The Courtship of Dani (13 page)

The air vibrated with a poignant silence as they stared at each other. Dani's gaze was filled with wonder and unconscious longing, Jason's with awe and hunger and a fierce possessiveness. "Dani," he whispered again. With the baby between them, he bent and took her lips in an exquisitely soft kiss that sent shudders rippling through them both.

Their lips clung sweetly, but after a moment Becky began to squirm and make sharp little grunting noises. Jason lifted his head, drew a deep, chest-expanding breath, and grimaced wryly. "I think we're being scolded."

"She needs to go back to sleep. I think she woke up because she lost her pacifier. There it is on the floor. Why don't you go rinse it off for me while I check her diaper?"

"Sure." Jason picked up the pacifier and went into the adjacent bathroom. As he held it under the faucet a strident voice erupted in the bedroom.

"What do you think you're doing?"

Frowning, Jason turned off the water and walked to the doorway, just in time to see Charlene snatch the infant out of Dani's arms.

"I... she was crying," Dani explained uneasily. "I was just trying to comfort her."

"She doesn't need you to comfort her. You just keep your hands off my baby." Charlene glared at Dani, her expression filled with dislike. "You're always butting in where you're not wanted.

"And you've always had everything. Everything! Looks. Brains. A great job. But this is one thing you can't have, isn't it, Dani?" she taunted. "Because to have a baby it takes a man, and you're not woman enough to hold one. Oh, I'm sure your Mr. St. Clair would be glad to give you a tumble in the sack," she sneered, smiling nastily. "But no man wants to marry an egghead."

Jason stiffened then began to move; he had heard enough. But as he walked back into the room Charlene whirled and stomped out. Hands on his hips, he stared at the doorway where she had disappeared then turned and studied Dani. He started to demand an explanation, but the shattered look on her face stopped him. His first instinct was to go to her and hold her, to offer comfort, but something told him that now was not the time. After a moment he said quietly, "I think we'd better go, don't you?"

At the sound of Jason's voice Dani jumped and turned to look at him, her eyes wide with surprise. She had forgotten that he was there. "I..." She stopped and caught her lower lip between her teeth, then nodded. "Yes. Perhaps that would be best," she agreed in a subdued voice.

Within minutes Jason had smoothly made their excuses and hustled Dani into the car. As they pulled away from the Edwards house she sat stiffly in her seat, hands folded in her lap, and looked out the side window, withdrawn and silent. After a mile or so Jason broke into her painful thoughts.

"Would you mind telling me what that was all about?"

With a sigh Dani lifted a hand in a futile little gesture but then let it drop limply back into her lap. "Oh, just a bit of sibling rivalry, I guess," she said tiredly.

"Don't give me that. I have two brothers, so I know all about sibling rivalry, and believe me, that wasn't it. And what's been going on all day? Except for Chad, they all treat you more like a guest than a member of the family.''

Tipping her head back, Dani laughed shortly, but there was no mirth in the sound. "That's because I'm not. Not really. You see, Sophie and Joe adopted mc when I was seven, shortly after..." Dani looked down at her hands. Nervously she twisted the ring on her little finger around and around. "After I lost my parents."

"What?" Jason's head snapped around. His face wore a look of utter shock. "My God, Dani. Why didn't you tell me?"

The concern in his voice made her chin quiver slightly, but Dani merely shrugged one shoulder. "It was a long time ago." Carefully keeping her expression blank, she stared out the window. When they stopped at a traffic light she could feel Jason's eyes on her.

After a moment he covered her clasped hands with one of his and said quietly, "I'm sorry about your parents, honey. That must have been rough."

When the light changed and they started moving again, Dani looked at him out of the corner of her eye and wondered what he would think if he knew that her mother had not died, that she had simply given Dani away.

"But the Edwards seem like good people," Jason continued thoughtfully.

"Yes, they are."

"Are Chad and Charlene adopted too?"

Dani's chuckle was a breathy little gust of pure irony. "Oh, no. You see, I was Joe and Sophie's catalyst."

"Catalyst?" Jason shot her a quizzical look as he turned into the underground parking garage at Dani's building. "What the devil is that supposed to mean?"

"Only that—as so often happens when a childless couple finally adopts—they immediately have a child of their own. In this case they had twins."

Dani's face grew pensive as she recalled that first year with Joe and Sophie. At first she had been frightened and insecure, but the Edwards had lavished her with attention and care. They had been delighted to have a child and had seemed genuinely fond of her, and after a while Dani had relaxed and accepted her new home and parents. But then Chad and Charlene arrived, and after that Dani began to come in a poor third in the parents' affections.

As Dani had gotten older she tried to tell herself it was just jealousy on her part—a typical case of sibling rivalry. But it wasn't. Something had changed. Not anything drastic, but a gradual drawing away. As each year passed, the distance between Dani and the rest of the family had grown.

"Maybe the problem between you and Charlene is just a matter of an age gap. When she gains a little maturity maybe she won't feel so threatened and insecure," Jason suggested as he assisted Dani from the car.

"Maybe."

Neither of them spoke as they rode the elevator up to Dani's floor. Jason watched her out of the corner of his eye. Something was bothering her, something more than just Charlene's hostility. He couldn't quite put his finger on it, but he had gotten to know Dani well enough to recognize the signs. She only withdrew into herself like that when she was angry or hurt. Jason wanted like hell to question her more but he didn't dare. He just wasn't sure enough of Dani yet. She responded to him beautifully, but he sensed a restraint in her, a wariness he didn't understand, and he dared not risk pushing her too far. He had a terrible gut feeling that she would withdraw from him completely if he did.

When they entered Dani's apartment she dropped her purse onto the seat of the hall tree. "Would you like some coffee?"

"No thanks. I can't stay long." When she would have moved away, Jason pulled her into his arms and held her close, his hands locked at the small of her back. His expression was tender as he searched her face. "Despite your sister's bad temper, I did enjoy myself today. I like your folks."

"I'm glad," she said quietly, and some of the icy remoteness began to fade as she stared back at him. "As you said, they're nice people."

Jason's gaze dropped to her mouth and his eyes became even darker. "Mmm, but not half as nice as their oldest daughter," he murmured as his head began a slow descent.

The touch of Jason's lips against hers shattered the last bit of Dani's control. Lifting up on tiptoes, she locked her arms around his neck and strained against him, taking Jason by surprise with her ardent response. He hesitated for just an instant, then his arms tightened, and what had begun as a kiss of loving tenderness exploded into fiery passion.

Dani felt raw and vulnerable, her emotions lacerated, and the comfort of Jason's embrace was irresistible. A visit with her adoptive family always stirred painful emotions but today Charlene's attack had cut her to the quick. She wanted, needed, to prove her wrong, to feel loved and lovable, to know that she was desired.

She pressed close and kissed him with all the love and pent-up feeling that had been locked inside her so long. Her sweet mouth was hot and fervent, her darting tongue an enticement that drew a shuddering groan from the depths of Jason's massive chest.

His hands began to move over her body, stroking her back, pressing the sides of her breasts, gliding down to clutch her bottom and mold her to his virile hardness. The intimate touch sent fire racing through Dani and intensified the aching, empty throb in her lower body. She moaned softly and clutched at his shoulders, her fingers digging into the hard flesh.

With an anguished sound Jason broke the kiss. His breath came in ragged gasps and there was a wild look in his eyes. Grasping her upper arms, he held her away just a little, while he struggled for control. "We've got to stop, sweetheart. I can't take any more of this," he finally managed in a raw voice.

Dani was in no better shape than Jason. Her whole body was quivering with need, but as his words sank in a look of panic crossed her face. Frantically she tried to move back into his arms. "No, Jason..."

"Dani." Jason groaned her name and tightened his hold on her arms. "Please, honey.. .don't."

"But you don't understand. I don't want you to stop!" she cried... and Jason went perfectly still.

He stared at her, not even blinking, his expression a mixture of caution and shock. "What did you say?"

Her breasts heaving, Dani looked up at him with wide desperate eyes. "I...I've changed my mind. I've decided that I... that I want you to make love to me. I want us to have an affair.''

❧

"I just don't understand what it is he wants!"

"It seems pretty clear to me." Phil lazed calmly on the sofa, biting back a grin as he observed Dani's harried movements. She was pacing the floor with quick, agitated steps, every now and then raking her fingers nervously through her hair. "In a word... marriage."

"But why?"

Phil looked at her as though she'd taken leave of her senses. "For Pete's sake, Dani! Hasn't it occurred to you that maybe the man loves you?"

Dani shot him a disgruntled look, her mouth twisting. "Of course it has. But if so, then why?"

"Why do you love him?"

She whirled around, startled by his perception. She opened her mouth to deny the statement but Phil's expression told her it would be pointless. Dani frowned. "I don't know. I'm still trying to figure that out," she answered sullenly. "But one thing I've learned is that love, affection or friendship is usually offered for purely selfish reasons. People always seem to want something from you."

"Come on, Dani. Surely you don't really believe that. Look at us. We're friends, aren't we? No strings attached?"

Remorse and guilt stabbed at Dani when she saw the touch of sadness in Phil's eyes. "Yes. Yes, of course we are," she assured him with an apologetic smile. "But I'm afraid I do think that our friendship is the exception rather than the rule."

Dani turned and wandered over to the balcony doors. Standing with her arms crossed over her midriff, absently rubbing her elbows through the thin silk of her blouse, she stared out pensively at the May sunshine. For the past five days she had been asking herself the same questions over and over. Why had Jason asked her to marry him? What did he want of her? What did she have to offer him that none of the other women he had known possessed? She earned an excellent salary but she wasn't rich. But then Jason didn't need money. Dani knew that she was attractive and smart, but Jason had known many beautiful women, and he certainly didn't need any help from her in the intelligence department. Did he love her?

Just the thought started a quivering deep inside Dani. Lord, she hoped so. Desperately. But he'd never mentioned love and she was trying to be sensible and not get her hopes up.

He would be here in a few hours, expecting an answer. What would she tell him? Her heart urged her to say yes, but she was terrified of making a mistake. If she married him only to find out later that he wanted her for some reason other than love, she wouldn't be able to bear it.

Dani sighed. She was no closer to an answer now than she had been Sunday night.

Glancing back over her shoulder, she found that Phil was watching her, his brow furrowed with worry, and guilt niggled at her again. Dani smiled wryly and waved her hand in a dismissive gesture. "Oh, don't pay any attention to me. I'm just on edge, I guess."

Accepting the explanation with a look of compassion, Phil relaxed against the sofa and picked up his cup of coffee. He took a sip, then eyed Dani consideringly. "You really ought to be very flattered, you know. Maybe because of his poor beginnings or maybe it's just a part of his makeup, but from what I hear, Jason St. Clair never settles for anything but the best. Obviously that's how he regards you. And in this case, I must say...I agree with him completely." Dani sent him a weak smile and he winked in return, then added firmly, "Now then, since you wanted my advice, I suggest that you relax and play it by ear."

"Oh, thanks. You're a big help."

"Think nothing of it," Phil said magnanimously. "What are friends for?"

Dani's look was pure exasperation. But gradually, meeting Phil's teasing gaze, her lips twitched in a reluctant smile. "I guess I really don't have any choice, do I?"

"Nope. You'll just have to—"

The advice was halted by the peal of the doorbell. After instructing Phil to help himself to more coffee, Dani excused herself and went to answer it.

Surprise, then delight, lit Dani's face when she opened the door. "Jason! What are you doing here so early?"

"Hi, sweetheart." Jason stepped inside, shut the door and pulled Dani into his arms. He took her mouth in a slow, hot kiss that set her senses to swimming. When at last he raised his head she was limp with desire and her hands were clutching his shoulders for support. A satisfied smile curved Jason's mouth at the dazed look on her face. "I caught an early flight and came directly from the airport. I didn't want to wait another four hours to see you."

Looping an arm around her waist, he started for the living room. "Where would you like to go tonight? If you want, we could—"

The sight of Phil, sitting at ease on Dani's sofa, casually sipping coffee, stopped Jason in his tracks and brought his words to an abrupt halt. In a flash his expression darkened into something hard and frightening.

"Just what the hell do you think you're doing here, Lathrope?" he demanded in a low, dangerous voice that was very near a snarl.

"Jason!" Dani jerked away from him as she gasped his name, her face white, as much from shock as anger.

Jason ignored her. He faced the other man with his hands on his hips. His stance was threatening, his face hard with barely controlled violence.

Phil didn't turn a hair. Very calmly he placed his cup on the coffee table and rose. "Not what you obviously think," he replied, a trace of humor in his voice.

"What I think is that if you value your hide you'll stay away from Dani," Jason said with soft, purring menace. "Because from now on, she's off-limits. To you and every other man."

"Oh? And does Dani have any say in this decision?" Phil challenged lightly, and Dani looked at him in amazement. She couldn't believe that gentle, sweet Phil would dare to twist the tiger's tail like that.

Jason took a step forward, his hands falling to his sides and curling into fists. "You want to take me on, Lathrope? Come on. Try it." His dark gaze slid over Phil's slender frame with relish. "It'll give me great pleasure to break your scrawny neck."

Appalled by the way Jason's demeanor had changed in the space of a heartbeat from tenderness to this bristling masculine aggression, Dani stepped between the two men. "Stop it! Stop it right now!" Her voice shook so she could barely speak, and the words came out in a breathy cry. "Don't you dare speak to Phil that way!"

"Don't let it upset you, love," Phil soothed, instantly concerned by her pallor and the distress in her wide blue eyes. "Look, why don't I clear out so you can explain the situation to him? Okay?"

"Smart move, Lathrope."

The hard satisfaction in Jason's voice was almost too much for Dani. Sending him a freezing look, she looped her arm through Phil's and moved with him toward the front door.

Dani's icy anger finally penetrated, and Jason bit out a lurid curse under his breath as he noted the haughty tilt of her head and her ramrod straight back. He knew he'd blundered badly—but dammit! Raw jealousy had seared his gut like hot lava when he'd walked in and found the man sitting on Dani's sofa as though he had every right to be there.

Jason cursed again and slammed his fist into his palm. He wanted to hit something. Hard.

With a sigh he raked his fingers through his hair and massaged the tense muscles in the back of his neck. Jealousy. Good Lord. He hadn't felt the emotion since he'd been a teenager and his high-school sweetheart had thrown him over for the captain of the football team.

Dani returned and he looked at her warily. Her face was coolly composed, remote.

"You're angry." He stated the obvious then muttered another curse when she leveled her wintry gaze on him. "Dammit, Dani! How do you think I felt, finding him here?"

"Phil is a very dear, very old friend," she said in a precise, even tone. "That's all."

"Maybe it's just friendship on your part, but believe me, the man would have to be a blind eunuch or gay not to be interested in you. I don't like him hanging around."

It was the wrong thing to say. Jason knew it the minute the words were out of his mouth, and he winced inwardly when he saw Dani draw even more within herself.

"Regardless of what you believe or what you like or don't like, Phil is my friend, and you have no right to talk to him that way."

"You're right," Jason agreed in a weary voice, adding silently, At least, not yet.

Compressing his lips into a grim line, Jason looked away then sighed and turned his gaze on Dani again. "I'm sorry, honey. I overreacted. Like a jealous fool I took one look at Lathrope and saw red."

He waited for a response but Dani merely looked at him. Jason went to her and took her hands in his. As the rough pads of his thumbs smoothed back and forth over the delicate bones in the backs of her hands, he gazed at her contritely, his pale brows arched. "Forgive me?" he asked softly, a tiny coaxing smile on his lips.

Dani stared back at him, the frost in her eyes melting only fractionally.

"Please."

Jason tried to imbue the word with humility, but his gravelly voice made it sound more like a rough command. Even so, Dani's aloof mask slipped just a bit. Reluctant but weakening, she eyed him a moment longer then grimaced and said, "All right. Let's just forget it, okay?"

"That's my girl." Jason framed her face between his palms and tipped her head up. Through half closed eyes he studied her impassive face. Then slowly he bent, and his parted lips closed over hers.

The kiss was soft and warm and lingering, a gentle enticement. His mobile mouth rocked over hers with restrained hunger, coaxing a response, building her passion with insistent tenderness.

But beneath his hands Dani remained motionless. Jason could feel the fine tension in her body, could sense her resistance. Delicately, with an excruciatingly sensuous touch, he probed the corner of her mouth with his tongue, then delved between her lips to barely touch the tip of hers, and fierce satisfaction gripped him as he felt the shudder that rippled through her.

Jason lifted his head and smiled. "Hi."

"Hi."

He draped his arms around her waist and Dani leaned back within his embrace, her palms resting against his shirt. "You never did answer me about where you want to go tonight," he said lightly.

"Oh, anywhere. It doesn't matter." She stared at his tie and traced the striped pattern with one fingernail. "Jason," she began hesitantly. "Why do you want to marry me?"

"What?" He was astounded. "My Lord, what kind of question is that to ask me? Because I love you, of course. What else?"

Joy exploded inside Dani like a rocket on the fourth of July, putting stars in her eyes and lighting her face with a luminous glow. A quivering began deep inside her and spread outward, making her knees wobble.

"You never said so," she told him quietly and found that her voice was wobbly, too.

"Didn't I?" When Dani shook her head he groaned and struck his forehead with the heel of one hand. "Oh, honey, I'm sorry. But then I didn't mean to blurt out my proposal the way I did," he said ruefully. "I had it all planned; we were going to have an intimate dinner at my place, just the two of us. Candlelight and wine and romantic music—the works. And afterward I was going to ask you to marry me." His mouth twisted into a disgusted grimace. "But I don't know why I'm surprised. Practically nothing has gone according to plan since the day I met you."

He looked down into her shining eyes and his weathered face softened. "But I do love you, Dani," he murmured tenderly. "Very much."

Dani wanted to believe him more than anything. And because she wanted to so badly...she did. Looking at him with all the love she felt shimmering in her blue eyes, she gave him a teary smile. "Oh, Jason. I love you, too."

As the shaken little cry left her throat she locked her arms around his neck, hugging him with all her might. Jason's arms tightened around her possessively and for a moment they merely held each other, savoring their closeness, the trembling emotion that bound them.

"Does this mean that your answer is yes?" Jason whispered against her temple, and when Dani raised her head he could see the answer in her radiant face.

"Yes. Oh, yes," she whispered. Even as the words left her, their heads tilted and drew closer.

Eyelids fluttered shut and lips met lovingly in a kiss that was long and warm with promise.