A Perfect Caress

by Nana Prah

  Four rows across the barrier where she’d parked, an older and a younger woman hugged. Lanelle spied on the pair, wondering what had happened to make them embrace in the middle of a parking garage.

  Considering the lot belonged to a hospital, morose thoughts of death and illness came to mind. Perhaps one was comforting the other.

  Slipping herself out of the imaginary world she’d created for the people she’d never meet, Lanelle opened her door and slid behind the wheel of her favorite, yet least ostentatious, car. She sparked the engine of the navy blue Volvo S80. With the press of a button, the seat’s massaging system eased the tension from her lower back.

  After a few moments of bliss, she pulled out of her parking space. As she rounded the corner where the women had embraced, she noticed a tall, dark-skinned man standing in the middle of the aisle. How could this be when she’d done such a good job escaping him earlier? Distracted, she slammed on the brake.

  Realizing too late she’d drawn their attention, Lanelle pressed the gas in an attempt to ease past without being seen. Although the side windows were tinted, anyone outside the car had full view of her through the windshield.

  Fate. Kismet. Destiny. All words of impossibility Lanelle didn’t believe in shuffled themselves around in her head. What had been the chances of ever seeing Dante again when she’d given him her name? Obviously, the odds had been pretty darn good.

  The attempt to make herself invisible by scrunching low in her seat failed. He disturbed her in a warm-feeling-at-her-center kind of way. The last thing she needed in her life was to be attracted to someone.

  Lanelle knew the moment the cake stealer recognized her. Waving her down, he stepped over to her window. For a split second she thought of zooming past so she’d never have to listen to the deep timbre of his voice again. Isn’t that what I thought when I left him in the cafeteria?

  From the impression she’d gotten of him earlier, Lanelle figured Dante was the kind of man a woman could have fun with but never tie down. She wasn’t in the market for either.

  His broad grin sent a flutter skidding through her belly. “Hi. Funny meeting you here.”

  Uncanny, but stranger things had happened. She’d have been out of the parking lot a good five minutes ago if she hadn’t forgotten her briefcase in the boardroom in her dash out of an adjourned meeting for chocolate cake therapy. “If you find it even mildly amusing, then you have a weird sense of humor.”

  “I’ve been accused of it a time or two.”

  She smirked.

  “You have a pretty smile.”

  Yes, the man’s a charmer. She straightened in her seat, thinking she might feel more comfortable if he didn’t tower over her. Whom am I kidding? The man’s a giant. He’d dwarf her even if she was standing in three-inch heels. “Thank you.” Keeping things light and polite would be the easiest way out without hurting his ego. “Nice seeing you again. Take care.”

  “Wait.” He motioned to the young woman she’d seen hugging the older one. “Vanessa, come here.”

  Lanelle’s mouth watered as the girl brought her chocolate cake closer. Good to know he hadn’t been lying.

  “Vanessa, meet Lanelle. The woman I almost got into a fight with to make sure you got your cake.”

  Lanelle put the car in Park and eased her foot off the brake. Reaching out the window, she extended her right hand to the young woman. The dimple she displayed in each cheek brought out Lanelle’s own smile. Her test results must’ve been good. “Nice to meet you, Vanessa.”

  “You, too.” Vanessa gave Dante her attention. “What do you mean about the cake?”

  Dante’s light brown eyes gleamed as he focused on Lanelle while answering his niece. “This gorgeous woman was on the cusp of initiating a takedown over the last piece of chocolate cake in the cafeteria.”

  Lanelle’s face flamed as Vanessa turned to her with an openmouthed stare. “You’ve tried the cake,” Lanelle defended. “Tell me what you would’ve done.”

  Vanessa nodded. “Snatched it and run.”

  Lanelle liked Vanessa’s honesty. “Exactly.”

  “But you decided to give it up.” Vanessa drew her eyebrows together. “Why?”

  “Your uncle told me you’d be getting news today.”

  Vanessa placed a hand on her chest. “You gave up the best chocolate cake in the world for me? That’s so nice of you.” Then she looked down at the container and pushed it through the open window. “You can have it.” Hopping from foot to foot, she burst out with “I’m in remission.”

  Joy beyond anything Lanelle had ever experienced for a stranger overwhelmed her. Shoving the cake back at Vanessa, she opened her door and hugged the girl. “How wonderful. I’m so happy for you.”

  Vanessa held her tight, their upper bodies swaying from side to side as they giggled. When they separated, the reality of what Lanelle, oftentimes accused of being conservative to a fault, had just done hit her.

  Three pairs of eyes stared at them as she stepped away and attempted to regain her composure.

  An older version of Vanessa moved to the young woman’s side. “Who’s this?” The question was made less severe by the crinkles at the corners of her eyes as she grinned.

  “Lanelle,” Vanessa answered. “She gave up this cake for me without fighting Uncle D.”

  Cynthia held out her hand. “Nice to meet you, Lanelle. I’m Cynthia. I’m not sure what’s going on with the cake, but thank you for not hurting my brother.”

  The woman’s grip was firm as they shook. “It’s not like it sounds.”

  “Yes, it is,” Dante gloated.

  Lanelle hurled Dante a look that should’ve had him quivering. He threw her off-kilter by laughing. “No, it isn’t,” Lanelle protested. “I’m happy Vanessa is cancer free. I guess I got a little overwhelmed.” It took a split second for her to decide to share her own news. “My mother is a breast cancer survivor, so I understand just how good it is to get such wonderful news.”

  “I’m happy for you and your mother.” Cynthia held an arm out to the man on her right. “This is my husband, Alan.”

  The last set of handshakes took place, and then Lanelle said, “I should be going. Congratulations, Vanessa.” She gripped the handle of her car to open it.

  Vanessa touched her arm. “We’re going out to celebrate. Would you like to come with us?”

  Lanelle looked at the girl, then glanced at Dante, who seemed just as surprised by his niece’s offer. She would’ve expected that from him. “I think this might be a family celebration.”

  She was a reserved person by nature; it didn’t help that Lanelle’s conservative childhood hadn’t allowed her to open up to too many people out of fear of them finding out she was an heiress and attempting to manipulate her for their own benefit. It had only taken a couple negative experiences to know that her life was smoother when she kept to herself.

  Cynthia looked at the trio. “Do you all know each other?”

  “I met Lanelle in the cafeteria about fifteen minutes ago,” Dante said.

  Vanessa looked at her mother. “Uncle D introduced us just now. But she seems so cool.” She turned to Lanelle. “I’d really like it if you joined us,” Vanessa insisted.

  Dante licked his lips before adding, “Me, too.”

  She had to stay away from such a dangerous man, even though an unexpected urge propelled her to spend time with this family. “I have something to take care of at home.”

  Cynthia grabbed her daughter by the arm. “It was nice meeting you, Lanelle.”

  Alan waved as they dragged Vanessa away. She broke free of her mother’s grip and came back. “Can I have your number?”

  She had no idea what propelled her, but Lanelle found herself rattling off the digits to the bubbly young lady, whose presence alone made her feel lighter.r />
  “I’ll call you,” Vanessa promised as she backed away toward her parents, who stood in front of a sweet red Lamborghini.

  Dante’s presence dazed her as she tore her attention from the car to him. No man should be so handsome and have charm oozing from his pores to affect the innocent women of the world. Under the suave exterior lay, she sensed, someone who possessed a depth of character it would take the rest of her life to unearth. Someone worth getting to know? “I’d better go.” Once again she reached for her door. Dante’s hand stilled her. The warmth of his touch radiated up her arm, heating her in the most delicious way.

  “Would you like to go out to dinner tomorrow night?”

  She opened her mouth to speak and ended up drawing in a sharp breath when he stepped forward and crowded her. His spicy, citrusy scent enticed her. With a hard swallow, she stepped back, only to bump into her car. One way to get out of this. The destiny card.

  Tilting her head up, she memorized his features, knowing she’d never see him again. “Let’s do this. If we ever meet each other by accident again, I’ll go out with you.”

  “You seem like a reasonable woman. What you just proposed isn’t anywhere near rational. We’ve already met twice by chance. I think kismet has played its role.”

  Impressed, she tried to stay strong instead of falling into his invitation. “It’s the way I live. Third time and you get a date.” She pointed a French-tipped manicured finger at him. “By the way, I gave my number to Vanessa, not you. So don’t even think about calling me. If fate wants us to go out, then we will.”

  He reached for her hand and held it between them, rubbing his thumb against her palm. The few seconds of sensual circles hardened her nipples. With reluctance, she pulled away.

  He looked into her eyes. Not a hint of a smile appeared. “I don’t like this game, but we’ll play it your way. Remember your promise, because we’ll see each other again.” He backed off.

  The solidness of the car on her backside grounded her, helping her resist the desire to follow him as her body longed to do.

  Tearing her gaze away, she turned her back on the temptation he presented and got into her car. With one last wave at Vanessa and her parents, she took off, refusing to acknowledge Dante with a goodbye.

  No man would ever be able to provide her heart’s desire, so why even bother with them at all?

  Chapter 3

  For once Dante was almost pleased to be chauffeured as his thoughts wandered back to the encounter with Lanelle in the parking garage. He relaxed as Vanessa navigated her way through the streets of Cleveland.

  At a fresh red light Dante watched as she opened the lid on the dessert and scooped out a piece with a plastic fork. He should reprimand her for eating in his car, but fascination over what had brought him into contact with the most amazing woman he’d met in a long time took precedence.

  Vanessa shook her head and slapped her leg. “Mmm, mmm, mmm. This is so good. Even better than I remember.”

  “I don’t need to see it all in your mouth to know it’s delicious. Let me try.” Without any more coercion she placed a piece, albeit a small one compared with what she’d taken, onto the fork and slid it into his mouth. Not bad. Not worth a tussle, but he saw the appeal.

  “What do you mean not bad? No wonder she turned you down for a date. If you can’t appreciate fabulous cake, you probably can’t appreciate her, either.”

  Did his niece just take a stranger’s side over his? He couldn’t blame her. Lanelle radiated something alluring beyond her obvious beauty. The memory of her flawless skin, large dark brown eyes, an adorable nose he could eat up and lips he had difficulty looking away from made him sigh.

  Lanelle’s poise and sophistication, along with her readiness to smile and celebrate life with a stranger, added to her charisma. He’d been inches from kissing her. Only the fact that his family stood so close watching their every move had stopped him. “Watch it. It’s not too late to revoke your driving privileges on my car.”

  “You wouldn’t. Not to someone who found out she’s still free from cancer, now, would you?” Vanessa tried to pull off her sad, begging puppy-dog look but got diverted by the cake.

  “We’ll be eating soon.”

  “Mom’s not here to threaten me, so I’m eating dessert first. Can we swing by the college? Art history is letting out now, and I want to show off a little to my friends.”

  Dante chuckled. “Fine, but don’t expect me to get out of the car and wait on the corner while you do.”

  She shoved the half-empty container into his hands when the light turned green and the car behind them honked. “It’ll only be for ten minutes.”

  “Either you showcase me and the car or there’s no deal,” Dante insisted.

  “Okay.”

  He closed the lid on the cake after sneaking another forkful. “What made you get Lanelle’s number?”

  Vanessa flashed him a grin. “What made you ask her out?”

  Smart-assed little girl. How Cynthia hadn’t driven that annoying quality out of her by now was a mystery to everyone. He resorted to “I asked you first.”

  “I liked her. She seemed to be someone I could hang out with.”

  “Even though she’s older?”

  She shrugged. “We hang out.”

  “Because we’re family.”

  Vanessa sucked her teeth as she made a left turn. “Uncle Xander is family, but I don’t go places with him.”

  Dante held up a finger. “First of all, your dad’s brother is nowhere near as cool as me, and second he lives in California, so you can’t just pick up the phone and ask him to come get you. And don’t you even mention my brother Emmanuel. With the number of kids he and his wife have, they can barely get out the house.”

  “Whatever. My point is, age doesn’t matter with friendship. Or did I hear it about love?”

  “I concede.”

  Vanessa pulled the car over in front of a café a few blocks from her school, put it in Park and pressed the button to unlock the doors. “Please, Uncle D?”

  He crossed his arms over his chest and looked out the windshield. One glance at her would break his resolve. There wasn’t much he wouldn’t do for his nieces and nephews, and they knew how to play him. “You can forget about me getting out of this car.”

  “How about if I talk you up to Lanelle when I call her?” The manipulative minx tapped a finger on the custom-designed steering wheel. “Maybe find out where she’ll be, so you can bump into her.”

  Dante reached for the handle. “You can tell her how wonderful I am, but don’t ask where she’ll be at any point in time. The woman is not stupid.” He opened the door. “You have twenty minutes. We still have to meet your parents and little brother at the restaurant. Your friends can sit in the car, but don’t go joyriding.”

  He pulled out his phone. “I have an app that lets me see exactly where the car is at all times.” She didn’t need to know he had yet to learn how to use it.

  “I promise. Thanks, Uncle D.”

  Curbside, he watched his precious niece and car roll down the street.

  Vanessa’s offer had been tempting, but he’d never get away with it if she became his informant. The two seemed to get along, but who knew if anything would come of their spark of friendship?

  He had to find a way to see Lanelle again. Why would she deny the attraction blazing between them? Maybe she’s married. A ring had adorned two fingers on her right hand, but the left hand was free. No matter the reason, he’d find her. He hadn’t become successful in life by giving up, and he wouldn’t do so with her.

  On the other hand, if they were meant to be together, they’d meet again. He scoffed at the idea. As long as my name is Dante Leroy Sanderson, I’ll find her. Fate be damned.

  * * *

  To
shia Covington panted hard as the StairMaster kicked her ass early the next morning.

  Lanelle’s own breath came out with less stress as she jogged at an easy pace on the treadmill next to her best friend. “Why don’t you lower the intensity? I don’t want to break out my CPR skills on you here in the gym.”

  Even sweating buckets, her best friend looked good. Toshia’s thick hair swung in its ponytail as her hips swayed. Her large, dark brown, almond-shaped eyes remained bright even as sweat dripped into them. “What happened to no pain, no gain?”

  “I think the person who coined the phrase died of a massive heart attack while not listening to his body.”

  Toshia let go of her machine’s handle long enough to dab the sweat from her face with her towel. “Ha, ha, ha. How are things going with the NICU you’re building?”

  Lanelle puffed out a breath. “The wing is coming along great in terms of construction, but we’re running out of money.” Saying the words out loud brought on a fresh wave of frustration.

  “What?”

  “Yeah, we have no idea what’s going on. The books balance, but it doesn’t make sense. The flooring and the fixtures are the only things remaining. And there’s very little cash in the till.”

  Toshia stared at her. “How can that be?”

  Thinking about it made her angrier with each minute. “You know how I was busy working on Dad’s supersensitive project.”

  “You mean the one where I saw you once during the six-week period and you hardly slept?”

  Lanelle shivered thinking about how much work had gone into the assignment. Every once in a while, when her father had a highly confidential financial project, he’d call her to head it. “Work on the NICU started at around the same time, but I couldn’t say no to Dad.”

  “Plus, you’re naive as hell and thought people would be honest.”

  “Who would try to extort money from a hospital trying to build a wing to help innocent babies?”

  Toshia pursed her full, pinkish-brown lips to the side and tapped her chin in a pretense of thinking. “Let’s see. Greedy-ass bastards with no concept of right or wrong come to mind.”