It certainly was. “When I stood up, I realized...”
“Back the way we came. Want me to show you?”
“No, no. I’m sure I’ll be fine.”
“It’s the door just past the staircase.”
“Thanks.”
“No problem. I’ll find us something great while you’re gone.”
She nodded as she backed away.
“Watch—”
She banged her hip on a chair.
“—out for the table,” he finished.
“Ouch.”
“You okay?”
“Just clumsy.” She turned and headed out the door.
As soon as she was out of sight, she picked up her pace, stopping to crack open each door along the way and take a look inside. She found a pantry, furniture storage and exercise equipment. A hallway branched off to the right, but she didn’t have time to explore it.
The basement was far too big to investigate in five minutes. It was going to take more than a single trip down here, which probably meant more than one date. Which in turn meant she’d have to get Shane to invite her back.
She’d have to pretend she was romantically interested in him. She’d have to kiss him, maybe even a little more. A shiver ran up her spine at the thought. She hoped it was revulsion, but she feared it was excitement.
Telling herself to get a grip, she stopped in front of another door and reached for the handle.
* * *
Frantic barking startled Shane, and he nearly dropped the bottle of 1990 Chateau Cauchon.
He rushed from the cellar into the hall, his thoughts immediately going to Darci.
“Gus,” he shouted down the passageway. “Boomer, off!”
The barking immediately stopped.
“Sit,” Shane called, pacing down the hall.
Darci was plastered against the wall, both black Newfoundlands sitting directly in front of her. As he grew closer, he could see she looked terrified.
“They won’t hurt you,” he assured her. “Gus, Boomer, come here.”
They both immediately came to their feet and trotted down the hall.
“Lie down,” he commanded. “Stay.”
Then he quickly went to Darci. “How did they get—?” He noticed the yard door standing open. He turned his attention to her, puzzled. “Why did you let the dogs in?”
“I...” She swallowed. She was white as a sheet.
“Hey.” He reflexively drew her into his arms. “It’s okay. I’m sorry if they scared you.”
“I picked the wrong door,” she said against his shoulder. “They just barreled right inside.”
“I bet they did.”
Her body was warm against his. He knew he shouldn’t notice the curve of her thighs and the softness of her breasts, but he couldn’t help himself. She smelled like wildflowers, and his arms tightened instinctively around her.
“They’re big,” she said. “And they’re loud.”
“They’re perfectly friendly, as long as you’re not stealing anything.”
Her breathing stopped.
He drew away to look at her. “What’s wrong?”
She pushed back her hair. When she spoke, there was a slight tremor in her voice. “They don’t know me. They could have easily mistaken me for a burglar.”
“Let’s go introduce you.”
“No!”
He took in her wide eyes and her pale complexion. “Are you afraid of dogs?”
It took her a moment to speak. “Kind of. Okay, yes. More the big ones. And those two are huge.”
“Newfoundlands are gentle and affectionate.”
She slanted a gaze down the hall, looking decidedly suspicious.
“Darci?”
“Yes?”
“I now feel obligated to cure you.”
“You’re not going to cure me.”
“Why not?”
“I’ve been this way my whole life.”
“What happened?”
“Nothing.”
“It’s never nothing. Humans are naturally drawn to animals. If you’re afraid of them, it’s for a reason.”
She pressed her lips tight together.
“Tell me,” he said.
“It’s embarrassing.” She seemed to suddenly realize she was in his arms, and she shifted away.
He reluctantly let her go. “Were you bitten?”
“No.”
He was glad to hear that. “Chased?”
She glared at him.
“If I ply you with a little more wine, are you likely to tell me?”
There was another silence.
He waited.
She cracked first. “It was a dream, okay?”
“You dreamed about vicious dogs?”
She nodded. “When I was a kid, there was this black mastiff that was penned up behind our apartment block. It was probably four times my size. The kids all played out in the back, and I was always afraid it would jump the fence and get me.”
“Did you tell anyone you were scared?”
“No. None of the other kids seemed to care. It was just me, so I kept my mouth shut and pretended I was brave, too.”
“And it gave you nightmares?”
“All the time. Can we drink wine now?”
He couldn’t hold back a smile. “We have to pass the dogs to get to the glasses.”
She went still again.
“I’ll protect you.”
“Do I have to pass them to get to the washroom?”
He gave her a questioning look.
“I can probably forgo a wineglass, but I definitely can’t skip the washroom.”
“You should meet the dogs. You’ll like them, I promise.” Then he gestured with his free hand. “Washroom’s in there. Me and the dogs will wait.”
“You’re just plain mean.”
“It’s for your own good, Darci.”
“I didn’t come here for my own good.” Her words were bold, but unease flitted through her eyes, giving her an aura of vulnerability.
Compassion unexpectedly welled up inside him. He reached up to touch her cheek. “I’m glad you came. I’m not going to push you. I’ll put the dogs back outside.”
She filled her lungs, looking as if she was trying to muster her courage.
“It’s okay. I’ll meet them.”
“No need. I shouldn’t have pressed.” He wasn’t her psychologist, and he sure didn’t want to make things worse.
“You’ll protect me?”
Something tightened inside his chest. “I promise.”
She looked suddenly delicate in the slim-cut, green-and-gold dress. The shimmering fabric accentuated her stunning figure. The colors reflected her eyes, and the scooped neckline only hinted at the cleavage below. Her shoulders were smooth beneath narrow straps. A pulse beat at the base of her slender neck.
The urge to run his fingertips across her skin was overpowering. The urge to kiss her mouth was stronger still. He fought it for a long minute.
But then, very slowly, with infinite care, he reached up to cup her cheek. Her irises deepened to moss green, her pupils dilating with a blink of her long lashes.
Desire steamed inside him, urging him onward.
With a tight breath, he gave in. He dipped his head, putting his lips softly to hers.
Her kiss was hesitant, but she was definitely kissing him back. Her lips were delectable.
He closed the space between them, slipping his forearm across the small of her back, bringing her against him. He cursed the bottle of wine in his hand, which compromised the embrace.
He broke the kiss for a split second, just long enough to reposi
tion. She tipped her head to the side, opening to him. Their kiss lengthened and deepened.
Her arms slid around his neck. He moved, backing her to the wall, bringing their bodies satisfyingly tight together, pressing his thigh to the seam of hers.
His tongue swooped in, and hers parried. His fingers spread, delving into the rich mane of her hair. He could feel his control leech away. He wanted far more than she could possibly want to give. For a moment, he rode the wave, his imagination taking flight and his body ramping up for fulfillment.
At the brink, he dragged himself back. He had to stop. He wouldn’t make the same mistake as last weekend and frighten her off.
He eased his fingers from her hair, drew slowly away from her lips and released the pressure of his forearm on her back.
He took a couple of careful breaths, willing his hormones to settle.
Her green eyes were luminous, cheeks flushed, lips bright red and excruciatingly kissable. Her sweet breath puffed against his face, and he didn’t think he could step away.
“Washroom’s through that door,” he managed in a low tone, canting his head.
It took her a beat to respond. Her voice was breathy as she eased back. “Yes. Right.”
It was satisfying to know the kiss had rattled her, too.
“You want me to put the dogs outside?”
“Sure. No. I don’t know.”
He couldn’t resist smoothing her tousled hair. “They’re really very sweet.”
Her hand went to her stomach. “I’m scared.”
“That’s understandable.” He waited.
“Okay,” she said. “I’ll do it.”
“Good girl.”
She stepped away, gaze still locked with his. She took a few backward paces before she turned into the washroom and closed the door.
Shane staggered backward, leaning against the opposite wall for support. That was hands-down the most incredible kiss of his life. He was stunned by the strength of his desire. She was sexy and gorgeous. But she was also smart, determined and funny, and now he knew she was emotional and vulnerable.
He desperately wanted to make love to her. But he also wanted to know her. He closed his eyes, gave his head an abrupt shake, ruthlessly tamping down his lust. He was not going to attempt to seduce her.
The washroom door opened, and she returned to the hall. He straightened to meet her.
“I’m ready,” she told him.
His hormones sang with delight. But then his rational brain kicked back in, and he realized she was talking about Gus and Boomer.
“The one closest to the wall is Gus,” he said, diverting his own attention. “The other is Boomer.”
“How can you tell them apart?”
“Gus’s face is more square, and his ears are slightly shorter.”
“Are you teasing me?”
“No.”
“They’re identical.”
“Not once you get to know them. Gus is also shorter and maybe five pounds lighter.”
“How much do they weigh?”
“Around a hundred and twenty or hundred and thirty.”
“That’s more than me.”
He resisted an urge to put an arm around her again. She was absolutely the perfect size and shape for his taste. Her legs were long, her waist nipped in, hips nicely rounded, with beautifully sized breasts that he was dying to caress.
He dragged himself back to reality once again. “They’re three years old. They’re past the adolescent stage, so they’re quite calm.”
“Calm,” Darci muttered under her breath.
“First thing you want to do is let them sniff the back of your hand.”
“Will they bite?”
“No. They’re not going to bite you. I’d never put you anywhere near a dog that might bite you.”
“Okay.” But she sounded skeptical.
“They’ll sniff your hand. Then you can pat them on the head. Then we’ll drink some wine.”
“That’s it?”
“That’s it.” He held up the bottle that was still in his hand. “And this is from the top shelf. Think of it as a reward.”
She managed a small smile. “You’re going for the positive-reinforcement method?”
“Pat a dog. Get a glass of Chateau Cauchon. I doubt it’s been tried before, but I bet it works.”
Her steps slowed.
“You can do it,” he told her.
She squared her shoulders.
Both dogs sat up eagerly on their haunches as he and Darci approached.
“Stay,” Shane warned.
“You mean them, right?” said Darci.
“You’re funny.”
“I’m terrified.”
“You’re still funny. Now hold out your hand, the back side up.”
She reached out, trembling slighting.
He gave in and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
Gus leaned forward and sniffed. He wrinkled his nose and blinked up at her.
“He’s huge,” said Darci.
Boomer went next, nudging Gus aside.
“Scratch the top of his head,” said Shane.
Darci took a moment but then reached forward.
Boomer tipped his head to one side to watch her hand.
“It’s okay. He’s probably more scared of you than you are of him.”
“You’re lying.”
“True. I’m lying. He loves people. He’s hoping you’ll throw a ball or get down on the floor and romp with him.”
Her fingers contacted his head, and she scratched.
Boomer gave slow blinks of ecstasy.
Gus nudged his way in, and Darci petted him, too.
“There you go,” said Shane. “You’re done.”
He felt the tension flow out of her body.
“I lived,” she said.
“And now you get wine.”
* * *
With a brief detour through a big, modern kitchen, Shane showed Darci to a small sitting room on the second floor. She immediately liked it. In contrast to the rest of the mansion, the room was compact and cozy. The ceiling here was lower, the color tones softer, and the furniture slightly worn, with a pretty bay window looking over a small grove of oak trees.
“This is nice,” she said as she sat down in a soft moss green armchair.
“It’s my favorite room,” said Shane, removing his suit jacket and laying it aside.
He took the companion chair and set the wine and the glasses on a small round table between them.
There were two love seats in the room, facing each other across an oversize ottoman with a wooden tray in the center. The tray held a copper bowl of nuts, two decorative candles and a tasteful floral display. Sconce lighting on the walls was yellow in tone, and a few abstract oils hung on the walls. Giant potted plants bracketed the sitting area.
Darci wanted to kick off her tight shoes and curl her legs beneath her. But she didn’t want to come across as presumptuous.
He poured the wine.
Then he lifted his glass. “To your bravery.”
She followed suit. “You mean my irrational fear.”
“All fears are rooted in logic.” He paused. “Then again, they’re all somewhat irrational.”
She touched her glass to his. “That’s very generous.”
He smiled and took a sip.
She did the same, and the smooth flavors bloomed on her tongue.
“What do you think?” he asked.
“Oh my. That is very nice.”
With this kind of positive reinforcement, he could get her to do just about anything.
“Nineteen ninety was a good year in Bordeaux.”
/> She took another sip. “Wow. Okay, I’m thinking about getting a puppy.”
Shane laughed, but his expression turned intimate. “If only it was that easy.”
Suddenly, she felt self-conscious about all she’d shared with him. “I didn’t mean to throw you into the middle of my phobia.”
“Don’t worry about it. Every kid has nightmares and irrational fears. Most of us never get over them.”
“Us?” Was he saying what she thought he was saying?
“I was a kid once.”
She tried to picture it. “You don’t seem like the fearful type.”
“All kids get scared, including me.”
“Well, thank goodness for that.” Then she realized how she’d sounded. “I mean, that’s too bad. Okay, what I really mean is spit it out, Shane.”
“I like you, Darci.”
That wasn’t what she was going for. At least it sure wasn’t what she was supposed to be going for. But his words warmed her. She desperately wished she could like him, too, especially after that incredible kiss. But she didn’t dare. She couldn’t afford to let her emotions complicate the situation.
She forced a teasing lilt to her voice. “Are you stalling?”
“I’m not. Okay, I am.”
“Just say it.”
“Fine.” He set down his glass. “With me, it’s the money.”
That didn’t make any sense at all. “I can’t believe you’re afraid of wealth.”
“I’m afraid of the implications of having it. When I was about eight, I overheard a conversation between my dad and someone else—I can’t even remember who—but they were talking about the potential for kidnapping and ransom.”
“Kidnapping you?” Okay, that made sense.
Shane nodded. “For some reason, it really hit home. I had visions of being tied up, gagged and thrown in the trunk of a car.”
Her heart went out to him. “That sounds terrifying for a little kid.”
“In retrospect, I probably shouldn’t have watched so many cop shows.”
“Did you tell anyone?”
“Never have. Not until now.”
“Thanks.” She appreciated his moral support. “But yours is nowhere near a phobia.”
“It still impacts my life.”
“You don’t walk around the city in fear of every man or car that comes along.”
“True,” he agreed. “But I surround myself with state-of-the-art security.”
Sex, Lies and the CEO Page 6
