Dangerous to Know & Love (33 page)

“I thought it would keep you warm, when you’re on the bike. You don’t have to wear it,” he said, “but it’s safer than your jacket, so I thought…”

Lisanne pressed her lips against his to silence his nervous babbling.

“You can stop talking now,” she said, looking into his eyes. “I love it.”

Daniel smiled a little unsurely. “Yeah? Because I know it’s secondhand and girls don’t like that stuff so…” his words tailed off as Lisanne smiled happily at him. “You like it?”

“I love it. I told you.”

“Good, because it looks damn sexy on you. Makes me want to do things to you.”

“What sort of things?” she said with a challenging stare.

His arms swept down suddenly and he scooped her up with his hands under her ass, so Lisanne’s legs automatically wrapped around his waist. Then he pressed her up against the wall and kissed her hard.

Through the sheen of lust that suddenly enveloped her, she could feel his hips grinding into her thighs.

“I’m going to have you against a wall, baby doll, and all you’ll be wearing is that leather jacket.”

Lisanne gasped as he muttered the words against her throat.

She fastened her hands around his neck and did some grinding of her own, drawing out a moan from deep within his chest.

Slowly he let her slide down, his eyes dark and wild.

Suddenly, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her into the janitor’s closet and shut the door, leaving them in a darkness illuminated only by cracks of light.

When Lisanne felt Daniel tugging at the button on her jeans, she grabbed his hands and stopped him.

He sighed heavily, and she held him as their breathing slowly returned to normal. After a moment, she cautiously opened the door and stepped outside.

A couple of girls walking past giggled into their hands, and Lisanne knew that the few shreds left of her reputation had just disintegrated, when Daniel followed her out.

“Sorry,” he said, not even the slightest bit abashed. “You look so hot.”

Lisanne didn’t know whether she was more turned on or annoyed that he’d tried to fuck her in a damn closet that smelled of bleach.

“We should get going,” she said, raising her eyebrows at him.

“You always get me going, baby,” he replied with a grin.

“Daniel!”

“What?”

Wondering how much room for maneuvering the closet really had, Lisanne tugged his sleeve and he followed her down the stairs, laughing quietly. There was absolutely no doubt in her mind, that if she hadn’t stopped him, they’d be a hot and sweaty mess by now.

That boy!

Still smiling to himself, Daniel stuffed Lisanne’s backpack into the saddlebags.

“Is there anything breakable in here, baby?” he asked, rather belatedly.

“Um, no!” she laughed. “
Now
you ask me?”

He shrugged. “You distracted me.”

“You’re blaming
me
?”

He grinned. “Yeah, you’re totally badass.”

Lisanne felt a faint heat in her cheeks. From music major-nerd to badass in half a semester – she liked it.

He handed her a helmet and swung a long leg over the bike, then held out his hand for her.

The roar of the engine was loud, and Lisanne could see heads turning in their direction. A few girls knew that she and the notorious Daniel Colton were dating – but after this, it would be general knowledge. She was pleased, but it made her nervous, too. She wasn’t sure why.

She fastened her hands around his waist. It was quickly becoming one of the favorite Daniel places on her list. Although it was quite a long list.

He drove slowly until they reached the interstate, then he really let rip, showing what Sirona could do, and that she was no stately lady, despite her forty-plus years. Lisanne clung on and squeezed his waist extra hard to remind him that he really didn’t want to get stopped for speeding again. He must have understood, because he slowed slightly. She could only hope it was below 70mph.

After two hours, riding on Sirona began to lose some of its appeal for Lisanne. Apart from anything else, the vibrations were making her ass numb. She wriggled about uncomfortably and wished for Vin’s luxurious, air conditioned SUV. She felt guilty because she knew that Daniel couldn’t afford anything like that, and he’d bought her the seriously cool leather jacket to make her more comfortable. She just wished he’d bought her a cushion to sit on, too.

After another 30 minutes she’d had enough. She wanted to stand up. She wanted to walk. She wanted to rub her ass and put her thighs together. She saw a truck stop coming up and tapped Daniel on the shoulder and pointed.

He swung the bike over and headed to the off-ramp. When he finally cut the engine, Lisanne felt like cheering.

She dragged off the helmet, and scrambled from the bike, rubbing her backside gingerly.

Daniel looked like he was trying not to smile.

“You okay, baby doll?”

“No, I can’t feel my ass!” she said grumpily.

“Do you want me to feel it?”

Before she had a chance to answer, he leaned down and massaged her backside, his strong fingers working the soft flesh.

Lisanne groaned with pleasure. He’d definitely missed his calling. He’d be the most amazing massage therapist.
Personal
massage therapist.
Her
personal massage therapist. And she’d be his only client.

“Better?”

“Don’t stop,” she moaned.

He smiled down at her. “Baby, if I don’t stop now, I’m going to want to fuck you in the middle of a truck stop. See what you do to me?”

He glanced down at the front of his jeans and Lisanne was surprised to see a noticeable bulge.

“Oh,” she said, softly. “Sorry.”

“‘S’okay. But I can’t wait to get to your place.”

Lisanne blinked. “You know we can’t fool around at my parents!” she said, an edge of panic in her voice.

A small crease appeared between his eyebrows. “Why not?”

“Because… because…”

Daniel smiled. “I’m not going to do it in front of your parents, Lis. I don’t want to give your dad another reason to throw down. We’ll wait for them to go out or something.”

“Oh,” said Lisanne, faintly.

“Unless you don’t want to?” he said, his voice suddenly uncertain.

“I do!”

I do? She asked herself. In my parents’ house?

“Good,” he said, happy and easily appeased.

Lisanne was still wondering what she’d just agreed to as they walked into the small café. Her mom hadn’t said they
couldn’t
, but she had implied that ‘good behavior’ was the price of the invitation. She was pretty sure her mom meant no fooling around – which meant no sex.

The waitress strolled over with a jug of coffee, pouring it immediately into the two cups waiting on the table. Lisanne stared at it thoughtfully as Daniel ordered everything that could be fried.

“What?” he said, eyeing her as they leaned back to drink their coffee.

“Hungry?”

“Yeah,” he said, smiling. “Starving.”

“Didn’t you eat last night?”

He looked down at his coffee. “Nah, didn’t get around to it.”

She tapped the back of his hand. “Well, you’d better get in training because mom will feed you till you pop.”

“Sounds good. I haven’t had home cooking since… not for a while.”

She stroked his hand. “I know.”

“Um, Lis, not to sound like a pussy or anything but…”

He was uncharacteristically anxious.

“Daniel, what is it?”

“Just… just don’t leave me alone with your family, okay? It’s hard…”

“I think we should tell them – about you. It’ll make it easier.”

“Fuck no! Your dad already hates me. I don’t need to give him another reason.”

Lisanne stared at him in confusion.

“Dad won’t hate you because you’re deaf. I mean, he’s not happy that we’re… you know… but not because of
that
.”

“Lis,” Daniel said, patiently. “He won’t want his only daughter dating some guy who’s not all…”

“Don’t say it!” she interrupted, her voice harsh. “Just don’t. I want to be with you. That’s what matters – that’s all dad needs to know. Anyway,” she said more quietly, “he just wants me to be happy.”

Daniel shook his head bitterly.

“Yeah, but not with someone like me.”

Lisanne didn’t know what to say. Only time would persuade Daniel. She hoped her dad wasn’t too hard on him. Her mom had promised that her father would behave himself, but Lisanne had her doubts. It was only when her mom reminded her that this was the first time he’d had to deal with his daughter being grown up enough to have a boyfriend, that she could see it from his point of view. Sort of.

Daniel was still frowning when his food arrived, but he cheered up immediately at the sight of the enormous plate.

“Grits!” he said, happily. “God, I love this stuff.”

He gave the meal his full attention, and Lisanne sat watching him.

His hair had been slightly flattened by the helmet, but spiked up the moment he put his hands through it, which he did often.

He’d changed the ring in his eyebrow to a small, black barbell, although whether that was to make it more comfortable under the helmet, or because it was less obtrusive for her parents, she didn’t know.

They finished their meal and then Daniel stood outside for a smoke, while Lisanne paid the check.

They’d had a short but heated argument – she’d persuaded him that as it was her family they were visiting for Thanksgiving, she should pay for any food on the journey up. Daniel agreed only after insisting that he pay for gas.

Lisanne felt like a fool – gas would cost way more than food. Daniel was so much smarter than she was when it came to anything to do with money. Perhaps because he’d had to manage by himself. She couldn’t imagine Zef did much to help. The thought made her frown. She didn’t want to know exactly what Zef did, and Daniel said it was better that way – she believed him.

When she followed him outside, he was sucking the last hit of nicotine out of his cigarette before grinding the butt with his heel. He saw her and smiled, blowing the last lungful of smoke down his nose like a lazy dragon.

She wondered when would be the right moment to try and persuade him to give up smoking.

“Ready for the next slice of road, baby doll, or do you want me to rub your ass some more?”

Lisanne held in a groan. The truck stop hadn’t sold cushions – she’d checked.

Daniel pulled her into a hug and kissed her hair, letting his hands drift down over the curve of her ass. He rubbed slowly and Lisanne felt her body shiver with longing.

He pushed her away gently to see her face.

“Can I come to your room tonight?” he said, holding her hips tightly. “I’ll be quiet.”

“Um… I don’t know.”

“Don’t you want me, baby?”

“Yes, but…”

He leaned down and kissed her. She could taste coffee and smoke and she
still
wanted him.

“Tonight,” he said, daring her to disagree.

Lisanne didn’t answer. She was pretty certain her parents wouldn’t make it that easy. In fact, now she thought about it, her mom hadn’t said
where
Daniel would be sleeping.

Things were sure going to be different this Thanksgiving.

Reluctantly, she climbed back onto Sirona, and Daniel steered them out toward the Interstate.

After another hour of riding and wondering if she’d ever be able to feel her ass again, she would have quite happily dumped his beloved Harley into Peachtree Lake, never to see her… it… again.

She was glad mind reading wasn’t among Daniel’s many talents.

They’d pre-agreed signals so she could direct him to her parents’ house. Two taps on the left arm meant turn left; two on the right, the opposite; and a squeeze of his waist, slow down; three taps meant stop.

Soon they were traveling down familiar suburban streets, the occasional golf cart crossing their path. It felt strange to be home – even stranger to be arriving on the back of a motorcycle with her boyfriend.

She tapped his shoulder, and Daniel pulled up outside a large, modern house, painted pale blue. The yard at the front was tidy with a large peach tree shading the lawn on one side – it reminded Daniel of how his home had been before his parents died.

They’d just managed to dismount and pull off their helmets when Lisanne’s mother came charging down the driveway.

“You’re here! I was so worried!” and she pulled Lisanne into the tightest hug, kissing her eldest child repeatedly.

Daniel stood awkwardly, suddenly not knowing what to do with his hands, but wishing he’d had time for a soothing cigarette. He knew
that
wouldn’t be a good start to the visit, and he was still holding their helmets.

Damn it. He badly wanted a cigarette.

Then Lisanne’s mother released her, and surprised the shit out of Daniel by giving him a quick hug, too.

“Welcome to our home, Daniel.”

“Thank you for inviting me, Mrs. Maclaine,” he said, shyly.

“Oh, please, call me Monica.”

“Okay,” he smiled, nervously. “Um, Lis, could you hold these while I get the luggage, baby?”

He handed her the helmets then pulled out Lisanne’s small backpack, his own messenger bag, and another plastic bag. Lisanne didn’t know what was in that one.

She put the helmets away, then led him toward the front door.

Mrs. Maclaine smiled approvingly when she saw that Daniel was still carrying Lisanne’s bag, as well as his own.

Then Ernie came out, and Daniel froze mid-step.

He glanced severely at Daniel before kissing his daughter.

“Good to have you home, honey,” he said.

“Thanks, dad. Um, you remember Daniel?” she replied, somewhat gingerly.

“Daniel,” said her father, shortly.

“Mr. Maclaine,” Daniel answered, equally shortly.

After a brief pause, her father held out his hand. Daniel put the bags on the floor, and the two men shook hands.

Lisanne’s mother let out a sigh of relief.

Stage one complete. No blood was drawn.

“Where’s Harry?” said Lisanne, looking around for her little brother.

“Oh, he’s over at Jerry’s house. You’ll meet my youngest later, Daniel. You’ll be sharing his room. I hope you don’t mind, but Lisanne’s grandparents are in our guest rooms. You’ll be okay on a cot?”