Dangerous Curves (20 page)

O
f course Kevin
didn't tell her that the wedding would be in Scotland.

Or that the beaming bride would arrive in a carriage, driven by white horses, carrying her to a castle, where she'd walk up a winding staircase in an exquisite gown fit for a princess. There were red roses and white ribbons and when the bride and groom kissed there were cheers and tears—for various reasons.

In the reception hall, Dominique let herself get lost in the large crowd and watched women flock to Kevin. She'd been introduced to a host of family members whose names she'd forgotten, but they were welcoming and warm.

“Oh that dress is stunning,” his great aunt told her as she and Kevin made their way to the reception hall. His aunt was a woman of more heft than height. If Kevin hadn't stopped and made introductions, Dominique would have walked right into her.

“Thank you,” Dominique said, smiling down at the woman.

His aunt shifted her brown gaze. “Are you trying to cause trouble, Kevin? Your girlfriend could rival the bride.”

“No one could rival her,” Dominique said, pleased by the compliment.

His aunt pursed her lips, a suspicious look crossing her features. “I've got my eye on you. Behave yourself.”

Kevin bent down and kissed her cheek. “You know I always try.”

She sniffed at him, smiled at Dominique, then walked away.

“She is right,” Kevin said, leaning close to Dominique. “You are causing trouble.”

“No, I'm not,” Dominique said as they entered the hall.

Kevin nodded at one guest and waved at another. “Everyone is staring at you,” he said under his breath.

“They're staring at you,” Dominique said, suddenly noticing all the glances.

“Why would they be staring at me when they already know me?”

He had a point, but she didn't want to admit it. If she thought about it she might jinx the moment and do something embarrassing.

Nearly an hour later she sat at one of the tables and watched while the guests danced. She'd begged Kevin off when he'd asked her to dance and was glad when he left her alone. She was determined to get through this day without incident and so far she was succeeding. Now she saw him tearing up the dance floor, making every dance partner feel as if she were the most desired woman in the room.

She didn't mind. There was nothing lewd about it. He treated a shy teenager with the same respect as a woman in her late eighties. And every few dances, he turned to her table to see if she was okay. She'd always smile and wave, assuring him that she was.

As she watched him, she saw the man he used to be before the accident. His mouth didn't turn down in pain, there weren't shadows in his eyes. He wouldn't need her to protect him, or need to use her arm to lean on. She felt the lost, but wouldn't focus on it. Their time together wasn't meant to last. She'd be one of his women who spoke about him with affection. He'd taught her so much: how to have fun, how to laugh, how to let go.

One of Kevin's gorgeous dance partners, with skin the color of ginger, stood in front of Dominique and held out a long, slender hand. “Hi, I'm Lena.”

“Dominique.”

She took a seat. “Sorry I didn't have a chance to introduce myself before.”

“Well, there are a lot of people.”

“But only one woman dating my little brother.”

Dominique blinked.
Little brother?
The woman barely looked like she had parents—more like she'd sprung from the sea fully formed—let alone have a brother.

“I haven't known you long,” Lena continued. “But I've been watching you and you're not like the rest.”

“I know,” Dominique said, trying to imagine the women Kevin had introduced her to. “I must be a surprise since I'm not—”

“It's so good to finally meet a woman who hasn't fallen for his act,” Lena interrupted as if Dominique hadn't spoken.

“The act?”

“Don't pretend you don't know. He feels more than he lets on. Women always think he's just good for a good time. The dumb ones do anyway.”

“But he does—”

“And there was this one woman who really did a number on him. To this day I don't think Cassie knows how much she hurt him. Have you met Cassie yet?”

The woman he loved. Had loved? Did love?
Not really.
“I haven't had a chance yet.”

“You will,” Lena said with a knowing smile. “He's never going to let her go. If she hadn't been so clueless, I would hate her guts. But she's really sweet, you'll like her.”

Yes, everybody likes Cassie. Loves her. She probably had an adoring father and mother hidden away somewhere too. Dominique shoved down a flash of jealousy. She didn't know what being so beloved felt like. “I'm sure I will. But I—”

Lena pointed at her. “You know what you are? You're his anchor. Yes, that's the word I've been trying to think of. A guy like Kevin needs someone like you. Someone who will keep him grounded without clipping his wings. Someone safe to turn to. And—”

“Mommy?”

Dominique turned and saw a little boy about six. Lena held up a forefinger of warning. “Mommy's talking.”

“But Mommy, I—”

She waved her finger. “What did I just say?”

The boy shifted awkwardly. “But I really—”

“I think he might need the toilet,” Dominique said, guessing the boy's predicament.

Lena pinned her son with a shrewd look. “Where's your father?”

“I can't find him,” he said, shifting again this time grabbing his front.

“Don't grab yourself in public,” she snapped, rising to her feet.

“But I've got to go bad,” he whimpered.

“Sorry about this,” Lena said to Dominique, then took the little boy's hand. “Wonderful talking to you.”

Dominique watched her talk to one of the attendants and hurry the boy to one of the exits. She sat back and thought about her words as she watched Kevin spin a woman on the dance floor.

You're his anchor
. And that made sense.

“
I
met your sister Lena
,” Dominique said as she and Kevin rode the elevator to their hotel room.

He looked at her amazed. “Did she let you finish a sentence?”

Dominique covered her mouth and giggled. “Barely.”

Kevin held up a forefinger and imitated his sister's tone. “I'm talking. I'm still
talking
. Did you hear what I just said?”

Dominique started to laugh. “You should have seen your poor nephew when he had to go the bathroom.”

Kevin sent her a look of pity. “Did he make it?”

“I hope so,” Dominique said, stepping out when the elevator reached their floor. “I was seriously considering picking up the kid and running out the door, but I was determined not to ruin the evening.”

“I would have forgiven you for saving my nephew's dignity.”

She stopped in front of their hotel room. “I had a great time.”

“Me too.” Kevin opened the door then sent her a slow, intimate smile. “And as you can see, I'm not hurting.”

H
e was
a man built for pleasure. He enjoyed it and gave it with exquisite detail.

Did he do that ‘thing'?
the woman in the restaurant had asked her. He did that thing and more.

“Don't wear yourself out,” she managed in a breathless warning as the sleek form of his body caressed hers.

“I can never have too much of you,” he said in a husky growl. “You don't know how much I want you. You're mine.” He lifted his head and looked at her. His voice was calm, and his gaze steady, lit with a sensual flame of triumph.“All mine.”

When his mouth covered hers, she felt the electric power of his passion. A power she hadn't felt before. He was strong. Stronger than her. It was different this time, he was different. Larger somehow. More compelling, demanding her surrender, not requesting it. His touch masterful, possessive. He consumed her, filling both her body and her mind. He claimed her and she couldn't resist the sensual onslaught.
Don't make me love you
, she wanted to say although she knew she already did.

K
evin woke
to a room shaded in darkness. He wondered if it was still night then saw slivers of sunlight peeking beneath the drawn drapes. Then he shifted his gaze and saw Dominique's worried face hovering over him.

“How do you feel?” she whispered.

He took her hand and rested it on his chest. “You tell me.”

She laughed and playfully hit him. “You're definitely fine.”

He jumped out of bed and bowed. “Thank you.” He stood, grabbed a robe before opening the drapes, flooding the room with sunlight. “Okay, now it's your turn.”

“My turn for what?” Dominique said blinking against the sudden glare.

“I think it's time I meet your family.”

She blinked faster, not knowing what to say.

“Have you told them about me?”

Not everything.
“Sort of.”

“I think it's time we make that a yes, ” he said, then disappeared into the bathroom. Seconds later she heard the shower.

Dominique remembered his fluid movements with wonder. He had even more energy than before. Could she keep up with him? Would she want to? Yes, she did, but worried that it wouldn't be enough.

He wouldn't cheat. The moment it wasn't working, he'd cut it off clean. She knew that.

But love was something strange to her. It wasn't something that could be won and held. It could be fleeting, it could disappear. She didn't want her love to chain him, he was someone meant to be free. And then there was Cassie…

Kevin popped his head out of the bathroom. “Aren't you going to join me?”

Dominique scrambled off of the bed. She'd think about Cassie later. For now she had Kevin.

T
he third time
Carla Cartwright touched his leg, Kevin knew she was going to be a problem. The first brush of her hand against his thigh, he'd deemed an accident, the second time when they sat down to dinner he deemed it a coincidence, but by dessert, when she squeezed his leg, he knew she was trying to make a point she didn't want him to ignore.

He'd sensed her interest, knowing it was more than maternal curiosity when they'd first met. Her gaze had soaked him up like a she was a cat and he catnip. He'd seen that look before, encouraged it most times, but not tonight. He glanced across the table at Dominique. To his relief she was completely oblivious, as was her sister Gloria. She had her mother's looks, but she was easier to read and therefore easier to manipulate. He'd quickly won her over with well-chosen flattery. If only he could say the same about their mother.

“So glad we were able to settle that incident a few months ago,” Abraham said.

Kevin nodded, shifting in his seat, hoping Carla would get the point.

“I already know how you met,” Abraham continued. “I'm surprised it's lasted this long.”

“Don't be,” Kevin said. “I know when to hang onto something good.” He took a spoonful of chocolate mousse and winked at Dominique.

“It's been a while since Dominique has had a friend to dinner,” Carla said, sliding her hand towards his crotch.

He grabbed her hand, stopping her. “I see.”

Gloria rolled her eyes. “There was Berton,” she said, then quickly regretted it. “I mean…”

“So what do you do, Kevin?” Abraham asked.

“Do?” he asked, placing Carla's hand back on her lap.

“For work.”

“I don't work.”

They stared at him.

Dominique broke the silence. “Kevin's family owns—”

“I don't care what a man's family has,” Abraham said. “A man must work. Unless he plans to live off others.”

Kevin shot him a glance. “I don't plan to live off anyone. Never have, never will.”

“Then how do you make money?”

“Why didn't you ask me that in the first place?”

“I thought you'd be clever enough to know they're one in the same.”

Kevin shook his head. “No, they're not. You don't have to work to make money. I'm making it right now.” He shrugged. “Making money's easy for me. My family owns several businesses and I have choice investments, the usual,” he said, sounding bored.

Abraham looked at him confused. “But what do you want to achieve? What are your goals?”

“I live my life the way I want to, with who I want to,” he said, sending Dominique a glance. “That's it.”

Carla slid her hand in his lap again. “A man without ambition to rule the world? That sounds very intriguing.”

Kevin jumped up, rattling the dishes. “Yes, well there you are. Will you, uh, could you tell me where your—”

“Down the hall and to the left,” Dominique said. “I'll show you.” She led him out into the hall. When they were a few feet away she said, “Is your leg bothering you?”

“No, why?”

“You keep grimacing.”

He silently swore, he didn't want her to notice that. “It's nothing. A slight cramp.”

“Did you like the mousse? I told my mother to use that chocolatier friend of yours and—”

He stopped and placed a light kiss on her lips, caressing her cheek. “Everything was delicious. Thank you.”

She sighed in relief, then continued walking. “Just ignore my father's questions. He doesn't understand a life not devoted to enterprise. Fun is a foreign word to us.”

“They don't bother me, but your mother…”

“What?”

Damn. She looked at him with her innocent brown eyes and he couldn't' say it. “May not like me.”

“I don't care.” She pointed to the bathroom. “There you go. Think you can find your way back?”

“Leave me some crumbs and I'll be fine.”

Minutes later, he came out of the bathroom and saw Carla waiting for him. “Just making sure you're all right,” she said. “You seemed a little uncomfortable.”

“I don't know what you're into, but I'm not.”

She stepped closer. “I always come to a special agreement with the men in my daughter's life. I help them get what they want.”

“I told you. I have what I want.”

She smoothed down his jacket. “You're harder to read than the others, but I'll figure you out.” She moved in closer. “Is this about power or revenge?”

He removed her hand. “I won't warn you again. Stay away from me.”

She stroked his arm. “And if I don't?”

He grabbed her hand with enough force to make her wince. “I don't know what arrangement you had in the past, but you'll have to make an exception.”

“I don't make exceptions.”

“You can learn.”

“I won't let you use Dominique.”

“Only you can do that?”

She narrowed her eyes. “Careful, Kevin. You may be smarter than the rest, but you'll last only as long as you know how to follow the rules. Dominique loves her mother very much so if something were to happen or if I were to make an accusation. Who do you think she'll believe? You or me?”

“Mom? Kevin?” Dominique said, coming into the hall. “I'd wondered where you two had disappeared to.”

Kevin released Carla's hand as if it had burned him.

Carla smiled at her daughter. “He'd gotten lost.” She met his eyes. “I was helping him find his way.”

“
H
e's going
to be trouble,” Carla told her husband as she stood by the sitting room window and watched the lights of Kevin's Jaguar disappear into the night.

“How do you know?”

She turned from the window and sat facing him. “I can't figure out what he wants.”

“Maybe he really likes her,” Gloria said, flipping through messages on her phone.

“Don't be stupid,” Carla said.

“He can't use her to hurt us,” Abraham said. “Breaking her heart isn't going to be an issue.”

“He seems savvier than that. If he were to marry her…”

“I'll let him know he'll get nothing.”

“He doesn't need money, he has his own, but he doesn't seem ambitious.”

“I don't trust a man without ambition.”

“I think you two are over-thinking this,” Gloria said.

Carla crossed her legs and leaned back. “And when did you come under the impression that we cared what you think?”

Gloria ignored the insult. “I think he's good for her.”

“But is he good for us?” Abraham said.

“Why wouldn't he be? He's good looking and rich and makes her happy. Don't you realize that it's your fault they met in the first place?”

“Yes,” Abraham stroked his chin, thoughtful. “Maybe they're doing this to annoy me.”

“No,” Carla said. “I know men and Kevin's not pretending.”

“I don't like him.” He sent Gloria a pointed look. “ Get to know him better.”

Gloria shook her head and stood. “No, way. I'm not hurting her again. I don't understand what the big deal is.”

Abraham and Carla shared a look. “Exactly.”