Fair Play

by Shay, Janna

  Dani let out a shaky laugh. The ball was in Jace’s hands. The only thing she could do now was pray. She spied Jace staring at her as she climbed the stairs. She couldn’t determine if his eyes were cold or warm from this distance, so she walked slowly and seductively, hoping he’d notice her legs as she climbed. As she drew near, she skimmed her hand from her ribs to her thigh slowly, noticing his eyes follow her hand. Her breath stopped while she waited for his eyes to raise to hers so she could see if the coldness was still there. For one brief second his eyes weren’t frozen green, but hot molten amber, before reverting to ice. She swallowed the moan of anguish clogging her throat.

  When Dani reached the table, she watched as Jace’s eyes raked her body, lingering at every curve from top to bottom. When his gaze returned to her face, he taunted her. “Dani. I notice you wore your battle gear. Who’s the bastard you’re trying to annihilate this time?”

  She cringed at the coldness in his voice. Her chin lifted with a bravado she didn’t feel. “I came up to wish you Happy Birthday. Whether you believe it or not, I never meant to hurt you. I’m sorry for everything and wish you nothing but the best in your life. I won’t be staying long so you don’t have to worry about me raining on your parade. Goodbye, Jace.” She turned and hurried down the stairs before he could spy the tears forming in her eyes.

  Julie sat down. “Sometimes you can be such a bastard.”

  Jace clenched his teeth. “Keep out of it, Julie.”

  “No, I won’t. Someone needs to knock some sense into that thick skull of yours. She’s been trying to talk to you and make amends for what went on between you, but you won’t give an inch.”

  “You don’t know anything about it.”

  “I know plenty. I know she made a mistake when she didn’t trust you. I also know she threw it back in your face when you told her you loved her. But unless you’re an ignorant ass, you’d notice there’s something that makes it hard for her to trust or love. From my experience of dealing with people, when that happens, there’s usually some kind of abuse in their past. Tomorrow morning she’s leaving. If you love her like I think you do, you’d better swallow that wad of pride you’re stubbornly holding on to and go after her, or you’re going to be sorry.”

  Jace kept silent. Julie stood up, placed her hands on the table, then leaned toward him. “I like you. You’re a great boss and a great guy, who usually has a good head on his shoulders. But you’re riding on a two-edged sword my friend, and you’re going to bleed.” She stood up and walked away.

  “Are you okay?”

  Dani swiveled toward Julie, who’d taken the barstool next to hers, then tossed down the shot of vodka, relishing the burn of the liquor, wishing it would obliterate the hurt. “I’m fine. We both knew there’d be the chance he’d reject me, and he did. At least I tried.”

  Julie reached over and gave her a hug. “I’m so sorry. If I knew he was going to be such an ass, I would never have suggested you try this. Can you forgive me?”

  “There’s nothing to forgive. I was a willing participant in this fiasco and knew the risks. Don’t blame Jace, though. He can’t help how he feels. I’m going to go now, before I bring the party down.”

  “Don’t leave yet. You went to all the trouble of dressing and you look so great, stay a while. Don’t give Jace the satisfaction of knowing he ran you off.”

  Steve walked over to them. “Besides,” Julie said, “Steve told me he wants to dance with you. You don’t want to disappoint him, do you?” Julie motioned to Steve to lead her to the dance floor.

  “Will you dance with me?” Steve asked with a mischievous grin on his face. “I want to make Eddie crazy. He thinks he’s in love with you after one dance.”

  Dani forced a half-hearted smile to her face. “I’d love to dance with you, even if I don’t believe your reasons.”

  Once they were on the dance floor, Dani leaned toward Steve and spoke in a soft voice. “Thanks for dancing with me. I know you agreed to make Julie happy. You’re good for her, you know.”

  “I’m crazy about her. She’s the greatest person and has so much to give to everyone.”

  “I love her to death. She’s my best friend,” she said, and a wave of sadness washed over her. “You know, she’s the only real friend I’ve ever had, and I’m going to miss her terribly.”

  Steve tilted his head. “Are you going somewhere?”

  “I’m surprised Julie didn’t tell you. I’m leaving Vegas in the morning.”

  “Does this have anything to do with Jace?”

  She gazed at him before answering. “No, it has everything to do with me and my stupidity. Do me a favor, will you?”

  “Sure. Name it.”

  “Be good to Julie and take care of her. She deserves all the happiness in the world.”

  “Not a problem. I love her. I haven’t told her yet but I figured I’d put your mind at ease.”

  “Thanks for that. Your secret is safe with me especially as I won’t be around to spill the beans,” Dani said on a half laugh, half sob.

  Steve got a worried look on his face. “I don’t mean to upset you, but Jace is headed this way ... alone. Do you want me to waylay him?”

  “No, he isn’t coming this way for me. We’re not together anymore.”

  Jace tapped Steve on the shoulder. “Do you mind if I cut in?”

  Dani’s heart fell when she felt Jace’s hand on her back. She closed her eyes afraid to see the biting frost in his eyes.

  “Afraid to face me?” He yanked her body closer to his.

  Jolts of electricity shot through her body, nearly bringing her to her knees. Damn him for torturing her like this. He knew damn good and well what his proximity was doing to her. Her spine stiffened as she fought the heat coursing through her veins. She raised her chin and opened her eyes. “Is this Round Two? Didn’t throw enough daggers the first time so you came to finish the job?”

  “Damn it. I’m not the one that walked away,” he said, anger evident in his voice.

  “No, I did, but you’ve made it impossible for us to part as friends. After tonight, you won’t have to worry about running into me, because I’ll be gone.”

  “No.”

  “No what?”

  “You’re not leaving.”

  Dani laughed bitterly as she felt the pressure of tears behind her eyes. “Forgive me if I don’t finish this dance, but it’s time for me to leave.” Dani tried to draw away, but Jace’s arms prevented her from moving. Her eyes lifted to his. “You have to let go.”

  “I can’t. I know I haven’t the right to ask you, but will you come upstairs to talk?”

  “For what purpose? It’s obvious you’re still irate about my walking away. What good will it do?”

  “Please.”

  Something in his voice made her nod. Wordlessly she allowed him to lead her off the dance floor. She waited quietly while Jace poured them both a glass of champagne then turned toward her. “I’m sorry. I know I caused you a lot of heartache, but I couldn’t forgive you. At first I was angry because you didn’t trust me enough to believe me. I may not have liked what happened, but I was able to understand your reasons. But when you walked away, I couldn’t forgive you.”

  “Seeing you and Arlene in the lounge about killed me,” she said. “I thought everything was good between us until Arlene told me she was your girlfriend and always had been. When you went to dinner with her, I started doubting you. When I witnessed that kiss between you, I knew she was telling the truth.”

  Jace took her hand in his. “I only dated Arlene one or two times then couldn’t stand to be around her. We were never together.”

  “I know that now, but at the time I didn’t. When you declared your innocence, I had no way of knowing if you were telling me the truth. I’d seen with my own eyes that kiss in the lounge. The only thing I was sure of was I couldn’t let myself be used by any man again, so I walked out.”

  Jace’s voice became quiet. “That’s what I couldn’t
forgive.” Dani’s read the torment in his gaze when he looked at her. “You walked away from me just like my mother. I felt my body shut down and close you off, and I couldn’t stop it. You didn’t want my love, and neither did she.”

  She reached over and hugged him. “Oh Jace, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you. It isn’t that I don’t want your love, it’s that I’m afraid to accept it.”

  “What are you afraid of, Dani? Who hurt you so badly it made you walk away from me?”

  Dani felt the telltale cramping of her stomach. She sipped the champagne, knowing her voice would tremble if she spoke.

  “It’s obvious you’re afraid to talk about it. I’ll let it go, for now. Do you forgive me for being pig-headed and hurting you?”

  She caressed his cheek with her palm and cleared the knot from her throat. “If you’ll forgive me for walking away.”

  Jace framed her face and lowered his mouth to hers. His lips moved over hers hungrily.

  “It’s about damn time.”

  Dani started, then glanced up at Julie smiling broadly at the top of the stairs.

  “Maybe now we can get this party started.” Julie gestured toward the lounge. “Can you save it for later, guys, right now you need to come downstairs and have some fun with the rest of us.”

  Sufficiently chastised, Dani stepped out of Jace’s embrace, then allowed him to escort her arm-in-arm back to the party. Her heart felt lighter and she stood straighter, the tension having eased out of her shoulders. While her seduction hadn’t gone exactly as planned, Jace had forgiven her.

  When Jace handed her a glass of champagne, after ordering some for everyone, she brushed his hand, reveling in the sparks of attraction warming her body. Dipping her finger in the champagne, she placed her finger in her mouth, sucking the taste of the sweet bubbles. She tossed Jace a seductive look, then noticed with glee as his forehead broke out in a sweat.

  “Later,” he mouthed and a gush of heat pooled between her thighs. The week without him had been too long. He took the seat opposite her while Julie sat on her other side.

  A fist tightened around Dani’s chest as she spotted Arlene. She motioned to Jace, whose face hardened as the woman at the center of their misunderstanding approached their table and plopped down next to Jace without an invitation. Dani felt her blood pressure rise as anger swamped her body.

  Julie squeezed her, “Careful, your claws are showing.”

  “I’m going to tear that bitch’s hair out at the roots if she doesn’t stay away from Jace.”

  Arlene grabbed Jace’s glass. “Ooh champagne, my favorite.” She took a sip from the glass, then tried to put the glass to Jace’s mouth, but Dani leaned across the tabletop and jerked it out of her hand.

  “Stay the hell away from Jace, Arlene. He’s taken.” Dani spoke in a low voice, so only those at their table could hear. But there had been no way to disguise the barely controlled anger.

  Arlene pouted and stomped her foot. “Jace, are you going to let her talk to me like that?”

  “Yeah, I am. I suggest you listen to her because she can be mean.”

  After Arlene stomped away, Dani hit Jace’s arm. “Mean? Is that what I am?”

  He reached over and drew her mouth to his and gave her a scalding kiss. “Only when you want to be.”

  Dani glanced at Julie. “Shall we get the cake and presents now?” They needed to get this show on the road so she could get back to business with Jace.

  “Sure, let’s go.”

  They were gathering the presents when Dani gave Julie an impulsive hug. “Thank you for helping me. I would’ve lost him if it wasn’t for you.”

  Julie winked. “Does this mean you’re staying?”

  Dani hugged her. “You know it does. I love you. You’re more than my best friend. You’re the sister I always wished for.”

  Julie’s eyes misted. “I love you, too, but don’t get the wrong idea because I’m a straight shooter. I only date men.”

  Dani started laughing. “Only you.”

  Julie collected the rest of the presents. “Come on, let’s go have some cake and shut this party down so we can go home and get some mind-blowing sex.”

  “My thoughts exactly.” Her body warmed at the thought of what the night held in store for her.

  Dani held her breath as Jace opened her present, a gold business card holder with his name engraved on it. His gaze warmed as he thanked her. When the last present had been opened and the guests had started mingling again, Jace held his hand out to her. “Are you going to dance with the birthday boy?”

  Dani’s eyebrow rose as she followed him out to the dance floor. “So you consider yourself a boy now? Did you get emasculated while we were apart?”

  He wrenched her body to his. “I know you’ve felt the proof of my manhood, but if your memory is short, I’d be more than happy to remind you.”

  She ran her hand up his arm. “Oh, I know you’re all man. My memory is excellent and I remember every detail. I was just checking to see if everything was still intact.”

  “Thank you for the card holder. I really like it.”

  “That’s not all I got you.”

  He looked confused. “You bought me another present?”

  She flashed him her best seductive smile. “Follow me to my place and you’ll find out.”

  Desire flared in his eyes. “Consider me there.”

  She curled her arm around his neck and placed her face next to his. She breathed out softly next to his ear and felt him shudder with desire as she whispered in his ear, “By the way, I forgot to tell you, I’m not wearing anything under this dress.”

  Jace’s blood heated at an alarming rate, jettisoning into the stratosphere at her words. Pictures flashed rapidly through his mind at the thought of undressing her, and what she looked and felt like naked in his arms. Instantly aroused, his heart started racing and he broke out in a sweat. Dani started playing with the hair at his neckline, raking her nails gently in a circular motion, making sensations jolt through his body like electrical shocks. His blood pressure rose at the same startling rate as his erection.

  She laughed in a low seductive way that sent vibrations straight to his groin. “You need to save that for later, birthday boy.”

  “Have mercy. If you don’t stop this, I’m going to embarrass both you and me on this dance floor and take you right here in front of everyone.”

  “I dare you.”

  Jace moaned.

  “You don’t play fair.”

  Dani’s green eyes twinkled. “I never said I played fair. I play to win.” After giving him a scalding kiss, Dani sauntered to the door, her tantalizing sexy hips swinging back and forth. She stopped and turned around, scanning his body from head to toe, then licked her lips before exiting the room.

  Jace’s throat became dry. Dani knew damn well he couldn’t leave until most of his guests left. She was deliberately tormenting him. He blew out several deep breaths, trying to get his unruly body under control again.

  He wanted her more than ever.

  After all his guests had left and he’d finally arrived at Dani’s apartment, he found an envelope taped to the door with his name on it. Heart thudding against his chest, he opened it.

  Jace, use your key to open the door. Follow the rose petals. I’m eagerly waiting. His blood pressure shot up, and the lower part of his body responded to the suggestive tone.

  He followed the petals to a bucket of champagne in the living room, where there was another note for him.

  Take off your jacket and shoes. You won’t be needing them. Leave your shirt and pants on. I want to remove them from you slowly, touching and kissing you everywhere. Grab the bottle of champagne, turn on the stereo, and follow the petals into the bedroom. His heart started racing, and he broke out in a sweat.

  Jace strode into the bedroom, and immediately started salivating. Dani stood at the foot of the bed wearing a black lacy bra that barely covered her breasts. The garter belt left the
tops of her thighs bare, and the black nylons and stiletto heels made her gorgeous legs look like they went on forever. Jace’s breath stuck in his throat as he thought of her wrapping those legs around him. There were candles lit here and there, and rose petals decorated the bed that was turned down invitingly.

  Dani crooked her finger at him. “Come here and let me help you undress.”

  Jace walked as if in a trance. He couldn’t think; he couldn’t breathe; he couldn’t swallow. His mind had gone totally blank, and the only brain working was the one below his belt. His thoughts focused on touching and tasting her. He crushed her to his body and took her mouth in a savage kiss, pouring all his pent-up desire into her.

  She laughed in a low sultry way that vibrated through his body. “Cool your jets, birthday boy, the night’s young.” She untied his tie and kept her eyes on his as she slowly started unbuttoning the top button of his shirt. As each button exposed more of his skin, she kissed and lightly nibbled.

  He closed his eyes and moaned as sensations racked his body. His heart thundered in his ears, muting all sound but the intense thudding beat of his heart. Everywhere her mouth touched, his skin seared as if an iron was branding him, putting him through exquisite torture. He’d never felt this consuming passion with anyone but her. She slid down his body, her hands eager, her mouth fervent, making him cross into madness. A growl was wrenched from deep in his throat as his hands tangled in her hair. A film of sweat gleamed on his body as he pulled her up to him.

  Her lips melded to his, but it didn’t slake the ravenous hunger tearing at him. Slanting his mouth over hers, he kissed her fiercely, trying to absorb her taste. He became mindless as need erupted, fueling the inferno burning inside him, sending hot, molten desire oozing through his veins. He trembled from the strain as he tried to gain control of his volatile passion. More than he wanted his hunger assuaged, he wanted to give her pleasure.

  He softened his kiss and she became pliant in his arms. Bending, he placed her languid body on the silken rose petals as he lay beside her. She opened passion-glazed eyes as he worshipped her. As his hands and mouth skimmed over the silken planes of her body, his gaze traveled over her alabaster skin that shimmered in the candlelight. His desire flared as his tongue lingered over sensitive places that brought pleasure to both of them.