An Unconditional Love (BWWM Romance Book 1)

by Shanade White

  Daniel was confused.

  “What do you mean? Isn’t that supposed to be a good thing?” he asked.

  “I am supposed to be starting off my own firm this year, remember? And he knew that but apparently my boss cut him a pretty good check to ensure my continued services to the company,” she said.

  “Just how much are you making for these guys anyway?” Daniel asked as he looked at her.

  “Last year, seven million dollars in billable hours and a five million profit,” she said.

  “Shit. What are you doing working for them? You should be working on the family business,” he said mater of factly.

  She shook her head and smiled.

  “I told you when I went into advertising the first time. I wanted to make it on my own merit and at QKM I would always be the boss’ daughter, the CEO’s sister…I was always going to be favored,” she explained.

  “So you thought you’d just hop on the next company’s train, huh?”

  “Well, at least they are not competition and I did take care of the QKM advertising campaign last year. Pro bono,” she said.

  “I guess you’re right,” he nodded. “But I have to ask, this act you put up. The carefree thing,” he started.

  “It’s not an act. I live for the day,” she smiled.

  “Really? You want to tell me that you are a hippie with a white collar job?” he asked. She playfully punched his arm.

  “Hey? I am no hippie,” she said laughing.

  “Well, you sure as hell live like one. I mean, you have a perfectly good penthouse apartment but you choose to live in a loft above an arts and crafts store,” he started.

  “It’s nice and intimate and I have barely ever have any company. The loft makes a lot of sense to me,” she said.

  “Alright. There’s the elephant adoption,” he said.

  She rolled her eyes. “We did that together.”

  “Yes, but I adopted fifty. The African orphanage called me the other day when they couldn’t reach you and asked me when you were going to check up on your new babies,” he said.

  “What’s wrong with that?” she asked.

  “You have adopted over three hundred elephants,” he exclaimed.

  “It’s not like they live with me. I’m just trying to make sure the poachers don’t get to them,” she said. “And I must add, I don’t use the trust fund. It’s all my hard earned cash. So…yeah.”

  “Can’t argue with you there,” he laughed. “So the loft, did you rent it or something?” he asked.

  “I bought it. Some guy was trying to get the building demolished so he could build some mall in the area or something,” she said.

  “How does buying a loft prevent anyone from demolishing it?”

  “I bought the building and the one next to it,” she smiled.

  He looked at her and laughed.

  “And people thought I was crazy buying that beach plot in Malibu,” he teased.

  “Now, the trust fund paid for that,” she said.

  “You know I have to admit, I am kind of jealous of how you live your life. Sometimes I wish I could just do the same. Take life less seriously,” he said.

  She smiled and put her hand on his.

  “You know all you have to do is actually just take life slow. It’s never that serious,” she said.

  “I think I have been doing that lately. Just living life as it comes,” he said.

  “Yes you have. Speaking of which, when do I get to meet this mystery woman you’ve been keeping hidden for so long?” she looked at him and smiled.

  “I haven’t been hiding her,” he said.

  “Really? Is that why no one in the family knows what she looks like?” she asked. He looked at her as the car pulled up in front of the hotel. “I hope you already booked me into the VIP suite,” she said.

  “Actually, that’s where we are staying and I literally just found out about you coming to Belize an hour ago. So I haven’t booked you in yet,” he smiled.

  “Wait, she is here?” she asked grinning.

  “Yes, she is and hey,” Daniel said holding her shoulders. She looked at him wondering what he had to say. “We are already accustomed to the time here so she is still asleep. You cannot just barge in there like an overjoyed puppy,” he said. She was smiling and he was giving her one of those looks that said that he was not kidding.

  “But I really want to meet her,” she said sadly.

  “Well, you can wait for her to wake up and maybe join us for brunch.”

  “That’s too far away. How about breakfast?”

  “We never make it for breakfast on time.”

  “You are always bumping uglies, huh?” she asked. He looked at her and shook his head.

  “Okay, that’s it. We have to establish some ground rules. Any sentence that has me and/or Erica and sex is forbidden,” he said.

  “Erica, huh? Cute name,” she said.

  He shook his head. “That’s all you got from what I just said.”

  “What, it is. Oh my God, you are worried that I am going to embarrass you, aren’t you?” she asked with a smile.

  He looked at her and shook his head.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said as he carried her bags to the hotel reception. She looked at him and smiled. It was like back when they were kids. When Daniel would get a new girlfriend and Melanie would do everything in her power to drive them away. But the story according to Melanie was that she was saving him from a terrible relationship. According to her, most people liked Daniel just because he was the hot guy from a rich family. And that attracted a lot of bitches but Daniel was always skeptical when it came to his relationships and his sister. It seemed like she never really liked anyone but when it came to his ex, he had to admit that she had been right.

  “What can I do for you Mr. Reese?” the receptionist asked.

  “I’d like a room for my sister, please,” he said.

  “And will that be a regular room or a suite?” the receptionist asked again.

  “Suite, duh,” Melanie said as she looked at the receptionist. When they got everything sorted out at reception, they walked to the elevator in silence. “All I want to do is meet her. That’s all,” she said.

  Daniel took her hand and smiled. “I know.”

  “By the way, the other reason I came is to let you know that I have something to tell you too,” she said. He looked at her as they stepped out of the elevator.

  “Well, what is the news? Or are you going to make me work for that as well?” he asked. She smiled as he walked her to her room and then turned to look at him.

  “I kind of want to hold back on this because I don’t really know how you are going to take it,” she said.

  “Why? What’s the big deal? You already told me you bought two buildings,” he said. “What could be such a big deal that you would hold back? It’s not like you eloped or something,” he said matter of factly. He looked at her and she was smiling. “Wait, did you get married or something?” he asked but she was not answering. All she did was smile.

  Chapter 13

  “You’re married?” Daniel asked in a surprised tone. Melanie was still smiling. By that time, the porter was already at the floor with her bags. She looked at him and reached into her coat pocket.

  “Thanks so much. I haven’t had a chance to change my money to local currency. I hope American green is good enough for you,” she said as she handed him a bill. The porter smiled and graciously accepted the money before he walked away. She turned around and walked into her room.

  “Good night Danny,” she said as she closed the door in his face.

  “And what about the ring? Why don’t you have a ring?” he asked through the door. He sighed and began walking down to his own room. He shook his head as he walked into his suite. Erica had just woken up when she saw him.

  “Hey,” she said as she walked towards him. “I woke up and you were gone,” she said before she kissed him softly.

>   “My sister decided to join us,” he said as he held her tight.

  “What? Where is she?” she asked pulling away from him.

  He looked at her and shrugged in both confusion and exhaustion.

  “She’s one floor down and she is apparently married,” he said as he walked towards the couch. He collapse on the plush couch and exhaled loudly. “I talked to my mother earlier and she didn’t even sound like she had any idea of anything,” he said. Erica walked up to where he was and sat across his lap.

  “So, aren’t you happy for her?” she asked. He rubbed one side of his head and then smiled but the smile disappeared almost as soon as it had appeared.

  “I am actually very happy for her. I guess I just feel hurt that she didn’t include me in everything,” he said.

  She smiled and kissed his forehead.

  “You are such a softie,” she said before she got up and walked to the bedroom. She took off the pajama shirt she had on and walked to the bathroom. She stood under the running water and closed her eyes as she felt the warm water running down her scalp to her back. She didn’t even notice when Daniel quietly entered the bathroom.

  “May I join you?” he asked in a soft voice. She turned around and brushed her wet hair from her face before he took off his clothes. She smiled as he walked in, pressing his naked body against her. He slowly ran his hand down her arm as his other arm secured him firmly against her. He was getting hard just holding her. Her flawless brown skin looked perfect under the running water. She pulled away and turned around. She wrapped her arms around his neck and he pulled her to one wall. She looked into his eyes past his ridiculously long eye lashes. She looked at him and he brought his head down to kiss her softly. She was moaning into his mouth as his hand went down her back and cupped a feel of her wet ass.

  “I want you, again,” he was saying in a soft voice. “Right now,” he added softly. She looked at him and turned off the water before she took his hand in hers and began leading him out of the bathroom and back into the bedroom. She turned around and slowly got on the bed. He looked at her as she spread her legs and he climbed on the bed, in between her legs. He looked down at her as he positioned himself at her opening. She closed her eyes and waited to feel him getting inside her but all she heard was the loud knocking on the front door.

  “Damn it,” Daniel muttered wondering why he didn’t hang the ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign on the door. She was breathing heavily as she cursed silently. Daniel was still hovering over her. She opened her eyes and looked up into his eyes. “Maybe if we wait, whoever it is will go away,” he said. But almost as soon as the words left his mouth, there was another loud knock on the door. She smiled at him as he got off the bed. “Hold that thought,” he said. She got up and put on a bathrobe as he put on his pants. She walked back to the bathroom as Daniel opened the door. “Mel…what? How did you know where to come?” he asked when he saw his sister standing outside his door.

  “You did tell me what suite you were in, remember?” she said with a smile.

  “Yes but we were supposed to do brunch and aren’t you tired? Or jet lagged?” Daniel asked. She looked at him and shrugged.

  “I slept on the plane,” she said before she took a step into his suite.

  “Well, come on in. Why don’t you?” Daniel said sarcastically.

  “So where is she? I’m dying to meet her,” she said excitedly.

  He looked at her and smiled.

  “She is in the shower,” he said as he walked to the minibar. He took a bottle of water and opened it. As much as he loved having her around, she was really a handful. He watched her as he downed the water in big long gulps.

  When Erica got out of the bathroom, she dried off and oiled up before she walked into the room.

  “Erica, baby. This is my sister, Melanie,” Daniel said before taking another long sip.

  “Melanie, hi. I’ve heard a lot about you,” Erica said as she walked towards Melanie. She had her hand stretched out to shake Melanie’s hand but Melanie wrapped her arms around her excitedly. She pulled away and looked at Melanie.

  “You are gorgeous!” Melanie said excitedly. Erica looked at Daniel and then shifted her gaze back to Melanie and smiled.

  “Thanks. You are a very beautiful woman too,” she said.

  “So, now that you are both here. I need to talk to you about why I am really here,” Melanie said. Daniel walked towards them and raised an eyebrow over the other.

  “Should I be in here for this, really?” Erica asked.

  Melanie looked at her and smiled.

  “Trust me, I need advice on this from a woman as well as from my brother,” she said. Erica looked at Daniel and smiled as she and Melanie walked to the couch. They sat down and Daniel walked over to where they were and sat down on the table in front of them. “So, it goes without saying that Danny here is the only person who knows that I am married. And I will need help breaking the news to mom and dad,” she started.

  Daniel looked at her confused. “What?”

  “Yeah and he is here, in Belize. He came out here a few days ago and….” Melanie continued before Daniel held his hand up and looked at her surprised.

  “What do you mean here? What would he be doing all the way out here?” he asked.

  “He came to deliver a few paintings,” Melanie said before turning to Erica. “He’s an artist.” She added. It was at that moment that Daniel noticed the big rock on her sister’s finger.

  “Is he Van Gogh or something? That thing looks like it cost a fortune,” he said.

  Melanie blushed.

  “That’s the other thing I need help with,” she started. “Art is just a hobby for him. He is actually supposed to be running his father’s business but…you know how it goes,” she added shrugging. Erica couldn’t help but smile. It felt like she was in a real life soap opera.

  “So, who is he?” Daniel pressed.

  Melanie took a long breath.

  “Patrick Sullivan,” she finally said. Erica watched as Daniel’s eyes grew big.

  “I don’t understand. Who’s Patrick Sullivan?” Erica asked.

  “My father’s worst night mare,” Daniel said.

  Melanie rolled her eyes. “Come on, that rivalry thing they had was way back in college.”

  “Is that why you haven’t told him you married his nemesis’ son?” Daniel asked.

  “Come on, babe. You are happy for her, aren’t you?” she asked. He looked at her and then took his sister’s hand in his hand. He looked at her for a long minute before he pulled her into his arms. There was no way he could be angry with her. Suddenly, the room went from being tense to being uncomfortably loud. Both Daniel and Melanie were laughing as they hugged. He pulled away and looked at her.

  “I cannot believe you got married and before me no less,” he said.

  “Hey, don’t pressure my future sister in law,” Melanie said with a smile. “Unless of course you are joining me in the bandwagon soon,” she added looking at Erica.

  “That would be right. No pressure here,” Erica said. Daniel looked at her but Melanie went on talking.

  “And I also have to come out here to personally let you know that you have to be there next week for the board meeting,” she went on.

  “Oh come on, did Julian put you up to this?” he asked.

  Melanie shook her head.

  “The whole thing with our uncle made us a little um…liable to shareholders. So there is no way we can have a board meeting without being present,” she explained. She was still talking when she heard her phone vibrating. She looked at it and smiled. “Well, he is here. I have to go guys.” She stood up and Erica looked at her.

  “Didn’t you come in this morning?” Erica asked raising an eyebrow over the other.

  “Yeah,” Melanie said as she stood up.

  “Aren’t you tired?” Erica asked.

  “I slept on the plane,” she said. Erica smiled. “I have to go and I know we were supposed to hook up for brun
ch but maybe we can do dinner instead?” Melanie asked. Erica looked at Daniel and then at Melanie.

  “Sure,” she said. Melanie squealed excitedly.

  “Okay. I guess I’ll see you later. Right now, I have to go get my husband,” she said as she got up from the couch.

  “Wait, the whole thing about your job and the lawyer,” Daniel started making Melanie look at him over her shoulder.

  “Oh it was true. I kind of need a new lawyer soon,” she said before she walked out leaving the two surprised.

  “Your sister is interesting,” Erica said laughing. “And what is this legal stuff she is talking about?” Daniel ran his fingers through his hair.

  “Something about her contract. Long story…so what exactly was that about the whole marriage thing?” he asked.

  Erica looked at him and shrugged. “What do you mean?”

  “Don’t you ever think about getting married someday?” he asked.

  Erica raised an eyebrow over the other.

  “Where is this coming from, Daniel?” she asked as she looked at him.

  “We were talking about marriage and you couldn’t avoid that topic quickly enough,” he said.

  “I don’t need to get into this right now,” Erica said as she got up and walked to the bedroom area. He looked at her and followed her there. “Seriously, Daniel. I don’t want to talk about this,” she said again as she got dressed. She had her back to him as he talked to her. She put on a pair of panties and then put on a dress without a bra. He held her hand before she fastened the long strings around her neck. She turned around and looked at him. “I’m serious. I don’t want to talk about this,” she said as she looked at him. He looked at her and held her face in his hands.

  “Do you want to tell me that you never want to live the rest of your life with someone you love? Someone like me?” he asked.

  “I do, I really do,” she said in a sad voice. “But there is the fact that I found my fiancé cheating on me and …” she never got a chance to finish her sentence. He looked at her, in his eyes was all the truth he needed to tell her.