by Angelo, Judy
“I don’t care. I’ll do whatever it takes to get to see Dana.”
“Wow,” Becky said in a breathy whisper, “you must really be taken by Dana. I never saw a man so persistent.”
“You got it right, Becky. Dana’s the one for me and I won’t stop till I see her.” Rock was resolute.
“Did you ever tell her that?” Becky asked.
“I never got the chance,” Rock said then sighed in frustration. “That’s why I have to see her.”
“Wow,” Becky said again and then she was gone.
Next day Rock drove to Becky’s house, parked his car out front and rang the doorbell. Same response. Dana did not wish to see him. He didn’t make a scene, just shrugged and walked back to his car where he sat listening to music. He knew Dana was watching him. He’d seen the curtain shift but still, she refused to come out.
At midday he ate the lunch he’d packed, walked back up the driveway and rang the bell.
“Rock,” Becky said, looking frustrated. “Why don’t you go home? Dana’s threatening to make that call.”
“I already told you, Becky, I have to see her. I’m not leaving till she agrees to speak with me.” Rock knew he was being extreme, acting desperate by behaving like this, but he’d already made up his mind that he was going to camp out on the front lawn, if necessary.
Becky raised her eyebrows. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you…”
Three o’clock came and went, then four, then five and still Dana didn’t come out to see him. Sitting in the car, listening to the radio, was wearing on his nerves. Time to make another trip to the front door.
Rock had just stepped out of the car and had his arms up in a stretch when he saw the police car pull into the street, its lights flashing. The car pulled up right behind his Benz.
“May I help you, officer?” he said to the uniformed woman who approached. He glanced at the burly police officer who stepped out after her.
“Can I ask what business you have here, sir?” The diminutive woman asked. She pursed her lips in a tight line, looking for all the world like a kitten trying hard to look like a tiger. Rock didn’t feel threatened by her. He was more interested in her Rottweiler of a partner.
“I’m waiting to see someone,” he said, his tone unapologetic.
“You know what? I don’t think so,” the woman said. “We got a complaint about a stalker. I suggest you get in your fancy car and move on. We don’t want any trouble in this neighborhood.”
Her partner came to stand right behind her, folded his arms across his chest and fixed Rock with a dark scowl.
Rock almost laughed. So brave of him, hiding behind the skirts of a woman he could pick up with one hand. “Sorry, ma’am,” he said in a slow drawl, “no can do. I have some unfinished business here.”
Now it was the woman’s turn to scowl. “I’m telling you, mister. Just because you dress like a big shot and have a nice car doesn’t mean we can’t throw you in the slammer. Now go on, get outta here.”
Now Rock did laugh. Did she think her threats fazed him?” “You’ll have to lock me up then, because I’m not leaving.”
Before the words were out of his mouth, swift as a kite the little kitten grabbed Rock in a chokehold and slammed him against the hood of the car. His arms were pulled behind his back and the handcuffs were on before he could say, “Hey.”
Then Rottweiler took over and peeled him off the car. “Come on, bud,” the big man said. “Off to the station we go.”
And then they were pushing him toward the squad car, not even giving him a chance to grab his cell phone. He only had time to glance up the driveway at Becky’s front window and there she was. Finally. Dana was staring out the window at him, her hands to her mouth, her eyes enormous in her face.
He could only hope that his plan had worked. If Dana cared for him at all, this would definitely break through her resistance. She would have to see him now.
Or was he the kind of fool she would let rot in jail?
He would find out soon enough.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Dear God, what have I done? Dana stared out the window, her heart in her throat. She’d made the call but she hadn’t really expected them to arrest him. Talk to him, maybe. Scare him away. But put handcuffs on him and take him away in their police car?
“Becky,” she yelled to her friend who’d gone to make dinner. “Becky, come quick.”
“What? Is the house on fire?” Becky strolled out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on a towel. She took one look at Dana’s face, dropped the towel and rushed over. “What’s the matter? Are you hurt?”
“I did it, Becky. I made the call.” Dana’s hands trembled as she reached out to her friend.
Becky gasped. “You called the police.”
Dana could only nod. The words lodged in her throat and would not come out.
“So what happened?” Becky stepped past Dana and peered out the window. Then she gave a little laugh. “It’s okay. His car’s still there. He’s fine.”
“No, they took him away,” Dana whispered as she stared out the window with Becky. “I saw it. They arrested him and it’s all my fault. How could I have been so stupid?” Then her eyes snapped back to her friend. “I’ve got to go down there, Becky. I’ve got to let them know I don’t want to press charges.”
“I’m coming with you. Just let me turn off the stove.”
With Becky at the wheel, Dana had ample time to berate herself for the stupidest thing she’d done in her life. How could she have done such a thing…to the man she loved? The thought made more tears well up in her eyes and soon they were flowing freely down her cheeks.
She’d been hurt and she’d been angry – angry that he’d thought so low of her – and then she’d gone and done even worse. She’d gotten him thrown in jail. Would he ever forgive her?
It took about twenty minutes for Becky to pull into the parking lot of the police station. To Dana, it seemed like an eternity. As soon as the engine was switched off she dashed out of the car and through the sliding doors. She tackled the first police officer she saw, a very young man seated at the front desk. “Rockford St. Stephens,” she said, her chest heaving from her run. “Where can I find him?”
The young cop looked up then grinned at her. “That big shot fella? I asked him if he wanted to call his lawyer and he said not yet.” He shook his head. “Weird. He must like the inside of a jail cell.” He shrugged. “If that’s how he gets his kicks…”
“Is he all right? Can I see him?” Even as the words left her mouth, Dana was walking past his desk, trying to peer down the hallway at the back of the room.
“Hey, wait. You can’t just walk in here like that.” The officer hopped up from his seat and hurried after her. “That’s a restricted area.”
“I know,” Dana said, exasperated. “I’m sorry but I just need to see him. Can you take me to him? Please?”
“Okay, okay. Just hold your horses. Let me get the key.” Mumbling as he went, he walked over to a steel cupboard mounted on the wall, selected a key then turned back to her. “Let’s go.”
As they walked, the other police officers in the room turned to stare at her but she didn’t care. She just needed to see Rock and that was all that was on her mind.
Her guide took her down a dimly lit hallway, past an empty cell and two occupied ones, and then to the one at the very back of the building. And there, seated on a narrow cot with his head down, sat Rock.
Dana’s heart quaked at the sight of him, so alone, so humbled, so despondent. All because of her.
She walked up to the cell and put up both hands to hold onto the bars. “Rock?” she whispered. “It’s Dana.”
At her words, Rock’s head jerked up and in his eyes was a pain so deep that Dana tightened her grip on the bars to keep from trembling. Had she hurt him that much?
“Dana.” His voice was a hoarse whisper and then he was up and off the cot and standing right in front of her, the heavy metal bars the only
thing keeping them apart.
“Rock. I’m so sorry. I never meant for this to happen. I thought-”
“Shh. None of this is your fault.” He gave her a gentle smile. “I chose to be here.”
“No, you didn’t,” she said, her voice rising with frustration. “I was the one who called the police on you.” Why was he being so good about it? Why was he taking the blame?
That made his smile widen. “You made the call but I could have cooperated. I chose not to.”
“But…why not?” She frowned. Had he gone bonkers?
“I wanted them to take me to jail. I thought of a plan and it worked.” With a look full of emotion he reached through the bars and cupped her cheek with his palm. “You’re here.”
Dana’s mouth fell open in disbelief. “You…you got yourself arrested so you could see me?”
He chuckled. “Smart girl.”
“What? I could kill you. I almost had a heart attack when they took you away. Are you mad?” Dana’s voice rose with each word. The whole police station was probably hearing every word but she didn’t give a damn. When it came to crazy, Rock St. Stephens took the cake.
“I’m mad, all right,” Rock said, seeming not the least bit perturbed by her outburst. “Mad about you.”
And then the hand at her cheek slid to the back of her head and he pulled her close and leaned forward to kiss her so softly and sweetly that she totally forgot what she was supposed to be upset about.
When he released her, she looked up at him in wonder. “What did you just say?”
“I said I love you, Dana, with every ounce of my being.”
“But…but…”
“Shh,” he said, hushing her again. “It’s because I love you that I went through all this trouble just to see you.” He gave her a crooked smile. “The way I saw it, if you had feelings for me you wouldn’t let me rot in my cell.” Then, slowly, his smile faded and his look turned solemn. “I’m glad you came.”
Dana got so choked up she could not utter a word. All she could do was stare at him, her lips trembling as she struggled to keep from crying. Her greatest wish had finally come true.
“Dana,” Rock continued, “ever since I came from Alaska there’s a big favor I’ve been wanting to ask you.”
“Yes?” Dana asked, her heart going still. “What is it?”
And then, as she stared at him through the bars, Rock went down on one knee and looked up at her with earnest eyes. “Dana Daniels, will you do me the honor of being my wife?”
Dana sucked in her breath. Was she dreaming? But no, the cold bars against her palms told her this was real.
“Dana,” Rock said again from his position on the ground, “you didn’t answer me. Just in case you didn’t hear me the first time, I’m asking you to take my hand in marriage.”
“But…but Rock,” she half laughed, half cried, “you’re asking me here, right now, like this? What will we tell our children?” And she sank to her knees, her heart feeling like it would burst with the love she felt for this man.
“Is that your way of saying yes?” Rock reached out to take her hand and then he kissed her fingertips.
It was then that the tears came, sliding down her cheeks and dripping off her chin. But who cared? She was going to spend the rest of her life with the man she loved. “Yes, Rock, yes. I will marry you.”
And then he was reaching through the bars and pulling her close again and this time his kiss was long and deep and filled with a passion that made Dana’s head spin.
And as they kissed, Dana heard the sounds of clapping and then the cheers and she knew they had an audience, but she didn’t care. They could have been in the middle of Times Square and she would kiss Rock just as passionately.
Because she loved him and she had no doubt that he loved her, too.
She’d finally found her heaven – right here on earth.
EPILOGUE
“Mommy, Daddy’s being bad again.”
Dana sighed as the kitchen door burst open and six-year-old Maya and her four-year-old brother dashed in.
“Yeah,” Michael said, “he’s hugging the ball.”
“Hogging the ball,” Maya corrected, rolling her eyes. Then she put her hands on her hips and set her mouth in her classic pout. “Mama,” she whined, dragging the word out so far it was like fingernails on a chalkboard, “make him stop.”
Dana pursed her lips then stuck her head out the window. “Daddy,” she called out, her voice stern, “behave.”
“Aw, spoilsport.” Rock yelled back from the bottom of the garden. “You’re taking sides with them. No fair.”
“Don’t let Mommy come out there,” she yelled back. “It won’t be pretty.”
At her words Rock came bounding up the garden, a huge grin on his face. “Okay, guys,” he said, “it’s all yours.” He threw the beach ball up into the air and let it fall back down to the ground.
“Yay.” With whoops of joy the children scampered out to scoop up the coveted toy.
As soon as they were out the door Rock sauntered in, walked up to Dana as she tore up leaves of lettuce, and hugged her from behind.
“What you gonna do?” he whispered. “Lock me up?”
She gave a snort. “I’ve done it before.”
For that, he bent his head and gave her a nip on the neck. “So let’s go play lockup. I’ve got handcuffs.”
Dana opened her eyes wide and dropped her handful of lettuce back into the bowl. Then she turned to give her husband a stern look. Or at least she tried. It was kind of hard to be stern when you had a grin on your face. “Rock, behave. The children-”
“Are gone back down to the bottom of the garden. They’ll be busy with that ball for a while. And beside, Nanny’s with them.” He pulled her into his arms. “What say we run upstairs? You can punish me for being a bad boy. Without the police this time.”
That made Dana laugh out loud. “Naughty, naughty.”
Rock didn’t wait to hear anymore. He swept her up into his arms and took the stairs two at a time. And as he took her into the room and laid her on the bed, Dana thanked the stars for her wonderful family and this man whose love was hot and passionate and absolutely crazy.
Rock St. Stephens, the love of her life, would never escape her…even if it meant keeping him under lock and key.
He was hers – to have and to hold and to love – forever.
THE END
Thank you for reading ‘Bedding Her Billionaire Boss’. I sincerely appreciate your support. If you liked this story I would appreciate your clicking the ‘Like” button on my Amazon page. Positive reviews are also very welcome! That’s the best support any author could ask for.
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BEDDING HER BILLIONAIRE BOSS
The BAD BOY BILLIONAIRES Series by Judy Angelo
Volume 1 - Tamed by the Billionaire
Volume 2 - Maid in the USA
Volume 3 - Billionaire's Island Bride
Volume 4 - Dangerous Deception
Volume 5 - To Tame a Tycoon
Volume 6 - Sweet Seduction
Volume 7 - Daddy by December
Volume 8 - To Catch a Man (In 30 Days or Less)
BAD BOY BILLIONAIRES, Mega-Collection - Vols. 1 - 8
BAD BOY BILLIONAIRES, Collection I - Vols. 1 - 4
BAD BOY BILLIONAIRES, Collection II - Vols. 5 - 8
(Two free stories in the Mega-Collection;
one free story in each Collection I and II;
purchase collections and save)
Volume 9 - Bedding Her Billionaire Boss NEW!!
(NB – Not included in the Mega-Collection)
The NAUGHTY AND NICE Series
Volume 1 - Naughty by Nature (now available)
Volume 2 – Sweet Charlotte (coming soon)
Volume 3 – Miss Independent (coming soon)
http://www.judyangelo.blogspot.com
VOLUME 1 - TAMED BY THE BILLIONAIRE
THE TAMING OF A PRINCESS..
.
Serena Van Buren, the privileged daughter of a wealthy businessman, can't wait to begin her three-month tour of Europe with her college mates. Little does she know that fate has other plans in store!
Instead of dancing with handsome Italians and dining with charming Frenchmen Serena finds herself trapped in a six-month internship with overbearing business tycoon, Roman Steele - an arrangement orchestrated by her own father.
Serena is determined to show Roman that she won't yield to the demands of any man, boss or no boss. She's a Van Buren, after all, known to wither a man with one look. But Roman Steele is like no man she's ever met before. Suave, sexy and stunningly handsome, there's something about him that she can't resist. It looks like Serena Van Buren has finally met her match.
A sweet and saucy romance that will have you smiling...
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TAMED by the BILLIONAIRE
VOLUME 2 - MAID IN THE USA
WHO EVER SAID BILLIONAIRE BACHELORS AND MODEST MAIDS DON'T MIX?
Celine Santini couldn't have been more shocked when billionaire bachelor Pierce D'Amato offers her a job as nanny to his four-year-old charge. After all, he hardly even knows her. But after finding herself thrown into an unexpectedly intimate encounter with him, are they really strangers? Celine is captivated by the green-eyed heartthrob who takes her heart ransom but how can she give in to her feelings when they're from two totally different worlds?
From the first day he lays eyes on the dark-eyed beauty, Pierce D'Amato knows he is lost. He immediately devises a plan to get her under his roof...and it works. But the more he gets to know the sweetly seductive Celine Santini the more he realizes there's a lot more to this woman than he could ever have imagined. Her intriguing combination of sophistication and innocence keeps him forever off-balance and, before he knows it, his bachelor heart turns traitor. The heart knows what the heart wants and it wants Celine Santini...whatever the cost.