The Danforths: Reid, Kimberly and Jake

‘‘So your parents really don’t know what’s going on?’’

Tina shook her head. ‘‘My father’s kitchen is his own little world, and my mother—’’ she sipped at her wine, then shrugged ‘‘—well, her vision is skewed by her aspirations.’’

‘‘What aspirations are those?’’

With the wine cooling her nerves and Reid’s voice warming her insides, Tina felt herself relaxing. ‘‘To see Sophia and Rachel married into prominence and wealth, and at least one grandbaby on the way. That’s the real reason she bumped my restaurant and rented the space to your family. She sees the campaign headquarters as a hunting ground for potential husbands.’’

‘‘What about you?’’ Reid asked. ‘‘Doesn’t she want to see you married, too?’’

‘‘Heavens, no.’’ The laugh in her throat quickly faded when she realized that if she moved just a smidgen, Reid’s mouth would be touching her neck. The very thought of it made her shiver and inch away. ‘‘It doesn’t matter that I’m twenty-four. I’m her baby. She doesn’t think of me that way.’’

He shook his head slowly. ‘‘You’re no baby, Tina.’’

Something in Reid’s voice, in his eyes, something dark and smoldering, sent heat pulsing through her veins. Was this a game to him? she wondered. And if it was, did she want to play? It would be dangerous and very foolish and she’d lose. She hadn’t the experience or the skill to take on a man like Reid.

She’d be the one left hurting, she was certain of that. Was that a chance she could take?

Before she could even consider her answer, he’d already tugged her to her feet and was pulling her toward the dance floor. And when he drew her into his arms, she wasn’t thinking at all.

The song was slow, smooth, as sexy as it was soulful. Her body molded to Reid’s, and they moved as one. They were close, a blending of soft against hard. Even if she’d wanted to, she couldn’t have pulled away. She cursed the fact that she didn’t want to. She could have stood like this forever with Reid, her head on his shoulder, his arms tightly around her.

But there was no forever, not with Reid and not with the song. When it ended, she sighed and lifted her head.

‘‘Come home with me.’’

Her breath caught at his words. Her heart drummed. Come home with me. It would be so simple to leave here with him. To fall into his bed. She was certain it would be a night to remember.

But nothing would be simple tomorrow. She was just as certain about that, too.

While the dance floor began to clear and the band left the stage for a break, she imagined what it would be like. No man had ever made her feel like this before. Made her hot and cold at the same time. Made her ache. Made her yearn.

She needed space. Standing here, with Reid still holding her, she couldn’t breathe, let alone think.

‘‘Rachel is…’’

‘‘Backstage with Jason.’’

Tina glanced at the table where they’d all been sitting. The seats were all empty now. ‘‘Reid, I—’’

He dipped his head, brushed his lips over hers. She forgot what she’d been about to say.

‘‘I…I need a minute,’’ she said breathlessly, shivered when he touched her cheek with his hand.

‘‘I’ll wait for you at the table.’’

Nodding, she turned, and on weak knees headed for the ladies’ room. What kind of spell had he woven over her? she wondered. Whatever it was, it was as potent as it was formidable. A heady mix of excitement and fear.

Anticipation shivered through her.

Inside the rest room, Tina squeezed her way through the mass of buzzing females and made her way to a sink. Dampening a paper towel, she pressed it to her cheeks and neck while the women around her slicked on fresh lipstick, smoothed their hair and adjusted their low-cut dresses and tops.

She looked at her own dress, and though it was pretty and she thought she looked nice enough, she still felt like a sparrow in the midst of swans. A daisy next to roses. For the hundredth time she wondered why Reid would want her. Even if all he wanted was a one-night stand, he had his pick of the most beautiful women in Savannah. For that matter, in the world. It simply made no sense to her.

But did it have to?

For once, did she have to be so damn logical, so sensible? she asked herself. While the women chattered and laughed and pressed all around her, Tina stared at her own reflection, not even certain who she was anymore. For once, couldn’t she just let herself be? Let herself feel? Just enjoy the moment, the night, and not worry so much about tomorrow?

She felt a hand on her arm and blinked.

‘‘Tina,’’ Rachel said, her voice quavering. ‘‘We have to go.’’

‘‘What?’’ When tears spilled from Rachel’s eyes, Tina quickly pulled her sister into a stall and closed the door. ‘‘Rachel, honey, what’s wrong?’’

‘‘We have to go. Please.’’

‘‘What’s happened? Are you all right?’’

‘‘I—’’ Rachel swallowed, then choked on a sob. ‘‘I broke up with Jason.’’

Six

He sat at the bar, nursing a beer, but he wasn’t drunk. Not yet, anyway. At 2:00 a.m., the night was still young.

Reid figured he wasn’t the first man to close down a bar thinking about a woman, and was even more certain he wouldn’t be the last. In the ongoing battle between the sexes, womankind would forever remain a confusing and incredibly frustrating creature.

Reid decided that no woman could possibly be more confusing, or more frustrating, than Tina Alexander.

‘‘Mind if I join you?’’

Reid swiveled a glance at Jason. If the singer’s face dropped any lower, it would be scraping the wood floor. After two encores his group had finished a few minutes ago. The club was starting to thin out, and even Ian had left after the music ended. But there were still plenty of late-nighters scattered in the bar. ‘‘You buying?’’

‘‘Sure.’’ Jason slid onto the stool beside Reid, then gestured to the bartender for a new round.

‘‘That was a hell of a performance.’’

‘‘A record producer was in the audience.’’ Based on Jason’s tone, he might as well have said his best friend had died. ‘‘He wants the group to come to Los Angeles next week and cut a demo.’’

‘‘Congratulations.’’

Jason shrugged, took a long pull from the beer bottle that appeared in front of him. ‘‘I asked Rachel to come with me.’’

Reid waited, didn’t think he needed to ask the obvious question.

‘‘She broke it off.’’ Jason dragged a hand through his hair. ‘‘Told me she was happy for me, but she didn’t want to see me anymore. She asked me if we could just be friends. Friends, for God sakes! Why the hell would she say something like that?’’

Reid shook his head. As if he had any answers when it came to women. But he realized it just might explain why Tina had left without even saying goodbye.

When she hadn’t come back from the rest room, he’d assumed she’d made up her mind about coming home with him and the answer had been no. He’d also considered it might be payback for the way he’d left her in the garden the night before. Somehow, though, he didn’t think that was Tina’s style, and when Rachel hadn’t come back, either, even after the band started playing again, and Sophia seemed to disappear, as well, it hadn’t taken a rocket scientist to figure out something was up. Now he at least had an inkling why the Alexander women had all vanished like smoke in the wind.

His expression dark, Jason looked at Reid. ‘‘I wanted to put a fist in your face. Nearly jumped off the stage a couple of times. You’re bigger than me, but I figured the element of surprise would be in my favor, in the short run, anyway.’’

Reid lifted a brow. ‘‘What did I do?’’

Jason shrugged. ‘‘I see you sitting with my girl, then she breaks up with me. What would you think if you saw the woman you love with another guy?’’

‘‘I have no idea,’’ Reid said honestly. ‘‘I’ve never been in love.’’

‘‘Lucky you.’’ Jason shook his head. ‘‘It hurts like hell. Walking around with your heart on your sleeve, it’s damn embarrassing.’’

Reid might have agreed, but why kick a guy when he was down? And anyway, if that’s what love felt like, he wanted no part of it.

‘‘Anyway—’’ Jason sighed ‘‘—once I calmed down a little, I figured out she didn’t break up with me because of you. I’ve just been jealous since you showed up. Everyone’s talking about seeing you and Rachel together, and what a great pair you’d make. I know she wouldn’t cheat on me, but the thought of you making a move on her made me crazy.’’

‘‘Women do that to a man,’’ Reid said with nod.

They clinked bottles and drank.

‘‘All Mariska talks about is having a Danforth for a son-in-law.’’ Anger narrowed Jason’s eyes. ‘‘How’s that supposed to make a guy feel?’’

Not so good, Reid figured. Unless the guy happened to be a Danforth and had a thing for one of Mariska’s daughters. Not that he was interested in marriage, of course, Reid thought. Hell, no. Maybe one day he’d settle down, but that was way in the future. He was attracted to Tina, very attracted, but he sure wasn’t ready for picket fences and baby carriages.

When Jason indicated another round to the bartender, Reid could see that an already long night was going to be even longer. What the hell, he thought with a sigh. There were taxis outside and he didn’t have any better place to be, anyway. He’d pay for it in the morning, as would Jason, but somehow getting drunk tonight seemed to beat the alternative of being alone.

‘‘If I live to be a hundred, I’ll never love again.’’ Her nose red, her eyes swollen from her tears, Rachel stared unseeing at the cup of peppermint tea that Tina set on the kitchen table. ‘‘My life is over.’’

After two pots of coffee, and because it was nearly three in the morning, Tina had brewed a pot of organic tea. With all the caffeine buzzing in her system, she doubted she’d be able to fall asleep for three days. In the corner, Delilah slept peacefully in her cushioned basket.

‘‘Your life is not over,’’ Tina said. ‘‘We’ll figure something out.’’

Rachel shook her head. ‘‘The minute he told me he was going to Los Angeles, I knew we had to break up. He’s going to be a star, Tina. A big star. I’d only be in his way.’’

Tina sighed. They’d been over this a hundred times since they’d left Steam, but Rachel was being ridiculously stubborn. ‘‘He loves you, Rachel. You know he does.’’

‘‘Did you see the way all those women were looking at him tonight?’’ She reached for another tissue from the nearly empty box on the table. ‘‘Why would he stay with me, subject himself to all the hassels from Mom and Dad, when he could have any woman he wants?’’

‘‘He wants you, Ray.’’ Tina couldn’t understand why her sister had suddenly become so incredibly unreasonable and emotional. ‘‘He adores you. Don’t give up so easily. We’ll call Jason tomorrow.’’

‘‘And you.’’ Delicately Rachel blew her nose. ‘‘I ruined your night, too. You should have gone back to the club with Sophia.’’

‘‘For one thing, I only went there for you,’’ Tina said firmly. It killed her to see Rachel like this, frustrated her that she couldn’t talk any sense into her. ‘‘And for another thing, do you think I’d leave you alone when you’re hurting like this? If Sophia hadn’t already promised the owner she’d help him close tonight, she wouldn’t have gone back, either.’’

‘‘Still, if it wasn’t for me,’’ Rachel said forlornly, ‘‘you’d be with Reid right now.’’

Tina’s pulse jumped. ‘‘What are you talking about?’’

‘‘For heaven’s sake.’’ Rachel rolled her reddened eyes. ‘‘I’m not blind. I saw the way he was looking at you.’’

Hoping her hand wouldn’t shake, Tina calmly picked up her cup of tea. ‘‘What way was that?’’

‘‘Like he wanted to cover you with whipped cream and lick it all off.’’

‘‘Rachel!’’ Tea sloshed out of Tina’s cup. ‘‘You didn’t just say that!’’

A smile, the first one since they’d left the club, curved Rachel’s lips. ‘‘Why shouldn’t I say it? It’s true, isn’t it?’’

Reaching for a napkin, Tina wiped up the spilled tea. ‘‘He looks at every woman that way.’’

‘‘He never looked at me that way, or Sophia.’’ Rachel pulled her feet up onto the chair and wrapped her arms around her knees. ‘‘And every man looks at Sophia that way. So did he ask you?’’

‘‘Ask me what?’’

‘‘To spend the night with him.’’

‘‘Rachel!’’ Tina’s cup clattered onto its saucer.

‘‘Stop saying my name.’’ Rachel dropped her chin on her knees. ‘‘Besides, it makes me feel better to talk about your love life. You want me to feel better, don’t you?’’

‘‘Okay, okay.’’ Tina rolled her head back. ‘‘So he asked me. But I assure you, it has nothing to do with love.’’

‘‘I knew it.’’ Rachel hugged her legs tighter. ‘‘So what did you say?’’

‘‘I never exactly got around to answering.’’

‘‘And then I pulled you away,’’ Rachel said on a sigh. ‘‘Oh, T, I’m so sorry. To think you’ve had to sit here all night and listen to my problems, when you could have had a glorious night making love with Reid Danforth.’’

‘‘Sex.’’ Her tea had a bitter taste when she swallowed. ‘‘Nothing more than that. You saved me from a big mistake.’’

‘‘You don’t know that.’’ Rachel covered Tina’s hand with her own. ‘‘I saw you two dancing together. There was something there, T. Something more than just sex.’’

If only that were true, she thought. But she couldn’t let herself believe that, couldn’t let herself even think it. If she did, she’d be the one sitting here with red eyes and a broken heart, emptying a box of tissues.

Shaking her head, Tina smiled at her sister. ‘‘It’s for the best, Ray. Reid and I just aren’t meant to—’’

A scuffling from the stairwell outside had both women turning.

‘‘Rachel! Open up.’’ A loud knock rattled the front door. ‘‘I know you’re in there. Open up this door.’’

‘‘Jason!’’ Rachel’s eyes widened in horror. ‘‘Ohmigod, Tina, don’t tell him I’m here. Please!’’

The pounding continued, and despite her sister’s pleas, Tina rose and headed for the door. ‘‘You’re going to have to face him sometime, honey. It might as well be now.’’

‘‘No, Tina, I can’t.’’ Rachel followed, pulling on Tina’s arm. ‘‘I’m not ready. Maybe tomorrow.’’

‘‘It is tomorrow,’’ Tina said and opened the door, prepared to face a lovesick Jason.

At the sight of Reid standing on the doorstep holding up an obviously inebriated Jason, Tina’s heart slammed in her chest.

‘‘Sorry.’’ Reid’s smile was apologetic. ‘‘He was insistent.’’

Rachel rushed past Tina and threw her arms around Jason. ‘‘Jason, oh, sweetie, what have you done?’’

‘‘Rachel, sugar, I love you.’’ Clumsily, Jason reached for Rachel. ‘‘I won’t go to L. A., baby. I won’t go anywhere without you. Come here and kiss me.’’

‘‘You idiot.’’ But she did kiss him. ‘‘You big fat idiot. I’ll take you home.’’

While Rachel slipped her heels back on and tugged on her coat, Reid held Jason on his feet. When he started to sing to her, Rachel’s eyes filled with tears and she kissed him again. Tina shifted awkwardly and met Reid’s gaze. He simply grinned.

‘‘I’ll help you downstairs,’’ Reid said to Rachel when she managed to pull her lips from Jason’s.

She shook her head. ‘‘Thanks, we’ll be all right.’’

‘‘That’s right, baby,’’ Jason mumbled, kissing Rachel’s neck. ‘‘We’ll be all right.’’

Arms around each other, they stumbled out the door, closing it behind them.

‘‘Well.’’ Tina let out a long breath when it was quiet again. ‘‘You want to tell me how you two ended up together?’’

With a shrug, Reid slipped his hands into his pockets. ‘‘Guess he needed someone to talk to.’’

She couldn’t imagine a more unlikely coalition. ‘‘No offense, Reid, but Jason doesn’t like you.’’

‘‘Only because he thought I was interested in Rachel.’’ He leveled his gaze on hers as he slipped off his jacket. ‘‘Now that he knows it’s you I want, we’re pals.’’

His words thrilled her, made her pulse leap and her skin heat up. When he tossed his jacket on the sofa and moved close, her throat turned to dust. ‘‘Reid, I…this is not a good idea.’’

‘‘Maybe not.’’

‘‘We barely know each other.’’

He nodded. ‘‘You’re absolutely right.’’

‘‘We should just say good-night now.’’

‘‘Probably.’’

‘‘Oh, for heaven’s sake.’’ Fisting her hands in the front of his shirt, she yanked him close. ‘‘Must you be so damn agreeable?’’

Smiling, his arms came around her. ‘‘I aim to please.’’

And he did please, she thought dimly when his mouth covered hers. Senses reeling, she melted against his strong chest, slid her arms up his broad shoulders. When he deepened the kiss, she met the thrust of his tongue with her own, and the minty, hot taste of him made her knees weak and her toes curl.

She could stop this, she should stop, but she didn’t want to. Since the day she’d met Reid they’d been moving toward this moment like a runaway train. They were careening out of control and it was as exhilarating as it was exciting. All she could do was hold on for the ride; she knew it would be a wild one.

She squirmed against him, anticipation vibrating through her. She’d waited so long—a lifetime—for this moment. Now that it was here, impatience had her clutching at his shoulders, moaning. She wanted to remember every moment, every thrilling touch, every glorious taste.

His breath was as ragged as her own; she could feel the heavy beat of his heart against her aching breasts. How she wanted him to touch her there, she thought. And other places. And how she wanted to touch him, too. Her hands, her fingers itched to explore his body.

He dragged his mouth from hers, his midnight-blue gaze seared her to the core. ‘‘Bedroom,’’ he managed, but was kissing her again before she could answer.

Slowly but steadily, their bodies still molded to each other, their mouths still fused, they inched their way across the living room, through the hall. So far, she thought, so incredibly far…

Had he ever wanted a women like this? Reid wondered while they made that long journey to the bedroom. If he had, that woman, that moment was lost to him forever. There was just here and now and Tina.

It had required tremendous willpower not to take her right there on the living room floor. Only the thought that he might hurt her had him reining in the raw need clutching at his gut. If it killed him, he’d take his time with her. Slow, he told himself. He’d take it slow. He wanted her underneath him, writhing with need, pleading, and just the thought of it nearly made him lose it before they’d even stepped into the bedroom.

He trailed kisses down her neck, reveled in the soft sounds she made deep in her throat. When he nipped at her earlobe, she shivered.

‘‘So sweet,’’ he murmured.

They moved through the doorway, into the bedroom.

Soft light shone from a beaded lamp on a night-stand, shimmered through drops of clear crystals and reflected on the walls. Pillows of all shapes and sizes adorned the deep-green comforter on the large, four-poster bed. The faint smell of lavender hung in the air, mixed with the heady scent of desire.

Standing next to the bed, he lifted his head, gazed down at her. Her lashes fluttered open, and her eyes, glazed with passion, met his.

Keeping his gaze on hers, he reached for the embroidered closure at the base of her neck, flicked it open, then slid his hand underneath. He felt the wild beating of her heart under his fingertips, the warmth of her bare skin, then slid the soft fabric off one creamy-white shoulder. He pressed his mouth to the curve of her neck and nibbled. On a soft purr, her head rolled back.

Tina wondered how she would survive the sensations consuming her. She felt as if every nerve, every cell, were exposed, a pleasure so intense it bordered on pain. Heat pumped through her veins, a rushing, hot river of need. Dizzy, she swayed against him, and the intimate press of her body against his startled yet thrilled her at the same time.

While his arms held her steady, his lips moved down her neck to nuzzle her shoulder. The light scrape of his teeth, the hot slide of his tongue over her skin made her whimper. She wanted that mouth on her, she realized, wanted his mouth and his hands everywhere.

As if he’d read her mind, he slipped both hands under the loosened neckline of her dress and slid the garment completely off her shoulders, then down her arms to her waist.

‘‘Sexy,’’ he murmured when his gaze dropped to her skimpy black lace bra.

The flicker of shyness she felt dissolved when she saw the dark, intense look of need in his eyes. When he cupped her breasts in his large hands and lightly kneaded, she drew in a deep breath. When he brought his mouth to her lace-covered nipple and suckled the beaded tip with his hot lips, she gasped.

Burrowing her fingers into his hair, she arched upward, clutching at him. A meteor of white-hot pleasure streaked from her breast to the ache between her legs. The need she felt turned to a burning throb.

‘‘Reid,’’ she whispered, not even recognizing the sound of her own voice. She had no idea who this wanton stranger was who had invaded her body, but she welcomed the intruder with open arms. She’d never felt so alive in her entire life. So aware. The smooth texture of Reid’s hair between her fingers, the masculine scent of his skin, the ragged sound of his breathing. There were colors and textures behind her eyes, and wonderful, ever-changing shapes and images.

While he moved his attention to her other breast, his hands guided her dress down her hips. The fabric pooled at her bare feet. She squirmed, wanting him with a desperation that was driving her mad. When he lifted his head, circled her waist with his hands and brought his mouth to her stomach, she moaned.

‘‘So pretty,’’ he murmured, sliding his mouth across the bottom of her rib cage. ‘‘So delicate.’’

His mouth and words aroused her even more and the urgency grew. As he trailed hot kisses across her belly, her hands pressed against his skull. She didn’t think she could take much more; she was certain a person could die from feelings this intense.

‘‘Reid,’’ she whispered hoarsely. ‘‘Please.’’

She helped him drag his top over his head. Wanting desperately to touch him, she reached out and slid her hands over the hard muscles of his shoulders and chest, felt the raw power and strength under her fingertips. When she leaned closer and pressed her mouth to his collarbone, he sucked in a sharp breath.

His taste, salty and warm, intoxicated her. She felt his heart pounding under her fingertips, felt the coiled energy rippling through his muscles. Mine, she thought. Even if only for this one night, he was really hers.

And she was his.

He lowered her to the bed, and the weight of his body pressed her into the soft mattress. He crushed his mouth to hers, demanding, insistent. She quivered when his hand found her breast again, arched upward when his mouth replaced his hand.

Every touch, every taste, every sensation, each one more intense than the one before, rolled through her, building and building. She wanted, needed, him inside her. Needed to end this incredible, wonderful torture. But when his hand slid down her stomach, then slipped under her lace panties and dipped to the peb-bled heat between her legs, she knew the exquisite torture had only just begun. He stroked her, matching the rhythm of his tongue against her own. She moved with him, frustrated at the pace he had set. Determined to speed things up, she slid her hands between them and loosened his belt, then reached for the zipper of his slacks.

Every thought of going slowly raced out of Reid’s mind when Tina closed her hand around him. He knew she was ready for him; she was wet and swollen, arching her body to his. With the last thread of control, he moved away from her.

‘‘Reid.’’ She whimpered in protest and reached for him.

‘‘Don’t worry, sweetheart, I’m not going anywhere.’’ While he tugged off the rest of his clothes and took the extra moment to protect them both, he kept his gaze locked with hers.