"Pleasure to meet you, Miss Melodie. Please call me Annie."
The wary smile brightened as she took Annie's hand.
"Well, Annie please call me Melodie or Mel if you like."
Annie's gaze turned toward his to silently ask permission. Belle's family operated strictly under proper Southern rules of etiquette. All children referred to adults as Mr. or Miss. He nodded. "If it's okay with her, it's okay with me."
"Are you hungry, Annie? I happen to have the very best Chicago-style pizza joint on speed dial on my phone. You like pizza?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Daniel, why don't you get your things settled, and I'll get dinner started."
He couldn't stand not touching her for one more moment. Closing the distance, his lips found the sweet spot right behind her ear. Though he preferred to kiss her senseless, he didn't want to explain his relationship with Mel to Annie until the dust settled, and all their cards were on the table. Belle had her faults, but Annie loved her, and he respected their relationship. "Thanks, Mel." He whispered, "I promise to explain everything after Annie goes to sleep."
She nodded but directed her next sentence to Annie. "Can you cook? I'm a horrible cook. Your dad probably already told you that though."
Her adorable little nose scrunched up. "I'm only eight." Again, as if that explained everything. "Daddy said you were a nice lady who might read me a story if I asked nicely."
"Well, he's right. As a matter of fact, if you check the dresser in my bedroom, there's a stack of books I brought home from the library I thought you might enjoy."
"Yay!!" Annie took off toward the back of the condo as though she knew exactly where the treasures were hidden.
Daniel started to call her back when Melodie's voice interrupted him. "Let her go. Nothing back there to hurt her. I even made the bed."
He moved in closer, pulling her body flush with his. He'd missed those soft curves. "Any chance we can unmake it in grand fashion later after Annie goes to bed?"
"I want to, but we probably need to talk first."
Possibly the most dreaded phrase any man could hear from a woman with whom he wanted to pursue a long-term relationship. So much he wanted to say…needed to say. He opted for the safe route for now. "Later, I promise. We'll talk." He shot a glance toward the bedroom. "Could I at least have a welcome back kiss?"
She returned his earlier gesture with a quick peck on his cheek.
"Not really the level of heat I was looking for." He buried his face in the sweet smelling curve of her neck.
She melted against him…just for a moment before her body stiffened. "I don't think it's a good idea. Annie could come down the hall any second."
So close.
He pulled out a chair and ran his fingers through the growing strands. A haircut needed to be on the to-do list. "Yeah, you're right, but damn I've missed you. I didn't have time to think about how much before. When Annie's grandfather called, I couldn't think of anything, or anyone, else. I called the airlines, booked a flight requiring a huge chunk of my miles, and left. All they'd tell me was she'd been in an accident." He took her hand and pulled her close. "Until you experience something like that, you can't imagine how it feels."
* * *
She embraced him and kissed him softly on the cheek before returning to the task of setting the table. "I'm pretty sure I do. Maybe not with a child, but I experienced it for a loved one after I received a bad-news phone call."
Daniel audibly sighed. Tom. Someone obviously called her with the bad news after his death. "Shit. You're right. I didn't mean anything by what I said, just sharing." He smiled. "I thought women liked that."
Forks and napkins followed. "We do, but I think we've established you've still got a lot to learn about women. And, I'm sure I have a lot to learn about men. I do know we both experience similar feelings of neglect, and we're easily convinced that we aren't worthy of love."
His head dropped. "I know I felt that when you walked out of the hotel room in Texas."
His words punched her squarely in the gut. The knock on the door stalled their conversation and gave her time to think. "Grab Annie, and I'll get the pizza."
He caught her arm before she walked away. "I never want to experience that again, and I never want you to either."
Finally, something they could agree on.
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
"Are you enjoying the extra cheese, Annie?" Melodie smiled at the melted strands dangling precariously between the young girl's mouth and the rest of her slice of pizza.
"Mmmm, very cheesy." She bit off the strands and giggled as the freed cheese wound around her hand.
"You could use a fork." Daniel groused.
Melodie used hers to free Annie's hand from its mozzarella prison. "No fun doing it that way, Dad. Lighten up."
Annie didn't respond as her mouth was full of deep-dish goodness, but her eyes sparkled as she nodded and grinned around the bite.
"I can see I'm outnumbered here. At least use a napkin to clean up the mess." He handed her a paper towel. "You need something bigger than a napkin tonight."
Her mouth finally empty, Annie grabbed the napkin and wiped her mouth. "I know." She turned her attention back to Melodie. "After pizza, will you read me some stories?"
Melodie's heart softened even further at the eager innocence sitting before her. "Of course. We'll have a princess pajama party once you're finished and have your bath." She cut a glance at Daniel to gauge his reaction. She was sure he'd been planning an adult pajama party for them…minus the pajamas.
"I can have a jamma party with Miss Melodie, can't I? Puhleese…"
Daniel's look said it all. He didn't want to agree but didn't stand any chance against the full measure of his daughter's exuberance. "Sure, princess. Now finish up, and I'll run your bath."
"Can Miss Melodie run my bath tonight?" Annie attacked the remaining bites of her pizza.
Daniel glanced in her direction. "If it's okay with Mel, it's okay with me."
"One bath coming up followed by a story or two."
Annie wiped her mouth and scurried off to get her pajamas.
"You and I are going to have an adult pajama party after the princess is asleep. This knight is going to get grumpy if he doesn't get to spend quality time with you soon."
Melodie stood and wrapped up the remaining pieces of pizza. "You need to brush up on your fairy tales. The knight only gets the girl after he slays the proverbial dragon."
He edged closer to her, the now familiar scent of his cologne washing over her like a powerful, yet evil, spell designed to make her forget her name. The softness of his lips, even warmer from the residual heat of the pizza, whispered across her mouth. A phantom touch similar to their earliest kisses and still capable of rendering her weak in the knees. If she didn't find the strength to pull away soon, she'd miss yet another party, a princess pajama party, no less.
His question came out in pieces as he nibbled gently on her ear. "And…who…or what…is the dragon…to win…the hand… of milady?"
"Miss Melodie!" The impatient voice called out from the bathroom. "I'm ready for my bath."
"Coming, Annie." The spell broken, she remembered where she'd been heading in her conversation with Daniel before he turned his charms on her. She kissed him fully on the lips before heading toward the bathroom. "My mother."
"What?"
"You want to capture milady's heart? Slay my biggest dragon, Marie Alexander."
* * *
Her mother? Great. His very first family function since the divorce, and he had the task of dealing with her mother. Daniel finished clearing away the remnants of dinner before pulling out his laptop. The giggling coming from the back of the apartment indicated all was well with his daughter. He'd check in on both of them in a little bit, but first it was time to put all those skills he'd learned in the army for getting at the truth to good use.
The lack of noise from the rest of the house finally registered. How long h
ad he been pouring through different search engines to learn about the two other Alexander women? Ten o'clock. Hours past Annie's bedtime and time to finish the adult conversation from earlier. The sooner they dealt with all of this, the better.
He walked quietly to the bedroom. His heart melted at the small splash of blonde and the larger splash of chocolate brown hair spread in beautiful disarray over the pillows. The angelic faces captured perfectly in sleep. A fairy tale book lay open between them, and their matching pink tops completed the feminine picture. Leaning over, he placed a tender kiss on each of their foreheads, removed the book, and tucked them in. As he went to turn out the light, he noticed an old family picture. Without a doubt, Evelyn resembled her mother, not only in personality, as Melodie had shared with him, but also in looks. Her father had the same dark hair and kind eyes as his sleeping beauty.
He turned off the light. The picture of a younger Evelyn Alexander sparked recognition and an idea. This time he wouldn't let Melodie down. He knew exactly how to slay this dragon, and a few phone calls or texts to some old friends would give him the weapon to ensure she didn't have to fear her dragon anymore.
Friday
"Are you divas, I mean ladies, about ready? We don't want to be late." Daniel had no idea why it took women, especially one eight years old, so long to get ready. He and Annie had spent most of the day shopping for a new dress, along with all the accessories Melodie insisted Annie needed. One thing was certain. If he convinced Melodie to marry him someday, without a doubt, he'd be outnumbered, outmaneuvered, and outvoted on every decision in which she and Annie collaborated. Between the sweet smile of his daughter and the smoldering eyes of his lover, he didn't stand a chance.
Beautiful. Not a fancy word, but the only one that came to mind when they finally emerged from the bathroom. Annie's powder blue dress, complete with ruffles and lace, made her look exactly like a fairy princess. White gloves and the matching purse completed her outfit. Damn, he'd done good. He and Belle might not have done anything else good together, but Annie represented the best in both of them. I want to believe I deserve such beauty in my life.
His eyes shifted to Melodie, and the warmth he'd experienced in his heart from his daughter surged lower and created an entirely different response as he drank in the sight of the woman he'd fallen head over heels in love with. The dark blue of her dress accented every asset she possessed. The curves…curves he'd missed holding, seemed to call out to him from behind their protective barriers, begging for his touch. The waves he'd loved running his fingers through swept up in some elaborate hairdo that left an appropriate amount of strands to cover the soft curve of her neck. Another curve he intended on spending time reacquainting himself with later.
A tug on his sport coat brought him out of the fantasy. "Daddy, don't we look pretty?"
He crouched down and brushed a lock of gold from Annie's cheek. "No, princess, you both look beautiful. So beautiful, in fact, you made your prince speechless."
Her laughter broke the spell. "You're so silly. Let's go. I'm ready for the party."
"Grab your coat, and I'll help Mel with hers." He picked up the lightweight coat and slid it over her slender arms, his lips finding their way to the most recent curve he'd been admiring. "Beautiful. Sexy. I have all kinds of adjectives to share with you."
She turned in his arms and returned the kiss, chaste, but at least the softness found his lips this time. "Thank you. Are you sure you're ready for this?"
He couldn't help himself. He pulled her into a hug and, for a moment, enjoyed the yielding feel of her body cushioned against his. This couldn't be more right, and now that he'd found her, he harbored zero plans to ever let her go. She shivered slightly in his embrace as he whispered in her ear, "I've never been more ready for anything in my life."
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
The familiar knot of dread settled low in her stomach as they pulled into the drive. The two-story, brick home provided an imposing picture of elegance and affluence to anyone who passed by. To her, a keen sense of dread and a lifetime of never quite being good enough. A warm hand on her thigh dispelled the spreading chill. Breathe. This was her family, not a firing squad. She allowed herself a small smile. Sometimes dinner conversation was worse than a firing squad.
"We've got this, Mel." He put the car in park and turned to the backseat. "We'll watch out for her, won't we?"
"I know, Daddy. We always protect the fair maidens in the kingdom along with the king and queen. 'Cept for when they're wicked. You're not wicked, are you, Mel?"
Their efforts worked, and she released some of the tension with a bright smile. Only when I'm in bed with your daddy. "I try very hard not to be. Shall we go inside the castle?"
Annie took her hand and stared up at her with wide blue eyes. "There isn't a wicked queen inside the house is there?"
Melodie crouched down next to her and offered a reassuring smile. "Not wicked but sometimes she gets a little grumpy, especially at me. Don't worry though. I promise your Dad and I won't let her be grumpy with you. Okay to go in now?"
"Yes." Her heart warmed at Annie's confident reply. Maybe this dinner would be different.
Melodie knocked on the door. Her father's smiling face greeted her. "Mel, glad you could make it." He pulled her into a hug and whispered, "And on time too. That should help."
"Melodie, is that you?" Her mother's voice rang out from somewhere within the house.
"Yes, Mother, we're here." She stepped into the house with her entourage close behind.
A moment later, the commanding presence of Marie Alexander filled the room. "So good of you to actually show up this time."
Daniel's deep voice prevented her from responding. "That was my fault, ma'am." He guided Annie to his side. "Actually, our fault."
"And you are?"
"Mother, this is Daniel Bresland and his daughter, Anastasia…Annie."
Annie curtsied. "Pleasure to meet you, ma'am."
Was that the tiniest of cracks in her mother's tough exterior as her gaze fell onto Annie? Evelyn's two-point-three children provided grandsons, but thus far no granddaughters had been gifted.
Marie crouched down to be closer to eye level with Annie. "And why is it you were responsible for my daughter not showing up to the last party we hosted?"
"She was in a car wreck with her mother, my ex-wife. I'm sure as a parent you can understand why I needed to leave in a hurry to make certain my princess was safe."
The challenge in Daniel's voice didn't go unnoticed by Marie, and she stood to her full five-foot-ten inches to return her attention to him. "That explains why you weren't here, not why she wasn't."
Here it comes. She wasn't even home five minutes, and her mother was ready to serve up the main course with her head on a silver platter. She opened her mouth to respond again, the knot in her stomach expanding and growing in density with each passing moment.
Daniel's arm slid around her waist as he pulled her close, quelling the rising panic. "As I explained, my fault. In my distress, I left in a hurry. Unfortunately, the note, explaining my absence, fell off the counter, so she didn't see it. Mel was worried for my safety and so upset she lost track of the time trying to reach me. You remember what it's like to be so into another person you forget about everyone and everything else, don't you?" He finished his statement by pulling Melodie closer and kissing her tenderly on the cheek. "From the moment I met your daughter, there's been an undeniable attraction—something special I can't explain. Of course, now that I've met her mother, there's no question where she gets her breathtaking beauty from."
Oh, he was good…very good.
Daniel released Annie's hand long enough to focus his attention solely on Melodie. His fingers caressed her cheek before lifting her chin for a tender kiss—not the one they'd both been wanting since he arrived yesterday, but enough. The undeniable pull of attraction—need—maybe even love—filled her body. Of their own freewill, her hands slid up his chest and around his neck, sa
voring the moment. Before they could get too swept away in the moment, he broke their connection.
His eyes never left hers. "Surely, Mrs. Alexander, you can understand, and forgive her—forgive us—for missing the party. Melodie's shared with me how successful her big sister is. I'm sure there'll be more occasions to celebrate."
Another knock on the door saved Marie from answering. Her face brightened considerably. "That must be Evelyn and her family."
Daniel didn't miss a beat. "I'm really looking forward to meeting her. I think we may have actually met before."
What the…? After all the conversations they'd had about her sister. Not once did he mention he'd met her. Familiar feelings of jealousy settled like rocks in her stomach. If he even flirted with her sister…She moved aside to allow her mother to pass, not missing the curious look Marie sent Daniel at his statement. Anyone who knew Evelyn was of interest to her. "You never told me you knew Ev?"
"I realized it last night, but as I recall, you had a princess pajama party, and I ended up spending the night on the couch."
She blushed, both embarrassed at the direction of her thoughts and relieved she'd fallen asleep reading to Annie. The woman in her knew she wouldn't have been able to resist Daniel's charms if they'd been alone, and especially not if his tempting body was next to hers in bed. "Are you going to tell me now?"
He kissed her again, pushing curiosity to a dark corner of her mind. If he kept this up, they'd be in major trouble with her mother when she dragged Daniel to her old bedroom and had her way with him.
His whispered breath across her ear turned her knees to jelly. "I'll fill you in later when you're naked and in my arms. Until then, know I intend to slay both dragons in your life tonight with one fell swoop of my sword."
"Eeewww, gross!" Her youngest nephew's protest at the public display of affection prevented her from saying or doing anything more.
She turned from Daniel's embrace and scooped Jason into her arms, tickling as she held him close. "Gross? Gross! I'm sure your mommy and daddy kiss too."
More Than One Night Page 14