Misunderstood: In Love with the Nerd (The Miss Series Book 2)

by Peggy Ann Craig

  The music ended far too soon to Sonya’s disappointment and so too, apparently, her partner who persuaded her to join him for another dance. She glanced to where she had left Daniel, and upon not seeing him, gave a nod. She was not given much chance to ponder his whereabouts before her partner swung her around and back on the dance floor.

  From his corner in the room Daniel watched as Sonya smiled and laughed at something the professor said. He knew the old educator’s dry sense of humor and could appreciate her laughter. More than likely the professor was saying something quick and witty.

  He turned his attention away and searched the room of faces and saw some recognizable and some not. At the back near an elaborate display of orchards was a man of tall height and slim frame. His dark head grayed to white over the years. Daniel headed in his direction.

  He greeted Daniel cordially and congratulated him on his design, then asked, “When is the earliest you can begin installing the new networks?”

  “That all depends.” He told him as his eyes sought Sonya out once again. “I’ll be done down at the institute at the latest in November.”

  The man gave a thoughtful sigh and crossed his arms over his chest. “Can I persuade you to make it any sooner?”

  He shook his head without taking his eyes off the dance floor. “I don’t leave until I’m happy the program is running to my satisfaction and under the care of trained professionals.”

  Finally, the man looked at the dance floor and saw the beautiful brunette waltzing amongst the dancers. “Am I keeping you from something, Daniel?”

  Startled he drew his eyes away and shook his head. Then on second thought, said, “Yes, as a matter-of-fact. If you’ll excuse me.”

  He wove his way between dancers until he reached Sonya and the professor. He tapped on the older man’s shoulder, but couldn’t take his eyes off the emeralds glittering in her eyes.

  The professor turned around in surprise, then drooped his shoulders at seeing Daniel. “I was wondering how long I was granted before you came and claimed her. Well, go off you two youngsters and enjoy yourself but be warned Daniel, I may make another claim before the night is through.”

  “I would be honored.” Sonya said, smiling with sincerity at the gentleman.

  He planted the broadest grin on his face then gave a short nod and slammed his hand on Daniel’s shoulder. “She’s a keeper young man. Don’t let her get away.”

  His words rang so close to home that Daniel felt a jolt in the vicinity of his heart. The professor was right. He didn’t want to let her go. Ever. He had been a coward to sit back all these months and hope she did not rid of him when she tired. What was he afraid of? He knew the answer even as she slipped her hand into his and they began swaying across the floor to the orchestra. That he wouldn’t be able to stop her.

  “You’re a good dancer,” he said into her ear.

  She sighed. “Good. Fine. Pretty. Your adjectives are anything but flattering.”

  His only response to this last remark was a smirk. “You enjoyed the professor’s company, I take it?”

  “Yes, he’s very charming.” Then deliberately added, “He has a way with flattery.”

  He opened his mouth to respond there was a great number of flowery words he’d love to shower her with but doubted she’d appreciate hearing, when she cut him off by suddenly nodding toward a point just past his shoulder. “Do you know that woman, Daniel?”

  He moved his head in the direction she gestured and saw Aimee Smith standing alone in a gathering of tuxedos and gowns. She appeared uncomfortable and lonely. Out of politeness, he raised his hand and saluted. She immediately relaxed and responded in the same manner along with a large bright smile.

  “Is she the reason I’m here tonight?”

  Daniel looked down into her face and studied her reaction to the other woman’s presence. Aimee Smith was the excuse he had given her. Frank had made it obvious that he would love to add him to their family addition, but his daughter did not appear to feel as inclined. However, it made a perfect pretext for convincing Sonya to accompany him. He purely just wanted her there with him.

  “Yes.”

  She nodded in understanding. “She certainly looks jealous. I see your problem.”

  He raised a single brow at her. Really? Interested? He may be naive when it came to identifying the interest of a woman, but he was pretty certain Aimee Smith was merely being friendly.

  Sonya turned to study the woman once again and noticed the flattering but simple dress she wore and the severe ponytail she had fastened her bleach blonde hair into at the back of her head. Though she wore minimal makeup, it was obvious she was a rather attractive girl. “So explain to me first why you’re not interested? She seems perfect for you.”

  This caused him to frown heavy and spin her around a bit too harsh. “Do me a favor and don’t try and guess who is right for me. That woman is as right for me as—”

  “I am for you.” Sonya finished the sentence for him, knowing what he was thinking but too nice to say.

  Daniel’s eyes narrowed down at her. “Right. Like mud and oil.”

  Sonya looked away unable to meet his eyes in fear that he would read the hurt within them. If only oil wasn’t such a thick and non-absorbent substance.

  Her view fell on Aimee Smith once again to discover the woman headed their way. Sonya’s insides clenched in irritation. “Well, don’t look now, but she’s headed our way.”

  He gave a weary sigh but turned to look just as Aimee reached them on the dance floor.

  “Good evening, Daniel.” She offered him a far too bright of a smile in Sonya’s opinion.

  They stopped dancing to greet the woman and for reassurance sake, Sonya slipped her arm through Daniel’s. Aimee Smith’s quick glance duly took note of the action.

  “Hello, Aimee,” he said.

  “Don’t you just hate these stuffy events? I always feel so uncomfortable at them.”

  “Everyone does look like a bunch of stuffed penguins,” Sonya quipped but immediately wished she’d bitten her tongue. That was the old Sonya. The new one had more class. “But there is nothing hotter than a man in tux.”

  Oh geez, if that wasn’t any better. She shot Daniel an apologetic look but found him smirking down at her pleased.

  Aimee shifted her glance toward Sonya for the first time. “Hello.”

  “Ditto.” Sonya hadn’t meant for the word to come out so harsh, but it somehow did.

  Aimee’s smile faltered slightly, but she composed it quickly when she returned her attention back to Daniel. “Father said you were here and with your fiancée.”

  He nodded in Sonya’s direction. “Sonya Elliott, Aimee Smith.”

  Aimee acknowledged Sonya’s more than stunning appearance with an uncomfortable glance, tucking a self-conscious strand of hair behind her ear before saying. “What a wonderful surprise. Father didn’t think anyone could snare the talented Daniel Keller.”

  “Your father is too generous.” He responded with a polite smile. “I’m afraid it is quite the opposite. I didn’t think I could ever snare anyone so beautiful.”

  Sonya nearly dropped right there on the floor. He called her beautiful. Even if it was for the excuse of fending off the unwanted advances of this woman who evidently had her thorns embedded possessively in Daniel. She tried to push the wonderful sensation that suddenly yearned to engulf her and concentrate on her task at hand. She was there for a purpose. It was high time she put her services to work.

  Eyes shimmering, she smiled up at him and wrapped her arms around his waist with zeal. “Beautiful, Daniel? You are too generous but I think a little bias.”

  Her act must have caught him off guard, for he looked down at her startled.

  “Am I not the luckiest woman in the world to have captured such a wonderful man? I am so proud of him.”

  “Yes,” Aimee agreed and shifted on her flat heels at Sonya’s brazen show of affection. “He is a genius.”

 
“Oh, but he’s so much more than that.” Sonya straightened away from Daniel and stared her opponent down with importance. “He’s the most gentle, kind-hearted and virtuous man I have ever known. Not only is he drop-dead gorgeous, but he is also the most caring, most supportive friend any woman could ask for. Yes, he may be the most intelligent, data dribbling man I know, but he is so remarkably gifted beyond the size of his brain tissue. He’s a rare breed. A real diamond in the rough. Any woman’s dream.”

  Silence fell between the trio before Aimee cleared her throat and looked away awkwardly. “I’m sure. Oh, look, I’m afraid there is someone I must go and say hello to.”

  Then she bolted away with a short nod of farewell in Daniel’s direction.”

  As she scurried away, Sonya set her fixed gaze upon the departing woman’s back and felt remarkably triumphant. As if she were a lioness protecting her pride and had just defeated the enemy.

  “Laying it on a little thick, weren’t you?” Daniel leaned forward to whisper in her ear.

  She spun around to stare at him. Every word she uttered hadn’t been a lie. To her amazement she discovered it was exactly how she thought of Daniel. He was more to her than some intellectual paragon. If he didn’t have any of those traits she would still admire him terribly, because he had so many other wonderful qualities. But Daniel could not suspect she felt so much admiration for him. She was the type of woman who would hurt him in the end.

  “I considered drama if my singing didn’t take off.”

  He looked into her eyes and Sonya felt a sudden unease come over her. She had to steel her face to conceal the truth. Then taking a deep breath, he stood up straight and glanced around the floor. “Shall we continue?”

  She didn’t think it was the safest thing to do, but the waltz was a fairly non-contact dance in relation to some of the more intimate moves out there today. Nodding, she held up her arms, but was taken by surprise when he ignored them and cupped her waist in the palm of his hands and pulled her body close.

  “I was never any good at waltzing.”

  As soon as she felt the contact of his body, hers came alive. A searing warmth shot like wildfire throughout her body and melted it against his solid form. “I-I could teach you.”

  He gave her a sudden grin and moved closer. Her eyes grew in alarm at what his obvious intentions were. Then only at a breath’s distance apart, he whispered as she had done at the cottage before she kissed him, “Relax.”

  Chapter 11

  His lips covered hers in longing, desperately wanting to fulfil the need which had taken over him from the moment he first laid eyes on her, to the few snatches of contact he had been granted. Her lips felt of satin and rose petals and her intoxicating fragrance of incense candles and cheap perfume, drifted up to his nostrils. As he drew her even closer, he slid his hand up her back and encountered the long mane of her dark hair.

  He was glad she decided to wear it down and relished in the feel of its smooth texture as his fingers played within its depths. Her mouth began to respond below the onslaught of his own and he thought he detected a low moan as her arms moved on their own accord up and around his neck.

  All his male responses kicked into gear and he wanted nothing more than to lift her into his arms and carry her to the nearest bed. He wanted her. He no longer wanted to deny. Her body left a need deep within longing to be fulfilled. No longer would he sit back and let her dictate his emotions or his needs. They had an urgency that ached to be released.

  With reluctance, he drew back from her, not forgetting where they were. He would reveal his feelings to her whether it destroyed them or not, however it would be later in the private and secluded quarters of his bedroom.

  She didn’t open her eyes at once, instead remained lying in his arms with her face tilted up to his as if begging him to continue. Daniel would gladly have obliged her but first they needed to get out of there as soon as possible.

  Sonya’s eyes flew open when she felt herself being spun away from the dance floor. “Where are we going?”

  “Home.”

  She felt a swift brush of warmth sweep down her spine before she drew herself out of her reverie. She and Daniel did not have a home together. They never would.

  “Look, Daniel—” she began.

  He interrupted her by saying, “But I want you to meet someone first.”

  Her hand flew to her cheek and wondered if she was in a state to meet anyone else. Daniel had left her flushed and looking like a woman who had just been thoroughly kissed. A tiny smile played about her lips. She had just been thoroughly kissed.

  He stopped them in front of two men deep in conversation. One man looked to appear in his mid-forties with thinning hair and wire-rimmed glasses and the other man was an older gentleman of whitish-grey hair. They nodded their heads in greeting, before Daniel tugged her arm so hard she stood before the man.

  “I would like you to meet the woman I was telling you about.” She heard him say from behind her. “This is Sonya Elliott.”

  The white-haired man’s face lit up with interest and a wave of unease overcame Sonya at once. What was this about? She was soon to find out.

  “Sonya, I would like you to meet Robert Alto.” Daniel continued the introductions. “He is the chairman and president of Shingle Records.”

  At first his words did not register, her mind was still struggling with the memory of that burning kiss and his declaration that he was taking her home. Possibly to make love? Her body tingled with delight even as her mind screamed of denial. It would destroy Daniel.

  Then like a jolt, she was drawn to the present and stared dumbfounded at the white-haired man in front of her. She must have heard Daniel wrong. That was impossible. Someone like Sonya just didn’t show up a party also being attended by someone as important as Robert Alto. That only happened to other people or people with money or connections.

  Her head spun around to Daniel. He was talking to the man and smiling. They appeared to be old acquaintances and friends. She blinked and thought she must be dreaming. Everything around her suddenly seemed unreal.

  Daniel was staring at her in a quizzical way and it registered in her head that the other gentleman was addressing her. She had to force her stunned face around to look at Robert Alto and listen to his words.

  “Daniel tells me you are a singer?”

  She nodded slowly and wondered with panic why she couldn’t find her voice. She needed to wake up from this trance and fast. Opportunities like this never happened. The fact that it was, left her completely stunned.

  Moving her tongue, she experimented with its movement before she ventured to say. “Yes.” It was small, but it was a start.

  The man smiled and nodded. “Any style in particular?”

  “Um.” She was completely lost for words. Her mind graveled for a coherent sentence. “Country and a bit of Pop.”

  Again he nodded. “Have you made a demo yet?”

  She nodded.

  “Good.” This seemed to please him. “Why don’t you drop a copy off at my studio?”

  “Um.” Christ, she hated herself at this precise moment. The chance of a lifetime was standing directly in front of her and all she could do was stutter. “All right.”

  “Is it possible to catch a live performance?”

  “Yes.” She was swift to answer this time. “I do a full show every Monday night.”

  He nodded. “I think I’ll come around and hear you sing. Where is that?”

  She gave him the address to Tristan’s bar, relieved at last to discover she have recovered her voice. “I appreciate you taking the time out of your busy schedule Mr. Alto. I promise you won’t regret it.”

  The record company executive revealed his perfectly straight teeth in a smile. “Please call me Bob. Any friend of Daniel’s is a friend of mine.” Then glanced at Daniel. “If Daniel says you have talent, then I have every reason to believe him. I trust his judgment completely.”

  Daniel’s only response
was a small token of a smile.

  “I’ll see you Monday night then.” He spoke to Sonya before turning to leave and offered his farewells to both of them.

  Sonya stood transfixed to the spot. Her entire body felt in shock. She had just scored the biggest opportunity she could have ever imagined, and she had Daniel to thank for it. Turning, she stared openly at him with her eyes glowing of respect and gratitude.

  “You did that for me?”

  He gave a careless shrug. “I’ve been hired to install a software program in the studio’s mainframe and might have brought your name up a few times in our meetings.” He turned to leave. “You’re a good singer. You deserve a chance.”

  Still in a state of amazement, she trudged after him with feet seemingly incapable of working. A smile began to form on her face. It grew bigger and bigger mirroring how she felt inside. It was as if a light so bright and warm glowed from within. Sonya couldn’t remember a time she ever felt so incredibly happy. All because of Daniel.

  She glanced at the back of his head as she followed him out of the banquet hall. An overwhelming urge had her reaching out and clutching his hand. He stopped automatically and Sonya used the opportunity to draw herself up in front of him and look up into his face beaming. There was an emotion spilling forth from her which she had no idea as to its identity, other than she needed to react on it.

  She smiled at him before she slipped her arms around his neck and raised herself up on tiptoes. The need to touch and be near him had taken charge of her actions. As for any onlookers watching, she could care less. The happiness in her heart needed to be released.

  Her mouth claimed his with as much gusto as she could muster. But even that didn’t seem enough. She wanted more, needed more. Her hands began to move along his body in a fervent search. Exploring and seeking and touching as much of him as possible.

  The lips below her mouth were warm and soft and she pushed closer as if trying to bury her own deeper in his warmth. She leaned closer and reveled at the touch of his body along her own and knew in an instant what she had to do.