He flipped her onto her back and settled between her legs.
She moaned with pleasure as he engaged in item number one.
The next morning, the shrill alarm of Michael’s phone drove home the fact that they had been up entirely too late the evening before, but, holy shit, what a night it was. Dani really knew how to put together a list.
His hand searched for the screaming device buried in the pile of clothes beside the bed. After finally finding it, he switched it off and rolled over to find her staring into his eyes. “Morning.” He’d set the alarm a few minutes early in hopes of getting a little action before work, and now that she was awake, odds appeared to be in his favor.
“Morning. Are you ready to finish the list?”
Had he forgotten a step? God, he hoped so. “Absolutely. Which item needs to be taken care of?”
He reached for her, but she evaded and sat up. Then she leaned her back against the headboard and wrapped her arms around her bent knees. “Someone fell asleep, and we didn’t get to the last one. Rule number six?”
“Hey, it’s tough being a sex slave. You wore me out.” When she didn’t seem to find the humor in his comment, he sat up and leaned back against the headboard, too. In an attempt to lighten her sudden dark mood, he added, “I’m hoping item six involves mandatory morning sex. But if not, maybe you could cut to the chase and just give me the executive summary. Then we’ll have time for both?”
Her lips tilted slightly, but the determined gleam in her eyes didn’t fade. She rose and slipped into her robe. After tying the knot, she huffed out a breath. “I think we need to take a break.”
His stomach took a hard, fast dive. A brief flash of the last time she’d dumped him slammed in his mind. He’d been a damn fool to open his heart up to her again. She could hurt him like no one else—and she just had. “I should have known you’d do it again.”
Her brows knit. “Do what again? After what happened in Vegas, I think—”
“It doesn’t matter. If you’re done, then so am I.” He rolled out of bed, then gathered his things. He wasn’t going to be made a fool of twice. He’d leave her before he’d give her the knife to stab him in the heart again.
Dani crossed the room in two long strides and wrapped her arms around his waist. “I want you safe until Carlos Watts is in jail. I don’t want this, either, but we have no choice.”
He stared into her pleading eyes. As the red haze of anger slowly faded, her intentions became clear. She was trying to protect him, not dump him. What she’d done in the past had clouded his thinking.
Her arms wrapped tighter around him, drawing him closer. “I couldn’t bear it if you were hurt because of me.” She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him. The warmth from her lips spread through his chest, easing the fist that clutched his heart.
Stepping back so he could think clearly, he quickly prepared his defense. “Let’s discuss this rationally. First, you have no idea how long this problem is going to last. It could take weeks for Jake to put him behind bars for good. Second, what kind of a man would I be to leave you alone when a lunatic is after you?”
Dani crossed her arms and lifted her stubborn chin. “Yes, it could take some time, but it’s not your job to protect me. I have a bodyguard for that, someone who is detached from the situation and isn’t going to let personal feelings cloud his judgment.”
She was no pushover. He’d have to find her weak spot.
He dumped his clothes on the bed, then slipped his arms around her stiff shoulders. “After last night, how could you suggest this?”
Her pursed lips softened for a brief moment. “You do follow directions very well, but it’s for your own good, Michael.”
“I’m a grown man who can take care of myself, as well as make my own choices. You’ve made your concerns known, so if I choose not to heed them and anything happens to me, it’s my own fault. Not yours. You show me no respect by trying to take this decision out of my hands.”
Her mouth opened, but nothing but a hiss of air escaped. When her forehead wrinkled as she stared at him, he knew he’d won.
She lifted her hands in resignation, then turned and marched out of the bedroom, mumbling, “Damn lawyer!”
He smiled at his victory as he scooped up his clothes and headed to the shower.
Michael was still smiling when he stepped into the living room, but his grin quickly faded when he noticed the concern etched on Dani’s face as she lowered her cell from her ear. “What’s wrong?”
“That was Jake. He called to tell you that your car will require a few repairs. The good news is the men who shot at us are either dead or behind bars. Mr. Giovanni’s men were very thorough.”
“Was Carlos Watts one of them?” Michael asked, hoping Dani’s nightmare would be over.
“No. But one of the surviving men is willing to testify, for a lighter sentence, that it was Carlos Watts who hired him. So now they can lock Carlos up for years . . . if they can find him.
“They will. Let’s let Jake worry about that part.”
“I’m trying.” Dani circled her free arm around him and pulled him toward the door. “Come on, let’s go eat.” She smiled down at Emma. “And I bet you’d like to bake cookies with Mrs. Wilson. I’m going to talk her into watching you for a little bit today while I run to the office.”
After they were all settled around the table in the massive kitchen, Mrs. Wilson’s face glowed while she filled Dani’s plate with gooey, rich French toast. “It’s been too long since you’ve let me feed you, sweetheart.”
Dani took a huge bite and moaned. “I’m a fool. Why do I bother cooking for myself when I can come over here and have one of your incredible meals?”
Mrs. Wilson snaked a soft arm around Dani’s shoulder, pulling her against her ample bosom. “You’re not a fool. What you are is an excellent cook. I know because I taught you myself. But you’re stubborn as two mules and only cook when you feel like it.”
“You’ve been talking to Jake again, haven’t you?”
“He may have mentioned a thing or two about that the last time he came begging for dinner.” Mrs. Wilson chuckled and shook her head. “He’s a charmer, that one.”
Michael cleared his throat and sent her an irritated look.
It was probably a good time to change the subject.
She didn’t have to, though, because her mom swept into the room, looking ready for a Vogue photo shoot. “Well, good morning all. What a pleasant surprise.”
“Hi!” Emma beamed a sweet smile and held out a piece of French toast dripping with syrup. After the plane ride, Emma thought Annalisa was better than fruit snacks.
When her mom leaned down and actually let Emma stick the gooey bread into her mouth, Dani nearly fell off her chair.
“Yuumm?” Emma asked with a hopeful grin.
Her mom nodded. “Double yum.” She tilted Emma’s face and kissed her forehead, one of the few places that was still clean. “Thank you, honey.”
Then Annalisa reached for Dani’s face and kissed her forehead, too. “Good morning, sweetheart. You’re keeping the car?”
The triumphant gleam in her mother’s eyes made her wonder whose idea the car really was—hers or Mario’s. “Yes, and I’ve already called and thanked him. But what’s up? Any more fairy dust and we’ll all be enchanted.”
“Mario is rethinking the idea of marriage. Thanks to you. He said he’d like to be a more active part of our family.”
Dani’s heart turned a little gooey with the idea that her mom might finally have the chance to be with the only man she’d ever loved. But her mom had fought for things in the past, and once the battle was won, quickly lost interest in them. “That’d be good, right?”
“That’d be very good.” She hugged Dani before she turned to Michael. “Well, I suppose I better kiss you, too. I wouldn’t want you to feel left out.”
She kissed the top of Michael’s head. Then her eyes found Dani’s. She sent her a sly wink, obviously fig
uring out he’d spent the night.
Mrs. Wilson slipped beside them, holding Annalisa’s extra-large mug of coffee, and tapped her cheek. “What about me? I’m definitely feeling left out here.”
Her mom chuckled before she kissed Mrs. Wilson’s cheek with such an exaggerated smack it made Emma giggle. Then she snatched the mug. “Damn employees, always demanding more. You can never keep them happy.” Then her mother took a long drink and sighed. “This is the best coffee in the world. I guess I’ll keep you around for a while longer.”
Dani smiled and dug into her French toast. Mrs. Wilson had been with them for as long as she could remember. Her mom loved Mrs. Wilson as much as she and Sara did.
After another long drink from her mug, her mom said, “So, Michael, I hear your car is going to be in the shop for a while. We seem to have a surplus around here. Why don’t you choose one to drive?”
He glanced at Dani and raised a questioning brow.
“It’d be no trouble. Mom’s bought me three cars that I wouldn’t accept, and they’re all sitting there begging to be driven. There’s a Porsche, a BMW, and a Mercedes.”
Michael turned and grinned at Annalisa. “Thank you. If you wouldn’t mind, I’d like to borrow one with a back seat. For my girls?”
Her mom smirked and slid a glance Dani’s way. “Then you’ll want the perfect-for-a-Realtor-to-show-homes-with Mercedes.”
Dani sent her mom an eye roll in acknowledgment of her smartass comment, then turned her attention back to her succulent French toast.
Her mom said, “I’d love to stay and visit, but I’m late. Have a safe day, everyone.” She took a step away, then stopped dead in her tracks. “I almost forgot.” She leaned down and whispered in Dani’s ear. “You’re going to have to fight for him, baby. Just remember that he loves you.” With one last squeeze, she released her and walked away.
Dani tucked into her meal rather than meet Michael’s curious gaze. Her mom must’ve had another dream.
Just as Michael opened his mouth to speak, Mrs. Wilson laid two more pieces of French toast on his plate, then laid a hand on his shoulder. “Don’t let all this talk of Jake bother you. Charming isn’t what lasts, you know. It’s steady, reliable, and good that makes it through the long haul.” She gave his shoulder a pat, then turned and stared into Dani’s eyes. “Some women just take a little longer to figure that out, that’s all.”
Dani closed her eyes, barely suppressing her groan. She was being assaulted from all sides. “Look, Jake has signed the papers and now he’s just a—”
“Butthead!” Emma said with pride.
Michael struggled to hide his smirk as he finished off his breakfast.
After they were done eating, and while Emma was still in the kitchen, happily playing in cookie dough with Mrs. Wilson, Dani walked Michael out to the garage. She was still a little upset that he’d ignored her request to stay away but let it go because she hadn’t come up with a good comeback for that stupid “you show me no respect” line of his. Who did he think he was? The Godfather?
“You were awfully quiet during breakfast, Michael.”
He shrugged. “Talking about Jake doesn’t interest me.”
She pulled him close, enjoying the way his big arms slipped around her, almost instinctively. “Then we won’t.” She playfully nibbled on his lower lip, then leaned back and smiled when his eyes darkened with desire for her. That was something she’d never tire of.
His dimples deepened with his grin. “When can we look at those other two houses you were so excited to show me?”
She didn’t want him anywhere near her outside her mother’s compound. “Um, I have to work at the office from twelve to three today. I hate to ask Mrs. Wilson to watch Emma longer than that, so maybe another time?”
His grin faded, and she feared her plan was a little too obvious.
“I’m not going to stop seeing you, and I need to buy a house.” His big hand gave her butt a sharp pat. “Stop by my office when you’re done.”
“Okay, but will you be extra careful today? Hey, maybe we should have my mom hire a bodyguard for you, too?”
He narrowed his eyes at her.
Michael wasn’t budging on this one. “It was just a suggestion.”
“A bad one.” He leaned down and kissed her in that slow, patient way of his that always left her a little weak. When he was done, he asked, “But Jerry’s going to be with you all day, right?”
“He’s going to meet me here at eleven thirty. I still don’t know how I’ll explain him if anyone walks into the office needing to see a house, though.”
“You’ll figure it out. See you later.”
Yeah, she’d already figured it out earlier when she’d spoken to Jake on the phone. She didn’t have floor duty exactly, but she was still going to work. She was going to meet with Jake and her broker to figure out a way to flush out Carlos. Using herself as bait in one of her office’s empty houses seemed to make the most sense, but she’d keep that part from Michael until Carlos was in jail for good.
Hopefully, they’d be able to put the final touches on the “Catch Carlos Watts” plan so she could get back to living her life.
Chapter Fourteen
Dani sat next to Jake in the office of her broker, Susie, surrounded by oversize Texas furniture, complete with a tacky side table with cowboy boots for legs and pictures of beauty pageants with big-haired women on every wall. Susie was Miss Texas twenty-five years ago. In an attempt to retain her former beauty, she’d had so much plastic surgery she’d achieved clown status, according to Jake.
Susie had “surprised” big eyes and a weird perpetual smile, and thanks to Botox, the rest of her face stayed oddly frozen in place, making it hard to read her true reactions. As a result, she looked thrilled that Dani was being chased by a lunatic and needed her help. She twanged, “Oh my God, Dani. This is horrible. What can I do to help, honey?”
Jake stifled a grin. He was the one who’d put the clown idea into Dani’s head, and she’d never been able to get it out. To pay him back for that, she gave him a discreet kick in the shin, before she said, “I was wondering if we could use one of the empty houses in our inventory to set up a fake open house? Something that’s been on the market so long no one will actually come if I post it on my Realtor page.”
Jake added, “It’d be great if it was a little remote and had some growth around to conceal my men.”
Jerry, who stood in the rear of the office, said, “And near a highway for a fast getaway.”
Susie slowly nodded. “Well, why don’t we just take us a look-see then?” She tapped away on her computer with her perfectly manicured blood-red nails. “We do live in the high desert, gentlemen. Dense growth is going to take us outside of town, maybe the east mountains for some trees?”
Dani inspected her fingernails while pondering why people from Texas always seemed to end every sentence with a high-pitched question mark.
She noted that her own manicure sucked. She should get to that soon.
Susie finally called out, “Here we go now. This is just perfect, boys. It’s been empty for three years. Everyone this side of Abilene has seen this piece of cow dung, and it’s just off old sixty-six.” Susie’s printer whirred and then spit out the listing.
Maybe she was wrong. Not one question mark in that last ditty. But she wasn’t a boy. Didn’t she count, too? It was her life at stake.
Dani snatched the printout Susie held out before Jake could take it and read the deets.
Impatient as always, Jake snatched it back. “Thanks. I’ll run out there and check things out. We’ll shoot for day after tomorrow. That should give Carlos time to see your web page announcement for the open house, Dani. Give me your lockbox deal.”
Damn Jake. When he’d used it before, she’d warned him it was punishable by huge fines, and she could even lose her Realtor’s license for loaning out a lockbox key. Even if he was a cop.
Susie’s scary face whipped in Dani’s directi
on, and maybe Susie’s eyes got a tad wider. Before Susie could chastise Dani—or fire her—Dani grabbed Jake’s arm and stood. “See why I’m divorcing him? His sense of humor is so bizarre. We’ll just go get a key from the back.”
Susie slowly shook her head. “You exhaust me, darlin’. If it weren’t for your mother . . . just don’t go and get yourself dead, please. I don’t have the patience to train someone new.”
If it weren’t for her mother? “What does my—”
“You ladies can chat later. Let’s go.” Jake tugged Dani along with him out into the hall.
“Let go. I want to ask what she meant by that.”
“Just leave it. She’s probably talking about using Annalisa’s fame.”
He was covering something up. She stopped in her tracks and crossed her arms. “I’ve never lied to you, Jake. I’d appreciate the same consideration.”
“Dammit, Dani.” He cringed and pulled her away from Jerry. “I don’t lie to you . . . often. But if I do, it’s always for yours or someone else’s own good. Can’t you just leave it?”
“No.”
“Interesting that you’ve never lied to me, but you’re lying your ass off to your new boy toy.” He crossed his arms, too, and then turned all smug. “I’ll tell you what Susie meant when you come clean with Michael. About the open house and about the woo-woo stuff, too. He has the right to know what he’s getting himself into. It’s a pretty damn big deal not everyone can handle.”
A ball of guilt formed hard and fast in Dani’s belly. He knew just how to push her buttons. “You can be such an ass, Jake.”
She raised her hand, signaling for Jerry to stay put in the lobby area; then Dani turned and headed for the utility closet where they kept all the keys. Jake trailed a few steps behind. She’d never called him a name like that, so now she felt guilty for that, too.
While she searched for the key, Jake stood nearby with his hands stuffed into the front pockets of his jeans. He was being unusually quiet, but she counted that as a blessing.
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