Forbidden Heat (3 page)

The next morning, Danielle went for a swim in the hotel pool, then took a leisurely stroll before having a late breakfast. She returned to her room and relaxed for a while before showering.

She stood in front of the mirror and dried her hair with the hotel hair dryer. It took quite a while to get the mass of long wavy auburn hair dry. Then she put on her makeup.

Who would be there this evening? Trey and Jake, of course. And it would be nice to see Harmony again, though Danielle knew they’d get very little time to talk, if any, since as the bride, Harmony would be busy talking to all the guests over the evening. A quick hello and a “how are you doing” would probably be about it.

She returned to the bedroom and donned her pink bra and panty set, then her panty hose. As she pulled on her standard aqua party dress, she wondered if she should have bought something new. Different. She swished her long auburn curls over her shoulder, and examined her reflection. Something sexy.

But no one here had seen this dress, and it was perfectly fine, with its lace trim across the top of the bodice and the swishy knee-length skirt. It was great for dancing . . . if anyone asked her to dance.

Like Trey or Jake. At the reception, she might get a chance to dance with them and maybe flirt a little . . . and that could lead to . . .

Nothing
. What the heck was wrong with her? They didn’t get involved with women.

Still, she’d like to look her best tonight. There would be other men there, too. Ones who
did
like women. And after the hormone rush from last night’s fantasies of Trey and Jake, she thought it would be great if she could hook up with someone tonight. A real man rather than an imaginary one.

If only she knew how to do that.

Oh, damn, why didn’t I bring something sexy to wear?

Danielle smoothed her skirt, eyeing the simple round neckline and the shape that did nothing to show off her figure, despite the belted waist. She remembered the lovely dress boutique around the corner from the hotel with the stunning black dress in the window.

She glanced at the clock on the bedside table. 2:20
P.M
.

Oh well. Nothing I can do about it now.

She ran a brush through her hair one more time, then pulled her light knit wrap around her shoulders and picked up her evening bag. A few minutes later, she stepped from the elevator to the bustling hotel lobby. She walked toward the front door, intending to ask the doorman to find her a cab.

“Well, hello, stranger.”

Danielle glanced around at the familiar male voice. There stood Cole Grant, with his black, wavy hair skimming his collar, and a glint in his charcoal gray eyes.

She smiled warmly. “Cole. How nice to see you.”

“Is that all I get? How about a hug?”

She opened her arms and hugged him, a little rigid at first, but melting into the warmth of his friendly embrace. She and Cole and Harmony had spent a lot of time together in their first year of college, becoming the closest thing to friends Danielle had ever known. But she had been there only one year before she’d transferred to Northeastern University in Boston, and over ten more years had passed since then. She was surprised that Cole even remembered her.

He grinned, then released her. “You are as gorgeous as ever.”

The doorman opened the door as they approached, and she stepped outside into the warm June sunshine, Cole behind her.

“You want to share a cab to the wedding?” asked Cole.

“That would be nice.”

Cole gestured to the doorman, and within a few moments a cab pulled up in front of them and Cole opened the door. Danielle slid into the backseat and Cole settled in beside her. He told the driver the name of the church, and then the car pulled into the early-afternoon traffic.

“So it’s nice that Harmony’s getting married. Have you met the groom?” Danielle asked.

“Yes, I’ve met Aiden, and he’s a great guy. Perfect for her. I’m sure he’ll make her very happy.”

“And what about you? Is there someone special in your life?”

He stared out the window wistfully. “No, not yet, but I haven’t given up on finding the perfect woman yet. How about you?”

“I don’t date women.” She grinned and he laughed at her obvious sidestep maneuver.

“And Mr. Right? Is he hanging around back home waiting for your return?”

“If he was, do you think I’d be going to a wedding dateless?”

“Ah, the perpetual search for love. Life never makes it easy.”

He’d certainly said a mouthful. Life had never made anything easy for Danielle. Not from the time she’d been dropped off into foster care when she was a toddler. Actually, foster care was a step up from living with her mother . . . a woman with severe emotional problems who simply saw her as a huge inconvenience, and didn’t care what happened to her.

Danielle had lived her whole life with the pain of knowing that the one person who should love her no matter what . . . her mother . . . didn’t want her. She knew her mother faced a lot of demons—being in and out of mental hospitals and drug rehab facilities for most of her life. Even so, if Danielle couldn’t win the love of her own mother, why did she think she’d ever win the love of a man?

The cab pulled up in front of a lovely stone church with a beautiful stained-glass window over its huge arched doors. Danielle placed her hand on the arm Cole offered as they walked up the steps to the doors, then stepped into the church. The usher led them to a pew on the left side of the aisle, about five rows from the front. The sweet scent of fresh flowers filled the air.

As more people drifted into the church, she glanced around and saw a few faces she vaguely remembered. A few moments later, she saw Jake and Trey arrive. The pew Danielle and Cole sat in had filled up—a young couple with three children—and so had the couple of rows behind them, so Trey and Jake sat several rows back. They didn’t notice Danielle as they sat down, both looking exceptionally handsome in their dark, well-tailored suits.

“Ah, there’s Trey and Jake,” said Cole.

“I saw them checking into the hotel yesterday, but I didn’t get a chance to say hello. Have you seen them since college?”

“Oh, I see them from time to time.”

“Are they still together?”

Before Cole got a chance to respond, the organ music began, signaling the bride’s arrival.

A lovely bridesmaid in a soft violet dress proceeded up the aisle, followed by another, then another, then another. Danielle sighed. They were so beautiful. Their dresses, snug in the bodice, the skirts flowing in a softly draping fabric, flattered their graceful figures, and they carried pretty bouquets of soft pink roses.

The organ music paused, then the wedding march began. Harmony glowed as she walked up the aisle, luminous in a beaded, fitted bodice with a sweetheart neckline and a full-length skirt. Her veil flowed to the ground, a light froth over the train that swept along behind her in delicate waves of white beaded satin. She carried a lovely bouquet of roses in soft pink, dark rose, and lavender, interspersed with baby’s breath.

As Danielle watched Harmony approach the man waiting for her at the front of the church, her heart swelled at the amazing look of love on the handsome man’s face. His brown eyes glowed with warmth as he smiled at her, revealing a charming dimple in his cheek and softening the strong line of his square jaw. He obviously cared deeply for Harmony.

As the ceremony proceeded, and Danielle heard the words of love they shared in their vows to each other, their gazes locked in a look of absolute adoration, a shiver ran through her. Cole handed her a handkerchief to wipe the tears trickling from her eyes. She felt truly honored to be a witness to this joining. Warmth washed through her as she realized, with a deep and unbending confidence, that these two were meant to be together and that their love would last a lifetime.

Harmony had found true love. Something Danielle hadn’t even known she believed in . . . until now.

Danielle dabbed at her eyes as Harmony and Aiden turned to face their guests.

“I would like to present, for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Aiden and Harmony Curtis.” The minister beamed as he began the applause.

Harmony and Aiden kissed one more time, then proceeded down the aisle to a swell of organ music, followed by the wedding party. Once they had all left the church, the guests began their orderly exit.

The sun shone brightly as Danielle watched people take pictures of the happy couple, who stood at the top of the stone stairs outside the church. People milled around. Family members, reunited by this happy event, embraced. Children laughed and raced around the lovely park behind the church, happy to be out in the sunshine.

Danielle plucked at her skirt, uncertain whether it was too soon to leave. The reception wasn’t for another two hours, so she figured she’d return to the hotel and relax during the downtime.

“Did you bring your camera?”

She glanced up at Cole’s voice. “Camera?”

“We could go over and get some pictures of the happy couple.”

“Uh, no, I didn’t think to bring it. You go ahead,” she continued. “I think I’ll just go back to the hotel.”

She walked toward the parking lot and pulled her cell phone from her small purse to call for a cab.

“Hey, Danielle. Wait.”

Danielle turned around at the sound of Harmony’s voice. There was the bride, clinging to her full skirt, hurrying down the last few steps. Danielle walked toward her, and Harmony scooped her into a warm embrace, hugging her tight to her body.

“It’s been such a long time. I’m glad you could make it.” Harmony drew back and smiled brightly. “Thank you so much for coming.”

“Well, uh . . . thank you for inviting me.”

“I missed you when you left Carleton Falls U. It was never quite the same without you.”

“Oh. Thanks.” Danielle had always assumed the people she’d become close to there had forgotten about her after she’d left. After all, she had been there only a year. The friendships, if she could even call them that, had been short-lived. She had been quite shocked when she’d received the wedding invitation from Harmony.

And quite pleased. Now this show of affection and genuine pleasure at seeing her touched her heart.

“I . . . uh . . . missed you, too.” And she had.

“So how have you been doing?” Harmony asked.

“Well, I . . .”

A couple stepped toward Harmony.

“Oh, hang on, honey. This is my aunt and uncle and they have to leave.”

“Of course.”

Danielle rearranged her wrap around her shoulders as the couple congratulated Harmony and gave her hugs and kisses. Self-consciously, Danielle clung to her evening bag with both hands as several other people continued the congratulations, kissing Harmony’s cheek, shaking her hand, giving her more hugs.

Harmony’s friendship had meant a lot to Danielle. It had started when they’d been assigned to share a residence room. Harmony had been intent on drawing out her quiet, introverted roommate. Slowly, Danielle had opened up to Harmony’s friendly warmth, and they’d become friends. It had been wonderful to have someone to talk to, whether just to talk about her day or to discuss her problems. Not that she’d done the latter very often.

When her financial situation had forced her to leave Carleton Falls, in favor of Northeastern University’s co-op program, Harmony had tried to keep in touch, but Danielle had let the friendship fizzle out, probably because she’d believed they’d only drift apart anyway.

“Now, Dani, you were saying.”

A couple more people came up and stood beside Danielle, waiting to talk to the bride.

“Darn, we’re not going to get a chance to talk here. You are still coming to the reception, right?”

“Of course,” Danielle answered, though she wished she could just leave shortly after dinner. She wasn’t good at these social things.

“Good. I’ve put you at the table with Trey and Jake.” Harmony winked.

Danielle’s heart skipped a beat. Back at college, Danielle had confided in Harmony about her attraction to the two men, and her frustration. She had forgotten how much she had opened up to Harmony back then.

“Are they still a couple?” Danielle asked.

“No, afraid not. But . . .” Harmony leaned in close to Danielle’s ear. “You know they date women now?”

“Really?” Shock rippled through her . . . followed by a surge of joy.

Harmony leaned in close again. “You know, tonight would be a good time to pursue that one particular fantasy of yours.”

Danielle’s eyes widened, her cheeks burning.

Harmony laughed. “Don’t tell me you forgot you told me about that. Of course, it was after a pitcher of beer in the pub, and it took a lot of cajoling from me, but you know, there’s nothing wrong with a little casual sex. Especially between old friends.” She winked. “Believe me, I’m sure it’ll be an experience you’ll never forget.”

“You think . . . they might . . . consider it?” Danielle’s hand covered her traitorous mouth. She couldn’t believe she’d uttered those words out loud.

Harmony giggled. “I’m
sure
they would.” She hugged Danielle tightly. “Honey, don’t let this opportunity slip away.” Her voice had turned serious. “Everyone should grab their dream when they have the chance. No matter how wild or crazy.”