The Courtship of Dani Read online

  It was raining when Dani left the supermarket, and by the time she had stashed the groceries in the car she was soaked to the skin. She arrived home late in the afternoon, totally exhausted, and after putting everything away, she shampooed her hair then treated herself to a long hot soak in a jasmine-scented bath. Afterward, since she had no plans to go out again, she ran a comb through her wet hair then pulled on a lilac velour robe with a large cowl collar. She stuffed her feet into a pair of white satin slippers and headed for her study, the thin soles slapping against her heels with every step.

  For over an hour Dani sat at her desk in the alcove and struggled with the reports on Stratter-Lite, but she couldn't seem to concentrate and finally gave up and curled up in the corner of the couch to watch a movie on television.

  An hour later she was so engrossed in the plot that when the doorbell rang she jumped as though she'd been shot. With an impatient sigh Dani turned the sound off on the TV, uncurled from the couch, slipped her feet back into the satin slides and stomped to the door. But the annoyed frown that creased between her brows faded the instant she looked through the peephole.

  The bell rang again and Dani quickly reached for the knob and pulled the door open. Her heart began to pound frantically at the sight of Jason standing there, one hand propped against the door frame, the other splayed across his hip. He was dressed in cream-colored slacks, a dark brown silk shirt with an open collar and a camel suede jacket that fit his massive shoulders to perfection. In the V of his collar a thatch of golden chest hair glistened like spun gold. Dani swallowed hard and forced her gaze upward to meet his.

  "Hello, Jason," she managed in a husky voice.

  "Hi. May I come in?"

  "Oh. Of course." Dani stepped back to let him pass then closed the door behind him. But when she turned around to face him she couldn't think of a thing to say. Suddenly he seemed so large, the foyer so small. She was horribly conscious of her scrubbed, shiny face, her still-damp hair falling loosely onto the folds of the collar that draped her shoulders, of the fact that she was wearing her robe and absolutely nothing else. Dani focused on his chin and cleared her throat. "Uh... won't you come into the living room?"

  Jason's intent gaze was fixed on her face. After a moment he nodded, and when she turned to lead the way he followed without a word.

  Instead of sitting, Jason began to wander idly around the room, going from one antique piece to the next, eyeing each one critically. "You've got some really great pieces here," he said at last.

  A smile curved Dani's mouth, and she reached out as though irresistibly drawn and smoothed her fingertips lovingly over the long, Queen Anne table behind the sofa. "Thank you. I get them from Phil's shop. He introduced me to the world of antiques about six years ago, and I'm afraid now collecting them is a passion of mine."

  Jason's dark eyes cut to her and a tiny smile lifted the corners of his mouth. "Lucky antiques," he said in a voice so low and husky she wasn't sure she'd heard him right.

  Dani sat down on the couch, and after a moment Jason strolled over and sat beside her. He turned sideways, laying one arm along the back and bringing his crooked knee up on the cushion. His dark gaze searched her face, and Dani fought the urge to squirm. "So how do you feel?" he asked quietly.

  "Fine."

  "No bruises or raw nerves?"

  "No, nothing like that. Lewis frightened me, but he didn't hurt me."

  Jason's eyes narrowed and his voice took on a hard edge. "Do you have to contend with that sort of thing often?"

  Dani stared at her fingers, which were plucking nervously at the folds of velour across her thighs. "No. Actually, I was as much surprised as frightened. Lewis is spoiled, and sometimes he can act like a petulant child when he doesn't get his way, but he's never resorted to violence before." A wry grimace twisted her mouth and she darted him a quick look. "I suppose it was all that alcohol in his system that gave him the courage last night."

  "Whatever, you won't have to worry about it happening again. I had a talk with Frank last night after I left you. From now on Lewis is going to be on a short chain."

  "You talked to Frank? Last night?" Dani stared at him, her blue eyes wide with surprise.

  "That's right."

  "But... that wasn't necessary... I mean... I was going to...I..." Dani stopped and bit her lip. "Thank you, Jason," she managed quietly after a moment, both confused and deeply affected.

  Jason smiled and touched her shoulder lightly with his fingertips. Then suddenly he looked over at the silent action on the television screen. "You were watching a movie. Say, that's one of my favorites. Mind if I watch it with you?"

  Taken completely by surprise, Dani blurted out a quick, "No. No, of course not."

  She watched, mesmerized, as Jason stood up and shucked his jacket and tossed it carelessly across a chair, then sat down again and slipped his feet out of his brown cordovan loafers. Hooking the leg of a needlepoint covered stool with his toes, he pulled it over, propped his feet on it and leaned back.

  His bushy brows shot upward at the look on Dani's face. "You don't mind if I make myself comfortable, do you?" The devilish smile he gave her did wonderful things to his rough face and at the same time made her feel as though she had been kicked in the stomach.

  "Oh! No. No, go right ahead." Dani quickly forced her gaze back to the television screen and turned up the volume on the remote control.

  This is crazy, she told herself as she fought to keep from peeking at Jason out of the corner of her eye. There is absolutely nothing erotic or exciting about the sight of a man's socked feet, for heaven's sake.

  But irresistibly, Dani's surreptitious gaze was drawn back to the large, well-shaped feet in the brown ribbed socks. Helplessly, her eyes traveled upward. The cream slacks had a knife-edge crease and were of a lightweight material that draped smoothly over his long legs, clearly delineating the powerful muscles in his calves and thighs. Dani gritted her teeth against the strange quivering sensation in the pit of her stomach and jerked her gaze back to the screen.

  For the next hour she stared at the flickering images as though her eyes were glued to the set, but neither the action nor the words registered. She was aware of Jason with every fiber of her being, and dozens of questions buzzed in her brain like a swarm of pesky bees. Why is he here? Why did he take it upon himself to go to Frank? Surely he has better things to do on a Saturday night than watch television with me? Is he interested in me romantically? No, of course not. He wouldn't have stopped last night if he were. Then what is he doing here?

  At the sound of Jason's voice, Dani jumped and looked at him, her eyes wide and startled. "What?"

  "I said, that was a great movie." He smiled pleasantly, and Dani looked back at the television, surprised to see that the movie was over.

  "Oh, yes. It certainly was," she agreed in a rush, then winced inwardly as she heard the nervous edge to her voice. Calm down, for heaven's sake. There's no reason to be nervous. He's just a man. And all he's done is watch television. Willing herself to relax, she turned to him with what she hoped was a casual expression. "It's been years since I last saw it, but I've always enjoyed it."

  Jason put his arms over his head and stretched hugely then looked at her with one pale brow cocked. "Have you eaten?"

  "No." Dani swallowed hard and tried not to notice the way his shirt stretched tight across his chest.

  "Well, I'd suggest that we go out to dinner, but since it's raining and—" he reached out and drew one finger down the smooth velour that covered her arm "—you seem to have gotten comfortable for the evening, how about we call out for something?"

  Dani hesitated then said, "I would offer to cook dinner but the best I can do is warm up a casserole. I'm afraid I'm not very good in the kitchen."

  "You mean there's something you can't do?" There was a teasing warmth in his dark eyes and the creases at the corners crinkled as he smiled, filling Dani with the absurd urge to reach out and touch his weathered face.

&n
bsp; She stifled the feeling and shrugged self-consciously. "My mother didn't see any need to teach me domestic skills. Luckily I have a housekeeper who comes in three times a week. She does the cleaning and keeps the freezer stocked with casseroles and simple dishes I can pop in the microwave."

  "As it happens, I have a fondness for casseroles."

  A few minutes later Dani was in the kitchen. The microwave was humming and from the dining room came the clink and ping of china and silver as Jason set the table. With jerky movements she tore a chunk of lettuce into bite-size pieces, all the while shaking her head. This is crazy, Danielle, she chastised silently. What do you think you're doing, for Pete's sake. You should have told him you weren't hungry or you had already eaten. Anything.

  Lord, she wished she knew why he had come. Was he just concerned? Was he interested in her? Was he just being friendly? What? Briefly she remembered the way he had kissed her, the feel of his calloused hands, and a delicious shiver rippled through her.

  Firming her lips, Dani deliberately shook off the disturbing memory. You're playing with fire, you idiot. As soon as dinner is over you've got to send him home, she told herself emphatically. Tell him you're tired. You've got a headache. Whatever. Just get him out of here before you make a fool of yourself again.

  Mrs. Halloway's chicken and broccoli casserole was delicious as usual, and Dani's lettuce and tomato salad, though not inspired, was at least edible. Jason talked companionably during the meal, telling her how he got his start in business and his early struggles, little anecdotes about some of the funny and not so funny things that had happened. But excitement and wariness warred within Dani, and with every passing minute her nerves grew tighter, her replies shorter, until finally he quit trying to draw her out. By the time they had restored order to the kitchen, neither of them had said a word for several minutes.

  "Thank you for your help." Dani took the dish towel from Jason and crossed the kitchen to hang it in the pantry. When she shut the door and turned around she found that he had followed her, and was standing just inches away, a serious, watchful look in his eyes."

  "Is something wrong, Dani?"

  "Wrong? Of course not." She ran her damp palms down over her hips then went to sidestep him. "Would you like some coffee? It won't take but—"

  Jason's hands shot out and clamped around her upper arms, effectively halting her words and her retreat. "I don't want coffee," he murmured huskily as his eyes fixed on her trembling mouth. Slowly he pulled her closer, and one hand slid over her shoulder and up under the luxuriant fall of sable hair to cup the back of her head. "All I want is you."

  Dani could not have moved if her life had depended on it. She stood trembling, her heart kicking against her ribs at the hot look in his slumberous eyes, and as she watched his head descend, her lids fluttered shut.

  Jason's lips settled on hers with possessive sureness as his other arm looped around her waist and pulled her tightly to him. For a brief flashing instant the sane part of Dani's brain urged her to resist, to retreat, but it was too late. Jason deepened the kiss, and the sensual awareness that had vibrated between them all evening exploded into passion at the first evocative thrust of his tongue. Like a torch to tinder, his touch consumed her.

  With an inarticulate little sound Dani gave in to her desire and ran her hands up his massive chest and around his neck, stretching up on tiptoes to meet his kiss. She twined her fingers through his thick hair, luxuriating in its warm silkiness, her nails lightly scoring his scalp as the kiss went on and on.

  It was reckless and wild and dangerous. On some level, Dani knew it, but she could not stop. It was too exciting, too thrilling, and her need was too great. She had never felt this way before, had never felt this drawn to a man before.

  Suddenly Jason tore his mouth from hers. He buried his face in the cloud of fragrant hair and folds of soft velour at the side of her neck. His breathing was labored, a harsh rasp in her ear. "I want you, Dani. Lord, how I want you."

  She was a quivering flame in his arms. Burning. Needing. Eyes closed, her lips pressed tightly together, she clung to him, unable to deny the raging desire and love that blazed within her.

  Her silence was all the answer Jason needed. He bent and swept her up into his arms, and with a low moan of surrender, Dani looped her arms around his neck and laid her head on his shoulder as he strode toward her bedroom.

  A warning voice niggled at her but she pushed it aside. For once in her life she didn't want to be sensible or intelligent or reasonable. Her body ached for fulfillment—fulfillment only Jason could give her.

  In the bedroom Jason set her on her feet and pulled her into his embrace, kissing her deeply, slowly. Then he pulled back, and dark eyes locked with blue ones as he found the zipper at the front of her robe and eased it down. Slipping his hands beneath the folds of the collar, he eased it off her shoulders, and the robe whispered to the floor to collapse in a soft, sensuous heap.

  A quivering weakness attacked Dani's knees when Jason stepped back and looked at her. "Lovely," he said in a low, rasping whisper. "So lovely."

  His eyes were hot, his face flushed and rigid with desire. The fevered need in him was scorching and almost palpable, and suddenly panic began to well up inside Dani. But before it could take hold Jason's mouth was on hers again, and every coherent thought was driven from her mind.

  Jason's bent knee pressed into the mattress, and Dani was vaguely aware of being eased back onto the bed, of Jason stretching out beside her. Then everything inside her went all hot and liquid as his calloused hands stroked her bare flesh and he began to whisper incredible things in her ear.

  With a low growl of frustration Jason rolled to his feet, and before Dani could regain her senses he had shed his clothes and was back beside her. She gasped when he pulled her close once again and her breast encountered his warm, hair-covered chest.

  Jason shifted to one side and stroked her slowly from breast to hip to knee and back again, his rough fingers caressing the silken skin lovingly. He kissed her deeply, thoroughly, pressing her down into the pillow, and Dani could only cling to him, her fingers digging convulsively into the warm, firm muscles in his back.

  A sigh escaped her as his mouth left hers and began stringing moist kisses and impassioned love words over her neck and collarbone and finally down into the valley between her breasts. He cupped a pearly globe in his rough palm, and as his mouth closed around its pink crest the sigh became a moan.

  Ecstasy shot through Dani, and she writhed beneath him, her back arching toward the delicious tugging. "Oh, Jason. Jason!"

  "I know, love. I know." Jason raised his head and looked at her, his eyes burning, his features blurred with passion. "Sweetheart, is it safe for you? Or do you want me to protect you?"

  It took a moment for his words to penetrate the thick mists of passion that swirled around Dani—still another for their meaning to register. But when they did an icy chill gripped her, and Dani froze.

  Jason felt her stiffen beneath his hands and he grew still. "What's wrong, love?" he asked in a bewildered voice.

  Ignoring his question, Dani scrambled for the edge of the bed, and Jason groaned. "For God's sake, surely you're not going to stop now?"

  Dani stood and snatched up her robe from the floor, pulling it on with jerky movements. Zipping it securely up to her throat, she turned shakily to face him, composing her features as best she could. Her insides were quivering wildly but she knew she had to tell him something. She owed him an explanation. And then she had to get him out of there.

  "That's exactly what I'm doing," she said in a voice that wasn't quite as steady as she would have liked. "This was all a mistake. A stupid mistake I should never have let happen."

  "Mistake, hell!" Jason thundered, his bewilderment quickly turning to anger. "You wanted me just as much as I wanted you. Everything was fine until—" he stopped suddenly, his eyes narrowing on her white face, the wary, defensive look in her eyes "—until I asked if you were protect
ed," he finished in a puzzled tone. "Dammit, Dani! That's a perfectly reasonable question. One any responsible male would ask. I would think you'd have more of a right to be angry if I didn't ask."

  "I'm not angry. I told you; this whole thing is my fault. I shouldn't have let things get out of hand." He was lying there glowering at her, splendidly naked, and Dani wished desperately that he would put his clothes back on, or at least cover himself with something.

  "Are you trying to tell me that you're not protected?" Taking her silence for a yes, he continued in a milder tone. "Why didn't you just say so, sweetheart? If that's all that's bothering you, you can quit worrying. I'll take care of it."

  When he moved as though to climb from the bed, Dani took a hasty step backward. "No. No, you don't understand." The words tumbled out in a panic stricken rush, and Jason stilled instantly, his brows lifting as he noted the look of acute embarrassment and desperation on her face. But then pride came to her rescue and Dani tilted her chin, meeting his eyes squarely. In a calm, controlled voice she said, "I'm not protected because I've never had to be. Ever."

  Chapter 6

  It was suddenly so quiet the very air around them seemed to quiver with tension.

  A series of emotions chased one after the other across Jason's rugged face: shock, confusion, then sheer incredulity that quickly developed into a frown.

  "Are you—" he shook his head, as though unable to accept the thoughts going around in his mind "—are you saying that you're still a virgin!"

  Dani didn't reply, but the defiant sparkle in her eyes provided all the answer he needed.

  "But...why? How? God in heaven, you're...how old did you say? Twenty-five? Twenty-six?"