by Angelo, Judy
“Not at all,” he said with a magnanimous wave of the hand. “You’re free to go.”
“Thanks,” Dani said, more relaxed now. “I haven’t been to see Brian since I dropped him off at the university. I want to take him some of his favorite goodies from home."
“You’re going on a cross country trip. Sounds like fun.” Storm had an eager look on his face. “Mind if I tag along?”
“It’s not cross country,” she said, bursting his bubble. “It’s in Indiana so we’ll only be crossing one state line. I’d love it if you could come along.” Then, realizing that what she’d said could be interpreted in more ways than one she added, “I’d welcome the company.”
“I’ll come on one condition.”
“What?” she asked, suspicious.
“You let me be your chauffeur.”
“You’ve got it, chauffeur. Just as long as you remember that the highway is not a racetrack.”
Storm gave a bow of acquiescence. “Whatever the lady wants.”
Dani could only smile at that. She didn’t dare divulge what had popped into her mind when he said those words. No, she would keep her mischievous musings to herself.
On Saturday morning when Storm picked her up in his now familiar Ferrari it was a perfect day. The sun, cheerful and bright in an almost cloudless blue sky, put her in an upbeat mood which Storm must have noticed because he gave her a wide smile, a quick hug and even a peck on the cheek then he bundled her into the car and they set off.
Dani grinned. She didn’t know what kind of chauffeur he was, greeting his client with hug and kiss, but she wasn’t complaining.
Under Storm’s expert control the Ferrari ate up the miles in quick time and within less than an hour of leaving Chicago they were pulling onto the university campus. Dani directed him to the parking area then they headed for the student dorms in search of Brian.
“I’ll call and let him know we’re here.” She took out her cell phone and dialed. She didn’t even hear it ring before Brian’s excited voice was on the line. When she disconnected she gave Storm a wide smile. “He’s coming down to meet us.”
She knew she probably looked like the Cheshire Cat in Alice in Wonderland but she couldn’t help it. She’d missed her kid brother and she was looking forward to seeing him again, even if it was only to wrestle him to the ground and remind him who was boss.
She glanced at Storm then gave a surreptitious giggle. Maybe that wouldn’t be a good idea, not in Storm’s presence anyway. What would he think of her, a twenty-two year old woman seizing her brother in a headlock? He’d probably want to drop her off at the nearest mental institution.
Within a minute of speaking to Brian he was dashing out of Dillon Hall and down the steps toward them. He grabbed Dani up in a huge hug and spun her round then he grabbed her in a neck hold and tackled her to the ground, laughing the whole time.
Dani was laughing, too, not just at the sheer joy of seeing Brian again but at her futile plan to appear dignified in front of Storm. Brian had totally shattered that dream.
“I got you, Sis.” Brian held her down for a second longer.
“Okay, you win, you win,” she yelled.
Only then did he let her up. He was grinning as she righted herself and straightened her clothes.
“That was a surprise attack,” she scolded and gave him a punch on the arm. “That was the only reason you beat me.”
“Yeah, right,” Brian scoffed. “I’m in college now, Sis. There’s no way a girl can get me now, least of all my sister.”
“We’ll see,” she said softly, making sure her voice reflected a quiet threat. “We’ll see.”
Then she turned to Storm. “I guess you know who this is.”
Storm, who had been smiling at their antics, nodded. “The famous Brian Swift who you’ve been talking about all morning.” He stuck out his hand. “Good to meet you.”
Brian took it and they shook hands. “Yeah, same here.” He stepped back and looked down at Dani. From his six foot two height that was easy. “Dani told me she’d have a chauffeur on her trip down her.” He looked back at Storm. “You don’t look like any chauffeur I’ve ever seen.”
Storm laughed at that. “Blame your sister. She’s the one who hired me.”
The guys were still laughing when Dani clapped her hands together and said, “Okay, let's go. I’ve got a picnic basket full of goodies in the car but before we loose the human food disposal on it,” she gave her brother a knowing look, “I would like a tour of Dillon Hall.”
“Sure, I’ll show you Big Red. Come on.” Brian headed back toward the building with Dani and Storm right behind him. He took them through the lounges, starting with the one in the basement and the two on the main floor then up to the room he shared with one other freshman. As Dani expected, it was a mess.
She sighed. “Couldn’t you at least have picked up the clothes from off the floor? You knew we were coming.”
“Oh, yeah. I was planning on doing that,” Brian said then he shrugged. “I guess I forgot.”
Dani rolled her eyes. “God help the woman who becomes your wife.”
After that Brian took them to his favorite place on campus, the dining hall which, to his great joy, was right next to the dorm. As he walked ahead of Dani and Storm, talking animatedly about the variety of meals offered, she touched Storm’s arm.
“You can see what I had to deal with when he was at home,” she whispered. “I was going broke keeping him fed.”
“What was that?” Brian yelled back at them.
“Oh, nothing,” Dani said but she and Storm exchanged an amused look and a smile.
After the tour they all went for a drive around the campus then they found a quiet grassy knoll with the perfect shady tree all red, green and gold in celebration of fall. There Dani spread out her blanket and laid out disposable plates, cups and flatware. Then, one by one she took out the plastic bowls and lifted the lids to reveal salad, cornbread, corn on the cob, potato salad and the piece-de-resistance, Southern fried chicken.
Brian rubbed his hands together in anticipation. “When did you make all that?” he asked. “This morning?”
“Yup. I was up before the birds. All for you, kid. Enjoy.”
Storm shook his head and there was a smile on his lips. “I can see you and my mom have something in common. You’re both fans of chicken.”
She grinned and reached for a drumstick. “My favorite.” That afternoon was one of the most relaxing times Dani had had in a long time. She enjoyed watching the men wolf the food down even though she almost had to fight to get a piece of the corn bread. People always joked about the appetites of growing boys but these were grown men. She’d marveled at how easily they packed away the pounds of food she’d brought.
After lunch she leaned against the tree trunk and listened to them talk animatedly about Notre Dame sports, with Brian giving Storm the low down on the latest wins in hockey, football and basketball. By the time they packed up the dinnerware and headed back to the car it was almost six o’clock.
Dani sighed in contentment, glad for a day well spent with her brother. And, if she were to admit it to herself, the new second-favorite male person in her life, Storm Hunter.
Back at the dorm Storm waited for Dani in the car as she walked up the steps with Brian.
“It was great spending today with you, kid. You look like you’re doing good here.”
“I am,” Brian said with a nod. “I think I made the right choice, Sis. Notre Dame is a great school.”
“Here.” She dug into the back pocket of her jeans and pulled out a small roll of bills. “It’s the money for your trip.”
Brian’s mouth fell open as he stared at the money. “All of it?”
“It’s all here. Take it.”
“Sis,” he said, his voice soft with wonder, “How did you-”
“Don’t worry about that. Just take it.” She smiled at her brother, wondering if he knew how very much she loved him. She’d
do just about anything to make him happy.
Brian took the money from her hand and tucked it into the front pocket of his jeans. Then he grabbed Dani and hugged her close. “Thanks, Sis. I love you.”
“I love you too, Brian,” she said and was surprised when her eyes welled up with tears. What was wrong with her these days? Please, she thought, don’t let me turning into a softie.
They pulled away and Dani went down the steps and toward the waiting car. She turned and waved to Brian. “Be good,” she yelled.
“I will.” He waved back.
Storm pushed the door open and Dani slipped in, then they were off. She settled back in her seat, happy to relax and enjoy Storm’s company. It had been a wonderful day and she never wanted the feeling of euphoria to end. When Storm switched the radio on and turned it to an easy rock station she smiled to herself. He would have preferred heavy rock music she knew, but he was just being nice. She liked that.
By the time they got to Chicago it was after nine o’clock. Being in no great hurry, they’d made a couple of stops along the way and Storm had cruised back to Illinois. It was like an unspoken agreement between them - let's make this day last as long as possible.
At nine-fourteen Storm pulled the car into the parking lot of Dani’s building and switched off the engine. He gave a sigh, whether from tiredness or relief she wasn’t sure, then he turned to look at her. “Thank you,” he said softly. “I had a great time.”
“No. Thank you,” Dani countered. “You were the one who gave up your Saturday to drive me all that way.”
He gave her a slow smile. “My pleasure.”
The way he said it made Dani’s breath catch in her throat. Why did he have to look and sound so sexy? He was a tempting dish that she was finding hard to resist.
“Would you like to come up…for a cup of coffee?” Now where had that come from? She hadn’t planned to invite him up at all. She would have to blame it on the fact that she never wanted this day to end.
He must have been feeling the same way because his eyes brightened. “I’d love to.”
“Great. I want to make sure you’re bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for your drive home.” She climbed out of the car and waited until he’d walked around to meet her then they walked to the apartment building in companionable silence.
Upstairs she directed him to the living room and gave him the remote control then headed for the kitchen. When she got back with a tray laden with coffee pot and mugs he was still flipping channels. When she approached he put the remote down and looked up at her, his face eager.
Was that look of anticipation for her or for the coffee? She bit her lip, trying hard not to laugh. Oh please, Dani, let's not get ahead of ourselves. It’s the coffee the man wants, not you.
She rested the tray on the coffee table then sat at the other end of the sofa. She poured Storm’s coffee and then hers while he flipped channels some more and finally ended on the Discovery Channel. They sipped coffee as they watched archeologists dig up a body they were convinced was the abominable snowman. When the coffee was done they sat there and watched some more until finally Storm put his hands on his knees and stood up.
“Well, it’s been a heck of a day and I enjoyed every minute of it. It’s getting late and I don’t want to keep you so I'd better go.”
“Where are you going?” Dani’s voice was bold and imperious.
He stared down at her and his face registered his confusion. “Home?”
She stood up and folded her arms across her chest. “You’re forgetting something. You’re on my time and you don’t leave till I say so.”
Storm looked at her as if she’d gone crazy. “What the hell are you talking about?’
“I hired you for the day, remember…Mr. Chauffeur? The day doesn't end until midnight.”
Dani didn’t know where this bossy persona had come from but she was enjoying it. It was like she was rebelling against her own rules. Darn stupid rules, if she should say so herself. She’d always been the kind of person who went for what she wanted and tonight she wanted Storm Hunter.
She reached out and grasped two handfuls of Storm’s polo shirt then plunked down onto the sofa, dragging him down with her. She immediately lay back on the pillows and cupped her hands behind his head then she pulled down so his mouth was pressed against hers.
Dani didn’t know who was more surprised, Storm or her. Where had this aggressive Dani come from? Had one day in the outdoors driven her crazy?
Crazy was right. It was almost too outrageous to think about but deep down she knew..she’d gone and fallen stupidly in love with Storm and there was absolutely nothing in the world she could do about it.
He would probably say she’d fallen in infatuation with him, or it was just a crush because of their employer-employee relationship. But she knew. She knew without a doubt that this was love. What else could have her acting insane, doing anything to get this man’s attention, to get him to want her?
The day they’d spent together must have been the tipping point for her. The feelings had been welling up but now they burst free from the dam she’d built around her heart and they were flooding her very soul.
Storm got over his shock real fast because, before Dani realized what was happening, she wasn’t the one in charge anymore. He took control of that kiss, his mouth moving on hers, commanding then subduing her till she could only gasp then moan. He ignited the fire within her till she was kissing back with ardor that spoke of her need for him. God, how she wanted this man.
She tugged at his shirt till she’d pulled it out of his jeans then she slid trembling fingers over his rippling ab muscles and up to his chest. There she splayed her hands over the hard muscles over his breastbone then took his flat nipples between thumb and forefinger and teased and pinched them till they were hard nubs under her hands. He’d done the same to hers so she knew the effect her caress must have on him. She was rewarded when he stiffened then moaned his ecstasy even as they kissed.
Dani knew that to get what she wanted she needed to be brave and bold. She’d already rejected Storm before and he’d certainly hesitate to go farther than a kiss. If anything was to happen tonight it would all be up to her.
Without hesitation she grabbed the edge of his shirt and began to lift it up, to take it off him.
Storm broke the kiss. “Dani, are you sure?” He asked in a breathless whisper.
She knew what the real question was. Are you going to lead me on then kick me out like last time? She needed to reassure him. “I’m sure,” she said and pushed against his chest till he was straight enough for her to push his shirt up and over his head.
Now his muscled chest was exposed in all its glory and it made her mouth water. With her newfound boldness she leaned forward and covered a nipple with her mouth. She sucked that nipple until it peaked in her mouth and she did not stop until he gasped and reached down to cup her head with his hands. He gently pulled her from that nipple and directed her to the other, where she gave it the same caress. He groaned out loud.
Dani knew Storm was ready for her and all that she wanted to offer. He was kneeling over as she lay beneath him and she could feel his arousal pressing into the softness of her belly. She began to unbutton her blouse.
As he looked down at her she stared into his passion-glazed eyes. “I want you so bad,” she whispered, her desire for him making her tremble. Her blouse was off now and she started attacking the clasp of her bra. “I’m so sure of this. I want you to be the first and only man for me.” The bra was off now and her breasts lay bare before him but she did not flinch. She had no shame, not when it was Storm looking down at her with desired-filled eyes.
Then, inexplicably, something in his eyes changed. “What did you say?” he asked, a frown now marring his face.
“I want you,” she whispered. “Please don’t let me wait.”
“No, that other thing. Did you say…you want me to be the first?’ His frown was getting darker which meant something
was wrong. Something was terribly wrong.
“Y…yes,” she said, hesitant. Could it be possible that this could make him angry?
He hopped up off the sofa so fast Dani literally felt the breeze of his departure. “You’re a virgin?” he almost barked.
She sat up, her body going cold. “Yes, is that a problem?”
“What the hell kind of question is that? Of course it’s a problem. I’m not into seducing virgins, if that’s what you think.”
“But…you’re not seducing me. I’m seducing you.” Dani stared up at him, confused. Then she remembered her bare breasts and crossed her arms over her chest.
"For God’s sake, get dressed,” Storm spat, his face dark and thunderous. He turned away and picked up his shirt from the floor then put it on and tucked it into his pants. Then he looked at her.
“Let’s not do this again. I don’t have time for games.”
And that was when he killed her. His words, so full of venom, were like a poisoned arrow to her heart. She lifted her eyes to him, her heart pleading, but she could not say a word. She could not even move.
He stared at her for a moment longer and she thought she saw a flash of…regret? Too soon, it disappeared and his face became impassive and cool.
“Goodnight, Dani.” His voice was quiet, emotionless. To her it was even worse than his anger.
When Storm left, closing the door behind him, Dani was still on the sofa, shirtless, her arms crossed over her breasts. She was staring straight ahead, her eyes unseeing, her heart feeling like it had died inside her.
In this very apartment she had rejected Storm and now he had rejected her. She’d been assertive, she’d been bold…and she’d been so foolish. Storm was her employer, not her fiancé. She’d begun to live the lie. But today it had seemed so real.
And so Dani sat there, the hurt holding her immobile. She wanted to cry, so badly, but she would not give in. She was Dani Swift and she never cried. She felt the sob rise but she refused to let it escape.