“Never let go of your dreams.” Daniel finished and put his spoon down. Kate followed. “It makes people sad and depressed.”
“Wait until you get villainized in all the newspapers making you sound horrible.” Kate took his hands to help get up. “I’m expecting my good karma points.”
He stared at her then stood. “Sweetheart, you’re adorable.”
“I know.” She winked at him. “And I have an idea.”
He leaned closer. “What?”
She kissed his cheek, stepped back, and then raised her eyebrows. “Race you down the stairs to our room?”
“Didn’t I already ask you that?”
He smiled. “This time we keep our bets.”
“Deal.” She called behind her head. “I’m looking to collect.”
He made her forget her troubles, tonight. His hand grazed her backside and then he took off. If she lost, she still won at this game.
On the stairwell, Daniel squeezed her bottom. “Loser has to strip naked before drinking the wine.”
Daniel took her hand and tugged her to keep up. She slowed down. She could afford to lose this race.
Tonight, she needed to celebrate.
Chapter 40
Daniel opened the door for her, and she slid inside, first. “I win.”
“You didn’t win.” Daniel shook his head, “I was here first.”
She shrugged, dropped her shoes, and picked up the wine bottle. “I entered the door first. So I won. Strip, baby.”
“Baby?” He shook his head. “Katie, my cheater.”
She poured the wine. Then without another word, he tugged off his polo. She gulped, and the heat in her body grew. She bit on her lower lip, and stared at his perfectly sculptured body.
He came closer, and she stared into his abs.
He stepped back to remove his jeans. She saw that he had a rock-hard erection. “You’re abnormally perfect, Daniel Collins.”
His eyebrows lifted. “A perfect man would have his woman, naked, with him.”
She turned around and gave him her back. “You can unhook the top button and unzip the back, please.”
His hands traced her neck, and the warmth of his breath on her skin made her thirst for far more than wine. She arched her back, and was aware of his hands on her naked, excited skin. She closed her eyes, then dropped the dress to the ground. His hands went around her waist, and she leaned back into him. His touch felt great.
Then she turned around and picked up their glasses. “Drink up, Daniel.”
“Teasers get theirs.” He laughed then gulped down his glass. “I’m ready.”
“First things first.” Kate scanned the room and decided to up the stakes. “Go out on the balcony and look out toward the ocean.”
“Last night’s virgin is today’s tormentor.” He left his glass down on the table and followed her orders. She covered her face from her laugh, kept her high heels on, and then joined him. He almost turned around, but she ran her hand down his strong back. Then she kissed his strong shoulder, “Does this make me bad, wanting to be outside?”
“No, but a bit of a nudist.” He turned around, then his hand went right to the back of her bra. “If you’d take this off.”
He crossed his arms. “Don’t get to close to the edge, Katie.”
She tapped her finger on her cheek. “Why?”
“Anyone above us if they leaned over their balcony might see you.”
Her mouth opened wide in a smile, but her face was red. “No. Let’s go in and have that wine. You’re right. Inside is better.”
He raised his eyebrows. “Katie, I dare you to take off the bra and panties, before we head in.”
She licked her lips. A dare. She listened, and all the noise was above them. She’d stay on the wall, so no one could see. They had a private balcony. She’d be safe. She stared into his smoldering eyes, then reached behind her. His hand was close. She swatted him back, and then she unhooked her bra. Daniel’s eyes sparkled. Her lips opened a bit, then she took off her panties. “I play to win.”
“So do I.” He leaned into her, with his naked skin and caressed her. She couldn’t see the ocean behind him, and didn’t care. The moon’s brightness did not damper the electricity that pulsed through her body.
Daniel traced her curves and his closeness sent a tremble through her. Her heartbeat drummed fast, but her chest pushed into his. He kissed her nipple, and then their gazes met. His lips sent the engine inside her loins into a hum.
The sparks flew, and his mouth went lower again. She arched to give him everything as she pressed her back against the wall.
Her arms anchored on his waist, and held him close.
His manhood pressed against her apex, teasing.
She moaned. “Let’s go in.”
She fell backward on the bed and then waited for him. His hand trailed down her body and he followed the path with kisses. She arched back. “Are you shy now?”
“I’m in shock I wanted to do that.”
“I’m not sharing you, Katie.” His five o’clock shadow brushed against her neck, and she moaned, unable to speak. The roughness of his skin set her off course. His lips teased her neck and ear, “Katie, we waited too long today.”
Her voice wouldn’t cooperate, but she traced his hand. Then she reached for his back, and the heat went her into overdrive.
She took his hand to her center to prove how lost her body was already.
“Tell me, Katie.” His stubble rubbed against her chin, and her legs opened wider. “What do you want?”
Her breathing became labored. She gulped and tried to think.
He simply had to push.
She reached lower and traced his penis with her fingers to guide him inside.
Her body ached, and she changed positions to help him inside her. Instead his manhood brushed against her apex, and her muscles quivered with need.
She shivered with need, then stared into his sexy, black pupils. “Daniel, please.”
“Please twice now from you. For what?” His hands traced her body and pressed against her nipples.
His sent her body into aches of need.
“What do you want?”
“Daniel. I want you,” she called out, then he pressed inside her. Her body opened for him, and the walls of control tumbled away. “You’re all I want.”
Something inside her exploded.
Chapter 41
Daniel woke up in the early-morning hours, and his body still hungered for Kate. He put his hand over his head, and intended to go back to sleep. Kate, here beside him, helped him sleep deeper. He kissed her cheek, then stilled. She turned, but then slumped against him. He relaxed, and closed his eyes. Katie had this mix of sass and sweetness he’d never experienced before. The ship rocked, and helped him not think. The thought that he might wake up and have her again made his mouth water.
He licked his lips. Perhaps he ought to marry Kate. She was perfect. A laugh escaped his throat. In his teen years, he’d looked for someone like her, but he’d come to realize that the thought of a perfect woman was only a dream. He shook his head. Had he waited to find her?
“Daniel, are you up?”
He hugged the pillow over his head and blocked the morning sun. He turned on his side, then sat up. Kate stepped out of the bathroom and he stared at her black bra. He couldn’t gaze anywhere else.
She laughed then turned to shake her backside. “See something you like?”
“My pillows are missing,” he said then gazed up her wet skin then licked his lips. “Come back to bed.”
“Reducing my body parts to your whims?” She sat on the bed.
“Yes.” He spun her around, then he repositioned his head onto her breasts.
She giggled.
He closed his eyes.
She massaged his shoulders. “Daniel, my sister is getting married today.”
He stayed where he was, but opened his eyes a little. She tucked her finger under his chin, and commande
d him to kiss her lips. He nodded, and followed her directions.
“I’m leaving the ring here today.”
His chest tightened. “Why?”
She shrugged, but her face turned red. “My ring is big, and everyone will notice.”
“Who cares what people think? Besides, you’ve been wearing it all week.” He tasted her mouth, until she stopped. She smelled clean and sweet. She sighed into his mouth, then kissed him back. “Can you do this?”
“I can try.” She closed her eyes.
“I dare you.” He brushed his hand down his body. “We both know you like to know things others don’t.”
“You’re bad.” She rolled her head back and smirked. “I thought I was falling for a good-hearted, steady, doctor with an excellent reputation.”
“I’m that.” Her admission hit him. “And I’m falling for a woman who’s afraid to put her heart on the line because stupid people never appreciated her.”
“I like how you see me. I sound almost likeable.” She sighed, then rested her head on his chest. “Being your Katie is better than my own life.”
His hand dipped lower, and she lifted her leg to let him have better access.
Katie was the perfect woman for him.
Chapter 42
They left the dining room, hand in hand, to go back to their room. Breakfast was great.
In the hall, Kate ticked her tongue to the bottom of her mouth. “Stephanie will expect me to make a scene at the wedding, and I hope to avoid it. Daniel, you don’t want to get involved with me.”
“Far too late, Katie,” Daniel shook his head. “The Collins family has never had a divorce, and we tend to stick together. My parents were childhood sweethearts. Sean and Gigi were the same.”
Her jaw dropped open. “No divorces? Stephanie knows this?”
“Eric’s my cousin, but I’d assume he told her,” Daniel shrugged. “It’s something our parents were always drilling into every one of us.”
“Where is Eric’s family?” Kate asked. She couldn’t think about forever. “I thought he had six siblings and a mom and dad?”
“He does.” Daniel kept his voice low. “His older sister, my cousin Tabitha, she either ran off or was kidnapped. The family is leading a search worldwide, and we’re here to watch out for Eric, the best we can.”
“Wow. I had no idea.” She placed her hands in his. “I’m sorry. If there is anything I can do to help, ask.”
He nodded. “I’d like my cousin not to marry someone who will break his heart.”
“My sister probably used his sister’s disappearance to get this wedding.” Kate rubbed her neck. “She wants that necklace or his money this bad.”
“Relax. We can’t solve the world’s problems today.” Daniel held open the door for her, and they were almost knocked down in a herd of people.
Kate pushed to the side, as Daniel called out, “Slow down.”
“Are you helping my sister plan a sabotage?” Stephanie asked, and stopped in front of them. She was dressed in a white bathrobe, but her makeup was flawless. Stephanie crossed her arms. “I never expected the pair of you to get together like you have.”
Kate heard the sharp threat. “We’re going downstairs, to get ready for your big day. If you need me for anything, sis, call.”
“Kate’s pretending to be sweet,” Stephanie’s legs widened into a stance. “She likes to pretend to be a saint. I have no idea why.”
I am a nice person. Kate almost spat out her defense, but held her tongue. She refused to take the bait. “We’ll see you soon then.”
Stephanie spat back. “We’ll see how long the two of you last.”
“Longer than you and Eric.” Kate spoke fast and furious. “The Collins family isn’t after Sparrow, Inc.”
Away from the stairs, they cleared the wedding party, and Kate leaned into Daniel. “We’re sitting in the back, close to the door.”
Daniel rubbed her back. “What happened between you two?”
“Our father.” She rocked on her feet. “She was his favorite, or she was younger and more malleable. I was too stubborn for him.”
“Stubborn? You, Katie?” Daniel hugged her closer.
Then they both fell back and heard a loud splash. Someone from the pool must have dived, ungracefully, and the pool water spread. Daniel took her hand and led her away from the water toward a corner of the sun deck. “We’ll walk the promenade and take the forward elevator, avoiding the deck, later.”
“You have your uses.” She was mesmerized with his eyes. The brown sweetness almost swam with deep emotions, and she rubbed the goose bumps on her arms. If he looked at her with those sane brown eyes six months from now, when the house of cards settled down, she’d be in heaven.
“I have many uses,” he whispered in her ear. His body pressed against hers, and he brushed against her with a slight erection. “There is something I need to tell you.”
“Bad boy.” She smiled widely and ignored everything but the physical. “When I first saw you at the hotel bar, I thought you sexy but stuffy.”
“Thought I was sexy?” He shook his head. “I assumed you were a vain woman out to destroy your sister. Then I saw your clear brown eyes were both sweet and sincere.”
She froze. “You heard the news about me, and you still spent the time to see past that? To see me?”
“Yes, sweetheart.” He led her down to their room, then handed her the bag with the dress. “Now change.”
He dug out a tie and turned to face her. “I have something to confess.”
No. Her chest constricted. Here was where the pin went into the balloon, and burst her happiness. She took a step back toward the bathroom. “Can it wait until after the wedding?”
He shook his head. “I’d rather tell you now.”
“No, later.” She didn’t want to know.
He rubbed his neck. “Okay.”
She nodded. “Good. Besides, I need you to keep me safe. At the bank, the man said they’d kill me.”
He took a step closer to her. “Katie, I’m right here.”
Chapter 43
“The wedding will start in an hour.” Daniel fixed his tie and grinned at her. “Let’s get to this shindig.”
“Never say shindig again.” Kate strapped on her other shoe. “You don’t have the right accent at all, and doctors should sound smart.”
He went to the door, and ran his hand through his hair. “Ready?”
She took Daniel’s hand, and the electrical energy gave her power. “No one’s ever had my back. It’s a good feeling.”
He winked. “I aim to please.”
When they arrived at the wedding, he held the door open for her, and her gaze zoomed in on two seats in the back row. Her heart constricted a bit.
Kate kept her head down, but she refused to interfere with this farce of a wedding.
The music wafted in the air. The wedding was about to begin.
Kate lifted her face to see. She stared at Stephanie in her white dress coming down the aisle. Her sister’s wedding dress was from the family line. Its A-line front dipped into a V behind, and had a low back. Kate lowered her gaze, but her hand stayed under Daniel’s.
Stephanie stepped into the aisle and was about to pass them.
Then she stopped, and Kate’s skin heated. What? She sucked in her lips, but her sister’s accusation flew on a whisper in the air. “Kate, are you here to torment me?”
Daniel’s hand squeezed hers. Kate sealed her lips, shook her head, and tried to hide.
“You ruined my wedding and my life,” Stephanie said in a louder voice. “Dad’s dead because of you. Eric doesn’t believe I love him anymore, and you stole my necklace.”
“The necklace?” Kate said, and shook her head slowly. With her free hand on her hip, she argued, “My goodness, is that what this is about? Did you ever plan on marrying that boy or was this a ruse to get to the Caymans? Mom left the necklace to me, not you.”
“Shut up,” Stephanie s
houted. “Just give it to me.”
Kate rocked on her feet. “No.”
Stephanie threw her hands in the air. “Why do you ruin everything?”
“Why is this my fault? I didn’t stop this wedding,” Kate swayed backwards an inch. “And that necklace is not yours. She left it to me. She gave me the key. Not you.”
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