Neighbors and More (High Rise Series)

by Mona Risk

  She raised her head from Dante’s shoulder and surveyed the expanse of sand. Dusk already shrouded the ocean and people had deserted the beach for dinner.

  Touching her chin with his finger, Dante tilted her head toward him. “Care for a swim?”

  “I’d love to but—”

  “I guess you’re not wearing a bathing suit. We can swim in the nude.” He waggled his eyebrows suggestively, his lips parting in a wide grin.

  She chuckled. “Actually I’m wearing a bikini under my clothes.”

  “My tough luck.” He burst out laughing. Before she could answer, he yanked his shirt off, and then peeled her blouse over her head. “Let’s go.”

  Energized by his enthusiasm, she wriggled out of her capris, rolled them, and folded her blouse. He snatched them out of her hands and strode to the dry sand to drop them in a heap. She’d always been too neat, too organized, the way her father and then Greg expected her to be.

  So what if her clothes got sandy? So what if she gave in to her desire of being in Dante’s arms?

  “Come on. You’re wasting time.”

  “Wasting time? It’s not as if we have anything important to do.” She sank her bare feet into the sand.

  “Sure we do.” A wicked smile brightened his face as he tugged at her hand. “Wanna know what we’re going to do in the ocean?”

  “Oh.” Her heart sang. “Anything exciting?” She was more than ready to share what he had in mind.

  Chapter Three

  Dante held Alexa’s hand as they sauntered into the ocean and idled. Easing away, she paused, the gentle waves bursting against her thighs. He turned toward her. And swallowed. Her wet bikini hugged her perfect curves and didn’t leave much to the imagination. His gaze roamed over the generous breasts, spilling out of her bra, and lingered on her trim waist. A tiny diamond sparkled in her belly button, sending a hot surge through his groin. Suppressing a groan, he spun toward the ocean.

  “You go ahead.” She backed up two steps and rubbed her arms, shivering. “I like to feel the water slowly.”

  And I’d like to feel... He resisted the temptation to warm her in his arms and share the heat that consumed him. “Come deeper. It’s the best moment of the day to take a swim.”

  At his urging, she glided forward and started swimming. He dove and kicked the water in a vigorous crawl to cool his overheated mind and body. When he surfaced again, she was floating on her back, eyes closed, hair drifting around her face like a copper pillow. The moonlight streamed silver rays on her lovely figure and highlighted her tanned coloration.

  His hand itched to feel every inch of her skin. Giving in to temptation, he traced her mouth with the pad of his thumb. Her eyelids fluttered, then opened. The rise and fall of her breasts accelerated, beckoning to him. His body thrummed with arousal, but he couldn’t rush her now that he’d uncovered the depth of her vulnerability. Even if it killed him, he’d be willing to just hold her, to make her feel safe in his arms.

  Filled with good intentions, he ushered her to a shallower area where they could both stand. Without a word, he pulled her against him and kept her embraced, while willing his cock to behave and relax.

  Entwining her fingers behind his neck, she tilted her head and kissed his cheek. Her sensual, full lips licked his, nipping at his lower one. He remained still, letting her have her way, and praying for control.

  Snatching her mouth away, she pouted. “What’s wrong?” Confusion flitted across her face. “Are you afraid someone might see us? It’s rather dark now,” she said, waving at the mirrored surface of the water.

  “It’s not that. I don’t want to rush…”

  “Rush? You’ve been gone for two months and for the last hour…”

  His gaze swept over her face. To hell with good intentions and restraint. Alexa wanted passion, not compassion.

  He lowered his mouth and captured hers, plundering, tasting, savoring, and she returned his kiss with eagerness. While his tongue played and swirled around hers, his hand reached down and cupped her bottom, molding her to him. She leaned on his shoulders, raised her legs up to encircle his back… and tumbled them both into the surf.

  They instantly disentangled and emerged, laughing and sputtering. “I don’t want to drown you,” he said.

  “Don’t worry. I was a team swimmer at school and learned to dance under water.” She wiped her eyes while he tossed his head aside to shake the water out of his hair. “But we’re definitely out of luck today,” she grumbled.

  “We’ll make our luck.” He resolutely carried her closer to the shore and knelt in the wet sand, pulling her down with him. The waves slapped against his back and unfolded over their shoulders.

  His body still tense, he kissed her slowly and deeply, exploring and plundering. She curled her fingers around his nape, holding his head angled as she returned his kisses. Tongues lapped and stroked. Lust returned. Blood pounded in his groin. He wanted her more than he’d ever wanted any woman in his life.

  “Dante, I’m so glad you came back,” she whispered.

  As the current carried them away from the shore, she clung to him, deliciously sensual. His breathing rough, he strummed his hands up and down her hips, nuzzling her ear and trailing kisses along her throat, down to her collarbone. Her moans wafted with the gentle tap of the waves and she squirmed, her stomach rubbing against his erection. He groaned.

  Then he paused, and raised his head. Their eyes met, hers glittering under the glimmer of moonlight.

  This wasn’t comfort sex anymore. Not on her part, and certainly not on his part. It was him seeking to hold the woman he desired so much. For two long months, he’d fantasized about finding her eagerly waiting for him.

  But the wide ocean even under a romantic moonlight was the wrong place for their first time. He wanted to make love to her in a comfortable bed, take his time to lavish her with caresses, and hear her scream his name as she wriggled under him.

  “Darling, we can’t continue this here. Someone may see us, even in the dark. I’d rather not cause a scandal now.” He held her, waiting for their breathing to slow down.

  Bracing both arms around his waist, Alexa nodded. Sanity returned to her dazed mind. Was it the present crisis that had stressed her to the breaking point? Or Dante’s charm driving her to forget her self-imposed principles?

  She cringed and cast him a quick look, blessing his restraint. “We better go back,” she said, infusing as much determination as possible into her tone.

  Although her legs hardly supported her, she felt invigorated by the night air and the ocean breeze. A sudden euphoria washed over her. She wasn’t lonely anymore. She had Dante here.

  “Yes, it’s seven forty,” he said, after checking his watch. He gave her a heart-stopping smile and kissed her lightly on the lips. “We’ll dry while walking back to the building.”

  They strolled to the dry sand. She slipped on her sandals and gathered her blouse and capris. “I’ll barely have the time to change into something more suitable to meet the detective.”

  Dante shrugged. “Don’t worry about the detective. You won’t face him alone. I’ll be with you all the time.”

  Relief flooded her. It was good to have a true friend and support at her side, but their crazy, lovely interlude should not be repeated. Holding hands, they sauntered along the beach.

  “Tell me more about Sicily.” Tell me anything that would help me forget this building and my damn neighbors.

  “Palermo is a picturesque old seaport, bustling with activities. People are in the street all the time, talking loud, gesticulating. I’ll take you sometime.”

  She kicked a shell with her sandaled foot. “I’d love to go. Do you live in the city itself? I mean in the downtown?”

  “We have an apartment in the downtown. My grandfather used it as pied-à-terre to conduct his business, and we have a big house far from the city, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.”

  Impressed, she glanced at him in the dark, but couldn’
t detect his expression. Was he from an old Sicilian family, boasting of nobility?

  “How come you speak English without an accent?” He’d told her about his Sicilian parentage the night before he left for the old country.

  He chuckled. “I did my high school, college, and law school in Boston.”

  “Why so far from your hometown?”

  “After my parents’ death in a car accident, my grandmother insisted on sending me to America. According to her, Boston has the best educational programs.”

  “Oh I’m sorry. I didn’t know about your parents. Is your grandmother going to be safe there on her own?”

  “She came with me, to live here with my sister.”

  “Here? In your condo?”

  “No, in her own house, a place my grandfather bought years ago in Bayview.”

  “Oh.” Afraid to pry into his family affairs, she didn’t ask if it was a little house in the secluded neighborhood or one of the mansions on the Intracoastal. To think she’d dreamed about visiting his place of birth with him. “You should have asked me to go along,” she teased, eager to learn more about his mysterious past in mafia land.

  “To Sicily? You’d have come?”

  “For a few days. Why not?”

  “Oh.”

  “You mentioned a sister. Any brothers?” she blurted before thinking.

  “My older brother died years ago.” His voice hardened, forbidding more probing.

  “An accident too?”

  “A gunshot.”

  His stony expression froze the words in her throat. “Oh.” A slight shiver skated down her spine. She knew very little about her gorgeous neighbor although she’d melted in his arms as soon as he’d returned, and they’d almost made love a moment ago. Love?

  Her fingers tensed in his hand. She never took the word love lightly. Greg repeated he loved her often enough, and she thought she loved him until the day she discovered she hated him.

  And now with Dante? An unfamiliar angst twisted her heart. She’d rather not play with the word love. A long sigh escaped her.

  “What’s wrong? We just had a lovely time together.”

  “We almost...had sex.” She bit her lip, already regretting her eagerness.

  Suddenly halting, he pulled her hard against him. “Don’t make it sound cheap, Alexa. I’m too attracted to you to call it just sex. And I know you’re attracted to me.”

  “I am. Honestly.” Her heartbeat echoed against his in the night.

  He uttered a doubtful grumble.

  “Dante, I’m going away soon. I’d better not give in to any attraction.” Or any feelings.

  “I know, Alexa. Maybe with time I’ll be able to convince you that all men are not jerks. Like your ex and Steve.”

  Before she could answer, he cupped her face and kissed her on the mouth, a tender kiss that soothed and reassured her. Taking a step back, he gazed at her for a moment, then turned back, and put on his tank-top.

  “We’re almost at the Blue Waves.” She slipped on her capris and donned her blouse over her dry bikini.

  ****

  They crossed the garage and reached the entrance to the building. Dante opened the door for Alexa and let her pass in front of him into the lighted hallway leading to the lobby.

  “Oh dear.” She froze in her tracks at the sight of Greg flanked by his girl friend, Dianna Oliveira, and their neighbor, Julia Bairey. If looks could kill, Alexa would surely be pulverized by the three of them. Bracing for battle, she squinted.

  “Where have you been?” Greg called out as he strode toward her, his eyebrows gathered in a stern scowl.

  Her chin hitched up. “What’s wrong, Greg?”

  “The detective is going to be here in five minutes. You’re not even dressed yet.”

  Still out of sight in the darkness of the garage, Dante gently rubbed his hands over her back. His touch filled her with warmth and urged her to keep her cool. Focusing a cold stare on Greg, she shrugged. “I don’t plan to go upstairs,” she said, challenging the rebuke in his eyes and voice.

  “You aren’t going to attend this meeting like that?” His face reddened, he gestured toward Dianna and Julia, both looking as if they were heading for a dinner party. Sultry, raven-haired Dianna sashayed in a short red dress molding her hips and revealing a plunging décolletage. High-heeled red slippers elongated her perfectly tanned legs. Julia, petite and blonde, wore her trademark black pants and a classy printed silk blouse.

  For the first time in her life, Alexa felt out of character… and didn’t give a damn about it. “Watch me.” She wouldn’t let Greg intimidate her in front of her two nemeses.

  Julia took a step forward and narrowed her baby blues. “You could at least have the decency to be presentable when defending yourself.” She hissed under Alexa’s nose.

  Dianna smiled. Her dark eyes glimmered, made bigger by a heavy layer of mascara, and her lips curled into a condescending twitch.

  Alexa frowned. “Defending myself from what?”

  “From causing Steve’s death, of course.”

  “Are you crazy?” Alexa wouldn’t let the woman drag her into a useless squabble. “Move over, you guys. I have a meeting to attend.” She spun toward Dante who rewarded her effort with a big smile.

  “Superb,” he whispered as he stepped from the garage into the hallway, his sudden appearance causing their three opponents to gasp. The women focused their hungry gazes on the tank-top hugging his wide shoulders and muscled chest.

  Greg’s face turned apoplectic at the sight of Dante. “Cantari, no one told me you were back. You’re supposed to notify the front desk as soon as you arrive from a trip.”

  Dante smiled saccharinely. “In that case, I’m not officially here yet.” He waved Alexa to go ahead.

  “You were swimming together?” Julia asked, her eyebrows rising suspiciously.

  “I hope you don’t plan to sit in on this meeting with us,” Greg snapped.

  “I appreciate your concern, Partson,” Dante said, keeping an unwavering smile in place.

  Alexa stifled a chuckle. Greg who intimidated people into compliance was now at a loss for words. At least for the moment.

  Leaving Greg and the two women, Dante touched his hand to Alexa’s back and accelerated his pace toward the conference room. As they reached the door, a tall sturdy man accompanied by a security guard came from the lobby.

  Greg caught up with them and extended a hand to the newcomer who introduced himself. “Detective Bob Ladd.”

  The detective reminded Alexa of an overweight and taller Hercule Poirot. Same dark hair, cynical dark eyes and dark mustache, but the man was huge, with large beefy shoulders and arms.

  Greg shook his massive hand. “Greg Partson, my wife, Alexa. Mrs. Julia Bairey, Steve’s widow, and Dianna Oliveira. All neighbors.”

  Dante smiled as Greg conspicuously avoided mentioning his name.

  “Ex-wife,” Alexa specified. “Dianna is Greg’s fiancée and Dante Cantari is my lawyer.”

  “Since when?” Greg asked with a scowl.

  “No way,” Julia said, and then pursed her lips. “I asked him to be my lawyer months ago. Way before you.”

  Not in a mood to start a discussion, Alexa shrugged and remained quiet.

  Dante shook hands with Detective Ladd. “We’re ready, sir.”

  The detective’s back hunched a tad. He twitched his mustache and examined them as if he were a cat weighing his options. Which mouse to consume for appetizer and which one to leave for dessert? “I’d like to get the names of the people who talked to the deceased today, and then I’ll interview you one at a time. So let’s go to the conference room and start.”

  They settled around the long oak table. The detective put his pad and a wireless mini-recorder on the table. “As you can see I use a recorder to help my fading memory. Getting old and weak is difficult,” he added, as he cracked a pencil in two. Julia cringed, but Dianna licked her lips and her eyes sparkled with excitement. How could
she date Greg when she drooled at the sight of macho hunks and physical strength?

  Greg sniffed, a sure sign he didn’t appreciate the detective’s high-handed manners.

  “Before I ask any questions, can each of you please write down your name, address, and phone number?” He tore sheets of paper from a notepad and distributed them with pens. His gaze rested on each of them in turn as they filled their sheets.

  “Done,” they said one after the other.

  “Thank you.” He scanned the first sheet of paper and turned the tape recorder on. “Now I’ll ask you all a few general questions. Mrs. Bairey, you live here in the Blue Waves. Apartment 1202.”

  “Correct.”

  “How did your husband start his day?”

  Julia snorted. “How should I know? He doesn’t live with me anymore.” She threw a venomous glare at Alexa. “Maybe she could tell you.”

  The detective’s gaze flitted from Julia to Alexa, and then to Greg who didn’t bother answering.

  Dante folded his hands on the table. He’d better take control of the situation before the antagonists bonded against Alexa. “Mrs. Bairey and the deceased were separated. Steve shared apartment 502 with his business partner, Carter Morton.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Cantari.” Ladd jotted a few words on his pad. “I will talk to Carter Morton later. Now, I need to establish Steve Bairey’s schedule for the day, and then I’ll question each one of you privately.” He spun to fix his eagle’s eyes on Julia. “Did you talk to Mr. Bairey today?”

  She lowered her lashes and hesitated. “He stopped by our apartment for a few minutes.”

  “At what time?” He extracted a new pencil from his briefcase and rolled it between his fingers.

  “I’m not sure. Maybe around one o’clock.”

  “Did anyone else see him or talk to him today?” Ladd’s gaze probed, analyzing the various expressions.

  Dante looked at Alexa. A shadow darkened her eyes, but she straightened. “He came to see me at one thirty.”

  Julia’s eyes shot daggers. Following the detective’s gaze, Dante studied her. Did Ladd draw the same conclusion Dante did? For someone claiming to be so attached to her husband, she looked more like an angry shrew than a saddened widow.