The Danforths: Reid, Kimberly and Jake: The Cinderella Scandal / Man Beneath the Uniform / Sin City Wedding

Her eager arms welcomed him back. He kissed her deeply, tenderly, let the passion rise to the same fever pitch before he slipped her panties off, then moved between her thighs. She opened to him, wrapped her long, silky legs around him and pulled him into her.

When she stiffened and softly cried out, he went still.

‘‘What…?’’

Her arms and legs tightened around him, held him close. ‘‘Don’t stop,’’ she said raggedly. ‘‘Please, Reid.’’

‘‘But you…but I—’’

She reared up, kissing him, moving her hips against him, making it impossible for him to think, impossible to do anything but hang on to the growing wave of sheer, raw need. Helpless, he moved inside the tight, hot velvet glove of her body. Blind pleasure, dark and uncontrollable, took over. The wave rose, then rose higher still, until it finally crested. She hovered there, shuddering, a moan on her lips.

His own climax slammed violently into him and broke apart, crashed and rolled.

Lungs burning, he pulled her close while his mind struggled to pull words into a coherent sentence.

‘‘Tina.’’ His voice was raspy, strained. ‘‘Why didn’t you tell me?’’

While her hand moved restlessly over his chest, she snuggled in his arms. ‘‘I didn’t think about it.’’

‘‘You didn’t think about it?’’ His voice cracked. ‘‘How could you not think about it?’’

‘‘I was a little busy.’’ Her hand stilled. ‘‘Would it have made a difference if I’d told you I was a virgin?’’

‘‘Yes. No.’’ He jerked a hand through his hair. ‘‘Yes.’’

‘‘I’m twenty-four years old, Reid,’’ she said thinly. ‘‘I waited to be with a man until it felt right to me. I’m sorry if that’s a problem for you.’’

When she started to move away, he hauled her back and pressed a kiss to her temple.

‘‘I didn’t say it was a problem. I just would have been more careful,’’ he said quietly. ‘‘I hurt you.’’

Slowly she relaxed, then shook her head. ‘‘A twinge, that’s all, just for a moment. Everything else was wonderful. You were wonderful.’’

‘‘Yeah? How wonderful?’’

‘‘Oh, stop grinning at me like that.’’ She pushed at his chest. ‘‘As if you don’t hear that all the time.’’

He rose on one elbow and frowned at her. ‘‘What’s that supposed to mean?’’

‘‘I’ve seen your name in magazines and newspapers,’’ she said with a timid shrug. ‘‘There’s usually a woman’s name attached somewhere.’’

‘‘Don’t believe everything you read, sweetheart.’’ He gathered her close again and lay back on the bed. ‘‘I’ve dated a lot of women, had a few I’d even call girlfriends. I may not be a saint, but I sure as hell didn’t sleep with them all, either. Okay?’’

Silence settled around them like a soft blanket. Somewhere in the room a clock tick-tocked; warm air hummed through an overhead duct.

‘‘Why me?’’ she asked quietly, stroking her fingertips back and forth across his chest.

Would this woman ever stop surprising him? he wondered. Strangely, he realized that was part of the attraction.

Because the way she was touching him was a big distraction, he took hold of her hand, then hauled her on top of him. She gasped at the unexpected movement, and the fact that he was hard and ready for her again, wanting her as much now as he had only a few minutes ago.

‘‘You really don’t know, do you?’’ He was definitely enjoying the new position of her body on top of his, not to mention the view of her bare breasts. ‘‘You really are completely unaware of how sexy and utterly captivating you are.’’

Her cheeks turned pink and her lashes fluttered down. ‘‘I figured you were just bored.’’

‘‘Bored?’’ He nearly choked. ‘‘Good Lord, woman. Where would you get an idea like that?’’

‘‘Sharie Jo Sullivan.’’

‘‘Who?’’

‘‘Sharie Jo Sullivan. A customer at the bakery. She said men like you get bored easily. That you’re always looking for a challenge.’’

‘‘Is that what you think you are to me?’’ He couldn’t believe he was hearing this. ‘‘A challenge?’’

‘‘I was probably the first woman who ever said no to you,’’ she reminded him.

‘‘I didn’t hear you say no tonight.’’ Reid skimmed his hands down Tina’s back, then brought his mouth to hers and nibbled one delicious corner. ‘‘In fact, I believe I heard a lot of ‘yes’ and ‘please,’’’ he teased.

‘‘You’re going to need a new head to fit that ego if you aren’t careful, buster,’’ she said with a prim sniff.

‘‘I’ll be careful.’’ He cupped her firm behind, watched her eyes widen when he moved his hips against hers. ‘‘Very careful.’’

‘‘Darn you, Reid Danforth. You’ve turned me into a loose woman.’’ Lifting her hips, she took him inside her. ‘‘Remind me later to thank you.’’

Later turned out to be close to ten in the morning, with food the motivating force that finally pulled them out of the bedroom. While Reid showered, Tina had her omelettes cooking and her own special recipe of breakfast potatoes warming in the oven. Considering the night they’d had, she was certain he was going to be one hungry man.

Lord knew, she thought with a smile, he certainly was a man with an appetite.

They’d dozed on and off throughout the early morning hours, waking briefly enough for a kiss or a touch…sometimes more. Remembering how eager she’d been for him brought a blush to her cheeks. And though she had no idea what today, tomorrow or next week would bring for her, she had no regrets at all. She’d waited twenty-four years for last night, and even now, in the light of day, she was so glad.

It had been amazing. He had been amazing. But there’d been no whispered promises, no mention of the future, and though it pained her to think that last night might be their only night together, she’d gone to him with her eyes wide open.

Unfortunately, her heart had been wide open, as well.

Sometime during the night, or maybe the first time she’d laid eyes on him, she realized, she’d fallen in love with Reid. She’d fought it, of course. It was, after all, very foolish and completely reckless. But clearly, reason did not prevail when it came to love. It simply was.

At the sound of the shower turning off, she slipped her omelettes onto plates, loaded on potatoes and was setting them on the table when he walked into the kitchen wearing nothing but a knotted towel slung low on his hips. Her heart jumped at the sight, and that ache she’d become so familiar with last night pulsed through her veins. The intensity of it startled her, had her wondering, and worrying, about tomorrow.

She couldn’t think about that now, refused to let herself give in to fear. She would accept what they had and be happy for it.

And then he smiled at her and her heart shattered.

‘‘Hey.’’

‘‘Hey, yourself.’’ She swallowed the lump in her throat and forced herself to smile back. ‘‘Breakfast is ready.’’

‘‘Smells great.’’

He walked toward her, made every piece of her heart vibrate with longing.

‘‘It’ll be on the breakfast menu of my restaurant in one year.’’ She hoped her voice sounded as easy as she intended. ‘‘As soon as I have my space back from you, of course.’’

When he moved beside her and leaned close, her breath held, waiting for his kiss. But he reached past her to the table and snatched a slice of potato instead, then popped it in his mouth.

‘‘Tasty.’’

‘‘Thanks.’’

She was about to turn when he tugged her to him, then covered her mouth with his. She melted into the kiss, felt it sing through her entire body.

‘‘Very tasty,’’ he murmured against her lips and pulled her closer. ‘‘You know what they say, don’t you?’’

‘‘What?’’ she whispered, sliding her arms around his neck.

‘‘If you can’t stand the heat—’’ he scooped her up in his arms ‘‘—get out of the kitchen.’’

Laughing, she wrapped her arms around him and held on as he headed for the bedroom. At the sound of keys jangling in the doorknob, Reid stopped and turned. Tina froze, watched in horror as the door swung open.

‘‘Well, now, what have we here?’’

Ohmigod.

Clutching her robe together across her bared breasts, Tina blinked, then sucked in a lungful of air and managed a weak smile. ‘‘Hi, Aunt Yana.’’

Seven

Aunt Yana? Reid glanced at the photo of Tina’s aunt hanging on the wall, then back at the woman standing in the doorway. Yep. Aunt Yana, all right.

She wore a deep-blue, long, flowing duster over silk ivory pants. Colorful stones dangled from her ears and circled a long, slender neck. In spite of the incredibly awkward moment, it was impossible for Reid not to be stunned by the older woman’s beauty. A short crop of thick, straight sable-brown hair accented high cheekbones, aristocratic nose and gypsy-green eyes.

Her mouth, wide and full, slowly curved up at the corners as she closed the door behind her.

‘‘You…you’re home early,’’ Tina sputtered.

‘‘My shoot finished ahead of schedule.’’ Yana slid a large straw handbag from her shoulder and dropped it on the entry table along with her keys, slid her gaze from the tip of Reid’s bare toes to the towel draping his hips, then up to his face. ‘‘Aren’t you going to introduce me to your friend, Katina?’’

‘‘I—oh, of course.’’ Tina gulped. ‘‘This is Reid Danforth. Reid, my aunt, Yana Alexander Dimetri Romano.’’

Not quite certain what the proper etiquette was for the situation, Reid simply nodded. ‘‘A pleasure, Ms. Romano.’’

‘‘I think just Yana would be more appropriate.’’ Folding her arms, Yana glanced back down at the towel. Amusement danced in her eyes. ‘‘All things considered.’’

‘‘Yes, ma’am.’’

‘‘Reid,’’ Tina whispered, her voice strained. ‘‘Could you, ah, put me down?’’

‘‘Oh. Right.’’

When her feet touched the floor, Tina tightened the belt of her robe. Her face had gone from pale to rosy pink. ‘‘We were just…ah, going to have breakfast.’’

‘‘Of course you were.’’ Yana’s smile widened. ‘‘It smells wonderful.’’

‘‘I’ll set another plate.’’ Tina shifted from one bare foot to the other. ‘‘Just give me…us, a minute, to ah—’’

‘‘I believe I hear something buzzing.’’ Yana glanced at the sport coat lying on the sofa, then looked back at Reid. Though the sound was faint, it was definitely a buzz. ‘‘Yours, I assume?’’

He’d have to kill whoever was calling him, Reid decided. Holding tightly to the knot of the towel, he stepped to the sofa and retrieved his cell phone from his jacket.

‘‘Excuse me.’’ He backed toward the bedroom where he’d left his clothes.

‘‘Take your time, dear,’’ Yana called after him. ‘‘My niece and I could use a minute alone to say hello.’’

Closing the bedroom door behind him, Reid snapped the phone to his ear. ‘‘Yeah.’’

‘‘Reid, where have you been? I’ve been trying to reach you all morning.’’

‘‘Kimberly?’’ He heard the stress in his sister’s voice. ‘‘Are you all right?’’

‘‘You have to come to Crofthaven right away. In the attic. They, they were working there this morning, and found—’’

At the sound of her quiet sob, fear snaked through him. ‘‘Found what, Kim?’’

‘‘They found a body.’’

At least a dozen patrol cars were already at Crofthaven when Reid pulled in front of the mansion’s main entrance. Several uniformed officers standing outside turned at the sight of the black BMW screeching to a halt, then quietly returned to their conversations after Reid hurried past them.

The first officers on the scene had carefully taken in every detail of the activities at Crofthaven. Later they would have the inside scoop to give to the rest of the station, not to mention their friends and family. And if they were really lucky, they just might find their faces on TV or in the newspapers.

The public, not to mention Abraham’s rival candidates, would eat up every tasty morsel of the juicy story.

‘‘Reid.’’ Ian was coming down the stairs as Reid stepped into the foyer. ‘‘Thank God you’re here.’’

‘‘Tell me what’s happened.’’ Reid met his brother at the base of the stairs. ‘‘Kimberly called and said they found a body in the attic, but I didn’t get much more out of her.’’

‘‘She’s pretty shook up.’’ Ian dragged a hand through his hair and sighed. ‘‘Reid, we think it might be Victoria.’’

It was like taking a punch in the gut, and it was a moment before Reid could speak. ‘‘Vickie?’’

‘‘’Fraid so.’’

Victoria Danforth had suddenly disappeared five years ago and, though there’d been a nationwide hunt and several private detectives had been hired, no one had ever found a trace of their cousin.

‘‘How is that possible?’’ Just the thought of it made Reid’s stomach clench. ‘‘How could she be up there all this time? We searched everywhere.’’

‘‘That section of the house has been closed up for years,’’ Ian said. ‘‘And it also appears there was some kind of hidden compartment. If Dad hadn’t decided to reopen that wing and renovate, we might not have ever found the body.’’

‘‘Are they sure it’s her?’’

Ian shook his head. ‘‘The coroner’s up there now, taking pictures and running a few preliminary tests. It could be days or even weeks before we have a positive ID.’’

At the sound of hushed voices, Reid glanced toward the living room. ‘‘Uncle Harold and Aunt Miranda?’’

‘‘They’re in the living room with Dad and the rest of the family. If it is Vickie, they want to know as soon as possible.’’

All the years of not knowing if their daughter was alive or dead. He couldn’t even imagine the agony his aunt and uncle had gone through. But even through their devastating loss, even as the months and years had passed without a trace of what had happened, they, and the entire family, hadn’t given up hope that one day Vickie would be found alive.

And they wouldn’t give up hope now, either, Reid thought somberly. Not until they had tangible, physical proof.

‘‘What about the press?’’ Reid was surprised they weren’t already swarming the mansion like locusts. ‘‘What do they know?’’

‘‘Nothing yet. Dad’s called in a couple of favors to keep this quiet for a day or two, but I doubt we can contain it much longer. Nicola will put together a statement today.’’

‘‘And the police?’’

‘‘They want to speak with the entire family,’’ Ian said. ‘‘Right now they’re questioning Joyce.’’

Reid frowned. ‘‘Why Joyce?’’

‘‘Procedure.’’ Ian shrugged. ‘‘I guess they figure the housekeeper always knows everything, sees everything.’’

‘‘That’s certainly true with Joyce,’’ Reid said with a nod. ‘‘When we were kids, I always swore that woman had eyes in the back of her head and superhero hearing.’’

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