by RaeLynn Blue
She nodded. If she lived a thousand years, she would never forget the time in Milwaukee. Kenshin had sat with her for hours, listening to her talk about her love of cooking and her favorite episodes of cooking competition shows. They’d escaped the party, going out to the balcony on a balmy June evening. She had worn her lacy black teddy and favorite stilettos and he’d worn only ebony boxer briefs. Her shoes were beside her, and one of her feet had remained clasped in Kenshin’s hands as he’d massaged it with his blissful palms. Behind them like mood music, moans, shrieks, and the slapping of sweaty bodies had escaped the rooms. Kenshin had been kind, patient, and most of all interested in something beyond sex.
Just like that night.
“Why are you running away from this, D?” Ren asked gently.
A good question and one she’d asked herself every day. “He’s a stranger, Ren.”
Ren stood up. “He’s a good man who is in love with you. You really like him too. Make it work or at least try.”
Dante swore, her lip trembling. “You ain’t listening, Rennie. This guy doesn’t want me. He maybe thought he did, but he doesn’t now. I can’t give him anything. I’m done. Empty.”
Ren frowned and shook his head. “Give yourself permission to love, D. You’re not a dying plant, but a woman in full bloom. You just need some nourishment.”
Dante stood and sighed. It failed to alleviate any of her fears.
“This can go badly.”
Ren nodded. “It could go brilliantly. Try.”
She drank more coffee.
“Besides, what else you got to do?” Ren suggested with a smile.
He had a point, but moreover, she realized that she did like Kenshin—more than any other man she’d met before.
“Kenshin, you going out tonight? A bunch of us are heading down to Moe’s Jazz Joint,” his colleague Tigera asked, peering at him over her black, square glasses. She wrinkled her nose.
“No, not tonight.” Kenshin stood up from his desk. Friday night had arrived again, and like every weekend, she asked him to go along on some outing. He understood Tigera’s unspoken request. She really wanted him to go. Her interests lay in him, not the social functions themselves. Kenshin gave her bonus points for continuing to weather his rejections when she held so many other men spellbound.
He sighed. Tigera simply wasn’t divine—like Dante.
“You’d enjoy it.” Tigera winked before leaving his office.
Oh he doubted that.
He collapsed back into his chair and began the brief process of shutting down his laptop. Part of him noted that he didn’t have a Friday full of plans, but how could he explain that the flavor of life he wanted didn’t exist without Dante in it? Her fiery pepper kept things interesting, saucy, and exciting.
Grabbing his briefcase, he resumed his nightly internal debate. He should’ve just sexed her like she wanted—hell, like he wanted. But it felt wrong. He was in love with Dante. Sex would not be enough to sate his needs—he wanted all of her.
Her. Dante.
Almost instantly, she appeared in his mind’s eye. Her bright smile, her eyelids lowered as she leaned in to kiss him. He swore and punched his thigh in frustration. Naturally, it served to make him even angrier. Dante made him crazy, but he couldn’t deny how badly he wanted to be committed, either. He hadn’t expected her to be such a hard case about it. Frowning, he turned to the laptop. Somehow, he had to capture her attention, no, her heart.
But he saw how she warred with herself, battling her lust like a samurai warrior—with shrewd, cold calculation. She weighed it—the consequence and the craving. He didn’t want her to regret any of their interactions. No excuses, explaining it away or worse belittling it after. That simply wouldn’t do.
Kenshin, not a fan of unrequited love, pondered harder. At one time in his life, he thought love was dead. Dante had begun to change his mind. He wanted her to love him.
Dante wasn’t the type of woman to whom one issued demands. Plus an exchange of body heat cooled quickly. What he had burned beyond his desire. His dragon was restless. No, she would have to be persuaded. Dante was electric fuel that could keep him alive forever. He’d made his intentions clear.
Tigera appeared at the entrance again. “There’s someone here to see you.”
Kenshin sat up straighter. Who would come to see him at five in the evening? He ran a finger down the open calendar lying on his desk—empty in the five o’clock spot.
“Who is it?”
Tigera shrugged and pushed her glasses back up her nose. “Some man.”
“Name?”
“I don’t know and I’m officially done here, so…”
“Send in him.” He stood up, already tired of Tigera’s attitude and more than piqued by his mystery guest.
Tigera shrugged and left.
Moments later, Ren walked in, his fiery red hair parted down the center of his head and braided into two plaits, one on either side of his head. Draped in jeans and a polo, he looked like a Viking who’d been transported to the present.
“Ren?” Kenshin came around the desk. Adrenaline seeped into his bloodstream making his heart pound. “Dante—”
“Is fine.” Ren finished for him.
He didn’t smile, but extended his hand. Kenshin accepted the handshake, but it didn’t alleviate his worry.
“What’s going on? By the way you’re acting, she’s not fine.”
“Yeah, she’s fine. Okay, okay, she’s not fine.”
Kenshin’s heart skipped. He froze. “How do you mean?”
Silence as Ren shoved his hands into his pockets.
Kenshin fought down the urge to yell at Ren until the man told him. Screaming wouldn’t aid him in getting information. He doubted Ren wanted a fight with him. Kenshin had made his intentions clear to Dante, and if being patient with Ren meant getting to Dante sooner, he would do whatever he had to do for her. Besides, Ren had come to him.
“Okay, Kenshin, we go way back. You’re a loyal customer and all.”
“Dante?”
“She’s physically fine but emotionally vacant. She’d closed herself to everyone. I saw your passion for her last week” Ren sighed. “What happened? She kick you outta the room the other night?”
“The last time I saw her, she didn’t ask me to leave. I left voluntarily.”
“You were all ragin’ to go and you punked out?” Ren laughed.
Wincing at the volume of Ren’s guffaw, Kenshin shook his head. Of course that was the natural reaction from body-bouncers like Ren and Rob. The subtleness of love probably escaped them.
“No. I didn’t, as you say, punk out. I don’t want just a roll in the hay with her…”
“I’ve known her since we were seven. By the time she hit ten, every male wanted a roll in the hay with her.” Ren shook his head, an incredulous look on his face.
“You would not understand.” Kenshin started packing his belongs to take home.
“I do.”
“You do?”
“It’s obvious to me and Rob.”
“What is?” Kenshin snorted in disbelief.
“You’re in love with her.”
Maybe he had to rethink his opinion of Ren. He looked over at Ren.
“I wanted to call her, to talk to her and explain”
Ren nodded. “She sold the business today.”
Kenshin released a slow breath. “Damn.”
Ren sighed. “Yeah. So you giving up on connecting with her?”
“Who said I had given up?” Kenshin laughed. “I’m giving her some distance to miss me before I try again. Make no mistake, Ren. I love her. I won’t stop until she not only knows it, but believes it.”
“So, what’re you going to do about it?”
Kenshin paused. He’d been awake most nights since he left her hotel room wrestling with that exact question gnawing at him. How could he convince a woman as strong, independent, and stubborn as Dante to trust him to love her properly?
&nbs
p; “As I figured. You’ve got no damn clue, do you?” Ren laughed again.
Kenshin had no idea why Ren found his plight so amusing. “Actually, I do. I was going to call you or Rob later tonight…”
Ren slumped down into one of his visitor’s chairs. “For real?”
Nodding, Kenshin leaned back against his desk and the formulation of his plan took root. He knew just how to get Dante to realize his seriousness. It just might work, and it was more than worth a try.
“Yes, and now that you’re here, you are going to help me.”
Chapter Five
Three Weeks Later
Dante could barely believe her luck. Her Thursday night had been commandeered for this—the John Hancock Building. Again. She’d lived in Chi-town for nearly fifteen years. Visits to the Hancock had become as routine as putting on socks.
“Close your eyes.” Kenshin guided her into the elevator.
“You expect me to trust you after nearly three weeks of not seeing you?” She cocked her head to side. “Really?”
The white, stemmed roses in his hands sent her heart hammering. As usual, his long ebony hair had been combed straight down to his shoulders. She smirked at the cobalt silk scarf he removed from his pants’ pocket.
“We talked on the phone nearly every day during the last two weeks.”
“And?” She crossed her arms.
“And, you agreed to come out with me tonight on a makeup date.” Kenshin winked at her and held the roses out to her. “You accepted.”
“But if I refuse?” She quirked an eyebrow, but took the flowers from him.
What was he up to with the scarf? A little S&M in the elevator maybe? She turned away from the closing elevator doors, facing several other people in the car. They exchanged confused looks, but no one asked her outright what was going on.
Not that she knew.
Kenshin wrapped the blindfold around her eyes and whispered into her ear, “No peeking.”
“What floor?” Someone—a man—asked.
Now. Now she’d learn something about this mysterious date.
Kenshin didn’t reply to her question.
The elevator lurched upward without him disclosing their designated floor. Damn. She waited in darkness. Kenshin’s hands weighed heavy on her shoulders. The urge to lean her head back and rest in his comforting embrace came over her, but that would invite temptation. He felt solid and so good. As the elevator doors continued to open and close, Dante had no idea if more people came in or how many left. She tried to discern voices, but some people didn’t speak. So, she gave up and gave in to trusting Kenshin.
His lips brushed her ear. “Just a few moments more.”
“Until?”
“Until we get there.”
“Come on.”
“Shush. Trust me.” He planted a soft kiss on her lobe before relinquishing it with a sigh.
“Here we go.” He spun her around just as a cool rush of air brushed her face. Not removing the blindfold, he guided her as he walked, and she didn’t know how far he led her.
At some point, he stopped. “And here we are.”
Her hands grabbed the blindfold seconds before he released the knot. It fell into her open palms.
“No. Way.” Dante’s throat had gone dry.
“Surprise!” roared a room full of people—no, several groups of people all seated at swanky tables and dressed in formal attire. Not another damn party.
“Kenshin?” She let him take her hand and lead her through the room. She barely felt his hand because of the numbness. The doors closed in a hush behind them.
“I’m sure you don’t want to attend another party, but this one is not like those.” Kenshin gestured to the people.
“No?” Dante bit her lip to keep the sarcasm from poisoning the cheery face beaming at her.
“No, this isn’t a retirement party either.”
Dante could see this clearly was a party. The absolute last thing she wanted to be involved in. Hell, she would’ve rather had gone to the observation deck for the one millionth time! This had to be the worst date she’d been on in a long time.
When she opened her mouth to tell him so, Kenshin said, “It’s your rebirth gathering.”
At this the crowd erupted with applause. The string quartet started playing and the event appeared to launch into festive mode.
Dante cringed. “Rebirth?”
“Yes. There are many lives lived within one human life. You’ve been reborn now. No longer a pleasure party planner.”
True.
But what was she if not the famous and fabulous Dante Divine? She ran her hands over her midnight-blue cocktail dress. Now she understood why he’d insisted she dress up.
“Who are these people?”
Kenshin smiled. “The lovely lady in lavender is your mother.”
“Momma?” Dante couldn’t believe it. Sure enough, seated at a table closest to the window and in a conversation with someone who looked a lot like Dante’s former high school English teacher, Ms. Divine resembled a regal queen. Lavender two-piece suit and a big, wide-brimmed matching hat dressed with a silk ribbon and fat purple flower. Her momma looked ready for church, as did Ms. Mitchell, her former English teacher.
She went to her momma’s table.
“Hey, baby!” Her momma hugged her closely.
“What are you doing here?” She smelled like fresh cut flowers.
“I’m here to launch your new life and career.”
“Career?” Dante looked at Kenshin.
Her momma sheepishly grinned at her and then at Kenshin. “Did I say too much?”
“No, ma’am.”
“You know my momma?” Dante looked from one to the other. Clearly they’d met and talked.
“It’s good to see you, and you’ve grown into quite the beautiful woman,” Ms. Mitchell said. She stood up and hugged Dante.
“Thank you.” Dante released her and searched the other faces seated at tables and chatting while the music played. Waiters with what appeared to be appetizers and drinks floated casually around the tables and passed out goodies.
“Kenshin?” Dante couldn’t believe he’d done all of this on his own.
“Yes?”
“I appreciate this, but…”
Kenshin took her hand and led her away from her mother and Ms. Mitchell. A waiter appeared and led them to a secluded table. He held the chair out for her, and she sat down. He sat across from her and smiled.
“This is for you, Dante. Think of it as a launch party.”
Everyone wanted to try the tasty food brought out from the kitchen. She’d heard of this place. A swanky place with world-renowned chef Marco Riggoni. Secretly, she’d followed his career to food celebrity.
“This is Marco’s place…”
Kenshin nodded.
“All of these customers…”
“Are your friends…” Kenshin finished.
Dante’s throat closed around the emotional knot lodged there. He rented out the entire Signature Room on the ninety-fifth floor of the John Hancock Building for her. For this. Ren and Rob walked around the restaurant talking to people she hadn’t seen since childhood and others since she launched her Divine freak parties.
“Your life has started anew. These people were part of your life before, but they will be a support for your future.”
Dante chuckled. “How do you know? You don’t know anyone here except those twins and my momma, which you still have to explain.”
Kenshin reached for her hands across the table and squeezed them. “Ah, that’s Erin Edwards over there in the green-sequin dress. She’s the branch manager over in the Gold Coast neighborhood. She also went to your high school and is willing to give you a business loan when you’re ready.”
She knew Erin but how did he?
As she looked around, she realized that no one from her freak parties had come. Only people she’d known before that life and Ren and Rob remained. A few cousins had been sprinkled in.
It amazed her that Kenshin had managed to get all of these people here.
“My next business?” Dante snorted. You can’t know what that is when I don’t.”
“I can’t know for sure; you’re right about that. But two years ago, you told me you wanted to own a restaurant. Marco’s is one of the best businesses in the area. These people all agreed to invest in your goal—of starting your own restaurant.”
“What?” The hot prick of tears gathered in her eyes. Yes, that had been her dream, and he’d remembered something she’d casually mentioned while drinking too much on a balcony two years ago. Most men couldn’t even recall her last name let alone her dream.
“And you did all this…” She coughed to clear her throat of the enormity of Kenshin’s actions but found herself unable to do so, because now it was clogged with tears.
“Yes.”
There. He got up, yanked her to her feet, and hugged her to him. He kissed her cheek.
“I love you.”
Her heart felt like it was inching up to her throat. It burned in protest, and she closed her eyes. Tears slipped from beneath her eyelids.
“Dante?” Kenshin’s voice sharpened with concern.
“I-I’m fine. Really.” She opened her eyes to find his warm ones on her.
“Don’t mess up your makeup because I’m not done.”
Lordy. He has more?
Kenshin kissed her cheek and waved at Rob, who stood talking to her momma by the kitchen doors.
“I love you, and my life would not be complete without you. I’m tired of simply existing in a vacuum, only half breathing. I want to breathe, to grow, to flourish, and I need you, Dante, my oxygen, to keep my life from being one long inferno of misery.”
She gripped the tablecloth because she felt faint. No one, let alone a man, had ever cared about her goals and secret dreams. They’d all been takers. Those had been before—in her former life.
But thanks to Kenshin, she had been reborn. She met Kenshin’s almond-shaped eyes and found fierce determination and love. He’d put all this effort just to prove his dedication and love.
And she didn’t have to sleep with him.