Starting to feel uncomfortable, she tried to joke, "If you can get the job done. Maybe I need to see what you have to offer." That was just what he wanted to hear. He led her happily to his big leather sofa and pulled her down on top of him. Shit, it really was easy.
"Just relax, Dan. I will do all the work." He moaned when she found the spot with her tongue. It was torture feeling his pulse tick against her tongue. Her fangs extended painfully. The experience turned instantly delicious when those teeth sunk into his succulent vein. He sucked in a sharp breath and clutched wildly at her waist. Then he went limp beneath her and moaned in ecstasy. Dani ordered him to be quiet and drank her fill.
Feeling energized and in better spirits, Dani strolled down the street. The fresh blood seemed to revitalize her in a big way. They'd brought her bags of blood that she drank like juice boxes. It helped the healing, but fresh blood was a different experience. Fresh blood was warm and deliciously thick, like hot chocolate. It filled her with a feeling of peace. She decided Dr. McSteamy might become a regular donor.
The busy streets were full of shoppers and milling pedestrians. After several long hours out, she figured it was time to check in. She shot a text to Kayden to let him know all was well and she'd be home when she cooled down. He tried to call her immediately. Turning the phone off really was the best idea. Enjoying her day out alone was an even better idea, and she wasn't ready for it to end yet. It was a beautifully cool, sunny day. She couldn't bring herself to go inside and hide from the world just yet.
Being stuck in the penthouse between Chase and Kayden was constantly taxing. After giving in to her desire for Chase the previous night, Dani was feeling the guilt of having cheated on Kayden. She would need to tell him. It would be better coming from her than from Chase. Either way he was going to be hurt, and for what?
Sam's appearance that morning had her feeling like a prize idiot. She'd let Chase make a fool of her. In the heat of passion she'd allowed herself to overlook all of the valid reasons she had for staying as far away from Chase as possible. In the light of day she'd been humiliated when his future bride had shown up and treated her like a slut poaching her man. To be honest, that was exactly how she felt.
She just couldn't go back yet. It was all too much. She often wondered what would have happened between her and Chase if he hadn't been engaged. His magnetism pulled on her constantly, and she feared the love she struggled to ignore would eventually take her over. It had been nothing for him to get her into bed both times he tried. She wanted to dislike him the way she pretended to, but her heart wouldn't allow it, and it seemed that even he knew it was all an act.
They needed to find the evil hunting them so she could get back to school and everyone else could return to their normal lives. Kayden would be assigned to something or someone else, and Chase would be happy with his beautiful new bride.
Dani was walking aimlessly when the sweetest little face peering miserably out of the window of a dress shop brought her attention back to the street, and she stopped. It was J. R., her little brother. The thought of that was funny, never having imagined she'd have a sibling. He saw her and came running.
"Danielle!" he exclaimed, wrapping his arms around her waist and hugging her like it was a natural thing he did every day.
"Hey, J. R., what have you been up to?" She tousled his hair.
"I heard you got hurt. I'm so glad to see you. Dad said you weren't ready for visitors yet." He smiled up at her, and she flinched at the word Dad. "Mom and Mrs. Deidrick are trying on dresses for the gala, and I'm bored. Are you coming to the gala?" he questioned unhappily.
"Are you going to be there?" Dani was distracted, pondering going in to meet Chase's mother.
"I have to go, and I have to wear a stupid tuxedo and everything," he huffed.
"If you think maybe you could save a dance for me, I would love to come," she cajoled.
"I can do that." He blushed. "I'm not a very good dancer, though."
"Good, I'm not either. We can dance badly together." Taking his hand, she spun him around like they were dancing, and he laughed, pink cheeked. She was curtsying to him when his mom came to the door in a temper. Sarah was lovely in a floor-length lavender gown that clung to her in all the right places. It felt like a betrayal to Dani's mother to admire her.
"J. R., I asked you to stay inside while I'm in the dressing room." She stopped when she noticed Dani standing there, midcurtsy. "Danielle, how are you? Griffin told me your injuries were still mending. We are all very proud of you for your bravery, dear, but I hope you'll leave the dangerous missions up to the men in the future."
Dani grasped the warrior charm hanging from her necklace and scowled. "Yes, ma'am. The next time I'll just let them take the kid without a fight. I guess it isn't my problem if someone else goes home dead. I'll just run and hide behind the men." She couldn't believe how old-fashioned and ridiculous their society was. She'd be damned if she was gonna turn tail and run just because she didn't happen to have a penis.
"Oh now, don't get upset," Sarah condescended, patting Dani on the shoulder. "Why don't you come in and meet Mrs. Deidrick? She and I were talking about how gracious it is of Chase to give you a safe haven in his home." She tugged Dani toward the door of the dress shop, and J. R. bounced in beside her. Mrs. Deidrick stepped out of a dressing room. At first, Dani thought she was a girl, due to her petite stature. Chase's mom was a beautiful brunette with hazel eyes. She wore a red, strapless gown with a slit up the side. The woman was only about five feet two, but she was lean and muscular. Her daily workouts were evident.
"What do you think of this one, Sarah?" she asked their reflection in the mirror and turned to address them directly when she saw Sarah wasn't alone. "Who is this lovely girl?" Dani blushed at her use of the word that was Chase's favorite nickname for her: Lovely.
"This is Danielle Scott. Danielle, I'd like to introduce you to Debbie Deidrick." Sarah did this annoying Vanna White gesture, as if she were presenting a gift or revealing a consonant or a vowel.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Deidrick."
Debbie stepped forward and shook Dani's hand firmly. "Please, call me Debbie." She smiled. "Are you going to the gala?"
"Yes, and she promised me a dance," J. R. spoke up at her side.
"At least one dance, but I'm hoping for a couple of dances. Is your dance card already full?" She mussed his hair again.
"No, we can dance all you want to." He blushed again. Dani really felt something for the boy. It could have been because she knew he was her brother, but she didn't think so. He had something special inside him, and Dani hoped for a chance to know him better.
"What are you wearing? Have you selected a gown yet?" Debbie wanted to know.
"I have no idea. I guess I better start thinking about that. Isn't it coming up soon?"
"It's only a month away," Sarah put in. "I believe Chase and Samantha are working on the final details today. They've been getting very close and working together as a wonderful team to bring this gala together. Don't you think so, Debbie? They will make a beautiful couple, when they're bonded." She must have felt the need to remind her of his engagement, again. "She and Chase are attending the gala, together. Do you have a date, Danielle?"
"I do. Kayden and I are going together." She plastered on a fake smile.
Debbie waved one of the shopgirls over and said, "Could you please bring some gowns for our friend to try on?" She turned to Dani. "What size do you wear, Danielle? A four, maybe?"
"I wear a size six, but you don't have to do that. I was just passing." Dani couldn't afford to use the restroom in that boutique, so a dress was out of the question.
"Don't be silly. Stay a while. It will be fun." She patted Dani on her shoulder and led her forward into the changing area.
An hour later, she spun in front of the mirror in a ruffled gown she would never wear in public and danced a poorly performed waltz with J. R. It was fun, and she was glad she'd stayed. J. R. returned to his handheld video game and she went back to the dressing room. She'd just slipped into the last dress the shop owner had brought her when she heard Sarah calling for J. R.
"J. R., where are you? Come out now. Mommy isn't in the mood to play hide-and-seek," she pleaded with the absent boy.
Turning to admire the gown, Dani heard a shrill scream from Sarah, who was somewhere near the front of the store. Dani ran barefoot in the beautiful gown to see Sarah and Debbie standing on the sidewalk. Sarah was in full panic mode, and Debbie crept forward with her hands up in a gesture that looked like she was trying to calm someone. Dani ran out the door, her heart in her throat, expecting to see J. R. injured. Her heart plummeted when the scene she came upon was far worse than she'd expected.