Hidden Dane (Hidden Alphas Book 4)

by Victoria Pinder

  “Thanks.” She brushed her hand against her bare neck. “I didn’t want to wear the necklace—honestly my bra needs washing—yet I don’t want it out of my possession, so I’m doing my best with a regular bra. The jewels are scraping my skin. Does it look odd?” She turned to the side and gestured to her cleavage.

  The necklace. At any point Ted might realize she’d faked him out. Dane had checked into the hotel with an alias and taken security precautions, though he was well aware they might be tracked down. His shoulders tightened and he took her hand. He would step in front of a bullet for her.

  He eyed the smooth round of her chest. “I can’t tell from my view.” Changing the subject, he said, “You’re the only person in the world who never held my mother’s murder against me.”

  Her blue eyes deepened with concern. “That’s not true-”

  “I don’t want to talk about Michael,” he interrupted. Michael was his biological father but Dane didn’t know him. Michael had saved his life that day, but thinking of him as a father, that was something else.

  His heart ripped as the memories replayed in his mind. He squeezed her hand a little tighter as Emily said, “He didn’t blame you though.”

  This was not important right now. He directed them toward her door. She picked up her pocketbook as he said, “I like kissing you.”

  Her cheeks turned bright red and she stroked his chin near the door. “I like that too, but after dinner. I’m hungry, Dane.”

  “Nobody else calls me that.” He escorted her out to the hall.

  She kissed his cheek. “You should have come to see me years ago, Dane. I’ve missed you.”

  His skin burned from her touch. Emily Mira was a dangerous woman and nothing would keep him away from her internal fire. “I’ve missed you too. I hope you enjoy what I’ve got planned—it was short notice.”

  “I’m sure I will.” She folded her hands in front of her like they were about to parade around as the royal couple or something.

  He checked her door was locked and guided her toward the elevator.

  Hopefully she would be impressed with a rooftop dinner just for her. They were keeping a low profile, but at least he could show her a good time, in style.

  She deserved far more than roses before a dance—he’d known that then, when he’d given her the jewelry. She glowed like an angel. His angel.

  Chapter 9

  Emily’s heart skipped just being near Dane, a man at ease in designer clothes or jeans. He’d pressed the rooftop button on the elevator, and she’d read in the hotel brochure that the restaurant there had a five-star rating. Awareness of his fingers, so close to hers, yet not touching, was heightened by the near-brush of their bodies as they stood next to one another. Light jazz music played. His strong profile made her want to be with him, always.

  She knew better than to think forever with Dane. Dane wasn’t a forever guy.

  He was the one who had left her. In response, she’d dived into learning and lost herself in history, which always seemed more interesting than the real world with him gone.

  He’d said it wasn’t her fault. Was she holding onto the past like a shield? Emily stepped onto the rooftop, dazzled by string lights and sheer white curtains that created a romantic floating tent. A string quartet played in the corner. Above was the bright moon and below, the white boulevards. Emily turned toward Dane with amazement.

  Dane stood proud in the suit she’d chosen, like his strong shoulders were holding up the world. She reached for his fingers. “This is beautiful Dane.”

  He kissed the back of her hand. “I didn’t want to risk taking you out of the hotel tonight. We don’t need more trouble.”

  “Agreed.” Her heart fluttered. Boy, she was falling hard for Dane—again. This magical rooftop was much nicer than prom had been. She let out a sigh as the maitre’d bowed and greeted them. “It’s been a long time since we’ve been able to just talk.”

  Those stolen moments at Michael’s house where they’d snuck down to the beach—she, spellbound by Dane and without a clue as to what the future might bring, he, torn by guilt. Now she knew herself, and him, and she’d hate herself if she didn’t try. “This view is great.”

  Dane directed them to follow the maitre’d to a table. A waiter asked her opinion on the wine and she chose a merlot. The waiter poured as she settled into her seat with a napkin on her lap. Once they were alone again, Dane asked her, “And the string quartet? Too much?”

  “Not at all.” She leaned closer and inhaled the woodsy scent of Dane’s cologne. Being with him made her lips tingle. Heat rose to her face and she looked into her wine glass. “I’ve always had this crush on you and no other guy ever compared.”

  He put his elbow on the small table. “Emily, no other woman could ever take your place. You shine brighter than any star.”

  Emily glanced up at him and smiled. “Even your movie star?”

  His big, sexy brown eyes narrowed. “My what?”

  She reached for her earrings that weren’t on her ear as she said, “We were at the Oscars, and my sister Isabelle said she saw you—I ran into the room to find you but never did see you or your date.”

  Now that she’d admitted her feelings, she sipped her wine with relief. Honesty was important—he had to know.

  Dane picked up his glass too. “Isabelle was right. I was there, but with a fellow Harvard teacher—Natalie. Her research that evening was the basis for a documentary. We went as friends, that’s all. She isn’t half as lovely as you.”

  Isabelle would be happy. Her sister had no idea what had happened between Emily and Dane, but she’d always asked if anyone had heard from him.

  For now though, Emily would keep him to herself as she memorized his strong shoulders and joked, “You must say that to all the girls.”

  He pressed his hand to his heart. “I never flirt. I don’t even try to talk to women, which always upsets Brady.”

  Interesting. Dane was the type who didn’t have to flirt. Her friends would have targeted him within minutes. He was attractive, smart, and aloof. Emily held her tongue while the waiter served their salads. When the waiter left, she asked, “Why does it bother Brady?”

  He picked up his fork and his cheeks went a little red. “He claims he tries to get women’s attentions but I always end up with…” He lowered his head. “Never mind. Let’s enjoy the meal and each other.”

  He took a bite of his salad. She let out another sigh as she said, “No, don’t stop, Dane. We haven’t talked in years. So, you scored more women with the “no talking” bit than Brady did with charming conversation?”

  He put his fork down as he laughed. “Yeah. I shouldn’t have brought it up.”

  She winked at his bashfulness. “As long as you don’t turn into the silent type with me, we’re fine.”

  They finished their salads and the waiter cleared their plates. She sipped her wine and once they were alone, Dane asked her, “Why history, Emily? The girl I knew talked about a major in business, and ruling the world.”

  The waiter brought them lemon butter chicken and she was sure she’d gain ten pounds. She picked up her fork as her mouth watered. She answered Dane with reluctance. She’d never told this to anyone, not even her friends in college. “The girl you knew grew up moving from apartment to house as my mom married many times… As you know, Sophie took me in when our mom died, but I never really had stability or much cash. In the years since, I’ve grown accustomed to having my own bank account.”

  “So, history?” He cut a piece of chicken.

  She put off answering to eat her dinner. Dane waited patiently yet she knew he hadn’t forgotten. After a few more bites,, she glanced at him. Something about Dane made her want him to understand. “I didn’t have to struggle while I studied and had the luxury of following my interests. I like history because the stories all progress and teach what can happen if we continue to make the same mistakes. Some things are great puzzles that intrigue me.. Why did you choose ar
cheology?”

  He finished his chicken, and rested his fork on the edge of the plate. “Edmond hated when I got dirt on any part of my shirt.”

  “Dirt?” Emily sat back and picked up her glass though somehow, here, she had no buzz of any kind from the alcohol. The red wine was perfect.

  He scooted closer and shifted his water cup on the table. “In archeology, I dig in the dirt all the time.”

  Her eyes widened and she giggled. “So this was rebellion?”

  “Maybe a little.. I don’t like thinking about Edmond.” He shrugged. “I do my best to live right. I’m not seeking fortune or fame, which means I can preserve bits of history for the public to see, and learn from, rather than sell to some private collector. They tend to hide their treasures from the world.”

  The waiter returned with a cream puff for dessert. She waited until he left, and then she whispered, “How long have you known Ted?”

  “He sells to private collectors and probably would have sold to Edmond if he’d lived...” Dane straightened and handed her a fork so they could share the dessert. “A few times now, he’s stolen what I’ve found. The first time I was careless as I didn’t know he existed at all.”

  She bit into the frothy cream and powdered biscuit and didn’t want to stop. They both ate the delicious dessert, their forks scraping the last bite. “And the second time?”

  “It was a race, and he was faster than me in finding the Incan gold relic.” He leaned closer to her. “The next time, I won. We’ve gone back and forth.”

  Her heart beat sped up. She wanted him to kiss her and only trusted herself enough to say, “I see.”

  His face darkened. “Until you, I’ve never seen Ted use a gun. Walking into the club to see him pointing a weapon at you and your friends was surreal.”

  She hoped they were okay. “Yeah, I understand.” Surreal, and terrifying, but he’d saved her. She pressed her hand on his chest.

  He edged closer and her eyes fluttered closed as he said, “Fate brought us together again, and for that, I’m happy.”

  He needed to kiss her. Why was he so far away? She didn’t open her eyes as she whispered, “Maybe you and I should try for real, Dane.”

  He brought his chair so close that his knees bumped against hers. “I like having you near, though I’d like for everything else around us to slow down.”

  Kiss me already. “We have more in common than I thought we did.”

  “Other than interest in old things?” He chuckled and his mouth covered hers—gently at first, and then more passionately, letting her imagine a different world where everything was beautiful just from his kiss.

  The magic didn’t stop as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and twined his thick hair at his nape between her fingers.

  Never stopping was her vote.

  Unfortunately, he ended the kiss and his withdrawal made her ache. She tried to ignore the longing as she said, “Yeah. It’s honorable that you’ll give the jewels back. You don’t have to.”

  “I want to do the right things in my life.” He stood and offered his hand. The quartet played a classic tune and she clasped his palm, acknowledging the spark racing through her body. He said, “Besides, the jewels came from my stepfather’s estate. He was just another private collector keeping treasures from the public. The man killed any love I might have had for him that day in the barn—giving the necklace my mother loved to you brought me peace.”

  He pulled her closer and swayed with her. She rested her head against the hollow at his throat and hugged him. “We don’t have to talk about that anymore.”

  Dane took her hands and spun her in a dance. They seamlessly found each other’s bodies in harmony with the music. He said, “I never talk about any of that, with anyone ever, Em. Don’t you know how special you are to me?”

  He was the only guy she’d ever given a bit of her heart to. No other boyfriend had been that close. She made a decision to live in the moment as she adjusted his collar. “Dane, that’s the sweetest thing you’ve said since we met.”

  “I only speak the truth.” He pressed closer.

  She stood on her tiptoes and let the enchantment of the evening wash through her as she whispered into his ear, “Let’s go to my room.”

  He missed a step, then brought her closer, keeping her next to his heart. Tonight was theirs and she’d hold onto him for as long as he’d let her.

  Chapter 10

  Waking up in Dane’s arms made her body hum. Last night, Dane had proved all the ways he’d become a man. No one had rocked her like this, ever. She curled into him.

  He groaned a little and kept his eyes closed as the sun must have started rising outside their heavy curtains that blocked the light. A few more minutes alone with Dane, was good.

  He sighed. “I’ve missed you, Em.”

  “Seriously?” Her heart skipped a beat. If only… no. She couldn’t think about tomorrow right now. Instead she hugged him and let his body heat warm her in the chill of the room.

  He ran his hand down her naked back and cupped her backside. “Yeah, you… alone… like this.”

  Emily smiled and vowed she’d stay in his arms for as long as she could. “I bet you say that to all your naked women.”

  He opened his eyes, glanced down at her willing body, and then laughed. “Not at all. That’s usually, ‘It was nice to meet you. Goodbye’.”

  Dane was the type to leave but it didn’t stop her attraction for him, at all. Emily curled her leg around his and tapped his muscular chest. “You’re bad!”

  He rolled her beneath him and kissed her forehead. “No one else compares.”

  Every cell in her body came alive. Dane made her believe in happily-ever-after when she was in his arms. She sighed and said, “Let’s say I believe that for a moment-”

  “You should.” He stilled, propped himself up on his pillow with one hand, and stared down at her. “You can ask Brady, who was briefly a roommate when we were getting our PhDs.”

  She’d never shared much about herself with her other ex-boyfriends. But Dane knew her, and accepted that she hadn’t turned into some savvy business woman, like her younger sister, while still in college. He seemed to like that they had history in common. The large gates around her heart were unlocking for him. She glanced at his muscular body and said, “Even if I do believe you… I just wanted to say, I’d like to see you again after all this is over.”

  He brushed her hair behind her head on her pillow. “Maybe my university is hiring.”

  A laugh escaped her lips though she had those sparks inside her just from the gleam in his eyes. She shook her head and said, “I’m pretty sure Harvard hires Ivy League.”

  He stilled. “Why didn’t you go for an Ivy League college? We both know half of getting in is your bank account, and who you know.”

  He spoke with the belief she was smart enough to get in and the rest was money or politics. She squeezed his hand and shrugged. “I liked going home to see my family. Gainesville was far but not so far in case of an emergency.”

  “I haven’t been to see Michael in years.” He didn’t move a muscle.

  Right. Her sister’s husband. His father. Everyone in her family knew Dane. She swallowed and said, “I know.”

  He traced her arm and shoulder. “Maybe after we return the jewels, you’ll go with me?”

  Home? With Dane? Every cell in her body sparked with the idea they might have a future. “I’d like that.”

  He caressed her body, lowering the sheet. “Me too.”

  “What do you plan to do with your life, now that you’ve finished getting your PhD? You didn’t send me an invitation to your graduation.”

  “You wouldn’t have come and I didn’t have your address.”

  “Do you have some professor gig waiting for you in Florida?”

  “No—the local universities weren’t hiring. I was going to sell real estate.”

  “That sounds horrible.”

  “Just until I find
a college that wants someone with my degree.”

  “Maybe you should move to Boston? There are lots of universities near me.”

  She grabbed the sheet and held it closer but otherwise didn’t budge. Was he serious? She’d never lived with a man before. Her heart beat faster as she laughed again to pretend she wasn’t nervous as she joked, “Are you going to let me crash on your couch?”

  His gaze narrowed. “Couch? No.”

  “Oh.” A hum grew in her veins. He was asking her to move in. This was new and she wore a stupid smile on her face like she’d been dealt a good hand at cards.

  She’d never been good at a bluff.

  His fingers traced her arm, leaving a trail of tingles. “You’d share my bed.”

  She rolled back and looked at the ceiling as her heart thundered. If she could trust any man, it was probably Dane. He was so different, but she hadn’t expected this. She turned her head toward him and took his hand. “Ah. Now I’m seeing this life you planned for us.”

  He leaned on his side and met her gaze. “Every night can be like last night.”

  Emily wanted to just say yes and let the chips fall, but her own father flashed in her mind, stealing her joy. How he’d claimed to be too busy to take her in after her mother died. She nibbled on her lower lip. “We’re going to have to see though.”

  He turned and his muscular body brushed against her smooth skin. “Why? What’s holding you back?”

  Admitting she was scared bloomed like a warning sign in her mind and she shook her head. She was nothing like her mother who chose loser guys and Dane was honorable and way better than her father had ever been. She knew that without a doubt. “I like to be useful. I don’t want to be a housewife, not yet.”

  This time he laughed and his voice was deep and demanded her attention as he said, “I would expect nothing less.”

  If only this was possible. She patted his cheek. “Dane, we’re just dreaming.”

  His gaze narrowed like he saw straight through to her soul. “Why? You can tell me what’s going on in that head of yours.”