by Francis Ray
“All of them are in law enforcement.” Alex rounded the table to help Dianne finish putting food on the table. “Mr. Jefferson’s father pointed out to me several times that if I tried to fleece him, his grandchildren would be knocking on my door with handcuffs.”
Mr. Jefferson stared down at his plate for a moment before lifting his head. “He hated that we and our children didn’t want to move here and work with him, but he understood this wasn’t for us.”
“Father Jefferson was a great man.” Mrs. Jefferson shook her head. “I’m proud of our children as well, but they’ve given me some bad moments.”
“And you wouldn’t change a thing,” her husband said with conviction. “They enjoy helping others and they’re good at what they do. No one could ask for anything more in a job.”
Alex saw Dianne’s smile waver, then firm. Afraid they’d ask Dianne what she did, he said, “You both have every right to be proud.” He held Dianne’s chair as she took her seat. Taking his own chair, he blessed the food.
“Do your children live near you?” Dianne asked, picking up her fork. She’d seen the concern in Alex’s eyes a moment ago. She couldn’t let him down with the first thing he ever asked her to do for him. She didn’t know where life was headed, but she’d never be able to look herself in the face if she failed him.
“Now you’ve done it.” Mr. Jefferson cut into his beef. “She’ll talk for hours on the kids.”
“You’re just as bad,” Mrs. Jefferson said. “They all live within a twenty-mile radius of us. Every Sunday, when possible, they all come over for dinner.”
“And sometimes during the week,” Mr. Jefferson pointed out.
“And when they don’t, you call them on the phone wanting to know why.” Mrs. Jefferson winked at Dianne and cut into her beef.
“I saw that,” Mr. Jefferson said and turned to Alex. “You know one thing I’ve learned about women?”
“Probably the same thing I have. Nothing,” Alex said.
“Always knew you were smart.” Mr. Jefferson forked in another bite of beef. “And something else. You sure can pick ’em.”
“My thoughts exactly, and might I say, you did a fantastic job yourself,” Alex said.
With a raised brow, Mrs. Jefferson turned to Dianne. “Do they really think they did the picking?”
Dianne blinked, then smiled and picked up her glass. “To wise women everywhere.”
Mrs. Jefferson picked up her glass and touched it to Dianne’s. “To wise women.”
Dianne sipped and placed her glass on the table, her gaze going to Alex across the table. She had picked him, and he had picked her right back. Loving Alex was the best decision she’d ever made. She never wanted him to regret that they’d been lovers. How she was going to accomplish that was beyond her as she smiled and chatted with his guests.
She just knew she’d never be able to live with herself if she didn’t.
* * *
“You were fantastic,” Alex said as soon as he returned from seeing the Jeffersons to a cab. Smiling, he caught Dianne around the waist and pulled her to him. “I knew you would be.”
Dianna simply stared at him. No matter what. He’d always be there for her, cheering her on. Her eyes stung with unshed tears. She blinked to keep them at bay. She’d asked for him to make her feel all the wonderful emotions of being loved. He’d done that and so much more.
“Honey.” He tenderly kissed each eye. “It’s going to be all right.”
She wasn’t so sure about the future, but there was one thing she had no doubts about. “Do you mind if you have company in bed tonight?”
His eyes fired. “I hunger for you. I wake up reaching for you. I go to sleeping aching for you.”
Powerful emotions coursed through her. “Alex,” she breathed. “You—” She sniffed, swallowed, tried to speak and couldn’t get the words past the constriction in her throat.
“Dianne,” he breathed, brushing his mouth, once, twice across hers before settling, deepening the kiss, his tongue searching inside her mouth as he pulled her against him, letting her feel the hard proof of his desire.
Her body caught fire in an instant. She pressed against him, eager for the magic and forgetfulness of his touch. His hand moved over her breast, causing need to ripple through her. Her hands clutched his shoulders.
The room tilted as he picked her up. All she could think of was hurry.
Alex had never wanted, needed so badly. Setting Dianne on her feet, he made himself slow down and unzip the front zipper of her dress when he wanted to rip. Drawing the material over her head, his heart stopped, then thudded so fast he felt light-headed. The lace black bra pushed up her creamy breasts. Another scrap of lace barely covered her woman’s softness. Thigh-high black stockings almost had him whimpering.
Kneeling, he rolled one stocking down her long, elegant leg, his teeth and tongue nipping, teasing as he went. By the time he finished removing both, Dianne was sitting on the bed, her body trembling. He stared at her, awed by her beauty. He wanted to be inside her with a consuming urgency.
While he had been gentle with her, he tore off his own clothes until he was naked. She stared at his manhood, then she touched him, her hands stroking. Air hissed though gritted teeth. He was on the edge, knew it. Brushing her hand away, he removed her panties, promising himself that he’d return later, and then her bra. Aware that he was teetering on the edge, he reached into the bedside table and sheathed himself, then kissed her breasts, making his way down her irresistible body until he was kissing the most intimate part of her.
She bucked beneath him, moaned his name. He felt her body moving closer to release, and joined them with one sure thrust. Buried deeply, her legs clamped around him. He pumped into her over and over. She met each thrust willingly.
They shattered together. His breath coming in harsh spurts, he gathered her closely to him and rolled over so she would be on top. He felt at ease for the first time since he’d walked into Dianne’s apartment building and seen the shattered look on her face. One arm tightened possessively as the other stroked her from her hips to the nape of her neck.
“Mmmm,” she murmured, moving against him as if to get more comfortable.
If she planned to go to sleep on top of him, it would be his pleasure. “Go to sleep. I’m here,” he said, kissing her shoulder.
She sighed, sending a rush of warm air across his chest. Her body softened, her heartbeat slowed into a steady rhythm. She was asleep.
Alex kept up the slow, steady sweep of his hand. She was going to be all right, and when she was, he’d tell her how he felt. Gathering her closer, he pulled the covers over them and followed her into sleep.
Chapter 10
After an incredible night in Alex’s arms, Dianne had awakened still sprawled on top of him. She had the opportunity to study his face at her leisure. He was heartbreakingly handsome, but he was also kind, gentle, dependable, and fiercely loyal. He deserved the best. She wasn’t, but maybe, just maybe she could keep trying until she learned how. Slipping quietly out of bed, she’d showered, dressed, and gone to the kitchen to prepare breakfast.
She’d just finished placing the bacon and eggs on the table when her body sensed Alex was near. She turned, saw the proud look on his face. Then she was in his arms, his mouth kissing her as if he were starving for the taste of her.
“H-have a seat,” she managed when he lifted his head. “I’ll get your coffee.”
“You sit down. I’ll get it.” Urging her into a chair, he filled both their cups, then took his seat. “I want you to keep the credit card in case you need anything.”
“Alex, I can’t—”
“Yes, you can.” He picked up his toast. “I’d feel better knowing you have backup if you run out of cash. Which reminds me.” He pulled four crisp fifty-dollar bills from his coat pocket. “And before you go all huffy, just keep them in your wallet for emergencies. You can give them back to me once you have a job.”
Dianne’s st
omach knotted. Job. Of course he expected her to work. Fear and embarrassment swept though her. “Modeling is all I know.”
His hand gently covered her trembling one. “Then look in that industry for something you’d like. Or take an online course, or enroll in college. Take a few days to decide what you’d like to do. What inspires you.”
“All right,” she said, withdrawing her hand to reach for her orange juice.
“Don’t worry. It will come to you.” He kissed her on the cheek. “Finish unpacking. You can use the closets in the other guest bedroom as well. I’ll have Arthur bring up the rest of your things. Feel free to move any of my things.”
She glanced away. Dianne wanted to be with him, but it was different now.
“What?”
She blew out a breath. “I don’t like being dependent on you.”
“You think I’d use that to take advantage of you?” he asked.
She was so startled, she was momentarily speechless. The hurt on his face made the words tumble out. “No, of course not. It’s that I … it was different when I had a job.”
“Then keep your things in the guest bedroom if you’ll feel better, but I hope you’ll be sleeping in my bed,” he said.
Her body reacted predictably. Her nipples tightened, her nerve endings tingled. “I want that, too, but I want to be able to give something to the relationship.”
His knuckles brushed down her cheek. “In every relationship there comes a time when one gives more than the other. It balances out. Like last night when you helped out with my clients.”
She wanted to argue that it wasn’t the same, but knew he wouldn’t listen. “You better go or you’ll be late.”
For a moment he looked as if he might balk, then he glanced at his watch. “Check your jewelry and designer items first to ensure they’re all there. You have a list and they’re insured, of course.”
“Of course,” she said, feeling pleased when he smiled proudly down at her. She wasn’t completely inept.
“I’ll be home no later than six thirty. If you’re too busy to cook, just call the office and let me know. I’ll stop to pick up something.” Hauling her into his arms, he kissed her and then he was gone.
Dianne watched Alex leave and fought down the panic threatening to overwhelm her. She wasn’t a failure as her parents had always told her. Like Alex said, she wasn’t the first model to be fired. But the company she had been fired from had been started by her grandparents, and was now controlled by her parents.
Stop feeling sorry for yourself, Dianne. Alex believes in you, she reminded herself. For now hold on to that until you believe in yourself.
Leaving the kitchen, she went to the guest bedroom where she’d put her luggage. If not for Alex she’d be homeless. She just had to keep thinking about the positive.
Grabbing a suitcase in each hand, she placed them on the bed, then reached for two more until she had all of them open on the bed or on the floor. There was suits and dresses in the bright colors of summer, evening wear.
A specially designed Louis Vuitton case held her jewelry. Unfortunately, like her mother, she loved diamonds and designer jewelry. Once the D line took off, her grandfather had let her purchase whatever caught her eye. But she’d quickly learned that she could obtain the items for practically nothing by wearing the pieces to special events. That perk, more than any other, always annoyed her mother. It never seemed to matter to her that she had five times as much jewelry as Dianne and was still steadily accumulating.
Dianne picked up an eighteen-carat diamond Piguet watch and fastened it on her arm. Her mother had been practically incensed on seeing the watch, which Dianne had worn to the Academy Awards and then purchased for pennies on the dollar.
Gazing at the watch, she wondered why her mother cared more for the watch than she did her daughter. Aware that if she went down that road, she’d end up miserable and crying, she pushed the unwanted thoughts aside and opened the secret compartment in the bottom. Removing the itemized list of jewelry, she checked the contents and found everything there.
Finished, she placed the jewelry case on top of the dresser and looked at her clothes. The walk-in closet in the bedroom wouldn’t hold a fourth of her clothes. Her lingerie would barely fit in the double dresser. She loved soft things against her skin.
She briefly wondered if she had been secretly trying to substitute the feeling for a person. Her grandfather might have loved her, but he gave pats on the arm, not the hugs she desperately wanted and needed. She didn’t fault him. It was just his way. She loved and missed him. Like Alex, he believed in her.
The ringing doorbell interrupted her musing. Leaving the bedroom, she went to answer the door. “Yes?”
“Ms. Harrington, we have some of your things. Mr. Stewart sent us.”
She momentarily hung her head. Just what she didn’t need, more clothes. She unlocked the door, her eyes widening on seeing all the boxes on three luggage carts. “That can’t be all mine.”
The uniformed man laughed. The two men behind him joined in. “My wife says the same thing about her things.”
Dianne wanted to return his smile, but all she could think of was that she had enough clothes for five women and no place to call her own to put them.
“Are you all right?” the man asked, reaching for the cell phone at his waist. “Mr. Stewart said to call him if there was a problem.”
“No. No,” she quickly said. “Please come in.” The last thing she wanted to do was worry Alex or be more of a burden.
The first man stopped just inside the door. “Where should we put them?”
Good question. They wouldn’t all fit in the guest bedroom. She was not cluttering up Alex’s other guest bedroom. “Please put then by the door of the first bedroom to the right.”
The men began unloading the boxes. When they were finished there were twelve, all clearly marked with the contents, from designer handbags to lingerie. The smallest held her toiletries. Overwhelmed, Dianne barely remembered to tip the men with her last ten. “Thank you.”
“Thank you,” the men said.
“When you want those empty boxes removed, just call downstairs,” the man who had spoken told her.
“I will.” Trying to smile, she closed the door, turned and looked at the mountain of boxes, and fought not to cry. All she had to show for thirty-two years was boxes of clothes—and what did that say about her? She shoved her fingers though her hair, saw the flash of diamonds, and lowered her arm to stare at the twenty-thousand-dollar watch. Perhaps she had more than she had originally thought. A plan forming, she hurried to the bedroom.
* * *
Alex had been tempted to call Dianne several times while he was at work, but he’d remained strong. As much as he wanted her to know he was there for her, she had to learn that she was capable of taking care of herself.
He’d called Jeff, the attendant at the apartment building, and learned that they’d delivered the boxes. Dianne had looked a little surprised seeing them, Jeff added, but said he’d seen the same stunned look on his wife’s face a couple of times when she was going though her closets.
“Hi, Alex.”
Alex turned in the lobby of the apartment to see Sin. For once he wasn’t smiling. “What’s the matter?”
“I heard about the dirty deal Dianne got from Boswell. Anything I can do, you know it’s done.”
“Thanks.” Alex’s features hardened. “I could really mess up that CEO.”
“Me and C. J. would hold your coat,” Sin said. “No one messes with our women.”
Alex’s brow lifted. “I wasn’t aware that you and C. J. had women.”
Sin grinned. “Figuratively speaking. One of us in love is enough.”
“I’d give her the world,” Alex said softly.
Sin shuddered, caught Alex’s arm, and started toward the elevator. “I like Dianne, but I hope and pray I never fall in love. Too many complications. I’m flying out tomorrow to Dallas.”
“
How long this time?” Alex stepped onto the elevator.
Sin inserted his key and punched in Alex’s floor, then his penthouse suite. “Depends. Talking to guys with the Texas Rangers and Dallas Cowboys. There’s a socialite who likes to light up my nights.”
Alex shook his head and stepped off the elevator when it stopped on his floor. “One day it’s going to happen to you. You’re going to love a woman more than you love your freedom.”
The smile slid from Sin’s face. “Forever isn’t for me. I pity the woman who ever believes it is.”
The elevator door slid closed. Alex started for his apartment. Sin was probably right, but if he was, there was going to be a hell of a situation. Love was complicated but, to Alex, the rewards were worth it.
He opened the door to his apartment and saw three empty packing boxes. The tension that had nipped at his heels all day eased. Dianne hadn’t let her fears immobilize her. She was fighting her demons and moving forward.
“Honey. I’m home,” he called, smiling at how naturally the words slipped out. He could easily imagine saying them for a lifetime.
A few steps farther and his smile faded when there was no answer. He checked the guest room and saw a mountain of clothes on her bed. Frowning, he went to his room, found it empty as well, and headed for the kitchen.
A few feet inside the room, he saw the note propped against the espresso machine. He snatched it up.
Don’t worry. I’ll be back as soon as I can.
D.
He was only marginally relieved. She was stubborn about taking his money, but a city like New York was no place to be broke. Perhaps she had gone to get takeout or for a walk. He didn’t like not knowing she was all right. Tomorrow he was getting her a cell phone.
“Dianne, where are you?”
The words were barely out of his mouth when he heard a noise at the front door. He hurried out of the kitchen. Forgetting that he never opened his door without knowing who was on the other side, he swung it open and saw Dianne with a smile on her face, and two handled bags.
