Never A Choice (The Choices Trilogy (Book 1))

by Palmer, Dee

  I wake to an empty bed and just when I start to think that perhaps my erotic dream was only a dream I smell the aroma of coffee wafting in from my living room, followed by the equally delicious sight of Daniel in his tight boxer shorts carrying my liquid breakfast. I sit up and feel the tight stretch of my skin on my breasts and tummy. Looking down I now see my error in judgement regarding foregoing the late night shower in favour of sleep. I’m gross and flaking, I look like a lizard. I quickly pull my covers to my chin.

  Daniel laughs as he passes my coffee. “I thought we’d passed the ‘being shy’ stage?” he raises his brow and shuffles in beside me.

  “Oh we have, we just haven’t passed the ‘I’m going to gross you out stage.’” I smile but a flash of heat in my face highlights my embarrassment.

  “Ah . . . regretting the shower decision?” He chuckles at my discomfort.

  “Just a bit, just a bit, what time is it?” I sit up to check my clock and slump back down in the pillows. “Fuck!” I exhale.

  “What? It’s not early?” He lifts his arm for me to crawl under but I am still swathed in sheet. I shake my head.

  “No it’s not, which means I have to run the gauntlet of showering with an army of horny kitchen porters, dying to catch the show.” I pull my covers further over my head. I feel the mattress dip and hear my front door close. Five minutes later he returns with a triumphant smile. He leans down and kisses my nose.

  “All yours baby, you have 20 minutes. So move that sexy arse before I have to pay for a time extension.” His lips curl casually around his cup.

  “What did you do and don’t tell me you went into the kitchen like that?” He is glorious but he is also nearly naked.

  “I sent everyone for breakfast, so you’ve got twenty minutes and yes I went like this.” He wrinkles his nose like I’m being ridiculous, it would be cute if I wasn’t so mortified.

  “Oh My God!” I cringe.

  “What’s more important, your personal hygiene or them all knowing you’ve been, how did you so eloquently phrase it?” He grins. “Oh yes! ‘that you’ve been riding my enormous cock.’” His laugh is infectious and makes him seem really young. It’s such a lovely sound. “Besides.” He adds as I grab my towel, still wrapped in my bed sheet. “It’s a small price to pay, there is no way anyone catches this show, except me.” He whips the sheet from my body and I squeal as he wraps me in his arms and dips me back into a dramatic embrace with the sweetest kiss.

  Daniel is ending a call as I return fresh from the shower; his eyes are heated and instantly hungry as I close the door behind me with a click. He stalks toward me, towering, predatory and he places his arms either side of my body caging me with his frame against the door. Despite being hugely turned on by this animal display of dominance, I am suddenly completely freaked out that he got in to my apartment in the middle of the night in the first place and I push his chest and wrinkle my forehead in anger.

  “Mmmm.” He dips to suck on my neck. “I kind of like a little resistance.” He pushes his arousal hard against my stomach.

  “How did you get in here last night?” I try jabbing my pointed finger into his pectoral but he is unmoving and just looks more dangerous.

  “Mmm? How . . . how what?” He heard me, he is just trying to distract me with his wickedly playful tongue which is flicking and sucking the soft spot below my ear. I’m starting to melt, his hard body preventing me from pooling in a puddle on the floor.

  “Daniel, I won’t feel safe unless I know how you got in here. What’s to stop someone else doing the same?” My words may be breathlessly spoken but they are enough to halt him.

  “You’re completely safe, well completely safe would be living with me, but you are safe here too. My security company did the upgrade and fixed the shower door too!”

  I let the ‘living together’ remark slide as I’m sure it was a joke but the other bit is news to me. “Ok and you may have to speak slowly because I am not sure how the two are linked?” I narrow my eyes; I know exactly how the two are linked and I’m starting to feel a little bit violated, and not in a good way. He has the grace to look sheepish at least and he stands back a little to gauge my mood. His hands move protectively in front of his groin. He may well have to protect parts of his body if I lose my temper, but I’m not stupid. I’m not going to hurt him there, that would only hurt me more.

  “I have a key, it drove me crazy the other day when I couldn’t get to you, I need to know I can get to you. I need to keep you safe.” He wants me safe, not ‘crazy stalker in my basement safe’ I hope, just safe and part of me is overwhelmed that someone cares like that about me but then there is a part of me that thinks this is setting a dangerous president regarding privacy.

  “That’s sweet but also really wrong, you know that right?” He nods but has a wickedly sinful gleam in his eyes indicating no remorse whatsoever. “And you’d give me back that key if I asked?” He nods again slowly, grinning. “Because it’s not your only copy is it?” He shakes his head. He may be a crazy stalker but he is my crazy stalker.

  Daniel joins me at the gym with Marco, although he sits on the bench at the side to watch, occasionally leaving to take a call. He returns just as Marco throws me hard on my butt, falling swiftly onto me with his knee in my chest and straddled over me. But only briefly before he is knocked clean off me and onto the mat. I catch my breath that has been knocked from me with my fall and look to see Daniel straddling Marco with his knee at his throat. I jump to my feet and push him off Marco, he doesn’t resist. “Fuck! Daniel, what are you doing?” He stands and wraps me in his big strong arms, squeezing hard before he releases me and starts to turn me checking for blood I presume. My brow is wrinkled with confusion and amusement. I hear Marco snicker. Daniel shoots him the filthiest look and growls.

  “Don’t you think that was a little excessive Marco?” His voice is deep and angry. I bite my lip to stop the rising giggle.

  “No! I think that was payback!” Marco narrows his eyes at me and I stick my tongue out. “You weren’t here when she pulled the same move on me. Are you gonna kiss me better too?” He turns to pull his sweats down and I laugh loudly but Daniel is not laughing. I feel bad that he is even worried about this and I cup his cheeks and kiss him lightly.

  “Hey, its fi . . .” I quickly change what I was about to say in response to his scowl “Daniel, I do this every week, and most weeks I kick his arse.” I nod my head toward a grinning Marco. “He does go easy on me, look at the size of him, of course he does, but there’s no point if it’s too easy. I’m pretty sure an attacker isn’t going to be so considerate.” His teeth visibly grind at this.

  “Look dude.” Marco comes over to me, I don’t think he has warmed to Daniel but he is super protective of me so I am not surprised. “I would never hurt her. Ever.” He leans to pick up his towel, kisses my cheek but as he walks away he adds. “Can you say the same?” He swings the gym doors wide and leaves us.

  I look in Daniel’s eyes, worry, love and lust all mix together for lethal intensity. He grabs my butt and lifts me so my legs wrap around his narrow waist. He notices me wince at his grip.

  “Tell me again how this doesn’t hurt?” He squeezes a little tighter and I bite my lip and try to smile. He is right on an emerging bruise. “And baby I’m just dying for you to lie about this, knowing exactly where you’d be taking that punishment.” His smooth voice dark and sensual. His veiled promise searing a heat through me.

  “It doesn’t hurt.” I giggle and grind my hips into him, hot with desire.

  “I’m so fucking hard I want to fuck you right here.” He is looking around and my eyes widen in panic. No he isn’t serious. “But I have to get you changed, we have someplace to be.” He takes my hand and leads me from the building, not allowing me time to check on Marco or chat to anyone else. He mumbles something about private lessons before securing me in his car.

  Back at Daniels apartment I am freshly showered, changed and pouring myself a coffee
from his space station kitchen appliance with integrated coffee machine when I hear him raise his voice on the phone. I’m not eavesdropping, he is shouting.

  “Fuck Mother, you had no right . . . but I’m really angry about this . . . I was bringing someone . . . No I haven’t asked her yet but I was just about to. . . . Hardly the point mother, it was my decision . . . Fuck! . . . No of course I’ll accompany you, I just don’t have to be happy about it.” He hangs up abruptly; still cursing when I walk into the room.

  “Problem?” I walk to him, the tension visible in his shoulders. I reach up to try and massage but it’s really not the right angle so I take his hand and pull him to the sofa. “I heard you on the phone, I wasn’t eavesdropping.” I add quickly, “but you were shouting and . . .” I squeeze his solid muscle that has no give, “you do seem a little tense.” I laugh lightly and kiss his cheek.

  “Yes, well . . . my mother has just managed to piss me off and ruin my surprise.” He grumbles.

  “Ooo I like surprises!” He turns swiftly and sweeps me into his waiting lap, stroking my hair from my eyes.

  “Well thanks to my mother this surprise I’m not sure you’re going to like.” His frown deepens.

  “Ok?” I wait for him to explain.

  “There is this charity Gala tomorrow and I wanted to take you, but my mother gave her ticket to a friend because she assumed she could come with me.”

  “Oh.” I let out a breath, I don’t know what terrible surprise I was anticipating but I’m clearly relieved. “Well really that’s not so bad. I can’t blame her and I’m sure she would really like to go with you anyway. God, I bet you look smoking hot in a tux.” I say wistfully.

  “Lucky you’re not the jealous type.” He kisses my nose.

  “Yeah, lucky.” I may have to revise that position. “Anyway, I don’t have anything to wear; even Sofia’s wardrobe is limited in the Gala wearing department.”

  “That’s what I wanted to do this afternoon, take you to get a dress.” He seems shy, it’s sweet.

  “Oh.” I’m stunned, so he does want to take me out, show me off at a Gala. I know that’s not going to happen now but it’s the principle. I also know a small part of me should be affronted at the notion of being ‘shown off’ but unfortunately that small part is fighting a losing battle against my other insurmountable insecurities. So I am warmed by this development. I know I’m to blame for allowing the doubt Kit raised oxygen to breathe but I am thrilled that this was his surprise to begin with.

  “So no need to go shopping, I guess we’ll have to think of something else to do in the meantime.” He wiggles his brow suggestively and I push his chest.

  “You’re a monster, a sex fiend.” I tease.

  “Takes one to know one.” He covers my mouth, his lips swallow my screams. “So what will you do tomorrow? I have to go to my mothers’ before the Gala, some family drinks.”

  “Sofs probably, although I should maybe invite Marco too after your alpha display today he’s probably a little pissed. He’s my best friend and it would help if you two got on a little better.” I plead my case.

  “Then he should stop beating up my girlfriend.” He is deadly serious so I decide to drop it.

  “So, shall we go out tonight?”

  “Oh baby, do you mind if we don’t? If I’m out all tomorrow I just want to bury myself in you and when you crash I can work; it’s perfect. We’ll get take out; anything you want. There could even be a bath in it for you?” I need to not let this eat at me. He was going to take me to a Gala, it’s not like you can wear a paper bag on your head to those things.

  I laugh. “You had me at bath.” He leans to kiss me lightly but his hunger for me consumes him and he is delving deep with his tongue and thrusting his hands in my hair pulling me tighter to his body. We both sag when we hear his entry phone ring.

  “Expecting company?” I tease as he eases himself from beneath me.

  “No and it better be fucking important to interrupt me from doing what I have planned.” His stern voice disappears into the hall as he goes to answer the phone. I lay back in to the warmth that’s fading from the sofa at his departure and throw my arms over my eyes. I hate that Kit has raised suspicions in me that simply weren’t there before. I hate that she makes me doubt myself; makes me doubt him. I hear his tentative steps, his voice is soothing.

  “Hey baby, we’ve got a visitor.” The hairs on my neck stand to attention and I take a calming breath. I know who’s just ‘popped by’ and I need to not be the crazy one right now. I move my arm and swing my legs round standing in a smooth graceful movement with a huge smile which I grip to my face with a gritted jaw.

  “Kassandra.” I notice Daniel’s warm smile at my response and I die a little inside. “It’s really nice of you to stop by and,” I draw in a steadying breath as I feel the bile rise in my stomach, “I am sorry for my outburst. It’s, well . . . it’s just all been sickening.” I’m sure her brow would raise at my choice of words but her face is chemically frozen. She’s only just twenty six and I think a line or wrinkle would be too scared to dare attempt finding a home on her face.

  “Bethany.” She sways toward me and I panic that she might actually try to embrace me and I know my instant reaction would be a take-down followed by a swift elbow in the face. I move to the side and toward Daniel with a half-smile at my violent fantasy.

  “Kassandra, would you like something to drink, tea, coffee?” I ask her kindly as I walk toward the kitchen whispering “Hemlock” under my breath.

  “I’ll have a beer please baby.” His eyes are deep blue and sparkle, his smile dazzles me.

  “Oh no, no I won’t intrude.” I return with a beer for Daniel and a bottle of water for me. I’m a little dehydrated from my class and I start to drain the bottle as I sit opposite Kit who is sitting next to Daniel; her knee touching his. “I have to say I am rather pleased you have chosen to wear more clothing this time Bethany.” She laughs at her funny little remark.

  “Any clothing is too much clothing.” Daniels voice rumbles low and he moves with stealth across to my sofa. With a predatory glimmer in his eyes he scoops me into his lap and dives his nose into my hair inhaling deeply. He strokes my body as if we were alone and he sends tingling sparks where his fingers touch my skin. It would seem ‘polite host’ Daniel has left the building and with his massive erection pressing through the thin fabric of his sweats and the thinner cotton of my dress I am not entirely sure he even knows Kit is still in the room. But then she coughs and stands, brushing the creases from her dress, well, caressing the creases and fondling herself in the process. It’s a move that is wasted though, if only Daniel was looking.

  “I only wanted to check you were Ok and I can see that you are, which warms my heart.” I bite back ‘like you have a heart to warm’ with all my self-control, I am super proud of myself and I give me an internal high five for not having a melt-down. “Bethany, may I have a private word.” She walks toward the hall and Daniel reluctantly lets me go and adjusts himself discreetly, I laugh, not that discreetly. She turns and steps close so her face is hidden by mine and her voice too soft to be heard, her eyes narrow to tiny slits. “I think you are so very cavalier with someone so precious to you and you are so very naïve to think I was bluffing.” She leans in to air kiss my cheeks pleased with the affect her words have caused, my face is now drained of the flush I felt from Daniels attentions. “Good bye darling.” She steps aside and back toward the living area, “and I’ll see you tomorrow at your Mothers, I understand you are her date at my table? It will be such fun, so glamorous. Anyway, do enjoy your cosy evening in.” Drained and winded, like I said I don’t stand a chance.

  I take a moment before I return to Daniel. I told Sofia I would fight for us and the only way, is to tell Daniel the truth. But how much truth? I have no evidence and I have already come across as crazy, unstable and mean. I don’t want to add vindictive too because I know Kit is a professional at playing the victim. Still, I have to
try. Daniel is lying fully stretched on the sofa with his arm lazily drooped over his eyes. He looks relaxed and his lounge pants are barely hanging on to his hips so he looks incredibly sexy too. I walk over and slide to the floor on my knees beside him. He lifts his arm and grins with a raised brow.

  “Oh baby, I like where you’re going with this.” He goes to sit but I place my hand on his taught stomach and he sinks back down.

  “Daniel . . . I need to tell you something.” I can feel my mouth dry.

  “Anything baby . . . you can tell me anything.” His hand stretches to cup my neck and the warmth and love I feel gives me much needed courage.

  “It’s about Kit . . . Kassandra . . . She left me Daniel but she didn’t just leave me, she left me with my mum and all the bills too.” I swallow hard. His face seems to darken and he draws in a deep frown.

  “She didn’t leave you baby . . . She would’ve come back if she knew how . . . I know its hard-“

  “-Daniel she sold my home and took all the money for herself . . . she is the reason I work two sometimes three jobs.” My pitch in my voice is starting to raise and I take a steadying breath.

  “Is that why you didn’t look for her? You were angry?” I drop my head because his eyes look . . . I don’t know. They look sad but I don’t know if that’s for me or Kit. “It’s understandable baby but she didn’t know. How could she? You can’t keep blaming her. We all make mistakes in our past. You have to be able to forgive her baby. I need to know you can forgive her past.” His voice is almost pleading and his face flashes with something I don’t recognise, something distant but then its gone.