Arrested Heart

A novella of erotic romance by

YVETTE HINES

Published by Phaze Books

Also by Yvette Hines

Santa’s Helper

Speed Dating

“To Have and To Hold” from

Phaze Fantasies, Vol. VI

Heated Restraints

This is an explicit and erotic novel

intended for the enjoyment

of adult readers. Please keep

out of the hands of children.

www.Phaze.com

Arrested Heart

Copyright © 2008-2011 by Yvette Hines

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Edited by Candi Bowen

Cover Art © 2011 by Angela Waters

Revised First Edition January 2011

ISBN-13: 978-1-60659-585-5

Published by:

Phaze Books

An imprint of Mundania Press LLC

6470A Glenway Ave., #109

Cincinnati, OH 45211

All rights reserved under the International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher, Mundania Press LLC, 6470A Glenway Avenue, #109, Cincinnati, Ohio 45211, books@mundania.com.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.

This electronic book is licensed for your personal enjoyment and may not be copied, re-sold, given away, or otherwise distributed. Warning: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000. (http://www.fbi.gov/ipr/). Please purchase only authorized electronic or print editions and do not participate in or encourage the electronic piracy of copyrighted material. Your support of the author’s rights and livelihood is appreciated.

Dedication

To my husband who always respects my writing craft, even when I forced him to listen to hours of country music so that I could feel my characters. To the Zajdels for challenging me to write this story, it allowed my writing to grow in another direction. Cheers to the both of you.

Acknowledgements

Family and Friends, you all are always in my heart and mind. Sorry for all the times I’m on deadline and forget to call, write, text, e-mail but, your support remains tireless. Hugs and kisses.

Chapter One

“Ohhh,” Danielle sighed.

She would not have been shocked if her pussy caught fire at that moment. Every ounce of blood in her legs had pooled between her thighs and pulsed in her clit as her loving admirer worshiped her with his mouth. He’d wasted no time in pushing her feet toward the roof of her squad car and spreading her legs. She was his delectable feast and he was thoroughly enjoying the main course with the avid attention of his mouth.

His tongue teased her as it slid along her slit. She would never cease to be impressed by the strength and agility of it. Palming the back of his head, she pushed him closer to the place yearning for him. His mouth drew on the lips of her sex, then circled around her clit and sucked it, making her toes curl.

Biting down on her bottom lip, she attempted to stifle her moans. Soon, recalling that there was no one else around on the south end of the Claremont Wright Country Club golf course at three in the morning, she let her sounds of ecstasy free, coaxing and praising his oral talent.

“Oh, baby, that feels so good,” she cried as he swept his tongue from her ass to the throbbing nub.

His open-mouth kiss on her whole pussy made her grip a fistful of his hair and yell, “Don’t stop!”

She could tell his arousal level had increased along with hers by the intense heat of his tongue. When they’d begun, his tongue had been warm, a small contrast to the night air, but now it was as if she were being licked by a flame and she loved every minute of it.

Strong fingers stroked her juicy center, then one pressed against the puckered skin of her ass, letting her know what was to come. Excited, she pushed against it, encouraging him to proceed. When it entered, her clit felt as if it had swollen ten times its size, almost painful. Her thighs began to shake. Her orgasm was imminent.

Torn between wanting to come and wanting the sensations to last forever, she was losing her mind. Giving in to the pleasure, she let herself go, fucking both his mouth and finger. He was the only one who could do this to her, the only one who had ever done this to her; willingly she fell into an erotic insanity.

Coming hard, she screamed and heard a bird respond somewhere in the distance. As orgasmic spasms still shuddered through her body, her lover moved up her torso.

Feeling drugged, she stared into his hazel eyes. Her gaze traveled the distinct angles of his face, his summer tan barely visible in the low glow of the interior car light.

He brushed the back of his hand along her cheek. “You are beautiful and delicious,” he said, her scent a pungent sweet spice mingling with his breath.

Leaning up, she kissed him, sliding her tongue into his mouth, tasting them and loving the mixture. She broke away. “Said the spider to the fly,” she answered, smiling.

Chuckling, he slipped his thick cock inside of her, making her breath catch. His size may have been impressive, but his use of it always left her begging for more. Stretched and full, she squeezed his ass and urged him on. Being intimate with him consumed her. She felt at peace. Whole.

Rotating his hips, he stroked the sensitive spot inside of her, along her upper wall. Arching her back and undulating her hips against him, she matched his movements. The air caressed her breast as he pushed the sides of her uniform shirt aside and her bra up. He continued to thrust, as he brought his head down and gave each breast his attention. The sucking and caressing of each nipple caused tingling sensations to race along her skin and her clit began to ache.

His thrusts became more insistent as he buried his face in the curve of her neck. Wrapping her arms around his broad shoulder, she enjoyed his weight on her body and felt his trembling echo her own as they both progressed rapidly toward completion.

Muscles bunching and tensing under her hands, he climaxed. His release sparked her own, and she saw stars for the second time that night. “Robert!” she shouted in ecstasy.

“Danielle…you turn me inside…out,” he panted.

Giggling, she danced her fingernails along his bare back. She didn’t know at what point he’d lost his t-shirt before joining her in the car, nor did she care.

After a quick kiss, he pulled away and dragged his body back out of the open door. “So tell, sweetheart.” He adjusted his clothes. “Do all cops get aroused during rescue missions and apprehending bad guys? Or just you?” Reaching up he pulled his shirt from the roof of the car and put it on, giving her a wicked smile that made his eyes dance in the moonlight.

Sitting up, her face became hot. Not because of embarrassment, but because she remembered just how aroused she’d been. Standing, she ran her hands down the buttons of his now fastened shirt. “I don’t know. Neither do I care as long as I’m the only cop you’re satisfying.”

“Only you.” He laughed. “When would I have time for anyone else? You’re insatiable.”

“I like to keep it that way.” Yanking her sports bra back down over her breasts, she began looking around for her panties. She’d hate to lose them on the perfectly manicured golfing green and have them turned in to the authorities and her cream get analyzed for DNA identification. In Claremont County, people weren’t expected to have scandalous sex in public. It was in the unwritten rulebook. It was bad enough her squad car would already leave tire tracks.

“In a few hours this course is going to be crawling with men.” Robert tucked his shirt into his slacks.

“Yeah, old retired men and social climbers.” Spotting her underwear on the other side of the back seat, she turned and bent forward to reach for them. “So, what are your plans for the remainder—”

If the loud smack of hand on flesh wasn’t enough to grab her attention, the stinging warmth radiating from her right ass cheek did. Her spine tightened instantly, and heat danced down from her bottom straight to her pussy and ignited in her clit. She dipped her back lower and offered her plump dark ass to the moon and Robert. “Please,” she panted.

Obliging her, his hand made contact again, this time on the other cheek.

“Morrre,” she planted her feet in a firmer stance and leaned back expectantly. Regardless of the two orgasms he’d just given her, her sex began to pulse again and become drenched with moist excitement. Until this moment, she hadn’t missed their usual play before intercourse. Now she almost regretted her pleas for him to take her when he’d shown up at the twentieth hole.

Dragging her out of the car, he pushed her against the door, her hanging pants cushioning her back.

“You want more?” His body was flushed to hers and his glorious hands stroke her stinging bottom.

As if she were an alley cat in heat, she rubbed her body over his and her sensitive nipples beaded in response. “Robert, you know I do.” He couldn’t miss the trembling of her body, she wanted the erotic play that only Robert could give her.

“Then come home with me,” he demanded.

She buried her face on his chest and mumbled, “You know I can’t.”

“Yes. If you really wanted to, you could.”

The sadness in his voice was almost her undoing, but she knew she had to stand firm. “Like you said, Robert, it will be morning soon. If your neighbors see—”

Stepping back, he lifted her chin, raising her gaze to his as his thumb stroked her bottom lip.

She was lost in his hazel eyes.

“I don’t care about what my neighbors or Claremont County sees—”

Moving away, she kept her back to him as she put her panties on. “I know you don’t, but I do.” Facing him, she snatched her pants off the door. “I’d like to keep my job.” Pulling on her forest green pants, she attacked the button of her tan shirt next as she slid her feet in her shoes.

“Danielle—” Moving toward her, he still towered over her.

She was five-seven in her thick soled patent leather shoes, but she would never measure up to his six-foot frame.

“No, Robert, we’re not going to debate this. As you said, in a couple hours this place is going to be packed. It’s Saturday morning and you should be out here with them. You’re trying to make partner at the law firm—”

He grabbed her hand, bringing it to his mouth. “Being in a relationship with you isn’t going to jeopardize my chances at the firm.”

Smiling at the brush of his lips on skin, she pleaded, “Can we talk about this some other time? I need to get some rest. I have to be back to work in a few hours.”

His sigh was audible. “Fine.” He wrapped his arms around her, and bowing his head, he kissed her.

His tongue mastered her mouth, sliding deep, consuming her. When he pulled away, she was breathless.

“This conversation is suspended, but it’s not over.” His hazel eyes were intense as they stared into hers.

She nodded, too relieved to let the subject of them be put on hold.

Taking her hand again, he led her around to the driver’s side. “Now, it’s time for you to go before the retirees show. My dad included.”

That was all she needed to hear. The last person she wanted to find her and Robert together was Major General Wright, the man whose family had been one of the original founders of the town. She opened the door and slid behind the wheel. “I’ll talk to you later.”

“Maybe we can do dinner.”

Starting the car, she rolled the window down and shut the door. “We’ll see. I don’t know how the night is going to pan out, especially after last night’s events with the drug runners.”

“Call me when you get off.”

“Promise.” She pulled away, noting the change of color taking place on the horizon. Morning would be here soon. Driving toward the authorized vehicle exit at the end of the course, she glanced in her rearview mirror and saw Robert’s silhouette become more obscure. There was no mistaking it, Robert knew she was making excuses. However, she would keep making them until he realized their relationship had to remain just how it had been for the last eight months. A secret.

* * * *

Robert watched Danielle’s car lights fade as she left the golf course. Running his hands over his head, he exhaled the pent-up air in his lungs. Turning around, he started on his one-mile hike toward the main building of the golf course, where he’d parked his car.

He didn’t know what he was going to do about his relationship with Danielle. A year ago, he’d moved back to his hometown after finally finishing law school at William and Mary and passing the bar. It had been seven years since he’d lived in Claremont County. He’d only come home for holidays and didn’t stay long then. Now, he was back for good. This town was his roots, where he and his sister Liza had been raised. His great-grandparents had helped the other four founders build this town. They bought a little bit of property at a time until Claremont was its present size. Which wasn’t saying much with its two thousand four-hundred and three citizens.

Taking care of the legal issues in Claremont was easy, but handling Danielle was another issue.

He remembered the moment he’d seen her again after eight years, when he’d stopped into Juice Sips, the only smoothie bar and Internet café in town. He’d just finished his lunchtime workout at the gym and was headed back to work after picking up a protein shake. The sexiest pair of brown legs were swinging underneath a corner table. When he’d followed the cinnamon length to a narrow waist, full breasts and a face from his past, he’d almost dropped his drink.

Danielle Smith had sat there engrossed in a book as she sipped her drink. He didn’t know if she felt his gaze or heard him whisper her name, but when she looked up it was as if time had stood still. They were back at her school’s Memorial Day dance during his senior year. He and a few of his friends had traveled up for the festivities and stopped into the dance, cruising for girls. Meeting the Nubian beauty had sparked a romance. They met and every other weekend after that the two of them snuck away to be with each other. Driving her little beater, she’d meet him at a hotel on the outskirts of Lowndes County. She never let him pick her up. When the summer ended, he’d left for college.

They’d called it a summer fling, but by Christmas he’d known it was more. His feelings were deep, but when he got home his freshmen year and made inquires about a Danielle Smith among his friends in Valdosta, no one knew her. He arrived at his car. Disregarding the first employees of the Claremont Wright Country Club who were starting to ready the green and prepare breakfast, he pondered his current relationship with Danielle.

A month after he’d met her in the smoothie café, they’d begun sleeping together again. Or having incredible sex was more like it. They’d always experimented as teenagers with their sexuality, but their bumbling ignorance didn’t compare to what they did now. Sex with Danielle always made him feel like an ocean wave had knocked him flat. He loved to dominate in the bedroom and Danielle was his perfect equal, she loved to be dominated. He only wished that outside of lovemaking he could command her as easily. She called the shots.

Once again, they were hiding, but this time he refused to lose her or what they had.

Backing out of the parking lot, he headed home to shower and get some rest.

* * * *

“Hey, Smith, are you doing the 5K run in two weeks to help raise money for the police department’s booth at the Fourth of July festival?” Mark Brantley, a tall mountain of a man with freckles and red hair that didn’t match his physique, asked when she walked into their small station.

Danielle hung up her hat, then dropped her purse in her desk drawer and faced Brantley. “Of course, Brantley, anything for a good cause and I’m there.”

Brantley jotted her name down on the paper. “You know, Chief Dennison was also looking for someone to sell raffle tickets at the town center by the clothing stores.” The sarcastic smile gave away his intent. “I told him you could do it easily while you were out shopping.”

The male officers and the other female officers joined in on the laughter. Danielle was used to being harassed because she wore a little makeup and kept her nails manicured, but short. There were three female officers on the police force and one in the sheriff’s department and all the others were rougher in both appearance and mannerism. Her fellow cops always questioned her decision to be on the force. Sometimes she wasn’t sure. She’d always wanted to make a difference, but being an officer wouldn’t have been it.

Allowing her co-workers their moment of joviality, her mind drifted to her life eight years ago. By the end of her senior year in high school, she felt like a bird without a nest. Needing to get away from home and take care of herself, she grabbed the first opportunity that came her way. The Atlanta police department had collaborated with a community college to provide an associate’s degree in criminal justice as long as the eligible candidates agreed to attend the academy and promise two years to any of the high crime rate departments. After three years working the inner city of Atlanta, she found out Claremont County had an opening and put in for a transfer.

She’d been content in this town for a year, until Robert returned.

Focusing once again on Brantley, she stepped toward his desk. “Ha! Your humor makes me laugh to the point I could vomit.” She rubbed her stomach. “Is that your lunch box there?” Leaning towards it, she pretended to get sick.

Snatching his Spiderman container away from her reach, he growled, “Stop playing around people’s food, Danielle.”

Shimmying her shoulders, she said, “Oh, it’s Danielle now. Watch it, Mark. I might think you’re sweet on me.”

Danielle and the rest of the day team laughed as Mark’s face started to match his hair color.

“Don’t give her a hard time, Brantley,” the chief barked, his words rough and gravelly from years of smoking. “She might keep herself model pretty, but she’ll be the one to squeeze into a bathroom window to save your big ass. If someone ever found a way to hold you hostage.” Chief Dennison walked up, causing the room to fall silent and the onlookers to begin fumbling around their desk to look busy.

Brantley grumbled, but kept his mouth shut.

Danielle hid her smile behind her hand.

“Glad to see you’re well rested, Smith.” Chief Dennison moved in front of her, his massive shoulder, almost as wide as Brantley’s, blocked her view of everyone else behind him.

“Thanks, Chief, for allowing me to come in a few hours late. It was just what I needed.” She was glad he didn’t know she’d spent her free hours having sex on the course instead of in her bed. For a moment, she wondered if he would’ve been pissed about how she used her time, but pushed it aside. Even if she had been caught, feeling Robert inside of her was always worth it.

“Is the moon still orbitin’ Earth?”

“What?” Danielle cleared her throat. “Sir? I’m sorry I didn’t hear you.”

“That was evident.” His eyes squinted as he viewed her. “I said, the two men are bein’ transported to Tallahassee tonight. I want you, Brantley, and Willis to take’m down. You up to it?”

She was supposed to meet with Robert tonight, but for the first time Chief Dennison seemed to be recognizing her existence. Since the day she showed up for work, she’d known the department hadn’t been expecting her. Danni Smith, as she’d been called at her last unit, a decorated officer in Atlanta must not have appeared to be a black woman on paper. “Yes, sir.”

“Good. I’ll let you all know what time. I’m waitin’ on word from the other end.” Turning, he started to head back to his office, then stopped. “By the way, Smith, you stepped up last night into a situation that could have turned deadly.” He eyed her petite frame as if assessing her worth as a cop with new eyes. “Good work.”

“Thanks, sir.” She watched him walk away. Sitting down in her rolling chair, she didn’t attempt to hide the bold smile on her face. Someone whistle softly, and turning her head, Danielle glanced at Mandy Franklin, the other female cop.

Mandy licked her finger and made a mark in the air.

Nodding, Danielle let the other woman know she understood. By her heroic actions last night, she had not only brought recognition to herself but the other female officers on the force. The women were finally on the scoreboard. In a small town like Claremont, opportunities didn’t come around often.

With hummingbirds of excitement buzzing in her stomach, Danielle pulled out her caseload and started working.

Chapter Two

Robert shuffled the documents on his desk. Tomorrow he needed to stop by the courthouse to drop off some papers. As a family and property lawyer in Claremont County, he didn’t get many grand cases, but they were usually time-consuming. Getting married was easy. However, once people added in money and children, things got complicated fast.

“Alright, Wright, I’m outta here.” Lincoln Knowles, one of two senior partners, called from the door, chuckling at the humorous play on his name. “Margaret’s made my favorite dinner and I don’t like cold steak.”

He glanced at the older man, one of his dad’s best friends, and took note of his immaculate state of dress. It was late, but Lincoln’s jacket was still on, his tie was straight and in place, not to mention the few strands of hair gracing the top of the man’s head hadn’t moved since nine o’clock that morning. Knowles appearance was a complete reversal of his own.

“I don’t think there’s a red-blooded male who does.” Robert’s own stomach growled.

Knowles laughter rumbled in the room. “I guess you bes’ be gettin’ out soon, too. Otherwise, your stomach’s goin’ to start eatin’ you from the inside out.”

“I can’t let that happen.” Robert rubbed his vociferous belly. “I’ll call an order into Smokie or Jack Rabbit Pizza before I head home.”

Scratching the stubble on his jaw, Knowles sighed. “See, that’s what’s wrong with you single guys, too much bad eatin’.”

“Long hours at work, then longer hours over a hot stove, not for me.” Robert settled back in his chair.

“That’s because you need to get you a wife.”

Robert groaned.

Knowles continued. “On Saturday, the general and I were talking about that on the green.”

I bet you all were.

“You know, Stephanie Maxwell has blossomed out to be quiet a lady.”

“Has she. I can’t say that I’ve noticed,” he lied. Stephanie had made sure he noticed every aspect of her surgically perfected body, at every turn. “She’s been my sister’s best friend since childhood. Snaggletooth Stephie is all I see when I look at her.”

“Well, that’s a shame.” Knowles shook his head. “Take a better look the next time you’re around her.”

“I’ll try to remember,” Robert replied, not committing to anything, especially when it came to Stephanie.

“A man starting out in his career needs to have roots, family.” Not waiting for a response, Knowles turned and left.

Leaning forward, Robert ran a hand around the back of his neck and squeezed. Knowles didn’t say anything to him that he hadn’t said to himself over the last few months. He was ready for a wife, more than ready, but he doubted if the woman he wanted to marry would want him. He probably should set his sights on Stephanie. She’d at least be an easy catch. However, he didn’t desire Stephanie. Not because of the reason he’d given Knowles, but with Stephanie what you saw was exactly what you got. There was no depth to her.

Danielle. She had depth and layers that he’d yet to peel back. Just thinking her name stirred places deep inside of him that not only made his cock come to attention, but squeezed his heart. Sitting back in his chair, he dragged a hand through his hair. She was supposed to call him Saturday but hadn’t. Sunday nights he always spent with his family, but when he got home, he’d been greeted by the delicious sound of her voice on his answering machine wishing him a good night.

Refocusing on the affidavits in front of him, he attempted to keep himself from clock watching.

When Kenny Roger’s The Gambler began to play, Robert reached over and grabbed his cell phone as it blinked and bounced around on the side of his desk.

Reading the name in the screen, he answered. “Hi, beautiful.”

“Hi yourself.”

Danielle’s soft husky whisper caused his blood flow to head directly south. “Are you still at work?”

“No, I’m in the parking lot of Duncan and Knowles.”

Springing from his seat, he crossed the carpet to the window and pushed the blinds back to see Danielle sitting in her burgundy Altima. His office window faced the back of the building. The parking lot was his only view. It was empty except for Danielle’s car next to his midnight blue F-150.

She waved and he smiled.

“Do you want me to come out?” He stared at her across the twenty-five foot gap.

Shaking her head, she opened her car door. “No, I want to come inside and play.” Standing beside her car, she waited. “May I?”

The erotic indications in her voice and the view of her standing in a light orange summer dress with her hair still pinned back in her normal work style made heat race down his spine. It let him know she’d rushed to change, he hoped in anticipation to see him.

“Undress.”

“Out here?” she asked, a slight hesitation apparent in her words. Her head turned slightly to the left looking at the parking lot’s single entryway, then returned toward him.

“Yes. Complete nudity is your access pass. Will you pay it?” He knew this request was bold, but they had done things that made this simple request minimal in nature. All of the other times had been in the privacy of one of the hotels in a neighboring county, except the night she’d asked him to have sex with her on the golf course. That had added another arena to their playing field.

Danielle didn’t respond, instead she closed her cell phone.

He watched her as she turned back toward her car. At first, he thought she’d decided to go home, but he noticed she pulled a small rolling case from her backseat. Then moved to the front of her car, she paused and glanced around again.

Her slight nervousness heightened his level of arousal.

Looking directly at him, she slipped the tiny straps of her dress off her shoulders. His dick twitched to life. Pushing and wiggling, the garment moved down the length of her small luscious frame. The sight of her bare breasts bouncing with the movement of her body thickened his shaft to an almost unbearable degree. Soon he would need to undo his slacks.

Stepping out of the dress, she placed it in a simple fold on top of the bag. Clad only in panties and white sandals, she settled into her roll of seductress. Smiling, she turned, giving him her profile as she hooked her thumbs in the side of her pearl white underwear. The pale color next to her cinnamon skin made his mouth water to taste the hidden treasure behind the lacy material.

Bending forward, she pulled her feet out of the leg holes and gave him a delicious view of her round plump ass. One he’d enjoyed being inside many times. Lowering his hand, he stroked his hard length behind the stretched fabric of his pants.

Dialing her number, he called her as she deposited her underwear on her dress.

“Leave the heels,” he instructed when she answered. “Come to me.”

“I’m close to that already.” Her giggle was breathy, letting him know she was just as aroused.

“Can’t wait to see.” He snapped his phone shut, then walked to the back door of the firm.

Strutting to the door with confidence, Danielle walked as if she were an executive strolling through the airport to catch a flight. She paused before him. “Do I meet the pay requirement?”

Lowering his eyes to her erect chocolate nipples, he said, “And then some.” Winking, he asked, “What’s with the bag?”

Moving through the open door so he could close it, Danielle pressed her body against his. “I thought you might want something to eat.”

“You were right. But, at this moment what’s between your legs seems more appealing than whatever you have in that bag.”

Laughing, her hands slid up the front of his shirt, squeezing the muscles of his chest as she passed. When her hand wrapped around the back of his neck, she pulled him down to her.

Placing her lips on his, she kissed him deeply and passionately. She nipped at his bottom lip until he opened for her and permitted her tongue entrance. Dueling with her, his tongue conquered and entered her mouth. He took command of the kiss and her body. Pulling her closer, his hands circled her small waist, loving the supple warmth of her skin.

Venturing lower, he cupped her firm ass, holding her in place along his hard length. His hand moved down between her thighs and stroked her pussy, discovering her words had been true, she was soaking wet. The exhibition had turned her on as much as it did him.

Her moan vibrated into his mouth as the kiss continued. The sweet recess of her mouth tempted him just as much as her moist sex. Danielle’s legs parted wider, allowing him more access to her slick womanhood. Pushing two fingers into her tight cunt, he used his other hand to smack one enticing globe.

She gasped into his mouth at the impact of his hand. He continued to kiss and fondle her, not allowing her a reprieve.

His thumb lay along the crease of her ass as he pumped his fingers in and out of her pliant sex. The second slap came with more force. She squeezed the column of his neck with one hand and his shoulder with the other, but didn’t cease in returning his kiss this time. Arching her hips out, she availed herself to his discipline.

Leaning back onto the wall behind him, he found his rhythm between spanking, feasting on her mouth and stroking her sex. The sound of each strike echoed in the hallway. By the fifth slap to her ass, she started trembling. Before he arrived at the eleventh whack, her flesh was hot to his touch and her kisses inconsistent. She was close to coming.

“Stay with me, beautiful.” He refused to allow her a reprieve, knowing the longer she held off, the greater the orgasm would be. The words were for himself as well, he was so hard it was painful not to release.

The fifteenth time his hand met the heated skin was Danielle’s undoing. She climaxed screaming into his mouth as her thigh trapped his other hand in a vice-like grip. Pulling back, he placed a kiss on her cheek as he petted her tender behind. Resting her head on his shoulder, her chest rose and fell as she filled her lungs while her body calmed.

Once the trembling quieted to an occasional tremor, he set her away from him.

“Follow me.” He led her past the other offices until they arrived at his own. Closing the door behind, he stopped in front of his desk. “Would you like to show me what’s in the bag, now?”

She shook her head. “No. I’d prefer to bring your arousal to a tolerable level as you did for me.”

“What do you suggest?” If she asked him to get inside of her, they would never eat. He would be making love to her for hours. After they ate, he wanted to take her to his house and stay between her thighs until the sun came up.

Rolling her bag beside his desk, she approached him with bright eyes glowing from her recent climax and seduction. “However you want it.”

“On your knees.”

“You must have read my mind.” Smiling, she lowered herself and sank down to the carpet.

Chuckling, he told her, “Then show me what you’ve been thinking about.”

“My pleasure.” Reaching out, she made quick work of his belt and fastenings, then pushed his slacks to his thighs.

A rush of air entered his mouth when her hands pulled his hard length out of his underwear. Her touch was gentle but firm. The same confidence she’d shown in her walk, she exhibited in her stroke. Since the summer after his graduation when he’d shown her how he liked to be touched, she’d never forgotten.

Pulling the pins from her hair, he dropped them to the floor, not caring how they scattered. In a few hours, the cleaning crew would come in and find them. He and Danielle would be nestled in his bed by then. Fingering the hair around her shoulder, he watched her pump and squeeze him from base to tip.

When the clear bead of moisture seeped out, she leaned forward and captured it on her tongue. For a moment, he shut his eyes, feeling the smooth glide of her tongue as it licked the slit, then circled his engorged head. Her mouth closed over him and slid down his length.

Opening his eyes only enough to observe her, his spine tightened as a significant amount of his cock disappeared between her full lips. Drawing on his stiff rod, her head bobbed back and forth and her fingers continued to contract, pulling him at the base.

If her mouth wasn’t providing torture enough, her other hand caressed his thighs and balls, clutching and rolling them. Humming, she let him know how much she enjoyed pleasuring him.

Her fervent attention was his undoing. Gripping her hair, he held her in place as he fucked her delicious mouth. Pumping and rotating her hands in time with his thrusts, she brought him to his breaking point.

His growl was almost animalistic as he came.

* * * *

Pure delight swirled in the pit of Danielle’s stomach as Robert’s cum coated the back of her throat thick and warm. Swallowing, she continued to suckle him, loving the jerks his body made in response.

“Enough,” he barked, his voice rough with exertion. Robert pulled away from her.

Giving the glistening semi-erect length one final squeeze, she released him. Rising, she brushed her thumb below her bottom lip and removed the small droplet of Robert’s fluid that had escaped.

After straightening his clothes, he pulled her into a hug. She settled herself against his chest. She loved his height and strength. His embrace always made her feel protected and supported. Those emotions had always been missing from her life. Until Robert.

“How was work?”

Glancing up at him, she said, “Good. Yours?”

Kissing the tip of her nose, then her lips, he gazed into her eyes. “Even better now.”

“So, are you ready for some food?”

She laughed as his stomach answered for him. Walking over to her bag, she moved her clothes to his chair, opting to stay nude, then opened the case. Removing a blanket, she placed it on the floor. Curling up on the side, she began to unload the contents.

“Oh, baby, what did you do, clean out Southern Pride Restaurant?” Robert sat beside her on the blanket, idly rubbing her legs. “Millie probably had to close down for the night.”

“Sorry to disappoint you, darlin’, but I cooked all of this.” Smiling at his shocked expression, she popped the lids off the array of food, showing him the fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, green beans and rolls.

Dancing his fingers up her thighs, he asked, “When did you have time to do all this?”

Not fussing with plates, she held out a fork. “Yesterday. Except the chicken. I made it before I came.”

He shook his head. “I didn’t know you could cook.”

“You still don’t.” Diving a fork into the macaroni, she placed it before his mouth.

Eyes never wavering, Robert allowed her to slide the fork in his mouth. “Hmm, absolutely amazing.” His eyes closed as he chewed.

“I’m glad you like it.” She beamed a smile at him when he looked at her.

“What I like is you.” Holding her shoulder, he pulled her toward him.

Danielle’s body started to sing once again as he kissed her. When he entered her mouth, she could taste the warm flavors of the cheese and buttery pasta on his tongue.

Even after they parted, a low hum still vibrated between her legs and she felt the wetness seep onto her thighs; she wanted him again.

She was thankful when he picked up his fork and began eating. Joining him, she began to tell him about her trip to Florida to transport the two criminals. How she could feel things changing for her since she aided in the rescue of his sister.

“Every time I thing about that night, I want to tell you how grateful I am for your courage.” Reaching out, he stroked the side of her cheek with his knuckles.

Her cheeks heated at his words. “You’re welcome, again.”

Robert laid down his third drumstick bone and wiped his mouth, then polished off the green beans.

Full, she eyed the empty containers and was amazed at Robert’s robust appetite. They hadn’t spent much time out of the hotel over the past few months, except a delivery food bite here and there. She’d decided it was time she did what Robert asked and moved their relationship to the next level. So she would be cooking for him when they were together, filling his belly in addition to warming his bed.

Retrieving the food, she began putting everything away. When the area was clear, she moved across the blanket to Robert.

Noticing her amorous attention, he cupped her breast and circled her taunt nipple with his thumb.

“This weekend, Mr. Duncan is having an anniversary party at the country club.” He pinched her nipple, giving it a slight tug.

Only half listening to Robert’s words, her eyes slipped closed, loving his strong hands on her body.

“I want you to go with me,” he said.

Stilling his hand on her breast, she gazed at him. “What?”

His hands moved underneath her own, squeezed her. Normally a move that would’ve made her squirm in excitement, but her mind was too focused on what he would say.

“Be my date this Friday.”

It was exactly what she’d thought he said. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.” She stood.

He rose with her. “Why not?” His brows furrowed.

“Look, Robert, I don’t think we’re ready to be the out and about couple.” Avoiding his eye contact, she picked up the blanket when he got up.

“We’re not or you’re not?” He leaned back against his desk.

Watching him from the corner of her eye, she shoved their makeshift table into her case and secured it. “What’s wrong with how we are now?” Walking toward him with slow grace, she attempted to steer him away from the conversation. She cared for Robert deeply, but this discussion could only lead to trouble.

Grabbing her hips when she was within arm distance, he stopped her progression, reading her actions easily. “Nothing is wrong with us. That’s why I want you to come with me.”

Stepping away from him, she grabbed her clothes and put her panties on. “No, Robert, this is just not—”

“Not what…how you feel about me?” he questioned, crossing his arms over his muscular chest. “Maybe I’ve been wrong and you just want to keep this a booty call. Is that it?” Moving away from the desk, he stepped to her, holding her shoulders firmly.

Danielle had no other choice but to gaze into his eyes. She could see his confusion. She was afraid if she tried to make him understand, the knowledge might push him away and she didn’t want to lose him. “I care about you. A lot, but I just don’t want to share this. Us.”

“Beautiful, you act like something will change because we walk down the street holding hands.” A harsh laugh came out. “Claremont may be small, but it’s not Mayberry. Couples even kiss in public here.”

Annoyed at his ignorance of the town and their relationship, she stepped away from him and pulled her dress over her head. “White couples and an occasional black couple kiss. But not this.” She waved a finger between them.

Holding his hands out to his side, he said, “No one’s going to care, sweetheart, that we’re together.”

Shaking her head, she glanced at him as if she were waiting for another eye to come out of his forehead. “You must live under a rock, Robert.” Snatching up the handle of her rolling bag, she headed toward the door. She originally hoped to finish the rest of the night in one of their beds, but not anymore. “The next time you’re at one of your country club affairs why don’t you look around and see how many faces like mine you see.”

“Danielle, you’re being ridiculous. You act as if you’re the only black person in town. Your Chief is even black.” He rubbed his hand through his hair in frustration. “The percentage of minorit—”

Her own fingers tingled with the desire to feel the silky thick strands, but she pushed the thought away and refocused. “Besides me, there’re fourteen others. If I can count them, then what little percentage we hold doesn’t matter.”

Her agitation began to rise. She took a deep breath to keep herself calm. At the same time, she heard Robert exhale and laugh, all on the same breath.

“What do you want me to do, baby? I can’t add more people to the town.”

The corners of her cheeks barely lifted as she gave him a weak smile. “Nothing. I just want to enjoy being with you without other people imposing their views.”

Hazel eyes met hers. “Fine, beautiful, but I can’t live in secret forever.”

Noncommittally, she crossed the carpet and kissed him. She understood his viewpoint, but she also knew that if they came out, then so would the truth. She would lose Robert regardless.

Embracing her, he inquired, “Are you coming to my house?”

“Not tonight, I’m tired and need to get up early in the morning.” It was a small lie, but it was best for her to be alone tonight. If she lay in his arms, he would convince her to risk their relationship with his enticing kisses and seductive touches.

Doubt was evident in his gaze, but he nodded. “Okay. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” Pulling her to him, his kiss overpowered her, filling her body with heat and muddling her senses.

The kiss ended.

“Tomorrow.” Backing away from him, she exited the office. They were safe for now. But for how long would she be able to hide her secrets from him? This was more than about race. So much more.

Chapter Three

“Congratulations, squirt.” Robert spotted his sister from the corner of his eye as she walked out onto the porch.

“Thanks, brother dear.” Liza flopped down beside him on the swing, setting it in motion. “So, do you like Brad?”

“Yeah. But, I’m not the one marrying him.” He chuckled. Glancing down, he noticed how his sister’s toes barely grazed the floor. Liza was small, just like Danielle. If they weren’t so petite, Claremont County still would have been standing outside of the condo trying to figure out how to rescue his sister.

The thought of Danielle made his spine tingle. “Where’s your intended?”

“He had to work late tonight, but he’ll be here before dinner.”

Looking at Liza with her wide hopeful gaze and ready smile, joy radiated in his sister’s features. “I’m glad you’re happy, squirt.”

Envious, he turned away. Gazing off into the distance over the treetops, he and Liza silently watched the late June sun begin to set, turning the horizon to a magnificent golden with blushing shades of orange.

“I can see it’s only going to be a matter of time. Stephanie’s going to be heartbroken.”

Catching only a few words his sister was saying, he asked halfheartedly, “Why? She already run through all the men in town?”

Oof. He hadn’t prepared himself for Liza’s elbow to his ribs.

Raising her back off the swing, she put her hands on her hips. She would give the same bossy pose to him when they were little if she thought all the lights weren’t on in his mental house. “No, big brother. It’s because of you,” she charged.

Scrunching his brows, he eyed his sister. “Me? I’ve never given her any reason to think I was interested in her.”

“Exactly. Now she’s going to be hurt when she finds out you’re in love with someone else.”

That got his attention. Fuck, someone must have seen Danielle at his office. They hadn’t been careful when she left, after the disagreement about her going with him to Mr. Duncan’s party, she had exited the building alone. He just prayed no one spotted her in her initial state of undress when she walked into the building. His hand clenched with the thought of some other man seeing her nude sexy body. “Who told you?”

“Aha! I knew it,” she declared and slapped her jean-covered thigh.

The feeling of being duped made his shoulders tense. “Knew what?”

“You’re definitely in love and don’t try to deny it.” Turning her pint-size frame sideways on the swing, she gave him a smile, showing all her teeth. “Who is she?”

He glanced over his shoulder, peered through the living room window and assured himself that their parents were not within earshot. Seeing no one, he glanced out over the yard again. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Why not?” Leaning toward him, she whispered. “Is it a man?”

“Fuck no.” He barked a laugh. “Not that I have issues with those who are…it’s just not me.”

“Then tell me about her,” she whined. “Pleeasse…”

“Fine, squirt.” He ran his hand over his hair. “Damn, I forgot how nosey you are.”

“Thank you.” She beamed. “Now talk.”

“I’m not telling who she is.” From the corner of his eye he noticed his sister’s mouth gaped open and started to appeal, he shook his head. “She doesn’t want me to. And I’m trying hard to respect her wishes of privacy.”

“Does she know how you feel?”

“I’ve told her I care about her and want to move our relationship to another level.”

“And?”

Gazing down at his hands, remembering the feel of Danielle’s toned supple skin the last time they were together, he sighed. “Nothing. She won’t budge.”

The sound of scrunching gravel alerted them to someone’s arrival. Both of them turned to the right and spotted Brad rounding the corner of the house, still in uniform with a blue small duffle bag on his shoulder.

“I saw your mom out front bringing in flowers from her garden. She said you all were back here.” Brad walked up the back steps. “Hi, princess.”

Robert watched his sister scramble from her seat, move into Brad’s arms, and kiss her fiancé loudly on the lips.

“If Mom had flowers, then dinner’s about ready.” Robert said.

“Well, I’m going to change beforehand so I can enjoy my food.” Stepping away from Liza, Brad reached for the backdoor.

“I’ll be right in to help.”

Brad winked at her and stepped into the house.

Crossing the porch to where he still sat, his sister leaned down and pecked him lightly on the cheek. “Tell her you love her. It just might change things.”

“Maybe.” Rising, Robert followed his sister into the house. He headed toward the kitchen while Liza moved toward one of the first floor guest bedrooms to find Brad. Silently, he hoped his sister and Brad didn’t get too involved in there, because if they were late for dinner, their mother would have no problem going in after them.

* * * *

“Hi, beautiful.”

Danielle found herself in Robert’s arms seconds after he opened his front door and shut it behind her.

“Hi, yourself, handsome.” Wrapping her arms around his waist, she stroked the muscular plains of his back.

Robert’s head bent toward her and their lips brushed against each other. His tongue slipped across her bottom lip and made her mouth tingle with anticipation. Capturing his tongue, she suckled it. His groan vibrated into her mouth and made her body come alive.

They parted breathless and horny. Her sex had begun to throb as she’d prepared herself to come over to his house, now her panties were saturated.

“So, do you want to eat first or play?” Robert escorted her deeper into his living room.

Her first time in his house, she took notes of her surroundings, noticing Robert kept his decorations basic and simple with only the necessities. There was a couch and loveseat, no lamps or potted plants like her apartment, just a long panoramic picture of some sort of lagoon or inlet surrounded by thick green foliage and a small waterfall. The photo went well with his forest green and tan colored pattern of the furniture.

She was tempted to ask him to bend her over the back of his couch and ease the ache between her thighs. But the wait always made her orgasms so much sweeter. “I’d like to eat first while it’s hot.”

“Great. Let me show you the kitchen.” He took her hand and led the way, introducing the areas of the house they passed. “After we eat, I’ll give you a full tour. Outside of the living room, kitchen, dinning room, and office, the only other room with furniture is the master bedroom.”

Danielle considered how different their homes were. Her apartment had fewer rooms than he’d just listed. She had a one-bedroom apartment with a kitchenette and a great room. “How many bedrooms do you have?”

Arriving in the kitchen, he took the handle of her rolling food case from her and collapsed the extended grip to place it on the counter. “Five and a bounce room.” He smiled, wiggling his eyebrows.

Biting the side of her lip, she turned away. The heat in his gaze was making it hard for her to focus. “This is a lot of space for one person.” She unpacked the container of roast beef, mashed potatoes, sweet snap peas and cherry cobbler.

“For now, but I don’t have plans to be here alone for long.” Stepping up behind her, he slipped his arms around her waist and began to kiss the curve of her neck. He rubbed his hard length against her backside as he continued to nibble along her skin.

That was one of her sensitive spots. Closing her eyes, she relaxed against him, willing herself to push aside his words. She didn’t believe they were anywhere near the forever after point and she didn’t want to think about anyone else making a home with him here.

Turning her head, she kissed him on the chin. “Set the table and I’ll try to figure out your cabinet order.”

Swatting her on the butt, he said, “You got it.” Opening a cabinet to the right, he removed plates and left the kitchen.

Her butt tingled under the material of her leggings from the smack. Leaning against the counter, Danielle took a deep breath. I shouldn’t have come here. Being in Robert’s house with him and soon making love under his roof was giving her a yearning to make their relationship permanent. The thought of filling some of the rooms with their babies made her eyes burn. Her insides were trembling with need and nerves. Get yourself together, Danielle. Keep it simple. You and Robert have pleasurable fun, nothing more. It can’t be more.

Opening and closing doors and drawers to distract herself, she finally discovered everything she required. Keeping her hands busy while Robert came back and forth to place the platters of food on the table, she regained her composure.

“Did you pick up the wine?” she asked, holding two wine glasses in her hands and heading to the dinning room.

“I sure did.” He opened the refrigerator and followed her out with bottle in hand.

Opening the wine, he filled their glasses, and then set it inside a soapstone chiller in the center of the table. Moving around the side, Robert assisted her in her chair, then claimed the seat at the head of the table beside her.

Looking around, he said, “Everything smells delicious, Danielle. You’ve surely entered my heart with your cooking.”

His heart. Her hands began to tremble. Did she want Robert to give her his heart? He’d claimed hers years ago.

“What should we toast to?” He lifted his wide bottom glass and smiled.

The same sexy boyish grin he’d shown her at the high school dance the spring they’d met made her pulse accelerate. Rubbing her thighs under the table, she forced herself to relax. Reaching out, she picked up her own red wine and was glad for her cop training that kept her hands steady.

Leaning forward, she purposely spoke in a breathy voice, “How about to wonderful wine, good food, and great sex without boundaries?” She was taking the advice of her inner voice. Sex was hot, but simple.

His eyes traveled the lines and angles of her face before he spoke. Returning his hazel gaze to her brown one, he said, “I can drink to that. Of course my list would have been in the reverse order.”

They were back on track. She sighed, clinked her glass against his, then sipped her drink. Its dry but rich flavor smoothed its way down her throat. Relaxing, she enjoyed her meal and company.

* * * *

Glancing around the spacious bathroom, Danielle took note of the ‘his and hers’ pedestal sinks with matching cabinets. One held all of Robert’s male toiletries while the other was bare with the exception of an Ivory soap bar and a toothbrush, still in the wrapper. As she undressed, thoughts and images of her and Robert making love under the large stone-tiled waterfall shower made her breasts become heavy and her nipples tighten.

Grabbing an item from her purse, she opened the door. She stepped into the master bedroom and was enveloped by warmth from the blazing gas fireplace in the wall across from his navy blue and white covered bed. The air conditioner and heat warred against each other in the largest room in the house.

“I’m in here, sweetheart!” Robert called from the bonus room that sat on the other side of an archway.

Moving past the bed, she wondered if a time would ever come when she’d be able to sleep all night in the bed with him. Her feet sank deep into the plush carpet as she added more swing to her hips, accentuating the part of her anatomy that Robert adored the most and crossed the threshold.

“The sight of you never stops taking my breath away,” Robert spoke in low tones, his eyes caressing her nude length. “You’re beautiful.”

Heat progressed up her neck and into her face. “Robert,” was all she could say. The man had a way of making her speechless. Only dressed in dark gray boxer briefs, he made her mouth water. She may run to keep herself lean, but Robert spent time in the gym honing his body. He wasn’t overly muscular like a bodybuilder, just chiseled deliciously.

“Did you bring them?” He beckoned her to him, where he stood beside some sort of chaise lounger with handles on both sides of the foot and head. Next to it was a small half-moon shaped wooden console table. The only thing on the table was a square frosted glass candle with its soft light flickering, complimenting the low burn of the ceiling lights.

Moving to the center of the room to him, she noticed the air in the room was cooler than in the master suite, making her nipples bead further. Opening her hands, she presented him with her handcuffs.

“Perfect.” He claimed them and the key out of her hand.

This was not the first time they used her handcuffs to play. Two months ago, she had offered to buy him a set, but he told her it turned him on to use her official restraints on her. It heightened her own desire as well.

“Where do you want me?” She stepped toward him and wrapped her arms around his waist.

He squeezed her against his chest, then instructed her to kneel in the center of a towel facing the high end of the long chair. “Rest your arms on the top. That way your sweet ass is high in the air.”

The wide cushion gave her elbows a comfortable spot to rest on. Seeing another handle across the back, she took hold of it. “Like this?” She wiggled her hips.

“Good girl.” Robert trailed his fingers from her butt to her shoulders as he rounded the lounger. Facing her, he snapped one of the silver bracelets onto her wrist. Bringing the small link chain under the wooden bar, he then seized her other wrist. “Comfy?”

“Completely.”

Robert kissed her. Holding the back of her head, he took possession of her mouth. Slanting his lips, he sent his tongue into her waiting mouth. They sparred and she allowed him the lead, it was what they both wanted, him to consume and dominate her. Her excitement rose even higher. The lips of her sex throbbed with desire, making her thighs slick with her own cream.

Breathing heavily, he stepped away from her. “Are you ready, Danielle?” Dropping the key on the table, he picked up the candle.

Curiosity drew her eye the glowing glass. “Always,” she said without apprehension.

Rewarding her with a kiss on the curve of her shoulder, he lifted the glass and blew out the flame. Smoke curled in the air, making a sweet earthy scent of oak and peaches permeate the air. It reminded her of Georgia, home, and Robert.

Still with candle in hand, he approached her round bottom.

With a moment of caution, as she realized what he planned to do, she asked, “That’s not some grocery store candle is it?”

Intense and dark, his hazel eyes met hers. “Horny and freaky, yes, crazy, I’m not.” He chuckled. “It’s a specially made massage oil candle.” As he alleviated her fears, he tilted the candle over her back.

The first drip made her gasp as it pooled in the center of her back. The hot sensation on her spine made her toes curl.

“Nice?” he asked.

“Mmm,” she responded.

More of the molten liquid met her flesh as Robert dribbled it down toward her backside. Without prompting, she arched her rear and spread her thighs, a silent plea for him to continue.

Robert used the melted wax to tease her, pouring it over one brown globe, then the other. She whimpered, biting her lip to keep from yelling at him. She knew it would only delay the pleasure she wanted. Her clit, swollen with need, throbbed for attention, whether by hand, mouth or oil.

“Such a delectable and lovely ass.”

Finally, heat slithered between her butt cheeks coating the puckered sensitive skin on its way to her sex. Bowing her head, she relaxed and relished the sensation as the rapid droplets traveled along her slit, coated her lips and tickled the kernel of her desire.

A frisson curled in her belly and radiated between her legs. “That feels sooo good.”

Her eyes were now closed, but she detected the sound of the glass being placed on the table, then Robert’s magnificent hands touched her.

Sliding through the wax on her back, he smeared it down on her shoulders and around her waist. His slippery hands palmed her breast, pinching and plucking her erect nipples like a musician’s instrument.

She pressed herself into his hands.

Continuing on, he massaged her ass and used that oil to paint her thighs. Moving up between them, he reached her pussy and mixed her cream with the liquid. His strong fingers played between the folds and circled her clit. She trembled as he repeatedly fondled her slick bare flesh. Slipping along her slit, he dipped inside of her core with one finger, then two, then down the susceptible folds and around her peak once more until she could no longer hold back her orgasm.

Her climax continued for long minutes as Robert’s mouth captured her clit with his lips and drew it into his mouth. When his tongue followed the same path as his hand, adding rapid taps on her sensitive tip, she came once again. The scent in the room changed, as the oily aroma mingled with the spicy blend of her sexual juice.

“Robert, I need you.” She cried. Having multiple orgasms was great, but they were nothing without him joining her.

His underwear landed on the floor, moments before he spread his legs over the sides of the lounger and rose above her. The thick length of his cock brushed between her cheeks, covering them both in the lover’s massage oil. “You have me,” he said in a husky voice, as the broad head of his shaft kissed her furrowed hole, then burrowed inside of her tight flesh. Pulling back, and pushing forward again, he coaxed her muscles to allow his entry, the slick oil aiding his penetration, turning it into an intense glide.

Digging her knees into the fabric, she pressed her hips back taking him deeper. The wicked position was a favorite treat for both of them. Her hands gripped the bar as fireflies glowed erratically behind her lids from the fierce pleasure.

* * * *

Robert felt like his balls were going to burst. Flames licked at his spine with the need to come. Being inside Danielle’s plump luscious tight ass was only second to her enchanting pussy. Her taste was still on his tongue and her smell infused into his senses.

She continually rocked her hips back and forth, taking his full length inside of her. His Danielle was a giver in so many ways when it came to her body. Whatever he proposed, she was eager to try. But, her heart was another matter.

Gripping her hips, he met each of her undulations until her bucking became wild. His thrusts became more forceful, causing a slapping sound to echo in the room as their thighs made contact. Reading the urgent message of her body, he reached around and stroked her engorged clit. The little kernel was easily accessible, protruding from her swollen lips.

“Yes!” She tossed her head back. “More, Robert,” she begged.

Answering her request, Robert pumped and fondled her until she tensed. Her body shook with her release as her creamy pleasure ran down his fingers.

The contracting of her ass muscles took him over the edge. His orgasm was a painful euphoria as he came with a hard force, erupting inside of her, barely aware of Danielle’s body going limp against his arm around her waist.

Pulling out from her, he chuckled as her body collapsed to the chair. He understood how she felt, thoroughly pleasured. Leaning over her, he placed his hands on the high back of the chaise and took cleansing breaths until the world righted itself.

With only a slight tremble left in his legs, he moved to the table and picked up the keys, unlocking the cuffs. “Put these up before you forget them and have to explain to your office where you left them.”

Rolling over on her back, she said, “Even better, I’ll just tell them what I was doing with them. I’m sure they’d get a kick out of that.”

“Maybe. I know I did.” He winked. “Come on, join me in the shower.”

Springing from the couch, she raced past him. “I thought you’d never ask.”

Laughing, he chased her into the bathroom. By the time he caught up with his sexy little runner, the waterfall in the shower was flowing.

They played around in the water, splashing and cleaning each other until they were both panting with desire once again.

“I’ve had ideas about this shower.” Standing behind him, she stroked his hard cock as water cascaded down his chest.

“Hopefully, they were the same ideas I’ve been having,” the words came out hoarse. Her talented hands were turning him inside out.

“That depends on what you were thinking.”

One of her hands cupped his sacks. “This.”

Unable to take any more torture, he pivoted them around until her back was against the stone covered wall.

Her eyes were bright with excitement as she squealed in delight.

Sipping water from her breast until she was squirming in his arms, he dropped to his knees before her. Pressing her thighs wide he eyed the streams of water creating a pattern around her swollen clit. Feeling aroused and thirsty, he leaned in to drink from her nectar. Each droplet was a delicious blend of water and Danielle’s honey. Dipping his tongue between her folds, he tasted more as he slid against her slick cream. Pushing inside her tight pussy with his tongue, he tickled her walls and felt her squirm against his mouth. Her thighs began to quiver in his hands as he played her like a well-tuned instrument.

Raising his head, he began flicking her protruding nub. Burying her hands in his hair, her fingers massaged his scalp as she pressed him closer to her sweet cunt. With her back arching off the shower wall, she climaxed, causing her hips to buck toward his face. Catching the refreshing piquant liquid in his mouth, he greedily consumed the flow of her orgasm.

Standing, he gazed into her warm brown eyes, which were glowing with ecstasy.

“You’re mine,” he told her, needing to place his claim on her the only way she allowed.

“Always.”

The single word of confirmation made him feel feral and dominant. Lifting her against the wet stone, he positioned himself between her legs.

Robert loved how Danielle was never tentative about kissing him after he tasted her delectable sex. Leaning in, she kissed him deeply as they worked together in unison. She wrapped her legs around his waist and he buried his dick inside her in one sure thrust. His ears rang with their moans of passion and the sound mingled with the splashing water and reverberated around the room. Grinding into her, he gave her pleasure. She undulated against him, returning the favor.

Entwined in each other’s arms, he and Danielle climaxed. He couldn’t say whose orgasm sparked the other’s, neither did he care as long as they were together.

Chapter Four

“Sweetheart, I don’t want this to end.” Robert leaned over Danielle in his bed, tracing the cocoa colored tip of her nipple. “I want more.”

“Well, if I want to walk tomorrow, we’re going to have to stop eventually,” she giggled, misunderstanding his words.

Stilling his hand, he looked into her milk chocolate brown eyes. “Not sex tonight. I mean us.”

Her hand sifting through the hair on his chest stopped. The eyes that had been clear moments ago shaded as if blinds had been drawn over her soul.

“As in?”

She tensed under his hand, a deer prepared for flight.

Placing a hand on her waist, to keep her from going before he said what was in his heart, he began, “Danielle, I want to be able to tell everyone I’m with you. See you in the morning when I wake up if I want to. Sit across from you in a restaurant.”

“Robert, we’ve been down this road before—”

“Let me finish, sweetheart.” He moved his hand to her lip. “I’m not asking because I want you as some trophy on my arm. But, I want you to understand how much I care about you. I want you as a permanent fixture in my life.”

“This will never work.” She shook her head and sat up.

“It will if we want it to.” He gazed up at her.

“This county is not ready for us to be the first interracial couple.”

Sitting up, he grabbed her hands. “I don’t care about this town’s opinion. You’re what matters and how much I lo—”

“Don’t say it.” Launching herself off the bed, Danielle held her hands up as if warding him and his words off.

He was beginning to get upset. The tension in his jaw was causing his teeth to clench. Not following her, he crossed his arms over his chest. “Why the hell not?”

“Because we’ll both be hurt. This is a fantasy, Robert, and soon we are going to have to wake up.”

“Bullshit!” he exploded and got off the bed then. “If this is all some damn dream we’ve been living then why did you move to Claremont?”

She retreated to the bathroom. “Let’s not do this, Robert. Please.” She called from the other room.

“Not this time, Danielle, we’re going to put everything on the table and deal with it. Then we can move forward. Together.”

Stomping out of the room dressed in her leggings and sports bra, she said, “Deal with it?” A harsh dry chuckle came from her lips. “No.”

Seizing her arm, he said, “Why would you rather run away instead of face our problems head on?”

“You know me, Robert, running is what I do.” Pulling out of his grasp, she snatched her shirt over her head. One arm, then the other came out of the side. “You’re the prince of Claremont County, Robert, with a big bad general of a father ruling this town. They don’t want this.” Her finger waved between the two of them. “I don’t know why you try to ignore that fact.” She jammed her feet in her sneakers.

“You want facts. How about I thought you were the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen when I met you? Fact. I’ve never stopped thinking about you since I went away to college. Fact. I couldn’t even study for the bar exam without hearing your laugh or seeing your smile. Final fact. My father may be a general, but he taught me not to stop fighting for what I want. I want you. Us.” Now he was even more pissed and shocked when he heard himself yelling. Taking a deep breath to calm himself, he stepped to her and prepared to pull her in his arms.

She moved out of reach. “How can you want and care about someone you don’t really know?” Her voice was low, almost making it difficult to hear.

Robert tried to read her features, but they remained neutral, not giving anything away. “I know you, sweetheart. Inside and out.” He gave her a wicked smile.

Not returning his smile, she asked in a hollow voice. “What’s my name?”

What game is she playing now? “Seriously, honey?”

“What’s my name?” she repeated the question.

“Fine.” He threw his hands up. “Danielle Smith.”

“Wrong.” Exiting his bedroom, she walked up the hall.

His long strides allowed him to reach her, steps away from the living room. “Hold up a second. You can’t make a statement like that then leave. How can I be wrong? You’ve had the same name since I met you eight years ago.”

“Not legally at that time.”

Crossing his arms over his chest, he stood formidable as a wall, refusing to allow her to pass. “If Danielle isn’t your real name, why lie? I didn’t know you.”

“I lied because I liked you. From across the room, you astounded me. It took everything inside of me to approach you. All the way over to you, I thought about introducing myself, then I considered the shock on your face when I told you my name.”

“I wouldn’t have cared, Danielle. I desired you. Every randy hormone was shouting inside my body when you walked up to me. I was sitting outside because none of those other girls even grabbed my attention. Black or white. I was getting ready to find my friends and tell them let’s go.”

Squeezing past him, she entered the living room. “I should have let it end eight years ago.” Stopping at the door, she turned. “But I couldn’t stay away no matter how much I tried.”

“So, who are you?” he asked, standing behind his couch.

“LaQuesha Taleshia Danola Smith.” Shrugging her shoulder, she said, “My mom couldn’t make up her mind, so she gave me all of her inventions. My friends always called me Danni. So, I applied to college in Atlanta and put Danielle Smith on the application. A year later I got it legally changed. I’ve never looked back.”

“That explains a lot.” Running his hands over his head, he sighed.

“Like what? That I’m a girl from the wrong side of the city?” she guffawed.

“No. Why I couldn’t find you.”

Shock registered on her face.

He was glad he was finally in the other seat. It was time for him to knock her off balance. “Christmas of my sophomore year, I came home. I drove to Valdosta and made some inquires about Danielle Smith. No one had ever heard of her.” He crossed the carpet toward her. “I had a Rip Van Winkle moment. I thought that maybe I slept that summer and dreamed you.”

Her eyes became glassy as they filled with water. “It wasn’t a dream. But, this is still not going to work.”

Reaching out, he held her face between his hands. “It has to, because just like when I’m inside of you and you need me to move harder and faster for you to come, I need you in my life so I can breathe.”

Stretching up on her toes, she kissed him. “I have to go.” She turned away.

As he watched her, she grabbed the rolling case she’d placed by the door after they straightened up after dinner, then pulled the door open and left.

He allowed her to leave this time, knowing they both needed time to absorb the information. But, his heart was light. A plan was formulating in his mind to prove to her his feelings were real.

* * * *

Danielle walked to her car, eyes bleary from unshed tears. Squeezing them together and blinking, she cleared them. She knew if she gave in to tears now that she would be in hysterics. The thought of losing Robert hurt her to her soul. But, it was probably inevitable.

It was almost midnight and most of the neighbors on Robert’s street were sleeping or in for the night. She had parked a block away, not wanting anyone to see her car in his driveway for extended hours. Increasing her pace, she arrived at her vehicle and deposited the food bag inside. Still feeling emotionally charged from the conversation with Robert, she decided to go for a run. This set of houses was almost a perfect mile around the block. She needed to expend some of the energy or she would never get to sleep.

Starting out in a light jog, her strides lengthened to a quicker pace as she settled into the rhythm and her thoughts began to race in her head. She questioned whether she was making the right decision. If possible, she was allowing fear to hold her back from the man she loved. She loved Robert. There was no doubt in her mind. He’d asked her why she had come to Claremont and it was because of him. Not to have a relationship with him because she thought he would’ve been married to some country club girl, but mainly just to be around him. She knew it was pathetic. However, the years without him had been grueling.

Many things had happened to her since they parted that summer, but she had to question whether or not she was allowing her past pain to hurt her future with Robert. Maybe she was being a bit ridiculous. This was a new year, new era. The browning of America was happening all over the country, maybe now was the time for it to occur in Claremont.

The weight on her shoulders began to lighten, but her steps faltered slightly when she considered the reaction of Robert’s family. She’d had a run-in with the general before and he was one person who probably would not be smiling to see her arm linked with his son’s.

Taking a deep breath as she rounded the corner that would take her past Robert’s house for the third time, she decided it was time for her to meet him halfway in the relationship.

Seeing the police and a cluster of Robert’s neighbors standing outside, Danielle slowed down to a light jog, progressing toward the crowd.

A small gray-haired white woman in a long robe with a floor-length housedress peeping out of the bottom, was speaking loudly while her arms waved around in the air toward the officer.

Danielle wondered what had happened in the twenty minutes she’d been running. Steps away she heard the woman say, “Something has to be done. I don’t even feel safe anymore in my own neighborhood.”

“Let’s try and be calm about this, Ms. Hanscom.” Brantley’s bulky frame stood out among the others. He’d pulled a double shift because one of the other officers had gotten sick.

Danielle smiled to herself as he attempted to push his verbal authority over the little woman.

“Don’t tell me to calm down! My house was vandalized twice with eggs and toilet paper and one of my trashcans were stolen on trash day and I know—”

“Ms. Hanscom!” Brantley barked, his frustration evident. “We already have your report down at the station about the defacement, but why did you call tonight?”

Danielle wanted to laugh. The station knew Ms. Hanscom as the town busybody who refused to consider that her house could get TP’d during the high school home games like anyone else. But the old lady chose to believe that someone was out to get her personally. Spotting Robert out of the corner of her eye as he approached, he raised an eyebrow at her. She knew he probably wondered what she was still doing here, but she refused to look at him or give him an excuse. Tomorrow she would call him with her decision. Let him stew and worry tonight. Biting her lip, Danielle hid her smile.

Ms. Hanscom stared at Officer Brantley and the other onlookers. “I’ve been watching every night to see if those vandals would come back. Jessica Fletcher always said that criminals come back to the scene of a crime. She was right…because I saw them scoping out our houses tonight.”

Moving closer to the pack, Danielle frowned. Great. Just what the department needed tonight, an old woman doped up on reruns of Murder She Wrote and thinking she’s a detective.

Pulling his small issued notepad out of his pocket, probably to humor the hysterical old woman, Brantley asked, “What did you see?”

“That woman.” Hanscom’s accusing finger aimed directly at Danielle.

Danielle was speechless as she looked down the accusing finger of Ms. Hanscom, seeing the old woman’s suspicious eyes. Glancing around her, Danielle noticed the questioning shocked looks of the other neighbors mingling around. “Me?”

“Her?” Brantley and Robert called out simultaneously.

“Yes, her,” Ms. Hanscom declared. “What is she doing here? She doesn’t belong in this neighborhood, it’s a private residence.”

Heat and anger traveled along the blood moving through Danielle’s veins. She was pissed.

Brantley’s laugh broke the tension. “You’re mistaken.”

Finally dropping her pointed finger, Ms. Hanscom folded her arms under the small sagging breasts the sizes of prunes. “How do you know? There aren’t any blacks that live here.”

“Because…” Robert began.

Danielle looked at him and gave a slight shake of her head. If he was thinking about confessing their relationship, now was not the time. This moment made it clear to her that maybe she’d been correct in her argument with Robert. The Ms. Hanscoms of Claremont were not ready for them.

Clearing his throat, Robert continued. “She’s a Claremont County police officer and she saved my sister’s life.” His eyes were full of apology and his gaze never left Danielle’s face.

“Yeah, Ms. Hanscom, Officer Smith was with me the first night we came out here to investigate your house being TP’d during this year’s high school homecoming game.”

Ms. Hanscom blushed slightly as the onlookers began to murmur about how often Danielle had assisted them when they had problems.

Still refusing to walk away with egg on her face, Ms. Hansom mumbled, “Well, by her dress, she’s not on duty tonight and I saw her running past the house twice.”

All eyes focused on Danielle, awaiting her reply.

Looking at Robert, then toward Brantley, Danielle used the only excuse these people would be comfortable hearing. “I’m training for the Claremont County Police ‘fun run’ to raise money for the July fourth fair. I clocked the distance one night while we were out here.”

“That’s right.” Brantley echoed in confirmation.

The crowd’s face held small relieved smiles of approval. The fair and football were a big deal in Claremont.

“See, Ms. Hanscom, nothing is going on for you to worry about. The cops have this under control,” Brantley tried to reassure.

“Well, maybe you all should patrol here more than once a night.” Ms. Hanscom gave her parting shot, refusing to be outdone, then turned and stalked back to her house.

Sighing, Brantley shook his head. “Some people are just too set in their ways to see any differently.”

“A lot of people in this town are,” Danielle told her co-worker as she watched the rest of the crowd disperse and move back to their homes. Everyone except Robert.

Moving to his patrol car, Brantley warned, “Hey don’t judge all of us by Ms. Hanscom. She’s in a narrow-minded class with very few others.”

Danielle shrugged, feeling Robert’s presence behind her. He probably was hoping that she stayed, but all of her worry and doubts were back in full force and the last thing she wanted to do was talk about them or what happened. “Well, I gotta go.”

“You need a ride?” Brantley asked.

“Nope, my car is just a few houses up. I’m good.” Turning without looking at Robert again, she ran with all her might toward her car, feeling his heated gaze on her back the entire way.

Breathing hard, she stopped beside her driver’s side door. Across her hood she could see him still standing beneath the streetlights. He was talking to Brantley but looking down the sidewalk at her. Her heart was breaking at the knowledge that she and Robert were ending. She would have to let him go so he could find the perfect wife to compliment his life in Claremont, and not be a distraction as she would. Getting in her car, she grabbed the key from under her mat and pulled off as the tears filled her eyes.

Chapter Five

“Yea, can I help you?” The medium height older black woman in a worn Denny’s uniform stared at him through the screen door on the south end of Patterson Street. There were no lights or open windows behind her and the darkness of the house obscured her features, but even that didn’t reduce the resemblance this woman had to Danielle.

“Hi, ma’am. My name’s Robert and I spoke to you on the phone.”

Brown eyes that would have been mirror images of Danielle’s, if not for the world battered haze distorting them, scanned him from head to toe. Returning her gaze to his face, she said, “You the one dat called about LaQuesha.”

He nodded, even though she was making a statement. “You’re her mother?”

“Who else would I be…the maid?” she snorted a laugh. “I told you on the phone dat I hadn’t seen Quesha in years.”

This woman had been difficult to talk to on the phone, but it was nothing compared to in person. Now standing with her arms folded over her large bosom, she didn’t look as if she was going to give him any more information than before. “I understand, ma’am. I’m not looking for her. Just trying to get to know her better.”

She tilted her head and pursed her lips. “Why? What in the hell Quesha gone done now? Got into some trouble?” Checking out his Dockers and button down shirt, she asked. “You her lawyer or somethin’?”

Robert smiled, hoping to put her at ease. By the lift of the woman’s eyebrow, he could tell it wasn’t working. “No, Ms. Smith, your daughter is not in any trouble.” Taking a deep breath, he looked the woman in the eye. Whatever Danielle’s problem with her mother was, he owed this woman his respect and honesty. “I love your daughter.”

Ms. Smith didn’t move for a full minute, just unwaveringly stared at him. He would have hated to have her on the witness stand. With her poker face, she would be a hard witness to break.

Without warning, the screen swung open. Robert had to step to the side to avoid being hit by it.

Flicking an interior light switch, she commanded, “Come in.” Ms. Smith moved aside so he could enter. “I have a few minutes to spare ’fore I have to be to work.”

Stepping inside, Robert took note of the worn furniture, dark worn curtains and nineteen-inch television. “Thank you, Ms. Smith.”

“Harvey.” Leaving the door open, she crossed the room and claimed a grey tweed recliner. “LaQuesha’s last name is Smith from her daddy. But, I ain’t never married his foolish ass. But a baby s’posed to have they daddy’s name so all four of my kids is Smith.”

“Ms. Harvey then.” He sat on the couch across from her.

“What you want to know ’bout LaQuesha?” She leaned back, getting comfortable in her chair.

“Whatever you want to tell me.” Robert didn’t even know why he’d driven to Lowndes County. He just felt as if most of Danielle’s issues and problems started here and when he discovered on the phone that she hadn’t seen her mother in years, he knew he had to come.

“Hmph.” She shook her head. “Quesha was a difficult child from conception. I knew when I was pregnant with her she was goin’ be my last.”

“Did you have complications?”

“No. Her ass just couldn’t keep still. I don’t think I slept for months while I was pregnant wit’ her.” She placed a fist on a plump hip. “I thought she was goin’ to be a fat baby or a soccer team was goin’ come out. But, shock me twice if she didn’t come out a month early at barely four and half pounds, kickin’ and screamin’.”

Robert smiled. Danielle was still on the move to this day. Not only did she run frequently to stay in shape, but she was running emotionally from him. The latter was enough to wipe the smile from his mouth. “How was she as a little girl?”

Ms. Harvey’s shoulders raised and dropped. “Nothing much to say. She went to school and acted like every other child. But, she was always sittin’ on the porch just starin’ down the road at nothin’.” Ms. Harvey glanced off for a moment, then looked back at him. “Maybe even then she was plannin’ to leave. She never could just be satisfied with life as it is.”

“In what way?” Robert asked.

“Every way. If I said go left, she wanted to see what was right. All my other children always did what I expected them to do. Grew up like good kids, got jobs in the city and knew where they came from and where they belonged. But, not LaQuesha. No, she thought she was better than where she came from. Where her family is from. Like her shit don’t stink like the rest of ours.”

It wasn’t hard for him to pick up on the hurt and anger in Danielle’s mother voice. “It must have been hard to let her go when she left for the academy.”

“Let her. I didn’t let her do nothin’.” Leaning over her knee she said, “LaQuesha ran off because she found out one year that she can spread her thighs like the rest of us and found herself caught in a situation. She wasn’t the same after that. Depressed and cryin’ all the time.”

Taken aback, Robert stared at Danielle’s mother. Was she telling him that LaQuesha got pregnant? Maybe that was why she’d told him from the beginning, after they’d renewed their previous relationship, that she was on the Pill faithfully and he didn’t have to worry about her trapping him with a baby. Swallowing down the lump in his throat, Robert asked the question he didn’t want to hear the answer to, because selfishly he’d never dreamed that Danielle had been intimate with any man but him. “Where’s the baby?” Glancing around the house, he saw a small toy car sitting on the floor by the TV. “Are you raising it?”

“Hello, no! I got seven grankids and I told all my children from the start that if they had babies they could break ’dey own back rasin’ em. I aint doin’ it.”

“I’ve been with your daughter for a year, I know she doesn’t have a child.”

Throwing her hands up, Ms. Harvey said, “I didn’t say she had the baby.” She gave a dry chuckle. “She was even too good for that I guess.”

“What happened?” he inquired. Knowing that Danielle had been pregnant by another man didn’t change how he felt about her, but maybe he could discover why she protected her heart from him so fiercely.

“I guess sometime during the summer before her senior year of high school. I don’t know. She was never home and then the school year started and she was always depressed it seems. Mopin’ around the house. Then one day during the fall she left outta here in that ragged car her daddy gave her.”

“Where’d she go?”

“Hell, if I know. Some chop shop I guess, because I got a call from the hospital. When I got there, she was cryin’, all balled up in the hospital bed and dat baby was gone.” Ms. Harvey glanced down at her watch and stood. “I ain’t ask no questions, cause if she want’d me ta know, she’d said somethin’. She stayed close to home over the next few months, then before her graduation cap landed on the ground she had hightailed it outta here.”

Getting the message, Robert stood as well. “Thanks for your time.”

Walking with him to the door, Danielle’s mom grabbed her purse and keys off the hook by the door and escorted him out.

“I’d say it was my pleasure but I’d be lyin’.” Lumbering down the steps, she moved to her late model green Stratus. Stopping, she turned toward him. “How is LaQuesha?”

He wondered if Danielle’s mother knew she changed her name. Smiling, he looked at the life-weary woman. “Good. She’s doing very well.”

She nodded. “When you get back to Claremont you take good care of her.”

“I will.” Frowning, he asked. “I never said where I lived.”

“I said I hadn’t seen her. But, I get a card and money from her every holiday and my birthday. All the things over the last year have been comin’ from Claremont. I guess Atlanta got to be too much for a small town girl.”

“I guess so.” Robert got into his truck and pulled away with his heart heavy. He couldn’t recall the last time he’d cried, but his eyes were stinging as he drove out of Lowndes County.

* * * *

Getting out of the shower, Danielle had just finished putting lotion on her body when a loud knock sounded at her door. Pulling a gown over her head, she crossed her carpeted floor to peer out of the peephole. Seeing Robert’s face staring back at her, she placed her forehead against the door and took a few calming breaths. They had not spoken in two days. She didn’t know if she wanted to begin the dreaded conversation of why they couldn’t be together at ten o’clock at night.

“Danielle, I know you’re standing by the door, I saw your shadow in the peephole.”

Damn. She should’ve looked out her window to the parking lot for cars that didn’t belong to the residence. Too late now. Unlatching the door, she opened it. “Robert, now is—”

He stormed past her into the apartment.

Looking at him, she shut the door. Her neighbors had probably already heard his banging. They didn’t need to be a witness to the rest of their conversation. “Why are you here, Robert?”

He stood in the middle of her living room rubbing his forehead, clothes disheveled.

“How could you do it?” He pierced her with his red-rimmed gaze.

“Do what? Not talk to you? I needed time.” She said, staring at him closely.

“I’m not talking about calling me!” he yelled.

Robert never yelled. “Keep your voice down,” she spoke through gritted teeth. Her cop instinct kicked in and things became clear. “Are you drunk?”

He stepped toward her, where she still stood by the door. “Have I been drinking? Yes. I’m not drunk. I wish I was, then maybe I wouldn’t have to think about it.”

Placing a hand on his arm, she tried to reassure him. “Look, Robert, this is hard for both of us. But, we have to admit we knew it was coming.” As she spoke, Robert closed the gap between them. Danielle moved backwards and came up against the door. Around him, she always found herself in a constant state of arousal. If he touched her, they would end up having sex and that would just muddle everything all over again.

“Danielle.” He said her name as if he were unsure of who she was.

The soft, hollow sound of his voice made her nervous. It wasn’t sexual in nature, but different. “Ro-bert?”

His hands massaged her shoulders, then moved down to her breast and squeezed.

She trembled at the warmth of his strong touch through her silk gown. “Robert, what are you doing?”

“Why’d you do it?” His hands continued on past her stomach and stopped at her lower abdomen. With circular motions, his thumbs caressed her there, not moving any further.

“Do what?” She gazed at his face, dark with emotion. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“I know you had to be scared and confused, sweetheart.”

Setting her hands over his, she stilled his touch. “Scared. Confused. I’m I supposed to know what this conversation is about?” The feeling of foreboding crept into her heart.

“I went to see your mother today.”

Her lungs contracted, making it hard for her to breath. “What?” she whispered. “Why in the hell would you do that?” She knew it was a mistake to tell him her real name. Needing some space, she pushed away from him and the door.

“I wanted to prove to you I didn’t care where you came from or what your name was. I care about you regardless.”

She bet her mother had given him an earful. Marlena Harvey and she had never gotten along. They were too different just like her parents. Her father loved her mother, but her mother would never marry him because he wanted to leave Valdosta and her mother was afraid she’d have to follow her husband wherever he wanted to take her. Shortly after she was born, her father left and only came to visit her and her siblings for birthdays.

Keeping her back to him, she stood in the center of her small apartment. “What did she tell you?” Her voice was low, not really wanting him to hear the question.

“That you were pregnant during your senior year.”

No such luck. Closing her eyes, she bowed her head and wrapped her arms around her stomach feeling sick. “What else?” She had to ask even though she knew what would come next.

“You aborted your baby. Our baby.”

Danielle whipped around, facing him, not expecting those words. “What?”

Approaching her, he said, “I don’t fault you for it, sweetheart. I know you were young. We were young. I just wish you would’ve told me.”

Recognizing the hurt she saw in Robert’s face mirrored the pain in her heart she was experiencing. She shook her head, not believing what was happening. “Robert, I wanted to tell you.”

He moved closer, but didn’t touch her. “Why didn’t you? You at least knew my name. But to abort our ba—” he voice broke.

Tears welled up in her eyes. “Those long hours in the hospital waiting for my mother and feeling as if I’d lost everything that mattered to me in the world…” First one tear spilled over, then another. “I would have never…” her voice faded away as the tears came rushing out, “even when I was offered the money to do it.”

Face scrunched, Robert asked, “By who? Your mother? I’ve seen her house and she can’t even afford new furniture.”

With bleary vision, she made her way to the door. “You’re right, Robert, my mother is poor. But, she would’ve accepted my child no matter how or with whom I conceived it. Blood is more precious than money.”

Steps away, Robert gazed at her, still looking perplexed. “Who then?”

Pulling the door open, letting him know it was time to leave, she brushed a tear away with the back of her hand and snorted. “The next time you’re at your family home for Sunday dinner talk to your father. See how happy he would’ve been to have you bring home a poor black girl and a baby.”

“My father? What does he have to do with this?”

“Either you leave or I will.” Danielle looked past his shoulder, staring at the wall.

Touching her hand on the door, he said, “This isn’t over, Danielle.”

Seeing the beautiful contrast of their skin colors, she swallowed down the thump in her throat. Staring into his hazel eyes for what possibly could be the last time, she said, “It is now.”

Moving her hand from under his, she watched him shake his head as he left her apartment.

Closing the door behind him, she pressed her back against it, slid to the floor and cried. Feeling the pain of the loss of their baby from years ago was bad, but the overwhelming ache of losing Robert for good devastated her. Curling into a fetal position on the floor, she rocked her body against the cold tile in front of her door. She didn’t attempt to console herself or convince herself that she was going to be all right. Instead, she laid there and waited for the numb feeling to set in so she could pick herself up off the floor and go to bed, praying for morning to come so she could drown herself in work. Something that didn’t ask anything of her. Something that left her soul untouched. Something that wasn’t connected to Robert.

* * * *

Fuck, I messed up. Robert could hear the murmuring of Danielle’s sobs through the door. He’d handled this situation all wrong with her. When he drove from her mother’s house and stopped at the country club, waiting for her to get off work, he had a drink. He’d wanted to use vodka to drench the hurt of finding out he was almost a father, then discover the opportunity had been taken away from him, but he was too miserable to even get drunk. He’d never thought about having kids anytime soon, but the image of Danielle swollen with his child caused his heart to leap and beat hard against his chest.

Now he wanted to bang his head against the wall for jumping to conclusions as her mother had done. He had become someone else who didn’t believe in Danielle and thought her guilty of aborting their baby.

Sitting on the other side of her door, he didn’t think about how ridiculous he might look resting there, he just waited. Listened and waited. He didn’t fool himself into believing that if he knocked she would open the door and allow him to hold her.

Almost an hour passed before he realized there was a quiet stillness on the other side. It was time for him to leave. Tomorrow he was going to close the gaps of all the missing information, but he needed to get himself together before he approached his father. Otherwise, he was liable to say things he would regret.

Chapter Six

Robert stood at his father’s office door and watched retired Major General Wright as he spoke on the phone. Glancing up, his father smiled and waved him inside. Entering, Robert closed the door behind him, then crossed the room and took the single chair opposite his dad.

“All right, Mayor Benson, I’ll see what I can throw together.” His father made a few more agreements, then hung up the phone. “That Benson boy, he’s always coming up with ideas.”

“Is he?” Robert leaned back in his chair and observed his father, the man who’d taught him never to give up without a fight. The same man he called when he felt overwhelmed in law school. His dad always told him he believed in him. His father unwaveringly said he could do it. Robert highly respected the man across the desk, but he couldn’t deny the anger simmering in his veins. General Wright had secrets. Secrets that involved him, his son.

“Ole’ Greg has decided that with my retirement and all earlier this summer I ought to give the Fourth of July speech.”

His dad laughed, but Robert could see the pride in his face. “Nothing to it, Dad, someone in our family has always given the speech before. You’ll be fine.”

Tilting his head, his father eyed him for a moment. Then the astute man across the desk from him lowered his eyes and focused on Robert’s hand.

Robert looked at his own hand, noticing his thumb was rubbing hard against the arm of the chair as if trying to remove the polish. Ceasing his agitated movement, Robert took note of the burning on the pad of his thumb.

“So, you want to tell me what’s bugging you?” His father’s chair squeaked.

“Yeah, I do, but I’m not sure where or how to start.” Folding his hands in his lap, Robert raised his gaze to meet his father’s.

“You know I don’t like people to pussycat around a conversation, so just say it. We’ll handle whatever it is from there.” His father’s mouth angled up in a half smile. “Like always.”

Like always, hell. “Dad, you always taught Liza and me to live up to our achievements and mistakes.”

Taking a deep breath, he face looked at him with compassion filling his blue eyes. “Have you got yourself in a situation?”

“Not now.” Forcing out a breath, he pushed his words out. “But, eight years ago I did.”

The general’s eyebrows pinched together in the center of his forehead. “While you were in college? What could’ve happened back then that could cause you to be this stressed?”

“Why didn’t you tell me about the baby, Dad?” Robert blurted out.

His father’s head bounced up and down in understanding. “Now I see. She told you I offered her money for an abortion.”

For the first time in his life, Robert saw red clouds obstructing his vision of his father. “Why in the hell—” Raking his hands through his hair, Robert stood. Moving to the back of the chair, he leaned over it, gripping the headrest. “Dad, I loved her.”

Still calm, his father folded his hands on the desktop. “Robert, I would never belittle your feelings.”

“Then why do it, Dad? The baby would’ve been your grandchild. You would’ve willingly killed your grandson or granddaughter and not even told me.” Robert’s words came out pressured. The tightness in his throat from the night before returned full force.

His father’s features distorted. Robert couldn’t tell if it was from pain or embarrassment.

“You were only a child yourself. Both of you were. I wasn’t telling her to have an abortion, I was giving her options. I saw the old used car she came pulling up in the driveway in.” His father threw his hands up, settling deeper in his chair. “That girl didn’t have a pot to piss in or a window to throw it out of. The last thing you all needed was for you to come charging down here from college and continue in the house game you shouldn’t have even started. No money and no jobs.” Pausing, his father sighed. Locking gazes with him, his father said, “But, so you know this. I would’ve made sure you knew, came home and had a job. I didn’t raise you and your sister to hide from your problems and I’ll be damned if it would’ve started then.”

The truth of his father’s words popped the steam out of his balloon of indignation. “What happened, Dad? Do you know how she ended up in the hospital?”

“I took her.”

“What?” Robert folded his arms across his chest.

A smile stretched across his father’s face, almost prideful. “That girl has spunk. She’s a fighter. She sat in that chair.” His father pointed at the chair Robert now stood behind, and said, “When I offered her money for an abortion, she called me a cold, rich white man who was afraid to blemish the family snow with a chocolate drop. I’ve had airmen who would never have had the balls to raise their voice at me. But, that girl didn’t care one whit about my two stars.” A dry chuckle came from his mouth. “Then before I could say anything she ran out the house. I went chasing after her, but by the time I got to the front door she was laying awkward at the bottom of the porch steps clutching her stomach and crying.” Sadness glazed his father’s eyes. “There wasn’t anything else for me to do but scoop her up and get her to Smith Northview Hospital in Valdosta. The bleeding started on the way.”

Robert returned to the chair Danielle had fled so many years ago. “Her mother believes she had an abortion.”

The general folded his hands in his lap. “I’m sure she does. The hospital told me they’d contacted her mother, so I waited outside the room to make sure she was going to be okay. Her mother didn’t even blink in my direction when she stormed into the room in front of me. The door hadn’t even shut before she said, ‘well you done fixed yo’ problem now. It’s time to go. I need to get back to work to pay for this new bill you done made’. In a flash, she had her daughter dressed and out of the hospital, never asking what happened or how the girl was doing.”

Robert shook his head. Danielle’s mother wondered why her daughter left and only sends cards and money. When Danielle had needed Ms. Harvey emotionally, her mother hadn’t been there for her. Now he could understand why Danielle put up so many walls and refused to address their feelings for each other.

“So, what’s your plan for you and this girl?”

Staring at his father, he corrected him, “Danielle. Her name is Danielle.”

“No, her name is LaQuesha. But, it was legally changed in Atlanta to Danielle.”

Robert frowned. “She told you her real name.”

“Hell, no,” he barked with laughter. “When she came to the house, she introduced herself as Danielle. I did some checking around and found out about her.”

“I tried to do the same thing and got nowhere.”

His father grinned. “Son, I was a general in the United States Air Force. There’s not much I can’t discover.”

Nodding, Robert agreed with his father. “I’m sure. So, you figured out I’m dating her.”

“That didn’t take much discovering. When she moved to town, I knew once you finished law school and came home it was a matter of time.”

“Then why do you and all your buddies keep trying to set me up with all of the available girls in town?” He could start his own phone book with the numbers he’d been given.

“Options, son. Life is filled with options,” his father threw his hands out to the side.

“I love her, Dad,” he confirmed.

“I figured as much.” Leaning his elbows on the desk, his father eyed him across the polished wood surface. “Do me a favor. Make an honest woman out of her before you all start on my grandbabies this time.”

Lifting and dropping his hands with a loud slap on his thighs, Robert said, “I’d love to, Dad. But, Danielle won’t even answer my phone calls.”

“Well, we know she’ll be at the Claremont County Independence Day fair.”

For the first time that day, Robert smiled. “Thanks, Dad.”

* * * *

“Okay, Smith, you’re off candy apple patrol. Step back and let a professional handle this,” said Mandy Franklin, the other day shift female cop.

Laughing, Danielle allowed the tall, lanky ebony-haired woman to hip bump her away from the bubbling caramel pot. “So, you’re trying to tell me you can do a better job than me?”

Mandy looked over at the gooey blob-covered apples on the wax paper. “Uh, I think a two-year-old could have managed to make it still look like apples.”

Biting on the side of her lip and wrinkling her nose, Danielle said, “I think you’re right, Franklin. I can cook, but I’m terrible with carnival candy.”

“You got that right. So, stay away from the cotton candy bin as well, Smith. I still haven’t gotten all the sugar out of my hair,” Brantley warned.

Danielle stuck her tongue out at the big burly redhead. “Whatever. I’ll just help Thompson with chocolate dipped banan—”

“No!” Fred Thompson, the buzz cut blond of the force, threw his hands up to ward her off the simmering double boiler. The white gauze on his forearm a stark reminder of the last time she’d been there.

Poking her lip out to hide her grin, she asked, “So, you don’t want my help?”

Pulling a perfect brown covered apple out of the pot and placing it on the wax sheet, Franklin said, “Smith, you ran your ass off yesterday and raised a lot of money. You made it possible for us to provide so many free treats for the town folks. You did your part.”

“Ran like something was chasing you,” Thompson chirped in.

“Now get your tiny ass out of the booth.” Franklin ordered.

“Fine.” Danielle waved at her friends, taking the hint that her service was no longer needed, and left the candy stand. She was finally feeling a part of the town and the force. Strolling through the fairgrounds, she loved how twice a year this place came together raising money and contributing things so that this event was free for everyone.

Pausing by the Ferris wheel, Danielle spotted the only dark corner of her own personal cloud nine. Robert. He was standing in the conductor’s box at the carousel waiting for more kids to load up on the metal horses. His sister Liza and Officer Zeller were assisting smaller kids on the ride, while inside with him was Stephanie Maxwell, pressed close beside him. The woman’s fake boobs practically stroked Robert’s arm. Danielle could see Stephanie’s sharp nipples signaling attention from this far away. Shifting her gaze back to Robert and seeing is brown hair, strong jaw line and sexy mouth, Danielle’s body tensed in remembrance. His hands shifted the controls, starting the ride for the children, and heat rolled in her stomach and lowered between her legs, awakening her sex. She recalled every touch and caress of his hands on her body and his spicy male scent.

She shook her head to clear it. The last thing she needed was to torture herself any more than she already was. Pulling her gaze away from him, Danielle turned and went to the picnic area. She would need to find a spot before it got too crowded. The fireworks would be starting soon.

Plopping down on the grass, Danielle stared off in the distance. Thompson had been correct when he said she ran as if something was chasing her. Yesterday, she had tried to outrun all of the loneliness that was going to be her companion for many years to come.

She and Robert were over. He hadn’t called her since Wednesday. Maybe he’d finally gotten tired of her not answering or returning his calls. After her run yesterday, she had been shocked to see him standing at the finish line. He and his father were there conversing with the two senior partners at the law firm and Chief Dennison. Robert clapped as she came across the line, third but the first woman. Winded, she gazed at him, while someone handed her a bottle of water. Pacing, she had tried to fill her lungs with much needed air and noticed his nod of congratulations.

Unable to deny the warm feelings surrounding her heart at his support, she almost smiled until General Wright turned and followed Robert’s gaze to her. Quickly, giving both men her back, she walked away to the cheering group of cops.

“So, what’s eating you?”

Danielle lifted her head and saw Mandy, the second female runner, standing beside her. “Hey girl, what happened to your dipping fun?”

“See when you’re a caramel apple-ologist. You don’t need lots of time.” Mandy sat beside her.

“Apple-ologist? Is that even a word?”

“It is now.” The dark haired woman gave a husky laugh, almost masculine in nature. “Actually, the line started to thin. Everyone wants to hear the speech and see the fireworks.”

Danielle looked over the sea of families sitting around on blankets, eating, laughing and mingling with friends.

“You never answered my question. What’s eating you, Smith?”

Glancing to the side, she stared at the other woman who had become a friend to her in the last few weeks. They’d even had lunch together a few times. “Why do you think something’s bothering me?”

Bending her legs, Mandy propped her elbows on her knees. “It’s not because you haven’t been Miss Ray of Sunshine. The guys probably can’t tell any difference, but woman to woman, I’ve witnessed more than just one time where you were lost in your own thoughts and pain shadowed your eyes.”

Damn, who would’ve ever thought tough Mandy had female intuition. Folding her legs in a crisscross fashion, Danielle decided to open up. She needed to talk to someone. “Mandy—”

“Mandy? Not Franklin? Whoa, this must be serious.” The other woman dramatically placed her hand over her heart.

“Do you want to hear this or not?”

Mandy pretended to zip her lip.

Giggling for a moment, Danielle took a deep breath, then began, “I’m not going to go into great detail now, because if I do…” she swallowed, trying to loosen the thick feeling in her throat, “I’ll start crying. Have you ever been in love with someone you knew couldn’t be yours? Shouldn’t be yours?”

“No.”

Snapping her head to the side, Danielle looked at Mandy. “You’ve never been in love?”

“That’s not what you asked. I’ve been in love lots. Never deeply in love, though. But, I can’t think of a time that it was to anyone I shouldn’t have. Unless the person you love is married.”

“No, he’s not married.” She glanced past Mandy in the direction of the carousel, but no longer saw Robert. She wondered if he was off with Stephanie. “It just won’t work. There’s too much between us.”

“Never.” Mandy nudged her shoulder. “If two people are in love and want it to work. Nothing can stop it.”

Refocusing on Mandy, Danielle asked, “What about past hurts? Other people’s views? Family disapproval? Those things can tear people apart.”

“Only if the two want it to happen.” With eyes full of a wisdom that Danielle had never recognized before, Mandy continued, “Do you love him, Danni?”

Danielle smiled at hearing her old nickname. “Yeah, I love him.” She blinked away the tears threatening to fall. “But, what if it’s too late?”

“Happy Independence Day, Claremont County!” Mayor Benson bellowed into the microphone from the wooden platform, erected for the fair, making the screech blare in everyone’s ears.

Putting their conversation on hold, she and Mandy looked over to the small stage.

“This year, I decided to do something different.” The fairground conversation came to a halt as everyone listened to the Mayor. “Instead of me kicking off the fireworks, I’m going to allow our county’s highest ranking decorated hero and a descendent of one of our founders, and finally a county resident since his retirement, to speak.”

Everyone, knowing who the Mayor was talking about before he said it, began to clap for General Wright.

Robert’s father patted Mayor Benson on the back as he took the microphone. “Thanks, everyone. I must say that in all of my years traveling and living all over the world, there is no place like Claremont County.”

People called out their agreement to his words.

“Nowhere else I’ve been comes together and supports each other like Claremont County.”

Whistles pierced the night air.

“It’s because of that love and encouragement we show each other in this town that my son has decided this would be the best place to make an announcement.”

Danielle’s gaze located Robert walking up onto the five-foot high platform. His father gave him a wink, then passed the microphone to him. She wondered what Robert had to say that was so important he would do it in such a fashion. Maybe he made partner.

“My father and quite a few other people in this town have not pulled any punches in telling me that I need to be thinking about getting married.”

That wasn’t what she was expecting. Scanning the groups standing by the stage, she looked for Stephanie; the person she considered was the town’s pick for Robert. She hadn’t missed the gossip about how much Stephanie talked about wanting Robert.

“Before I go any further. I have a problem.” He lifted his hand to his forehead and looked around the gathering. “Can you all help me find Officer Danielle Smith?”

Her lids stretched wide as all the town seemed to be staring at her with question in their eyes.

“Here she is!” Mandy bellowed out.

Looking at her friend, she whispered, “Thanks, Benedict Arnold.”

“No time like the present for you to discover I’m a romantic at heart.”

Danielle found herself shoved to her feet by her friend.

“Great,” she mumbled. Unable to escape, Danielle found herself moving on wooden legs toward the stage.

“Hi, beautiful.” Robert spoke into the mic.

Heat spread over her face. She was afraid to look anywhere else but at Robert. She didn’t want to see the judgmental eyes of the onlookers. Giving a slight shake to her head, she attempted to plead with Robert not to do this. Don’t embarrass me, please.

But, he disregarded her appeal and continued, “Officer Smith, you arrested my heart years ago the first time I saw you.”

Nerves got the best of her, causing her legs to quiver in her jeans. Oh, God, this man has lost his mind.

“I’m crazy in love and I’m hoping that you won’t say no in front of all of these people. Will you marry me?”

She was speechless, overwhelmed and nervous. A part of her wanted to turn and hightail it out of there. Accustomed to running, her defense mechanism told her to do it again. Not give a damn what Robert wanted, leave and find a new town.

Robert must have sensed the warring emotions inside of her because he handed the microphone to his father and jumped off the stage.

As his long muscular legs ate up the distance between them, Danielle’s feet were rooted to the spot. She couldn’t will herself to move, let alone run. But for once in her life she didn’t want to.

Close enough to touch, Robert stood before her. “Robert, I—” her voice broke.

“Love me?” he questioned, sounding slightly unsure. “Sweetheart, we both lost something precious once. But I refuse to lose you.”

Through watery eyes, she looked into his hazel ones. “I don’t want to lose you. But, do you really want to marry me knowing that your father doesn’t approve of us?” Danielle’s body felt prickly with all the attention focused on them.

Closing the gap, he held her face in his hands. “I don’t care if this whole town, my father, or Ms. Hanscom doesn’t like it. I’d marry you in the town square today. I said I love you and I meant it.”

What girl could argue with that? “I love you, Robert.” Her heart pounded with excitement in her chest. “Ask me again,” her voice wavered as the tears she’d been holding back began to fall.

Lowering his body to the ground, Robert took hold of her hand as he balanced himself on one knee. “Danielle Smith, will you marry me?”

“Yeees!” she answered, squealing with delight as Robert lifted her into his arms and began kissing her.

“Let the fireworks begin!” General Wright called out as the people cheered and explosions of lights lit the sky.

Placing her feet back on the ground, she found herself tugged behind Robert through the throng of citizens, congratulating them, and passed a teary-eyed Officer Franklin.

Robert didn’t stop until he had her inside the hall of mirrors trailer. “Now, I can show you how happy you’ve made me.” Pulling her to him, his hands snaked up the back of her shirt and caressed her skin.

The tingle she was feeling earlier was nothing in comparison to how her body was singing now. “Babe, we are not going to make love in this trailer with all of Claremont County outside the door.” She moaned at the hot open mouth kiss he was placing on the side of her neck.

“Fine.” His hands moved down to her butt and gripped it, pressing her to his distinct erection. “Party pooper, but I need to touch you.”

Wrapping her arms around his wide shoulders, she said, “What kind of woman would I be if I denied my fiancée?”

“A very naughty woman.” Unzipping her pants, he slipped one hand inside and underneath the elastic of her panties. “And a deliciously wet one.” Palming her bare sex, he brushed her clit, nestled between her slick folds.

Spreading her legs, Danielle gyrated her hips and pressed her aching center against his hand.

“Liza and Brad are getting married at the end of the summer. How do you feel about a Christmas wedding?”

Her eyes slid shut. “As long as you don’t…stop…I’ll agree to…anything.”

“Hmm, good.” His talented finger made circles at the apex of her thighs. “Dad wants the wedding at the house.”

Danielle’s eyes sprang open. “Are you sure he was talking about our wedding?”

With one arm curved around her waist, his hand between her legs became more insistent. “Positive, now you need to come, sweetheart, before the fireworks stop and the whole town hears you screaming.”

She didn’t care as her orgasm overtook her and she cried out, feeling the joy of knowing she was beginning a new life with Robert.

About the Author

Yvette Hines loves romance and writing it is one of her greatest pleasures in life outside of her husband and two children. Her belief in happily ever after began when she was sixteen and started reading romance books. Now as an erotic romance author, she tries to show that every woman no matter color, age, shape or size deserves a high level of passion in her life. Residing in Virginia with her family, she is an avid member of Chesapeake Romance Writers. She loves to hear from her readers: sasseyvettehines@yahoo.com or visit her at http://SASSE-Yvette-Hines .blogspot.com.