Alveus (ABC's Inc. Romance #1)

by Lara Earlman

  Aly’s door opened and she stepped out, taking a quick scan of the room. She had changed into black skinny jeans with a glossy turquoise tee. Her silky hair, still damp from the shower, was pulled up into a casual ponytail and she wore no make-up. Dane realized he was holding his breath. Even with no make-up, Aly could give Miss Universe a run for her money. He felt his body responding to the delectable curves the tight jeans called attention to.

  “We will be dining alone tonight,” he told her, gesturing to a small table set for two. “You must be hungry, I know I’m starved.” He pulled a chair out for her, inviting Aly to sit. As she complied he continued to speak, feeling like a teenage boy eager to please. “Bruna’s a superb cook, which is a strong incentive for me to visit Oma frequently.” Dane sat down across from her and gave her a wink of conspiracy. He received a shy smile in return.

  And so the evening went; just like the car ride from Frankfurt, Aly spoke in monosyllables or nods. Although her mouth turned up in polite smiles, her eyes retained the haunted look from earlier. After finishing off his glass of wine, Dane decided he’d had enough of one-sided conversing and excused himself.

  “I’ve got to make a few phone calls,” he explained. “Business never takes a day off.” He leaned over to give Aly a light kiss on her temple. “I’ll see you in the morning, liebling.” As he escaped through the open door to the corridor, Dane shook his head. Now, why had he felt the need to comfort her?

  »ɞ»ɞ«ɞ«

  Chapter Four

  Lexi refilled her wine glass and moved to the settee. Slipping off her shoes, she brought her feet up and tucked them to the side. Her mind was on Dane, of course. The more time she spent with him, the more she saw the boy she had known. Yet, there was a secretive side to him, as if he only allowed people to see the surface. She tried to remember if he’d always been that way. He was treating her with kindness and the twelve-year-old Lexi inside of her wanted to get closer. It was her desire to live the dream, the fantasy of love as it had been placed in her lap, but the grown Lexi wanted to move with caution. She’d had a glimpse of his hardened soul.

  During the drive to Oberstein, Dane had lost patience with her lack of responsiveness. What did he expect; how would he like to be bought as a slave? He’d made it clear to her that she was a means to an end – to make his grandmother happy, and nothing else. If she thought to expect more from him, he assured her that it would not be possible. Women had but one function in his life.

  She had been threatened not only by his henchman Ingram, but also by Cass. Both insisted that she would not escape punishment if she tried to run to the authorities. But it wasn’t really fear that kept Lexi from running, it was the knowledge that she had nothing and no one to run to.

  In truth, Lexi liked being where she was. She liked the idea of being part of a family and having a grandmother, especially since the woman had already been Oma to the child Lexi. Submitting to the needs of an arrogant, self-important man was another matter! Was Oma worth surrendering to Dane? Perhaps, although Lexi had noticed what Dane apparently hadn’t – Oma was faking her illness! A smile crept onto her face and she laughed out loud. What was Oma up to? A tiny spark of hope lay unobtrusively at the bottom of the hollow pit inside her. She dared not dissect or disturb it, least it disappear.

  Lexi stood and began piling up the dishes of her and Dane’s meal. Once neatly arranged on the large tray, she carried it out to the corridor. She had no idea where the kitchen was, but was certain that she could find it. As she passed the open door to Oma’s suite, Bruna came running out to detain her.

  “No, no, Miss, I will take care of that!” She grabbed the tray from Lexi’s hands and scurried down the stairs before Lexi had time to open her mouth.

  “Aly, is that you?” came a soft voice from Oma’s room. “Come sit with me awhile.”

  “Of course,” Lexi said. Dane’s grandmother was comfortably ensconced in her sitting room, facing the open door. Lexi approached the elderly lady, took hold of her hand and placed a kiss on her forehead. On instinct, she checked Oma’s temperature and pulse, a practice she had performed regularly on her mother. “Is there anything I can get to make you more comfortable?” she asked.

  “No, just sit and talk with me,” Oma said, pointing to the chair across from hers.

  “Okay, but don’t allow me tire you.”

  “Ach,” Oma waved her hand, “when I get tired, I rest. It is the way when you get old; you rest and then you are good for several hours, you get tired and you rest again.” She smiled. “You are a nurse, no?” Lexi furled her eyebrows, quizzically.

  “No… Oh, you noticed that I checked your pulse. No, I took care of someone close to me. Forgive the intrusion; I wasn’t aware of doing it.”

  Oma laughed. “You did not offend me, ein bisschen! So then, what is it you do in New York?”

  Although Lexi was sensitive about her height, or lack thereof, she was not insulted by the elderly woman’s tendency to call her little one. She knew it was meant as an endearment.

  “I am an executive assistant at a company which sells micro circuitry.”

  She believed in keeping things as truthful as possible. Alberton Technologies does sell microchips as well as innovative software and electronics, and she had worked as her father’s assistant.

  “Very interesting,” Oma said politely, although clearly not engrossed enough to continue with the subject. “So, are you planning to marry my grandson?” Whoa! She certainly doesn’t beat around the bush!

  “Uh, I don’t know.” Lexi pulled herself back from left field. “Are you proposing to me, Oma?” she teased. The old woman laughed heartily.

  “Oh, I like you,” she said, pulling a kerchief from her sleeve to catch the tears rolling down her cheek. “It was my understanding that my grandson had beaten me to it!” Lexi shared in Oma’s mirth, enjoying the relaxed banter. Seriously, she could not remember the last time she’d laughed.

  “Well, yes, he has mentioned it,” she hedged.

  “Bah, that boy hasn’t a romantic bone in his body.” Oma complained. “Mentioned it – I’ll bet he never even came right out and asked you!” She glared over Lexi’s shoulder, then turned sharp eyes on her. “Do you love him?”

  Once again taken aback, Lexi hesitated, searching the old woman’s eyes for an answer.

  “Which Dane, Oma? The one you know, or the one he shows the rest of the world?” Lexi shook her head. “I haven’t dated much, but I just don’t feel comfortable with the way he runs through woman. I will not be one of them and unfortunately I don’t think he can change.”

  “Perhaps that is what attracts him to you, ein bisschen.” She softened her gaze before steering it back over Lexi’s shoulder. Lexi turned and saw Dane standing in the doorway, his face hard. How much had he heard?

  »ɞ»ɞ«ɞ«

  Dane heard the laughter before he reached Oma’s sitting room. He was drawn like a magnet to Aly’s deep throaty laugh – sexy and yet modest. Stepping inside the room, he was halted by not only his grandmother’s glare, but by the words she spoke next. Do you love him? Telling himself that he only wanted to hear how Aly would reply, he quashed the thought that her answer was important to him. After a gut wrench at her response, Dane turned defensive. She has the nerve to judge him? Well, if Oma’s right and that’s her little game, then she will lose and become just like the rest! He smirked, thinking of the enjoyment he’d receive from the challenge. Their eyes met as she turned to find him standing in the doorway, and he took satisfaction in the worried look on her face.

  “You wished to see me, Oma?” Dane addressed his grandmother, as he stepped forward to kiss her on the cheek.

  “There was no hurry, jungen. I just wanted you to drop by before you turned in for the evening. It’s such a comfort to have you home. I do hope you’re planning to stay for a while.” Dane got a devilish smile on his face and leaned in closer to his grandmother.

  “As long as it takes us to convince Aly to marry
me,” he told her, enlisting her as his cohort. She gave a pleased clap of her hands.

  “Oh, I do love a challenge!” she exclaimed. Dane lifted one eyebrow and turned to Aly.

  “Me too,” he said.

  The woman in question sat still as a deer caught in headlights – very apropos.

  “Oma, have you any idea where we can get a formal gown for Aly on short notice?” Dane asked, as the three of them took breakfast the next morning. “I was just informed last night about a formal reception being held in Idar-Oberstein this evening. I really should attend. Don’t you think it would be a perfect time to introduce mein liebes to my business associates?”

  “Yes, I’ll call one of the shops in town and have them bring over a selection,” she replied. “I’ve used them before, and they carry an adequate assortment of imported items. I take it she’ll need accessories to go with?” She looked over at Aly, who shyly nodded. “I’ll arrange for a girl to come in to do her hair and make-up as well.”

  Attempting to get some work accomplished in his late grandfather’s home office, Dane tried to tune out the activity upstairs. He never realized how loud and boisterous a group of women could be. Of course, he could just close the office door… reason suggested, but he found himself enjoying the lively chatter and laughter coming from Aly’s rooms. Smiling, he told himself that he was happy to hear Oma enjoying herself, although his ears were zeroed in to Aly’s throaty laughter. At first it was hard to distinguish – hesitant, almost shy, but a moment ago it blasted out into a full-fledged belly laugh. It was so contagious, he actually surprised himself by chuckling.

  Dane found himself wishing that he was the one sparking the sound from her. All he could draw out of Aly was emotionless monosyllables. He had just met the woman and she reacted to him as she would a venomous snake – what the hell? Maybe that was her response to all men. But… no, that didn’t add up, seeing the profession she’d chosen. Well, the only logical conclusion he could come up with is that she’s scheming to make things more permanent, drain more money from him. She was good; he had to admit that. No other woman has occupied his thoughts so consistently. Still, his gut felt unsettled. Aly just didn’t fit into any of the definitions he’d been given for her.

  Silence broke Dane from his thoughts and pulled him out of his chair. Curiosity took control over his feet. The female laughter had started him itching to find out what was happening upstairs, but he’d clung to his male pride – even if it was only hanging by a thread. The complete absence of sound was too much for him to withstand! He strode up the stairs and down the carpeted hall toward the sitting room. As he neared the door he could hear hushed sounds of gasps, coos, and sighs.

  “Oh, ein bisschen,” Oma said softly, “it’s exquisite.”

  Dane peered inside the door and followed Oma’s brimming eyes to the object of everyone’s attention.

  A goddess.

  She stood staring at her reflection in the full-length mirror. A cream colored gown hugged her figure. Halter styled, it cut demurely low in the front showing a tantalizing glimpse of her cleavage and attached at the neck with a pearl-studded collar, leaving her shoulders bare. The back of the gown… well there was no back! The dress cut low, wow – extremely low, falling short of exposing the dimples of her buttocks. A long strand of pearls hung freely from the collar, leading one’s eyes down her silky porcelain back. Aly’s pale blue eyes widened in surprise, as if looking at a stranger, and then they strayed to the side meeting his. Dane’s heart stopped.

  »ɞ»ɞ«ɞ«

  Lexi sunk into the golden pools of Danes eyes. It was as if his soul called to hers. They remained connected for an eternity, before the other occupants of the room reminded them of their presence.

  True to her word, Oma had called in her reliable reinforcements. The owner of the couture came herself, bringing along two of her trusted assistants – one of which specialized in hair and make-up. They enlisted the aid of Frieda, a young frollein who helped Bruna with the household chores. Frieda’s main duty was to serve tea and to fetch any needs the women may have. Lexi felt a little unnerved with the attentions of five women focused on her.

  Dressing for “business social” was nothing new for Lexi; she had attended dozens of the formal functions as her father’s escort. Buying a gown involved going to an upscale dress shop in Bethesda. True, the owner gave her special attention by ordering gowns she knew would complement Lexi’s coloring and tastes, but she was never set upon by a gaggle of women. It goes without saying that no one had ever come to the house to dress her. Memories surfaced of one such occasion when her mother attacked her in a jealous rage as she was leaving the house with her father. It was rare that Lexi’s mother recognized her daughter. She had clawed Lexi’s face and shredded her gown, before her father could calm her down. Lexi shook her head. No, those were not the memories she wanted to keep of her beloved mother.

  After her initial shyness, Lexi was drawn in by the women’s enthusiasm. Watching Dane’s grandmother grow younger by the minute made the awkwardness of being the center of attention worth it. Oma was in her element as she directed the festivities and endured the pleasant teasing the women flung her way. She effectively drew a share of the attention away from Lexi, putting her at ease. More and more the elderly woman was settling into a place in Lexi’s hollow heart.

  “Are you familiar with a chocolatier in Baltimore named Abare’s?” Oma asked Lexi, when the conversation turned to America.

  “Yes, my mother was fond of their caramels,” Lexi replied.

  “The caramels are good, but I adore their peanut butter fudge, dipped in a thick coating of dark chocolate,” Oma nearly swooned. The ladies laughed.

  “With all of the fine chocolates on this side of the Atlantic, you prefer American chocolate?” the couture owner scoffed.

  “I will state it again,” Oma said haughtily, “peanut – butter – fudge!”

  The way she said it, as if there could be no argument, set the women laughing uproariously. Lexi could not help but join in.

  With all of the happy bantering, there was no doubt when Lexi came out of her bed chamber wearing The Dress. The room became silent. Tea cups paused in mid-air, as every eye took in the perfection. The gown fit as if made for Lexi alone. Oma ordered Frieda to fetch her pearl necklace which was then attached to the back of the gown’s collar. Its antique ornate clasp served to weigh down the strand so that it hung straight along Lexi’s backbone. One of the girls pulled the hair up off of her shoulders, allowing one large curl to float freely at the back of her neck. Lexi stared at the unfamiliar woman in the mirror.

  The gown matched the color of the pearls perfectly, accentuating the stark white of Lexi’s skin. Hugging her body, the front of the gown had a fold of material flowing down from beneath the bust and ending with a small slit showing off her left ankle. It gave her the look of an ancient Grecian queen. The only color came from Lexi’s pink lips, pale blue eyes, and the deep auburn of her hair. The image in the mirror reminded Lexi of a sea nymph, just emerging from a giant clam shell. Sensing his presence, her eyes joined with Danes in the mirror’s reflection.

  “The jeweler in town may have some pearl accessories that will match your strand,” the couture owner suggested. She pulled out her phone to take a picture of Oma’s pearls.

  “No need,” Oma said, “Frieda, hand me the jewelry box.” As she began digging through it, Dane came out of his stupor.

  “I suppose it’s time for me to try and make myself look worthy of her escort,” he declared, heading out the door.

  “I’d be happy to assist you in that endeavor,” quipped one of the shop girls. Frieda and the other assistant giggled, adding their offers of help. The shop owner glared at her subordinates.

  “You may help by packing up the discarded gowns,” she advised. Lexi retreated to her room to remove the gown and don a robe. She was uncomfortable with the stiffening of her insides at the girl’s flirting words. Jealously? Had Dane also sli
pped into her heart, unwarranted?

  Chapter Five

  Dane had done a very nice job of cleaning himself up – presumably all on his own. Lexi had to concentrate to breathe, and every breath she took filled her nostrils with the clean aroma of his spicy aftershave, infused with his own unique scent. The fragrance caused her whole being to take on a possessive demeanor. The tux he wore was definitely tailored for his physique, emphasizing his wide shoulders and narrow hips. Perhaps Oma had offered her assistance, because he wore a pale cream tie to match her own gown, as well as pearl cuff links and studs. The limo arrived at the reception hall and Dane slid out of the seat. Reaching inside, he assisted Lexi out and tucked her hand into the crook of his elbow.

  Lexi’s hand felt safe, protected, and completely at home there.

  »ɞ»ɞ«ɞ«

  The eyes of every male in the room zeroed in on them as soon as they’d stepped over the threshold. Dane was used to the attention drawn to the beautiful women who accompanied him to these droll functions, but took offense this time at the open and, in some cases, lust-filled admiration roaming over Aly’s figure. He felt a pause in her as her grip tightened on his arm. She was uncomfortable with the attention. The discovery surprised him.

  “Dane, darling!” A tall, stick-thin blond insinuated herself between he and Aly, trying unsuccessfully to break their bond.

  “Penelope, what brings you so far from London?” Dane greeted the woman, graciously exchanging double cheek kisses.

  “Why business of course,” she answered, taking possession of his other arm. Leaning in close, she cooed as if sharing a secret. “Besides, you know me darling, how could I resist visiting the famed gemstone town?”