Tempting (21 page)

When he reached for the buttons on her blouse, she stepped out of her shoes, then went to work on his shirt. They bumped into each other, laughed and kept on working. He moved to her skirt next. When it fell to the ground, he swore.

Dani glanced down at the thigh-high panty hose she'd worn that day. Normally she would have wrestled her way into regular panty hose, but on the off chance that she and Alex might do the wild thing, she'd gone for sexier lingerie.

The bikinis were second cousin to a thong and matched her lacy bra.

“You're killing me,” he murmured as he pulled her close and cupped her rear. “Seriously. I'll be dead soon.”

“No, you won't. But I can keep the stockings on, if you'd like.”

He squeezed her curves, then bent down to touch the stockings on her legs. As he straightened, he dipped his tongue between her breasts, arousing her with damp heat.

“You're a fantasy I didn't even know I had,” he said before kissing her again.

She got lost in the passion stirring between them, but also couldn't get his words out of her head. Was she his fantasy? She'd never really considered herself fantasy material. Still, a girl could dream.

He nudged her backward a few steps. She took them, then turned and led the way into his bedroom.

The space was as she remembered. Clean and masculine with oversize furniture and a fireplace big enough to live in. He hit the remote as they walked past. Flames jumped to life and provided soft, sexy illumination.

The bed was still huge. Dani stretched out on it, then patted the space next to her. Alex pulled a package of condoms out of his nightstand, moved next to her and began to kiss her.

He moved his tongue in a dance so erotic, she didn't realize he had reached behind her until her bra fell away. Cool air caressed her breasts, making her shiver. He dipped his head and took her right nipple in his mouth. He sucked gently, then circled the tip, moving around and around until she felt herself get wet and swollen.

She clung to him, wanting him with a desperation that took her breath away. She wanted his weight on top of her, his erection between her legs, stretching her, taking her. She wanted to surrender to this man in ways she never had before. Giving herself, exposing herself. The need was so strong, it frightened her…but not enough to stop what she was doing.

She reached between them and tugged at his belt. After unfastening it, she eased down his zipper then drew his trousers down his hips.

He paused long enough to push them off. He'd lost his shoes on the trip into the bedroom and now removed his socks.

His arousal strained against his boxers. She reached for him, but before she could touch him, he grabbed her around her waist and flipped them so she was on top.

“You weren't willing to tie me up last time,” he said with a smile. “How about being in charge?”

“I live to be in charge.”

“Good.”

She was kneeling, straddling his midsection. When she would have gone back to allow him to enter her, he urged her forward.

“All the way up,” he said.

“Why?”

“You'll see.”

She did as he requested, slowly moving up his body. He shifted, sliding his shoulders between her legs, then running his hands up and down her stocking-clad thighs.

She was about to protest that she felt too uncovered this way when he told her to, “Hang on.”

She grabbed the only thing she could—the headboard—then nearly screamed as she felt his tongue between her legs.

He used his fingers to part her flesh so she was totally exposed to him. Then he moved against her, licking, sucking, but letting her set the rhythm with her hips.

She held on to the headboard for support and rode him, rising up when she needed less pressure and sinking down when she needed more. Blood rushed to her groin, engorging her. Every inch of her felt sensitized. Heat and need and pressure built faster than she'd ever experienced before. She was close in seconds, yet desperate to prolong the pressure and not come—even though coming was inevitable.

She moved faster as she got closer. He grabbed her hips and dug in his fingers as he helped her move, urged her on. She gasped, then cried out as her orgasm claimed her.

She stiffened and parted her legs even more, wanting him to touch her everywhere. He sucked her until raw nerves made her shudder, then he backed off, kissing her, licking her, drawing out every last ounce of her release.

She knelt there, leaning heavily on the headboard as she tried to catch her breath. Alex moved away. She heard the rustling of a plastic wrapper, then he was back, turning her to face him.

She shifted and settled herself over him. He filled her, stretching her, making already sensitive nerves sing with excitement.

Passion darkened his eyes and pulled at his features. A smile turned up the corners of his mouth. She braced herself on her slightly trembling arms and rocked back and forth. They both groaned.

She was still swollen from her release, yet as he moved in and out of her, she felt her muscles begin to tighten again. He reached up and began to stroke her breasts. When he brushed against her nipples, her entire body squeezed around him.

She rode him until they were both gasping and reaching, until he pushed in so deep, she couldn't help coming again. As the first shudder claimed her, he stiffened and rose toward her. Their eyes locked as they lost themselves in their mutual release.

 

D
ANI HUMMED SOFTLY
as she took the elevator to Walker's office. She'd stayed at Alex's the previous night and hadn't seen a single reporter as she'd left. Maybe the reality of her personal life wasn't so interesting anymore. Wouldn't that be thrilling?

Even better had been the night of lovemaking, broken by a few hours of sleep and cold pizza. She loved sleeping in his bed with his arms around her. She felt safe there. Being with Alex was something she could get used to but there were still thousands of complications.

She reached Walker's office and half expected to see Cal and Reid there. But her brother was alone.

“Just us?” she asked as he stood and walked around his desk to hug her. “I was braced for another explosive family secret. Not that I think I could take another one. It might push me over the edge and send me screaming into the night.”

“It's barely two in the afternoon,” Gloria said as she entered the room. “You'd have to wait to scream and run.”

Dani felt the space-time continuum shift and fold. Her grandmother wore a suit Dani had seen before. Elegant, perfectly fitted and in a shade of gold that was both fashionable and flattering. Gloria looked like what she was—a powerful matriarch.

For a second Dani felt swept back a year, to when she'd been doing her damnedest to impress Gloria by making Burger Heaven the best it could be. She could almost feel the burning on her forehead from pounding it against a wall she couldn't see or understand, but also couldn't break through.

“Is it bad?” she asked before she could stop herself. “The reason for the meeting? Is it really bad?”

“It's not bad at all,” Gloria said, pointing to the leather sofa in the corner. “It's good. Have a seat. Walker and I want to talk to you about something.”

“If you're going to tell me I'm not my mother's daughter, either, I'm not sure I can take it.”

Gloria smiled. “You can be very dramatic. I think you get that from me.” She looked at Walker. “Do you want to tell her or shall I?”

“It should come from you,” Walker said.

Dani felt as if she was going to throw up. Was someone dying? Was there a genetic disease that was going to eat her flesh? Was the sky falling?

“We want you to run Buchanan's,” Gloria said. “The manager is leaving and we need someone brilliant in charge. We've all been talking about it and you're the most logical choice. Not to mention the best one. You've always loved the restaurant, you're good at what you do and you're family. So, what do you think?”

Dani opened her mouth then closed it. She'd never expected anything like this. Buchanan's?

“No one's sick?” she asked.

“We're all fine. Say yes.”

Say yes? Just like that?

While it was true Buchanan's was her favorite of all the family restaurants, the offer was totally unexpected. “I just started working for Bernie,” she said, more to herself than them. “I love it there. I'm learning a lot. It wouldn't be right to leave so quickly.”

“She's a good negotiator,” Gloria said to Walker. “We haven't even started talking money and already I'm going to have to increase my offer.”

“This isn't about money,” Dani said, even as she wondered what the opening offer would be. How much did her grandmother think she was worth?

“Of course it's about money,” Gloria said. “Get as much as you can. Walker's no kitten to work for.”

Dani laughed. “Hey, I survived you.”

“Yes, you did. You were wonderful at Burger Heaven. I probably never told you, did I?”

Dani was humiliated to feel tears burning in her eyes. “No, you didn't.”

“I'm sorry about that. I'm telling you now. You did an incredible job and I was always proud of you. While Bella Roma is a perfectly fine restaurant, it's not enough for you. Besides, Buchanan's is family. We need you, Dani.”

Dani looked at her brother. “You're being very quiet.”

“She's doing a good job of explaining my position. I figured if I said it you wouldn't believe me. But coming from Gloria, it has to be true.”

“Interesting point,” Dani murmured.

“You're the only one on the list,” he continued. “You're the one we want.”

She was seriously tempted, but there was a lot to think about.

“Give me a few days,” she said as she stood. “I'll get back to you by Friday.”

“We should talk money,” Gloria insisted.

Dani grinned. “If I decide to take the job, we will. Don't worry. I'm going to make you pay for the best.”

Gloria smiled. “That's my girl.”

 

D
ANI FIGURED
her day couldn't get much better than it was. Last night had been spectacular, the morning relaxing and now she had a shiny, new job offer.

Running Buchanan's was tempting. Honestly, the only thing holding her back was the fact that she'd only worked for Bernie a few weeks and she hated to hire and run. Of course, if she gave him a lot of notice, that would help.

She laughed out loud as she realized she'd already made up her mind—she wanted the job at Buchanan's. In some ways it would be like coming full circle.

She walked toward Bella Roma and didn't notice the woman lurking by the front door until she nearly ran into her. Dani hastily backed up, then stared.

“Fiona? What are you doing here?”

The beautiful redhead drew Dani to a bench by the front door. “We have to talk.”

Dani didn't like the sound of that. “Actually, we don't. I need to go. I'm due inside in about thirty seconds.”

“What I have to say won't take much longer.” Fiona clutched her small purse to her midsection. “It's about Alex. Based on what I read in the paper I'm guessing he hasn't been honest with either of us.”

Dani instinctively tensed, then told herself not to be crazy. Fiona was trying to make trouble for her own reasons, but there was no way she was involved with Alex. She couldn't be. He wasn't the kind of guy to play someone. Plus, he would never forgive Fiona for cheating on him.

“He's been honest with me,” Dani said flatly.

“Oh, really. So he told you he's still seeing me? That I was over there two nights ago, and the previous week and so on?”

Dani took a breath. She would stay calm. Fiona was bluffing. “That's bullshit.”

Fiona tilted her head. “Don't you love the fireplace in the bedroom? How it turns on with a flick of a remote? So romantic. Have you used the jetted tub in the bathroom yet? I have.”

Cold thickened Dani's blood until it nearly felt frozen in her veins. “You're lying.”

Fiona's expression turned pitying. “Actually, I'm trying to save you while there's still time. My problem is I can't help loving him, no matter how much of a bastard he is. Maybe there's still time for you to save yourself. I sure hope so.” She reached in her purse, then passed over a digital photo. “I'm about twelve weeks along. It's sort of hard to tell what's what, but everything is progressing nicely.”

Dani stared at the picture. It was a blob, but the kind of blob she recognized from Penny's pregnancy. “You're having a baby,” she breathed.

“With Alex.” Fiona stood and smoothed the front of her shirt. There was a definite bump. “We're reconciling. I know I'll have to live with the other women, but that's the fate of the Canfield wives. To love their men, no matter what. Look at what Katherine has gone through for Mark.”