Your One True Love

by Layla Hagen

  “Damn right, you are. When do you have to be at work?”

  “In two hours.”

  “So how come you woke up so early?”

  “The bed was cold. I needed you.”

  Wham! Shot straight to the heart. I needed you. Three simple words are all I need to feel like I’m walking on a cloud. Leaning forward, he traces the contour of my lips with the tip of his tongue. I feel every lick straight between my thighs.

  Gathering my wits, I push him away. “Stop tempting me or I won’t leave the house in time.”

  “Sounds right up my alley.”

  “Daniel Bennett, don’t think you can bribe me with sexy times.”

  “How about pancakes?”

  I do a double take. “Come again?”

  “I can make us pancakes.”

  “You don’t cook.”

  Daniel winks. “You’re behind the times, Caroline. I added some skills on my résumé over the years.”

  Mouth open, I stare at him. “Hang on, I need more info. How did this happen? You survived on takeout during college, and Blake’s fried eggs.”

  “Yeah, but takeout is not healthy. Loaded with fats and sugar. Had my nieces and nephews sleep over a few times. Learned to cook the basics for them. Pancakes are everyone’s favorites.”

  Ahem, I’m not melting. Not melting. Not melting. Yeah, who am I kidding? I melted already sometime between “nieces” and “favorite.” Daniel, the family man. That’s something I look forward to seeing. I mean, he’s always been close to his parents, overprotective of his siblings, but just the thought of Daniel cooking for his nieces and nephews does things to me.

  “You look like you just had an entire conversation in your mind just now.”

  I smile sheepishly. “Yeah, we women tend to do that.”

  “Walk me through it. Can’t read minds. Not part of my skillset, I’m afraid.”

  “No, I don’t think I will.”

  He levels me with his stare. Stepping closer to me, he brushes a strand of hair out of my face. Uh-oh. I can practically feel my determination slipping away. Pulling myself straighter, I try to work in every ounce of severity I can muster in my tone.

  “Now, don’t go all intense and domineering on me.”

  “I have other ways of persuading you.”

  I try to look away from his eyes, or mouth. Unfortunately, the rest of him is just as distracting, if not more so. Why isn’t he wearing his shirt? All those hard muscles and defined lines on display is messing with my concentration—not to mention my hormones. In an attempt to put some distance between us, I step back, hitting the counter. Placing my hand on his chest, I shove him gently away. He takes the hint and steps back, but unfortunately, his taut skin simply feels too good under my fingers for me to let go, so instead of retracting my hand, I trace the dents and planes of his abs, the V-shaped lines.

  He groans. Oops, lost my head there for a second, and my hands somehow ended up at the rim of his jeans. Flashing him what I hope is a convincing doe-eyed look, I grin, letting my roaming hands drop.

  He grips my hips, aligning our bodies. I burn for him at every contact point. Skimming his hands up, up, up the sides of my rib cage, he stops when his thumbs are level with my breasts. Dragging them inward, he flicks my nipples over the fabric until they’re tight peaks, until my entire body is wound up.

  Then he kisses my forehead and steps aside, biting into his own sandwich, leaving me so hot and bothered I’m entertaining thoughts of an incognito trip to the shower. I need a cold spray.

  “By the way, my parents are hosting a Halloween party at their house next week,” he says.

  “Halloween? That’s new.”

  “Eh, Halloween is a much bigger draw for the kids than Thanksgiving, I’m telling you. And all the adults are having a kick out of wearing costumes too.”

  “Wait, what? I can’t picture—all adults, really?”

  He nods, chuckling. “Yeah. It’s a sight, all right. I’d never thought Sebastian or Logan would be up for it, but you wouldn’t believe what parents will do for their kids.”

  “What are you going as?”

  “Pirate.”

  Pressing my lips together, I fight hard not to laugh, but I lose the battle, giggling.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “You, channeling your inner five-year-old. A pirate.”

  Daniel points a finger at me. “Stop laughing or I’ll tickle you.”

  The laughter dies in my throat at once. I take tickling threats seriously. I am the most ticklish person there is, which Daniel knows well.

  “You’ll need one too.”

  “One what?” I ask, confused.

  “A costume.”

  Is he saying what I think he’s saying?

  “You want me to come to the party?”

  He winks at me. “Yeah. Come with me. Unless you have plans already?”

  My pulse ratchets up, pounding in my ears. Wow. Wow.

  Daniel doesn’t easily invite others to family events. Summer and Pippa told me that he hasn’t brought a date to any event in years. Even after we got together in college, it took a while for him to ask me to join him at family gatherings as his date.

  “No plans. I’d love to join.”

  Truth be told, Halloween doesn’t even make my top ten list when it comes to favorite holidays, but no way in hell would I miss a chance to spend time with Daniel and the family.

  “Great. I know a costume shop. I’ll take you there this week.” Mercifully, he shrugs into his shirt, buttoning it up. “Let’s go or you’ll be late.”

  I stand on my toes, kiss his cheek. Then, feeling feisty, I steal his sandwich.

  “Mmm, this is delicious. So, what other skills have you acquired over the years? Just so I’m not gobsmacked again.”

  Daniel cuffs my wrist in one hand, stealing back the last mouthful of the sandwich. After swallowing it, he leans into me until his breath is on my lips. “I’ll allow you the pleasure of discovering them. We have ten years’ worth of catching up to do.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  Caroline

  On Thursday afternoon, I’m speeding through downtown San Francisco like a Tasmanian devil, but I’m going to be late anyway. I’m meeting Daniel to buy a Halloween costume, and I’m supposed to be in front of the store in five minutes.

  “I’m so sorry I’m late,” I exclaim twenty minutes later. Parking was a nightmare, and I’m not entirely sure I parked legally.

  “No problem.”

  “So, what is this place?” I inspect the display, trying not to let the grizzly masks spook me. The horror aspect of Halloween is why I’m not so crazy about it. But Daniel looks excited, so I don’t voice the thought.

  “Christopher’s wife, Victoria, discovered it some time ago. The entire family buys their costumes from here.”

  “Why?”

  “The owner keeps track of who bought what so no one ends up having the same costume as anyone else.”

  “Wow, you guys take your costumes seriously.”

  Daniel grins. “Dead serious. Come on in.”

  The inside of the shop is much larger than I would have guessed. It’s narrow but goes all the way to the back of the building. All around us are costumes, masks, and supplies: everything from fake blood to fake cobwebs—at least I hope they’re fake—to vampire teeth that look surprisingly real. Daniel takes my hand, as if it’s the most natural thing in the world, and I sigh, relishing the warmth and security his touch gives me.

  “Hey, you two!” a woman greets from behind the counter. She has shortly cropped hair streaked with neon pink, and the ends are spiked with gel. She’s even more vibrant than the store.

  “Hi, Violet,” Daniel says. “We’re here because Caroline needs a costume.”

  She nods, tilting her head to one side. “You don’t strike me as the type who goes for the spooky costumes.”

  “You’re absolutely right.”

  “I have just what you need,” she
says confidently. “I’ll take some outfits in the changing room for you. If you see anything you like, grab it and bring it in the changing room too.”

  I turn to Daniel, sizing him up.

  “What?” he inquires.

  “Trying to decide what would go with a pirate.” I continue to eat him up with my gaze, intending to fully take advantage of the guise of studying him and visualizing him in his pirate costume. He’s wearing a simple polo shirt today. He’d have no problem making a living modeling. The man is a piece of art. I don’t think I’ll ever tire of drinking him in.

  “Found anything you like?” Violet asks, reappearing beside us. “I took Cinderella and Snow White costumes in the back for you.”

  I perk up at this. “Oh, so princess costumes are allowed?”

  “Sure,” she answers.

  “I’ll go right to the changing room and try them on.”

  Violet leads me to the back with Daniel hot on my heels. Even though he’s at least a foot behind us, I can feel his presence, his gaze on me.

  “Oh, this is beautiful,” I exclaim upon seeing the costume. “Let’s see how I look in it.”

  Violet nods. “You’ll need help zipping it up in the back—”

  “I’ll do it,” Daniel says. His voice is deceptively neutral, but I don’t miss the spark in his eyes. A shiver runs through me, and I inadvertently lick my lips, focusing on the costume.

  “Right, you’re banned from going anywhere near the changing room, Daniel,” Violet exclaims. “No sex in my shop. I mean it. You’re looking at her like you want to eat her up.”

  My cheeks heat up at her bluntness. Daniel merely laughs, shaking his head.

  “I’m with Violet,” I tell him. “You’re not even allowed in the changing room. Sit there, and I’ll come out and model for you. I can zip myself up no problem. Plenty of practice.”

  Daniel’s eyes darken, and my resolve nearly melts under his scrutiny, but I stick to my guns. See, it’s not just that I like adhering to common standards of public decency, but I love riling Daniel up, teasing him. So I pull the curtain of the changing room almost all the way closed. Enough for him to be able to see the peep show, enough to leave him wanting more. Oh hello, inner vixen, where have you been?

  Once the costume’s on, I decide this is the one. I don’t need to try on anything else. This just fits right. Smiling, I step outside. Daniel sits in the armchair opposite the changing room, sizing me up with hunger. Whoops, I forgot all about the peep show I gave him, and I’m wearing the red lingerie he bought me for my birthday.

  “You look fantastic in it,” Violet says, startling as the bell rings at the front and the door opens. “Have to go greet the customer. If you need me, shout.”

  “I love it, and I’m buying it,” I announce.

  He rises from the armchair, closing the distance to me, taking my hand and twirling me around once. “I’m buying it for you.”

  “No, you won’t. I can afford it.”

  “It’s not a question of affording it. You wouldn’t need to buy it if it wasn’t required for the party.” His voice is low but determined.

  “But—”

  “If I want to buy my girlfriend a Halloween costume, I damn well will.”

  Warmth travels through me at his words, and I instinctively squeeze his hand. He frowns slightly, looking down at our interlinked hands, then back up.

  “What?”

  “You called me your girlfriend.” I have no idea why I’m whispering.

  He searches my expression. “That a problem?”

  I shake my head, hoping he didn’t get the wrong idea. “No, I just... it sounds so lovely. I almost can’t believe it.”

  Drawing circles with his thumb on the back of my hand, he says, “Let me get something straight and out of the way. I would have never pursued you again if I didn’t want this to be serious.”

  His expression clouds and I gulp, wanting to kick myself. How on earth did I manage to get him so worried? Biting the inside of my cheek, I debate if I should bring up the fact that I can’t have kids now. Isn’t it too soon? We’ve only been back together for a week.

  Yeah, but this has been ten years in the making, a tiny voice says at the back of my mind. Telling men about this hasn’t worked out so well for me in the past. The first relationship I had after the surgery crumbled the second I told him. He accused me of waiting too long—two months—to tell him, of being dishonest. Learning from my mistakes, I brought the issue up on the third date with the next guy. It didn’t go down well.

  We haven’t even fucked, and you’re thinking about marriage and kids? I’m out of here.

  I took a long break from dating afterward. A break which lasted until Daniel. And here’s the thing: I know he wouldn’t react like the jackasses before, but this still won’t be an easy conversation. And one week into a relationship really is too early to bring this up.

  “I want this to be serious too, Dan,” I say softly. “That’s always my problem, isn’t it? I jump all in until I’m over my head.”

  “Then jump all in, love. I’m here to catch you.” His lips curl up in a smile, his voice soft but determined. His beautiful words travel straight to my heart.

  “I’m swooning a bit,” I inform him. Both his hands are cupping my face. He touches the tip of my nose with his.

  “If it’s just a bit, I’m not doing my job right.” He drags the tip of his nose up and down my temple. “Must up my game.”

  He seals his mouth over mine in a kiss that’s as hot as it is sweet. His hands travel down my neck, arms, and then he fits his fingers over my rib cage, his thumbs flicking once over my nipples. Once is all it takes to turn them into hard nubs and to drench my panties. Damn this man and the spell he has on me. Yeah, I’m going to stick to blaming him for the way my body acts. Sounds like a great plan.

  Trailing his mouth to my ear, he says on a growl, “Give me your panties.”

  “Why?”

  “You teased me enough in the changing room. Now I’m going to tease you. Take off your panties and give them to me.”

  “When will you give them back?” I ask shyly. Thank heavens Violet is busy with the customer in the front.

  “When I want to.”

  Cue lady parts tingling. Every single one of them.

  The twinkle in his eyes intensifies. “Still haven’t given me your panties.”

  I back away into the changing room, then slip my hands under the long skirt of the dress and pull the thong down, all under Daniel’s intense scrutiny. He holds out his hand, his fingers touching mine as he takes the thong. The contact zings through me.

  “Change back, and then we’ll grab something to eat.”

  ***

  Daniel

  “Why aren’t you answering?” Caroline asks as I mute my cell phone for the fifth time since we ordered.

  “Because this guy always keeps me on the phone for at least half an hour. He’ll get the drift eventually.”

  We’re at a Spanish restaurant, and I intend to enjoy every single moment with her. The rest can wait.

  “Is it work stuff?” She sits up straighter, a strand of hair falling across her cheek. She brushes it away, training her eyes on me. “How did the events you told me about on Sunday go?”

  “Like I expected. No photos leaked, so I’m gonna need to bait whoever’s doing it.”

  “Meaning?”

  “I’m going to talk to them, tell them a story. Some cock and bull about how the company is in trouble.”

  She takes a sip of her chardonnay and frowns. “I don’t get it. Why would tabloids be interested in something like this?”

  “They won’t, but local business magazines are going to be very interested, and they pay well for exclusive stories. I’m friends with most of them, so I expect them to call me to confirm the story before they publish it.”

  “And then you’d know who leaked it. Wow, my head is spinning. Can I help in any way?”

  “You’re sweet, but I
’d never drag you into something like this. I’ll sort it out.”

  “It sucks you have to do this at all.”

  “Yeah. I’m going to cancel all celebrity events until I figure out who’s behind this.”

  “Wow.”

  “I can’t risk any more leaks. It’s not just about my reputation, but these people trust me with their privacy. If I can’t guarantee it, I’m not going to lie about it.”

  “But won’t this affect your income?”

  “Yeah, it will.” On a grin, I add, “Why? Will you ditch me if I’m poor?”

  She returns my grin. “Aw, I’ll gladly take you in if you need a place to live. Purely out of the goodness of my heart. Not because you make tasty sandwiches. Or because you give me great orgasms.”

  “Very magnanimous of you.” Before I get the chance to say anything more, the host of a famous talk show approaches us. She’s a regular client of mine. I stand, shaking her hand, focusing on her white hair because every time I look at her long, red, clawlike nails I almost gag.

  “Daniel, how great to see you. We need to catch up soon.”

  “Anytime, Cecilia. May I introduce you to my girlfriend, Caroline?”

  Cecilia flashes her a bright smile. “You look familiar. Where have I seen you before? An actress, perhaps?”

  Caroline shakes her head good-naturedly. “No chance. I’m a teacher. But maybe I have a famous doppelgänger.”

  Cecilia’s smile falters at the word “teacher.” She recovers quickly, but I don’t miss the moment, and neither does Caroline. Her shoulders slump a little, even as she juts her chin forward with pride.

  “Well, how nice.”

  That just pisses me off. “It is, isn’t it? One of the noblest professions, if you ask me. Educating young minds.”

  “Yes, yes, of course. Well, it was nice seeing you. I wish you both a pleasant evening.” Cecilia smiles indulgently before walking away.

  “I’m sorry,” I tell Caroline as we both sit again.

  “Nothing I haven’t seen before.” She waves her hand, as if saying, “forget it,” but I know better. This is a sore spot for her. I liked her mother, but she often—and openly—criticized Caroline’s choice of profession, insisting she should have chosen something that paid better. “What you told her was very sweet. But you don’t have to defend me.”