by Toni Jackson
“No,” he said when he could finally catch his breath. “Sabrina loved my bank account.”
Sean smiled wider when Dani muttered under her breath, “I’ll bet there’s a lot there to love.” He laughed again. Holding tight when she would have pulled away, Sean would not let her hands go until their food arrived. They ate in silence, occasionally sneaking glances at each other. When she was not looking at Sean, Dani kept one eye on her food and one eye on the woman who had stopped by the table. Every so often Sabrina would look over at Dani as if she wanted to pick up her salad fork and jab it through Dani’s eyes.
Dani was glad when they finally left, but she did not believe for a moment that Miss Brunette was going to give up that easily.
CHAPTER 15
Night was falling when they arrived back at Dani’s house. To her surprise, most of the day was gone. If Sean had not shown up, her day would have been consumed by her sculpting. She could not remember the last time she spent a day away from her work.
Sean pulled into the driveway and placed the car in park. Before Dani could tell him that she had had a nice time and try to get away, Sean had gotten out and was opening her door. Dani was nervous as she walked towards the front entrance with Sean close behind her. She turned and considered trying to send Sean away, but reconsidered. Sean was watching her with that intense gaze again. Without saying anything, Dani opened the door and let Sean follow her inside.
His eyes narrowed as she walked through the door, kicked off her shoes and stretched out on the couch. He found that sexy as hell. Dani turned him on just lying there.
“Oh god, I’m so full I can’t move.” Dani groaned, stretching and throwing her arms above her head, causing her breasts to push up against her top.
Sean tossed his jacket onto a nearby chair and walked over to the couch. He liked the look of her house. It was comfortable. Family pictures and knick-knacks hung lovingly around the living room. The furniture, like the couch Dani stretched across, was made to be used by families, not to be used as a decoration. It was more than a house, it was a home.
Dani squinted up when she sensed Sean standing over her.
“What do I get if I can make you move?” Sean asked, huskily. Lifting her, he pulled her onto his lap, wrapping his arms around Dani to hold her close against the solid wall of his chest.
She relaxed against him until she felt him harden beneath her. “Umm, I’m awake now.” Pushing her hands between them, she stroked along the rising bulge in his pants. “Looks like someone else is awake, too,” she murmured. Dani smiled, feeling powerful, knowing that she was able to garner this response in him.
“Oh yes, wide awake,” Sean replied as he worked his hands under Dani’s top and unfastened her bra. Sean pushed his hips against Dani as his hands worked magic on her breasts, plucking and pulling at her nipples. One hand left her breasts to rub along her body, spreading heat everywhere they touched.
Dani’s body jerked as Sean reached between her legs and pressed against the seam of her jeans. His fingers circled around the area, not touching her there again, making her squirm.
“Baby, where’s your room?” he whispered, kissing her gently on her neck.
“Oh – in the back.” Sean helped Dani up then stood, leading her towards the bedroom, stopping every few steps to kiss her and pull clothes from her body. Once Sean had Dani naked, he picked her up and dropped her in the middle of the bed. He quickly undressed and lay down beside her, his hands roaming over her body. He could not stop touching her.
“Can I stay tonight?” Sean asked before leaning over to capture a nipple in his mouth. Dani squirmed as he ran his teeth across it.
“All night?” Dani whispered. If he kept that up, he could stay forever.
“Umm hmm.” Sean moved to her other breast and feasted.
“Oh yes.” Dani whimpered. “Definitely, absolute-,” she gasped as his mouth moved down her body, his tongue tracing circles across her skin until he reached her soaking wet center. Dani’s body jerked as his fingers parted her curls and tenderly touched the tiny nub. With a devilish smile, Sean leaned forward and began sucking gently on her, easing two fingers deep inside her, slowly stroking them in and out of her body. Dani’s moved in time with him until her body exploded, leaving her shaking and breathless.
“Sean,” she panted, grabbing his hair. “I need you.”
Sean groaned, lifting Dani’s legs over his shoulders and pushed to the hilt inside her, the movement sending her over the edge once again. He fought to stay still inside her, not ready to have it over so soon. His body shook with the effort of holding back. Once Dani’s breathing returned to normal, Sean let her legs fall, then wrapped his arms around her. He set a slow, steady pace, stroking back and forth.
Sean watched Dani’s face as she began responding to him once again. Lowering his head, he began kissing her. He sucked gently just above her collarbone, leaving a noticeable love bite. His mark. The sight of it roused something primitive inside of him. Sean wanted to mark Dani on the inside, too. He wanted to ruin her for any other man.
He heard someone groaning and realized that it was him.
Sean heard Dani whimpering his name as her body began to pulse tightly around him, pulling the seed from his body. Sean stayed up on his elbows, not wanting to put his full weight on Dani. He rolled to his side, pulling her with him, holding her tight within his arms.
Dani fought a losing battle to keep her eyes open. She was satisfied, but drained. All she could do was enjoy the feeling of being safe and protected in Sean’s arms. Just before she fell asleep, she heard Sean whisper in her ear. “Does that count as a long stoke?”
She smiled sleepily. “Oh, yes. Absolutely.”
“Good,” Dani thought she heard Sean mutter as she fell asleep.
CHAPTER 16
Sean woke Dani up early the next morning before he left. She savored the feeling of him spooning her from behind. “I’ve got to go to work baby.” Dani groaned like while he smiled down at her.
He dropped a kiss down on the soft brown skin of her shoulder, smiling as he watched her cover her head. Sean pulled her closer.
Dani could barely open her eyes.
“Why don’t you give me something to think about while I’m there?” Sean lifted Dani’s leg and slid inside her from behind. Her body immediately came to life beneath his hands. He could easily fall in love with this woman.
Sean closed his eyes and enjoyed the sensation of being inside Dani. Until now, he had never wanted someone all the time. One look at Dani and he wanted nothing more than to stay in bed with her all day. This time there was no urgency, just a sweet and tender moment between them.
Dani grumbled slightly as she felt Sean lift her from the bed.
“Take a shower with me, sleepyhead.” Dani smiled as she thought of the difference between Sean’s bathroom and hers.
Holding her hands, Sean helped Dani walk into the bathroom, then turned on the shower and adjusted the temperature. After a few moments under the shower’s spray, Dani opened her eyes.
“I can see you and I aren’t going to get along,” she mumbled.
Sean laughed at her pouting while he began to soap her body. “And why is that?”
Dani sighed in contentment as Sean ran soapy hands over her breasts. “You’re just too damn chipper in the morning.”
Sean laughed as he leaned in to kiss her.
Dani was growing on him.
CHAPTER 17
Dani went back to sleep the minute Sean left. He had managed to attack her again in the shower. Where in the hell did he get the energy? He was going to make some woman a hell of a husband someday.
After waking up around midday, Dani grabbed something light to eat and went into the studio. She managed to work the whole day undisturbed, mainly because she had left her cordless phone in the house.
Dani almost jumped out of her skin when she looked up to find Tina standing in front of her, arms folded, tapping her foot. “I don’
t know why I have to come down here and act like your mama.”
Dani smiled. “Whassup, girl?”
“That’s what I want to know.” Tina stepped forward through the dust. “God, don’t you ever clean this place up?”
“I’m used to it.”
Tina brushed off the loveseat and sat down. Dani had to admire her friend’s outfit. Tina wore three-inch high fuchsia heels, with a form fitting dark blue sheath. All her accessories managed to coordinate with her shoes, including the mini pouch that was not big enough to hold Dani’s car keys.
“I tried to call you yesterday and this morning,” Tina said arching an eyebrow.
Dani blushed. “Sean came by and took me to lunch yesterday afternoon.”
“A Sunday brunch, hmm. And then?”
“And then what?” Dani did not volunteer anything else, just brushed dust from her statue.
Dani focused on the statue, but a quick glance confirmed that Tina’s eyes narrowed. Only Tina could make her feel like a five year-old, even though she was two years older. “You slept with him again didn’t you?”
She sighed as she placed the brush down on the table. “Yes, Tina.”
“Dani, I know the sex is probably good-,” she stopped at the expression on Dani’s face and decided to try a different approach.
“Okay, it’s damn good. I just don’t want you to get hurt. This guy is known for changing women more often than some people change their drawers. I mean, I know I encouraged you to do it, but let’s be honest. According to the papers, he’s been avoiding marriage for years.”
“I know, Tina. It’s okay. I’m not looking for a husband. Especially not a million dollar playboy husband. When I’m ready for a husband, it’ll be for love. Somebody who I feel like I can trust not to have women running after him every moment of the day.”
Tina raised an eyebrow. “So you’re going to marry an ugly man?”
Dani laughed. “Haven’t you heard? Women are after the ugly ones, too.”
“Right, you’re right.” Tina looked at her watch. “Just be careful. He’s up to something. I just came by to tell you that you have to get down to the studio before Clay loses his mind. Oh, and you’ll be proud to know that I did behave myself the other night.”
“Good Girl.” Dani nodded. “I don’t think Clay can deal with any more irate wives.”
Tina smiled. “Me either.”
CHAPTER 18
Sean stared out of the huge windows of his office, thinking back to earlier that morning. Over the past month, he and Dani had fallen into a pattern. She worked on her sculptures during the day and he went to work. They spent their evenings quietly at Dani’s house or at a restaurant before going back to Sean’s house.
Last night, he stayed at Dani’s house. He brought Chinese food with him so she could finish some minor work on her latest statue. It all felt so domestic.
Leaving her this morning was one of the hardest things Sean ever did. His entire focus was beginning to shift and he needed to bring things back on track.
He picked up the phone and dialed Dani’s number. Sean frowned when she did not answer, but figured she was in her shop working.
“Hi Dani, it’s Sean. I have to take care of some business out of town. I’m going to be in Italy for the rest of the week. I’ll call you when I get back.”
He hung up the phone slowly, and then buzzed his assistant.
“I need my plane readied for a flight to Italy. I need to be air no later than three o’clock.”
“Yes, Mr. Davenport.”
Sean looked at his watch. One-thirty. Just enough time to get home and pack up what he would need for the next week. Standing up, he had just begun to pack up his papers when his assistant buzzed him.
“McKennon’s here Mr. Davenport.”
“Send him in.”
He watched as his head of security, and long-time friend walked in the door. For some reason, McKennon always reminded him of the man who used to play the cowboy detective in that old TV show, McCloud. His father always liked to watch it on the rare times he was at home. McKennon’s slow drawl gave people the idea that he was a slow hick, but the man had one of the sharpest minds Sean had ever come across.
“Leaving already Davenport?” McKennon said, smiling.
Sean smiled. “I need to close out this deal in Italy. I’ll be gone about a week.”
McKennon nodded. “Just figured I’d check with you about the other situation since I hadn’t heard back from you.”
“Actually, I’ve already put something in motion,” Sean said cautiously.
“Oh? So you did approach her about it? Did she agree?”
Sean stopped packing up his briefcase and placed his hands on his hips. “I didn’t…exactly make her an offer. After I read her file, I came to the same conclusion you did.”
“That she wouldn’t agree?” McKennon shrugged. “So what are you going to do?”
“I had to move on to plan B.”
McKennon crossed his arms and stared at Sean before responding. “Sean, I’ve known you for many years, but I have to honestly say that even though I don’t have a clue as to what you’re doing, I’m pretty sure I’m not going to like it.”
Sean had known McKennon for over twenty years, learning from him the little nuances his father did not have a chance to teach him before he died. “And I get the feeling you’re not going let this rest,” Sean continued.
“Nope,” McKennon said, getting comfortable in a nearby chair.
Sean sighed and sat back down in his chair. Keeping himself as detached as possible, he donned his persona as the calculating CEO and outlined his complete plan to McKennon. The further he got into his plan, the more McKennon’s face registered complete disbelief.
“Sean, you can’t be serious!” McKennon walked over and leaned forward on the desk. “Do you think she’ll give the child up to you without a fight? For god’s sake, Sean! With the exception of her two friends, she’s alone in the world! Her father died when she was a baby and her mother and grandfather passed on just a few years ago. The only family she’d have in this world would be that child.”
“You just don’t get it, do you?” McKennon shook his head. “There’s going to be a bond there between her and that child. A deep, strong bond. This isn’t one of those little money grubbing little debutantes you like to screw around with.”
Sean sighed, rubbing his hands over his face, his expression weary. “I know that, McKennon.”
“So you need to tell her what’s going on.”
Sean shook his head. “I can’t.” he sighed. “It’s too late. She will hate me and I’ll never get to see the child. The only thing to do now is follow it through.”
“Is it really all about the child? And how do you know she’s even pregnant?”
“I just know. That first night-,” Sean broke off, shaking his head.
McKennon searched Sean’s eyes closely. “You’re still sleeping with her aren’t you?”
He avoided McKennon’s gaze and reached down to close his briefcase. “Just to be on the safe side.”
“Yeah…I’ll bet.” To Sean’s surprise, McKennon smiled and turned to walk out of the door. “Just be careful that you don’t get caught up by your own lies.” The gruff detective stepped out and softly closing the door behind him.
Sean watched McKennon leave and sat back down in his chair. McKennon was right. Sean was in deeper than he wanted to admit. He just hoped it did not blow up in his face.
Ms. Davis buzzed him shortly after pulling him out of his daydream.
“Yes, Ms. Davis.”
“Mr. Davenport, your pilot said he’ll be ready to lift off by 2:30.”
“Thank you, Miss Davis.”
Sean forced himself out of the chair and towards the door.
CHAPTER 19
Dani came out of the garage and saw the light blinking on her answering machine. She frowned as she heard Sean’s message, then the one from Tina. Grabbing her cordle
ss, she took it with her into the kitchen as she quickly threw together a sandwich. She dialed Tina’s number.
“Hey chica!” Tina answered.
Dani laughed. She loved it when Tina was upbeat. “Hey Tina. What’s up?”
“That depends. Are you hanging with your boy Sean tonight?”
Dani pouted. “No. He left me a message saying he’s going to be in Italy for the rest of this week.”
“Um, hm, probably going to see some skinny plastic skank with silicone boobs.”
Dani could not help her burst of laughter. “Thanks a lot, Tina!”
“What you need is a night out. You never go anywhere, and lord knows it’s gotten even worse since you’ve been with lover boy. I don’t have a problem with people getting their freak on, but you two need to come up for air sometime!”
“That’s not all we do, you know,” Dani sputtered.
“Sure it’s not. You’re in denial, all the more reason for you to go out tonight. Besides, it will be good for him to see you don’t have to sit home and wait for him to show up. Be dressed when I get there at six. Don’t make me come looking for you!” Tina said.
Laughing, Dani had to take a deep breath before she could answer. “Okay, girl. Okay!”
Hanging up the phone, Dani padded into the bedroom to look at her closet’s meager offerings. The only thing that looked remotely appropriate was the dress she wore to the gallery for her showing – that she just picked up from the cleaners. “Oh well. I might as well get some more wear out of it.”
Dani showered, curled her hair, and was ready within minutes of Tina pulling up to her door.
Nodding her approval, Tina grabbed Dani’s arm and pulled her out the door. “Perfect. Let’s go!”
Tina dragged Dani to her favorite club, Dynasty. Latin beats pumped around her as they walked in and found a table. Dani still was not sure what the thrill was about club hopping. Every club Dani had ever been in was the same. A bunch of guys standing on the wall, scoping you out as you walk in, trying to feed you drinks so they can get laid. Tina was definitely a regular. Dani watched as person after person came to their table, some of them to talk to Tina, others trying their luck at making Dani the next notch on their belt. Dani danced with a couple of guys who seemed interesting, but they had so many hands it felt like dancing with an octopus. It was not until around 3 a.m. that she thought to look in her purse for her cellphone.