You Can't Go Home Again (20 page)

Jenn jumped up, tears in her eyes, hugging Dani as the room
applauded. Dani dabbed at her own eyes, damning the tears that had been ever
present since she got back to Austin.

Jace stood, taking his turn. “Wow, how to follow that… I’ve
known Brian a long time. During high school, and even more so in college, we
were lucky enough to earn the company of two beautiful, charming, intelligent
women. They were smart enough to keep us at arm’s length. At least until we
grew up a bit. A few years ago, Brian became aware of just how special Jenn
really was. And being the smart lawyer type, he grabbed her up, made her his.”
His eyes looked across the table, past the happy couple, settling on Dani.
“Though as a man, I’m supposed to be opposed to marriage, afraid of commitment,
I’m sure that if I were lucky enough to earn the love of a woman like Jenn, I
would hold on to it for all times. Brian, you’re a lucky SOB. Jenn, just keep
the blinders on!”

Everyone laughed, cheering again, happily toasting the
newlyweds.

Dani felt her heart in her throat. She looked across to
Jace, wondering if his message was meant for her. She couldn’t bear it if it
were. She couldn’t bear to hurt him again. She had enough guilt where he was
concerned; she absolutely couldn’t handle any more.

Forcing the smile back to her lips, she pretended to eat her
meal, shuffling food around the plate. When the staff came to clean it up, it
was time for the dance. And the singing.

Dani got up on the stage, adjusting the mike to her height.

“Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen. I have been given the
honor tonight of singing the first song Jenn and Brian will dance to as husband
and wife. They asked me to pick something that I thought would suit them. So,
here it goes.”

The band struck up the music, loud and vivacious, playing
The Beatles’ “When I’m Sixty-Four.” As Dani belted out, “Will you still need
me, will you still feed me, when I’m sixty-four” everyone sat stunned at first,
then laughed as the bride and groom made their way to the dance floor.

After just one round of the chorus, the band faded away.
Jenn and Bri were on the dance floor and turned, looking up at Dani.

She smiled, winking at them both. “I’m sorry, I’m just
teasing.” Another small round of laughter. “When I thought of them, there was
only one song that came to mind. So, please join me in cheering them on.”

Her voice hummed through the mike, so soft and smooth.
“Mama, you taught me to do the right things. So now you have to let your baby
fly.” As she sang “Mama’s Song” by Carrie Underwood, the crowd clapped,
cheering on Jenn and Bri.

* * * * *

Jace was stunned, speechless. He’d heard her sing before,
probably more than anyone else in the world. But always softly, quietly to just
the guitar he was playing. Now, hearing her sing a song she believed in, for
people she loved… It was unreal.

She was good… No, better than good—she was amazing. And she
didn’t even know it.

“He is good, so good. And he treats your little girl like a
real man should. He is good, so good.”

She continued singing, having no idea what it was doing to
him.

As she finished the song, there wasn’t a dry eye in the
house. She slowly turned, stepping away from the mike, shaking hands with the
band’s lead singer. As she stepped off the stage, a quiet roar of applause
rolled through, led by Jenn and Brian. She stopped to kiss their cheeks, as the
singer announced the father-daughter dance.

While Jenn danced with her dad, Jace walked up behind Dani,
running his hands down her arms, pressing his front to her back. He leaned
down, whispering in her ear, his voice no more than a low rumble. “We’re going
to finish what we started, Dani. Five years ago. A few nights ago. The dream
that wasn’t a dream.”

He kissed her neck, wrapping his arm just below her breasts,
pulling her tight against him. When he heard her suck in a quick gasp, he let
go, walking away before she even recovered enough to turn around.

* * * * *

The evening was wonderful. Dancing and laughter filled the
air. Jenn and Bri danced with everyone, making the rounds to greet and thank
people for coming. They were in no hurry to leave. They weren’t flying out
until the following morning for their honeymoon. As the guests began to
disperse, even Jenn’s parents went inside; they soon found only the wedding
party and their significant others remained. Along with Jace’s brother, David.

Jace hadn’t asked Dani to dance all night. In fact, after
the one quick kiss and teasing comment, which had left her aroused and
terrified, he hadn’t even come near her for most of the night. So she’d danced
with everyone else, making the rounds several times over. When David asked her
to dance again, she agreed with a smile on her face.

* * * * *

Jace had stayed away from her on purpose. He was having a
hard time keeping his hands off her under the best of circumstances, and with
the way she looked tonight it would be impossible. So he’d danced with others,
being a good best man. He’d danced with Bri’s mother, both of his grandmothers
and all the other bridesmaids as well. However, he’d kept a close eye on Dani,
fighting down every surge of jealousy when someone else touched her. It had
been a very long three hours.

When he saw David claim her for yet another dance, he felt
the green-eyed monster surge up once more. He excused himself from the bar,
where he’d been talking to Zack and another one of his cop buddies, and headed
over to cut in. Either that, or he might have to kill his brother.

When David’s hand moved lower, all but cupping Dani’s
backside, he decided that he was definitely going to have to kill him. Tapping
him on the shoulder, harder than was even remotely necessary, he pushed his way
between the two as David turned around.

“Don’t you think she’s a little old for you, bro? Maybe you
ought to watch where you put those hands,” Jace growled at David, his fury
making itself known in every syllable.

* * * * *

David was confused; surely Jace wasn’t that worried about
him making a move on one of his friends. Besides, he hadn’t seen Dani in years.
“It’s only two years, less, actually. I’m pretty sure I can handle it.”

David was less than two years younger than Jace, having been
a sophomore when they were all seniors. He’d had a crush on Dani pretty much
since junior high. Since he’d followed big brother and gone to Texas A&M as
well, he’d kept that little crush all through college.

David, an inch shorter than Jace, and not quite as big, made
a move to step around him and resume his dance with Dani.

Jace literally growled at him. “Back off!”

As David looked into Jace’s face, seeing the absolute fury,
he also caught a tinge of something more. Ahhh—so that’s how it is. Unable to
resist teasing Jace—it was a brother’s prerogative, after all—he had to needle
him. “And if I don’t want to back off? I don’t see a ring on her finger. Why
don’t we ask Dani who she wants to dance with?”

Dani stepped around Jace, placing herself between the two
men, facing David, pressing her body back against Jace. “Dani doesn’t like
being discussed like an object to be owned by anyone. Besides, aren’t you two a
little old to fight over a new toy?”

Jace’s arm snaked around her waist, pulling her tighter
against him, a clear sign of possession despite her words. David noticed, and
noticed as well that Dani didn’t step away. Smiling and opting to back away
gracefully, David was happy to see his brother fall at last. And he could do a
lot worse than Danielle Foster. A lot worse.

Turning on his heel, he headed over to the bar, taking his
brother’s place next to Zack.

Jace pulled Dani close, his hand low on her waist, sending
flashes of heat through her body. The tingling began low in her belly,
spreading upwards until her breasts felt heavy and achy, her nipples taut. The
dress Jenn had picked had thin straps with an open back. Her bridesmaids had
all been young and firm enough to pull it off. It also meant no bra. Jace had
long since removed the jacket and vest, leaving only the two layers of thin
fabric between them.

She could feel the heat of his chest pressing against hers.
He lifted one hand, caressing her cheek, tucking a stray hair behind her ear.
When his fingers trailed down her neck, past the red mark that was beginning to
show through the makeup she’d applied, he cupped her neck to bring her face up,
her eyes to his.

After a long, searing look, letting Dani know exactly where
his thoughts were, he pulled her head closer, pressing her face to his
shoulder. She’d kicked off her heels, so he was taller than she was now, by six
inches or so. He bent his head forward, burying his face against her neck,
occasionally pressing soft kisses to her shoulder.

They danced like that awhile, swaying softly to the music.
She felt his shaft, pressing against her belly, making her yearn. She knew she
shouldn’t do this, knew she had to tell him about her vision, but her mind
swirled around other dreams. Hot, erotic fantasies that felt so real. Real
enough that she woke every morning aching for more.

Dani had only had one lover since she’d left five years
before. And that had been over three years ago. Now, she felt passion surge to
life again. A passion she had thought was gone, one she had attributed to
youth. Apparently it hadn’t been her age—it had been Jace. When his hand
skimmed up and down her spine, she knew she was lost. Logic be damned,
consequences be damned. Right now he wanted her, and she needed him. She would
deal with his anger, his hatred, later.

Desire won out over common sense as Jace tipped her chin up,
melding her lips to his. The kiss was soft and slow, but left no doubt as to
where it was leading. He slipped his tongue into her mouth, for just a moment,
just a taste.

He tasted of champagne, but darker, stronger. His own unique
flavor. When his tongue brushed hers, she couldn’t stop the quiet little
whimper that slipped out into his waiting mouth.

He felt more than heard her soft cry, but his need surged,
raw and impatient. He pulled his mouth from hers, completely unaware of the
audience watching from across the room.

“Come with me? Now.”

Disregarding her purse, her keys, her truck, even leaving
her shoes behind, Dani couldn’t help but follow. He pulled her behind him,
walking fast enough that she had to scurry to keep up. When they cleared the
side of the house, he pressed her up against the door of his truck.

His lips were on hers, hot and hard. This was not a soft kiss,
not a sampling; this was lust, pure and simple. She felt her head get fuzzy,
her mind slowing, allowing her body to take over. She felt everything. The warm
breeze across her arms, the truck, still heated from the day, pressing against
her back. And Jace…everywhere Jace. He was kissing her, sliding his hands up
and down her body.

* * * * *

Jace hadn’t meant to get so carried away. He’d just wanted a
taste, needed to feel her lips beneath his. Just for a moment. He’d intended to
take her back to his place. But, as she responded to his kiss, his need
overwhelmed him. His whole body was on fire, desperate to feel, to touch, to
taste every inch of her. He didn’t know why it was always like this with her,
only with her. He knew it should scare the hell out of him. But it was Dani…
That made it right, expected even. She’d never been like other women.

He pressed her against the truck, trying to find the control
he needed to pull away, to open the door, to drive. Instead, he slipped his
mouth down her neck, his hand up to her breast, cupping her, feeling her nipple
pebble against his palm. He’d known she was braless under that dress, had been
struggling to keep his hands to himself all night. Now, he was lost. He grazed
his thumb over her taut peak, hearing her soft sigh of pleasure. His shaft
jumped, straining against his zipper. He’d been hard and aching since he’d seen
her walk into his bar. Feeling her hips writhing against his, he was so hard he
hurt. Pleasure to the point of pain.

* * * * *

She felt his hand squeeze her hips, pulling her tight
against him; felt him bend his knees, reach around to cup her ass, lifting her
up against his shaft. She wanted to wrap her legs around his waist, but the
long dress wouldn’t allow it. She settled for lifting one leg, trying to get
closer to him.

She was empty, needy. Her body was screaming out for the
pleasure she had denied herself for five years. Just before she let go of
reason, of sanity, she remembered her vision. There was too much between them,
too many barriers. Whether it was tomorrow morning, or after she told him she’d
seen his battle, at some point he would remember that she was a mistake. The
worst mistake of his life.

Like a splash of cold water, her sanity returned. “No.”

“You’re right. We need to get back to my place.”

Dani pushed at his shoulders, trying to get away from his
heat, away from her own desire, before she gave in to the urges wracking her.
“No, Jace… I can’t.”

He finally felt her pushing him away. He set her feet back
on the ground, stepping back, looking into her face. “But the other night…”

“The other night you were drugged. It was a mistake, but one
I thought you wouldn’t remember. I just…can’t. Jenn and Bri are married.
They’re going to have kids. Kids who will be the only nieces and nephews I may
ever have. You’ve been drinking… Tomorrow… I just can’t. I don’t want…another
five years. Jace… I can’t be… The last couple days have been…good… Jace, I
can’t… I want to come back and visit. I won’t be your mistake again.”

She wasn’t making sense, knew she wasn’t. She was trying to
explain, to make him understand. The thoughts were racing too fast to be put
into words. When she saw the anger rush into his eyes, the look she had hoped
was gone forever, the look she’d known would return, she turned and fled,
running into the house. She needed a phone, a cab…something.