His turn to wash the perfect skin encasing her curves, her tempting sweet breasts, and her heart-shaped bottom he loved to view while doing her doggy-style. He almost forgot he had a goal and it was to clear the air between them.
“Danielle, I want to tell you about Janie.”
She looked over her shoulder as he washed her back with soap. “Janie?”
“The blonde woman you thought was my lover.”
“Tell me after we get dressed. That way, if I get mad I can just leave.”
He groaned. “She means nothing to me, cara mia.”
“Why was she kissing you the first time? And why did she tell Antonio she had your son? She said you two were getting married. Sounds like a lover’s tale to me.” She rinsed her body, and he handed her a towel.
“It was a fantasy—all in her head.” He dried himself and ran a comb though his hair. He walked into the bedroom and the damned rose petals stuck to his feet. A dumb idea, but it had worked. They’d had one hell of an erotic session in the shower.
She followed him and dressed for the day. Lacy white bra and sexy white panties under a pale blue blouse and dark blue skirt. No stockings on those long legs he loved wrapped around his waist. She looked nice, professional. Always the business woman. He recalled she needed to check on the wedding flowers he’d brought up for the bouquets.
After reuniting with Dani, guilt filled him for leaving his brother stuck with all the responsibilities of the market. Bryce needed to be with his new family, his newborn sons and their beautiful mother. Brent needed to return up north so his brother could go home, get some rest and visit the hospital. There were still a lot of things to discuss with Dani. He wanted this relationship to work more than anything he’d wanted in a very long time, including his freedom. He’d give it all up to be with her. But he didn’t want to get anywhere near the bed for fear he’d not be able to resist her allure.
Brent settled for a chair at the small table, poured two cups of coffee from the room service he’d ordered, and removed the lid from the sweets tray. He loved the aroma of morning coffee and sugary pastries. Thick cinnamon rolls, buttery warm croissants with fresh jam, and two blueberry bagels with cream cheese. He wasn’t sure what she liked or how hungry she would be after their make-up sex session. But he was starving.
She sat across from him and sipped her coffee. “Mmm…nice. Thanks. Okay, tell me the truth, Brent. I’ll believe whatever you tell me this time.”
The short distance between them seemed like far too much and yet, not enough to keep him from wanting her. He took her small hand in his and imagined the ring he wanted to place there. “First, let me tell you a bit about Janie. We met in college eight years ago. We were good friends and studied together.”
“Among other things.” She was smiling, but he could tell she was tense.
“Not at first. It just happened. We were lonely and it was something enjoyable to do. I was a boy then, and now I’m a man.”
“Is there a difference?” She laughed and punched his side playfully. He recaptured her hand and kissed the palm. “Sorry, I couldn’t resist.”
“I deserve it. I was full of lust. I’ve had sex with far too many women. Beautiful women were like a fine wine, to savor and cast away when I was done.”
Concern crossed her brow. “Is that what happened to Janie?”
“No. We were friends, like I said. But she never told me she had a child and as it turns out she doesn’t. It was all a ruse to get me to marry her when she found out I was in love with you.”
She lowered her gaze and smiled softly. “She loves you. But you don’t love her?”
“I didn’t know she felt that way.” He traced tiny circles across her forearm. “But once I met you, I didn’t have any interest in anyone else.”
She cleared her throat. “What I overheard at Antonio’s was all made up to win your love?”
“Something like that. She’s gone now. We had our final words before I came down here yesterday. I won’t be seeing her again.” He stared out the window at the young trees bending in the early morning breeze. “I know I haven’t been the best person, Dani. I used women in a way that’s unforgivable. But I have never used you. I never will use you. Please, believe me.”
Her gaze met his across the table. She’d accepted his confession for what it was, the truth. “Brent, I want whatever this crazy thing is between us to work. I think it’s imperative we are honest with each other. I’m glad you told me about Janie. I feel like a fool for hitting you that day. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I deserved it for even considering her claim that I was the father. But the boy, he was cute. He was warm and friendly, and a good little kid.”
“Does she even know whose child he is?”
“Oh yeah, she knows. I saw her pay off the boy’s mom in the market, after I showed her the DNA results. She was pretty upset her scheme didn’t work.”
She laughed and covered her mouth. “Sorry. I know I shouldn’t laugh, but I bet it made you sweat just a little. Right?”
Brent laughed too, but with relief. He hadn’t only sweated a little. He was going to lose the one person who meant the most to him. He wanted to ask her about Jon, but hesitated. When the time was right, she would bring up the subject on her own. She’d had a serious relationship with the man. Unlike the sexual games he’d played with Janie. Danielle had been burnt and the scars had kept her single for over a year.
Until she took his breath away.
****
Danielle gazed out the window of the Bride’s Cottage at the flowing fields of lavender. She loved the pleasant scent. Maybe one day, she would have her wedding down here too. If she was lucky, it would be Brent. She’d hated to say goodbye this morning, but he had to get back to the market in Alexandria.
She had more flowers to arrange and more details to organize before the wedding. Her assistants were supposed to come down tomorrow. She’d called the girls to come early and help since the wedding was only two days away. Everything had to be decorated and set up to perfection. This was her favorite part of the job. This was why she was a wedding planner.
The door opened and closed behind her as she slipped the last long-stem rose into the centerpiece. “Lisa, the bunches of baby’s breath are in the cooler in the kitchen. Would you mind grabbing them for me?”
“I’m not Lisa, but I’ll do it.” Jon’s voice made her shiver and it wasn’t with excitement.
“Thank you.” She didn’t turn around. She didn’t want to get into all the old romance stuff with him again. Why wouldn’t he just leave her alone?
He was back too soon and set the flowers beside her on the table. His arms snaked around her waist from behind and hugged her against him. “Mmm…you smell good.”
“Jon, please. I’m trying to work.”
“Me too. On you. Why don’t you give me another chance, Dani?”
“I’m interested in someone else, remember?” Is he bullheaded or what?
“I can give you so much more. We can travel the world like we planned. We can work together since our career paths are similar. What can he do for you I can’t do better?”
He was so stinking self-confident, believing no one was better than him. He wouldn’t listen. What he wants is what he’s going to get, no matter what he must do. The man really irked her. “I don’t want to travel the world anymore. Those were nice plans, a long time ago, but you weren’t honest with me and you aren’t being honest with yourself now. It’s over, Jon.”
He kneaded her waist and spun her around to kiss her full on the lips. The kiss went on much longer and deeper than she wanted, and she pushed at his chest for release. “The magic is gone, Jon. I’m not in love with you.”
“Only because you won’t have sex with me.” He pressed his groin against her so she could feel his arousal. “What can I do to convince you to give me another chance?”
He must be deaf. “You can back away from me right now, before I tell your dad what
a jerk you are. I’ll tell him what you really did to me the first time, and exactly why I don’t want to be with you.”
“Ouch. That’s tough.”
She shrugged. “I can be tough when I need to be. You taught me that. Now let me go.”
He stepped back and held his hands in the air. “Okay. I wanted to make this work for your sake. You have to give me an A for effort.”
Or an A for something.
Asshole came to mind.
“I’m working, Jon. Goodbye.”
He walked out and closed the door behind him. There was more work to be done in so little time, she forgot all about her nemesis. Lisa walked in with her arms full of ribbons and bows. She resigned herself to the fact she might have to stay down here, instead of returning home. She sent a text message to her neighbor to ask if she’d stop by and feed her cat. Jax was probably missing her by now. She hadn’t meant to be gone for more than overnight, but she’d had a little distraction.
A smile tickled her lips.
Correction—a big distraction.
****
Brent finished working on the accounts receivables and stood to stretch. He glanced down into the market below and noticed a young man in a trench coat handing a large manila envelope to the cashier. He wondered what it could be and headed downstairs to retrieve it, since Cindy was the last cashier and couldn’t leave her register.
“Hey, Cindy. Is that for me or Bryce?” He had plans coming for installation of an additional cooler unit for fresh flowers. An idea that had popped into his mind when he tossed rose petals on the floor of Danielle’s hotel room yesterday.
“For you, sir. I would have brought it up, but I—”
“It’s okay. I know you can’t leave your register. Thanks for following store policy.”
He accepted the envelope and walked back upstairs. Strange it wasn’t marked with a return address. Written on the front was urgent, underlined, and his name below. Concern squeezed his heart, but he brushed it off. He tore open the envelope and peeked inside.
He pulled out several photographs. Danielle and Jon, kissing intimately and gazing into each other’s eyes like lovers. He was so shocked he didn’t know what to do. Then it hit him. She’d lied. After all his confessions about Janie and his past, after telling her he loved her, she was still with Jon.
He shoved the photos back inside the envelope. He slammed the office door and dropped into his chair. If he broke down and called her now, he would only be playing her game. He had to talk to someone, and the person who raised him came to mind. Fair and forgiving, Uncle Tony was his mentor, his friend, and his father in every sense of the word. He’d had women troubles in the past, and each time his uncle helped him make the right decisions.
As soon as he locked up for the night and the crew went home, he drove to Antonio’s Restaurant. A few glasses of wine might not be bad to ease his pain. Damn, he still had the case of wine Jon had talked him into buying too. Just the guy’s name pissed him off. He wanted to flatten him and wished he had. Maybe then, he wouldn’t be fawning all over Danielle.
Oh God. He sucked in a deep breath and released it.
He’d given her his heart and told her he loved her.
He wondered if he’d ever hurt any of the women he’d dated in the past this bad. This was hell—and he was as angry as the devil.
Yes, a long visit with Uncle Tony, over baked ziti and the new vino he’d brought up from the winery, turned out to be a good experience. Wisdom came with years of experience dealing with lots of women. Not just sex but relationships too. Uncle Tony was blunt and to the point with his advice. Confront Danielle and tell her everything, and ask her to own up to the truth about Jon.
Yes sir, honesty was always the best policy.
And then, he would punch Jon in the face.
****
The big wedding day was tomorrow, and Danielle still had unfinished arrangements. One of her girls had gone home sick, leaving her and Lisa to finish up the flower centerpieces and bouquets. They worked all day for two days straight, but they got it done. She was beat when she dropped onto her hotel bed. She’d been so busy it didn’t hit her until tonight. She hadn’t heard from Brent since the night he returned to Alexandria.
She picked up her cellphone and it rang, startling her. “Hello?”
“Danielle? It’s Antonio. I’m calling to tell you the pies are done, and the Torre di Pisa wedding cake. I bring them down in the morning. Capito?”
She sighed and stretched her neck to the side, rubbing her aching shoulder. “Yes. Thank you, Antonio. I’m sure you did a beautiful job. This is a very special treat for Rory. I can’t wait to see her face when she sees what you’ve done with her strawberry pie recipe.”
“Oh, yes.” He chuckled. There was commotion in the background, but she couldn’t make it out. Dishes clanging maybe? He must be at the restaurant. “Good. I will see you tomorrow?”
“Okay. Thanks for calling.”
“Wait, Danielle…there is one more little thing.” His tone was hushed, and she had to listen carefully to understand what he said through his thick Italian accent. “I have a question, mio cara.”
“Yes?”
“Do you love my nephew, my Brent?”
Whoa, where did that come from?
She wasn’t aware Antonio knew they were dating. She struggled for the right words to say. She didn’t want to cause any trouble for Brent. “I’ve dated him a few times, yes.”
“You did not answer my question, mio cara.”
“Antonio, I’m not sure Brent—”
“Yes, he does very much. He is passionate for you and you break his heart.”
Had something just hit her in the back of the head? What the heck was Antonio talking about? “Look, Antonio. I’m not sure what you think, but I would never hurt Brent. He’s a good man, and I care for him very much.”
“Ah, this is good. Very good. I will tell him.”
The line clicked.
She lowered the cellphone from her ear. Was that phone call about the cake, or about her and Brent? She shook her head in total confusion. Brent went home a happy man, knowing she loved him. Right? Maybe she’d better try to call him anyway. Could be Uncle Tony had too much vino with his dinner. Nothing worse could happen than no cake at a wedding, or a drunk chef serving Italian appetizers.
Except maybe a runaway bride—or groom.
Oh gosh.
She punched in the groom’s number. “Bryce?”
“Hey…Danielle.”
She laughed and crossed her fingers everything was ready to go with the wedding. He sounded a little on edge. Okay for most grooms the night before, but this one was more than ready to say I do. “Sorry to bother you tonight, but I was just checking to make sure everything is on schedule for tomorrow’s big event.”
“Sure. We’re great.”
Why not ask Brent’s brother how he was? Couldn’t hurt. “Well, since I have you on the phone…I haven’t heard from Brent in a few days, and I wondered if you had?”
“He’s been at work busting his butt so he can take time off for the wedding.” His tone was cool and distant, and a bit on the gruff side. “Why should you care?”
What was wrong with Bryce? She was working her butt off too, so they would have a fabulous wedding tomorrow afternoon. “Is everything okay, Bryce? You sound a little upset.”
“Is there a reason I should be upset with you?”
“I don’t think so. I mean…what do you mean?”
“Nothing. Forget it.”
She was totally confused by his accusing tone and the turmoil in his voice. Bryce was usually more self-confident than this. The upcoming nuptials must be causing stress. “Tell Brent hello for me, please?”
He cleared his throat. “Look, I gotta go. I’m busy in the office.”
“The office—” The phone clicked and the connection cut off.
Why was Bryce in the office? He should be home preparing for his big day with he
r best friend. She could call Aurora and find out, but the new mommy had her hands full with the twins. She decided to trust in fate to take care of the wedding. She was exhausted and wanted something to eat and a little sleep. Tomorrow could be a challenge, if Bryce didn’t change his attitude. Or failed to show up.
****
Brent sat back in his office chair. He shouldn’t have answered his brother’s cellphone. He did out of a sense of duty. But he didn’t want to talk to Danielle until he could face off with her. This whole business had his gut tied up in knots. He was sick at heart and ready to bust at the seams with pent up anger.
He longed to hear her voice, to touch her and caress her beautiful body. He longed to be with her every minute of every day. His life was upside down without her. She was all he could think about.
Shit! I have to think about something else.
He closed the office and walked out to his favorite ride. Some things in life you could count on—a great dinner at Uncle Tony’s and driving his expensive car. Women? It was a fact, women weren’t upfront like men. They hid things or beat around the bush. Just to avoid confrontation. Well, there was a big confrontation coming and if it happened tomorrow, so be it. But he would try to restrain his emotions until after the wedding. He didn’t want to ruin his brother’s special day.
The car’s engine turned over and purred like a kitten. Smooth and easy. After dinner, he would drive out to the farm and enjoy the traffic-free country roads and let the wind blow his mind clear of worry. The long drive would do him good, and he could help the almost newlyweds pack up for their honeymoon trip tomorrow. He was envious of their happiness, but he remembered they’d had some rocky times too. Mostly because of his trickery. In the end, they got together. Against all odds, he hoped the same would be true for himself and Danielle.
****
The morning was a blur of directing and approving where everything went and how it looked. Danielle went over the vows with both the bride-to-be and the groom. How to walk and where to stand with the flower girl and the ring-bearer. Relieved that the groom was back to normal today, she shrugged off last night’s strange telephone conversation as her overworked imagination and physical fatigue. She kept a cool demeanor throughout the hustle-bustle of the morning hours, but by noontime she was feeling stressed.
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