Daniel was smiling at her story. Maybe, subconsciously, you decided then that you wanted to be a party planner.
She tried unsuccessfully to smile back. Her face felt stiff, and her throat was tight. She was glad when the waitress interrupted, bringing their check. Mia offered to pay half, but Daniel insisted that since dinner had been his idea, he should pay.
Besides, he added, grabbing a couple of mints as they exited, I owe you. This place is fantastic, and without you, I never would have known it existed.
The restaurant was small and family-owned, on a lot so tiny that parking was several blocks away. Its true they dont do much advertising. Mia was constantly telling people about the hidden gem, doing her part to keep the place in business. Im not even sure they have a website. Thank goodness for repeat customers and word-of-mouth recommendations.
Word-of-mouth and networking must be important for your business, too. Eli said Bex met you at some friend-of-a-friend event?
She was actually a guest at two completely unrelated functions I handleda baby shower for one of her former sorority sisters and a bachelor auction benefiting the hospital. We hit it off, and she asked me to do their wedding, even though its not my area of expertise. Theirs will bring me up to half a dozen.
Seems to me that opportunities for expansion are a sign of a successful company. Im impressed youve managed to thrive in a customer-based field.
Mia stopped dead on the sidewalk, narrowing her eyes. Your surprised tone is ever so flattering. Was the man always going to underestimate her?
Sorry. There was meant to be a compliment in that.
Must have missed it, she said.
Its impossible to make everyone happy, right? He unlocked his car with the key remote as they approached. Ive had more than one student drop my class or complain to the department chair about a gradealthough so far, hes upheld all my decisions. In order for you to build clientele, theres a certain amount of people-pleasing inherent in your job. But there must be times youd rather verbally skewer someone. He opened her door for her, his expression darkening. Like with that jerk who grabbed you at Elis party.
He was far from the first. She sighed. Since hell also be a wedding guest, I suppose I could have tried to handle that with more diplomacy, butNo, screw that. He didnt deserve tact. Getting groped in college by idiot fraternity guys who considered it flirting was bad enough. But he was a grown-ass man who should know better. Hopefully, hell think twice next time before making a move on some poor bartender or waitress. Or babysitter. Mia clenched her hands, her fingernails digging into her palms as Daniel crossed to the drivers side.
He turned the key in the ignition, his posture tense. You got groped a lot in college? Maybe she wasnt the only one with anger issues; from his tone, he sounded like he wanted to go back in time and dole out some fist-based justice.
Probably less than the average female university student. Shed gained a reputation after pepper-spraying a guy who had trouble processing no. I like sex.
The car jerked unsteadily as they backed out of the parking spot.
But that doesnt mean Im willing to have it with just anyone, she continued. Nor am I required to defend my decision not to have it. I told Shannon earlier today that I respect men who are direct, who arent afraid to make their attraction known. Ive never been mad at a man for showing interest. But when the interest isnt mutual, its time to back the hell off. Too many guys willfully lie to themselves about what constitutes encouragement. A woman inhaling and exhaling is not a sign of burning lust. And a teenager wearing a tank top and shorts on a humid, hundred-degree day was not a sign that she wanted to be pawed at by a man twice her age.
Daniel was quiet as he turned onto the street leading back to her office, and Mia realized shed been ranting. She hadnt meant to sound so hostile; Daniel hadnt done anything wrong. Hes one of the good ones. She was pretty sure shed had the situation at the bachelor party under control, but she appreciated his coming to her aid. Chivalry might be on the endangered species list, but it wasnt extinct.
So, what should a guy look for as real signs of interest? he asked, changing lanes.
She eyed him, trying to decide if he was making light of her tirade.
I just got out of a long-term relationship with a woman Id been seeing on-and-off since middle school, he told her.
Youre kidding.
Nope. Our families convinced us to go to the eighth-grade formal together.
Ugh. Mia couldnt imagine dating anyone handpicked by her parents. No doubt they would have tried to find someone who would be a good influence on her.
My flirting skills are rusty. Daniel parked next to her car, one of the few left in the lot. Assuming I ever had any in the first place.
If not skill, per se, definitely potential. Sure, he used to annoy the crap out of her, but did he know thered also been times when hed made her knees weak and her stomach quiver? I fantasized about you once or twice during Dr. Leonards lectures.
Even in the dim lighting, Daniels wide-eyed gape was obvious. But he recovered quickly. What kind of fantasies? His voice was silky, coaxing.
Maybe Ill tell you. Someday.
The air between them crackled. His intent expression was heady, the thrill that shot through her even more delicious than plantain smores. Self-preservation had her climbing out of the car before she did something crazy. Like front-seat sex in the office parking lot?
It was a beautiful, clear winter night. An impressive number of stars twinkled down on them despite the citys lights. Shoving her hands in the pockets of her coat, she sat on the hood of her car and took a moment to appreciate the view. Daniel joined her, standing with his elbow against the hood. How would he react if she grabbed the lapels of his jacket and pulled him in for a kiss?
Flirting lesson number one, she said lightly. If a woman admits youve starred in her fantasies, shes probably interested.
His mouth curved in a sensual smile. Probably?
Damn, he had a great mouth. For all that shed scoffed at him in the past about being an unimaginative rule follower, he had full lips more reminiscent of sweaty carnal weekends than stuffy classroom lectures.
Gaze can be a good indication of desire, she murmured. Had he noticed her staring? If a womans uncomfortable, she might glance around for exits or possible rescue. If shes attracted, theres often a lot of eye contact.
He leaned close enough for her to breathe in peppermint and the faint, pleasant scent of sandalwood soap. And if shes looking at my lips like she wants to taste them?
So, yeah, hed noticed. Since she was busted anyway, she gave in to impulse and traced his bottom lip with her finger. He shuddered out a breath, warm on her skin, his pupils dilated in dark contrast to his silvery eyes.
Her own breathing was unsteady as she slid her hand down his chest. Go with your instincts.
With a sound that was part sigh, part groan, he cupped the nape of her neck and bent toward her. He traced her lips, as she had his, but with his tongue, teasing, enticing, before he angled his head and deepened their kiss, thrusting into her mouth. A jolt went through her, like a small static-electricity shock without the sting. This was pure pleasure.
Her own breathing was unsteady as she slid her hand down his chest. Go with your instincts.
With a sound that was part sigh, part groan, he cupped the nape of her neck and bent toward her. He traced her lips, as she had his, but with his tongue, teasing, enticing, before he angled his head and deepened their kiss, thrusting into her mouth. A jolt went through her, like a small static-electricity shock without the sting. This was pure pleasure.
Shed entertained dozens of naughty thoughts about Daniel Keegan, yet shed never believed she would actually be in his arms, hungrily kissing him. It had been worth the wait. He wasnt just good at this; he was wickedly skilled, setting off hot prickling need through her body. Her knees fell to either side as he stepped closer, breaking their kiss to scrape his teeth over the column of her throat. Clutching his shoulders, she tilted her head to give him better access. He supported her with one strong arm behind her back.
His other hand had pushed aside her jacket and was sliding over the slope of her breast. She closed her eyes as he palmed her through the layers of clothing. Aching desire built, her nipples hard and seeking attention. He stroked one with his thumb, and she tugged him close for a frantic kiss. When he pinched the sensitive peak, his mouth muffled her involuntary cry. It was all she could do not to pull him across her and have sex right there on the hood of her
What do you kids Oh... A man cleared his throat as a beam of light hit Mias face.
She blinked, dazed by sensation and confused by the disembodied voice. Daniel was much quicker to react. While she was still mentally processing that theyd been interrupted by the night security guard who patrolled the property, Daniel had already straightened, tugging her wrist to pull her off of the car and partially behind him. He stood between her and the glare of the flashlight.
The stout security guard sounded as flustered as she felt. Mistook you for a couple of teenagers. You shouldnt be here. Suddenly, he rocked back on his heels. Ms. Hayes?
It wasnt uncommon for her to work late hours, and the guard had offered to walk her to her car on more than one occasion. She raised her hand in a limp wave. Hey, Myron.
He locked his gaze on the pavement, stammering, I, ah...
We were just saying good-night, Daniel said. Well be on our way now.
Myrons head bobbed in relieved agreement. Good, good. Yall drive safe. He got back into the little golf cart he used to cover the spacious lot.
Mia pulled her trench coat tight across her body, feeling exposed. But it occurred to her that Myron hadnt really seen anything other than some intense kissing. Nobody had been undressed. Yet. Now that shed had a chance to regain her composure, she was able to see humor in being mistaken for a couple of kids necking.
She turned toward Daniel, a small smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. Well, that was
Unacceptable. His tone was grim. Bordering on angry.
Unacceptable? Not what a girl hoped to hear after a first kiss. The last of the pleasure shed felt faded, making her newly aware of how cold the night had become.
I apologize for my behavior. He shoved a hand through his hair. That wasnt me. I neverYou...
She started to point out he hadnt acted alone, but maybe that was the point. Was he blaming her for their kisses? Why was he even upset? He wasnt the one whod have to face Myron again. She stared, trying to understand what Daniel was feeling. But his expression was shuttered. He looked nothing like the playful man shed spent the evening with.
Because hes reverted to form. Right now, he bore entirely too much resemblance to the remote, critical classmate whod tried to shame her for her actions in the past. One would never guess by looking at him that hed been aroused.
His voice was downright impersonal as he asked, Are you okay to drive?
Fine. Shed been temporarily dazed, not drunk. That haze of desire shed experienced was embarrassing next to Daniels calm clarity when theyd been interrupted. While shed been writhing against the car and losing her mind, had he been unaffected? No, not unaffected, not with the way hed kissed her. But he hardly seemed swept away by passion.
He looked like a man who faulted her for his temporary loss of dignity. That wasnt me, hed said. You... Sure. Why not wash his hands of all responsibility and dump it on her? An unpleasant sense of déjà vu stung her chest like heartburn. Why couldnt grown men be accountable for their own actions?
Teeth clenched, she unlocked her car door. Good night, Daniel.
He hesitated, and she willed him to say somethinganythingthat made her feel like he didnt regret what theyd shared, that she hadnt been the only one caught up in the moment. Instead, he nodded stiffly. Night.
Inside her car, she let loose a few choice expletives before putting the vehicle in reverse. That was a humiliating end to the evening.
It could have been worse, though. At least hed delivered her back to her car after dinner and hadnt driven her home. Because, if theyd been in proximity of a bed and hed kissed her like that... Given the disdainful way hed eyed her after making out, she could just imagine how charming hed be after they slept together. Forget the question of whether hed respect her in the morninghe barely respected her now.
Past college fantasies be damned, sex with Daniel Keegan was out of the question.
4
WHAT THE HELL, KEEGAN? Eli scowled. Across the court, Seans teammate jogged after the basketball. Were you aiming anywhere near the basket?
They were playing two-on-two, but given Daniels performance, Eli might have been better off taking on the other team alone.
Sounding more concerned than annoyed, Eli asked, Whats with you this morning? Lack of caffeine?
In order to have the campus gym to themselves, they met at five forty-five. Sean declared it an unholy hour, but the time didnt bother Daniel. Since his insomnia problems had started, he was always out of bed by five anyway. Today, hed jolted awake around four, pulled from scorching hot dreams of Mia and the kisses theyd shared last night.
In his dreams, there had been no security guard. And no stopping.
Hed awakened sexually frustrated, which was no less than he deserved, and still furious with himself. After a lifetime of prioritizing proper behavior, hed let the lure of Mias mouth turn him into a ravening beast. He hadnt spared a seconds concern for whether someone would see them or how that could affect her. Theyd been right outside her place of business, for Gods sake. What were you thinking?
The beam of the guards flashlight had sliced through the night like an accusation. Daniel had recoiled immediately, running on autopilot as a hundred lectures from his parents rang in his ears. Hed been so chagrined over his undisciplined behavior that he could hardly recall what hed said to Mia. He did remember her stricken expression, thoughthe one shed tried to hide before climbing into her car. She must think he was a total ass, no better than the men shed described who groped and pawed at women.
Sorry, Daniel said. Been distracted lately. Lately meaning since last night, and distracted meaning he was unable to concentrate on a damn thing besides Mias enthusiasm and the heat of her mouth.