Forbidden Valentine: A Forbidden Novel (10 page)

ELEVEN

“WHO CAN TELL ME something about Jan Van Eyck and Peter Bruegel?” Ransom prompted his class. It was his last for the day and he was looking forward to getting home. When he’d dropped Dani off at her apartment, which was thankfully not located on campus, he’d promised to return later so they could have a night of dinner and Netflix. Nothing so simple had ever sounded so appealing. She was that down-to-earth kind of girl who didn’t feed on glitz and glamor but…well, movies in and dinner with her lover.

Lover. He liked the sound of that. His thoughts got tangled around memories of her lush body writhing beneath his as he made love to her repeatedly throughout the night and well into the morning, until they both ended up being late to work.

And he’d do it again if it meant never having to take his hands off her.

She was…incredible. Sensational. He couldn’t get enough.

“They were Netherlandish artists during the 15th and 16th centuries, respectively,” one of his students answered, jerking Ransom back to the present.

As inconspicuously as possible, he shifted his hardened cock from behind the privacy of the lectern. “Correct. What else?”

“They both painted in Renaissance style,” the same young man answered.

“Thank you, Brian. That is also correct, but let’s be more specific. Who else besides Brian can tell me what part of the Renaissance these artists depicted.”

The answer wasn’t forthcoming, so Ransom handpicked a quiet girl who liked to hide in the back row and busy herself with video games on her phone. “Miss Powell, would you like to answer the question?”

Her coal-lined eyes lifted from behind a fringe of dyed black bangs and seemed to burn a hole right through him. He stared her down, unintimidated. “Early and Late Renaissance. Respectively,” she bit out, as if being forced to answer the question was really putting a cramp in her day.

Holding onto the sides of the lectern, Ransom leveled her with a polite smile. Kill ‘em with kindness. Although she was more likely to flat out kill him, judging by that murderous glare. “Good, Miss Powell. But let’s go a step further. Can you tell me which time frame those can be attributed to?”

Huffing, her fingers flew across the keys on her phone while she spit out her answer. “Eyck was Early, and Breugel Late.”

Stunned that she had actually been paying attention to the course work, Ransom turned to the Power Point presentation on the overhead and continued on with his lecture. “I’m sure you’re all familiar with the Arnolfini Portrait…”

***

RANSOM WAS IN GOOD spirits by the time class let out. He had been pleasantly surprised to find his students so knowledgeable about the day’s topic, proving they had been following the course syllabus. He was also pleased to find them—even Miss Powell, however far removed she appeared to be—invested in his presentation. He hadn’t slept a wink the night before, too wired in between lovemaking sessions to close his eyes. So he’d spent some time working, inspired by some unknown force for the first time in what felt like ages.

Oh, who was he kidding? He knew that Dani was the force behind it all. She’d gotten under his skin, reviving him with her easy nature and loving attitude. She’d breathed life back into his sorry existence.

His phone buzzed in his back pocket, and he reached to retrieve it. Speaking of the little minx. Grinning, he swiped his finger across the screen and held the phone to his ear. “Hey, pretty lady. I was just thinking about you.”

“Good things I hope,” she said with a smile in her voice.

“Very good things.”

Her breath caught, and Ransom’s grin turned into a full-blown smile. It felt good to know that he could get to her like that.

“Last night was…”

“Amazing?” he provided.

“Yes.” The word hissed through her teeth, as if she were remembering every single second just as clearly as he was. “I know I called for something…Oh, I totally forgot you were in class today. I’m not interrupting, am I?”

“I just dismissed them,” he assured her. “What did you need?”

“Nothing, I just wanted to let you know that I’m headed home and I was thinking of just ordering a pizza or something. It’s been a long day and I’m not really in the mood to cook.”

“Whatever you want, babe. I’m good with pizza.”

“Are you sure? I feel bad for not cooking.”

“So do it next time. Tonight, we’ll take it easy, do pizza and a movie, and I’ll even rub your feet for you.”

“Mmm, that sounds heavenly.”

“The way I do it, it is. And if you need anything else rubbed,” he said, a dark, sultry edge to his voice, “I’ll take care of that too.”

She hummed thoughtfully. “You’re a dangerous man. I can hardly concentrate on the road with your sexy voice in my ear.”

“You’re driving?” Ransom asked sharply, his mood shifting on a dime.

“Relax, I’m on Bluetooth. But with the way you’ve got me all worked up with these…salacious promises of yours, I should let you go before I launch into a spontaneous orgasm and drive off the road.”

As much as he enjoyed the thought of her coming from his voice alone, he didn’t like the rest of that mental picture at all. “Hang up, and I’ll meet you at your place.”

“When will you be leaving?”

“I’m packing up my things now and will be heading out shortly.”

“Okay, well, see you in a few then.”

“See you.”

Ending the call, Ransom propped his hands on his hips and dropped his chin to his chest, concentrating on his breathing. In. Out. Repeat. He couldn’t believe she’d called him while driving. No matter if both her hands were on the wheel or not, she was still distracted. If she got in an accident because of him, he’d never forgive himself.

Stuffing the rest of his papers in his messenger bag and making sure his desk drawers were locked up tight, Ransom flipped off the lights on his way out the door. Just as he was locking up, he heard someone call his name.

“Ransom Scott, I’m glad I caught you.”

Looking up, Ransom saw the university’s dean heading his way, his rotund belly leading the charge. Although he wasn’t a large man by any means, his labored breathing hinted at his lack of overall good health, as were his plump, ruddy cheeks set against pale skin. Ransom met his black dots that served as eyes and gave him a friendly, welcoming smile.

“Dean Goodwin, nice to see you. Have you lost weight?” He appraised him for a moment, garnering a robust laugh.

“You flatter me, Scott, but that’s why I keep you around. You’re good for my ego.” He patted his stomach. “My fiancée has me on one of those new age diets. It’ll probably kill me, but I think I’ve lost a couple pounds at any rate. At least I’ll make a good looking corpse. Anyway, glad you noticed.”

“Good for you. Never too late to get in shape.”

“Round isn’t a shape?”

Ransom chuckled and decided it best to steer the conversation in a different direction. “So, tell me, Robert, what can I do for you?”

“Oh, yes. Yes, I wanted to speak to you about a dinner. My fiancée, as you know, is spritely and she’s planning a dinner party of sorts. I’ve been tasked with inviting all of my friends and colleagues along, and since you fill both roles…”

Ransom eased some. Ever since his relationship with Josephine, he’d been silently waiting for someone to call him out on dating one of his students. And while he liked and respected the man, and knew the feeling was mutual, if push came to shove, he knew his job would be history. Had his relationship with Joe worked out, the job would be secondary, but they hadn’t and he wasn’t eager to lose what little he had left.

Relieved he wouldn’t have to dodge that bullet, he accepted the offer. “I’d be honored to come. When is it?”

His eyes glazed over. “Right, seems I forgot to stick around long enough to ask.” Laughing, he said, “What do you say I text you the information later tonight?”

“Sounds perfect. Well,” Ransom said, making a show of checking his watch, “I have somewhere I need to be.”

“Hot date tonight?”

He couldn’t stop from grinning. “Something like that.”

The dean clapped him on the shoulder. “It’s nice to see you in good spirits again. Whoever the lovely lady is, she’s doing you well. So, from one man in love to another, go, enjoy yourself.”

“Love?” Ransom questioned, snagging on that one words and puzzled as to why he’d say such a thing.

With an open palm, the dean circled the air around his face. “It’s in the eyes. Have a good evening, Ransom.”

Slowly, Ransom walked out to the parking lot and climbed into his car, unable to get the dean’s words out of his head. Twisting the rearview mirror toward him, he tried to see what he meant about this so-called love reflecting in his eyes, but all he saw was nothing out of the ordinary.

Annoyed that he’d allowed himself to get sucked into such nonsense, Ransom slapped the mirror back into place and scrubbed his fingers over his eyelids until starburst colored his vision.

“Ridiculous,” he muttered to himself as he drove out of there. He’d been in love before—only once, and with a woman he could never have. If he were in love now, he’d know it. There was no mistaking that heart-pounding desperation or the flood of elation whenever the prospect of seeing them arose.

Yet, as Ransom drove, that’s exactly how he felt. Every song on the radio seemed to be about Dani. And when the guy in the red Camaro cut him off, nearly sideswiping him, his rage was tempered by thoughts of Dani’s smiling face. Not to mention, the closer he got to her place, the better he felt. By the time Ransom parked the car, he was completely calm again.

When he stood outside her door, he found himself straightening his tie and finger combing his hair. And when she opened the door, looking positively edible in a knee-length gray cotton jersey shirt and men’s knee socks, her hair pulled back in a high ponytail and not a stitch of makeup on her porcelain perfect face, everything just seemed to fall into place.

Dani lit up a room, and in her wake, every problem he’d ever had just melted away, leaving behind a tremendous warmth and happiness he’d never known he was missing.

Reaching to take his hand and pull him inside, the simple touch shot currents of electricity through his palm that traveled straight to his heart, and as she rose up on her toes to kiss him, it clicked.

Robert Goodwin was right. He was in love.

TWELVE

THEY WERE ARGUEING OVER pizza toppings.

“Who doesn’t like pineapple on a pizza?” Dani was prepared to fight to the death over this one. “The combination of sweet and savory, you don’t get much better than that.”

“Fruit doesn’t belong on a pizza. Meats and cheeses, fine. But never fruit.”

“You’re a madman!” Turning her half-eaten slice toward him, she shoved it in his face. “Here, try it.”

He jerked his head back, revolt twisting his features. “No, thank you.”

“My mother always told me you can’t say you don’t like something if you don’t try it. Now try the damn pizza.” She shoved again, this time connecting with his lips.

Laughing, Ransom grabbed her wrist and thrust it away from him. “And my mother always told me that you can lead a horse to water but you can’t force him to drink. Now eat your pizza and leave me alone, you crazy woman.”

“One word. Anchovies.”

“What’s wrong with anchovies?” Ransom asked, his brows furrowed.

“Are you kidding? What kind of…
crazy person
puts tiny little fish on his pizza?” She poked him in the chest. “You do.”

“They’re meat, and I just explained that meat was a perfect topping. Thus, your argument is invalid.” He got back to eating his disgusting slice of pizza, and Dani harrumphed loudly as she slumped back into the couch.

“Fine, more for me then.”

“More for you,” he agreed, an infuriating smile tugging at his lips.

Dani wanted to smack him. And kiss him. Then maybe smack him again for good measure. Anchovies, yuk! And he had the nerve to call
her
crazy.

“So, since you don’t want to sample my pineapple, what do you want to watch?”

Slanting her a dark look, he reached out and circled his fingers firmly around her wrists, pulling her hand and the pizza toward his mouth. Then, holding her shocked gaze, he chomped off a large bite. When he finished chewing, his expression not at all impressed, and swallowed, he took another moment to gulp down half a glass of soda before speaking. With a salacious smile, he leaned in, his lips hovering over hers. “I always want to sample your pineapple.” Then he laid a heart-stopping kiss on her.

Dani’s hand shook as she set her pizza back down on the plate resting in her lap. That was…wow. Hands down the hottest thing anyone had ever done or said to her.

“I hear there’s a new season of
Turn
on. Do you like period dramas?”

His suggestion caught her off-guard. “You like that show?”

“What’s not to like? It has mystery, action, history.”

“And you’re a history buff,” she pointed out.

“That I am. So, are you game?”

Handing over the remote, she said, “Let’s do it.” Instantly, she realized how that must have sounded and looked up at him, knowing she was blushing furiously. “I didn’t mean for that to come out that way.”

“I know what you meant, but I definitely like how it sounded,” he said with a teasing grin.

Holding up his arm, she took the invitation, setting her plate on the table and curling up against him. He held her close, just like she’d always dreamed a man would. It felt good, right. She couldn’t imagine anything feeling better than spending time with someone who truly valued her as a person. Someone who wasn’t afraid to share his thoughts and feelings, to be vulnerable where others would choose to hide.

As the show played and battles erupted on the television, Dani thought of how drastically her life had changed since meeting Ransom. In just a few short days, she’d stepped out of childhood and into true womanhood. In the past, she’d never had much time to worry about things like love and sex, which was probably why Mark moved on. Although he did it in the most hurtful way possible, she recognized her role in how they ended. She’d put her education and work first which, while it was something that would serve her well in life, wasn’t all life was about. She had been missing that key element, until Ransom.

Snuggled in his arms, listening to the rhythmic beat of his heart, she thought of how happy she had become. Several people at work had noticed. She might have contributed it to the fact that she’d finally lost her V-card, as if the signs were written plainly on her face, but it was more than that. She
felt
it. Unfettered happiness. A blooming in her chest, a tightness that felt as if her heart would explode. Her entire world was on fire for this man. He was in her thoughts throughout the day and night, starring in her dreams, and coloring her reality. For all the jittery nerves she felt just hearing his voice over the phone, the overpowering happiness seeing his face brought, there was a stillness inside of her that she’d never felt before. Like calm water on a windless day.

She felt more at home standing at Ransom’s side than she’d ever felt in her entire life.

***

THE SENSATION OF FLOATING woke her up. Lifting her tired eyelids, Dani found herself staring straight up at Ransom’s handsome face as he carried her to her room and laid her down in her bed.

“I’m going to head home,” he told her softly as he helped to pull back the blankets and tuck her in.

She hated the idea instantly. “Can’t you stay?” she asked, holding onto his hand to keep him from leaving.

Glancing to the pillow beside hers, he seemed to wrestle with an answer. “As much as I’d like to, I think I should go. Don’t want to wear out my welcome.” He smiled as if to soften his words, and Dani realized that he actually believed them.

“You’re always welcome here,” she assured him. “I want you here, and”–she looked away, embarrassed by her admission—“I like how it felt waking up beside you.” If she had it her way, she’d wake up beside him every day.

His expression softened and he touched his fingers to the apple of her cheek. “Best morning of my life, but this is moving fast. If I stay now, what’s to say I don’t stay tomorrow and the next night and the next? You saved yourself for all these years. Are you ready to make that kind of commitment?”

Was she? It was like asking a couple if they were ready for children. It was impossible to know. On paper, everything appeared simple enough, but life was anything but simple. On the one hand, Dani felt far older than her twenty-four years with a master’s under her belt and a promise of making partner in a few short years if she kept the pace she was at now. In many ways, she was an experienced adult, but in many ways, she was still trying to figure out her place in the world.

But there was one thing she couldn’t ignore or deny, and that was her heart. Having a piece of Ransom was, to her, better than having no part of him at all. Given the chance, she planned to hold onto him as long as possible.

Fisting the front of his shirt, she tugged him down to kiss him, not above using her God-given feminine wiles to aid in her cause.

“I think a more apt question is are you ready for that kind of commitment? Because I’m ready for anything you’re willing to give me.”

Passion erupted behind those dark eyes at her softly spoken words. Climbing onto the bed, Ransom straddled her. “I’m ready for more than you think, but consider yourself warned. I’m a difficult man, Daniella. Are you sure you know what you’re getting yourself into?”

“Not at all, but I’m excited to find out what makes a man like you tick.”

His left eyebrow quirked up. “I’ll give you a hint.” Sitting up, he tore his shirt over his head, revealing smooth, tanned skin and the toned physique that Dani couldn’t get enough of. She reached out, compelled to trace every bump and groove of his abs, but he stilled her hand. Giving her an admonishing shake of his head, he tsked. “Fair’s fair. Take off your clothes, Dani. Show me what’s mine.”

She did as he told her, accepting his help as she sat up and removed her nightshirt. Ransom’s heated appraisal rocked her to the core, and when he bent to take her nipple into his mouth, she quaked.

There was no comparison for how he made her feel. The impression he left on her was boundless and untellable.

Under his supportive hand, she laid back and he followed her down, lavishing every inch of her needy, kiss-starved flesh in wet kisses.

When he’d had his fill, Ransom moved on, licking his way down her stomach to her hip bones where he gave each a playful nip. She squealed, delighting him. The rotten brute.

Hooking his fingers in her underwear, he dragged them down her thighs painfully slow. Once he’d freed her feet, he tossed them aside, then hunkered down between her open thighs, his broad shoulders nestled beneath her bent knees.

Dani had never had the pleasure of such an intimate touch, but she’d heard plenty of stories from her girlfriends who swore, if done right, it was more pleasurable than the act of sex itself.

With nothing to compare it to, Dani couldn’t speak on it, but she could imagine no greater feeling than the presence of a skilled lover’s hot embrace when he was buried deep inside her body.

But, just as she’d been assailed by innumerable doubts and insecurities before having sex for the first time, Dani felt the distraction of uncertainty once again. Seeing Ransom’s face between her thighs was an erotic treat, yet not knowing what to expect was jarring.

Sensing her distress, he looked up, placing his hand low on her belly. “Have you ever had a man taste you before?”

“No,” she said with a shake of her head.

“That’s almost as unbelievable to me as you being untried.” She didn’t know how to answer, so she didn’t. “I’m going to have fun showing you all the ways your body can come, Dani. First, you had my cock. Tonight, you’ll have my tongue.”

She shuddered, the visual almost too much to bear.

With his free hand, she felt a single digit trace through her wetness. The rush of sensation jolted her, and Dani’s hips thrust from the bed. Ransom’s hand on her belly caught her before she could catch him in the chin with her pelvis, pressing her back into the mattress and holding her there.

“Easy, baby.”

“I’m sorry,” she rushed out, humiliated at her overzealous reaction.

“Don’t be sorry. I like how you respond to me. Now,” he said as he touched her again, sliding the tip of his finger through her folds, “just try to relax.”

He added another finger, splitting her lips apart and massaging either side of her clit. Dani Dani concentrated hard, focusing on the sensations he wrought on her body while trying desperately not to buck him off with her body’s wild instincts.

He fingered her opening next, spreading her cream around before dipping down to taste her. When the flavor hit the tip of his tongue, he issued a low, primal growl that was startling and sexy and had Dani fisting the sheets, praying for more.

He delivered. Spreading her open with the flat of his tongue, Ransom dove in, licking and sucking her, lapping at her opening like a kitten who’d found a bowl of cream. Dani’s insides leaped and rolled, flipping this way and that as she struggled to constrain herself.

Then Ransom did something truly sinful. Lodging two fingers inside her, he pumped them in and out in long, unhurried strokes at the same time he latched onto her clit and flicked it back and forth with his devilish tongue.

There was no saving her after that.

Dani’s heart was at a full-on gallop and her breathing was out of control. She could scarcely catch her breath, her muscles growing taut and her eyes crossing as he pushed her toward something she didn’t understand.

The all-consuming sensations short-circuited her brain, sending her flying and spiraling at once. She lost all sense of time and space as he plundered her inner-depths and savaged her soul in the most welcoming way.

Then, in one heart-stopping moment, the world exploded into a dazzling array of colors, sending her body into a spasm of electrical impulses that had her limbs twitching and her body convulsing. For that moment in time, Dani ceased to exist. All that was left of her was a mass of sensations, her consciousness having traveled to some unreachable place.

Sometime later, Dani felt the brush of Ransom’s beard stubble tickling her inner thighs. With a struggle, she managed to look down and found him lazily kissing her, caring for her sated body with that reverence she’d witnessed when he’d first taken her.

Her heart stuttered in her chest, unable to process the implications of such a profoundly affectionate act while still coming to terms with the sheer havoc he’d just wreaked upon her.

“So as far as firsts go,” Ransom said in that throaty rasp she’d come to adore, “did I live up to your expectations?”

“I didn’t have any expectations,” she said with an uncomfortable laugh. “But I definitely enjoyed it.”

“Enjoyed is an understatement if your full-body seizure was any indication.”

“I did not have a seizure,” she protested.

As if to remind her, Ransom filled her with his fingers again, causing her inner muscles to clamp down and a moan to wrench from her parted lips.

“Don’t do that,” she said weakly.

“What, this?” he curled his fingers, and another wave of ecstasy rolled through her.