Forbidden Disclosure (A Billionaire in Disguise) (5 page)

“I like you a lot, Katherine, and I think about you.”

“Like me how? I’ve seen you look at me. That’s what most guys want. Nothing like a nice roll in the sack. I’m not like that. Do you know what it feels like to be promised things, then give yourself to someone just for them to never call you again? I’m done being stupid.”

“I’m not going to lie to you. I have definitely fantasized about being with you. But it’s more than that.”

“Okay look me in the eyes, John, and answer me something. Have you ever used a woman for sex?”

Uh oh.
That’s all Daniel has ever done. He’s never had feelings for any woman other than for sex. If they were really good in bed he called them back. He never led the women he slept with into believing he’d settle down with them, or that they meant anything to him. But he was used too. He was used for his money, his power, his looks even.
I don’t want that with her.
His thoughts were surprising him. The first sight of commitment made him run.

“Yes. Yes, I have used women for sex. That was in my past, I’m not like that anymore.”

“Have you ever been married?”

“Katherine, I’ve never been married, engaged, or had a long-term relationship with a woman. I’ve never found anyone that I wanted that from. Not only that, I was very immature. What I needed was to grow up.”

“At least you admit it.” Katherine looked down at the ground, and a tear slid down her cheek. She knew he’d be no different.

Daniel placed his hand softly under her chin and raised her face to him. He wiped away her tear with the other hand. “Wait right here.”

Daniel ran into the darkness and came back with a small bouquet of wild flowers. He smiled and handed them to her. Daniel had never in his life hand picked flowers, nor bothered to pick them out at a florist. A simple phone call and delivery boy did just fine.

Katherine took the flowers and looked at him. “John, thank you for picking these for me, but I just think this is wrong. My body is telling me one thing being this close to you, but my mind is yelling at me to run. I’ve never listened to logic and reason. That’s why I’ve been hurt every single time.”

“Come here.” Daniel wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into his chest. “Does this scare you?”

“No…”
Oh God.
Katherine knew she should just back the hell up, but his smell, his warmth, and strength were causing her to move in closer.

“Look at me.”

Katherine lifted her cheek off of his chest and looked up at Daniel’s beautiful, perfect face.

“Katherine, may I kiss you? I’m having a hard time being this close and not kissing you.”

“Seriously, John, I’m not sure if it’s a good idea.” Katherine repeated as she slowly backed away.

Daniel wrapped his arms around her, running his fingers up through the back of her hair and bringing her mouth slowly to his. Not one movement was rushed.

Katherine opened her lips and let the soft, gentle kiss happen. Her legs became unsteady, causing Daniel to hold her even closer. She couldn’t ever remember being kissed so passionately, so deliberately, so sweetly.

This guy is too amazing to be single. He must have wreckage where he used to live. He’s probably married and looking for something on the side. Any cute girl who crossed his path would end up in his bed.
Katherine quickly backed away.

“John, I should go.”

“I would love to see you again.”

“I don’t know. I’ll call you but I don’t think I’m ready to see anyone. Let’s just be friends, okay?”

Daniel’s jaw tightened.
The ‘friends’ file. Me? I’ve never been put in there. That’s the line I give out!

Katherine started walking back to the truck and stayed about three feet in front of Daniel.

“Katherine, wait.” Daniel never begged for anything in his life, but he wasn’t beyond begging this woman.

“John, I just want to go home, I’m tired.” Katherine was crying softly.

“You’re not leaving because you’re tired. You’re
running
.”

“Let it rest, John, and just take me back home.”

“Stop!” Daniel took a couple of large steps and put his hand on her arm and gently pulled.

“What do you want from me? A quick lay?!” Katherine couldn’t stop Daniel from seeing her tears. The moonlight was on her face.

“You aren’t leaving like this. Come here. Even friends hold each other from time to time. I’ve grown up, Katherine. Maybe I haven’t settled down because I never found anyone I wanted to spend my life with.” Daniel pulled her into his chest.

Katherine buried her face and let the sobs out. She slowly sank down to the grass. She had never talked about this with anyone, especially not a man she just met.

But Daniel kept his word, sat on the grass in front of her, and just held her. Katherine cried until she thought she had nothing left inside of her.

“I’m so sorry, John. I didn’t mean to unleash all of that on you. I want to go home and go to bed.” Katherine, in all her shame, stood on her feet.

“I’ll take you home, but not until I know that you’re okay.”

“Why do you care?”

“I’m not who or what you think I am. Come with me, and I’ll prove it to you.”

Daniel held Katherine’s hand and walked the five minutes in silence toward the barn. When he reached the outside door, he opened it and turned on the light.

“Wow, I wouldn’t have expected it to look like this. It’s so pretty.” Katherine knew that he could see her red, blotched face, so she stared back down to the ground.

“I have a surprise to show you.”

Daniel shut and locked the outside door to his room, without thinking of what it would do to Katherine. She was beside herself with instant fear. He quickly opened the door that led to the stables, then found the light and flipped it on. Daniel wasn’t happy with himself for being so thoughtless. Katherine sighed with relief.

“This one is Patches, and this is Daisy. They’re such sweethearts. I was afraid of horses, but Rosie helped me out with that. You can pet them.”

Daniel approached Daisy and softly patted the side of her neck. Then the big white horse raised her head, and Daniel rubbed her soft nose.

“Come and pet her, Katherine. There
are
white horses. I might not be a prince or a magical knight, but I’m not going to hurt you.”

Katherine approached the horse, and after several minutes with both Patches and Daisy, she found herself smiling and laughing.

“Are you feeling better, Katherine?”

“Yes, thank you for…well, I obviously had a lot to get out of my system. Those are things I’ve never told anyone before.”

“Thank you for trusting me as much as you have. Let me lock up and walk you back to the truck. Hopefully, you’ll sleep like a lamb.” Daniel bent down and softly kissed her cheek. After locking up the barn, he held Katherine’s hand on the way back to the truck.

Katherine climbed in, and when Daniel started the truck, she turned on the radio. Without even thinking, she began to sing. He was in heaven.

The lights were off in the small town, and the bar area was dark. Daniel got out of the truck and opened her door.

“Thank you for a nice evening, John. I’m glad I went with you.”

“I’m very glad you came out there with me. But you aren’t going up to that apartment by yourself. It’s dark, and I need to know you’re safe.” He took her hand again and walked her up the unlit steps. Daniel took the keys from her hand and opened the door, turned on the light for her, then let her walk in behind him.

All Katherine could do was smile. “Goodnight, John.”

“Sleep tight, Katherine, and I hope I can see you again.”

Daniel saw that she wasn’t going to respond, so he smiled and turned to walk back down the steps. When he reached the gravel, he heard her.

“I’d like that,” she sai
d and hurried to shut the door.

Chapter 5

Daniel tossed and turned all night long, unable to erase Katherine from his mind. He wanted to take her pain away and realized he had two people to prove something to; his father
and
Katherine. Working the soil all day gave him the monotonous motions to allow his mind to wander where it wanted to. His body, once again, was killing him.

He decided to help around the farm on Sunday instead of taking the day off, and Rosie was very grateful for his help. She was getting too old to work like she used to. It bothered Daniel to see her working as hard as she does.
She shouldn’t have to work like this at all.

After a nice long, hot shower, Daniel climbed in his truck to head to town. He sat in the bar and waited. No Katherine. He got the attention of another waitress and beckoned her to his table.

“Good evening, hot stuff. What can I get for ya?”

“Is Katherine working today?”

“Nope, she’s off until tomorrow night, but she’s supposed to come in and cover for me for a few while I run up to the store real quick. Saw her leave earlier, but I’m not sure where she went. My name is Emily and I’d be happy to help you.” Emily winked and smiled at the handsome man.

“Thanks anyway, but I’m just going to head on out.”
Daniel couldn’t wait to get out of there.
Short shorts, a skimpy top, willingness…in his other life, Daniel would have definitely checked out what she had to offer.

His phone rang as he left the bar. The music was still pretty loud out front.

“What do you want, Carl?”

“I’m just checking on you, Daniel. Did you quit your job? Is that loud country music I hear?”

“No, I didn’t quit my job.”

“Really? We were wondering how long you would last. I figured you would quit after two hours and your father bet—“ Carl cut himself off and cleared his throat.

“Carl, I don’t really care how funny you and my father think this is. What you can tell him is that I’m not minding this little town at all.”

“Very well, Daniel. I’ll call you in a day or two to check in.”

Daniel hung up the phone. He was done talking to Carl; done with the games. He had only one person on his mind and she wasn’t around. Daniel was shocked at how worried he was about Katherine. He didn’t like her feeling so sad. 
I really want to see her again
.

Rounding the corner on the edge of town, he spotted her. His stomach hit the ground. Katherine was embraced in another man’s arms. She kissed his cheek, then climbed into the passenger side of a Corvette.
Are you kidding me??
Daniel wasted no time in flying right up beside the black sports car.

“Hello, Katherine. I’m so glad that you’re feeling better,” Daniel said through his clenched teeth.

“Katherine, who is
this
?” asked the tall, blond-haired driver of the Corvette.

“You like rich guys with nice sports cars? Is that it?” Daniel was so ticked off. “So, it’s money that rings your bell?”

“Look, back off before I help you out.” Blond Guy said threateningly.

But Daniel didn’t stop. “You were so worried about me using you, and here you are using him. What you didn’t want to do was come right out and tell me that I’m not the free ticket you wanted. Isn’t that it, Katherine?”

Katherine sat there, embarrassed, pissed off, and hurt. “Get out of here, John.”

“You heard the lady,
leave
.”

“You women are all alike. Did you know that, Katherine? You are
not
who I thought you were.”

Blond Guy gave Daniel a dirty look and revved the engine of his Corvette.

“I’m going to go, Katherine, and you’re right, I guess this never was a good idea.” Looking Blond Guy in the eyes, Daniel said “Your car’s a piece of
shit
.” He didn’t dare say anything else for fear of exposing his identity, not to mention stepping out of his truck and kicking Blond Guy’s ass.

Daniel drove back in the direction of the farm. His heart felt broken, and his head, confused. His mood was very foul.
Wait a minute. She has to go back and cover for that Emily woman.
Daniel wasn't happy with his thoughts or his jealous rage that was flaring. He found out one thing; when it came to Katherine he couldn't simply walk away.

Daniel raced his truck back to the bar. Inside he found Emily taking off her apron. He approached her without hesitation.

“So, I was kind of hoping that you’d share a dance with me before you left, sweetheart.” Daniel gave her a sexy smile.

“Oh my, you’re just what the doctor ordered!” Emily sauntered over to the jukebox and selected a nice, slow love song. She wasted no time walking into the yummy stranger’s arms.

Daniel turned her slowly so he could face the door. When he saw it open he pulled Emily close to his body, whispered how sexy she looked, then buried his face in her neck. Her perfume was strong and suffocating.

Katherine stopped dead in her tracks when she opened the door.
He really is a pig!
She tried to hide her hurt and anger and proceeded to the bar like it didn’t even phase her. She was heartbroken.
Emily will definitely put out. What a bastard!
She watched as the couple flirted and moved slowly on the dance floor.

Daniel knew that he was getting to Katherine. For a little added visual, he slid his hand down from her lower back and squeezed her behind some. Even Emily was surprised, but hell, she wasn’t going to complain. She simply returned the sexy touch.

“Okay, Emily, you’re back on and I’m out of here. Have a nice evening.”

Daniel watched as Katherine snatched up her purse and keys and stormed out of the bar.

Daniel wanted to run after her. But no way was he going to bend. “Well, I have to get some shuteye, Emily. Thanks for the dance.”

“Anytime, sexy thang. I will always have a dance for you, and if you ever want to ...” Emily smiled, blushed, and winked at Daniel.

He was getting more turned off by the second. Emily’s bleached-out hair, heavy makeup, and raunchy perfume was getting to him. He couldn’t wait to get away from this woman. All he wanted to do was confront Katherine. He had accomplished making her feel upset, probably jealous. But he wasn’t feeling good about it at all now. He drove around for a while, trying to calm down and get the visual of Katherine in someone else’s embrace out of his head. It didn't work.

Pulling into the driveway, he spotted Rosie walking over to him.

“John, could you come in and change a bulb for me? It’s too dark to go haul the ladder in here, and I can’t reach it even on a chair.”

“Sure, Rosie.” Daniel climbed out of the truck and headed toward the house.

Rosie spotted his mood quickly. “John, what’s gotten under your hat this evening?”

“Nothing, Rosie, I’m okay.”

Rosie shook her head in disbelief and walked with Daniel to the house. He quickly changed the bulb and silently walked out of the house to the barn.

The horses gave him their ‘soft talk’, as Rosie called it, when he entered the barn. He stopped to give them both some attention. At the moment, they were his two favorite females.
They didn’t talk. They didn’t use him. They didn’t play any games.
“
Since when am I, Daniel Giordano, not good enough
?” He went inside of his room and lay down on the bed. He wished he could just shut off his thoughts. He could still picture Katherine in the arms of another guy.
She was in my arms last night! A Corvette
.
Really
?? Daniel began to question himself further.
Without money and a flashy lifestyle, do I not have anything to offer?

The longer Daniel lay there thinking, the more pissed he became. He walked out to his truck, climbed in the sputtering machine, and headed over to the bar. He wasn’t finished telling Katherine exactly what he was thinking. Hopefully a good fight with her would make him want to throw her far out of his mind, or bring her to her senses. His insides were hoping for the latter.

Blond Guy’s Corvette was sitting in the parking lot.
Damn!
Daniel walked right in the front door of the bar with his fists clenched at his sides. There she was, standing at the bar, with a beer in her hand. Blond Guy’s arm was around her. She was laughing and smiling.

Katherine felt someone’s presence behind her. She turned her head and saw John about six feet away.

“I’m going to go upstairs. Are you coming?” She said to Blond Guy.

“Yep, I’m just going to finish this beer, then I’ll be up.”

Katherine smiled, kissed his cheek, and left the bar.

Daniel went right behind her.

“Why are you following me, John?”

“Katherine, what are you doing? You were in my arms last night and now you’re in
his
? Are you really like this? Was I completely wrong about you?”

“John, you have the wrong idea…”

“The HELL I do!” Daniel yelled just as Blond Guy grabbed him by the shoulder and spun him around.

“I thought we straightened out your ignorant behavior,” said Blond Guy as he drew back his fist.

Daniel had enough. He blocked the punch and hit the poor bastard right in the face. “There you go, Katherine. He’s already lying down for you and everything. Sorry if he can’t kiss you for a couple of days.”

“
Oh my God
! Jacob!”

“Jacob…yeah, you have fun with Jacob. Just remember one thing, Katherine, I could have made you a very happy woman.”

With that, Daniel stepped over Jacob’s sprawled out body and climbed in the truck. He knew that there was no other option than to get the hell out of Prairie.
Get the hell away from Katherine
.

Daniel spent his days busting his butt around the farm, sleeping, avoiding Carl’s phone calls, and sleeping some more. He vowed to never step foot in that bar again. Weeks had passed and he still couldn’t get Katherine out of his head. He avoided going into town as much as possible. The last thing he needed was to run into her precious
Jacob
. Daniel had lots of different names for him and would love to loudly verbalize each one to his face, but to avoid jail, he had to stay away from the guy.