Angela climbed inside and was greeted by the sight of Daniel lounging on the backseat. “Hello,” she said.
“Hello, yourself. Have a seat.” There wasn’t much room for her as his large frame took up most of the seat, but he patted the cushion beside him.
It was going to be impossible to ignore Daniel with him sitting so close. He was the kind of man who dominated his surroundings no matter where he was. In the confines of a car, he could be devastating. But what could she do? Reluctantly, Angela slid in next to him. “Where’s Alejandro?”
Daniel chuckled, revealing an even set of gleaming white teeth along with a brilliant smile that made Angela’s toes curl in her heels. “Wouldn’t you know, Alejandro canceled on me at the last minute? Claimed he got unavoidably detained in Brazil and never made it to Miami.”
“That’s a shame. I know how much you wanted to pitch the business.”
Daniel shrugged. “Another opportunity will arise.”
“So…” Angela let the word dangle in the air. “It’s just the two of us, then?”
He turned to her with a devilish grin. “It is indeed. I hope you don’t have a problem with that.”
“Oh no.” Angela shook her head furiously. “Of—of course not, it’s just that…”
“Just that what?”
“It kind of makes this a date.”
“Yeah, it kind of does.”
CHAPTER 5
Daniel didn’t mind in the slightest that Alejandro had canceled their plans for tonight. Why? Because it gave him a legitimate excuse to spend the evening with Angela. Not that he needed one. Whatever Daniel wanted, he went after with gusto.
But he was in uncharted territory, given their working relationship. Yet for once, he was willing to take a risk and see where the night led, instead of being the good guy. Look what it had cost him. Mia. If he’d made his feelings known sooner, perhaps… He shook his head. There was no sense looking backward at the past. He could only look at what was in front of him right now.
When the passenger-side door of the limo opened, Angela exited, and Daniel felt his shaft swell to life. How the hell was he going to get through the night if the mere sight of her curvy backside had him horny?
Very gingerly, he thought as he got out of the vehicle.
The chauffeur dropped them off at the door to the VIP area where Daniel produced his floor tickets on his smartphone. While security checked Angela’s clutch, another staff member slipped a wristband onto Daniel’s wrist and waited for Angela. When they were checked in, Daniel surprised himself and Angela by grasping her hand and leading her down the hall.
Her hand was small and petite, much like Mia’s, but her body was curvier. Killed at twenty-one, Mia had never had a chance to fully develop into her womanhood.
Darn! He hated that his past kept resurfacing tonight. What was it about Angela that brought the memories to life? Or perhaps he wasn’t as over the loss more than a decade later as he thought he was?
“We’re in the back of the house,” Angela surmised as they walked down the corridor. “You didn’t pull any punches to impress Alejandro, did you?”
Daniel shook his head. “My goal was to show him I know luxury and the finer things in life. During halftime, I’d even procured us cigars in the owner’s lounge, but…” His voice trailed off.
“You don’t think I can handle a cigar with the big boys?” she teased.
He raised an eyebrow. “Can you?”
“Why don’t you try me?”
Daniel laughed. “I just bet you can.” He liked her bravado and that she wasn’t backing down from a challenge, but he doubted she’d ever smoked a cigar in her life, much less a fine Cuban cigar like the ones they had in the owner’s lounge. But he certainly gave her props for bluffing.
“I have a surprise first, though,” Daniel said as he led her through the corridor and toward the arena.
“What are we doing?” Angela asked when he walked up to security, pulled out a special badge and was allowed entry right onto the floor where the Heat warmed up.
“Just a little meet and greet,” Daniel said. “C’mon.”
A Miami Heat promotional staffer dressed in a team jersey approached them. “Daniel Cobb, good to see you, my man.” He gave Daniel a handshake.
“You, as well.”
“I really appreciate you hooking up the boys at the community center.”
“Of course,” Daniel said. “Prescott George is committed to helping those in need.”
The staff member shook his head. “Yeah, yeah, don’t give me the spiel. You didn’t have to give ten thousand dollars of your own money to the cause.”
“It’s the least I could do.”
“Well, it was appreciated. Are you and your lady ready to meet some of the players?”
Daniel turned to Angela and noticed she’d raised a brow at his use of the words your lady, but she remained silent. “Oh yeah, let’s do it.”
* * *
Angela couldn’t believe how warm, friendly and downright accommodating Daniel was being. Nor had she realized just how deep his ties to the community went. If she hadn’t heard for herself, she’d have thought of Daniel Cobb solely as a ladies’ man, but he was far more than the image he portrayed to the world.
After they’d smiled for several photographs with the starting lineup for the Miami Heat, Daniel took her to the Hyde lounge where they would have a bite before dinner. The lavish supper club was the ultimate experience, and Angela luxuriated in the appeal of being waited on with private bottle service at the table. Daniel was sparing no expense, and she couldn’t help wondering if he’d prearranged this for Alejandro Rivera. Or was this all for her?
She didn’t know.
And she didn’t care.
She was having too much fun seeing how the other half lived.
And Daniel was just the man to show her.
“You’re just a mass of contradictions,” Angela said when he regaled her with stories over appetizers and champagne. She hadn’t objected when Daniel had requested a bottle of an expensive champagne. Instead, she sipped the delicious drink, allowing it to delight her taste buds.
“What do you mean?”
“You come off that you’re all about business,” Angela replied, “but there are many layers to you. Perhaps some you don’t want to be seen.”
“I’m showing them tonight, to you,” Daniel responded, picking up his champagne flute and taking a sip. He held her gaze over the rim of the flute.
“Yes, you are,” Angela said. “Joshua mentioned that Prescott George fund-raises for charity. What else do they do?”
Daniel filled her in on his volunteer efforts with the organization that supported black youth. “I participate when time permits and when I can’t, I open my checkbook. But don’t go giving me all the accolades. I’m not the only member of Prescott George who gives back to the community. Even though it’s our mission statement, they’re words we all live by.”
“Very commendable,” Angela said. “And when you’re not giving back, what does Daniel Cobb do to relax?”
Over the remainder of the meal, they laughed and talked, and Angela found herself dropping the guard she normally kept around herself in Daniel’s presence and enjoying the moment. He was her boss, after all, but tonight he was a man. A man she was attracted to. And if the gazes he gave her when he thought she wasn’t looking were any indication, he was just as attracted to her.
Once again she looked at him from underneath her lashes. There was no denying the chemistry between them. The eye contact alone sent a current of electricity humming through her veins, tingling every nerve ending. When the meal finally concluded, she was happy to move. She’d been as jittery as a coiled spring. It didn’t help when Daniel helped her from her seat and grasp
ed her hand in his again.
Her heart raced and her stomach quivered in nervous anticipation.
“Relax,” he whispered as he walked her back to the arena with the other basketball fans. “I don’t bite.”
Angela wasn’t so sure about that.
She wasn’t surprised when his hand met the small of her back as they walked to their floor seats and she felt a rush of heat. Nor that her breath hitched when Daniel’s thigh brushed hers as they sat down. She’d come out tonight under the assumption that she was spending the night with her boss while he wooed a client. Instead, she’d found herself on what was essentially a date with Daniel.
She was thankful when the lights dimmed and music blared, disturbing her thoughts as the speaker announced the starting lineup for the Charlotte Hornets. There were lots of boos in the crowd, but the momentum changed and sparked to life when they announced the Miami Heat.
“These seats are great,” Angela said when they sat back down after the national anthem. They were at center court, in front of all the action. If Alejandro had come, he would have been very pleased.
“Thanks, I’m glad you like them.”
Angela glanced sideways at him. “And do you bring all your women out to expensive basketball games and private dining?” As soon as she said the words, Angela realized they belied her innermost thoughts and that she was curious about his love life.
“All my women?” Daniel snorted. He glanced behind his shoulder. “I don’t see a gaggle of women lined up to date me.”
“Oh, c’mon,” Angela said, “don’t be coy.”
Daniel grinned broadly. “I get around.”
“So you admit you’re a player?”
“Who, me?” He shrugged. “Never. My women, as you call them, know the score. And so what if I treat them well? I don’t make any illusions about my goals and objectives for the future.”
The Heat scored a three-point basket and Daniel jumped out of his seat, clapping furiously. Angela liked this relaxed side of Daniel just as much as she liked seeing him in the jeans he wore. She was sure they were designer, as were the shirt and loafers he had on. Daniel exuded sophistication and class even when he dressed casually.
“Ahem!” Daniel coughed, returning her focus back to his face.
Angela blushed, and she could feel her cheeks stain red at having been caught checking him out. “Sorry.”
“I don’t mind when a beautiful woman stares at me like that.”
“Daniel…”
“What?” he asked innocently. But she knew he knew better.
“You’re flirting.”
“And what’s wrong with a little innocent flirting among friends?”
“Uh, I think it’s more like employer-employee.”
His eyes turned dark. “Not tonight.”
Angela swallowed at the implication. Was he saying that what happened tonight wasn’t on the record? So they could indulge in whatever fantasy their creative minds cooked up? If so, Angela was thinking of all sorts of things she’d love to do to Daniel, like ride him in the back of the limo while they drove the streets of Miami.
Where in the world had that come from?
She wasn’t an exhibitionist and she liked to keep her private life private. However, there was a tiny part of her that had kicked into overdrive at the thought. From afar, she’d always found Daniel intriguing and sexy as hell, but in person with all his attention focused on her, he was so much more.
“Penny for your thoughts.”
Angela chuckled. “I’d expected a lot more from you, Daniel. Like a five, maybe even twenty. I don’t just let anyone into my head.”
He threw back his head and laughed. “I like you, Angela. I like you a lot.”
* * *
I like you a lot?
What had possessed him to verbalize what he’d been thinking? Angela. And those warm brown eyes of hers. They’d beguiled him all night. As did her beauty. Those loose blond-streaked curls. Flawless skin. Sexy figure. It made him want her, burn for her. He wanted nothing more than to take her back to his place and fill her until she surrendered to the passion that had been simmering between them all night.
But he couldn’t.
It wasn’t right.
But that didn’t stop him from wanting what he couldn’t have.
The game was a nail-biter, with the Heat clinching the win in the last minute with a three-point shot and a foul. When it was over, they walked back toward where the limo had dropped them off earlier. Daniel pulled Angela closer to his side when the throng of people pushed her forward. That was the wrong move.
With Angela so near, Daniel could smell the sweet scent of her hair, catch a hint of the perfume she was wearing and feel her breasts pressed against his biceps.
Eventually the throng dissipated and Daniel was able to weave them through the crowd to the VIP area where the chauffeur stood waiting for them. He tipped his hat to them as he opened the door. Angela entered and Daniel was close behind her.
Once the door closed, the sexual tension between them was palpable and so thick it could be cut with a knife. Angela sat with her eyes downward and her hands folded in her lap. Daniel wanted to ruffle her feathers, make her feel as undone as he’d felt all night.
“Angela,” he whispered her name.
She half turned in his direction, and that was all the invitation Daniel needed to act on his attraction.
* * *
Angela saw something akin to lust flash in Daniel’s eyes just before he grasped both sides of her face and lowered his head. And when his lips brushed across hers in a kiss so slow and sensual, Angela felt her entire body come alive. But he didn’t stop with one kiss. His mouth settled over hers, parting her lips with a lick of his tongue and giving her a jolt of excitement she hadn’t felt in a long time, if ever.
He covered her body with his and then she felt his hands in her hair, holding her head still as he took her mouth like a thirsty man in search of his oasis. She returned the pressure of Daniel’s kiss, instinctively moving her mouth over his as desire, hot and needy, coursed through her. Her heart hammered loudly in her chest, as did the knowledge that what they were doing was wrong. Her brain was telling her there was no way she should be doing this with Daniel. Her boss. Her brain told her to pull away. But her senses were seduced by his drugging kisses.
And when he deepened the kiss, she met him stroke for stroke, touching his tongue with hers, eager for the stimulation. The sensation was such sweet pleasure, she wanted to moan aloud, but she couldn’t. He was nipping at her lower lip with his teeth while his hands were everywhere, palming her backside and then sliding upward to cup her breasts.
Angela shuddered when the pads of his thumbs caressed her nipples. She was sure they were protruding through the silk blouse, showing Daniel how turned on she was. She wanted his kisses to go on and on, but instead, he moved from her lips, bent his head and took one taut peak in his mouth. Angela thought she would combust in flames at the touch of his hot, wet tongue circling her nipple. He sucked her nipple, hard and deep, through her shirt. Daniel was making her feel more alive, wilder and hotter than she’d ever known was possible.
And when he adjusted their position, Angela ended up sprawled on the seat with Daniel hovering above her. Then he settled himself between her thighs, ensuring that the rock-hard steel of him was pressed against her center. Angela’s mind went blank with need and she began to rock herself against him. Heat. Delight. She was experiencing so many emotions, so many sensations.
It was like she was caught up in a lightning storm. She wasn’t sure if she would survive it—survive Daniel—and deep down some part of her didn’t care if she did. She wanted this man, so much so that she shamelessly moved against him.
Daniel lifted his head from her breasts. “You’re killing
me, Angela,” he growled, halting her hips with his hands.
“Why stop? If it’s what we both want.”
* * *
Daniel swore and slowly pulled away from Angela to sit upright, leaning his head back against the cushions. He took in a ragged breath. She was right. They both wanted it, the kiss and a whole lot more, because the pull had been that strong.
But Angela worked for him, and he’d just complicated the situation by acting first. He rubbed his face with both hands. “I’m sorry.”
“Sorry?”
He glanced over and watched as she tried to finger-comb her hair and rearrange her clothes.
He’d done that.
He’d been the initiator.
He knew he was begging for trouble kissing her, but he couldn’t help himself. And touching her? He’d finally been able to slide his hands up those sweet round hips of hers as he’d wanted to do all night long each time she’d strutted in front of him in those sexy red leather jeans.
He’d acted on his desire before, but since when had lust ever made him this way? This out of control? His body had actually trembled when he’d kissed her, and he felt dangerously close to taking her right there and then. He needed to get home and take an ice-cold shower until his erection subsided.
“Yes, I’m sorry,” Daniel affirmed, taking in another gulp of air. “I should have never crossed the line.”
“Well, you did,” she responded. “We did. And now there’s no going back. If we try, I think we’ll both be miserable.”
“So what do you suggest we do about it?”
Angela shrugged. “I dunno, maybe hang out a little bit. Perhaps it’s just a onetime thing and it’ll just fizzle out if we act on our desire.”
Even as she said the words, Daniel knew she didn’t believe them any more than he did. The attraction between them was hot, combustible, and the more time they spent in each other’s company, the hotter it was going to be.
“I don’t know how to do this,” he said, pointing between the two of them, “and work together. Be your boss.”
“It’s one night. That’s all that’s on the table.”
Harlequin Kimani Romance June 2017 Box Set Page 24
