by Mona Risk
“Here are the shoe racks.” Alexa grabbed a high heeled white pair of pumps that Dante put on his credit card. “I’ll pay you for all that at home.”
“Not on your life. After all, we’re buying these extras to visit my office.”
She tried to protest, but he pulled her away. “Now that you’re outfitted, it’s my turn.”
“It took me less than ten minutes. Let’s see if you can be as fast.”
Dante burst out laughing. “Definitely a record for you.” On their way to the men’s department, they passed the perfume counter displaying a dozen sample vials of various fragrances. Alexa chose one, read the label. “Boucheron, that’s my favorite.” Without hesitation, she sprayed the light floral perfume on her throat and wrists and raised her hand to Dante. “Do you like it?”
He inhaled and smiled. “Hmm, I love it.” To prove his approval, he brushed a quick kiss on her wrist. “Don’t tempt me to spend more time in this store. Let’s go.”
Pulling her hand, he rushed her to the men’s department where he snatched a white shirt and a pair of navy blue pants, socks and shoes, and immediately paid for them. “See I’m done. Wait for me at the door of the fitting room while I change. Don’t move one step.”
Less than two minutes later, he was out looking so handsome in his professional clothes. She stared, then sighed and averted her gaze. Get a grip, girl. She’d enjoy her time with him while it lasted. Dante was a good lawyer, a dear friend and fabulous kisser, but commitment was not on his agenda, and she needed to become an independent woman.
Chapter Nine
Throwing a quizzical look at the passenger mirror, Alexa raked her fingers through her hair. “I’m a mess,” she muttered and tried to tame her tangled locks.
“Open the arm compartment,” Dante suggested, his eyes on the road as he drove to his office. “You’ll find a comb.”
“You’re a precious friend.” She chuckled and smoothed her hair. “I don’t have make-up, but—”
“Trust me. You don’t need it.” His voice rang with approval. She blushed and licked her lips.
Afraid to let intense feelings overwhelm her, she averted her gaze to glance out of the window. The BMW entered a parking lot off Federal Highway. She scanned the tall glass high rise. “No way, you work here? To think I pass this building almost every day.”
They rode the elevator to the tenth floor, walked along a dark carpeted corridor, and stopped in front of a wooden door adorned with a golden plaque engraved with Morganstein & Cantari Law Firm. Dante opened the door and let her pass into a reception area.
“Dante. Welcome back.” The attractive blonde sitting behind a computer stood with a bright smile.
“Hello, Michelle. I hope everything is rolling great as usual. Meet my neighbor, Alexa.”
“Hi Michelle.” Alexa shook hands with the receptionist. Dante had abstained from mentioning last names. Was it because she’d gotten all upset at the detective for his continuous blurting of Mrs. Partson? Soon after this mess was over, Alexa would revert to her maiden name. Let Greg hit the roof.
“Dante, I’ve sent you most of your emails,” Michelle said. Her smile still hovered on her lips, although her tone was as professional as can be. “And I put on your desk a box of documents you should check.”
“Thanks.” To give him credit, Dante didn’t look twice at his pretty receptionist. “I’ll take them on my way out. Come, Alexa.” He ushered her along a hallway to a large room with wall-to-wall bay windows. File cabinets lined the other walls forming a U-shaped fence around four desks. “Hi guys,” Dante bellowed.
“Welcome back.” Two young men walked toward them with bright smiles. Obviously Dante was well-liked in his firm.
“Alexa, meet Juan, one of our junior lawyers. An invaluable associate of our firm.”
“We thought you forgot us, but here you are with a lovely gift.”
She chuckled at the handsome Latino’s compliment and shook hands with him.
“The lovely gift is off limit, guys. Alexa, this is Jay, our research specialist. He can uncover secrets from anywhere. We’re going to need your expertise.” Dante clapped the young African-American on his back.
Jay returned a jovial grin. “Any time.”
“I assume Bryan and Leslie are in court?” Dante asked as his gaze surveyed the empty desks.
“Leslie is in court. Bryan is on a business trip with Mr. Morganstein,” Juan explained.
“In that case, I want you to join us in my office in two minutes,” he ordered. He held Alexa’s elbow and walked her out of the room, to a smaller office.
“Welcome to my place.” He closed the door behind them and gathered her in his arms. “I asked them for two minutes of privacy to properly welcome you to my professional domain.”
A cocoon of warmth wrapped around her as she leaned into him. He brushed her lips with a soft kiss, and then invaded her mouth, and knocked the air out of her chest. The stubble on his unshaven jaws tickled her cheeks, but her heart melted.
Wow, this was the best greeting she’d ever received in her life, but God help her, she was becoming addicted to his kisses.
“Cara mia,” he whispered against her hair. “Trust me. I’ll get you out of this mess.”
The knock on the door prompted them to move away from each other. “Have a seat.” Dante indicated the armchair in front of his desk and rushed to his big leather chair.
“Come in, guys.” Jay and Juan dragged chairs and sat next to her, across from Dante’s large desk, while Alexa surveyed his office. Its simplicity surprised her. It was a smaller reproduction of the junior lawyers’ room with similar wall-to-wall shelves cluttered with innumerable heavy books and thick files. No picture frames or knickknacks adorned the severe working place. It almost hurt her decorator’s soul. One day she might offer to redecorate his office.
“Alexa is my client.” Dante’s voice attracted her attention. “Jay, I want you to research Carter Morton and Steve Bairey.”
“Bairey? The one who drowned in the Jacuzzi at your building? I was about to ask you if you knew more than the newspapers reported.” Jay showed them a copy of the Florida Sentinel he had with him. “They had another article today, and your name is mentioned, together with a few neighbors’.”
“Anything different from yesterday’s?”
“Same details. The police are investigating.” Juan sent a curious look at Alexa, glanced at the newspaper, and flipped his gaze back at her, as if suddenly recognizing her.
“Let me clarify the situation,” Dante stated with a brisk tone. “Alexa has nothing to do with this guy. Someone is trying to frame her. We have to help her.”
“What do you want us to search for?” Jay asked. “Anything in particular?”
“Anything and everything about Bairey and Morton, and their financial company. Clients, banks, recent and old dealings, business trips. Get references, background. A complete and thorough research. And give it top priority.”
“I’ll start right away.”
“Juan, I need you to arrange a 24/7 protection for two ladies, my grandmother, Mrs. Regina Cantari, and my young sister, Isabella.” He got a paper from his desk and wrote down an address. “I want you to delicately explain what’s happening here. I don’t want them to see the newspaper articles and worry. I didn’t have the chance to call or visit yet.”
“I’ll go see them tomorrow morning,” Juan said.
“You two, email me your findings or call me any time.”
As soon as they left, Dante stood and collected the box of papers that Michelle had left on his desk, while Alexa still digested the order he’d given Juan.
“So your sister’s name is Isabella. How old is she?”
“Twenty-eight. Six years younger than me.”
“Does she look like you?”
“Very much, but with dark eyes. I inherited the color of my eyes from my grandmother who’s of German descent.”
No wonder he was so handsome.
“I’ll take you to visit them soon. After this mess is over.”
Alexa nodded, not convinced the mess would end soon enough.
“Let’s go for dinner. I’m starving.” A grumbling noise followed his statement. He grimaced. “Sorry.”
Alexa laughed at his boyish expression. “Poor thing, you haven’t eaten all day because of me.”
Her phone rang. “Damn it. Greg again. I’d better take it.”
****
Dante watched her as she talked to her ex. Her stance rigid, she clutched the phone and a frown replaced the smile that had brightened her face since they’d left Holy Cross. Even her breathing had changed, rapid and short.
“I went for a swim in the morning,” Alexa said on the phone.
Greg must be questioning, insisting on details. “I had my phone off.” She raised her chin. “No, Greg, don’t come... I’m not home... No, I’m not coming back soon. I have a lot on my mind and I don’t want to talk to anyone... Bye.”
Dante clapped his hands. “Good, I like your firm tone.”
“He’s going out with Dianna. So he won’t call.”
“Wonderful. I’m taking you all the way to West Palm Beach for dinner. This way we won’t run into anyone we know.”
“Thank you, Dante, for everything you’ve done for me.” She had that little sad smile that clogged his heart and stirred his blood at the same time. Alexa had no one who cared about her, except the autocratic Greg. No parents, no siblings, no husband, and as far as he had seen, no friends. He’d stand by her side, no matter what the cost.
“You don’t need to thank me. What are true friends for...” He drew her into his arms and lowered his head for a passionate kiss that had nothing to do with simple friendship. She needed him, and he liked her to need him. Finally, he released her, collected his box of files, and ushered her to the door.
“Michelle,” he said to the receptionist. “Forward my calls to my cell phone from now on. I’ll be working from home for a few days. Have a good evening.” He’d have Alexa to himself tonight away from the Blue Waves and its nasty atmosphere.
In West Palm Beach, Dante chose a restaurant located on the Intracoastal and asked for a table on the terrace. They placed their orders and toasted their happy evening. The romantic view of the sunset helped soothe Alexa’s rattled nerves.
After dinner, they danced and kissed under the stars, and enjoyed the moment, the music, and the moonlight. On the way back home, he put on a CD of soft music. A moment later, Alexa’s head lolled to the side and her hair cascaded on his arm. He smiled as he glanced at her parted lips and smooth forehead. At last, she’d relaxed into a blissful rest.
Last night, he’d held her in his arms until she fell asleep, cuddled against him. Not wanting to leave her alone, he’d eased to the other side of the bed and stared at the ceiling. For hours, he’d mentally reviewed his most difficult cases while willing his body to ignore the soft form laying too close for comfort and praying for the sleep that eluded him.
Would he have to go through the same torture tonight? But there was no way on earth, he’d let her sleep alone in her apartment, knowing someone had tried to kill her.
****
Alexa woke up as Dante turned off the engine in the garage. Disoriented, she spun her head left and right.
“We’re home. I hope you had a good nap.”
“I’m sorry.” She bit her lip and fixed a confused gaze on him. “I didn’t mean to fall asleep on you. I really had a good time tonight.”
“I did too.” He caressed her hair with a tender stroke. “You don’t have to apologize. I’m glad you were able to rest during the drive.”
She got out of the car and shook her head to clear it. Dante cupped her elbow and walked her to the elevator. Yes, she’d needed her rest, but now she was wide awake, and would probably spend the night pondering the events of the day.
During a silent ride in the elevator, she frowned and fixed her eyes on the floor. A masked face twirled in her mind and she froze in front of her apartment. “Dante, someone wants to kill me,” she mumbled.
“Shh.” He put a finger on her lips. “We won’t talk about that now.” He held out his hand. “Your key?”
She gave it to him. He opened her door, entering after her. After switching the lights on, she wriggled out of her high-heeled sandals and picked them up, balancing them around her fingers, without taking a step forward.
“Is it safe here? This is my apartment, my own haven, but I’m scared to enter.” She surveyed the hall and living room with a suspicious look.
Dante grabbed her arm. “Come. We’ll check the place together so that you can sleep in peace.”
After touring the kitchen, living room, guestroom suite, and office, he stopped in her room, checked her closet and bathroom, and even scrambled down on the floor to glance under the bed. “It looks safe enough. Why don’t you go to sleep? I’ll be in your office.” He offered her a reassuring smile and walked out without closing the door.
Rooted in the middle of the room, she released a sigh of longing and regret. It wasn’t fair to let him while the night away on a sofa because of her unfounded and childish fears. On the other hand, she wanted him here, in her apartment, more precisely in her room and her bed. Just like the previous night. Except that, tonight he wasn’t jet-lagged, and she’d already had a nap.
With mechanical gestures, she peeled away her new outfit and neatly hung it, then slumped on the edge of the bed. Confusing thoughts clamored her mind as she buried her face in the pillow he’d slept on last night. A faint scent of lemon cologne lingered on the satin and stirred longing in her heart. Call him, let him take you in his arms.
Heat swamped her body and crazy fantasies assailed her mind. She and Dante rolling on the wet sand of the beach in the moonlight, the waves unfurling over their entwined limbs. Dante pulling her on top of his muscular frame on the leather bench of his boat. She, sitting on his lap, facing him as they rode a Jet Sky with the surf slashing them. More images piled up in her mind—pictures of them kissing, caressing, stroking. A moan escaped from her parted lips. Beads of perspiration moistened her forehead. She jerked away from the tempting pillow and forced herself to stand and proceed to the bathroom.
A shower would cool her overheated body. She yanked off her bra and her drenched bikini, and let the water refresh her skin. Invigorated, she dried her hair, slipped into a satin chemise trimmed with lace and a matching thong, and sprayed a whiff of her favorite after-bath fragrance on her throat. Much better.
She padded barefoot to her office and called, “Dante, I’m—”
The rest of her sentence stilled in her throat under his blazing stare. He slowly straightened and rose from the sofa. “Why didn’t you go to sleep?” he grumbled as his gaze roamed over her nightie and legs, burning her with its intensity. “Why aren’t you wearing pajamas?”
She shrugged. “I’m not sleepy and it’s too hot for p.j.’s. I’ll stay here and watch a movie. You can go home and rest.”
“I’m not leaving you alone.” He took a step forward. A scowl gathered on his forehead, but he reached for a long strand of hair on her shoulder and curled it around his finger, lightly pulling on it until she almost stumbled against him. “Alexa, please, go to sleep.”
His eyes reflected the desire that had engulfed her a moment ago and was coming back to her belly in hot waves. Dante wanted her. It was up to her to decide. She could go back to her room and lock her door, or...
A smile escaped her as joy bubbled in her chest. She’d never made love with a man of her choice. A man she trusted, appreciated, and wanted. How would it feel to sleep in Dante’s arms? Wonderful, her heart sang.
Without further hesitation, she slapped the lid on her worries and the outside world, and linked her hands around his neck. “I want to stay here with you.” She’d have her night of passion in Dante’s arms, real memories instead of created fantasies.
He threw his head backward and i
nhaled deeply. “We’re playing with fire, and I’m about to combust.” A shiver of anticipation slithered down her spine at the intense male look in his eyes.
“Let me feel the heat,” she whispered, with a flirty tilt of her head, although her breathy tone sounded eager and heartfelt. Playing with the silky tendril of hair at his nape, she rose on her toes and brushed her tongue across his upper lip.
Accepting her invitation, Dante brought her hard against his chest and invaded her mouth. He’d been waiting so long for her to come to him. Would she change her mind and stop him after a few kisses as she had on the previous days?
His hand splayed across her back, grinding her to him. His chest burned, and his lungs filled with her perfume and the scent of her skin. Their tongues entwined, tangled, and danced as his heart beat a happy staccato in his chest.
She pulled away and inhaled.
Immediately on alert, he released her and peered into her eyes, ready to revert to his role of protector and friend. Even if it killed him. He knew her trust in men teetered on a thread and he didn’t want her to compare him to Greg or Steve.
“What’s wrong? You didn’t like our kiss?” A pout scrunched her mouth, deliciously red from his kisses.
“Oh I did. Believe me I did. I thought you—”
“Stop thinking, please. We’ve done nothing else all day. My mind can’t accommodate another thought, but if you’re tired, or not interested, I’ll understand. You’ve been a great support. Thank you.” With a big sigh, she averted her gaze to the door.
“Now listen, I don’t want to push you or rush you. You’ve had bad experiences so far. I’m not like...others.” He’d rather not mention names and spoil the mood.
“Of course, you’re not.” She offered him a lovely smile. “That’s why I want you. That’s why I’ve dreamed so often of you coming back, of us together.”
No man could resist such a charming offer. “Alexa mia, I’ve been waiting for this moment since the last time I saw you, before my trip.” He touched her lips in a soft caress. Convinced she wouldn’t have a change of heart, he scooped her up into his arms. “How about moving to your comfortable bed?”