Michael frowned. “Why? We could just call the police and have her picked up. After we hear the whole story, I might offer to represent her.”
She couldn’t tell Michael her plan because it involved helping Julia win enough money to keep the IRS happy while they figured out the rest. Jake had told her the IRS was just looking for Julia to make a payment on behalf of her clients, and no charges had been filed regarding the stolen money because they didn’t have enough evidence yet. They just wanted her for questioning. So if the IRS money was cleared up, Julia would be free, and Emma could go home.
Winning a lot in Vegas was easy when she could use her extra insights. She’d only been to Vegas once with her friends when she’d turned twenty-one. She’d been so determined to look up Mario but had chickened out. The good part had been that she’d won enough money to pay for her and her three girlfriends’ whole trip, plus she financed a complete shopping spree for them all in the best designer shops in town.
When she’d returned home, her mom had blown a gasket. She forbade her to ever return to Las Vegas, or anywhere that gambling occurred, vowing to cut her off completely if she ever did. She was appalled that Dani would “steal” like that, when she gave her anything her heart desired. Her mother then proceeded to lecture on the responsibilities of her extra abilities, blah, blah, blah.
It had taken months for her mom to get over that indiscretion, but Julia, if she was telling Martha the truth, needed help, so Dani wanted to try. And it was the fastest way for Emma to have her mother back. And if Dani figured out who her father was at the same time, it’d be a complete win-win.
She wouldn’t keep a dime more than was necessary and would work out a way for Julia to return the money to the casino. She wasn’t sure how, but they’d worry about that later.
Her grandmother caught her hand under the table and whispered, “Are you sure about this, honey? I’ll hear your momma screaming at you all the way up here if she gets wind of this. You could just ask her for the money. Lord knows she has more than she can spend.”
“I can’t, Grandma. I’ve made a promise to myself to make it on my own. I’m not asking mom for money. This will work.”
Eva nodded, then turned to Michael. “I think Dani’s plan’s a good one. This way you might be able to talk Julia into turning herself in. Won’t that look better for her, Michael?”
He rubbed the back of his neck as he considered. “Maybe. But what if we drive all the way out there, and she refuses to come back with us? It would be a complete waste of time.”
“Oh, come on, Michael, it’s Vegas. We’ll have a great time even if we don’t get her to come back. And maybe if we can find Julia, we can have some alone time.” When she sent him a quick eyebrow hitch, he grinned.
Jerry, who hadn’t said much, looked a little pale. “Uh, I think I like Michael’s plan better. It makes more sense, and we can stay out of her problems. You have enough of your own, Dani.”
Dani shot back. “What about insane Carlos Watts? No one knows where he is. This will give Jake a little more time to find him so they can keep an eye on him. I’ll be much safer in Vegas than at home.” Take that Rocky. Argue with that logic.
Michael ran a hand down his face. “Dani, you should have been a lawyer. You can BS your way around anything.” He turned to Jerry. “So what do you say? Want to go to Vegas?”
“Well . . . uh,” Jerry stammered, “I have this problem.”
Before he could finish, Eva laid her hand on top of Jerry’s. A sympathetic expression formed on her face. “Any chance you’re addicted to gambling?”
Jerry blinked in confusion. “Yeah. How’d you know?”
Dani sent Eva a sharp elbow jab. Sometimes her grandmother forgot to hide her secret abilities. Eva was the nosiest sensitive in the world.
Dani quickly added, “If that’s that case, why don’t you call your agency, and we’ll have someone else go with us?”
That might work out great. She’d finally be rid of the hard-assed bodyguard. Surely the next one wouldn’t be as strict.
Jerry stared at Dani for a full minute before he said, “You’d just love that, wouldn’t you? No way, princess. Your mother hired the best, and that’s what she’s going to get. I can handle it. Let’s roll.”
Chapter Ten
As Michael drove down the brightly lit, congested strip in Las Vegas, Emma and Dani snoozed. When he stopped at a red light, he glanced at Dani, studying her. Sleeping, she looked as innocent as she had in high school, and memories of “that night” filled his head.
The alcohol had flown freely that evening, and someone at the party suggested playing an old middle-school game. But since they were all seniors, the stakes were higher. The game involved spinning something, and whichever couple was chosen got twenty minutes in the dark laundry room of their host’s basement to do whatever they wanted. The only rule was that the couple had to kiss at least once.
When it had been his turn and the bottle landed on Dani, she’d sent him a frown, but she stood to play along. All of his buddies cheered and made crude comments under their breaths as they slapped him on the back, wishing him luck.
Every guy there wanted to be paired with Dani. She was the prettiest girl in school. But they all knew she didn’t sleep around.
Taking her hand, he’d pulled her into the laundry room, figuring after the one kiss they’d just talk until their time was up. He was so sure he wasn’t getting anything more than a kiss he’d even flipped on the light switch instead of leaving them in total darkness. He’d looked forward to catching up with her because she hadn’t had a real conversation with him for years. He’d planned to ask her why.
But when he’d started to ask what had happened between them, she laid her soft fingers on his lips to stop him. Then she’d stood on her tiptoes and kissed him. It had shocked him at first, but it hadn’t taken long for him to catch up.
There was something different about kissing Dani he didn’t understand at the time. He’d never felt so many different feelings all at once. And there was a warmth in his chest he’d never felt before. When she’d ended the kiss, it felt like he was being deprived of air. So he kissed her again, prepared to stop if she protested. Instead, she’d plastered her curvy body against his and wrapped her arms around his neck, giving him the green light. He’d wanted to kiss Dani since they were fourteen but never did because he was afraid to ruin their friendship. He’d always known he’d loved her as a friend, but at that moment, with Dani wrapped up in his arms eagerly kissing him back, it became clear that he’d been a fool not to act on his feelings.
While his hands roamed the soft curves of her body, Dani quickly unbuttoned his shirt. She slowly parted it and pulled it from his shoulders; then she got busy on the zipper of his jeans. He lifted her shirt over her head, and when her hands moved behind her back, and she released the clasp on her bra, letting it fall to the floor, it was like getting sucker punched in the gut. Dani was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen, and it made him wish they weren’t in a laundry room. He’d have liked their first time together to be somewhere nice. He’d started to suggest a change of venue, but she just shook her head and kissed him again. He couldn’t think about anything but her after that.
He’d grabbed a condom from his wallet and then stepped out of his jeans and boxers. Glancing around the small room, he found a folded towel in a laundry basket. After he’d laid it out on top of the dryer, he slowly lifted Dani on top. Then he’d moved between her legs and kissed her again. He’d tried to go slow, to take his time with her, but when she breathed out his name—something that hadn’t passed Dani’s lips in almost two years, and something he missed more than he’d realized until that very moment—it was like a switched flipped inside of him. He wanted her so badly.
But he needed to be sure she was ready. Dani nuzzled her face in the crook of his neck and kissed him while she eagerly rocked against his hand. When he used his thumb to stimulate her while his fingers plunged inside o
f her, she’d groaned. It made him rock hard.
He took as much time as he could to please her, but he couldn’t last much longer, so he slipped inside her tight body. It took all his willpower not to just pump away all his pent-up lust for her, but he went slowly at first, taking long strokes. It had felt so damned good, so right to be inside of her, that he couldn’t hold back any longer. So he lifted Dani’s mouth to his because he’d wanted to kiss her while they came together. To show her how much he still cared for her.
Dani had eagerly kissed him back, her hands exploring his body as he made love to her. When she’d moaned his name against his lips and let herself go, he was certain he’d pleased her as much as she’d pleasured him, so he finally allowed himself the release he so badly needed.
They were still wrapped together, trying to catch their breath, when she buried her face into his neck again. Like she couldn’t look at him.
Alarmed, he leaned back and faced her. “Did I hurt you?”
She slowly shook her head. “It was amazing.”
“Dani, I didn’t plan for that to happen. I just thought we’d—”
She laid her fingers against his lips again. “Please don’t tell anyone. I couldn’t bear if you told all the guys on the team. They’d all think I was a . . . but this was my first time.”
He stared into her eyes for what felt like an eternity, trying to figure out what to say, what to do. If he hadn’t been in such a hurry, and thinking clearly, he would have known she hadn’t had sex before. He couldn’t believe he’d just treated a virgin that way. He should have asked, gone slower. He’d probably been too rough with her and hated himself for it. “I won’t tell anyone, Dani. I swear.”
“Thanks.” She quickly buttoned her shirt and slipped off the dryer. “Goodbye, Michael. Have a nice life.”
“What? Wait, Dani.” He caught her hand before she made it all the way to the door. “Can’t we talk about this? About us? I’ve missed you.”
She stood on her tiptoes and laid a soft kiss on his cheek. “We aren’t meant to be together, Michael. I’ll always wish you well. And I look forward to watching you play for the Cowboys soon.” Then she walked out of the laundry room without looking back.
In the next few weeks, he had tried to talk to her, but she never took his calls and avoided him the remainder of the school year. Then they’d both gone off to college and moved on with the rest of their lives.
The light turned green, pulling him back to the present, and they continued at a snail’s pace toward the hotel. Dani lay in the seat next to him, her kissable lips still slightly parted in sleep. He’d never told anyone about them, as he’d promised, but he’d wanted to make that night up to her ever since.
Were they making a mistake by starting something? Dani talked big about casual affairs, but she wasn’t the type to have them, no matter how hard she wanted to convince herself she was. He’d had his share, particularly since his divorce, but what if she wanted more? What if he got in too deep, and they both got hurt?
Dani was the opposite of the type he’d decided to date. He wanted to find a woman interested in having an easygoing, mature relationship, with no ties, no obligations, and no complications. He was a father first and doubted he’d get serious about another woman until his girls were older. In the meantime, he planned to look for a woman intent on her career, with or without kids, who didn’t need or want a commitment.
So what was he doing driving to Las Vegas with a woman who still ate junk food, had a bodyguard because a psychopath was after her, was possibly still in love with her ex-husband, was babysitting a child his stepfather had sired while married to his mother, and was at times the most frustrating woman on earth?
He might as well get a baseball bat and knock himself upside the head, because a relationship with Dani was bound to do just as much damage. She confused him, irritated him, and . . . he smiled every time he thought of her.
That was happening more than was good for him lately.
When she yawned and stretched her arms over her head, he turned and faced her.
She beamed a sweet smile at him. “For a minute there it looked like you were pondering the fate of the world. Then you got a really goofy grin on your face. What were you thinking about?”
No way would he ever confess his thoughts. That would be suicide. “I was thinking I’m happy we’re almost there and that I’m hoping we find Emma’s mother so I can get some of that alone time.”
“Hmm. That explains the goofy grin, but not the rest.” She pointed out the window. “Oh, there it is, we’re here. Sorry, I didn’t mean to sleep so long.”
“That’s okay.” As he moved forward, finally able to change lanes, he glanced up at their hotel. “I looked this place up on Eva’s computer before we left. One of the original casinos was blasted to make room for this one. It has an old Chicago gangster theme. Should be interesting.” But the man who owned it was one of many men speculated to be Dani’s father. Dani always hated the idea that she might have mobster blood running through her veins and, instead, had chosen to believe the plastic surgeon was her dad.
He and Jerry handed the valet parking attendant their keys; then they all walked through the sliding glass doors and into mayhem. The flashing lights, loud electronic beeps, shrill sirens, and clanking of coins in the winner’s slots bombarded them. Emma’s eyes widened as she snuggled tighter against Dani while they walked through the lobby. He’d been tired after the long drive, but only a few moments inside the brightly lit casino made him feel like it was midday again. All his senses were on high alert. A slick trick.
He turned to ask Dani what she wanted to do about the room arrangement and caught sight of Jerry, whose eyes had begun to glaze over. He moved beside the bodyguard and slapped him on the back, none too lightly. “Hey, buddy, snap out of it. You have a job to do, remember?”
Jerry wiped the sweat from his upper lip. “Yeah, I can handle it. Let’s check in. We need rooms that connect.”
Michael had his doubts about the guy holding out for very long and turned to Dani, who was scanning the casino floor. He leaned close and whispered, “Are we sharing?”
She tore her gaze from the busy casino floor and assaulted him with a sexy smirk. “Yeah. I’ll pay half.”
“That’s okay. I think I can handle twenty dollars a night.” He couldn’t fight his grin as he laid his credit card down to begin the process. Emma and Dani would share one of the beds, and he’d be alone, at least until they found Julia. But surely he could talk her into some shower games after Emma fell asleep.
As soon as they were inside their brand-new, spacious hotel room decorated with thick carpet, old-fashioned tasseled lamps, and fake-antique furniture from the 1930s, Dani picked up the phone and dialed Julia’s room number. No answer.
She glanced at Michael. “Let’s just hope she stayed here to gamble, or we won’t catch her until tomorrow.”
“So, what are we going to do with you know who”—he nodded toward Emma—“while we look for Julia?”
“I’ve got that all worked out. Just give us girls twenty minutes, and we’ll be set.”
While Michael got busy checking his e-mail on his phone, Dani started Emma’s bedtime routine. Amazingly, Dani was getting pretty good at it.
Emma, all ready for bed and snuggled into her footed pj’s, looked like a sleepy Botticelli angel, a surprise after snoozing so much during the long drive. Her heavy-lidded eyes met Dani’s, and instead of her usual enthusiastic “ta-da,” she yawned, pulled the bunny closer, and asked, “Nigh nigh?”
“Yep, sweet dreams, kiddo.” Dani tucked Emma under the covers, then lay beside her, running her fingers through her hair to help her fall asleep. Emma wasn’t acting like her normal bedtime self, filled with sweet giggles and grins. Was the stress of being without her mom catching up with her? She hoped the poor kid wouldn’t be scarred for life after spending a few days with her incompetent babysitter.
Emma snuggled closer and whispere
d, “Luff ew.”
Dani gazed into a set of little blue eyes that were so full of adoration that no translation was needed for that one.
So maybe she wasn’t the best babysitter, but the kid didn’t seem to notice. She hugged Emma tight and whispered, “Me too, Em. And everything’s going to be all right. I promise.”
It wasn’t five minutes before Emma was sound asleep. So Dani gingerly slipped off the bed and went to the bathroom to cover her bruised face with makeup.
After she was done, the gross yellow-and-green handprint was just barely visible. A little lipstick and blush, and she was ready to go.
She yanked open the hotel room door where Jerry stood outside in the hall like a sentinel. She tugged on his collar, pulling him into their room. “Okay, baboon, here’s the deal. Your new job is to watch Emma while Michael and I look for her mother tonight. Got it?”
He paled. “No way. I’m not watching a kid. You’re bad enough. I’m not going there.”
“She’s out for the night.” Dani shoved the remote into his hand. “Just sit over there and watch television until we come back. If I feel threatened, I’ll call you on this handy-dandy device I’m hooked up to, and you can grab Emma, then come save me. If she wakes up, talk to me. It’s not that hard.”
Jerry glared at her. “I’m supposed to be watching you, not a kid.”
“I won’t leave the casino downstairs. They must have a gazillion security cameras, and I’ve also got big, strong Michael with me. I don’t think I could be any safer anywhere else without you.”
He pondered her words for a moment, then shrugged. “Yeah, okay. But do not leave this hotel.” He settled into one of the chairs. “And if the kid even whimpers, you’d better get your ass back here, pronto.”
Dani shot him her most evil smile. “Of course. But wouldn’t it be too bad if the noise level in the casino made it impossible for me to hear your sweet nothings murmuring in my ear?”
Jerry flipped her off.
Seeing Double (A Heartbreaker Novel Book 1) Page 16
