Dangerous

by Daniels, Suzannah

  “Okay. I’ll talk to Tom.” I trailed behind Stone as he went through the kitchen and into the front of the store. He seemed preoccupied. I had hoped that he might mention last night and how he thought our date went, but he seemed to be all business.

  I talked to Tom briefly, and he gave me Laura’s phone number. I watched the cash register and worked on the bookmarker order while Tom went to lunch.

  My mother was never far from my mind. I kept wondering whether she would make an appearance today, but I knew better than to get my hopes up. In all honesty, I couldn’t help but wonder what had made her drop by Granny’s the other day after all these years. Why now? I had accepted the fact that she was gone, that she would never be back. And yet, she had come back.

  I scolded myself for wasting any time even worrying about it. I had wasted too much time thinking about her over the years. Unless she showed up again, then I wasn’t going to even consider the possibilities. That way, I didn’t set myself up for disappointment.

  The doorbell chimed as more customers entered the bookstore. I could tell that business had picked up since we had started advertising, and I desperately hoped it would be enough to make Stone’s father happy.

  The doorbell chimed again. I smiled as I glanced in the direction of the door, but my smile quickly dissipated when I realized that it was Jessie. I knew that she and Stone had been dating for a while, but I was a little shocked at the unexpected feelings of jealousy that bloomed in the pit of my stomach.

  As always, she was dressed in an alluring miniskirt, and her long, slender legs ended in a pair of sexy high heels. I couldn’t keep myself from watching as she sashayed between two rows of shelves and went straight to Stone, who was putting out inventory and straightening merchandise. When she kissed him on the cheek, I turned my head. Stone had asked me to be his girlfriend, and I had declined. I knew I had no right to be jealous, but that didn’t stop the emotion from coursing through my body.

  I checked out a customer and tried to focus on the fact that it was a great sale. The customer had bought several books and movies, and I knew that these types of sales would go a long way in getting the numbers up enough to please Stone’s father.

  I glanced at Stone, and he was smiling at Jessie and apparently deep in conversation. I could never remember feeling jealous like this with Chance, and I hated the feeling. Jessie laughed, her attention focused solely on Stone. I desperately wished that I could go to the kitchen or out the back or anywhere where I didn’t have to watch them together, but since Tom was still at lunch and I was watching the cash register, I had no choice but to remain here.

  Focusing on the buttons on the cash register, I refused to look at them again. I felt like an intruder, and I had no intention of allowing my jealousy to get the best of me. Stone was free to do as he pleased. And so was I.

  I was more than a little relieved when she finally left. As the day progressed, a steady stream of customers continued to browse and make purchases. Stone had said little to me throughout the day, but I was due to get off in five minutes, and he now approached me.

  “Do you have plans tonight?” he asked from the other side of the counter.

  “Not really.”

  “Good. I’ll pick you up at seven, and we’ll go eat at Awesome Sauce.”

  His clear blue eyes studied me as he waited for me to agree. “Sounds good,” I said.

  “See you at seven.” He rushed out the back of the store, while I went out the front door to climb in Granny’s old car. I wondered if my mother would be there when I got home.

  If there was one thing about Tennessee in July, it had to be the horrible humidity and scorching temperatures. Having the windows down on the way home did little to keep me from perspiring.

  When I pulled into the driveway, Granny was rocking on the front porch.

  “Hey!” I called as I got out of the car. “You’re not with Mr. Milton?”

  “He’ll be here in a few minutes.”

  I climbed the porch steps. “Have you seen my mother today?”

  “No, honey,” Granny answered. “I haven’t seen hide nor hair of her.”

  “No big deal,” I said. “I didn’t expect her to show up anyway.”

  “I’m sorry, Dara.”

  “It’s okay, Granny. I was just wondering. I have a date with Stone tonight, so I’m going to go in and take a shower.”

  “Y’all have fun. I’ll probably be gone with George by the time you get out.”

  “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do, Granny.”

  “I would tell you the same thing, but then I think, no, I’d better not.”

  “Granny!” I shouted in feigned indignation. She had always acted much younger than her age, but since she had started dating Mr. Milton, I would swear that she was reliving her teenage years.

  I opened the screen door.

  “Dara,” Granny said, her voice sounding much more serious.

  I turned back to look at Granny.

  “On second thought, I think I’ll have George wait with me on the porch until you leave, just in case your mother does show up.”

  I shot Granny a small smile. Since the day I had been dropped into her lap, Granny had always put me over her own pleasures. “Granny, go have a good time with Mr. Milton. I don’t want my mother to keep us from having fun tonight. Most likely, she won’t show. If she does, I promise I’ll call you immediately.”

  Granny looked at me hesitantly. “It’s hard for me to believe that you’re all grown up now. I’m so proud of the young lady that you’ve become.”

  “You’ve done a good job, Granny.”

  She pursed her lips, and her eyes glistened. “My sweet, sweet Dara. What would me and Papa have done without you? You gave us a reason to get up in the morning.”

  Letting go of the screen door, I went to her, hugged her neck, and kissed her on the cheek. I heard a car pull into the driveway, and I looked up to see Mr. Milton peering over the steering wheel while he navigated the graveled drive. I turned back to her. “I love you, Granny. Now go have fun.”

  She patted my hand. “I love you, too, honey.” She wiped her eyes and stood up. “How do I look?”

  “Beautiful. Mr. Milton’s going to have a hard time resisting a hottie like you.”

  She smiled. “I hope so.” She sprang down the steps while Mr. Milton walked around the car and opened the passenger side door for her. When she reached him, she paused and called to me, “Call me if you need me.”

  “I will,” I promised, waving to her. “Bye.”

  She waved back at me, and I watched as they both got in the car and backed down the driveway.

  I glanced at the time on my cell phone and rushed inside to take a shower, so that I would have enough time to get ready before Stone arrived.

  I chose my favorite pair of blue jean shorts, a white fitted tank top with off-the-shoulder puffy sleeves, which showed off my tan, and a pair of brown cowboy boots. I was just finishing up my make-up when I heard a knock at the door.

  When I pulled the front door open, Stone nearly took my breath away. He wore a fashionable pair of blue jeans with a black, V-neck, pullover shirt that clung to his sleek, muscular physique. The V-neck exposed the promise of well-defined pectoral muscles, and I wanted to reach out and trace his neckline with my fingertips, though I didn’t dare do it. His ice blue eyes were clear and focused on me, and I trembled at his close perusal.

  I could feel my heart pumping furiously, and I wondered if I would ever be immune to his nearness. I breathed deeply, allowing the sexy scent of his cologne to fuel the fire already burning deep within me.

  He cracked a smile. “Oh, yeah, you want me.”

  I reached out and thumped him on the chest with my palm, though I wasn’t sure if it was really in indignation or if it just gave me a reason to touch him as I had wanted to do since I first opened the door. “Do not.”

  He stepped over the threshold, pulling me into his arms, and whispered in my ear, “Oh, b
ut you do. And I want you, too.”

  Before I could process his words, his lips were on mine. He kissed me tenderly at first, and then his kiss deepened, leaving a trail of fire blazing through my body. By the time he pulled away, I was breathless, and I could do nothing but stare into his smoldering eyes.

  His warm fingertips traced my bare shoulders. “In case you’ve forgotten, your name is Dara Golding.”

  I thumped his chest again. “I’m going to have a serious talk with Granny about keeping my secrets, but in the meantime, don’t let my comment go to your head.” Dramatically, I pointed my finger in the air, as if I had forgotten something. “Oh, wait, it would be impossible for you to be any more conceited than you already are.”

  He laughed and tugged me back into his embrace. “Conceited and a badass,” he whispered in my ear.

  “What was that? What did you say?” I asked, pretending that I couldn’t make out his words. “Conceited and an asshat?”

  Stone guffawed. “I see your hearing is as bad as your memory,” he said much too loudly.

  “What did you say?” I shouted, feigning difficulty in understanding him for a second time.

  He laughed boisterously again, fished his phone from his pocket, and began texting furiously.

  I watched him, wondering if he had gotten a message, maybe from his mother or Mike or even worse, Jessie.

  My phone vibrated in my pocket, and I pulled it out and looked at the screen, surprised that I had a new text message from Stone. I smiled and opened the message.

  Nothing will keep me from taking u out 2night. Not ur bad hearing or ur bad memory. Dara Golding (that would b u), r u ready to go eat?

  I bit my lower lip and tapped out a reply. Only if you let me drive. :)

  Drive what?

  Your motorcycle, of course. ;)

  Stone laughed out loud and texted again. U will never catch me riding on the back of a motorcycle. But I will let u rev my engine.

  I finished reading the text and squealed when Stone unexpectedly scooped me up. My feet flailed in the air as they dangled over his right arm, and I giggled like a ten-year-old. Being held in his muscular arms and breathing in the heady scent of his cologne made me giddy. I didn’t know what it was about Stone Hamilton, but when I was near him, all of my senses went haywire. I had never felt this way around another guy.

  He lowered me to my feet and pulled me against his body, one palm flattened against my back holding me firmly in place, and he kissed me, slowly, gently, purposely. His lips were soft and warm against mine, and he tasted of cinnamon. Gradually, he ended the kiss and rested his forehead against mine. “Have I told you how beautiful you are tonight?” he whispered.

  “No, I don’t think you have.”

  He stepped back and held me at arm’s length. “You’re freakin’ gorgeous.”

  I could feel my face burning a brilliant shade of red. “You look nice, too.”

  “I look nice?”

  I nodded my head.

  “I look nice? Come on, Dara. You can do better than that.”

  “You’re very handsome.”

  “Handsome?” he repeated. “Don’t you find me sexy?”

  I nodded my head affirmatively.

  “Then tell me.”

  I stared at him, horrified. What did he want me to say? I had already admitted that he was handsome and that I found him sexy.

  He closed the distance between us and whispered in my ear. “Tell me that I’m a sexy beast.”

  “You’re a beast, alright,” I blurted, gently pushing him back a step. “Fish for compliments often?”

  He chuckled softly. “What guy doesn’t want to hear those words from a creature as beautiful as you?

  “Okay,” he continued, “my ego is wounded. I guess we should go now.”

  “Your ego wounded? A sexy beast like you?” I clicked my tongue and shook my head. “Impossible.”

  He laughed again. “I’ll take it. Now, we can go with my ego fully intact.”

  I locked up the house and followed Stone to his bike. The wind on the ride to Awesome Sauce felt fabulous against my skin, and it wasn’t difficult to see why Stone loved his motorcycle so much. My arms were wrapped around his muscular torso, and my heart beat frantically in my chest as my body molded to his. If there was one thing that I had to admit about Stone Hamilton, besides the fact that he was dangerous, it was that he was exciting.

  Awesome Sauce was packed. As we walked in, I waved at Crimson and Scarlet, who were sitting with Chance and another guy that I couldn’t recognize from the back. I wondered if it was Mike, but the mystery guy was quickly forgotten when I saw Jessie sitting at a booth closer to us, her eyes focused on Stone. A twinge of jealousy ricocheted through my body, and I forced myself to ignore the unwanted emotion.

  Stone’s warm hand encompassed mine, fingers intertwined, and he led me to a booth on the opposite side of the building.

  He sat beside me, his arm resting protectively around my shoulders, his fingers gently stroking my upper arm. “Do you know what you want to eat?”

  I stared at the unopened, red-and-beige menu laying on the tabletop. I didn’t need to look at it. Eating at Awesome Sauce was practically a daily event for many of my friends and me. Stone and I agreed to split an order of nachos, and we each ordered a sweet tea.

  While we waited for our food to arrive, I tried to make small talk. “Are you excited about your parents coming home?”

  “I wouldn’t exactly say that I’m excited.”

  “Don’t you miss them?”

  He grunted, and I had no idea how to decipher it. I tried to fill the silence. “I know I’d miss Granny if she was gone for very long.”

  “It’s funny, isn’t it? How different people’s lives are,” he mused, still stroking my arm.

  “You know what else is funny?” I asked. “How much difference one person can make in your life.” I paused, and then added, “And how much difference you can make in one person’s life.”

  “Time out,” Stone announced. “We sound like a couple of sixty-year-old philosophers, sitting around in velvet robes, writing on scrolls with quill pens, trying to solve the meaning of life. Shouldn’t we be talking about something more age appropriate?”

  I looked at him and grinned. “I don’t know. I think you might look kinda sexy in a velvet robe.”

  “Of course, I would. I’m a sexy beast,” he informed me, a lascivious grin on his face.

  “What did you say?” I asked, cupping my hand around my ear as if I couldn’t hear him. “Did you say you’re a sexist pig?”

  He laughed. “Just for that, I won’t wear my velvet robe for you.”

  “Oh, darn,” I muttered as our server brought our sweet teas. “And I was so looking forward to that.”

  “Did you hear anything else from your mother?” he asked quietly.

  “Nope. Not a word.”

  “Are you okay with that?” He watched me with concerned eyes, and I was touched that he was checking on my welfare.

  “It’s exactly what I expected. So, yeah, I’m okay with that.”

  He squeezed my shoulders affectionately and patted my arm. “You’ve always got Granny.”

  “Yeah, Granny’s my rock.”

  The nachos were good, as always. Stone would pick some of the chips with the most toppings on them and feed them to me. I couldn’t help but imagine us lounging around in togas feeding grapes to each other. I wasn’t sure where the historical theme had come from tonight, but between the velvet robe and the toga, I wondered why I was picturing Stone in a dress. He was such a guy’s guy. Maybe that’s what made it so amusing. Then again, with his rock-hard muscles and undeniable good looks, he could probably pull it off. I figured while I was at it, I may as well picture him in a kilt, maybe playing a set of bagpipes. Or riding his motorcycle. I laughed out loud at that one. Somehow, I didn’t think a kilt and a motorcycle would be a good combination.

  “What is it?” he asked, looking at me susp
iciously.

  “Nothing,” I answered, unable to wipe the silly grin from my face.

  “You’re not a good liar, Dara,” he pointed out.

  “Are you?” I asked.

  He looked at me and frowned. “I’m good at everything.”

  I burst out laughing. “Not everything.”

  “What am I not good at?” he asked as if issuing a challenge.

  “Modesty, for starters,” I answered. “And you’re not a very good kisser.”

  It was his turn to laugh. “And I already told you that you’re not a good liar. But I guess if I’m not a good kisser, then I’ll have to wait for you to show me how it’s done. You have my word that I won’t kiss you again until you kiss me.”

  He was right, of course. He was a fantastic kisser, but I refused to feed his ego.

  “Are you ready to blow this joint?” he asked, raking his long fingers through his dark hair.

  “Sure.”

  “It’s your night. Where do you want to go?” he asked.

  “You want to see what’s on at the movies?” It had been a while since I had been at the theater.

  “Movies it is,” he said, sliding out of the booth with our check in his hand.

  After Stone paid the check, we left the restaurant and walked to his motorcycle. He handed me my helmet.

  “Dammit,” he ground out between clenched teeth.

  “What?” I asked, unsure of what had made him angry.

  He pointed to a piece of paper, rolled up and wedged in his handlebars. “You see that?” he asked.

  “What is it? Did you get a ticket?” I asked.

  “It’s one of those damn notes from your ex-boyfriend.”

  I hadn’t thought much about the notes since the last time Stone confronted Chance, but I couldn’t see Chance doing something like that. “What does it say?”

  Stone snatched the note up and unrolled it. “Dara’s not the one for you.”

  My breath caught. Why would Chance do that? I knew he had mentioned getting back together, but he knew how I felt.

  Stone glanced around the parking lot. “There he is now.”