All of You (45 page)

It had all been implied, but never said outright…and Danny was feeling very vulnerable that he’d been the one to bust out with it.

“You want to marry me, Danny?” she asked quietly.

He scoffed. “Of course I want to marry you. Today. Right now, if you’d let me.”

Kat paused again.

When she finally exhaled a soft laugh, Danny let go of a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding.

“Well, let’s figure out what we’re doing for dinner and go from there, okay?”

It wasn’t really an answer, but, then again, Danny hadn’t really asked a question. Which was good, because – on the phone, during a stupid, jealous lash-out – wasn’t the way he planned to ask.

And he
did
already have a plan to ask.

“You didn’t eat?”

“No. The talk with Fi went on and on and then she crashed, so I’m starving,” Kat replied.

“How did she take the news?”

“Let’s talk about it over food, Danny, because I’m not joking; I’m about to pass out over here.”

Danny laughed. “Okay, okay, I forgot what a little garbage disposal you are.” Kat scoffed and Danny grinned. “Alright, what do you want to eat?”

“Pizza. Little Caesar’s. And a lot of it.”

Danny laughed, again. “Sounds good. Can I come pick you up right now?”

“I’ll drive over. I have to work in the morning.”

“So that means you’ll spend the night?” he asked.

“Well, I’m not going to eat pizza, have wild sex with you, and then leave. I know that’s every man’s fantasy, but it’s not gonna happen, Danny,” she teased.

“Nah, that’s nowhere close to my fantasy.”

“Oh, yeah? What’s your fantasy?”

“Pizza, wild sex, and then you staying with me forever,” he replied evenly, without giving it a single thought and without a moment’s hesitation.

“
Danny,”
Kat said softly. “Your sweet side is showing.”

He cleared his throat, pulling his feet off the table and shoving them into his boots. “Yeah, well, I can’t be a macho asshole all the time, now can I?”

“You’re
never
a macho asshole.”

“We’ll be keeping that between us, though, right? I’ve got a public image to protect.”

When Kat laughed, again, Danny smiled. He pulled on his jacket, grabbed his keys, and headed for the door.

“Okay. I’ll be over in a little while,” she said.

“No, you stay put. I’m coming to get you.” Danny pulled the door shut behind him and dropped down the stairs into the garage.

“But I’ll need my car in the morning.”

“That’s okay. I don’t want you driving this late, especially with how your leg has been.” Danny slid into the Audi and started it up. “I can drop you off in the morning.”

“Sweet side, again.”

He hit the garage door opener and slowly backed out. “I think you’d better get used to it, because it seems like the only damn side I have when it comes to you, Kat.” His lips curled. “Well, that and the
so-fucking-horny-I can-hardly-see-straight
side.”

Kat laughed. “That’s kind of sweet in its own way, too, I guess.” She paused. “And since you’re being so sweet, I think I’m going to give you your Christmas present tonight.”

Danny’s stomach clenched up, his suddenly sweaty hands tightening on the wheel. “What do you mean?”

“Christmas is next week, so I’ve been doing some thinking about what I want to give you. I finally figured it out and bought it on my lunch break today.” When Danny didn’t respond, because he was too surprised and touched to, she added, “I know you’re not big on celebrating holidays, but I didn’t think you’d object to a present.” When Danny still didn’t reply, Kat asked, “Was I wrong to assume that?”

“No, it’s just…no one’s given me a Christmas present in a very, very long time. Well, other than Nathan and Stella, anyway.” Danny cleared his throat. “I’m just really touched, that’s all. Thank you.”

“Well, don’t thank me, yet. Let’s see what you think after I give it to you.” Kat paused, a grin in her voice. “Although, knowing you as I do, I think there is a zero point zero percent chance of you not absolutely loving it, Danny.”

*

The closer they
came to the end of
Thor 2: The Dark World
and finishing up their pizza, the more nervous Kat became.

She knew Danny wasn’t going to dislike what she’d gotten him. In fact, Kat was very sure he’d find the entire situation pretty damn perfect. But that knowledge did little to quell her apprehension, because the whole thing was just so incredibly far out of her comfort zone.

Although nearly everything Kat had done and said to Danny over the past week had been way out of her comfort zone and that had all worked out splendidly. So she was hopeful this would, too.

As it turned out, Danny didn’t much care about how
Thor 2
ended. Or at least not enough to keep his hands to himself.

They’d been sitting on his couch next to each other, with Danny’s feet propped up on the table and Kat’s legs flung over his lap. But Danny’s hand had just gone from resting innocently enough on her knee to slowly, stealthily creeping up her inner thigh.

When Kat turned and met his eyes, Danny gave her a sly grin. “I’ve been trying to be good all night, Kat, but I’m not sure how much longer I can behave.” His fingertips crept between her thighs and gently pressed down on her clitoris, causing Kat’s breath to catch. His eyes dropped to her lips. “I’ve been thinking about touching you like this since you left for work this morning…” When Danny began rubbing Kat over her pants, her lips parted, her heart pounded, and her breathing increased. “Fuck that…it’s
all
I’ve been able to think about.”

“
Oh, God…me, too, Danny
,” Kat breathed out, already trying to get herself into his lap.

Danny gently guided her leg over and grabbed her hips, settling her right where she wanted to be…right where Kat could feel how much he wanted her.

She shoved her hands beneath his tee-shirt and found his pecs…then slowly dragged her fingernails down until she reached the waistband of his workout shorts. Kat pressed herself against his erection. “I want you so badly I can hardly stand it.”

His eyes widened and his mouth dropped open, allowing short, hard pants to escape.

“I didn’t get anything done at work and I spent the rest of day thinking about you…” Kat reached down and caressed his erection over his shorts, eliciting a low groan. She wrapped her fingers around him and squeezed gently. “About
this
.”

Danny’s mouth was on hers, his arms holding her firmly against him, before Kat could get out the rest of what she’d needed to say about his gift.

Which was okay, because they had all night.

Plus, Danny was an amazing kisser.

Oh, and Kat was still feeling fairly apprehensive about said gifting.

Their lips still fused, Danny tightened his grip on her butt and stood, lifting her with him. He headed toward the staircase.

Kat broke away from their kiss. “Wait a sec…I’ve gotta grab something before we go up.”

“What?”

She smiled coyly, wiggling until Danny slowly set her on her feet. “Your present, remember?”

Danny glanced around. “Where is it?”

“In my purse,” Kat replied, already walking to retrieve it.

Kat turned to grab her purse off the counter and gasped when a second later, Danny’s arms snaked around her waist from behind. He leaned in slightly, pressing her against the counter, and lowered his lips to her ear.

Danny whispered, “I think it’s so fucking sweet that you got me a gift, Kat, and I can’t wait to see what it is.” He nuzzled the skin at her temple and licked the curve of her ear, sending a shiver down her spine. “But is there any way it can wait until after? ‘Cause I am about to fuck you right here, just like this…” He pressed his erection into her backside and exhaled a gruff groan. “I don’t think I can wait another second to get back inside of you.”

Kat smiled, fingers curling around the handle of her purse. “It’ll be worth the five minute wait, trust me. Let’s go upstairs and I’ll give it to you right away.” She leaned back into him, loving the low grunt he exhaled against her ear. “Let’s go, okay?” When Danny’s grip tightened on her hips and he pulled her even harder against him, Kat’s smile faded. She reached back and grabbed the back of his thigh. “Because I don’t think I can wait much longer, either.”

Thirty seconds later, Danny deposited Kat – and her purse – on the edge of the bed. Kat stood up and headed for the bathroom.

His brows dropped, watching her. “Where are you going?”

“You’ll see,” she said, shooting him a coy smile she knew would drive him wild.

And she’d been right.

Danny started walking toward her and Kat laughed, holding up a hand. “Uh-uh…nope.” He halted and Kat pointed to the bed. “Go get comfortable and I’ll be right back.”

He eyed her suspiciously, making Kat laugh again. “
Go
, Danny.”

She backed up toward the bathroom, purse clutched to her midsection, as Danny crossed his arms over his chest and watched.

When he stepped toward her, again, Kat lifted a hand and a brow. “Daniel,
stay
. Or no present. And you’re really, really going to like it…I promise.”

With a grudging grunt, Danny finally dropped to the edge of the bed, arms still crossed.

Kat grinned at him before ducking into the bathroom and shutting – and locking – the door. She pulled the printed article out of her purse, unfolded it, and laid it out on the counter.

Kat quickly scanned it. “
Shit
,” she whispered, realizing she’d forgotten a very important first step.

She unlocked the bathroom door and walked out to find Danny stretched out on the bed, fingers threaded behind his head and his ankles crossed.

He glanced over at her. “You ready, now?”

Kat smiled. “No, I, uh, forgot to do something.” When she didn’t move, Danny looked at her expectantly and Kat felt herself flush.

You can do this. Just think about how much fun you guys will have if you have the
chutzpah
to pull it off.

Kat cleared her throat. “I’m gonna need to borrow your handcuffs.” His brows shot up sky-high and Kat flushed, even more blood rushing into her face. She cleared her throat again. “I actually need two sets, if you have them.”

Danny propped up on one elbow, eyes wide as he stared at her. “Uh…
why
?”

“Can I just have them? Please? And then I’ll explain?”

His eyes never leaving hers, Danny leaned over and opened a nightstand drawer. He glanced down, pushing aside his gun, and grabbed one set of handcuffs.

Danny looked back up, eyeing her. “The other set is in the closet.” He swung his legs off the bed and walked over, grabbing another pair from a box in his closet. His expression half-curiosity, half-suspicion, Danny handed the handcuffs to Kat. “Now, what?”

Kat held his eyes. “Now you’re going to let me cuff you to your bed,” she replied evenly.

Danny let out a weird strangled laugh. “You think I’m gonna let you do
what
, now?”

Despite her own uneasiness and borderline embarrassment, Kat held his gaze and said, “Handcuff you. To your bed.”

“And what makes you think I’m gonna let you do that?” he asked, voice still strangled.

Kat lifted a shoulder. “Because you love me. And trust me. And because it’s part of your Christmas present.”

“Part of my Christmas present is letting
you
restrain
me
?” Danny laughed again and Kat could still hear that odd nervousness in his voice. “You’ve got it backwards, sweetheart. Cuffing
you
would be the present to me.”

Kat shook her head and Danny’s smile slowly faded. “It’s gotta be this way, just this once, okay, Danny?” When his expression remained
concerned
, at best, her lips curled. “What, you don’t trust me?”

“Of course I trust you,” Danny said, but Kat suddenly wasn’t so sure.

In fact, this whole scenario had taken on a tone Kat hadn’t expected.

She lifted a shoulder, the cuffs, and the corner of her mouth. “Then, let’s play a little, okay?”

Danny eyed her for another few seconds before walking toward her. When he got within arm’s length, Danny reached out and pulled her to him. He kissed her hard and it was just as incredible as every other kiss he’d given her, but Kat felt something different in it.

Fear.

Uncertainty.

And the way he was going after her was definitely meant to distract.

Kat tried pulling away, but Danny’s hand cradling the back of her head wouldn’t allow it. She pushed at his chest and he finally relented, allowing her to pull back enough to meet his eyes.

Kat quirked a brow. “Nice try, but it’s not gonna work.” She tilted her head toward the bed and smiled. “Now, let’s do this.”

A whole lot of inner struggle went on behind Danny’s eyes as he held her gaze and Kat only gave herself a twenty-five percent chance of actually getting him cuffed to that bed.

So she was beyond shocked when, after about a minute, he finally – without taking his eyes from hers – walked backwards until his legs hit the bed and sank to the edge.