What the Heart Wants ; Sealed with a Kiss

by Donna Hill

  The throng of a hundred-plus guests poured like expensive wine into the glittering flute of the room that sparkled from the chandeliers above and the gleaming silver and crystal below.

  The guests were greeted at the entrance by white-jacketed waiters who controlled the flow of traffic to the reserved seating where lush bowls of watercress salads already dotted the linen-topped tables.

  Franklin and Dina were seated at the family table with Montgomery and his current bae Vanessa Lang—introduced as a Wall Street broker—Franklin’s parents, Louis’s brother Donald and his wife, Patricia, and Ellen’s best friend from high school, Lisa Forde and her husband, Brian. There were two empty seats at the twelve-seat table until Alonzo strolled over with his date on his arm.

  “Welcome, everyone,” Alonzo greeted with an exaggerated bow.

  “You outdid yourself, bro,” Monty said.

  Alonzo winked, adjusted his white tuxedo jacket. “It’s my thing. Hey, everyone, this is Angela Moore. Angela, this is the fam. The guests of honor, Louis and Ellen, my brothers, Franklin and Monty, and their dates.” He gave Franklin an extra long look. “My uncle Donald and aunt Patricia, and our play auntie and uncle Lisa and Brian Forde.” The gathering at the table laughed at Alonzo’s quip, even Dina.

  “Nice to meet you, Angela dear,” Ellen said. “So glad you could join us.”

  “Thank you.”

  Alonzo helped her into the empty seat next to his uncle and aunt. He stood behind Angela’s chair. “The menu tonight is going to blow you all away. Guaranteed. And have as much as you want. Franklin’s got this,” he joked. “Well, duty calls.” He leaned down and kissed Angela lightly on the cheek. “I’ll be back for the main course. Enjoy.”

  “So now I’ve finally met all the Grant brothers,” Dina said and placed the napkin on her lap. “Your parents and aunts and uncles.” She smiled.

  “Haven’t scared you off yet?” He speared some salad.

  “Not at all. Do you want to scare me off?”

  The fork was suspended between his mouth and the plate. His teeth toyed for a moment with his bottom lip. Dina watched, fascinated.

  “Not anymore.” The right corner of his mouth almost curved upward. His focus swung back to the task at hand.

  Dina couldn’t breathe. At least she thought she couldn’t breathe. The air was stuck somewhere in the center of her chest. Conversation floated around her. She caught some words “...fifty years...looking good...beautiful...remember...” but couldn’t put much together. It was a momentary out-of-body experience.

  A waiter appeared and began refilling water goblets. She blinked the world back into focus. She was surrounded by love and laughter everywhere that she looked. There was a fairy-tale quality to the evening and when she stole a glance at Franklin—animatedly talking with his uncle Donald—she wondered if she was the princess for the night who would go home with the prince.

  From the moment that Franklin showed up on her doorstep he’d taken her breath away. Tall, richly dark, dangerously sexy, he had her giddy as if hundreds of tiny ballerinas were dancing and twirling inside her. She felt fluttering and girlish, fragile almost, under the total maleness of him that oozed from the depths of his dark eyes, the ruggedness of his voice, the electricity pulsing from the tips of his fingers. He moved with the same controlled grace out in the world—commanding his space—as he did in the operating room. In all the fairy tales, the unlikely pair always found their happiness together.

  Silly woman. This was real life. But for now, she would pretend. She drew in a breath, turned her head. Franklin was staring at her with a look of hunger in his eyes. Her heart tumbled. She squeezed her thighs together.

  A waiter appeared, swept away the salad plates while another waiter set the bowls of lobster bisque on the table. When she dared to look up from her bowl, Franklin was in conversation with Montgomery. Silly girl.

  One dish after another, each more delicious than the next, was placed in front of them. Conversation and laughter bubbled, fueled by fine wine, incredible food, good company and the backdrop of the live band.

  Alonzo, after seeing to the entrées and checking in on all the guests, finally joined the family table.

  “Toast time,” he announced after they’d finished their meals, lifting his hand to signal his brothers to their feet.

  Franklin and Montgomery got up and followed Alonzo to where the band was set up at the front of the hall. The music slowly stopped. Alonzo took the mic.

  “Good evening, everyone. I hope you all are having a fabulous time. Thank you for joining us in celebrating the fiftieth wedding anniversary of the greatest parents a bunch of hardheaded boys could have.”

  The room broke out in cheers, applause and laughter.

  Alonzo passed the microphone to Montgomery.

  “Mom, Dad...” He raised his glass of champagne. “You two are the example that I live by. Thank you for everything.” He took a sip from his glass and the gathering followed suit. He passed the mic to Franklin.

  Franklin looked down for a moment, then out into the crowd. “Monty, Zo and I are the men we are because of you both. Mom, your wise counsel has never failed me. Dad, your work ethic and dedication to your family showed me what a real man is. My only wish for you both is that you have many more years of health, love and happiness. Congratulations!” He lifted his glass. “To fifty more years.”

  “Fifty more years!” the gathering shouted.

  Franklin turned to the band and mouthed a request. They launched into Luther Vandross and Gregory Hines’s “There’s Nothing Better Than Love,” his mother’s all-time favorite.

  Louis rose from his seat, extended his hand to his wife and escorted her onto the dance floor. One by one other couples joined them, swaying to the music under the slowly spinning lights.

  Dina looked up to find Franklin standing over her. “Dance with me.” He held out his hand.

  She placed her hand in his and swore her knees wobbled when she got to her feet.

  Franklin guided her onto the floor and eased her close. She felt her heart bang and wondered if Franklin felt it, too.

  “Enjoying yourself?”

  She swallowed. “Yes. Very much. Thank you for inviting me. You have a wonderful family.”

  His hand moved slowly up and down the center of her back. “Did I mention how beautiful you look?”

  Her eyes flew up to look at him. A half smile graced his face.

  “You can tell me again.”

  He chuckled softly. “You look beautiful tonight.”

  “Thank you,” she whispered. Her cheeks were on fire.

  He held her a bit closer until she was one with the hard outline of his body. She rested her head on his shoulder, closed her eyes and drifted effortlessly to the music that she never wanted to end.

  She longed for him. Plain and simple. So what if she only had a few months left on her fellowship? So what if they would inevitably end? Not to know him, feel him, share herself with him was a scenario that she could not imagine, no matter how brief.

  The tips of his fingers brushed the back of her neck. She bit her lip to keep from moaning.

  He lowered his head, teased the shell of her ear with his lips.

  “Come home with me,” they said in unison.

  Dina’s long-lashed eyes widened. Franklin grinned. “Guess the operating room isn’t the only place where we think alike.” He took her hand. “Get your purse. I’ll get the car and meet you out front.”

  “Aren’t you going to say good-night to everyone?”

  He looked over her shoulder to his parents who were totally into each other. “They won’t even notice.” He gently squeezed her waist.

  “See you out front.” She spun away, and her pulse fluttered like crazy. Maybe fairy tales did come true.

  Chapter 17

  When Dina ste
pped out into the cooling evening, Franklin was at the curb waiting in front of his car looking like an advertisement for everything sensually elegant.

  Damn, damn, damn he’s fine.

  He opened the passenger door. She inhaled a shaky breath and slid into her seat.

  Franklin came around the front of the car and got in. “My place is closer,” he said, turning the key in the ignition.

  Dina swallowed. “Okay.”

  He angled his body to face her, reached out and cupped the back of her head, eased her toward him. The world disappeared as his lips touched hers, captured them, made them his.

  Her body ignited from the tips of her toes to the top of her head. He groaned against her mouth, teasing her lips open with his tongue to dance with hers.

  Then it was over.

  Franklin pulled back, checked the mirrors and eased into traffic.

  Dina ran her tongue along her bottom lip. It was still hot, still held the taste of him. She drew in a steadying breath. It didn’t help. Her insides continued to flutter like loose leaves during a windstorm. She gripped her purse, stole sideways looks at him. He seemed totally unmoved as if what had just happened hadn’t happened at all. Once again he was laser focused only on what was in front of him. A moment ago it was her, now it was the road. She wasn’t sure how she felt about that—that he could turn off and on in a blink. It may work well in surgery, but—

  “I’m pretty sure I have some wine, not big in the food department. If you want anything, we can stop on the way or order something.”

  “No. I’m fine.”

  “Okay.” He pressed the button on the armrest and lowered the windows, then turned on the music.

  Dina leaned back, let her body unwind to Anita Baker’s “You Bring Me Joy.”

  “Love her,” she murmured.

  “I think I read somewhere that she was back on tour and coming to DC.”

  “Really? When she was in LA a few years ago, I missed her. Had a surgery.”

  “Maybe we can make up for that.”

  Her lips parted, but no words came out. She blinked back her surprise. She wasn’t going to read anything into what he said. But what did he mean “make up for it?” She swallowed. “Sounds...like a plan.”

  Franklin slid her a short look, half smiled, then turned his attention back to the road.

  * * *

  Franklin’s building, the Kipling House, was on the corner of Eleventh Street SE, across from a high-end apartment building braced on either side by the Bearnaise French Bistro, an Italian deli, and Senart’s Oyster and Grille Room.

  Dina took it all in, trying not to look like a tourist or someone who had grown up on the south side of Chicago, surrounded by burned-out buildings, empty lots, overpriced grocery stores and violence. It was the only life she knew for fifteen years. Her mom did the best she could, worked two jobs, kept her in private school, but couldn’t protect herself from what eventually killed her. Dina shook away the images. She was here. Now. She’d worked. She’d earned her life.

  Franklin drove down into the underground garage and parked in his reserved space, next to a silver Mercedes and behind a Lexus. He came round, opened her door and helped her out.

  “Need to make a stop in the lobby before going up,” he said. “This way.” He took her hand again. They walked to the elevator.

  The doors slid soundlessly open. Dina stepped in first and when she turned, Franklin was right in front of her, surrounding her. The doors closed.

  His thumb stroked her cheek. He leaned in, slid an arm around her waist, pulled her close.

  Dina held her breath.

  The doors opened.

  Franklin bit back a laugh, guided her out.

  They entered what resembled a hotel lobby complete with tan leather seating, glass tables topped with overflowing vases.

  “Good evening, Dr. Grant, ma’am,” the concierge greeted.

  “Evening, Mark. How are you? How’s the shoulder?”

  Mark instinctively rubbed his left shoulder. “Getting better. I’ve been going to that therapist that you recommended.”

  “Excellent. Make sure you take your meds. Keep that pressure under control.”

  Mark nodded his salt-and-pepper head. “Absolutely.”

  “Take care.” He tapped the desk, took Dina’s hand again and walked over to the bank of mailboxes discreetly located around the corner from the concierge’s desk, checked for his mail.

  “Real good guy,” Franklin said as he took his mail out. “Looks out for everyone.”

  “Seems like you do, too.”

  His sleek brows drew tight.

  “His shoulder...the meds...”

  “Oh.” He blew it off. “It’s nothing.”

  “It’s a lot to him.”

  They walked to the elevator, and Franklin pressed the button for the top floor.

  “The more I learn about you, the more I don’t know.”

  He took her hand, walked back to the elevator. “Maybe it’s for the best.”

  * * *

  There were only two apartments on the fifth floor. One on either end. Franklin put his key in the lock. Motion sensors turned on the lights when they walked in.

  The floor-to-ceiling windows faced them, framing the breathtaking view of the DC skyline under the stars.

  Dina’s gaze swept the expanse of open space from the large living area that led to the stainless steel kitchen. The furnishings were fully contemporary and totally Franklin—sleek, defined, a cool control.

  “Really nice,” Dina said. She put her purse down on the couch.

  Franklin walked over with a bottle of wine and two glasses. He opened the door to the terrace.

  They stepped out. He handed her a glass and poured.

  “Thank you. This view is incredible. How long have you lived here?”

  “Almost five years.” He took a sip from his glass. He eased beside her, leaned his hip against the railing. “What are your plans when you finish your fellowship?”

  “Much of that depends on you.”

  He tipped his head to the side. “Me?”

  “Yes, Dr. Grant. You hold my future in the palm of your hand,” she said, looking into his eyes.

  “What if you get to stay?”

  “What if I don’t?”

  “I shouldn’t have let my guard down with you,” he said, and stepped closer. “Business...pleasure...never a good move.” He kissed her behind her ear.

  She hissed in a breath. “I’m a big girl—”

  He kissed her again, longer this time. His lips trailed along her neck. “No guarantees.”

  “For however long it lasts...and no more,” she said against his mouth.

  “And no more.” He pulled her fully against him and sealed their deal.

  Chapter 18

  Under the starlit sky Franklin stoked the embers that sparked and bloomed in her center with brushes of his fingertips across her tingling skin. The rough groans of his need heightened her sighs. Hot, barefoot, simmering with anticipation, they moved along the balcony, and Franklin slid open the door to his bedroom. The sheer drapes blew lightly in and out of the terrace door, buffeted by the night breeze.

  Between sweet kisses to her eyelids, cheeks, her mouth, neck, the swell of her breasts, Franklin feasted on every inch of her that was exposed to his will.

  “I want to see you,” Franklin breathed hot into her ear. “All of you.” He wrapped an arm around her waist and unzipped her barely there, little black dress.

  The zipper soundlessly slid down its track. Dina trembled. Franklin laved the hollow of her neck, slipped one strap off her shoulder then the other. The featherlight fabric fell with a soft rustle to the floor, pooling at her feet only to reveal the body-hugging ribbon-and-lace teddy with its cut-out sides, satin straps and V-string
bottom that showcased the perfect orbs of her rear and nearly did him in.

  Dina reveled in the simmering look of hunger in his eyes when he feasted on what was in front of him, knowing that it was worth every penny.

  Franklin reached behind her and unsnapped the teddy before burying his face deep in the valley of her breasts. He cupped the weight of them in his palms and teased the lacy covering away with his teeth.

  Her nipples tightened into hard, sweet points that Franklin eagerly took into his mouth, drawing them in between his teeth. She gasped and grabbed his shoulders to steady herself.

  Franklin moved down her body, peeling away the last barrier between him and what he wanted. His mouth seared her skin followed by his expert tongue that cooled it. The erotic mix of hot and cool got her slick and wet and wanting.

  He was on his knees now, her hips steadied in his large hands. Dina whimpered. Her inner thighs trembled. Franklin pressed his face against the flutter of her belly, kissed her there—then lower. She gasped. Her fingertips dug into his shoulders.

  His thumb slid between her wet folds, parting the glistening lips; he brushed the hard kernel of her clit with the tip of his tongue, gently suckled it.

  “Ahhhh...” Her knees buckled but Franklin held her firmly in place. Tremors rippled through her like jolts of electric shock.

  In one swift motion, Franklin lifted her off her feet. She wrapped her legs around his waist, her arms around his neck, her lips sealed with his. Their tongues dipped and danced.

  He carried her to his king-size bed. Kneeling above her, he pulled off his shirt, tugged off his belt and unzipped his slacks, tossed them all to the floor.

  Dina scooted back on the bed, rose up on her knees and helped relieve him of his black silk boxers.

  Her breath hitched at the sight of his erection: thick, stiff, utterly beautiful. She reached for him, wrapped her fingers around the breadth of him. Franklin hissed air between his teeth.