Seductively: Playing for Hearts Book 2 (Crimson Romance) (19 page)

Shocked and intrigued by the image of her careless parents, she shook her head and sighed. “I don’t know what I’m going to do now.”

“You pick yourself up, go back to work at the hotel, and keep saving so the next time an opportunity knocks at your door, you’ll be ready.” He lifted her chin. “Then if you need anything, you come to me. I’ll help you.”

She kissed his cheek. “Thanks, Dad.”

“Now, tell me about this man you snuck away to stay with.” Her dad frowned. “A professional athlete? That’s quite a change of lifestyle from what you’re used to here.”

She glanced away. “It’s nothing. I just helped a friend of a friend.”

She couldn’t think about what a mess her life was at this moment. She’d lost her dream, and though she didn’t want to admit it, she’d fallen in love with Dominic and lost him too. If she dwelled too much on all the bad things happening to her suddenly, she’d burst into tears.

Not wanting Diana to see him before he was ready, Dominic parked the Porsche behind the City Hall and walked across to the hotel. He whistled as he hopped onto the sidewalk. The change in his life since the last time he showed up in Cottage Grove was not lost on him.

He’d practically had to fight his way inside the double doors. The women had been crazy and determined in their quest to get a piece of him. Today, everyone left him alone and barely glanced at him. He had Diana to thank for the turnaround in his life.

Inside the old hotel, several people stood at the desk and a large group of individuals walked out of the restaurant to his left. He moved in closer and peered over the heads of the guests in front of him.

Diana stood with her head lowered, signing a paper behind the check-in desk, her curls loose and wild around her shoulders. She looked even more beautiful than he remembered.

He knew everything about Diana. He’d studied, mesmerized, and learned how fast she was to smile when he made her happy. She’d stand with her hand backward on her hip when he made her flustered. Most of all, he loved to watch her eyes ignite with passion and soften when he kissed her.

Diana tucked her hair behind her ear. He smiled, because at any moment he knew she’d brush the stray strand away from her face — yes, just like that. Now she’d bite her bottom lip. His grin stretched his cheeks. He’d missed her.

Diana moistened, and then raked her teeth over her bottom lip. His legs shook as her tongue tempted him to push his way through the crowd and kiss her.

Every movement, every breath she took, hypnotized him. How could he think that she’d walk away from him, feeling nothing or believing what they shared together was a fling? Stubborn and yet giving, she did what he expected her to do. Not what she wanted, because that’s the type of person she was. He should’ve known.

He inhaled deeply, content to stand and watch her forever. But he had plans, and they needed to settle what was between them once and for all.

He’d never expected her to steal his jersey. That one simple act gave him hope that it wasn’t too late.

He could fix letting her get on that plane and fly out of his life. All he had to do was convince her to listen.

“Excellent.” Diana smiled at the couple in front of the desk. “Enjoy your stay.”

She gazed out at the others in the group. He recognized the moment she spotted him, because she lost her smile.

“Hey, sweetcheeks,” he mouthed.

She shook her head and frowned.

Burned from her reaction to seeing him, he peered around the room. Why wouldn’t she be happy to see him?

“Excuse me.” He shifted and walked between the guests, until he stood in front of the counter. “Diana, can I talk with you?”

“I’m working.” She looked at the computer screen. “Unless you want a room, you’ll have to leave.”

He glanced over his shoulder. An older woman raised her brows and elbowed her husband, who jerked his gaze toward him and lifted his chin. He smiled politely and turned back around. “Yeah.”

She snapped her gaze to him. “What?”

“I’d like to reserve a room at the hotel. For tonight.” He reached behind him and extracted his wallet.

She blinked rapidly. “Dominic, you don’t want to … ”

“One night.” He slid two hundred dollars across the counter. “Please.”

She glared. “You don’t want to stay here.”

“Yes, I do,” he said.

She stuck out her chin and challenged him. “No, you don’t.”

“Yes. I. Do.” He grinned.

She leaned over the desk. “What are you doing here?” she hissed.

“Isn’t it obvious? I want to talk with you.”

“We’ve said all there is to say.” She lowered her voice. “I’m not working for you any longer.”

“Excuse me. How long is this going to take?” A man spoke behind him.

“It’ll just be a minute.” He winked at the man’s wife and lifted his chin at the man in a silent plea for a few minutes of patience before turning back to Diana. “Have dinner with me.”

She shook her head, stepped over to the printer, and slapped the paper down on the counter. “Sign.”

He scribbled his name. “What time do you get off work?”

“I’m not going out to eat with you.” She snatched the registration papers from him and tossed the key toward him.

“Chinese? Mexican?”

“Go away,” she said.

“We’ll order in, and — ”

“No.” She clamped her mouth shut, and peeked at the guests waiting their turn. “Don’t you have a game to play?”

He grinned, because she was so damn cute when she tried to change the subject. “Suspended.”

“That’s not funny.” She frowned. “What is wrong with you?”

“For once … nothing.” He leaned over and braced his elbows on the counter. “Come closer to me.”

“Why?” She shifted her gaze away from him.

He crooked his finger. “Come here.”

She rolled her eyes and stepped toward the counter. “What?”

“A little bit closer,” he whispered.

“Dom, this is ridiculous — ” she leaned over the counter “ — and not at all appropriate while I’m working.”

“Who cares,” he murmured, right before he kissed her.

For all his nonchalance and kidding, he went from slow to deep in a snap. All he could do was hold onto the counter to keep from hurdling over the top and showing her how damn much he missed her.

She met his tongue with her own. He deepened the kiss, excitement building in his chest until he felt like he could take on the whole Rangers team by himself in an away game. He slid his hand around her neck, keeping her from going away again. She stared into his eyes, questioning him without a word spoken.

“We need to talk,” he whispered.

She rubbed her lips together. “No, we don’t.”

“Dinner? Please?”

“I’ll be working through dinner,” she said. “Leave a message on my phone if you want to talk to me.”

“It’s too important to tell you over the phone.” He kissed her once more, fast and hard. “Dinner tonight. I’m not taking no for an answer. We’ll talk, and then you’ll understand.”

He turned around. From behind him, she called, “Understand what?”

He waved over his shoulder, smiling. “You’ll see, sweetcheeks.”

Then not giving her a chance to deny him his wish, he strolled through the double doors and stepped out onto the sidewalk. He had no idea if she’d noticed the change in him or not but by tonight, she’d finally learn the truth.

Diana paced the small sitting area in her hotel room. It was seven o’clock. Dominic wasn’t coming.

She’d ignored her excitement all day over seeing him again and soon learning why he’d come to Cottage Grove. When she wasn’t glancing at the clock or peeking out the front door of the hotel, she beat herself up for how easily she fell back into thinking Dominic was her world. How could she expect him to be satisfied with a woman like her?

She’d failed in advancing her career when she missed purchasing the Ferriday house. He played professional hockey and traveled the world. She was stuck working for Mr. Dogger until she could make enough money to have a brand new bed & breakfast built. It’d take her years to supplement a loan of that size.

The phone rang. She rushed over, came to a careening stop, pressed her hand to her chest, and forced herself to cool down. She answered, calmer than she was feeling. “Hello?”

“Hey,” Shauna said. “Do you have a cold?”

Her shoulders sagged. “No. Why?”

“You sound funny. All airy and depressed … have you been drinking?”

“Of course not.” She rolled her eyes. “I’m fine.”

“Yay. Good.” Shauna laughed. “I’m picking you up in ten minutes. Wear something sexy and cute. Do you still have that pink sweater with the scooped neck you wore during the Valentine’s dance at the hotel?”

“Yes, but I’m not — ”

“Perfect! Wear a pair of ass fitting jeans and your black boots. Not too dressy, but casual hot.” Diana’s muffled voice came across the phone. “Sorry, Grayson came in the room, and I didn’t want him to overhear me or he’d wonder what I was doing.”

“Are you still denying him sex?”

Shauna snorted. “Are you kidding me? Grayson blew it. That man was all over me … but who can blame him, right?”

“Shauna … ” Diana groaned. “Let’s not talk about your late-blooming sex life tonight.”

“Okay. Good plan, because tonight is all about you. Get ready, I’ll be there soon, and I plan to show you the best time of your life. Whatever you do, don’t leave your hotel room until I get there. Pinky swear?”

“Um, tonight isn’t a good night, babe.” She sank down in the chair. “That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you. I’ve decided to stay in, take a bath, and … and do laundry.”

Silence came over the line. Shauna cleared her throat. “I know Dominic’s in town. He and Grayson are up to something, and I’m not going to let you keep beating yourself up over him. So get off your ass, get dressed, and be ready. No excuses.”

The phone disconnected. Diana groaned and closed her eyes, clutching the phone to her chest. Dominic probably wanted to tell her he was in town to visit Grayson, and his being here had nothing to do with her. He didn’t even show up after making a fool of her downstairs. She touched her lips.
Damn him.

A voicemail would do for whatever he had to tell her. He didn’t have to kiss her.

She opened her eyes and pulled herself out of the chair. Knowing Shauna, she’d be here before her ten minutes expired. She walked to the bedroom, dressed in the outfit Shauna picked out for her, and even put on her makeup.

By the time she pulled on her boots and decided she looked okay for whatever they were going to do, she’d worked up enough anger over Dominic not showing up, all she wanted to do was get out of the hotel and go somewhere to forget she ever fell in love with the big, sexy, Russian.

Knock, knock, knock.

She hurried into the sitting area, grabbed her purse, and opened the door. Shauna eyed her up and down, nodded, and pulled her out of the room. Diana locked the door, and, linking her arm through Shauna’s, left the hotel.

A quarter a mile away, Shauna drove past Quayside Lounge. Diana frowned. “I thought you were taking me out for a drink.”

“Change of plans,” Shauna muttered.

She shifted in the passenger seat. “What are we doing?”

“You’ll see,” Shauna said.

“You’re getting freaky again. The last time you acted secretive, I knew to expect a load of trouble coming your way.” Diana nudged Shauna’s arm. “I thought you said everything was okay between you and Grayson.”

“Yeah. We’re great.” Shauna jolted. “Oh, turn the radio up. I love this song.”

Diana shook her head, but turned the music louder. For the next mile, she let herself listen to the lyrics, wondering what Shauna heard in a song about breaking up when she had the ultimate love life. She, on the other hand, sunk further into a funk.

The car slowed down. She raised her gaze and frowned. “What are you doing here?”

“Don’t ask.” Shauna pulled into the driveway of the Ferriday house and came to a complete stop. “You know I love you, babe, but you need to get out of my car.”

“W-what?” Her jaw dropped before anger consumed her. “I can’t believe you,” she whispered.

“Diana, I — ”

She raised her hand. “Stop. You knew I lost my big chance, and you still brought me here. Why? I can’t — ” She clamped her lips shut and muffled her scream. “Never mind. I’ll get out of the car, because I’ll walk back to the hotel by myself.”

“Diana!”

She slammed the car door. Behind her, she heard Shauna yell she was sorry. She whirled around and pointed. “Go!”

Standing in the driveway of someone else’s pride and joy, and her broken dream, she watched Shauna back the car down the driveway and leave her behind. What in the world was Shauna thinking?

Never, in all the years they’d been friends, had Shauna been cruel or insensitive to her feelings. She kicked at the gravel on the driveway. There was no excuse for dumping her here. Even if she won the lottery, the house would still be unattainable to her. Gone. Never to be hers.

A hammering
bang, bang, bang
went off behind her. She whirled around. Shocked that someone would be out here at this time of night, she ducked behind the fence.

The windows on the bottom level of the Ferriday House were lit up and the noise came from inside. She brushed the tears from her eyes. All the times she’d walked through the house, she’d never viewed the house with the power on. For the first time in years, the place looked alive.

The serenity and majestic lay of the grand house took her breath away. How many times had she stood on the porch, looking out across the large span of yard and dreamed about turning the place into the best bed and breakfast in the county?

A shadow walked by the window. She crept closer, being quiet in case whoever was inside caught her trespassing. One little peek, that’s all, and then she’d leave. She had to see what the inside looked like with all the lights chasing away the dust and cobwebs.

The porch step creaked when she took her first step. She froze, watching the door. In the night, she could’ve sworn the sound echoed.

Before she could advance to the window, the door opened. A large darkened form filled the doorway, the inside lights casting his face in shadows. She gasped. Only one man could make that big of a silhouette.