. 

"It has to be this way," she said, framing his face in her hands as he lowered himself over  her. 

Trey pressed his cheek against hers, his breath warm where it touched her ear. "I know."

His eyelashes brushed her skin and a single, hot tear splashed onto her neck as he entered her slowly. He pulled out and slid into her again and again in a tender reflection of their past lovemaking. The aching pressure in her womb built higher and higher, a painful joy that she welcomed.

"I'll never forget you," he whispered as she tightened around him. 

"Trey," she sobbed.

In one, swift movement, he sank fully into her.

Pleasure and sorrow rocked through her soul and she shattered into a million pieces.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

When Dakota woke up the next morning, Trey was gone.

She wasn't surprised, but as she brushed her hand across the cold sheets next to her, she couldn't stop the powerless sorrow that sank into her heart.  

Hamlet barked from the other room reminding her that she would have to save her self pity for later. She had responsibilities, not just to the dog, but to her town, herself, and especially to Trey. 

Rallying herself, she pushed aside her grief. Now was not the time to wallow in self pity. When the press arrived, they expected to see the Jamison heiress up to her elbows in creatively named soups and baked goods and it was up to her to give them exactly that. 

Climbing out of bed, Dakota showered and dressed, and then took Hamlet out into the cold, dark morning to take care of his business. Once she was back in her apartment, she couldn't help feeling a little sorry for herself, despite her brave pep talk. 

She was going to miss Trey and it was stupid of her to pretend she wasn't. 

The morning seemed empty without him. Who was she going to tease about how much sugar he put in his coffee? Or ask about his plans for the day?

Wandering over to the coffee pot, she reached half-heartedly for the can of fresh grounds. A green post-it had been stuck to the top of the appliance.

She pulled it off and scanned the message, written in Trey's nearly illegible scrawl. 

I left early to offer him something better,
it read.
Our bargain is off.

Dismay gripped her. What had he done?

Her vindictive father never compromised or re-negotiated. Trey was about to lose his last hope of ever finding Rosie.