by Coleen Kwan
“I don’t think we’re done yet.” Her voice came out whispery from her tight throat. She smoothed her palm over his pectorals, her hungry desperation overcoming her nerves.
She was near enough to hear his sharp inhalation.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
Ignoring the warning in his voice, she ran both hands slowly over his chest. God, he was so beautiful he made her throat ache. The slight tremor of his muscles encouraged her. He wasn’t immune to her. If she could break through his barriers, establish that connection again…
“I think—” She swallowed hard. “I think there’s still something between us.” She sucked in his scent, a heady mixture of soap and leather.
His hands came down over hers like an iron glove. “Sex? Is that what you want?”
“Uh—”
“One last screw before I go, is that it? Okay. I’m up for it.” He grabbed the waistband of her jeans and yanked the buttons free. His face was stony, his green eyes distant.
A cold tremor shook her legs. Oh god, this wasn’t what she’d imagined. But she had only herself to blame.
Jaw clenched, he shoved his hand inside her jeans and ground his palm against her mound. “Feel good to you, huh? You don’t trust me, but I know how to get you off, right?”
She shut her eyes so she didn’t have to see the derision in his eyes. To her utter shame, her body responded to his touch, her center swelling as he pushed his fingers inside her thong. She squeezed her eyes tighter, her heart drowning.
“Dane, I love you.”
The words slipped from her mouth before she could catch them. Dane froze, then slowly withdrew his hand from her jeans. Her heart careened like a runaway truck on a clifftop. The silence stretched. Eventually she got up the courage to peel open her eyelids.
His face was pale, his eyes wide, stunned. She couldn’t remember ever seeing him like this. Was it…panic?
“Uh, yeah, sorry about that. Didn’t mean for that to slip out.” She ruffled her trembling fingers through her hair. Shit, shit, shit. How the hell was she going to recover from this? “Way to kill the mood, huh? Look, just forget what I said. It’s been a long day, and I really didn’t know what I was saying—”
She began to turn away, but he shot out a hand and grabbed her by the arm.
“Say it again.”
She stared up at Dane’s tense face.
“Say it again,” he repeated roughly. “Say it.”
She gulped. “I…I love you, Dane.”
“Again.”
She shook her head. “Are you a sadist? Because—”
“I’m not a sadist.” He paused, wildness raging in his eyes. “I’m desperate. Please, say it again until I believe you.”
Was this really happening? The quake in her heart was spreading right through her body.
I love you. She repeated the words, softly, hesitantly, until he shut his eyes and rested his forehead against hers, his chest heaving, his grip tight. When he eventually lifted his head, his expression was stark with raw emotion.
“How can you love me when you don’t even think I’m honest?”
She shook her head. “I do think you’re honest. I’m sorry, Dane. I’m sorry I didn’t believe in you, but—but I guess I had some trust issues. My last serious boyfriend, the guy I thought loved me, I caught him forging my signature in my check book. He came across as this peace-loving idealist who wasn’t into material possessions when in fact he was only dating me because I was his meal ticket. And when my generosity wasn’t enough, he began helping himself to my money. I know it’s not an excuse, but when it came to you, I couldn’t help wondering if I was being duped again.”
“Jesus, what a scumbag.” He ran shaky hands over her hair. “So, you do believe that I had nothing to do with the photo or your room getting trashed, even though I have no proof?”
“I have all the proof I need right here.” She rested her hand over his heart, its pounding as deep as hers.
“Thank you. You don’t know what that means to me. I never thought—” He broke off to cup her face with both hands, and brushed his lips over hers. “I love you too, babe. I love you so much I had to get away.”
“Is that why you were leaving?” she whispered.
He nodded. “Better than stalking you, huh?”
She bit her lip. “Are we—are we kidding ourselves? Can we really fall in love that quickly?”
“How long does it normally take?”
She stroked her fingers across his jaw. “I don’t know. I’ve never been in love before.”
“Same here. We’re both in this crazy ride together.”
He nibbled on her earlobe, and then his mouth sought hers. His kiss was demanding and rough, yet tender too, his tongue soothing her lips. After a while, he picked her up and carried her back to the couch where he sat her in his lap. They kissed and caressed hungrily until there was no going back. Pretty soon their clothes hit the floor. The sun tracked across the sky, beaming down on their naked, tangled bodies as they made love like it was the first and last time. Eventually they came up for air.
Dane leaned over and nipped her throat. “Stay here. I’ll get us something to drink.”
Half delirious, she watched him saunter away, not quite believing what had just happened. Against all the odds it seemed she and Dane had found each other. Residual nerves fluttered in her stomach as she recognized how close they’d come to never being together. Were they safe now, or was this only a break from reality?
A minute later he returned with two bottles of beer and a light cotton throw. He handed her one of the beers, stretched out on the couch next to her, and threw the cotton cover over them.
She took a sip of beer and snuggled up to him.
“Happy there?” he asked, shifting his arm around her.
“Ecstatic. I never want to leave this place.”
He swallowed a long pull of beer. “Me neither, but unfortunately we do. How do you want to play it from here?”
“I’m not sure, but one thing I’m certain about—I’m not going to let my family or yours pull us apart.”
He pressed a kiss against her hair. “That’s good to hear, but it’s not going to be that easy.”
She shifted in his arms as cold reality intruded on her bliss. She didn’t like it, but Dane was only acknowledging the truth.
“You’re right.” She sighed. “Do you know how the feud between my dad and yours started?”
“Not really. The few times I tried asking my father, he always clammed up.”
“Well, there’s a reason for that.”
She proceeded to tell Dane about her parents’ marital problems and Martin’s attempt at seducing her mom. By the end of it, Dane was sitting up, a frown shadowing his face.
“Jesus, I know my dad can be a hard ass, but that was a really shitty thing to do.”
“Well, who knows if he planned it? My mom was really lovely; she had lots of admirers. Her name was Olivia.”
Dane lifted his eyebrows. “The name you used to check into the hotel at Lake Tahoe.”
“Uh-huh. I guess I was missing her. I’d heard my ex-boyfriend had married an heiress, you see, and I needed a break. Just to nurse my bruised ego, you understand, and, well, you certainly managed to distract me.”
“Glad I could help. But I can’t stop thinking about my dad.” Dane put down his beer to knead his knuckles. “That’s why he was crowing so much when he showed your father that photo of us. He thought I’d succeeded where he’d failed.” He made a disgusted noise. “Damn. If I’d known, I’d never have agreed to take part in the competition.”
“Don’t put all the blame on your father. My dad was so obsessed with recreating the past and so adamant that you shouldn’t win that he lost all perspective. Luckily, he’s realized that. After he stormed out this morning I found him in the ballroom. We talked, really talked, and it was…wonderful. Painful but wonderful.”
“Yeah, I overheard part
of it.” He cleared his throat. “I wasn’t eavesdropping on purpose, but I was concerned about you. I’m glad you and your dad made up.”
Unlike Dane and his father. Even though Dane hadn’t said as much, his father’s rejection must have hurt him badly. She curled her fingers through his, wanting to show her empathy. But she couldn’t completely suppress the doubt lurking deep within her. Dane was giving up so much for her; was it too much? Would he one day come to resent her?
“Dane, if you want, I’ll move to Austin with you,” she blurted out.
He blinked at her. “But your whole life is here. You’d really consider uprooting yourself and moving to the other side of the country?”
“Of course. You’re not getting rid of me that easily. That’s why I turned up here, you know. I was going to seduce you into bed again. My plan was to stick around and hope you’d eventually come to have some feelings for me.”
“Yeah? Awesome plan.” He slipped a hand under the cotton throw and followed the dips and curves of her body. “But I don’t know about dragging you away from your family. You just had a breakthrough with your dad, and what about your nephew? You’d miss him, and your brother and his wife.”
The thought made her stomach cramp. God, she’d miss all of them like crazy. And all her friends. She glanced at Dane, noting his somber expression.
“What about Saffron? Will you still be able to see her if your father’s mad at you?”
Dane dragged his fingers through his hair. “I fucking hope so. She won’t like me leaving, but I’ll do everything I can to keep in contact. In a few years she’ll be eighteen and independent.”
But his sister needed him right now. Holly scrunched her fingers into the cotton throw. If only she could help him. She loved him so much, but was that enough? It hurt her to think he was permanently estranged from his father. Even though Martin had done some terrible things, he was still Dane’s father, and deep down she sensed Dane still longed to keep the promise he’d made to his dying mother.
At that moment the muffled sound of a phone rang out.
“It’s mine.” Dane sighed. “I’d better get it.”
He stretched out and snagged his leather jacket. He pulled out his cell phone and took the call. When his face tightened, she knew the news wasn’t good.
“I’ll be there soon,” he muttered.
Terminating the call, he started to haul on his clothes.
Holly sat up. “Who was that?”
“My brother. My dad’s acting weird. Eric wants me to go over.”
Tossing the cotton throw aside, she pushed to her feet and made a grab for her jeans. “I’ll come with you.”
Dane paused, one boot in his hands. “You sure? It’s not going to be pretty.”
“I’m used to ugly.” She pulled her T-shirt over her head.
He cupped her chin in one hand and planted a kiss on her mouth. “All right, then.”
But as she finished dressing, she was aware of the dry churning in her stomach at the prospect of facing Martin Schofield. He was Dane’s father, and despite everything, Dane still cared for him. She didn’t want to drive them even further apart, yet at the same time she had to show that she would do anything for Dane, that he was her number one priority. Could she do that? Or would she trigger a ruckus and make Dane have second thoughts about her?
Chapter Thirteen
As the elevator rose to his father’s penthouse, Dane glanced at the woman standing by his side and firmed his grip on her hand. He still couldn’t quite believe that Holly was with him, and that she loved him as much as he did her. It seemed incredible that she was willing to move to Austin sight unseen if that’s what he wanted. As much as he loved her generosity, he wasn’t sure about taking up her offer. Not if it meant her having to break from her family. He knew how hard it was being without family; he wouldn’t make her suffer the same torment.
The ding of the elevator brought him back to the present. They stepped out and entered his father’s apartment. The first person they saw was Saffron, hunched up on a couch near the entrance foyer. She jumped up and hurried forward, slowing down when she saw Holly.
“Hi, Saffron,” Dane said. “You remember Holly, right?”
“Yeah, uh, hi.” His sister glanced at their joined hands, then back at Dane. Her face was pale and strained. “So it’s true then? I heard Dad yelling at Eric. He said you’d given the Halifax Hotel to Holly.”
“I haven’t ‘given’ the hotel to anyone. I just pulled my bid, that’s all. Which means Holly’s more likely to get it, but there’s no guarantee.”
Saffron hunched her shoulders and wrapped her arms around herself. “But you two are dating, right? I mean, it’s pretty obvious.”
“Dating is such a feeble description, but yes, we’re together.” He exchanged a brief glance with Holly.
His sister’s shoulders began to shake. “So you’re going back to Austin, and Dad won’t let me visit you. It’s not f—fair...”
He let go of Holly and pulled his sister into his arms. “Hey, don’t be so down. I’ll still call you every week, and maybe you can visit me in Austin sometime. If not, I’ll come back to San Francisco as often as I can. And it’s not forever. When you’re eighteen you can come and stay with me for as long as you like.”
“Eighteen? That’s years away,” Saffron sobbed.
He didn’t know what else to say, so he just held her. As suddenly as she’d started to cry, she stopped, pulled away from him, and ran off.
Holly bit her lip. “I hate that I’m causing her so much distress.”
“It’s not your fault.”
“I still feel responsible.”
Before Dane could respond, a door on the other side of the hallway clicked, and his brother came hurrying toward them. Eric was usually fastidiously turned out, but for once his shirt was hanging out and his hair was askew.
“Ah. You’re here.” His gaze swerved to Holly, and he stopped.
“Hi, Eric,” Holly said, chin up.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea bringing her—”
“Is Dad in his den?” Dane moved forward, still holding Holly’s hand.
“No, he’s in bed.” Eric’s frown deepened. “Which is why—”
“Listen, buddy. Holly and I are together, so get used to it.” He started down the corridor in the direction of the master suite.
Eric trotted behind them. “Are you sure about this? I told you he’s in a weird mood. There’s no telling how he’ll react when he sees…her.”
Dane sighed. If his brother bleated one more time about Holly, he was going to thump him. “I’m not tiptoeing around him anymore. I just want to get this over with.” He paused in front of the double doors that led into the master suite and looked at Holly. “He’s going to be cranky and rude, and I’ll probably get cranky and rude, too. Are you sure you want to go in?”
She grinned at him and squeezed his hand. “Sounds like your typical family gathering.”
Suppressing his misgivings, he pushed the door open and led the way inside. His father was sitting up in bed, propped up by a mountain of pillows, newspapers and spreadsheets scattered on the comforter. From Eric’s fussing he’d assumed his father would be prone, maybe even feverish. But the old man didn’t look too bad. His heart twinged as he realized he was relieved. It seemed he still held some affection for his father.
Martin looked up. He blinked when he saw Holly, and his face slowly reddened. “So,” he barked at Dane. “It’s not over.”
Dane held his father’s gaze. “No. I thought it was, but turns out I was wrong.”
“Hmpf.” Martin’s expression turned even more sour.
Then Holly spoke up. “Mr. Rochester, I’m sorry you’re upset. I know you don’t like me because of who I am. I know you don’t want me associating with your son. Believe me, my father will hate it just as much when I tell him. But I love your son. We don’t mean to hurt anyone; we just want to be together. I hope you can understand
that.”
Martin glowered at her for a while, his hands fisted on the comforter. “You love him, huh? But how do you know he didn’t wreck your suite or tip off that journalist?”
“Because I trust him,” she swiftly answered. “I don’t need proof to know he wouldn’t do those things.”
Martin continued to frown at her. “Lucky him.”
“Even if you can’t accept me,” Holly said. “I want you to know that your son cares about you. Yes, he does. And he’ll continue caring for you no matter what you do. Because that’s the kind of man he is. And I’m glad that he does. I want him to have a good relationship with you and Eric and Saffron. So I’ll stay away when he comes to visit you, if that’s what you want. You don’t have to stop seeing him just because of me.”
A lump formed in Dane’s throat.
He stepped forward. “Holly, you’re amazing, but your offer doesn’t mean much to my dad. He—”
“All right,” Martin harrumphed.
He and Holly turned to look at him.
“All right. I admit I was wrong.” He paused, working his lips as if he was having difficulty finding the right words. “Dane, I would appreciate it if you—and Holly—dropped in from time to time.”
Dane’s jaw almost dropped. This was the closest he’d ever come to hearing an apology from his father.
“That...I’d like that.” He blinked rapidly to keep the sting in his eyes at bay.
Martin lowered his gaze to the comforter. “I’ll admit I’m not the easiest man to live with. I know I was hard on you, but it was for your own good. It worked on your brother. But I’ve come to realize you’re different.”
He glanced over at a wall, and Dane was surprised to see a few framed photos there of himself, Eric, and their mom. And another one of Saffron. Seemed the old man had a soft streak after all, though he hid it well.
“You’re probably raring to get back to running your own business,” Martin said, lifting a shoulder. “In any case, I’ll be changing my will and leaving equal shares of my company to you, Eric, and Saffron.” From the back of the room came a gasp—Eric, dumbfounded, no doubt. Martin ignored him. “But Eric will run the company. He deserves it.”