Time to Pretend (19 page)

“All successful relationships take work. Anything worthwhile takes work.”

Alaina didn’t have it in her to end their folly just yet. She nodded, unsure as to exactly what her consent meant.

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Chapter 11

They took her car. Getting inside proved to be an acrobatic feat that wasn’t at all unpleasant. Daniel slid into the passenger seat first, forcing her to bend over him as he adjusted the seat backward to accommodate his long legs. Alaina tried to climb over him, something both difficult in her skirt and impossible given the amount of head room leftover in her Sonata with Daniel already inside. Until that moment, she always thought her sedan was a good size.

Daniel chuckled as he grasped her hips and pulled her so that she sat across his lap. “You don’t have to avoid contact with me, Alaina.

That was kind of the whole point of the handcuffs. I want you close to me.”

She had no problem resting her weight on him. Though she wasn’t petite, he often made her feel as if she was. He seemed to appreciate the voluptuous curves that made her reluctant to look in the mirror when she wasn’t wearing clothes.

This position put her face at the same level as his. She liked not having to tilt her neck back to look up at him. “Did you call Sophia to tell her we were coming?”

“She’s at work,” he said. “She said to stop by anytime.”

“But you didn’t call?” she clarified.

“She didn’t say to call.” He smiled at her, amused. “What’s the matter, Lainie? Afraid you’ll have to spend all day chained to me?” She smiled back, taking his teasing in the manner intended. “No.

I’m afraid of spending another day in this shirt. It’s beginning to have an unpleasant odor.”

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He leaned in, planting his head between her breasts to inhale her scent. She was right about him being a breast man. “Worse comes to worst, we can launder it in the shower.” Swinging her leg over the console and gears, she slid into the driver’s seat. “I’m sure a locksmith can take care of this beforehand.

Or you probably have something in that tool belt of yours that can cut through the links.”

His grin was undiminished. “You’re assuming I want to be free of you.”

The drive from Daniel’s studio in Northville to Sophia’s office at Sensual Secrets didn’t take very long, even though they caught the tail end of the morning traffic rush. Daniel held the hand linked to his and used the other to search through her satellite radio stations.

He stopped on a Snow Patrol song and settled back in his seat. “I have classes running until nine tonight.” Alaina navigated the convoluted exit ramp from 696 to Main Street in Royal Oak. She pursed her lips. “Okay.”

“I take a dinner break at five. Can I see you then?” She shook her head. “I have dinner with Zach Thursday nights.”

“Friday?”

“I think I’m supposed to be doing something with Sophia on Friday. She wasn’t very clear about what.” Finally, she made the turn to head north on Main. “Which parking garage is closest?” Daniel directed her to the one closest to Sensual Secrets.

She found a parking spot almost immediately. Daniel had her seat belt off before she could kill the engine and on his lap as soon as she did. She pressed her free hand to his bare shoulder, wanting one last intimate touch before they headed out into public.

A lock of dark hair curled behind his ear. Lifting a hand, she took that short lock between her fingers and stroked the silkiness there.

His lips closed over hers. The kiss was deep. It melted her bones and made her tremble from the feelings behind it, yet he hadn’t said one word about seeing her again.

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When it ended, she sighed and reached for the door handle. The car was becoming hot and stuffy.

Daniel clapped a hand over hers.

“Why did you get mad at me on our date?” With a roll of the eyes, she pushed the door open. A breeze moved the still air. She wanted to exit the car, but he held her on his lap with two hands on her waist.

His face was grim, and his jaw was set. “Lainie, I need to know what I did to piss you off so completely. You’re still carrying a chip on your shoulder about it, too. It’s going to come up sooner or later, and I’d rather we clear the air now.” She clamped her teeth together, grinding them in frustration.

“Fine. You ordered dinner for me without even asking me what I wanted. What kind of person does that?” His expression didn’t change. “You didn’t want the flounder?”

“That’s not the point,” she gritted out.

“It kind of is the point, Lainie.” His lips flattened in a look she was coming to know well. “I took you to that restaurant because you said it was your favorite. I ordered the flounder because you said it was the best thing you’d ever eaten. You called it a slice of heaven. I wanted to show you I listen when you talk.” That took the wind from her sails. In her mind, she could see the figurative white sheets change from billowing to flaccid. She had stereotyped him more than she ever thought. She’d misinterpreted his gesture.

“I’m sorry. I misunderstood your intention.”

“I’m sorry, too,” he said. His apology came when she no longer thought it necessary. “Even if it was your favorite dish, I should have asked. I shouldn’t have assumed. I think that’s a mistake both of us are guilty of making.”

Alaina’s nod was small. “My father used to do that to me and my mom. Whenever we went out to eat, he would order our food. When I
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was sixteen, I went on my first date. I was dumbfounded and flattered when my date expected me to choose my own food.” His silent stare was too knowing. Somehow, he understood things she hadn’t said. “Does he still do that to you?” Alaina shook her head. “We’ve called an uneasy truce since Zach was born. My parents are older. They don’t have the energy to keep up with an eight-year-old boy. He spends a lot of time with me.” He ran his free hand up and down her leg in a gesture meant to soothe. She liked the way he made her feel when he touched her.

“How about you tell me right away when I do something that pisses you off? Waiting two months to clear the air has robbed us of a lot of time we could have spent together.”

She slipped her hand into his. Did this mean he was angling for a relationship? “Deal. Now, let’s go find your sister. I have a meeting in an hour.”

Accompanying a handcuffed, shirtless man down the street in Royal Oak turned out to be a nonevent. They passed people dressed in full bondage gear, and they passed people dressed for the office.

Alaina and Daniel didn’t stand out in the least. They passed by cafés with outdoor seating. It was a lovely day. Alaina wished she had time to lunch with Daniel.

Sensual Secrets was three blocks from the parking garage in a brick building sandwiched between other brick buildings. A sign on the door indicated admittance by appointment only.

Daniel pounded on the door to the exclusive bakery. It was opened by a rounded woman whose apron was covered in some kind of white powder. Her friendly smile morphed to a perfect circle at the sight of Daniel wearing just jeans.

Daniel ignored her appreciative stare. “Sophie is expecting us.” The woman stepped aside, holding the door open with her back as Alaina and Daniel entered the store.

“Danny!”

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A petite woman wearing a dusty apron hurried over to the door.

She shook the bangs of her pixie cut out of her eyes, blowing away some of the more stubborn, straight brown strands. Without hesitating, she threw her arms around Daniel’s neck and smacked a loud kiss on his cheek.

“Hey, Gin. How’s it going?”

“Couldn’t be better. Your sister has created a completely new invoice and billing system. It’s all computerized, and it’s so much easier than what we were doing.”

Alaina couldn’t decide whether to glare at the woman or stare quizzically. She was a bundle of energy in a tank top, apron, and jeans. She was very pretty and petite. Though she was a couple of inches taller than Alaina, her slim build made Alaina feel dumpy and fat, especially after the way Daniel accepted her enthusiastic greeting.

Yet she seemed harmless.

“Ginny, this is Alaina.”

A squeal sounded from across the room. The trio turned to find Sophia hurrying toward them. She wore jeans and a light blue T-shirt with a grayscale picture of Drew Snow’s face on the front.
Sensual
Secrets
was printed in a fancy script on either side of his face. “The handcuffs worked. That’s fabulous.”

Studying the metal encircling their wrists, Ginny frowned. “I’ve never tried that before.” She moved her hand, trying out different positions. She glanced between the pair, puzzled. “I can’t see how that’s better than cuffing her to the bed.”

“I wasn’t thinking,” Daniel said. “I’ll do that next time.” Ginny tilted her head to the side. “Yeah, Drew said you were awfully vanilla. Do you need some pointers? Nobody is better in bed with a woman than me. I’d be happy to help out.” Mouth agape, Alaina stared at Ginny. Had she really just invited herself into bed with Alaina and Daniel? It did help her decide whether or not she should be jealous of the pixie-like creature. Ginny was obviously a lesbian.

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Sophia’s laugh bubbled out of her. “Gin, you really gotta start thinking about what you say before you say it.” To Alaina, Sophia smiled, but it turned into a barely-suppressed yawn. “Ginny didn’t mean she wants to sleep with you. She was speaking theoretically.” Ginny’s smile wasn’t at all bashful. “I’m married in four states and three countries, just not this state or this country. Michigan sucks that way.”

Daniel had been rendered speechless by Ginny’s offer. “I’m so glad I don’t have to respond to that.” Sophia held out a small key. “Do you want me to do the honors?” Without consulting Daniel, Alaina held out her hand. She was distinctly uncomfortable in this situation. “Please.” Two clicks and they were free. “Thanks,” Daniel said.

Sophia held out the key and the cuffs. “Do you want to keep them?” Barely contained amusement threatened Sophia’s calm demeanor.

“No.” Daniel’s ears burned red. “I’m not into that kind of stuff.” Sophia raised a brow at Alaina. “You want them?” Alaina shook her head. She had tried light bondage before. It did nothing for her. However, Daniel standing next to her in all his bare-chested glory definitely did something for her. She was going to need to reschedule that meeting because she definitely needed some quality time alone in the shower.

A piece of cloth landed on Daniel’s chest. Alaina peered around Sophia to find Drew Snow standing two feet away. She had seen him once before when he came to the studio to pick up Sophia, and she had caught his show on TV several times. The women in the group had fixated on him and nothing else for the remainder of the night.

Even after Sophia excused herself, Alaina had limited success in turning the topic away from their local celebrity.

Drew Snow was sex personified. Broad shoulders tapered to a trim waist. His build was very much like Daniel’s. However, where Daniel turned his charm on and off, choosing to affect an
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unapproachable air much of the time, Drew didn’t seem to have an off switch.

He wrapped an arm around Sophia’s waist, parking his hand possessively on her hip. “Put the shirt on, Dan. You’re compromising productivity.”

Daniel glanced at Alaina. She shrugged. “I’ve had a productive morning.”

Unfolding the shirt, he held it up. Drew’s face smiled out from the front of it. He threw it back to Drew. “I’m not wearing your face on my chest.”

“Drew,” Sophia said, grabbing his attention by laying her fingertips along his jaw. “This is Alaina, Danny’s girlfriend.” Alaina felt sixteen again, a feeling she didn’t particularly like. The way Sophia drew out the word
girlfriend
was decidedly juvenile.

Plus, Daniel hadn’t said anything about wanting a relationship. So far, they had slept together and nothing else. Perhaps there was a future for them, but Sophia really jumped the gun with this.

Drew’s hands enveloped Alaina’s before she even thought to offer them. “I’ve heard so many good things about you, Alaina. It’s a pleasure to finally put a face to the image. You and Daniel will have to come for dinner. How about Friday night?” Sophia punched Drew in the arm, a big grin splashed across her face. “Sorry, Tiger. She’s mine on Friday.”

“She’s coming out with us?” The excitement behind Ginny’s question took the sting out of it. “Oh, that’s fabulous. All the Spencers are in Kentucky this month. We could use another pretty face.” Ginny had a quality about her that made Alaina not mind being described by her physical appearance.

“Next Thursday.” Drew hadn’t switched topics. The skin between his brows creased. He was likely already planning the meal. “Do you like seafood?”

Alaina glanced at Daniel. “Thursdays are my nights with Zach.” Daniel nodded thoughtfully. “Does he like seafood?”
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“Who is Zach?” Sophia frowned at Alaina as she inserted her indignant question in line ahead of Daniel’s.

Well-versed in the art of diffusing situations, Alaina addressed Sophia before she could take up arms in her brother’s defense. “He’s my eight-year-old brother.” To Daniel and Drew, she said, “Saturday or next Friday would be better for me.” Sophia’s stare had Alaina squirming. She had no idea what Sophia was thinking. The woman was difficult to read under the best of circumstances.

Daniel shot his sister a warning look. Sophia’s posture altered immediately.

“Alaina has to be at work, so we’re going to take off,” Daniel said. His hand rested on the small of Alaina’s back, a move that was both possessive and reassuring. A few days ago, she would have found it invasive and controlling. Even the possessiveness of his action didn’t bother her.

“We’ll see you next Friday, right?” Drew said, flashing that familiar smile. “We have plans for Saturday. Daniel, you can get one of your assistants to cover your classes, right?”