from Pain to Pleasure (Gainesville Book 1) (37 page)

Shocked, Mary ran a finger down Danielle’s back. “My God. Who did this to you?”

“Her father,” Alex replied softly. “She doesn’t like people knowing.”

Danielle clutched Alex. She didn’t want him to reveal any more to them. “Please.”

“It’s OK.” Alex held her close and slowly caressed her back. “Don’t be afraid of them. We’re all family now.”

She shook her head. Her scars embarrassed her. She looked up. “Don’t tell them what Brian did. Please.” She didn’t want people to pity her.

“They won’t look down on you.”

Mary touched Danielle’s shoulder. She pulled back when Danielle cringed. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize it was this bad. Maybe we should have her father prosecuted, as well.”

“No.” Danielle pushed against Alex as she shook her head. “Leave it alone. Please. It’s over. Please.”

She wanted to leave it all behind her. If there hadn’t been witnesses to Brian’s last two attacks, she would have refused to talk to the police about them. Preparations for the trial were as bad as she expected. Some nights she cried herself to sleep. Alex was amazing. He followed her lead as usual, but also didn’t let her wallow in sorrow. He cocooned her in love. It kept her sane.

“It’s forgotten,” Mary assured Danielle. “I won’t ever mention it again.” She stepped forward. “Can I touch your belly?” She smiled widely when she noticed Danielle was indeed showing.

Danielle took a deep breath. “Um…”

Alex’s hands traveled down her back again. Then he softly said, “You can say no. Remember? In our family, there’s trust.”

Sara pulled her mother back slightly. “She can’t handle it, Mom. Danielle, I’m sorry you went through so much. We’ll give you space.”

“She’s afraid to wear a dress,” Alex explained.

Mary glanced down. She held back a gasp at the scars on Danielle’s legs. “Liz has black stockings you could borrow. Will that help?”

Since she was from South Florida, Danielle had never worn stockings. She peered at Mary. “I guess.”

“How about we try them?” Mary gave her a warm smile. “If you don’t like them, we’ll run out and get you something else to wear. I know the owner of Kate’s Boutique. She’ll stay open if I call her.”

Danielle nodded. “Thanks.” She hesitated for a few seconds, and then threw her arms around Mary. “Thanks for understanding.”

“Always.” Mary held back tears. She knew it was huge for Danielle to hug her. “We’re here when you need us.”

Sara left the room to get the stockings and let her tears fall. She was glad Alex took Danielle away from her life of torment. Their family was so loving; they made it hard to fathom that there were such evil people out there in the world.

Alex helped Danielle put on the red dress. He glanced over at his mother every time he felt desire grip him. It worked well. His cock started to engorge, and then deflated as soon as his eyes set on his mom. If she weren’t there, he would have lifted Danielle up and fucked her up against the wall.

When Sara came back, he groaned softly. She held a pair of thigh-high stockings. He loved those. Unable to control his body, he moved behind Danielle to hide his arousal. Then he glanced down and sighed. She had cleavage visible, too.
I’m done for
.

“You look beautiful.” Sara grinned at Danielle. “That dress fits you perfectly.”

Alex nodded. “Yep. Now can you guys go, so I can get dressed?”

“Sure.” Mary lifted Danielle’s chin. “Never doubt my son’s love for you. He would never hurt you.”

With a grin, Sara handed Danielle a black lace shawl. “So you can cover up if you want.”

When they were gone, Danielle sat on the bed and carefully put on the stockings. They hid her scars well. “You like?”

“Oh, hell yeah.” Alex grabbed her legs and lifted them. Then he wrapped them around his waist. “We got just enough time for a quickie.”

“Typical.” Nathan had made a silent entry. “What if I was Mom?”

Alex turned only his head. “She just left. If you’re staying, keep quiet.”

“What?” Danielle struggled to pull her legs free. “Don’t let him watch.”

As he laughed, Alex turned back to her. “I’m kidding. What d’ you want, Nathan?”

“Just makin’ sure you’re ready.” Nathan winked. “For… you know.”

Alex’s eyes opened wide. He glared at his brother and hoped he didn’t let the cat out of the bag. “We’re fine. We’ll talk about that later.” His eyes fell on Danielle, who was on her back. “I’m a bit busy here.”

Barely able to hold back a crude comment, Nathan winked. “That you are.”

“Does Danielle need anything else?” Liz asked from just beyond the slightly open bedroom door.

Alex growled, “Is everybody against me getting some?” He let Danielle’s legs down and helped her sit. Then he stalked to the closet. “Can’t get a bit of relief. This sucks.”

“He’s insatiable, huh?” Nathan laughed harder when Danielle blushed. “Damn. I knew he hadn’t changed much.”

Liz rapped on the door with her knuckles. “Everything OK?”

“Yeah.” Nathan opened the door a bit. “Alex is just being Alex.”

“A horny teenager?” Liz chuckled. “Poor Danielle.” She cleared her throat, and then asked, “Danielle, did the stockings fit?”

Danielle took a few breaths, and then stood up. “Yes. Thank you.”

“We’ll leave you two alone. You got 15 minutes.” Liz yanked Nathan toward the door. “Lock the door so no one else interrupts.”

“Yeah,” Alex called from the closet where he dressed. “Tired of my siblings getting in the way of my sex life!”

Danielle’s face turned as red as her dress. “Oh my God.”

“You’ll get used to him.” Nathan winked again then the door closed behind him.

Alex walked in, as he adjusted his tie. “Guess sex’ll have to wait till later.” He looked her over and whistled. “Gonna be hard keeping my hands to myself all night. I love that fucking dress.” His eyes roamed over her again. “After the party, you’re in trouble.” He smirked.

Danielle met his smoldering gaze and quivered. She couldn’t wait. “We should get downstairs and see if your mom needs help.”

* * *

By 11:00, the party was in full swing. The children were in bed, so the parents were able to drink. Alex did as he said and showed Danielle off. He had her on his arm most of the night, as he introduced her to family, friends and his parents’ business acquaintances. It was the first time he spent New Year’s with someone he knew well. Usually, he secretly hooked up with someone his parents invited.

Danielle hid her anxiety well. She had learned to fake it. The smile she forced had actually helped her mood change. She greeted new people happily. Only the huggers made her nervous. She clung to Alex’s arm with one hand and the shawl with the other, while she followed him around the house.

Some time later, they stood outside with a few of Alex’s childhood friends. She tugged the shawl around her body to hide her cleavage and the scar she hated the most. “Um, do you guys get to hang out much?”

With a shrug of his shoulder, Alex replied, “Not much anymore since I been up in Gainesville.” He was surprised they showed since they had moved all over the state.

“I seen you play last month.” Scott slapped Alex’s back. “You run like a bat outta hell.”

Danielle wanted to agree, but she was too nervous.

“She’s not like your usual.” Damien smirked. “Didn’t know you were into virgins these days.” He lowered his voice and leaned toward Alex. “Gonna pop her cherry, and then grab one of the hot ones inside? I seen a blonde with her eyes on you—”

Alex shoved him and scowled. “You asshat. This is my
girlfriend
, Danielle.”

“Your what?” Scott’s mouth dropped. “Did you just use the ‘G’ word? What the hell happened? You in an accident or something?”

While Alex rolled his eyes, he huffed. “I just found the right girl.” He put an arm around her shoulders. “She’s pregnant.”

“Whose kid is it?” Damien was quite confused. “You like ’em knocked up now? Oh… no condoms, huh?”

It wasn’t easy for Alex to hold back his anger. He growled, “She’s having
my
kid, dickhead.”

“Wha—at?” Trey choked on his beer. “She’s having what?”

Alex glared at him. “Baby. My baby. What’s wrong with me being a father?”

“Never imagined it in a million years.” Scott stared at the couple. “You settling down is like trying to stop a tidal wave.” His face fell. “No.”

Quickly, Alex yanked Scott a few feet away. “Don’t you ruin this for me.”

“Tell me you’re not stringing her along and fucking other chicks.” Scott knew Alex, and he was sure being faithful was impossible for Alex.

Alex sighed. “It’s just me and her. She makes it easy. I love her.”

“Damn.” Scott grinned. “Alex in love? Hell really did freeze over.”

Danielle hugged herself nervously. Alex’s friends eyed her. She half-expected one of them to grope her. When Damien took a step toward her, she slowly backed away. Then Trey moved closer. She glanced around, unsure where to run to.

“Leave her alone,” Alex called out when he saw her terror. He rushed to her and took her in his arms. “They won’t hurt you.” He cradled her head and whispered softly, “I swear no one’s gonna hurt you here.”

“She OK?” Scott asked, worried.

Alex stared at the top of Danielle’s head. “Can’t explain. She needs a few.”

Slowly, Danielle calmed. She hated that she feared so much. Normal people wouldn’t be terrified next to their boyfriend’s buddies. However, she had not known many people who didn’t hurt her. Only Alex’s family had proven their trustworthiness, other than their friends at school. That week had been quite amazing.

“Are you upset about what they said?” Alex asked quietly. He knew it was more than fear that made her cling to him for so long.

She shook her head. “They don’t know me.” Although she wished that he had told them about her. “It’s OK.”

He exhaled loudly and blew some of her hair. “I was different when they knew me.” He didn’t want to explain. She didn’t need to know how much of a whore he was. “I’ve changed. I swear.”

“I know.” She wasn’t sure she believed it all the time, though. Sometimes she worried he missed other women.

Sure she hadn’t told him everything, he stepped back and lifted her chin. “Do you really? Do you understand that I couldn’t have sex with anyone but you… unless that’s what you wanted?” He cringed. He hadn’t meant to say the last part aloud. “I know you don’t. I’m good with just you and me. I promise.”

She nodded, still not able to meet his eyes.

“Look at me.” He waited until she did. “My past is... uh… well, colorful.
You
are my future. I don’t want to live that way anymore. I’m happy.”

Danielle saw it in his eyes. He was happy. “Good. Me too.”

He leaned down and kissed her lips. “Good.”

“Sorry if I caused that,” Damien said from a few feet away. “It was just a shock. I’m really sorry, man.” He could see Alex had changed. “Maybe we should head inside.”

Alex glanced at the glass doors. It looked like they were about to hand out the champagne. “Yeah. I guess so.” He smiled as each of his friends pat him on the back. Them being present for what he planned was perfect. When Danielle resisted going inside, he looked down. “We OK? Or are you still upset?”

“I’m not.” She bit her bottom lip. “Were you really with a different girl every day?” She had heard his friends tease him.

He sighed and closed his eyes. Then he leaned his head on hers. “Something like that. I’m sorry. I didn’t trust women before you.” He hadn’t planned to admit that. “Casual sex was easier than trusting anyone.”

“Someone hurt you, too?” she asked sheepishly.

Slowly, he shook his head. “Not like what you went through.” It seemed like nothing compared to what she endured, but it had affected him nonetheless. “Let’s just say a girl broke my heart and humiliated me. Nathan helped me through it.” He kissed her forehead. “And you healed my heart. I love you.”

Danielle carefully looked up and cupped his cheek. “You healed mine. I love you, too. More than I thought was possible.”

“Good.” He nuzzled her nose with his. “Let’s go ring in the new year together.” Then he turned when Damien approached them. “What’s up?”

Damien looked around nervously. “Need to ask you something… uh… private.”

“Gimme just a few.” Alex smiled at Danielle, and then followed Damien a few feet away. “Something wrong?”

Unsure how to say it. Damien pursed his lips for a few seconds. “Is she the girl Brian… uh, hurt?” He didn’t want anyone to overhear what he knew. “Is that why you were so adamant about watching him?”

Alex sighed. “Yes, but don’t let on you know.” He hadn’t expected Damien to ever meet Danielle. “She’d be humiliated. Thanks for all the info, though. That guy is a first class asshole.”

“That he is.” Damien had seen many altercations. Brian was cocky and tough for someone of is size. He wasn’t in a block with hardened criminals, though. “Be glad when he’s convicted.”

“Me too.” Alex glanced at Danielle. “She needs this to be over.”

Midnight was almost upon them. Alex led Danielle into the crowded living room and made sure to stick close. He was nervous as hell. His eyes met Nathan’s across the room. Time had started to speed up. His hands shook. He grabbed two glasses of champagne and wished he could drink a bottle of the stuff to relax.

“This one’s for Danielle.” Mary handed her a glass of non-alcoholic champagne. “Hey.”

Alex downed the extra drink. “What?”

“You
know
what.” His mother glared at him. “We’re all supposed to drink together.”

With a smirk, Alex shrugged a shoulder. “I still got this one.” He held up his second glass.

Mary rolled her eyes and headed to Corey. He was still a brat, although he finally grew up some.

Sara rushed over to the young couple. “I found a pin for you.” She grabbed the shawl and used the safety pin to hold it closed. “This way you don’t have to clutch it anymore.” She kissed both their cheeks and walked back to her husband.

“Better?” Alex smiled down at Danielle.

She nodded. Then she followed Alex around the room. Several people greeted her by name, although she couldn’t remember theirs. It made her feel like she belonged even more. The large television in the family room had New York City’s Times Square ball dropping showing on it. The excitement in the room rose with each passing minute. She clutched Alex’s hand, glad to share the moment with him.