Dangerous curves, p.16
Dangerous Curves, page 16
The woman leaned forward. “How did you do it?”
“Do it?”
“Get him to spend this much? Did you get a place too? I have a girlfriend who got a gorgeous little condo from one guy.”
“No, we’re—”
The woman’s eyes widened. “We’re? You’re a couple? You two are…together?”
“Well we…”
“You are!” Her face split into a wide grin. “You lucky woman. He’s one of the best lovers I’ve ever had. You must be holding onto him tight.”
Dominique just smiled.
“Does he still do that thing?”
Dominique frowned. “Thing?”
She wiggled her forefinger. “You know that ‘thing’ that makes you go to the moon and back.”
To Dominique’s relief, Kevin returned to the table. “What are you two talking about? I hope it’s about me.”
“Of course,” the woman said. “But she’s keeping me in suspense.” The woman pressed two fingers on her lips. “Even though there are few secrets between us, right?” she said pressing those same fingers to his mouth.
“Hmm.”
She lifted a brow at Dominique. “I don’t know why you’re being so coy, a night with Kevin is something to sing about.”
“I don’t sing,” Dominique said, feeling Kevin tense beside her.
“Honey, I don’t sing either, but one night with him and I was—”
“It was great seeing you,” Kevin said, “but we have to go.” He motioned to the waiter.
“Pity. We’ll talk later.” She kissed Kevin, then winked at Dominique. “Happy memories.”
Once she was out of hearing, Dominique held up her wrist. “Twenty-two thousand?”
He shrugged, sending the waiter away with an apology. “It was either that or a cheap car. I thought this was better.” He lowered his voice to a husky whisper. “I have a budget.”
“We haven’t even been dating that long. You can’t spend money like that this early in a relationship. You should have told me that you were buying me this.”
“Would it have made a difference?”
“Yes.”
“Why? It’s a damn consolation prize.”
She frowned. “What do you mean?”
Kevin glanced at the door where the woman had exited then shook his head . “I can’t do this.”
“Her words don’t bother me,” she said, noticing the tightness of his jaw and guessing his train of thought.
“They bother me. I’m being unfair to you. Selfish.”
“No, you’re not. I like being with you. How many times do I have to tell you that?”
He pinned her with a dark glance. “It’s not enough.”
“Of course it is.”
He folded his arms on the table. “She’s not the only one.” He held her gaze. “Are you sure you can take my past?”
“Not if you keep reminding me.”
His gaze heated. “If you only knew what I really wanted to do with you.”
She kicked him under the table, feeling her face burn. “Stop it.”
He ignored her. “But I can’t even slee—”
She covered his mouth with her hand and looked around. “Be quiet, do you want someone to overhear you?”
He removed her hand. “Maybe public humiliation would hurt less. Don’t pretend what she said didn’t bother you.”
“I’m fine.”
“There are women out there who know a lot more about me than you do.”
Dominique shoved back her chair. “If you’re going to keep rubbing it in, I’m leaving.”
“I’m not rubbing it in, I’m making you face who I am. I know you’re curious how it would be with me.”
“Yes, but I don’t need that from you. I actually like that we just…get to know each other. That we get to talk. Does that make me weird? A freak? Because I like being in your presence. It is enough. You don’t have to do anything to make me like you more.”
He nodded at her impassioned speech. “Okay, I understand. Unfortunately, I want to do more.” His voice deepened to a growl as his gaze caressed her body. “A lot more.”
Dominique toyed with the buttons of her blouse, feeling suddenly warm. “I’m happy as it is.”
He rested his hand on his fist and looked away. “I’m trying to believe you.”
“Or maybe I’m not enough.”
He turned to her. “What?”
“Be honest. If you…were your old self we wouldn’t be together. We’d have one fun night and nothing else. Maybe that’s what’s frustrating you. The thought of being tied down.”
Kevin looked at her for a long moment. She understood him better than he thought. She was right. If he’d been the man he’d been months before they wouldn’t be here like this. But he’d grown tired of the conquests; he’d been intimate with many women, but never like this.
He’d never been this naked with a woman before. That’s what bothered him: he felt exposed, vulnerable. He saw her deep brown eyes and saw the hesitation there, as if she expected him to hurt her. He squeezed her hand. “That’s not it. I’m frustrated for a very basic primitive reason. Ever hear of lust?”
“I’m not saying I don’t want it too, but I’m willing to wait until you’re better.” She rested a hand on his thigh. “I really did enjoy the time we spent together the other night.”
He couldn’t help a smile, remembering the moment. It was a first for him, he’d never been intimate with a woman that way—uncovering ways to use his hands and mouth that he’d never thought possible, but he quickly mastered it. “I aim to please.”
“Didn’t I please you too?” she teased.
Kevin rested his chin in his hand and looked up at the ceiling.
“You have to think about it?” she said, stunned.
“I’m not thinking, I’m reliving.” He closed his eyes and moaned. “Yes, I liked when you did that…oh yes, and that was even better.”
She laughed.
Kevin opened his eyes and grinned. He loved the sound of her laughter. And that wasn’t the only thing he loved.
His grin faded. No, he wasn’t supposed to fall in love with her. They were just having fun. It wasn’t serious. She wasn’t taking him seriously, but no woman did. If he wasn’t careful he’d get his heart broken again. Cassie hadn’t taken him seriously either. He’d thought Dominique was different, but she saw him the same way. Just the fun-loving guy to fill up the time until she found the man she wanted to settle down with.
He was never that man. He’d never minded being referred to as a playboy before. But now it bothered him. He wanted to be seen as a catch. He wanted Dominique to miss him. To not just worry about him, but to really care about him. He wanted her to love him, not in the way most women did, they told him they loved him all the time, but it wasn’t romantic or long lasting.
This wasn’t a real relationship. Part of it was pity. When a man she could really be with came along, she’d leave him. If not that, she’d find out what her father was hiding and then disappear. She wouldn’t turn to him. She’d blame him, even if she didn’t want to. She’d blame him because his accident had forced her to uncover the truth, whatever it was.
He should break it off with her. But he wouldn’t. He was going to keep her close a little while longer. He’d make up for his lack with trips and jewelry and whatever else he could offer. He wasn’t a saint. He could be a greedy bastard and that’s what he would be. Then he got another phone call that shattered his heart.
Chapter 38
Dominique never thought she’d find solace at a funeral. She’d gone to support Kevin and to get away from her mother, who’d unexpectedly arrived on her doorstep.
“You can’t be serious,” Carla said, looking around Dominique’s apartment in disdain. “Dear God, my toilet’s bigger than this room.”
“I like it here.”
“Your tantrum has lasted long enough.” Carla sat on the edge of the couch as if she were afraid it would collapse. “It’s time you get serious about your future.”
“Did Dad tell you what happened?”
“That little incident has nothing to do with us.”
“Little incident?” Dominique nearly choked on her words. “That little incident left a woman in a coma, a child—”
“I know, I know and it’s sad,” Carla said with a dismissive wave of her wrist. “But what can you do about it?”
“I’m staying. I like it here.”
“Is it him? I’ve heard rumors he’s a fabulous lover, but if you need—”
“Mom, I don’t want to argue with you. Please go.”
“You’re being ridiculous and only hurting yourself.”
“I—”
“Are you staying because of him or because of your father?”
“Does it matter?”
“Of course it matters. A woman must be very strategic when it comes to alliances, you know that better than anyone. Kevin Jackson is not the kind of man you give—no, waste—your loyalty on. I don’t care about his sweet lies and firm ass. Men like him are a dime a dozen. They’ll never be true in the ways that count for women like us.”
“Like us?”
“We need men of ambition. It’s the only way to control them.”
“I don’t want to control anyone.”
“I know you’re not a fool, so stop acting like one.” She glared at Dominique. “You haven’t fallen for him, have you?”
“Of course not.”
But that had been a lie. She hadn’t wanted to, but she’d fallen for him hard. And it was foolish and it was ridiculous, but she didn’t care. Elizabeth had shown her how fleeting life could be. It seemed like only yesterday she’d seen her at the university giggling with Kevin, kissing him on the cheek. Now she was gone. Not from cancer, but from heart failure. An unexpected complication that took her away.
Kevin didn’t say anything as she drove him home or when she helped him to his room. She’d seen him grimace as he’d exited the car and knew he’d stood by the gravesite too long.
He leaned heavily against her. Afraid that he would collapse, she led him to his bed. The early evening sun painted the room in a pink and purple haze. She gently released him, expecting him to fall onto the bed. Instead he tightened his grip around her shoulder and pulled her down with him. He wrapped his leg around her and whispered, “Stay with me. I hurt so bad.”
“Then you need to rest.” She struggled to sit up.
He tightened his hold. “No, I need you. I need you to feel alive. I should have died in that crash. Cassie shouldn’t be in a coma and if she dies…”
“Don’t think about that right now. You weren’t the target and—”
“That’s not what I mean. I don’t feel alive. I feel dead inside. I want to be with you tonight. Completely. I don’t want to hold back.”
She bit her lip, for a moment she wondered if she was just a stand in. Did he imagine he was holding Cassie this way? Had Elizabeth’s passing left him with longing and regret? They were the same build. Was it just a transference? She wanted to push him away and tell him that she wasn’t Cassie, that she never could be, but she didn’t move and instead let him hold her as tears touched her eyes.
Never waste your tears on a man, her mother had told her. But it hurt. It hurt because she’d felt fine with Kevin caring for all the other women, but Cassie was different. He loved her. She’d gotten greedy. She didn’t want to be just another one of his women. She wanted to be special.
“I’m not her,” she said in a flat voice.
Kevin searched her face. “What? Who?”
“Cassie.” When he continued to stare at her she said, “I know how guilty you feel and—”
He smothered the rest of her words with a kiss like no other. It was raw, real and filled with hunger. “Don’t deny me this,” he whispered against her lips.
And her body whispered the same, urging her surrender and she murmured her consent. Their clothes fell away and she stared at his naked form in rapturous awe. He was magnificent. Beautifully made. The sight of him was just as mesmerizing as the first time, except now the air was electric with anticipation. All her senses came alive when he touched her. She closed her eyes, finding protection in the sudden darkness.
She felt his lips trail kisses between her breasts to her stomach, murmuring with pleasure his breath warm against her skin. She felt his hands cup her breasts, his tongue capturing a nipple in his mouth.
When his body covered hers, she felt the soft give of the bed beneath her, a swift excitement when he caressed her inner thighs with his mouth and spread her legs. Her body felt heavy with a longing that demanded release. She arched into him, holding onto his broad shoulders, feeling the hard presence of him against her thigh as she welcomed the thrill of discovery.
Then he stopped. He didn’t move. All she could hear was his breathing and her pounding heart.
Dominique opened her eyes, alarmed, and saw him leaning over her, his arms resting on either side. “What?” she asked.
A wicked grin touched his mouth. “That’s better. I like when you look at me,” he said then covered her mouth with his and entered her in one fluid motion.
It was swift and hard and hurt like hell.
She stiffened, holding her body tight, barely breathing, determined to pretend that the pain wasn’t there. If she made a sound he would know.
“Dominique?” Kevin said in a deep voice, his lips close to her ear.
“Yes?” Breathe through the pain, just breathe. Maybe he won’t notice.
“You forgot to tell me something.”
Damn, he noticed. “No.” She cleared her throat. “Just…um…I’m used to smaller men.”
Kevin took a deep, steadying breath.“You really had me fooled.” He softly swore.
“I didn’t fool you.” Don’t argue or be defensive. Just do as he says. People do this all the time. And women love this. They love him. “I want this, please.”
“Why didn’t you say anything? All those times we—”
“I know, I know. I told you I’m not…normal.”
“You’re normal, but I wish you’d told me you’ve never done this before.”
Embarrassment made her cheeks burn, tears stung her eyes, but she kept them from falling and boldly met his stare. Why did he have to talk? Why did he have to make it an issue? Weren’t men the ones who liked to ‘hit it’ and then forget? Did he have to make her feel so ashamed? “I have. Just not with someone so…”
He lifted an eyebrow, doubtful. “Big?”
“Yes,” she said, wishing he would look away and didn’t study her with such intensity. “All the other men I’ve been with—”
“The invisible men.”
“Were smaller,” she finished. “You should be flattered.” She looked away no longer able to hold his gaze.
“I was flattered the moment I saw you naked.” He kissed her forehead. “But since I’m your first…big man,” he said stressing the word. “I’ll be gentle.” He cupped her chin and forced her to look at him. “Don’t turn away and don’t close your eyes.” He kissed her neck. “Do you trust me?”
With all my heart. “Yes.”
He slid inside her again and it hurt a little less, sending a tiny fissure of pleasure through her.
“How much?”
Dominique fought the urge to close her eyes, to disappear in darkness again. This wasn’t how she’d imagined it. Why did he always ask so many questions? “A lot.”
He thrust forward a third time and she braced herself for a pain that didn’t come. Instead an exquisite, overwhelming pleasure shimmered through her body. And it happened again and again and again. Until she had to close her eyes as she felt her body carried to a height of ecstasy that knew no limit.
And then it happened: An awakening. A moment when her body no longer felt like her own, no longer belonged to her. Her body became his and his body became hers. Kevin wasn’t just inside her, he consumed her, engulfed her and she delighted in being swallowed up in a fever of emotions so overwhelming for a moment she couldn’t breathe, she couldn’t gasp, she couldn’t scream or cry out. She reached a height of pleasure so potent she felt as if her soul would rip from her body and expand the globe.
Pleasure sweet, hot, delicious pleasure with a man patient enough to let her find it. She wasn’t odd, she wasn’t strange. This man who loved women made her feel like one for the first time. Not a husk of one or a masquerade, but complete. He’d embraced her fears and her strength and she held him close, realizing the treasure he was to her. He understood her like no other man had ever tried to. And she understood him.
In that moment, their labels fell away. It wasn’t about being a man or a woman or two bodies connecting, it was their spirit. She knew him in spirit as if they were twin souls who’d finally found each other.
She let herself explore him with no inhibition. With her eyes and her mouth and her hands. He was so beautiful to her. This moment she’d remember forever, she wouldn’t be greedy. She didn’t think it would ever happen again. He was the man of fun and no commitments, but he’d given her a gift she’d never forget.
Chapter 39
The monster caught him unawares. He hadn’t planned to fall asleep and be by her side until morning. Morning was dangerous. Morning meant bright lights, a cruel enemy to a migraine. Kevin slowly opened his eyes, but the touch of brightness had him quickly closing them. Damn, he’d stayed too long. The monster in his head clawed for control and he could feel it winning.
He hated to leave Dominique, but he couldn’t stay.
He had to escape before she saw him. He groped for his cell phone and texted Ferguson his special emergency code.
Minutes later he was safe in his other room after losing his dinner and lunch. He lay as still as possible in the dark room with a wet cloth on his forehead, fighting the roiling waves of nausea and the crushing pressure in his head. He was going to pay for it. For his lust. For his arrogance. For his ego. He wanted her to see him in a different light. Bitterness mingled with rage. He wanted to be at Dominique’s side. Needed her. Needed her to know that he was a man she could depend on.
