Daddy 101 (American Romance) (9 page)

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Authors: Jo Leigh

BOOK: Daddy 101 (American Romance)
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She felt a stab of guilt. Of course he had his struggles. They were just worlds away from her own. “I’m sony. I really didn’t mean that as a put-down.”
“Those women, I...”
“I understand.”
“Do you?” he said, taking hold of her arms once again. “I thought they were friends. They said—”
“I can imagine what they said. The women in this town aren’t going to let up, you know. They’re going to keep traipsing over here, trying to get your attention. You’re big news in a town this size.”
“I wish more than ever they’d never run that stupid article.”
“Do you? Really?”
“Now what’s that supposed to mean?”
“I think you might be enjoying some of this notoriety, that’s all. And who could blame you? It’s got to be a thrill to know the world looks at you as the sexiest man alive.”
“How do
you
look at me?”
She paused, terribly conscious of his hands on her arms. The heat from his skin went right through the material of her blouse, and coursed up and down her body as if it were an electrical charge. “I can see how they came to anoint you.”
He smiled for the first time since she’d been home. “Does that mean what I hope it means?”
“I don’t know. What are you hoping for?”
“That you find me half as sexy as I find you.”
She closed her eyes. He’d almost had her. “Alex, please...”
“God, what? Why are you looking at me like that? Can’t you see I mean what I say? I find you incredibly sexy, Dani Jacobson. I didn’t get any sleep last night, just thinking about you downstairs. I haven’t called my office. I haven’t even asked about Pete. All I can think of is you.”
“Don’t do this to me!” She pulled herself away from him. “Is this some kind of game you’ve invented? Torment the poor country girl? Let her imagine that you’re really interested, when it’s completely clear to anyone with half a brain that you couldn’t possibly be? Well, it’s not funny. And more than that, it’s not nice. So cut it out, will you? Just cut it out.”
She turned quickly and headed toward the front door. All she wanted was to be away from him. But he caught her and held her still. Forced her to turn around again. To look up at his wounded gaze.
“I’m not doing that, Dani. Dammit. I wouldn’t do a thing like that.”
“How do I know? I don’t know you at all.”
“Yes, you do. Or you could. If you’d let yourself. I’ve done nothing but tell you the truth since we met. And I’m not lying now.”
“Just like you weren’t lying about being the Sexiest Man in the World?”
His brows came together. “What are you talking about?”
“Oh, please. You were awfully quick to say you’d stay for the weekend.”
“Of course. What does that have to do with anything?”
“You like the attention. You like the women slobbering over you. Don’t deny it. Why else would you agree to stick around this Podunk town? What could you possibly want here?”
“You.”
“Stop it.”
“I won’t. Not until you listen to me.”
“You think I’d ask you to take pictures and sign autographs?”
“No, you wouldn’t but your friends did. So I said yes.”
“Well, you shouldn’t have.”
“Why? Why is this such a bad thing, Dani? Tell me.”
“No. Just please leave me alone, would you? You can stay here for Pete’s sake, but I think it’s best that we stay clear of each other.”
“No.”
“What do you mean, no? I’m asking you politely to leave me be.”
“I can’t.”
“Sure you can. And you will. Come the weekend, you’ll be on your way to New York. I’ll be some fading memory. It’s really quite simple.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. There’s nothing simple about you.”
She shook her head. “Look, I’ll call the repairman. You don’t have to. I’ll just call from the clinic.” She walked toward the door again. Determined this time to leave, no matter what he said or did.
“Dani!”
She didn’t stop. She wouldn’t, not for anything. There was nothing he could say that would make the outcome any different. But if she stayed, if she listened to him, she’d just get hurt much, much worse.
“Dani, don’t go.”
She turned the handle.
“Dammit, stop.”
She opened the door.
“Dani, I want you to come to New York with me. You and Chloe.”
Chapter Nine
D
ani couldn’t move. Her hand froze on the doorknob. “What did you say?”
“I said I want you and Chloe to come with me to New York.”
Against her better judgment, she turned. She expected to see him laughing at his colossal joke. But he wasn’t. “You can’t be serious,” she said.
“I am.”
“We’ve known each other two days.”
“Sometimes two days is enough.”
“Enough?”
He nodded and walked slowly toward her. “Enough to know that this isn’t ordinary attraction. There’s more going on here, Dani, and you know it.
“I don’t believe that.”
“Only because you don’t want to.” He was very close to her now. He reached behind her and pushed the front door closed.
She had to look up to see his face. What she didn’t understand was her reaction to his absurd suggestion. Her pulse raced, her heart thudded in her chest. She could feel the excitement as if it were a living thing inside her.
“You can’t deny it,” he said, his voice a whisper. “You can’t tell me you don’t feel this thing between us. This pull. I see it in your eyes, Dani. We both know something very strong is happening.”
“I can’t,” she said.
“Why not?”
“Because I don’t believe you.”
“I’d never hurt you.”
“Yes, you would. You wouldn’t mean to. It wouldn’t start out that way. But you would.”
“No.”
“I’m okay for New Mexico, but not for New York. If you think about it for even a minute, you’ll see that.”
“Why do you do that?”
“What?”
“Put yourself down like that.”
“I’m not.” He was too close to her. It was hard to think straight when she could feel his heat. “I’m just being realistic.”
“Don’t you realize I’ve been to New York before? And Paris and Los Angeles and all over the damn world. I’ve seen what’s out there. And what’s right here. And I want you.”
“Why?”
He looked at her with those eyes of his, and she could feel her resolve weakening. It was stupid, childish to listen to him. To think he could be serious. But then he moved those last few inches, and his kiss wiped logic clear away.
Alex took refuge in the kiss. He’d stunned himself with his words. He hadn’t had any idea he wanted Dani so much, or that he would blurt it out so plainly. She obviously took his finesse away as well as his breath. But thinking would have to come later. Now, all he wanted was to float away with her kiss.
Her lips were so giving, her tongue so eager. Her responsiveness worked him up in a heartbeat. When she moved her hips closer, rubbing against him, he was sure she could tell what she did to him. There was an innocence to her, mixed with a heat that was undeniable. That’s what it was, of course. The intriguing blend that made Dani who she was. She was intelligent, but hadn’t lost her childlike sense of fun. She was beautiful, but didn’t use it to manipulate. Sensuous, yet guileless. As strong as steel and as soft as velvet. He wanted her so badly it scared him.
She pulled back, and he could see the flush on her cheeks. Her lips were still parted and inviting, and he had to force himself not to take her into his arms again. But he’d already pushed too hard. He didn’t think he’d blown it, but he’d come close.
“You didn’t answer my question,” Dani said, taking yet another step back.
“What question?”
“Why?”
He smiled. She really didn’t get it. Didn’t believe him. Well, why should she? He barely believed it himself. “Because,” he said, trying to figure out his answer even as he spoke. “Because you’ve done something to me. I can’t explain it. All I know is I can’t stop thinking about you. There’s something strong going on between us, and I don’t want to just leave it here. I don’t think that would be fair to either of us.”
She glanced down, then back up at him, although he could see it wasn’t easy for her. She wanted to run, and there was a part of him that wanted her to. Life had been a lot simpler just a little over a day ago. Boring, maybe, but simpler.
“I’ll admit something is going on between us,” she said. “But I think it’s pretty basic. We’re attracted to each other. Physically. It’s nothing more than hormones at work.”
He shook his head. “That would be easier, but you know it’s not true.”
“No, I don’t know that. I don’t know what to think. I’ve known you only a day, and you’re asking me to come to New York and be your mistress. How is that supposed to make sense?”
“Who said anything about being a mistress?”
She blinked. “You mean that was a proposal?”
“Well, no. Not exactly.”
“Then what, exactly?”
This wasn’t going well. He’d said too much without thinking things through, which wasn’t like him at all. The reason he was so successful in business was that he’d been trained for logic. To extrapolate, to consider all sides. And here he was blundering around like a fool. “I don’t know,” he said, opting for honesty. “Maybe we just need time to figure that out.”
“And what if you figure out that it’s all been a mistake? That it was, in fact, just hormones? What then?”
“That wouldn’t happen.”
She laughed. “No? Your crystal ball is that good?”
He shook his head. “No. But my instincts are telling me that we can’t drop this here, Dani. I’ve learned to trust my instincts.”
“I have, too, Alex. And mine are on full alert. You’ll forgive me if I don’t believe the fairy tale. But in my experience, no one really lives happily ever after.”
“Maybe your experience is about to change.”
She sighed. It was a hard sound to listen to, so filled with resignation.
“We’ll never know. I’ve really got to get back to work. You can come and see Pete if you like.”
“I want to get that washer fixed.”
“Oh, yeah. Thanks. But after that, why don’t you come by? Mimi will be here at three to wait for Chloe.”
He nodded. “Okay. But Dani?”
“Hmm?”
“Just think about it? Please? Don’t just dismiss me out of hand.”
Her lips came together and her brows came down, but only for a second. “All right. I will. But you have to promise to think about it, too. Not just the romantic side to this, but the practical side. The wash-and-wear side.”
He smiled. “It’s a deal.” But as she walked away, his smile faltered. She seemed so in control. So certain of her reactions. Yet he was behaving as if he were a schoolboy. Then he noticed she’d left her purse sitting on the counter. Maybe she wasn’t so certain after all.
 
“YOO-HOO! MR. BRADLEY!”
Alex stopped at the sound of his name and looked around to see who was calling him. He knew he was on the right street to find Dani’s clinic, but he didn’t remember how far he had to go to get there. He’d just passed the ice-cream parlor, and was now in front of a dry cleaner’s. Behind him, he saw a woman waving and hurrying toward him. He couldn’t tell if this was one of the women he’d met before, or someone new.
As she got closer, he could make out the details of her face. Middle-aged, brown hair in a sort of pageboy, no makeup, friendly smile. Nope, this was someone he hadn’t met.
She reached him, but didn’t say anything for a minute. She just gave him a warm smile as she caught her breath. He smiled back, wondering if it was an autograph she wanted, or something more.
“Thanks for stopping,” she said, still sounding a bit breathless.
“No problem.”
“I just wanted to say thank you.”
“For what?”
She shifted her heavy-looking purse from one shoulder to the other. Like Dani, this woman seemed to be a real person. No impossibly high heels or, tight dress or bare midriff. Just jeans and a T-shirt.
“For agreeing to come to the Main Street festival.”
“Is that what I agreed to do? I never did hear the details.”
“Yep, that’s it. We’re trying to bring trade back to Main Street. It’s been over five years in the planning, and now, we’re ready to roll. Dani didn’t tell you?”
He shook his head. “She’s been a little busy.”
“Hmm. Nobody should be that busy. I’m Laura Phelps, by the way. Dani’s aunt.”
He stuck out his hand and she grabbed it. The shake was friendly and warm, like her smile. “Pleasure.
She laughed. “I’ll bet. This place must seem like Dullsville to you, huh?”
“Not at all. It’s been pretty lively since I arrived.”
“I’ve heard about all your company,” she said, raising her brows meaningfully. “Don’t judge us all by a few silly women. Most of us here are salt-of-the-earth folk. Not glamorous by any stretch, but basically honest and good.”
“That beats glamorous any day.”
She nodded, but at the same time she was busy taking him in. Her intelligent gaze swept over him slowly from head to toe. Funny, he wanted her to approve. She was Dani’s aunt after all. Perhaps a good word from her would go far.
“You know that half the proceeds from the festival are earmarked for Dani’s animal shelter?”
“Karen mentioned something about that.”
“With you on board, that’s going to turn out to be quite a bit of money, I’m thinking.”
“I don’t know. I don’t think salt-of-the-earth folks give too big a damn about someone like me.”
Her smile widened. “Even us salty types like a little celebrity spice now and then. We’ll get us a turnout. You just watch.”
“Well, I’m glad to help.”
“That shelter means a heck of a lot to our girl.”
He folded his arms over his chest and studied her for a moment. Something was going on, and it only took him a few more seconds to get it. “So what’s the overall budget of this shelter?” he asked.
“Around one hundred thousand.”
“And what do you expect to earn at this festival?”
“With you there? Maybe ten thousand. Maybe a little less.”
He nodded. “I assume you’d take anonymous donations?”
Her smile was relieved, and pleased. “You betcha.”
“I mean it about the anonymous part.”
She crossed her heart with her index finger. “I’ll never tell a soul.”
“It’s a deal.”
“Um, mind telling me what this donation is going to be?”
He grinned. “I really hope you’re in sales. It would be a pity to waste your talent.”
“Real estate. Number one in the county.”
“Uh-huh. Well, Aunt Laura, you can put me down for the balance.”
Her eyes widened. “You sure? That’s quite a chunk of change.”
“I can write it off.”
“Hot damn,” she said, rubbing her hands together. “I like your style.”
“Yours isn’t too bad, either,” he said.
She winked at him. “Number one in the county. Well, I’ve kept you long enough. I’ll be sure and find you on Saturday.”
“I figured.”
“You be good now,” she said cheerfully. Then she moved off, but before she got too far away she stopped and turned to face him. “A lot of people here love Dani, you know.”
“That’s no surprise.”
“We care what happens to her.”
“Uh-huh.”
“As nice as you’ve been, I don’t think there’s anything to worry about, but you just remember. This is her home. Her town. She’s one of our own.”
“I have no intention of hurting her,” he said.
“Good.” She turned once more but only got one step away before she stopped again. “Alex?”
He nodded.
“It’s been a long time between boyfriends, you know.”
His eyes narrowed. What was she getting at? “Yes?”
“I’m thinking it wouldn’t do either of you any harm to do some smooching.”
He grinned. “I like the way you think.”
“Smooching, bucko. That’s all. You want to do more, you’d better be looking at rings.”
“I see.”
“Okay then.” With that, she turned again and this time he watched her walk all the way down to the bank and go inside.
Looking at rings. Just the mention of the small gold bands had him shaking his head. He wasn’t ready for marriage, and Dani... He had made peace with the idea of wanting her beyond reason, but marriage? How could he forget everything he’d ever learned, toss his whole history aside? There hadn’t been many hard and fast rules in his life, but the ones that were there were stringent. The kind of woman that equaled success was as clear to him as the bright afternoon sun. She had to be a little timid. Not too bright. Model pretty. A good hostess. A dutiful wife who understood her place in the scheme of things.

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