Of Love and Deception (16 page)
Read Of Love and Deception Online
Authors: Melisa Hamling
Daniella stood in front of the jacuzzi. Her cheeks heated as Cruz watched her slip off her bra and panties. He held his hand out and helped her into the bubbling water filled with rose petals.
He pulled her down in front of him and whisked her hair over her right shoulder. The tips of his fingers pressed between her shoulder blades, kneading and rubbing every inch of her back.
“That feels heavenly. You should give me that kind of massage daily,” Daniella said and leaned into him, tilting her head back to greet his heartwarming smile. That wasn't all she leaned into. Cruz slid his hand along her neck and cupped her chin. He shifted a little and dipped his head down, pressing firm lips against her half-open mouth. Daniella tried desperately to hold back. It was a task too impossible to achieve the instant Cruz's hand slipped between her thighs. His fingers explored, gliding up and down, deeper and desperate. She willed them silently toward her center and gasped with welcome relief when he circled the one spot that sent a storm of coiled pleasure racing through her abdomen. Just as sensations assaulted her, he withdrew his hand. She almost choked. What happened?
Cruz slowly stood, pulling her up with him. He toweled off quickly, grabbed another towel, and dried Daniella's back. Whisking her long hair off to the side, he leaned in and nibbled on her neck and shoulders. She quivered. He ran the towel over the front of her, pushing her forward toward the bed with his chest pressed against her back. He guided her onto her stomach, laid on top of her, while slipping his arms alongside hers and resting his weight onto his half-bent elbows. He slid his tongue between her shoulders, moving slowly down the center of her spine.
Daniella squirmed a little.
“Turn over,” he said, all husky and sexy.
She rolled onto her back and stared at Cruz. Maybe it was the way he held her gaze as he crawled, smooth and slow, brushing kisses and tasting the flesh over her abdomen as he trailed his way up and trapped her body in a heated frenzy.
His eyes swept over her in sweet seduction. “I want to make love to every cell within you, know every inch of you, and never let go.” He held her close, gazed intently and seriously while caressing her cheeks with delicate sweeps of his hands. Every nerve sang in delight with the sway of his hips, the intimacy of his palms cupped around her face, and the way he measured her expressions as his thrust sank deeper each time.
Making love was different now that she was the lucky one to share a future with this lithe and powerful man. She examined his face. His eyes were closed, sweat dampened his forehead, and his lips parted with slight moans escaping him. Little stars danced in her visual path. She writhed and buckled below him as the sweet beauty of pleasure rippled through her.
How lucky am I to be the one he chose to be his wife? He's absolutely amazing.
Daniella watched him as his eyes clenched shut and his mouth fell open. His entire body shuddered over her, and he pressed his cheek against hers, his arms cradling her. His hips jerked a little and then his body stilled.
When Cruz raised his head and opened his eyes, they were dark, but focused on Daniella. He pressed a kiss to her forehead, each cheek, and then her lips.
“I love you,” they said together. He slipped out of her and settled beside her, gathering her in his arms. She laid her head on his chest and he rested his chin on top of her head, lacing their fingers together.
13 - Bad Lori
Daniella plopped on the couch and examined her nicely decorated finger. “Has it really been three months since he spoke those lovely words, asking me to marry him?” A warm sensation washed over her and she smiled, holding her hand against her heart. Closing her eyes, she relived the memories.
I turn back to the pile, pluck a few leaves from the top, and slide my hand into the heap.
My fingers graze a small object.
It's square… like a… No. No, it can't be… that!
Slowly, I uncover a silver box and stare at it. Okay, so it's a box, but that doesn't mean it's a promise or a get-down-on-one-knee-and-tell-me-you'll-marry-me kind of box! Get a grip, girl!
I wonder what it is and stare. Could it be?
“Pick it up and open it,” he says and slips his arm around my waist.
I chew on my lower lip and finally pick up the box. I don't open it, but stare at the closed lid.
He grasps my hands and assists, pressing my fingers against the sides and popping it open.
“Huh!” I gasp at the square diamond ring set in a silver band cascaded with smaller diamonds. I read the note:
I'm asking for your hand. To marry me. To be mine and mine alone.
“Please tell me your smile is a yes?”
“Is this—Oh. My. Gosh,” I whisper.
He looks at me, waiting for my answer.
I scream, “YES!”
“Yes, you'll marry me?”
Things get fuzzy and the scenery changes. I can't see Cruz any longer.
“Where have you been? You promised you'd be here hours ago. It’s after midnight and you reek,” I scream.
“Stop being a sourpuss. It's just a little pick-me-up. Don't worry your pretty little head off, sweetheart.” Blake wraps his arms around my waist and clings to me.
“I swear I won't marry you if you don't stop!”
“Damn. That only gives me three months, Daniella.”
He cleans his act up.
Blake's cocaine free, but I begin to wonder if I'm making a mistake. Does he really want to marry me? He spends less time at my apartment, and he's always working.
“I'm busting ass to sell my home, and searching for a new one for us to occupy after we're married. It was supposed to be a surprise... the new house,” he says.
I believe him.
“We shouldn't spend all of our time together because it will be that much more exciting to be in each other's arms when we're married.”
It makes sense.
The images and voices change again.
“Oh, baby! Don't stop. Harder!”
Another… woman… in my bed?
“You like that?”
With my boyfriend.
“Fuck me harder… oh… oh yeah… I'm… coming, Blake. I'm…”
Unfucking believable! Blake is screwing another woman in my bed in my apartment!
I stomp in and fling the door open.
“Awe, babe, I can explain this,” he says as a blonde woman stands naked at the end of my bed.
“Get. The. Fuck. Out,” I scream.
Blakes eyes narrow and he comes charging at me.
~~~
BEEEEEPPP… BEEEEEP… BEEP, BEEP, BEEP!
Daniella jumped, startled out of her dream by the blaring horn outside. She was bothered by the dream, but she didn't have time to analyze it. She rushed around, shutting off lights, retrieving her cell phone and purse, and then headed out the front door. She practically stumbled down the steps in high heels that were not meant for hurried steps, but Meg kept honking her damn horn, and she didn't want to piss off her neighbors.
“I'm coming! You can stop honking now. Jeesh!” Daniella waggled a finger at Meg, who had a big grin on her face.
“Well, well,” Meg said. “We've got shopping to do. Somebody has to rush you along.”
“Oh, really?” Daniella chuckled.
“Uh. Yeah. Like wedding gown shopping. I have a few great places in mind. Are you free all day?”
“Um—”
“Great!” Meg clapped.
There was a wedding to plan. Who better to help her plan then good old Meg Landers? “Psh. I invited my friends, the other two bridesmaids.” Daniella reminded Meg. She'd told her previously, but Meg hadn't seemed too thrilled. She knew Meg wanted to be the maid of honor, but Daniella wanted them all to be bridesmaids and decided she wouldn't have the traditional maid of honor—spare herself the headache.
~~~
Danielle's feet hurt, but her buddies, Jill, Lori, and Meg, seemed to have ample energy and bounce while dragging her from bridal shop to bridal shop.
“Jeez, Daniella. What do you want, a royal wedding dress?” Meg huffed. “Not like you're fit to be a queen.”
Why, oh why, did I allow Meg Landers to anoint herself my Bridal Committee Chairwoman?
“Wow. That was uncalled for,” Lori said.
Meg stopped and halted Daniella by grabbing her arm. She pointed a finger at Lori. “Excuse me, you little midget. Was I speaking to you? No, I think not.”
Lori waggled a finger in Meg's face. “You should probably shut that flapping mouth of yours, woman of the Nile.”
Jill laughed raucously.
“And what the hell kind of moronic come-back is that?” Meg swatted Lori's hand.
A devious grin spread across Lori's lips.
Great. Just freakin' great.
“You're a fucking Amazon, douchebag.” Jill fired back in Lori's defense.
“Stop!” Daniella slid between them. “Just stop it.”
“Fine. You go about this with your little gang bangers.” Meg scowled and tapped a finger against her lips. “You know, Daniella, you're jumping into this awful quick. Oh, and I suppose I should warn you—Lexus might be at the bar tonight. It's one of her hangouts. Just thought you should know. I'll meet up with you later.” Meg did a one-eighty, but flipped them the bird as she stomped off.
“How can you stand that bitch?” Lori shook her head. “And who the hell is Lexus?”
“Sorry. I know she can be an ass, but she's usually not like that.” Daniella's tone held no conviction. She shrugged and wiped her forehead.
Not worth the bother. And Cruz is mine. I refuse to stress over some ex. Even if her name is Lexus. She might think she can steal my fiancé, I won't sweat it. Dang. That'll be a challenge.
A giggle bubbled in her throat and they laughed.
“An ass? No, Sista D, she's the shit inside a pustule festered on an asshole!” Lori lashed out and clawed at the air, as in catfight claws.
“No worries, Lori. Lexus is an ex. I don't want to ruin a perfect day by talking about exes so let's forget about Meg's comment.” Daniella grinned. “You can bring out your claws tonight, if you really want to tear her up.”
“Damn straight, I will!” Lori hooked her arm around Daniella's. “Okay! So what are you waiting for? Let's go shopping!”
They dragged from store to store. When Jill mentioned another store, Daniella almost gave up. But maybe, just maybe, this third one would be the one where she’d find a dress similar to what she'd envisioned.
“Look, D!” Lori grinned.
Daniella glanced over at Lori and immediately pressed her hands over her mouth. It took every ounce of energy not to burst out in laughter.
“O.M.G. Get over here, quick!” Daniella dragged Lori across the shop to another rack of bridal gowns. They watched as one of the sales clerks walked past the mannequin. She halted, lifted her head and turned to face the once elegant plastic model that Lori turned hussy.
Daniella whispered, “Lori! I can't take you anywhere! I mean, tucking the dress behind her hands and slipping on a red thong? And you didn't even give her the decency of covering her muff! Wait. Is that…”
Lori's devilish laugh answered the question.
“You just had to do it, didn't you?” Daniella swiped the tears of laughter from her cheeks. “Jeesh. You could have at least made the pubic hair curvy or something, but no. You made it a spattered mess! And where'd you get the hair?”
“Tss! I didn't have time to be accurate. I took the hair from my brush and stuck it on her with my chewing gum.” Lori paused and tapped her lips. “At least her nipples are pink.”
“Holy hell, Lori. You're rotten.” Daniella hooked her arm around Lori's and went to move ahead, but they halted when they heard Jill's voice.
“Well if that doesn't attract some attention.” The sarcasm in Jill's tone only made Lori and Daniella laugh harder.
They had a riot poking fun at the mannequins, but it was time to get serious before Lori might get them all kicked out… or arrested for defacing a mannequin.
~~~
After trying on eight or nine dresses, Daniella wondered if she'd ever find the perfect gown.
The sales clerk knocked on her dressing room door. “Hang on, Daniella said. She slipped off the dress.
“Before you put your clothes on, I want you to take a peek at this dress,” the sales clerk said.
Daniella poked her head out to see a lovely gown showcased on a tall rack the sales clerk wheeled in. “Oh. That's beautiful, but it's not exactly what I had in mind. But it's close.”
“How about you go ahead and try it on. Then decide what you like about this dress and what you don't like. I guarantee we can customize any dress in any fashion you so desire.” The clerk nodded and smiled in a way that made Daniella certain she'd do whatever it took to make this event one to never forget, one that would truly make her feel like a princess.
Since I'm not fit to be a queen.
“That sounds like a great idea. Hand me the dress.”
Daniella slipped into the gown. “Wow.” A rush of excitement gushed through her.
She emerged, released the train, and adjusted the lacey puffs on her shoulders. Jill and Lori glanced up from their seats. Daniella did a slow catwalk until she reached the mirrors.
Jill clasped her hands and squealed, “That is so perfect! You look… gorgeous.”
Lori fluffed out the organdy puffs. “Oh, you look awesome! If I didn't know you wore those hussy thongs and nipple rings, I'd say you'd make the perfect princess!”
“Lori! I'd never pierce those part of my body! You're so embarrassing. Now be quiet and stop looking up my dress and drooling.” Daniella teased. “The sales lady is coming.”
Nipple rings? Ouch!
“Stunning. Absolutely stunning,” the sales associate ogled. “Don't you think?” she asked the bridesmaids.
“Oh, yeah.” Lori shook her head and winked at Daniella. “She just needs some sexy panties to go with it. Do you have—”
“Shush.” Daniella gave Lori the evil eye and Jill shook her head. Of course, it didn't bother Lori one bit. She sat back and giggled.
God, I love them! Lori's my voice and humor when I'm nervous. Jill's my voice of reason, the one who keeps me sane or boosts my confidence. And then there is Meg. Her purpose is… I haven't figured that one out yet. She'd probably find some way to bring me down or make me feel like I'm not good enough for Cruz. Okay, maybe that's a little extreme and I just take her wrong.
