"Open your wallet."
Frowning, Dan glanced over at his friend. "What?"
"Open your wallet and let me see the picture you keep there."
He growled at his friend. Rick had a point, and he wasn't going to listen.
"You've got the picture of Mandy there. I didn't know you felt anything more than friendship with her. I know you enjoyed the letters she sent. You love her, so why aren't you fighting for her?"
Dan didn't answer and after a while Rick left. He finished his coffee and went back home, where nothing waited for him only the memory of Mandy being with him.
Chapter Eight
Several weeks had passed since the last time she'd seen Dan. Rick tried to console her as much as possible. She was caught between the ache of wanting him and the pain of what he'd done. All she wanted to do was drive over to his place and put all the horrible shit behind her so they could move on together.
Another part of her was scared. Was the pain she'd seen in his eyes false?
As the days passed, Rick became more and more insistent that she forgive his friend. Strange, considering he had been the one to cause the problem. The rumours surrounding Dan Sawyer had reduced, and she wondered if it had something to do with her.
"Sometimes we have to fight for the person we love," Rick said.
"What do you want me to do? He doesn't care about me, and he used me to get back at you," she argued.
"I don't think he did anymore. I was angry and there is a huge age gap between you, but I know Dan has been in love with you for years. Every letter and picture you sent me through the years … he asked to keep them. I think he fell in love with you on the road. I gave him the letters when I left. Please, go to him."
Mandy was shocked by his revelation. What was she supposed to do?
"Where would he be on a Friday night?"
Rick gave her a funny look. "On a Friday night, you can't figure where a man would want to be?"
Thinking about his answer, she came up with a cunning plan.
"Maybe what you need to do is be outrageous. Do some sexy dancing in a skimpy outfit and see the men drool. I'd love to see you showing this body off."
She picked the phone up and made arrangements. Rick was right. She should fight for the man, who in such a short time had made her love him.
~* * *~
Dan didn't know why he'd allowed himself to be forced inside Bill's bar, especially when the older man wanted his head on a plate. He tossed back a shot and ordered another. Waving off every woman was growing tiresome. There was a settled quiet in the bar that wasn't normal for a Friday night. Usually the pool tables were in full swing.
The dance floor was crowded with entwined couples, the music a morbid love song-one which left a bitter taste in his mouth.
Drinking another shot, he glanced at the clock and winced. Nine o'clock and he already wanted to go and curl up in bed. Life without Mandy was unbearable.
He drank down another shot and paused as the music changed. The song and tune he recognised instantly. Mandy had danced to that song for him. Swallowing down the lump in his throat, he moved to stand. The lights went out. He sat in darkness, the only light stationed on the dance floor. Dan watched as couples parted.
His mouth went dry.
Mandy stood in the centre of the dance floor in a short, tight, black dress with the sexiest stiletto heels arching her calves. His cock jumped to life. Seeing her so close and untouchable killed him.
She moved with every pulse and beat of the music. Her hips swaying slowly and provocatively. Dan recalled telling her to show off her curves and gorgeous body. Fucking hell, she looked perfect-a handful-and he wished he was the only one to have her. She lifted her arms, and he watched as she danced
Everyone else at the bar didn't matter. Dan tuned them out and concentrated on Mandy as if she were dancing for him and him alone. He couldn't take his gaze off her as she moved across the dance floor, each move designed to be as sensual as the last. A great deal of skin was exposed but only enough to tease. She didn't show any personal parts.
Suddenly, she was stood in front of him. Dan stared at her as she took his hand and pulled him up. Like a zombie, he got up and followed her onto the dance floor. He couldn't take his eyes off her even if he wanted to.
Nothing else mattered as Mandy led him onto the dance floor. She grabbed his hands and wrapped them around her waist. He took her lead. Dan would do anything as long as she stayed in his arms.
The tune played around them, and soon he felt it through his whole body. She turned in his arms, and he inserted a leg between hers. Mandy further shocked him as she shimmied down. Her pussy dancing along his leg.
Holding her, he moved with each sway of her arms and body, driving himself further and further out of his mind.
"I'm sorry," he said. The thought of her moving out of his arms and leaving him forever was too much for him to deal with.
"Shh," she pressed a finger to his lips and continued dancing.
"If this is to torture me, then you're succeeding." He stopped talking as she pulled out of his arms and off his leg. Turning she pressed her back against him and slid down his body. Her back brushing his throbbing cock.
Fucking hell, he couldn't cope with this.
Glancing round the room, he saw they were the centre of attention. He didn't like it. Grabbing her arm, he led her and her heels out of the bar. She didn't fight, and he was pleased. Dan picked a secluded spot and pushed her back against the wall.
"What the fuck are you playing at?" he growled.
"Excuse me?"
Even in the dark, he could see how sluttish her dress was. Her tits were heaving out of the bodice, and the skirt only just covered her crotch.
"Dressing like a slut and dancing as if you're free property. You're mine," he snapped. Dan was done waiting for her to come to him. Mandy was his and if she wasn't prepared to deal with it, he'd make her see.
"Who the hell do you think you are?" she demanded. Hands on hips and heaving breaths.
"I'm your fucking man." He pulled her against his chest and slammed his lips down on hers. She wrapped her arms round his neck. Taking advantage, Dan ran a hand down her thigh and ass under her skirt. Moving her panties out of the way, he sunk his fingers inside her wet flesh.
"Um," she moaned. Breaking away, Dan stared down at her drooping, lust-filled eyes. "I did this for you," she whispered.
"And I thank you, but I don't want any other man drooling over what's mine."
"Am I yours?" she asked.
"I've got my fingers inside your pussy, and I'm going mental over other men seeing this hot little body. What do you think?"
"I think you should take me back to your place."
Dan pulled his fingers out of her cunt and picked her up, carrying her over to his bike. He helped her with the helmet and waited as she straddled the bike, and then circled her arms around him.
His future had never felt so good.
Epilogue
Dan stood outside in the waiting room. His nerves were completely fried, and he couldn't stand the wait. He knew Mandy had begged for him to stay but as soon as she'd started crying and whimpering, his resolve had gone. Seeing her in pain killed a part of him.
He'd been waiting for an hour. It didn't take that long to have one of the damn things.
He changed position from standing to sitting and then back to standing. Running his fingers through his hair, he knew his decision to mark their three-year anniversary had been a mistake.
After another thirty minutes, she came out of the room with a smile on her face.
"You wimp," she said.
"Well, how did it go?" he asked.
She turned and showed him her back. A plain, white bandage covered the base of her back. "I got it done. It's sore and tender, and they've advised me to keep it covered and gave me the after-care instructions."
Dan wrapped her in his arms. "Next time we'll have a baby instead."
"Why the hell would a baby be any different? I'd still be in pain."
For their three year anniversary together, Dan had gotten her name tattooed on his arm, and she'd gotten their names locked together in a rose pattern along the base of her back.
Dan didn't want children yet. It was bad enough sharing Mandy with her family, let alone another human being who'd take time away from him. When they were ready, he'd love to have a family. At the moment, he wanted her all to himself.
Taking her hand, he led her out to his bike. The sunshine beat down on them. She curled her body around his.
"Where to now, miss?" he asked in a posh accent.
"Take me to bed, you bad boy biker."
Smiling, Dan reeved the engine and pulled out. His afternoon was looking up.