by Toni Jackson
“He died of a heart attack, right before my twenty-fifth birthday.” She could feel how close they were through his words.
Dani swallowed the lump that formed in her throat. “I’m sorry.”
Sean nodded. “It happened a long time ago.”
“And your mother? Is she still alive?”
Sighing, Sean dropped Dani’s hand and turned away. “She died seven years ago, the year after my father.”
Frowning, Sean quickly left the room. This was not happening as he planned.
CHAPTER 8
Dani followed Sean out of the room, taking once last glance behind her. There, in that room, she discovered a piece of the magnanimous Sean Davenport never seen by strangers and she was humbled. For some reason, though he barely knew her, he opened himself up to Dani, a complete stranger. It made her feel closer to him…very close.
Dani wandered through several rooms before finding Sean in his study.
Strong and pensive, Sean stood behind a desk with his back to the door, holding a glass filled with an amber liquid. He absently tossed back the drink.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to pry,” Dani said, feeling responsible for Sean’s sudden sullen mood. His expression while looking at the statues made him seem so vulnerable. Not at all like the image of the corporate shark she was told he projected to the world. In the room of statues, he seemed so lost.
At least, until he placed his glass on the table and turned to face her. In those few minutes, as Dani watched Sean’s posture and demeanor change, she began to understand.
Sean gave Dani a predatory smile as he turned and sauntered towards her. “You weren’t.” He felt Dani’s body tense as slid his arms around her and eased her against his body. She was so soft and warm. All he could think of was burying himself deep inside her.
Sliding one hand up her back, Sean gently held her in place while leaning down to lightly place a kisses on her neck, lightly nipping the skin as he pulled away. Small tremors ran through Dani’s body and her arms lifted to wrap themselves around Sean.
In that moment, any lingering doubts Dani may have had were gone. Tonight, she would let down her guards and accept everything that Sean would give her. Her body leaned towards Sean as he leaned back. Without a word, he led her from the study. Dani trailed behind him. With no hesitation, Dani followed him down a side hallway and upstairs. He paused in front of a closed set of mahogany doors. Gently cupping her face, Sean lowered his face and captured Dani’s lips in a kiss. This kiss was different from the tender nips downstairs. This kiss spoke of hunger and need and…passion. None of them before had made her ache.
Sean stopped the kiss, reached behind him to open the doors, and stepped backwards into a room bathed in soft lights, never once taking his eyes from Dani’s. Once inside, he pushed the doors closed, pulling her hard against his body and into a deep kiss, before the doors had completely closed.
Dani sighed and strained to move even closer to him, her arms easing up to wrap around his neck in total surrender. Sean’s hands moved down Dani’s back to cup her ass, drawing her firmly against his growing arousal.
Moving apart, they stared at each other for a moment, both breathing hard and struggling to come to grips with their unexpected response to each other.
Sean stepped away and led Dani over to the King-sized canopy bed that dominated the room.
“God, I’ve wanted to do this all night,” he muttered hoarsely.
He covered Dani’s mouth again before she could speak, peeling her dress down her body little by little, pressing hot kisses across each piece of skin her exposed.
Sean enclosed Dani’s silky breast in a single mouth-full. His tongue lapped at the hardened chocolaty nipple. Damn, she tasted like sex. Dani’s moans were addictive. He wanted nothing more than to make her scream. Her body clenched as he lightly ran his teeth across the tip. Sean thought he’d lose his mind. He moved to Dani’s other breast and feasted there as well, gorging himself as he’d imagined doing since he first set eyes on Dani at the gallery.
Dani threaded her fingers through Sean’s hair her as body caught fire. Unconsciously, she ground her legs together, feeling the wetness that gathered between her legs with every tug of Sean’s mouth on her nipples.
Sean raised his head and stripped the dress away from Dani’s body. His breath caught in his throat as he realized that she had been without a bra and only wore a skimpy black thong all night. He was rock hard, the front of his pants straining against its expensive fabric. Sean could not remember ever wanting a woman this much. His hands slid down the front of her body to tease the silken curls between her legs before taking her lips again.
Dani pulled away, struggling to catch her breath. “Sean,” she panted. “Please!”
Picking her up, Sean laid Dani in the center of the bed. She watched as Sean removed his clothes, tossing them everywhere in his haste. He eased down beside her in the bed. Dani ran her hands over Sean’s chest, loving the feel of his skin. In her mind, she pictured his body as a work of art, sleek and strong.
He eased down her body until he was kneeling between her legs. Leaning closer, he inhaled the musky scent of her arousal. Gently he parted the soft curls and sucked gently on the tiny nub nestled within, making her body jerk in response.
Dani moaned as she tried to move away from Sean, her breath coming in short pants as he tortured her with his tongue. He was relentless until he felt her body start to clench. He then carefully inserted first one, then another finger deep inside her.
He almost came when she reached her orgasm, the violence of it leaving her gasping for air, and Sean insane with passion.
Dani’s body was like liquid when she felt him start to ease inside her. He pushed forward with short thrusts, savoring the caress of her body surrounding him.
“Look at me baby,” he groaned when he reached her barrier.
She opened her eyes, looking up into his eyes as she placed her arms around him, spreading her legs wider. Sean was lost in her gaze, fighting against the feelings she was bringing to life within him. Capturing her lips, he pushed forward into the tightness of her body. A primal sensation surged through his body as he slid deeper. Mine.
Sean felt her stiffen at the pain, but after a few moments, she relaxed and he was able to slide even deeper inside her.
“Damn, you’re so tight,” he whispered. He pulled almost completely out then pushed back inside her. “Wrap your legs around me.”
Dani lifted her legs and wrapped them high around his back. The different angle made him slide deeper inside her. He stroked back and forth slowly until she managed to catch his rhythm.
“Yes, just like that,” Sean groaned. He pushed deeper inside her, making her body arch and tighten around his cock. He could not get enough of her.
“Sean,” she groaned. “I – ohh!”
He growled as he felt her body clench around him as he quickened his movements, pushing deeper and harder.
“Damn, Dani! He panted. He lost control, his body’s natural instinct taking control. Over and over again, he pushed into her until he erupted inside her, flooding her womb with his seed.
Sean’s body twitched as aftershocks pulsed through his body. Since he had always been extremely careful about his partners and himself, he had never known what it felt like to be deep inside of someone without any protection.
He collapsed beside her, pulling her close into the curve of his body.
“Sean, I-,”
“Shh,” he said. “Get some rest. I’m by no means through with you.” He kissed her forehead and gathered her close while she slept.
Everything was going according to plan.
CHAPTER 9
Still wide-awake, Sean waited until Dani slipped into a deep slumber before he eased from the bed. The thick carpet and padding that covered the floor muffled the sound him moving across the floor. With one last glance to ensure she was still sleeping, Sean left the room and went downstairs.
Passing his art room
, he traveled further into the house to the room his family used during the rare times his father was home. A portrait of both of his parents, Gregory and Imogene Davenport, seemed to watch him from its position over the fireplace. Sitting on the leather couch that dominated the room, Sean contemplated the life they led. His mother never complained about his father’s work hours and to the best of his knowledge, his father never cheated on his mother.
From the stories he heard growing up, Sean’s father knew immediately that his mother was the one. Even through his busy schedule, his father, Gregory would stop whatever he was doing to call Imogene – once in the morning, once in the afternoon, and once in the evening. His mother always said that his father’s calls demonstrated his feelings more than him being home with her all day.
As much as Sean wanted to experience the white picket fence scenario, his view of marriage was skewed. They did not make women like his mother anymore.
Sean liked Dani, which was a lot more than he expected. She was smart, funny, beautiful and talented. Never once had she made Sean feel like a walking wallet. If anything, she seemed uncomfortable with his wealth.
And wasn’t that a novel experience?
“Soon, Dad. I’m not going to let you down.” He whispered.
Sean stood and stretched before going back upstairs to sexy woman asleep in his bed.
The soon-to-be mother of his child.
CHAPTER 10
It was still dark outside when Dani felt gentle fingers stroking between her legs. Before she could wake up fully, she was gently rolled on her back while Sean slid deep inside her.
“Good Morning, baby” he whispered in her ear. “How does this feel? Are you too sore? If so, I’ll stop.”
“No. Hmm. Perfect,” she whispered as she spread her legs wide.
“Good.” This time Sean moved slowly, keeping his strokes gentle as he eased forward, gritting his teeth at the snug fit of her body wrapped around him, kissing her when he felt her body quicken.
Dani screamed as her body shattered.
Sean moved faster, pulling one of her legs high over his shoulder while stroking deeper and deeper inside her. Dani felt a second orgasm building up inside her.
He wrapped his arms around her as he came, his body shaking from the force of it.
When his heartbeat finally slowed, he kissed her again, tenderly, brushing her hair back from her face.
“You okay?”
She nodded. “Yeah.”
“You’re not too sore are you?” he asked.
She blushed and looked down. “I didn’t think most guys noticed stuff like that.”
“I noticed,” he said, gently stroking her cheek. “And I’m humbled.”
Dani’s eyes started to close.
He sat up. “I’ll be right back.”
She felt him leave the bed, then the sound of water running. She had just begun to doze off when Sean came back and shook her awake. “Come on sleepy head.”
He pulled the covers back and lifted her from the bed.
“What are you doing?” Dani asked Sean.
“You’re going to be sore,” he answered. “You need to soak in a nice hot tub for a little bit.”
Carrying Dani into the jade-green Italian-marble master bathroom, he eased her down next to his enormous garden tub. Dani looked around sleepily. “This place is huge.” She looked over and saw that the tub was built into the floor. “Nice.”
“Come on,” he held out his hand so that she could step down into the tub. “Be careful.”
He sat down first and pulled Dani back against his chest. “Now, doesn’t that feel better?”
“Yes. It’s perfect.” The scent of lavender rose from the water, relaxing her.
Sean rubbed his hands up and down Dani’s body, easing the remaining tension from her muscles. Without realizing it, he found his hands drifting lower on her body until they were stroking against the soft curls that covered her mound. Dani’s body flared to life again and she wiggled against Sean’s lap. Unable to help himself, he eased his fingers inside her, pressing deep inside Dani until her body started to move in time with his hand.
He continued stroking her smoothly with his fingers, while his other hand pinched at her nipples. Dani felt Sean’s body hardening again behind her and decided two could play that game. She ground against him, smiling to herself when she heard his breath catch.
Sean used his thumb to press against her, making her cry out.
“I can’t take anymore!” she moaned, her body shaking wildly.
Turning Dani her around to face him, Sean lifted her up and slid her slowly down his length. “We shouldn’t be doing this; you’re going to be sore for sure.”
“Don’t move.” Sean laid her against his chest and barely moved inside her. Both of them gently reached their peak together before Dani collapsed against his chest. It was a slow and tender moment between them.
Sean managed to rouse Dani long enough to wash her and lead her back to the bed. She was almost asleep before her head hit the pillow. Sean watched over her until her breathing deepened, then, not questioning what he was doing, he kissed her softly on the forehead.
Sean got up quietly and left the room, walking into his office.
Opening the file on his desk, he calculated forty weeks from the current date. Luckily, he managed to receive the information in time to take advantage of her most fertile cycle. He smiled to himself as he thought of how sexually responsive Dani was to him. It would not hurt for him to continue enjoying her until the pregnancy was confirmed. He was not going to take a chance that anything would happen between now and then.
CHAPTER 11
Dani stretched as she woke up later that day and realized instantly that she was not at home. Squinting against the sunlight streaming through the huge windows surrounding her, Dani tried to roll over, only to find herself blocked by a big, hard body snuggled against her.
She froze as the events from last night came back to her. Dani groaned when she realized that she had spent the night with Sean.
“I must have lost my mind,” she muttered.
“Not at all.” Sean wrapped an arm around Dani to pull her closer to his body.
“Oh, yes. I have.”
Sean pulled back slightly, propping himself up on one elbow to look down at Dani. “So I guess that rules out breakfast?”
Turning her head, Dani looked up at him through narrowed eyes. “That depends. Can you cook?”
He smiled, planting a gentle kiss on her shoulder. “I know enough to not burn the toast.”
She studied him for a moment. “Okay. I’ll stay for breakfast. Then I need to go home.”
He eased up off the bed, giving her an excellent view of his butt as he walked across the room. Dani threw the covers back and stood up unsteadily from the bed. He strolled back over a minute later, swinging her dress from his finger.
Sean’s eyes smoldered as they roamed over her body. “You might want this. But don’t feel forced to wear it on my account.”
Dani moved towards Sean, not realizing what a sensual picture she presented walking towards him. Never did he imagine that he would be this attracted to the woman in McKennon’s file. She smirked as she took her dress from Sean, slithering into it as he watched.
“Where is my thong?” She asked.
“I couldn’t seem to find it,” he replied with a straight face. He did not intend to give that particular item of clothing back.
Dani knew he was lying and decided to let it pass.
Knowing that she was too sore to take him again, he crossed his arms to keep from reaching for her and convincing her to go back to bed. For the rest of the day.
Feeling more comfortable now, Dani raised an eyebrow at his lack of clothes. Sighing, he walked into his closet and came back dressed in a pair of sweatpants that had seen better days.
“Better?”
Dani nodded, smiling. “Yes. Less distracting.”
Like a predator, Sean’
s eyes narrowed as they moved over her.
“Oh? I’m a distraction?” he growled.
“Without clothes?” Dani turned and walked past him. “Oh hell, yes.” He caught up to her and grabbed her by the hand, leading her downstairs to his kitchen.
Dani examined everything she had been too distracted to notice the night before. His house was huge, not that she had a comparison. Brand new furniture was scattered around, casually placed in groups. Sean’s kitchen contained gleaming stainless steel appliances. One entire wall was nothing but glass with privacy shades pulled low to block out the worst of the midday sunlight.
“Nice place.”
“Thanks.” Sean looked around as if seeing it for the first time. “I travel a lot, so I don’t really get to spend too much time here.”
Smiling, Dani took a seat at a glass table near the window. “I can tell. How long have you lived here?”
Sean grabbed a glass from a cabinet, then reached into the refrigerator and removed a carton of orange juice. “You mean according to the tabloids, or real time.”
He walked over to hand her a glass of orange juice. Dani accepted it and took a small sip, appreciating the feel of the cool liquid sliding down her throat.
“Real time. I don’t read tabloids.”
Dani watched him move around the kitchen, admiring the way he carefully cracked eggs into the bowl and began to scramble them, then pouring them into the pan.
“I grew up here.”
“Never married?” She raised an eyebrow.
Sean watched her cautiously as he answered, “No.”
“Kids?”
Sean’s lips lifted slightly. “Not yet.”
Dani frowned. “What’s not yet?” she asked as she watched him place the eggs on two plates.
Sean placed the plate of steaming eggs in front of her before he answered. “Well…I hate to point this out to you, but we made love several times last night, and we didn’t use any protection.”
Dani’s stomach sank. All of a sudden, the perfect omelet sitting in front of her was no longer appealing.
Sean went back for his own plate. “Unless you were taking something?”
