Stormy Passion (21 page)

“
Your
girlfriend?”

“
Ex.”

“
Doesn't sound like
it.”

“
Are you jealous,
sweetheart?”

“
Come on, let's go,” Dani
urged irritably. He was laughing at her, but she'd be damned if
she'd answer that question. He must know how she felt about him.
She was sure that anybody that looked at her could see love written
all over her face.

Except Adrian.

Why couldn't she be one of those women who
could play coy so that no one ever knew how she felt?

Dani stared sightlessly out the limo's
windows as it whisked them back to the hotel. The musical had been
wonderful. She had never seen such elaborate set decorations and
the music seemed to seep into every inch of her body. During the
performance, she had been well aware of the man beside her.
Somewhere during the first act he had reached over and taken her
hand in his. She'd been warmed all the way to her toes for the rest
of the performance. If only she could take a pill that would
immunize her to Adrian.

After the show they went for a candlelight
dinner. The food had been delicious, but the strain of trying to
keep their conversation light was wearing on her.

When Adrian suggested a ride through Central
Park, she thought it was a good idea. The park was magical with the
light snow fluttering from the sky. Much too soon the wonderful
night had come to an end.

The slick black limo swung into the Marriott
Marquis. They took the escalators up to the lobby where Adrian
insisted on taking her to her room.

As they made their way over to the bank of
elevators, she was surprised how crowded it was even at this late
hours. With groups in every corner there was no way they could
talk.

Finally, they reached her floor. Dani fumbled
in her purse for the door card. “Thank you for a fantastic
evening,” she said.

She couldn't think of any other way to keep
Adrian with her. Well, there was one way, but they had done that
one too many times and she was carrying the proof. Besides she
didn't want him to think that she'd crawled in bed with him every
time they met. She reached up and kissed Adrian on the cheek.
“Merry Christmas,” she whispered.

“
I think you can do better.
After all it's Christmas.” Adrian's slip his arms around her so
fast that Dani’s purse fell to the floor.

He was a magnificent kisser, just as she
remembered every night in her dreams. Sweet, savage fire swept over
her as his lips molded over hers. He demanded a response as he
pulled her closer to him. She didn't hold back because she
couldn't. This man seemed to hold the key to her soul. She never
dreamed she could feel so many raw, exhilarating sensations and she
wanted to experience them all. And she wanted Adrian to remember
her, no matter how far they wandered from each other.

At last, he broke the kiss and pulled away, a
slow smile forming on his face. He gazed at her for a long moment,
then he said, “Merry Christmas. And that's the way to say it
properly.”

“
Not bad,” she said
huskily, refusing to reveal anything. Remembering her purse, she
stooped to retrieve the black bag off the floor. “Darn, everything
is scattered all over the carpet.”

Adrian stepped back, stumbling over
something. He caught himself in time to keep from crushing it.
“Here, I'll help you.” He bent down and retrieved a white medicine
bottle. “What's this? Have you been sick?”

“
Give me those--” Dani
tried to grab them out of his hands.

“
Prenatal Multi Vitamins.
Take one with meals.” Adrian’s eyebrows drew together as the
contents of the bottle registered in his brain. He reached out
grabbed her wrist, jerking her around. “I see you've been busy in
the last few months. Were you going to tell me? Or just make me
feel like a heel for not calling you--when you evidently were
entertaining others?”

This was exactly the scene she had wanted so
desperately to avoid. “Keep your voice down.” Dani jerked her arm
away and fumbled to get the door open. She stepped quickly inside
and attempted to shut it but Adrian stopped her and followed her
into the room.

“
So you forgave that jerk?”
Adrian spat. It might have been phrased as a question, but it was
an accusation.

Dani swung on him, too furious to care any
longer. “Why do you care?”

“
I don't know! But I
do!”

“
The baby isn't
Steven's.”

“
What are you trying to
say?”

“
I'm not trying to say
anything. You're the one asking questions.”

“
Well try saying
something!”

“
The baby is yours,” she
spat. “Now, are you satisfied?”

“
Mine?” Adrian seemed
unable to believe what he’d just been told. No, I'm not satisfied.
You see, Dani. You're not the first who has tried this trick on
me.” He laughed bitterly. “And I thought you were different.” Rage
surged within him. “I had hoped there might even be a future for us
someday.”

“
You don't like
children?”

“
I love children. I'd like
to have a dozen of my own. But what I don't like are conniving,
lying women. I just got out of a marriage with one cold-hearted
bitch, and I'm not making that mistake . . . yet again!”

“
I don't believe I asked
you to marry me, Mr. Massimino. Apparently, I made a mistake in
thinking that you were a nice guy who would want to know he had a
child. But I see I've made a mistake. If you remember, you sought
me out.”

“
Save it, Dani. Listen and
listen good. It’s not my child that you carry, and the reason I
know that, sweetheart,” he growled, enunciating each word. “ . . .
is because I had the mumps when I was a teenager, and it left me
with little chance of becoming a father. The doctor was surprised
when my wife got pregnant, but that is another story that I don’t
want to get into. So take your song and dance to the real
father.”

Dani stumbled backwards, and Adrian reached
out to steady her. She jerked. Her breathing becoming erratic from
his jarring announcement. There was no way he'd ever believe her,
no matter that it was the truth.

“
Don't touch me!” Dani
hissed, glaring at the man she loved. “I’ve not asked anything of
you, so don't stand here with your righteous indignation accusing
me. Dani was so angry that the words wouldn't come, so she shoved
him toward the door. “There is one thing I know for sure. I didn't
get pregnant by my imagination, and rest assured, Adrian, I'll
never bother you again! Thank you for a lovely evening, even though
I provided the tickets and transportation. Now, I'm telling you
like you told me, have a nice life Mr. Massimino!”

Before Adrian could open his mouth, Dani
slammed the door in his face. He remained staring at it for a long
moment. Lifting his hand, he started to knock, but stopped short,
letting his hand fall to his side.

What had just happened here?

He had really enjoyed the evening. He’d even
been prepared to take a chance and tell Dani he'd like to see her
again. He rubbed his chin. He couldn't understand why he was so
fascinated by her.

After being trapped by his last marriage, he
had sworn he wouldn't let that happen again no matter how he felt
at the moment. Adrian rubbed a hand over his face. God, he felt
like someone had just slammed a fist into his stomach.

The door had shattered the silence in Dani's
room. It had effectively put her love life on ice, as well.

She stared at the closed door. Just before
she closed it, she'd glimpsed a glimmer of raw hurt in Adrian's
eyes.

After several minutes, Dani finally realized
everything had happened for the best. Adrian was now out of her
life
for good
. It was time to move on again. She could see
he wasn't the least bit interested in being a father.

What did he mean about the last time he'd
been tricked into marriage? Had some woman actually told him she
was pregnant to get him to marry her? That would explain his
anger.

Oh, well. Those were questions she'd never
have the answers for. So wearily she undressed, packed her bags and
crawled into bed. Of course, sleep eluded her.

What sleep she did manage was not peaceful.
She was in love and miserable.

The next morning Dani slid into the limo, and
sat silently thinking as Henry drove her to the airport. He hauled
her bags to the aircaps for check in, then turned to her. “Have a
safe trip, Miss Kapur. Are you sure you feel like flying? You look
a little under the weather.”

“
Thanks, Henry. I didn't
sleep well last night. I'll be fine.” Dani managed a weak smile
then made her way through the airport. She kept hoping she would
turn at any moment and see Adrian. If she shut her eyes, she could
see him rushing up to her, begging for her forgiveness, then
sweeping her into his arms, telling her that their life together
would be wonderful.

But when she opened her eyes to the real
world she realized that she’d have to give up her fairy tale
endings.

The flight home was long, and she was sick
most of the way. By the time, she staggered off the plane, she felt
like kissing the ground and swearing she'd never get on a plane
again.

Susan was waiting for her and waved to get
her attention. Happy to see a familiar face, Dani trudged over to
her friend, took one look at Susan, and burst into tears.

Dani filled Susan in on the details of her
trip to New York as they rode home from the airport.

Once they were in the apartment, Susan turned
to Dani and took her by the shoulders. “Something doesn't add up
Dani. It sounds like you and Adrian had a good time up until he
found the pills.”

“
That's right. We did. That
was the third time he has left me. Like they say, three times and
you’re out.”

“
You mean three strikes and
you’re out.”

“
Whatever. I just know that
I can't go through saying goodbye to Adrian ever again. The man has
walked all over my heart, and I feel completely numb inside.” Dani
pulled away and dropped her purse on the couch. “He said there was
little chance for him to have children, but the key word here is
little
. Because he then turned around and said something
about his wife had been pregnant, and it was a miracle, yet he has
never mentioned the fact that he had a child. Can you believe that?
He found out about our baby and he ran. I don't want another man
who's afraid of commitment.”

“
Now wait a minute.” Susan
slumped down in the chair across from the couch. “Can't have
children. Yet, his wife was pregnant? I agree it looks bad. The way
you make it sound, he said he'd been tricked into marriage once
before. I don’t think we know the entire story. Maybe he thinks
you’re after something.”

“
Yeah, right. His money?
What money? I don't know anything about him. And I have no idea
what kind of work he does--if any.”

“
Well, he must do
something. A tux doesn't come cheap. Maybe there is more to him
than we're seeing.”

“
I appreciate your help,
Susan. But the subject of Mr. Massimino is closed.” Dani leaned
back on the couch and propped her feet on the coffee table. “He's
made it perfectly clear that he wants no part of me . . . or his
child.”

“
So what are you going to
do?”

“
Swallow my pride and go
home for Christmas. Then somehow break the bad news to my
parents--that once again, I've let them down. My mother will
probably faint when I tell her I'm going to be an unwed mother.”
Dani leaned her head back and shut her eyes, picturing the scene
vividly in her mind.

“
That's not so uncommon
this day and time.”

Dani's head popped up and she stared at
Susan. “It is where my mother is concerned. Besides, I'm just
barely making ends meet. I'm probably going to have to ask them for
a loan.”

“
What about your aunt's
money?”

“
It has stipulations,
remember. I have to be married for a year. I get part when I marry
and the rest when the first year is up.” Dani rubbed her chin. “I
could take an ad out in the paper. Husband wanted, no experience,
no qualifications--name needed only.”

Susan laughed. “At least you haven’t lost
your sense of humor.”

“
You think so? I don't feel
very funny. But somehow, some way, I'll get through
this.”

“
Yes, you will, and you’ll
be just fine. I'll be here for you.” Susan reached over and took
Dani's hands in hers.

“
Thanks, you're the one
person I can count on. That and getting about twice the size I am
now in the next six months.”

“
Ah, Dani, Dani, Dani.
You're going to make a good mother.”

“
I hope you’re right,
Susan. Because right now I feel lower than dirt.”

Adrian had stayed well out of sight when he’d
watched Dani sitting at the airport. He’d fought the overwhelming
desire to run to her. No matter how pretty the package, Adrian had
learned the hard way that beauty was only skin deep. By the time
he'd watched the plane leave, he wasn't sure how he felt so he went
back to his office and buried himself in work--work always
helped.

It was the one thing he could always count
on.

Somewhere around six o'clock, Marty ventured
into his office not waiting for an invitation. He stood in front of
the desk. “You've been closed up in here all day. What gives?”