Everything Bared (Six-Alarm Sexy) (16 page)

Almost gagging at the flare of interest in the old man’s eyes, William smothered his instinct to fight, to defend his family. He shaped his mouth into a tight smile. “My parents are doing quite well. I’ll be sure to let them know you inquired about them. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a matter to attend to.”

He shoved out of his seat, somehow managed to drop his napkin on the chair instead of throwing it in the man’s face, then stalked off in the direction of the restrooms. He’d have preferred a stiff drink, but the bar was closed until dessert was served.

After using the facilities, he washed his hands and splashed cold water on his face. Anything to calm himself the fuck down. He was supposed to be networking, establishing relationships with Seattle’s who’s-who, not getting all worked up over some old fart’s comments about his parents. Men like that purposely provoked people they thought beneath them, just to see how they reacted.

And like some junior executive at his first shindig, he’d blown it big time. What was different about tonight? Why was he so off his game? Howard Ward was one of the most successful men in Seattle. Tough, ruthless, and cutthroat when he needed to be. Torval would never think of walking all over him. William needed to stop looking down his nose at these people, needed to shove that chunk of resentment off his shoulder, and learn from their example.

Ripping several paper towels from the dispenser, he dried his dripping face. The rough paper on his skin reminded him of the ropes Danielle had tied around his wrists. He edged up the sleeve of his shirt and ran his finger along the slight remaining redness. His cock went ramrod hard and his gut clenched so tightly he doubled over on a moan. And there it was, the reason he was so miserable: Danielle. He wanted to be with her tonight, wanted her joy and exuberance. Shit. The woman wasn’t even here, and still she was impacting his career.

A few more deep breaths, and he’d pulled himself together enough to rejoin the crowd. As soon as he pushed open the door, the din of conversation washed over him. These people, these men and women right here, were important to him, and to Caldwell Fine Furnishings. He owed it to his family, to generations of the Caldwell clan, and to all the company’s employees, to make the business a success. What were a few boring evenings in the overall scheme of things?

As he turned the corner to re-enter the main ballroom, Kathleen stepped into his path, a glass of copper liquid in her hand. “I thought you could use something a little stronger than wine.”

Wordlessly, he took the glass and swallowed the scotch in one gulp, enjoying the heat of it slipping down his throat to his stomach. Liquid strength. He’d take it. He set the glass on a side table and took Kathleen’s hand. “How did you know?”

She traced his jaw lightly. “This little muscle jumps when you’re angry.”

“Is it jumping now?”

“No.”

Her eyes darkened and her face flushed. She wanted him. But did he want her? She plastered her breasts against his chest. “Would you like to come back to my place? I know a few more ways to relax you.”

He didn’t know what made him do it, what made him want to test this paragon of propriety. But the words were out of his mouth before he could stop them. “What are you saying, Kathleen? You want me to fuck you? You want me to pump my cock into your pussy so hard your headboard punches a hole in the wall?”

Danielle’s answer would have been to latch onto him, climb up his body and wrap her legs around his waist. She’d have been instantly ready for him, ready for anything. He watched Kathleen now, intent on her reaction.

Her pretty face turned ashen, the bright red lipstick ghastly in contrast. Her mouth opened and hung for a moment before she snapped it shut in a tight thin line. Disgust and disappointment poured off her and fell on him in a gray cloud of shame. She lifted her hand, and he flinched, thinking she might strike him. If that’s what she wanted to do, he wouldn’t stop her. He deserved it.

But her hand just settled on his cheek. “I realize you’re upset, but there’s no need to try to shock me. We’ll talk again when you’ve calmed down.” She patted him gently, then left with a softly spoken goodbye.

That’s when he knew the answer to his question.
No
. He didn’t want her. Not when his mind was swirling with thoughts of his firefighter doing God knows what with her hairy beast, saving lives and putting her own at risk. While he did what? Wrote a check and schmoozed with people he didn’t like and flirted with a woman he didn’t want.

No. The only woman he wanted, the only woman who’d gotten under his skin, was two time zones and two thousand miles away. Out of sight, but definitely not out of mind.

Her sweat-drenched T-shirt and cargo pants clung to her skin, making her feel twice as hot. Desperate to cool off, Dani poured a cold bottle of water over her head and spread her arms wide, hoping for a hint of breeze. Nothing. After five days of freaky south-central Texas weather, Dani was more than ready to return to Seattle. This mission had been exceptionally difficult, both physically and emotionally. Entire communities had been wiped out. All around her, people were either in pain or in mourning. She missed Will, missed the comfort of his arms, missed the tenderness of his touch.

Her departure had happened so quickly, and she hadn’t forgotten the shock on his face when she’d informed him of the go-bag in her car. It had been a stark reminder of what her life was really like, and how it—she—had no place in his world.

With sluggish feet, she tramped through the camp and poked her head in the tent she shared with Lieutenant Parks. Seeing her, Angie grinned and held up her cell phone. “We’ve got service.”

Finally!
The tornadoes had knocked out all the power and communication services. The SAR teams had set up some limited two-way radio communications, but there’d been no way to message anyone outside their group. After being out of contact for so long, she ached for Will. She hadn’t even had a moment alone with him before she’d left so abruptly.

Dropping onto her cot, she yanked her phone out of her pack. With shaky fingers, she fumbled out a text to Will.
Sorry, no cell service until now. We’re fine. Exhausted, but fine.

Would he get her message? Would he reply or had he completely written her off? It wouldn’t surprise her if he decided to call it quits, even though there were still two and a half weeks left to their arrangement.

Less than a minute later, her phone pinged. She was almost too afraid to read his message. But her need to connect with him was stronger.

Glad to hear it. I was starting to worry.

Tears stung her eyes as she read his note. Aware that Angie was watching her, Dani focused on Will, on telling him what she’d been holding in for five very long days:
Wish I’d had the chance to say a proper goodbye.

Picturing his dark hair, his penetrating blue stare, his broad shoulders and slim hips, she held her breath and waited for his response. Her stomach cramped and more sweat dripped down her face. The tone of his answer would tell her everything.

We’ll say a proper hello when you get back. BTW, when will that be?

She squeezed her eyes shut to hold in her tears of relief. He still wanted their arrangement, still wanted her.
Tomorrow. Friday. Can’t wait.

Miss you
, he texted.

Miss u 2
, she texted back. She flopped onto the bed and covered her face with her arm, hoping to ward off Angie’s questions. She should have known it wouldn’t work. Like her canine companion, Angie dug until she found her target.

“Everything okay?”

“It is now.”

“Someone special?”

Dani sat up on the cot and casually shrugged her shoulders. “I’m not sure. He could be. But we’re worlds apart. It could never work out in the long term.” She hesitated a moment before adding, “But it’s really freaking hot in the short term.”

“Oh? Do tell.” Angie sat cross-legged on her cot and seemed to be settling in for a good gossip session. Dani was more than happy to oblige. After working in the field together, dealing with the worst kind of suffering, Dani and the lieutenant had become close. Friends even.

She grinned. “He’s tall and lean, but muscular. Dark hair, the bluest eyes you’ve ever seen. And his voice? Oh my God. I’d do anything he wants. All he has to do is say it.”

Angie laughed and waggled her eyebrows. “He sounds divine.” But then her smile died and she frowned. “Come to think of it, he sounds like a certain sexy-as-sin lieutenant I know, Firefighter Harris.”

Dani’s entire body stiffened at the reminder of her position in the fire service. Angie leaned forward and softened her voice. “Listen, Dani. I’m asking this as your friend. You aren’t sexually involved with your boss, are you?”

“Oh God, no. Jamie is like a brother to me,” Dani said, trying to laugh it off.

“Good. Everyone knows Caldwell is smoking hot, but he’s married, and as far as I know, utterly devoted to his wife and daughter. I’d hate to see your career ruined over a fling with a superior officer.”

“Nope. Not a superior officer.”

“Hmm… Is it Drew? It can’t be Chad, unless… is he bi?”

“Not that I’m aware of. You’re barking up the wrong tree, Angie. My guy isn’t even in the fire service.”

“If he’s not one of the Caldwells, and by your description he sure sounds like one, then who is he?”

“I… uh… I didn’t say he wasn’t one of them.”

“Oh! They have a brother, don’t they? He works for the family business. An accountant or something like that?”

“He’s the CFO.”

“CFO. Huh. Wouldn’t have thought you’d go for the geek type.”

Dani threw her head back and laughed harder than she had in weeks. All the tension of the past few days left her in a rush. She smiled at her friend. “Will is the furthest thing from a geek.” Remembering his voice, the dirty talk, how he’d pounded into her, how he’d made her come over and over again, she cleared her throat. “Let’s just say, he’s not your typical accountant.”

“Sounds like quite the catch.”

“It’s not like that. I’m all wrong for him. But for now, it’s fun.”

“Wrong how? You’re a fabulous woman with a brilliant career ahead of her. If he doesn’t see that, then he’s not worthy of you.”

Dani grinned. “You know something, Angie? I really like you.”

Angie dramatically batted her eyelashes and flashed her wedding ring. “Sorry. I’m already taken.” She reached for her laptop and turned it on.

Relaxing back on her cot, Dani closed her eyes and enjoyed the moment. She’d told Angie about Will and nothing bad had happened. Angie certainly hadn’t threatened to fire her or force her to transfer out of Jamie’s platoon. Maybe she and Will could start being together out in the open.

After a minute, Dani heard the click of keys on a keyboard.

“Now that we can finally connect to the outside world again,” Angie said, “I’m dying to find out what’s been going on in—”

Hearing Angie stop talking so abruptly, Dani’s chest seized and her stomach churned. She jackknifed on the cot. “What is it? Has there been another earthquake?”

Angie slammed down the lid of her laptop. “No, no earthquake. In fact, it’s nothing. I’m going to turn in early.”

“Angie, that wasn’t nothing. I thought we were friends. Talk to me.”

With slow careful movements, Angie sat up and reopened her laptop. Dani moved over to the other woman’s cot. When Angie turned the screen, the tension strumming through Dani’s body was so high, she thought she was going to throw up. She really didn’t want to see what had upset her friend so badly. Taking a deep breath, she forced her eyes to the screen.

Staring back at her was a photo of Will in a tux at some fancy event. A tiny blonde with a lush, curvy body had her arm around his neck, her breasts flattened against his chest. Even in the photo, Dani could see that the woman’s pupils were dilated. Will appeared to be speaking and the woman’s face expressed a certain shock. The threat of nausea almost became a reality when Dani read the caption below the photo:
Wedding Bells?
Had Will just proposed to this woman? It would explain the shock on her face.

Her heart pounded against her breastbone and the sound of rushing blood filled her ears. She had to focus to clear the gray at the edge of her vision.
Don’t pass out.
Breathe.
With grim determination, she read the article. The woman was Kathleen Bigsby, daughter of the software tycoon, Warren Bigsby. Dani’s eyes filled with tears.

Angie took the laptop and set it on the floor. She drew Dani into her arms. “I’m so sorry, sweetie. I take it you didn’t know he was seeing other women?”

She squeezed her eyes shut and swallowed, trying to relieve the tightness so she could speak. “We’re not exclusive.” That had been the agreement. That had been what she’d wanted. Why did it hurt so goddamn much then?

Angie made a sound. “His idea, I bet.”

“N-no. Mine.”

Pulling back, Angie stared at Dani, her brows rising to her hairline. “Why on earth would you suggest that? It’s clear you really like this guy.”