Dance Like Nobody's Watching (Summer Lake 3) Page 15

  Emma nodded, the look she gave Missy said she understood, but she went along with the change of subject. “You're not just hot, Miss. You are sizzling! I am suitably jealous and I still need help finding something that will make me look even half as good as you do.”

  ***

  “So, tell me about these angel costumes,” said Pete. He had an arm around Holly's shoulders, grinning at her lecherously. “Did we decide to go with slutty angels?”

  Holly laughed. “You'll have to wait and see, Bigshot, though I doubt you'll be disappointed. Now, you....” she looked across the table at Dan, “You I can guarantee will not be disappointed. Our little birthday angel over there....” She waved her glass towards Missy who sat beside him. “Damn! When you see her costume, you'll think you've died and gone to heaven!”

  Dan smiled at Missy and cocked his head to one side.

  She wrinkled her nose. “It is a pretty cool outfit, if I do say so myself.”

  “Cool?” asked Emma. “There's nothing cool about it. It's hot, hot, hot!”

  Dan was liking the sound of this.

  “Is yours hot?” Pete asked Holly.

  “Never mind me, how about you, Bigshot? Have you found anything that's going to make you look enough of a cowboy to distract me from Missy's brother?”

  Dan laughed as Pete spluttered his drink. While the others teased Pete about not being cowboy enough, Dan edged a little closer to Missy. She leaned against him to look up at him.

  “Any chance of a sneak preview of my hot little angel?” he murmured. He loved the way the gray of her eyes lightened when she was happy.

  “I don't think so, hero. I want to save it for my birthday.”

  “By the sounds of it, it'll feel more like my birthday!”

  “I hope so.”

  Ben returned to the table. They'd finished eating a while ago and Ben had been taking care of some problem behind the bar. “So, Dan,” he said. “They just got back to me and you can go over any time you like tomorrow.” Dan nodded, but said nothing. He'd wanted to talk to Missy in private about this first, not let her hear about it along with everyone else. As happened so often, Jack sensed his discomfort and stepped in to rescue him.

  “Speaking of tomorrow, is everyone up for breakfast? I'm ready to take my bride home now, but we'll be in town in the morning if anyone, or everyone, wants to meet up?”

  Holly looked at Pete. “We were planning on it, weren't we?”

  “We were,” he agreed.

  “How about you, Miss?”

  Dan had been hoping that they might get to the papers and breakfast at her place. He liked hanging out with the gang, but he wanted her all to himself sometimes too.

  She looked up at him. “Yeah, we'll come, won't we?”

  He nodded. The way she'd included them as a we almost made up for not being able to keep her to himself.

  “Well, you know I'm going to be here,” said Ben. “And I'll give you the key then, Dan.”

  Dan nodded as Missy looked up at him enquiringly.

  “Okay.” Pete rose from the table. “We're outta here.”

  Holly joined him. “G'night guys. See you tomorrow.”

  Once everyone had left, Dan walked with Missy across the square to where they'd left her minivan. “How tired are you?” he asked.

  “I'm okay, why?”

  “I wondered if you'd like to walk home? It's a beautiful evening, and we could get the van in the morning. But only if you're not too tired.”

  She smiled happily. “I'd love that. I love walking this town. It's even nicer when I get to walk with you.”

  He put an arm around her shoulders, pleased that she wanted to walk. Even more pleased that she was so straightforward with him. She told him what she liked and what she didn't, he never needed to puzzle her out. Being with her felt so easy. So right.

  As they walked down Main Street, the moon shone on the lake. It was so beautiful here. So peaceful. “Have you ever thought about living anywhere else?” he asked.

  “No. This is my home,” she said. “I love this place. I've thought about moving house, but I wouldn't go far.”

  “Would you go this far?” He swept his arm out to indicate the large waterfront homes they were passing.

  She laughed. “Only in my dreams. When I was a little girl I used to dream about living in one of these places. But you have no idea how much they cost. They're ridiculous. I love to walk down here, but that's as close as I'll ever get.” She grinned. “How tired are you?”

  “Not at all. Why?”

  “There's a little waterfront park at the end of Main. Most folk don't even know it's there. I used to take Scotty to the swings when he was small. Do you want to see?”

  Dan nodded. He did want to see, but there was something else at the end of Main he wanted her to see. And to talk to her about. He felt a little uncomfortable about her comment though, that the house prices here were ridiculous. He thought so too, but to him they were ridiculously low. As they neared the end of the street he could see the For Sale sign looming. His mind was spinning, wondering how he could bring it up. She did it for him.

  “This house is my absolute favorite in all of Summer Lake,” she said.

  “You know it?”

  “Yeah. I spent a lot of time here as a kid. The DeWinters were lovely people. They had a niece who used to come from England every summer. You know what I'm like, when I heard there was a little girl here with no one to play with, I came and introduced myself. We became great friends. We still write. I hoped she might buy the place when the family sold, but some city people bought it as a moneymaker. It's such a shame. It's a family house. It should be a home, not an investment.”

  Dan took a deep breath. She was giving him the perfect lead in, but still he hedged. “What do you think will happen to it now?”

  “No doubt more money people will buy it. They're the only ones that can afford it, and they won't be interested in making it a home.”

  Here it came. “I can afford it, and I'm interested in making it a home...especially if you'll help me?”

  Her eyes widened. “You? But you live in San Jose! Your home is there!”

  “As you pointed out last night, it's not really a home. It's just where I live, and I don't want to live there anymore. I want to live here.”

  “But what about your work?”

  “I know we haven't talked about it, but I'm selling out. I'm done. I'm starting a new chapter. I want to start a new life. Here, in this place. A life that has Jack in it, that has real friends in it. Most of all, a life that has you and Scotty in it.”

  Her mouth was open, but no words came out. It seemed that, for the first time since he'd met her, she was speechless. He felt his stomach drop. Perhaps she hated the idea? Didn't want him here? He stared at her, hoping she'd put him out of his misery. She didn't. This wasn't going like he'd hoped. “Sorry,” he mumbled. “I didn't mean any pressure or anything. I...I just...well....” He had to pull it together! “Sorry.” It was the only thing he trusted himself to say.

  She reached her arms up around his neck and planted a kiss on his lips. “No. I'm sorry, Dan. You surprised me. I had no idea. I thought this was a strictly weekends place for you. I didn't imagine you'd ever move up here.”

  Dan frowned. He felt like he'd been kicked in the gut—and it hurt! “And you don't want me to? Am I a strictly weekends guy for you?” He closed his arms around her and held her tight, maybe a little too tight, against him. He didn't want to let her go, in any way.

  She looked directly into his eyes. “Well, yeah, I suppose. I thought that's all you were offering.”

  “It's not. It's not all I'm offering and it's not all I'm asking either.”

  Her eyes searched his face. She looked confused; confused and perhaps a little afraid? She felt tense, rigid in his arms. He could feel her heart battering against her ribcage. He brushed his lips over hers and felt her relax a little. Keeping one arm tight around her waist, he brought his hand
up to the back of her neck. He gripped, gently but firmly, holding her still for his kiss. He didn't know what to say to make her understand, but he knew he could tell her so much more with a kiss. She sagged against him and kissed him back. What started out soft and sweet, soon became heated. He couldn't express how he felt about her, what she meant, without including the physical need. The feel of her soft body made his own body hard. The kiss stoked a desire that had to be fulfilled before they'd be able to address anything else. All he wanted now was to get her home.

  It appeared she felt the same. She tugged at his hand. “Take me home?”

  Her gaze was soft. Almost pleading. It aroused him even more to know she wanted him that badly. They set a brisk pace back to her place.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Missy fumbled with the key as she tried to open the door. Dan was right behind her on the step. She could feel him so close, his musky scent invading her senses. She managed to turn the key and stumbled inside. Dan followed and closed the door behind him. He took her hand and led her up the stairs. Her mind was a mad jumble. He wanted to move here? Buy the DeWinters place? He wanted more than weekends?

  He led her into her bedroom. She closed the door. It felt strange, even though Scot wasn't here. She turned to find herself trapped between Dan and the door. He leaned his weight against her, pinning her there. He kissed her deeply, a sensuous exploration of her mouth, while his hands seemed to be everywhere at once. In seconds she stood naked, while he was still fully dressed. She tried to unbutton his shirt but he caught her hands and led her to the bed. He pushed her down on it and held her waist in his hands as he kissed her stomach. The now familiar tingles filled her. His hot, wet mouth working its way up over her body had her moaning. She gasped as his grip on her waist tightened and he laved at her sensitive nipples. She tried again to undo his shirt, but he moved away, trailing his tongue back down over her stomach. Her breath caught in her throat when his mouth closed over her heat and his hot tongue snaked inside.

  “I want you, Dan.” His mouth felt wonderful, but she wanted to feel all of him, his body moving with hers as he entered her. This time though, he didn't comply. His hands left her waist to spread her thighs. “You'll have to wait,” he said, rolling her nub between his finger and thumb. She writhed as the first tiny explosions began. When his tongue returned to its work, she grasped the sheets beneath her as it thrust deeper.

  “Please, Dan,” she begged. She wanted him to make love to her. “You're going to make me come.”

  He lifted his head and gave her a predatory smile. “I am. I'm going to make you come, and come, and come.”

  Just the look on his face took her closer to the edge. Then his mouth was on her again and she felt her muscles tense as the explosions began. “Daaan!” she screamed as he slid his fingers deep. Only her heels and her shoulders remained on the bed as he worked her mercilessly; true to his word he carried her through wave after wave of an orgasm that she thought might never end. When he let her catch her breath she sagged back down onto the bed, ragged breaths still coming fast. She knew it was only a small respite as he knelt above her, unfastening his shirt and throwing it to the floor. There was something incredibly sexy about watching him unbuckle his belt and unfasten his jeans. She felt that little shiver of trepidation when he freed his cock from his pants and kicked them off. That tattoo ran down his side, over hard muscle down past his hipbone.

  He took his cock in his hand and held her open, stroking himself against her swollen flesh, tormenting her. She didn't need him to tease her, she needed him to make love to her. She grasped his ass in her hands and lifted herself up to him. She moaned as he plunged deep. He was so hard, he felt so good, better than ever, and different somehow. He rocked his hips in an insistent rhythm that carried her inevitably towards another mind-blowing orgasm. She moved with him, giving herself up to him. He felt so damned good! She could feel him straining, his cock pulsing as he grew hotter and harder with each thrust.

  “Missy!” he cried as he let himself go. She felt him explode, his release shooting hot and deep inside her. Even as her body trembled and the fireworks exploded behind her eyes, she finally understood what felt so different—they'd forgotten the condom!

  As they lay recovering, her mind raced. It had only been a week since Doc Morgan had given her the pills, was that enough?

  Dan wrapped her in his arms and pulled her close. “I hope that was as good for you as it was for me, beautiful?”

  “Unbelievable!” It was true. She couldn't believe they'd forgotten.

  He pressed his face into her hair. “Good, then I get to keep working on making you a believer.” He propped himself up on one elbow and looked down at her. “Would you really have a problem if I moved up here to work on it? You seemed upset back there.”

  His expression was troubled. He looked so earnest, she pulled his face down so she could kiss him. “Who said I had a problem with it, hero? I was surprised, not upset. How could I be upset at the thought of having you around more?”

  He cocked his head to one side, his beautiful smile returning. “You like the idea?”

  “I just told you. I love it!”

  “Then will you come with me tomorrow?”

  “Of course. I'll help you figure out you can make it feel like a home of your own.”

  His smile faltered at that. Why, though? That was what he'd asked, wasn't it? That she help him make it into a home. He nodded, but said nothing.

  “Want to sneak downstairs for a glass of wine?” She had a feeling she wasn't going to get much rest tonight. She wanted to take a break, to try to get her head around the forgotten condom, before he was ready to go again.

  He pressed himself against her, he was already hard. “Want a glass after?” He nibbled her ear, sending shivers down her back. She jumped up from the bed. “Yes, but let's have one before too.”

  He looked puzzled, but got up from the bed and pulled his pants on.

  ***

  Dan opened the wine while Missy got two glasses from the cabinet. This whole evening, since they'd left the restaurant, had him confused. He poured the wine and looked at her. She said she liked the idea of him moving up here, but she seemed ill at ease. Something was bothering her and he had no clue what it was. Normally she was so forthright about everything. He didn't like this. She'd even wanted to come down here and drink wine rather than stay in bed with him. Right now he was too confused. There were too many emotions and he didn't know what they were. For once she wasn't making it easy for him to understand. His head filled with white noise, like it got when he was overloaded with people; he'd never felt that way around her. He put his glass down.

  “I just remembered something in the RV, I'll be back.” He escaped to the coach and sat down in front of the computer, feeling like a shit as he thought of the stunned look on her face when he'd walked out of the kitchen. He was angry with himself. He tapped on his keyboard and let out a big sigh. She deserved more than this. He had to go back in.

  She was sitting at the kitchen table, fiddling with her wine glass. He couldn't read the expression on her face when she looked up, but he knew it wasn't good.

  “Please forgive me, Miss. When I don't understand people, I walk away. That's what I just did, but I don't want to walk away from you. I want to understand. What's wrong, Miss?”

  She sipped her wine and looked away.

  “Please tell me? I'm no good at working these things out. I don't usually need to with you. Did I do something wrong? I'm sorry if I did. I didn't mean to.”

  She took hold of his hand. “No, honey. I'm sorry.” This couldn't be good. She called everyone honey. It didn't feel like when she called him hero.

  “Why?”

  “You didn't do something wrong, we both did. We forgot the condom and I'm a little worried.”

  Oh! That was all? He put an arm around her shoulders and drew her to him. “That's nothing to worry about, beautiful.”

  She pulled away and scowle
d at him. “It is for me! You might want a baby, but I damned well don't!”

  That shocked him. “What the hell makes you think I would want a baby?” He couldn't think of anything worse.

  “Sorry.” She visibly relaxed a little. “I've just got it in my head that that's where you are in life. You're at the stage where you should be getting married, sharing your life with someone, and having babies. I can't give you that, I've already been there. I don't want it.”

  Wow! He would never have guessed that was what she was thinking. “I don't want that. Well, not the babies part anyway, and you don't need to worry about getting pregnant. I can't have kids.”

  She looked at him, shocked. “You can't? Why not?”

  “I had mumps when I was a kid. It's a rare complication, but it happens in a tiny percentage of cases. I was one of what they call the unfortunate few. I consider myself fortunate though. Can you imagine me with a baby?” He grimaced at the thought and was glad when she laughed.

  “You should see your face. They're not that bad. Scotty was a little sweetheart.”

  “I'm sure he was, but most of them aren't. They're scary, demanding little creatures, constantly wet and noisy at both ends!”

  She laughed again. She looked so very relieved that a thought hit him. “Did you really think that I would want to start a family?”

  She met his eyes and nodded.

  “But you don't want to?”

  She nodded again.

  “So, Miss, where did you think this was going?”

  She shrugged, but still didn't speak.

  “Please tell me?”

  “I thought you were just coming up here on the weekends, that we'd date for a while. That you'd eventually meet someone more like you in San Jose who you wanted to start a family with. That you'd go off and start your life and we'd be over.”

  He took hold of her hands and cocked his head to one side as he looked deep into her eyes. “I have met someone I want to have a family with.” She looked shocked. “Miss, I don't want to start a family. I want to become part of yours. You and Scotty, and me.”