Dangerous Deception (The BAD BOY BILLIONAIRES Series) (8 page)

“The housekeeper,” he said and now he, too, was
laughing.  "I told her I was going to learn to sew and she said to make
sure to use a thimble.  Then she gave me this one from her sewing kit.  I
didn’t even know she had a sewing kit.  Do people still use those things?”

“Yes, Storm, they do.”  Dani rolled her eyes at him
then she smiled and shook her head.  What did billionaires know about such
things?  She started pulling pieces of fabric from her collection and laid out
each colorful section in front of him.  "I pre-washed the fabric so
they’re ready to go.”

He picked up a pink polka dot piece.  “Why would you
do that?’

“It prevents color runs and shrinking once we’ve
completed the quilt.  Just some preventative measures.”

“Oh,” he said then stifled a yawn.

Dani leaned over and gave him a playful punch.  “Hey,
you could at least pretend to be interested.  You didn’t see me falling asleep
when I was on the back of your motorcycle.”  She picked up a few of the
pieces.  “Let's move this over to the dining table.  We’re going to need a lot
of space for this project.”

It took a while for them to get organized but soon
they were busy following the simple pattern Dani had downloaded from the
Internet.  She was surprised at how quickly Storm caught on, following her
instructions step by step, and even when he had to redo a crooked section she
heard no complaint.  He was plugging away, so deep in concentration, that after
an hour and a half it was Dani who had to call for a break.

“You must be tired,” she said.  “Let me get you a
drink.”

“No, I’m good,” he said, not looking up from his
work.  “Let's just keep going till we’re all done.”

“Let's not,” she said and put her hand on her hip.  
“I’m exhausted.  Are you trying to work me into the ground?’

“Hey, I’m enjoying this,” he said with a laugh.  “It’s
been a long time since I’ve had the chance to work with my hands.”

“You?  Work with your hands?” she asked in disbelief. 
“When?”

“My dad and I used to tinker around motorcycles when I
was growing up.  That’s why I like the machines so much.”

“Your dad?
 The
Edgar Hunter?  Getting his
hands dirty with mechanic work?  I find that hard to believe.”

He grinned at her.  “Billionaires are people, too. 
Don’t think I didn’t get my fair share of scolding for not tidying up my room.”

“Seriously?”  Somehow she’d thought rich kids didn’t
have to lift a finger.  They had maids to do that kind of thing, didn’t they?

“My parents didn’t play around with us kids,” Storm
continued.  “Sure, we had staff at the house to do the heavy stuff but we had
our chores, too.”  He chuckled.  “My mom even taught me how to cook and she’s a
stickler for perfection in the kitchen.  Brrr.”  Storm gave a shudder.

That made Dani burst out laughing.  "Anyway,
mama’s boy, you deserve a break so drop that quilt."

“Mama’s boy?”  Storm gasped in mock horror.  “You just
called me mama’s boy?  I’m going to get you for that.”

Before Dani could move he’d come around the table and
was reaching for her.  She gave a shriek and dashed around to the other side. 
She glanced over her shoulder, thinking that he’d given up the silly chase, but
he was still coming.  With a yell she was off again.

She made it as far as the living room and that was
where he caught her, his arms snaking round her waist to pull her back against
him.  With her back pressed against his torso and his arms a steel band around
her she had little chance of breaking loose but still she struggled, her flight
instinct kicking in, telling her she had to get away.

He was laughing at her futile efforts as he held her
easily but then she turned round in his arms, catching him off guard, and
shoved him in the chest.  Storm stumbled back, collapsing unceremoniously onto
the sofa, but he did not let go of her and she came tumbling down right on top
of him.

He immediately seized the advantage.  Quick as a cat
he rolled over into the softness of the sofa, shifting her so she was pinned
underneath him.  Then, propping himself on his elbows, he gave her a crooked
smile.  “Now I’ve got you exactly where I want you,” he whispered wickedly. 
“You are in my power.”

He dipped his head and put his lips close to her ear. 
“Do you take back what you said about me being a mama’s boy?”

Dani turned her lips to his ear but for a second she
said nothing, keeping him in suspense.  Then her whisper came, strong and bold
and defiant.  “Never.”

“Wrong answer.”  With a growl he captured both her
wrists with one hand and pinned them above her head then he lowered his head,
his lips coming closer and closer till they were just a hair’s breadth away
from hers.  “Last chance,” he whispered and his warm breath tickled her lips.

“Never,” she whispered again and then moaned as his
mouth descended on hers, locking her in a passionate kiss from which there was
no escape.  He was in total control, his lips holding hers prisoner, his tongue
tantalizing at first, testing her, teasing her then growing more masterful
until she was gasping beneath him.

Still holding her immobile Storm released her mouth to
slide his lips down her neck and over her collarbone.  There he feathered her
skin with butterfly kisses that had her squirming for a different kind of
release.

Dani arched her back, wanting more of him.  His sweet
torture was driving her crazy.  Her nipples, now hardened points in her bra,
were crying out for their own release, clamoring for his mouth, his lips, his
tongue to caress and to soothe them.  She sighed when his mouth slipped lower
to kiss the tops of her breasts and then he was sliding his free hand down the
front of her blouse, loosening buttons until he opened the shirt wide, exposing
her lacy bra and bare midriff to his heated gaze.

Only then did Storm release her wrists.  “You’re so
beautiful,” he whispered then cupped her breasts in his palms, his thumbs
making tantalizing circles over her nipples as they poked through her bra.

Dani was panting now, and he must have decided to take
pity on her because he hooked his thumbs in the top of each bra cup and pushed
them down below her breasts, exposing them to his view. 

Dani almost cried out when he sucked a puckered nipple
into his mouth, massaging it with his tongue, rolling it until she writhed in
sweet agony.  Then he moved his lips to the other and the hands he’d just freed
reached up to cradle his head and pull him into her.

When he lifted his head she groaned and reached for
him, wanting even more.

With a smile he pulled out of her arms then he began
unbuttoning his shirt.  As his hands deftly loosened button after button he
spoke.  “You’ve got condoms, right?”

The words were like a glass of cold water thrown in
her face.  Condom?  Dear God, what was she doing?  It had taken his words to
slap sense back into her brain.  It was like she’d been in a trance.  But now
she was herself again and she was not going any farther.

Dani sat up and shoved Storm off then she shot up off
the couch. 

“What’s the matter with you?”  His face registered
shock and confusion.

“I’m not doing this,” she muttered, dragging her bra
back in place and quickly doing up the buttons of her shirt.  As soon as they
were done she lifted her head.  “I’m your fake fiancée remember?  Fake.  That
means no sex."

“But we just-”

“I know and I was wrong to let things get that far but
you can get your shirt back on.  This is were it ends.”  Dani’s voice was cold.
 She knew she sounded harsh but her words weren’t only for Storm, they were for
her, too.  How the heck had she let things get that far?  She, realist that she
was, should have known better.

Storm was one of the richest men in the country.  He’d
hired her to do a job and she’d gone falling in infatuation - because that was
all it could be - with him.  He was dangerously handsome, with his raven-black
hair curling wildly and his dark eyes that seemed to read into your soul. 
She’d fallen under his spell but now it was time to break free.

She had to remain professional.  She could not afford
to be used and then discarded once he got tired of her.  Because that was what
they did, these tycoons.  To them, women like her were nothing but toys. 

She was glad she’d remembered that before it was too
late. 

Storm’s clothes were back in order now and he was
standing there, scowling at her, obviously annoyed by her sudden change of
heart.  “Do you want me to leave?” he asked through clenched teeth.

Dani sighed then nodded.  “I think that would be
best.”

Without another word Storm turned and walked out of
her apartment, closing the door firmly behind him.

Dani felt the fight seep out of her, leaving her
trembling and drained.  She sank down onto the sofa and put her hands to her
mouth as she fell into deep thought.  Had she just ruined her opportunity to
give her brother the help he needed?  Had she just messed up two chances by
quitting her job with Tony and then practically ordering Storm to keep his
hands off her?

Propping her elbows on her knees, she dropped her chin
into her cupped palms.  After what had just happened would Storm even call her
again?

******

Damn and double damn.  Storm slammed his palm against
the steering wheel and blew out a frustrated breath.  How could he have been so
dumb?

He should have known better than to give in to his
attraction to Dani.  Of course she would be upset.  He should probably be
grateful she hadn’t slapped him for coming on to her like that.  He’d hired
her, discussed money, and then had gone and practically taken advantage of
her.  Now she was probably feeling like he’d used her.  Jeez, what if she
thought he’d assumed he’d bought an all-inclusive package?

He shook his head.  He honestly didn’t know what had
come over him.  It was probably because he’d never felt so comfortable in a
woman’s company as he did in hers.  She’d had him quilting, for Christ's sake,
and he’d loved it.  He’d probably have enjoyed it just as much if she’d pulled
out a basket of old socks and told him to start darning.  It wasn’t the task
that had him on a high, it was the company.

He blew out his breath in a sigh.  He wanted Danielle
Swift.  There was no denying that.  The problem was she obviously didn’t feel
the same way.

He tapped his fingers on the steering wheel and stared
through the windshield of his Ferrari.  Now he was faced with a nagging
question - after what had happened, would she want to go through with his
plan?  He could easily think of twenty women who would jump at the chance to
play this farce with him.  But the only one he wanted was her.

It was not an easy task, admitting that to himself,
not after she’d thrown him out of her apartment.  But it was the truth.  Now
there was only one thing left to do.  He had to apologize.

He dug into his pocket and pulled out his cell phone. 
For some time he stared at it, fighting the urge to give in to his male ego. 
What man liked to be rejected?  But he had to do what was right.  He found her
number in the phone and pressed the green button to call.

She picked up on the third ring.  “Hello?”  Her voice
was soft, hesitant, totally unlike the bold Dani he’d come to know.

“It’s Storm,” he said and started tapping his fingers
on the steering wheel again.

“I know,” she said then there was silence.

Come on, fool.  Your turn
.  “Dani, I’m sorry about
what just happened,” he said, his voice strained.  “I was out of line to come
on to you like that and I apologize.”

“I’m sorry, too,” she said quietly.  “It’s not like I
was blame-free.”

Again there was silence, and for once in his life
Storm struggled to find words.  Finally he spoke.  “So…are we still on for that
visit to my parents in the next couple of weeks or…do you want to call it off?”

He heard her sigh into the phone.  “I’ll still do it,
Storm.  But you know this is dangerous, right?  I mean, deceiving your parents
like that?  Don’t you think they’ll see through it?”

“Not if we do it right,” he said.  “If we just act
like a normal couple they’ll be sold.”

“Normal?”

“Or as close to normal as we can get,” he said, trying
to clarify.

“Alright.  I’ll…see you in a couple of weeks then,”
she said, effectively bringing the conversation to an end.

“Right.  See you then.”

The phone connection went dead and she was gone.

Storm dropped the phone onto the driver's seat then
turned the key in the ignition.  The engine roared to life.

And that was the end of his evening.  Not exactly the
one he had envisioned but at least they were back on amicable terms.

He just hoped from here on he’d remember to keep his
roaming hands off her.  It was definitely not going to be easy.

******

The next two weeks passed far too quickly for Dani’s
liking.  She wasn’t ready.  Not mentally, anyway.  As she went down in the
elevator she breathed in deeply then exhaled slowly.  Calm down, she told
herself, then clutched her purse strap tighter.  Just because Storm's parents
were super rich there was no reason to be scared.  They were human beings, not
aliens.