The Resistance(48)

“It is good. Really good.” He looks around while chewing. “How long have you lived here?”

“Almost two years,” I say, sitting down next to him.

“I like it.” He takes another big bite. When he’s through, he says, “It’s been a long time since I’ve sat still and listened to nature. I can hear it here even with the windows closed. I can hear seagulls and the wind. Not much traffic. That’s nice.”

“The sound of breaking waves is my favorite.”

“Why did you buy blocks away then?”

I look at him. “Nothing was for sale in this area that was located on the beach and I couldn’t afford Malibu.” I’m not offended he asked, but it does feel like he’s a little out of touch with reality.

“Yeah, I like your place,” he says, pushing his plate away. “I didn’t know what to expect, but it really suits you and it beats being stuck in a hotel suite, isolated from the world.”

I take him by the hands and pull him to his feet. “Let’s go back to bed.”

We curl up under the covers together and he kisses me—deep and needy, sweet and sexy all at once.

Our lips part and I smile in the dark. “If I get more kisses like that, I may never let you leave.”

“You’d have to deal with some angry fans, so maybe it’s best if I just sleep on this side of the bed,” he teases, scooting away from me. “You know, for your safety.”

“Your kisses are worth the risk. Now get your ass back over here.”

Reaching over, he pulls me to him. After a long, hard kiss, he rubs his erection against me and says, “There’s more where that came from.”

With a giggle, I say, “I was hoping you’d say that.”





“My dad used to say ‘Never assume anything. Everything comes with conditions and a price to pay.’ He might be right.” ~Johnny Outlaw





We’re easy, almost too easy. I’m starting to worry that maybe I went into this relationship with Dalton blinded by the instant attraction instead of taking the safer, slower get-to-know-you route. He left L.A. five days ago and completely planted himself into my thoughts¸ demanding all my time and attention. I guess I can’t blame him for that, but I’m not used to being this into a guy. At this rate, I’ll be checking myself into the Johnny Outlaw Rehabilitation Center for Once Functional Women.

I bet there’s a waiting list a mile long for that rehab program.

A knock on my front door coaxes me out of my head and back to the present. I spin around my desk chair and get up to answer it.

Looking through the peephole, I see my new neighbor. After unlocking the deadbolt, I open the door and say, “Hi, Donny.”

“Hi, ummm, it’s Danny,” he says with a smile and little awkward two finger salute.

I mentally admonish myself for the mistake. “Eeks, I’m sorry. Danny, yes, Danny. It’s been a crazy few weeks. Sorry about that.”

“It’s okay. Sooo,” he continues. “I’d mentioned a party when we spoke last. It’s tomorrow night if you’re interested in coming. Just wanted to extend the invitation again.”

“Tomorrow?” I ask, sounding surprised and a bit ridiculous when my voice goes up an octave. “I umm, yeah, I’ll stop by.”

“Great!” He claps his hands together as if his job here is done, and backs down my two steps to the shared landing. “Around eight?”

“Sure. Eight. Can I bring anything?”

“No, just you.”

“Okay, see you then. Thanks.”

He smiles, revealing two small dimples in his cheeks. “See you then.”

I shut the door and get back to work.

When Danny says a party, he means a party. I can hear the music through the walls and muffled voices through the open doors of my patio. It’s not even nine o’clock and his place is packed. Popular guy apparently.

I should have invited Tracy over. I haven’t seen her all week. We’ve talked business on the phone, but I still haven’t gotten the lowdown on why she came to Vegas and blew off the family celebration of her engagement. I’m gonna get her to spill at Sunday brunch tomorrow. In the meantime, I have a party to attend that makes me all kinds of nervous. I won’t know anyone there except Danny and I don’t know him at all.

Dressed casually in jeans and a fitted shirt, I grab my gifts and head next door. I knock three times and wait, but no one answers. Just when I start to open the door, it’s pulled open and I go stumbling right into Danny. “Oh!” I say, surprised.

His hands grab hold of my arms and we steady ourselves. “Hi there. Glad you could stumble by,” he says, chuckling.