The Honeymoon That Wasn't Read online

  She shrugged. “Dallas and I both had taken a lot of self-defense classes. Plus, I’ve always liked to kickbox for exercise.”

  “Damn. Nice of Dallas to have warned me.” He took her hand again. “What happened?”

  “I reported them. At first. But then, the dean convinced me to drop the charges. One of the jerks was a key player on the football team so they didn’t want the publicity. I didn’t either because I didn’t want my parents to find out.”

  “Did they?”

  “Oh, God, no. That’s all I would have needed.”

  “You were the victim.”

  “Yeah, I was.” She’d thought the bitterness was gone, but it coated her tongue and burned like acid in her stomach. “Remember that I was only nineteen, humiliated and scared to death my parents would find out. The two guys got slaps on the wrists and I just slunk away. That same day, all my new clothes went right into the trash.”

  “That wasn’t that long ago. I didn’t think that kind of stuff still happened to women.”

  “Hey, when it comes to protecting their star athletes, don’t underestimate any schools’ ethics.” She took another sip of his beer, relieved that she was starting to feel better. “But you know what, that day, I knew without a single doubt that I wanted to study law. I wanted to be an attorney. The best one I could possibly be.”

  “And make sure that kind of thing didn’t happen to other women.” He cupped the back of her neck and massaged the knot of tension.

  She closed her eyes and let her head drop forward. “You got it.”

  “I thought the plan had always been for you to follow in your brother’s and father’s footsteps.”

  “The assumption was always there. Don’t you dare stop,” she said, when he started to remove his hand from her nape.

  He continued the massage. “No, ma’am, wouldn’t think of it.”

  “Anyway, I was a good girl and went along with what my parents wanted. I thought practicing law would be cool. But after that ordeal, it became my mission.”

  “I have a question.”

  “The answer’s yes.”

  “Hey, I’m good but not a superhero. I have to have some time to recoup.”

  Laughing, she ducked away from his hand. “Okay, I’ll admit it. I’m a little out of commission myself. So you’re off the hook.”

  “Hey, let’s not get crazy. I didn’t mean no sex. I only meant we’ll have to wait an hour.”

  “An hour, huh? I think I may need a couple.” That was an understatement. She ached in lots of places. Really, really embarrassing places. But since tonight was their last night…

  The thought stabbed at her heart. She’d miss him like crazy. No question there. But it wouldn’t be practical to make plans once they returned to the city. She couldn’t imagine the mountain of work that awaited her.

  Worse, she couldn’t imagine not seeing Tony.

  Oh, God, she was in trouble.

  She promptly chased all such thoughts from her mind. They were totally unacceptable. Impossible. Not wanted.

  “Did you hear me?” he asked.

  “What?”

  “I was just saying, now don’t get defensive, but aren’t you letting those assholes win by caving in and dressing the way they think a woman should dress?”

  “Valid point. But it’s not worth the hassle. It’s easier to wear a suit all the time.”

  “What about during off hours? Or like, while we’re here. Doesn’t that defeat the—”

  “I admit it. I’m a coward, okay?”

  He exhaled sharply. “I’m sorry. None of my business.”

  She didn’t say anything. Better silence than to point out he was right. It was none of his business. Anyway, he didn’t understand the discomfort of being hit on by married men, clients, bosses, older acquaintances of her father, for goodness’ sake. Dressing conservatively and professionally made life much easier.

  “Okay, next subject.” He adjusted his lounge chair so that he sat upright. “Are you telling Dallas about us?”

  Her heart sank. “What about us?”

  “You know she’s gonna ask about what happened this weekend. If you want we can tell her we didn’t stay. She’s not getting a bill from the hotel so she won’t know the difference.”

  Dakota relaxed when she understood he wasn’t talking about any future commitment between them. “What do you think?”

  “She’s your sister.”

  Was this a test? With the increasing darkness, she couldn’t see his face very well. But she had the feeling this was more than a casual question. “We’ll tell her the truth.”

  He faked a cough. “Like in the real truth?”

  She chuckled. “How many kinds are there? We’ll tell her we stayed and had a great time. I doubt she’ll ask anything more personal than that.”

  “Okay.”

  “If she does…” Dakota paused. How much did she want Dallas to know? “I don’t care, do you?”

  A flash of white teeth and then, “Nope.”

  She stretched lazily. “How long did you say it would take you to recover?”

  “As long as it takes you to get off your pretty butt.” Tony got to his feet and pulled her up.

  They’d left the air conditioner off and the sliding door open to enjoy the warm balmy breeze. Hadn’t had the forethought to put on a light, though. So they stumbled into the parlor, Tony finding a lamp and switching it on.

  Dakota took his hand and started to lead him to the bedroom, but he wouldn’t budge. When she turned to look at him he smiled, took her face in his hands and kissed her. The kiss was so different from the others, so incredibly tender, she ached from the reminder that this would all be over soon.

  Once she’d returned to her office everything would be fine. Work rarely allowed her time to think about anything else. Tonight, she’d enjoy every minute with Tony, enjoy every touch, every kiss. The endearments he used made her feel special inside.

  “Shouldn’t we close the drapes?” she asked once he’d moved to her ear, nibbling the fleshy lobe.

  “This is the top floor. No one can see in.” He reached for the hem of her tank top and drew it over her head.

  She wore no bra and stood there baring herself to him, feeling not a shred of self-consciousness. How could she? Not with Tony. God, how could she be so comfortable and familiar with him in just three days? How many times had she tried to analyze the phenomenon in her head? It seemed impossible. But it wasn’t.

  “What are you thinking about that’s making you look sad?” he whispered, cupping the weight of her breasts and kissing her lightly on the nose.

  “Just wondering why you still have your shirt on.” She grabbed hold of the black T-shirt and yanked it off. It ended up on the sofa with her tank top.

  His expression told her he didn’t believe her, but he didn’t challenge her either. Instead he drew her close, her breasts pressed against his strong chest, her cheek flush with the quickening pulse at his neck.

  He ran his palms down her back and rested them at the swell of her backside, just as he’d done a hundred times this weekend. Again heartwarming familiarity engulfed her. Scared her, too.

  It wouldn’t be easy parting tomorrow. The next couple of days would probably be lonely once she was back in her small apartment. Nevertheless, that’s the way it had to be.

  FIGURES THEY’D RETURN to a dreary gray day. Rain was forecast and there was a crispness to the autumn air that smelled of early snow flurries.

  Neither of them had a coat, and when Tony tried to slide an arm around Dakota to warm her, she stiffened. He got the message and backed off.

  “Damn, we wasted the entire plane ride,” he said, yawning, as he slid in next to her in the backseat of the cab.

  “What did you expect? We slept for only two hours last night.”

  “Was that just last night?”

  She chuckled. “I know what you mean. Seems like a blur now, doesn’t it?”

  “Not exactly.�
�� He put an arm around the back of her seat and this time when she stiffened, he didn’t give in. No one else was around. It was just the two of them, so tough. He pulled her against him. “I recall some extremely memorable moments.”

  She shivered, from a memory or the cold, he didn’t care because she snuggled closer and that’s all that counted. “Don’t go there,” she whispered, her breath warming his ear.

  “Why not?”

  “Because.”

  “I see.”

  She laughed softly, giving him a nudge with her shoulder before snuggling against him, her hand on his chest. “I hate to say it but I could probably fall asleep again.”

  “Go ahead.” He stroked her hair. So soft. Just like the rest of her. “In this traffic, we have at least an hour before we get to Manhattan.”

  “What about you? Where do you live?”

  “Manhattan.”

  “Have you always lived there?”

  He shook his head. “I moved from Queens about a month ago.”

  “Oh.”

  He waited for her to say something more. He could have sworn she’d been about to ask where in Manhattan he lived. Instead she sat up and turned to look out the opposite window, putting some distance between them.

  They’d come to a complete stop because of bumper-to-bumper traffic. Morning rush hour had already passed, but around here it didn’t matter. She groaned. “I’m going to be so late.”

  “For what?”

  “Work.”

  “You’re going in today?”

  She looked at him in surprise. “Sure I am. I’ll probably be there until midnight trying to catch up.”

  “I thought maybe we’d grab a late breakfast.”

  “Can’t.”

  “Early lunch?”

  She smiled.

  “You have to eat.”

  “I have granola bars in my desk drawer.”

  Tony looked out the other window. He’d known everything would change once they got back to the city. So why was he getting ticked off? One day at a time. His words, and this was a new day. Other choices to be made. He may not like hers, but that was too bad.

  Shit.

  Silence settled for a while and then she asked, “Aren’t you working today?”

  “Maybe tomorrow.”

  “Maybe?” She snorted. “Your boss may have something to say about that.”

  He smiled. “I doubt it.”

  Silence lapsed again as they both looked out their respective windows. The truth was, he had a lot of work to do, too. His new house needed some major renovations. The wood floors had been damaged from a major dishwasher leak, and the first floor walls were an ugly mint green. Even the antiquated bathrooms had to be gutted and totally redone. The stairs could wait for now but down the road they’d also need work. Not that he was complaining. Hell, no, not for the price he’d gotten the brownstone. Even though he was his own boss, he couldn’t make a living by not turning over the brownstone quickly and then scooping up the next good deal. Especially in the current real estate market.

  This time he broke the silence first. “Where does your boss think you’ve been?”

  “My brother’s one of the partners. Dallas handled it with him.”

  “What’d she tell him?”

  “Something about me taking a day off to do her a favor. Believe me, Cody won’t pry. He’s probably too busy having his secretary pile stacks on my desk. All he’ll care about is how much I can get done yesterday.”

  Tony shook his head. He didn’t know how she could live like that. How anyone could? Deadlines on top of deadlines and everything a big rush. Allowing life to take a backseat. But it was her choice.

  The rest of the ride into the city saw them alternating between yawning and chatting about everything from the Yankees to the local news overheard on the radio station playing inside the taxi.

  They passed a limo on Columbus Circle, and Tony said, “Hey, that’s right! How come we had to take a cab home. Where was the limo?”

  “We’ll have to give Dallas a hard time about that.” She reared her head back, a teasing smile on her lips. “I didn’t figure you for the limo type.”

  He snorted. “Are you kidding? Free beer, champagne, you name it.”

  “Yeah, and where’s Otis when you need him?” She sighed, reaching for her purse when she noticed they were approaching her street.

  “Hey, I have an idea. We can do this again next weekend. Same hotel. Same suite. What do you say?”

  She laughed.

  “I’m serious.” He covered her hand when the cab stopped. “Say the word and I’ll take care of everything.”

  A small frown puckered her brows and her lips parted but she didn’t say anything.

  “The meter’s ticking,” the cab driver said over his shoulder. “Somebody getting out here?”

  “Just hold on a moment,” she told him sternly, and Tony smiled at her lawyerly tone. She turned back to him with regret in her eyes.

  He shrugged. “It was just a thought.”

  “A nice one. But it won’t work. I really am going to be swamped.”

  “I know. Hey, I should’ve done this already.” He patted his breast pocket. The only thing in there was the napkin he’d saved from the plane. “Do you have a pen?”

  She dug one out of her purse.

  After scribbling his cell number, he handed it to her. “I don’t have a landline, just this.”

  She studied the napkin for a long time, her other hand already on the door handle. Bad sign. Obviously she didn’t know what to say, like, here’s my number.

  He swallowed his disappointment, forced a smile and kissed her on the cheek. “Don’t work too hard.”

  “Oh, I will.” She smiled sadly and opened the door. “Bye, Tony.”

  He nodded. That probably said it all.

  11

  “EXCUSE ME,” Sara said as she knocked at Dakota’s open door. “Would you like me to bring you back something for lunch?”

  Dakota glanced at her watch. Already one o’clock. “Where are you going?”

  Sara grinned, her big blue eyes sparkling. “I have a hankerin’ for some of that greasy corner pizza, but I’ll get you anything you like.”

  “Aren’t you tired of that yet?”

  “No, ma’am, I’m fixin’ on trying the pepperoni this week.” The new temp had a wide smile and fresh look about her that suited her cute southern drawl.

  Dakota grabbed her purse from the bottom drawer of her desk. “There’s a deli next door to the pizza place with ready-made salads. If they still have a Greek salad I’ll take that, otherwise the chef salad.”

  “No pizza, huh?”

  Dakota got up to give her some money and Sara walked in to meet her halfway. “I’ve lived near or in the city all my life and I’ve had my share, thank you.”

  “I suppose I’ll get tired of it sometime, but I’ve only been here a month.”

  “Where from?”

  “Georgia.”

  Cody entered the office and cleared his throat. Sara glanced over her shoulder at him, and then turned back to Dakota and made a wry face. “Be right back with your salad,” she said, then as she passed Cody, her drawl exaggerated, she said, “Afternoon, Mr. Shea.”

  He didn’t respond. At least not to Sara. He exhaled loudly and shook his head with that arrogant look Dakota disliked. “What’s wrong?”

  “You have to ask?” He laid a folder in the middle of her desk, on top of some briefs she’d been reviewing.

  “If you’re referring to Sara, I’m missing your point.” She rounded the desk, sat in her chair, and made a show of moving the folder to her in-box.

  He lifted one condescending brow and then, to her dismay, made himself comfortable in her guest chair. “She’s not right for this office.”

  “Sara? You’re insane. The clients love her.”

  “She doesn’t dress particularly well, nor does she—”

  “Excuse me, but Sara’s a temporary emp
loyee. The firm doesn’t pay them all that well.” Dakota leaned back in her chair, took in his two-hundred-dollar Armani tie and the custom-made Egyptian cotton shirt. “When did you get to be such a snob?”

  He stared at her for a moment, concern in his eyes. “You’ve been prickly all week. Ever since your little secret errand for Dallas. I hope she hasn’t gotten you into some kind of trouble.”

  “Please.” She sighed. “Of course not.” He was right about her being prickly. He may even be right about her being in trouble. She couldn’t stop thinking about Tony.

  Images of him popped into her mind all the time. At work, while riding in a cab, she’d even found herself daydreaming about him in court yesterday, which was totally inexcusable. Especially when her client paid three hundred dollars an hour for her attention.

  But mostly she thought about him at night when she was trying to sleep. That’s when her mind proved the most susceptible. Occasionally she swore she could even feel his strong arms around her, feel his warm breath on her cheek. The sensation was both wonderful and terrifying.

  “Dakota, I don’t know what’s wrong with you but I sure hope you pull yourself together.”

  She looked blankly at her brother. “Why would you say that?”

  “Fine,” he said wearily and stood.

  “I haven’t been sleeping well,” she said, when she realized he genuinely did seem concerned, and then gave him a rueful smile. “Probably hormonal.” That wasn’t a lie.

  He smiled back. “Getting old, kiddo.”

  “I wouldn’t be throwing stones.”

  “Tell me about it. I found my first gray hair last week.”

  “Oh, you’ll love looking distinguished.”

  Cody shot her a wary grin. “Janice and I are going to the theatre next Saturday. We have an extra ticket.”

  “Janice? What happened to what’s her name?”

  “Don’t want to talk about it.” He glanced down at his gray suit slacks and brushed at them. She didn’t see anything but if there was a single speck of lint, Cody would find it.

  “Okay. Thanks for the ticket offer but I’ll have to pass.”

  He nodded and headed for the door where he paused. “That folder I left—there are a couple of police reports in there pertaining to the Draper case.”