Authors: Val Tobin
The meeting room in the Star Power headquarters building
resembled a lounge in a country club rather than a typical meeting room, and
the décor was first class. The interior designer whom Dani had hired to
decorate it had done an exceptional job. Smaller tables with leather chairs
were scattered around the room, with a larger table and chairs taking center
stage. A fireplace with mantle dominated the west wall, and a wet bar filled
the east.
Hidden near the ceiling in the rich mahogany walls were
video cameras that allowed Dani to view the meeting from any angle. On her
screen, Cope stood in front of the main table, laser pointer in hand. The
presentation projected onto the monitor on the north wall behind him. He’d been
talking for thirty minutes, and she followed along on the handout she’d had
smuggled to her.
Sorry she couldn’t participate in the meeting, Dani
experienced a surge of pride for Cope. He carried himself well, speaking with
confidence and presenting the data in an organized and logical manner. His
figures looked good, though in that area, she relied on the five-person team
sitting in the room evaluating Cope’s presentation.
By the time he was taking questions, Dani was sure the team
would get on board with the idea. They interrogated Cope, and he fielded the
queries and comments without hesitation. Once, he paused to sip from the bottle
of water sitting next to his briefcase, perhaps giving himself time to think,
or perhaps for effect. To Dani, he came across as thoughtful and
professional—and hot.
When Cope completed his dog and pony show, he thanked
everyone in the room for giving him the opportunity to speak. With flourish, he
presented them each with a $100 coupon toward hiring one of his limos. Dani
couldn’t help grinning. The man had flair.
After Cope left, Dani hurried out of her office to the
elevator. Almost dancing with excitement, she hopped on and pressed the button
for the twelfth floor. The ride seemed to take forever, and when the doors
opened, she raced down the hall.
The team sat huddled at the table reviewing the proposal,
notes, and charts Cope had left them.
“Well?”
The group looked up, and Sam, the accounting director,
cleared his throat in that fussy way he had and spoke before anyone else could
jump in. “He’s saved a substantial down payment, and his five-year plan looks
solid. I need to dig into the numbers a little further to verify, but I’m
optimistic it’s a good investment.”
Will nodded agreement, and Sheila flashed a thumbs up. Nate,
who usually kissed Will’s ass, and who reminded Dani of a gnome, frowned and
shook his head. “I don’t know if I want to invest in a limo service. They’re a
dime-a-dozen in LA.”
Everyone turned to stare at him.
Nate locked his gaze on Dani. “I know you have your reasons
for backing this guy, but the city doesn’t need another limo service. But he
impressed me. If he comes up with something more viable, I’ll back him.”
“I think he persuaded us he’ll distinguish himself from the
herd. The added special services, such as combining limo driver and a bodyguard
licensed to carry, will give him an edge.” The speaker, Carla, a young,
aggressive MBA who’d helped Dani start the investment company, was one of the
more trusted advisors. Dani tended to agree with Carla’s conclusions, sometimes
to the chagrin of the others. But so far, the young woman’s instincts hadn’t
disappointed the team.
“Verify the numbers, Sam, and if you’re satisfied, draw up a
contract and send it to his lawyer. I want this pushed through fast. Will?”
Dani, brows raised, glanced at the president to confirm he was on board, and
when he nodded, she thanked them for their time and dismissed everyone but
William.
When the others were gone, Dani lowered herself into one of
the seats at the table and cleared her throat before speaking. “I’m not trying
to step on anyone’s toes here. I wanted to make sure you’re okay with this. If
it isn’t a sound proposal, then tell me, and we won’t invest. My judgment may
be clouded since I feel I owe him.”
Demeanor neutral, Will remained silent for a moment, as
though considering what to tell her.
“Say it. I don’t want anyone pussyfooting around me.”
“We’re not, Dani.” Will sounded annoyed at the accusation.
She shook her head. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to imply you’d
just tell me what I want to hear. You haven’t yet. We leave that shit to Nate.”
Will grinned at that.
Dani continued. “I’ve needed this investment business. It
keeps me sane. In the two years since we started, it’s done well. We’re making
good returns, and I owe that to this team. I didn’t have much business
sense—just a vision to help
startups
, provide
opportunities people otherwise might never have. If others hadn’t done that for
me, I wouldn’t be where I am. I was a nobody before, running from an abusive
home. It could have gone any number of ways, all ending badly.”
She sighed. “Sorry. I know Cope’s not downtrodden. He comes
from a wealthy family. But he’s struggling to make it on his own, and I respect
that.”
“All right,” Will said. “Is there a ‘but?’”
A genuine smile of affection lit up her face. “
But
I won’t put money on a losing
proposition no matter who it is. I think his proposal is sound. The rest of
you, except, oddly enough, Nate, seem to agree. Is that your assessment?”
“Yes. Don’t worry about Nate. There might be something
personal there, too. I think Nate has a connection to Cope’s father—they call
the father Big Cope. From what I understand, Nate and Big Cope used to be
tight. Then something happened, and they no longer speak to each other.”
That explained why Nate had the balls to disagree with the
president when usually he was up Will’s ass. Dani didn’t like Nate, personally,
but Will and Sam had insisted he was a valuable part of the team. He had as big
a head for business as Carla but years more experience.
“Okay. As long as we’re in agreement, I’ll be comfortable
backing him, and that’s what I was hoping would happen. I don’t want Cope to
know of my involvement in this.”
“Dani, if his lawyer does his due diligence, he’ll find out
you own this company sooner or later.”
“I’ll tell him myself before that happens. Cope didn’t want
me to lend him the money because he wanted to get the funding on his own. He’s
done that. It’s just a coincidence it’s my company backing him.” But the
uneasiness in her belly increased, and she doubted what she was saying.
***
“Scotch?” Margaret Copeland raised her glass and saluted
Cope, who’d rushed into the room.
Cope shook his head. “No thanks.”
He set his briefcase next to the couch on which his mother
sat and then leaned in and kissed her cheek. “The meeting went well. I think
they’ll lend me the money.”
“Darling, I’m glad for your sake, but I wish you’d
reconsider and let us partner with you. We should work together as a family.”
“I won’t have that discussion again, Mother. Where’s Ben?”
Cope had hoped his older brother would be around. Ben was a computer
information systems specialist, and Cope wanted his advice on technology for
his business.
“A meeting. I never see anyone around here during the day.
You know Nate is part of the decision to lend you the money?”
“Yes. He was there when I presented. I’m not worried. If
Star Power doesn’t lend me the money, I’ll find someone else. I’ve had meetings
with two other investors, and they both went well.”
“The cocktail party on Saturday will be at eight. I want you
to bring a date.”
“Sure.” Maybe he’d ask Dani. He wasn’t working for her
anymore, and if he had to bring a date, he’d like to bring her.
“Katherine Bloomington is back from college, and I’ve always
thought it would be nice if the two of you got together.”
“No, thanks, Mother.”
“What’s wrong with Katherine? Are you seeing someone else?”
Cope sat at the opposite end of the couch and considered
pouring himself that scotch. “I might be.”
“Why haven’t you mentioned it or brought her over? Who is
she?”
“I’m not sure it’s a thing yet. I’ve just started seeing
her.” Cope considered the lunch date at Genius their official first date, so it
counted as seeing each other. If he didn’t make sure his mother believed he was
with someone, she’d push him to date Katherine. That was something Margaret had
done before Katherine and Cope had gone off to college.
“What’s her name?”
“Let me ask her if she can come first, and then I’ll let you
know who she is.”
Margaret pursed her lips and frowned. “Is she not from a
good family?”
Cope sighed. Good family, to his mother, meant another
resident of billionaires’ row. He was sure Dani wouldn’t pass Margaret’s
pedigree test, but Cope didn’t care. Even if things didn’t work out between
them, he wanted to give it a shot and refused to let his mother spoil it.
He glanced at the time: five-forty. Cope stood, picked up
his briefcase, and gave Margaret another peck on the cheek. “I’ll see you
Saturday, Mother. I’ve got to run.”
“You just got here, Robert. Where are you going now?”
“Dinner plans.” Before she could ask any more questions, he
raced out the door.
Dani hurried from the Star Power building and to the limo.
Guilt squeezed her when Mark opened the door for her. His days as her driver
were numbered. As soon as Cope’s company was up and running, she’d give her
business to him.
Seated in the back of the car, Dani opened the bar, but
reached for the bottle of water instead of the alcohol without hesitation. Life
was too full and busy to dull it with alcohol.
Dani’s cell phone buzzed. She checked the call display. A
text from Cope:
Great meeting. Maybe too
optimistic, but let’s celebrate. My treat.
Excited at the prospect of seeing him again so soon, Dani
texted back:
Where would you like to
meet?
Come to my place. I’ll
make dinner.
Dani bit her lip, and a thrill ran through her belly.
I’d love that. What’s your address?
When Cope sent the information, Dani asked him to give her
two hours, and instructed Mark to take her home.
Back in her apartment, after a quick shower, she considered
what to wear. Cope had become important to her—more than a friend, and she
wanted something classy yet sexy.
A black sheath dress caught her eye. It would hug her figure
but wasn’t slutty. Dani paired it with black heels, two inches—lower than her
usual four-inch heels—she wanted comfort tonight. A platinum and diamond
sapphire bracelet and opal ring from her jewelry box accessorized the ensemble.
She dressed, fixed her hair, and did her makeup while thinking about the
evening ahead.
She’d tell Cope tonight it was her investment firm he’d
presented at that day. Better he find out from her than anyone else. If he
hated the idea that much, he’d be able to back out of any proposed deal before
signing a contract.
Ready, she hunted for her purse and found it on the end of
her bed. Dani grabbed it and transferred her wallet and other essentials to a
black, faux-leather clutch that matched her shoes.
Thirty minutes later, she stood at the door of Cope’s
apartment unit with a bottle of sparkling mineral water under her arm. When
Cope opened the door, her breath caught at the sight of him. He wore a white
dress shirt, open at the collar, no tie, and black dress pants that hugged his
hips. Dani handed him the bottle and melted when he grinned in that happy-boy
way he had that lit up his eyes.
“Come in.” Cope stepped back into the foyer and held the
door open for her.
Dani entered a modestly furnished apartment, small and cozy.
Delighted to be in his space, she raised up on tiptoes to plant a kiss on his
cheek. “Thanks for the invite. I’m so happy you called me over.”
“Want a tour? It’s not much, but I’m proud of it.” Cope
swept his arm around the room, encompassing the living room, dining room, and
kitchen, and grinned. “That’s most of it.”
He set the bottle on the kitchen counter as they walked by
and led her into his bedroom. Her gaze diverted to the bed, which took up most
of the tiny bedroom, Dani had an urge to grab Cope and pull him onto it.
Control yourself,
crazy lady. Be classy.
Dani almost laughed out loud as an image of her
staggering drunk on the beach flashed through her mind. Cope had already seen
her puking up alcohol more than once. Classy was already off the table.
What was she doing here, in her dress-up clothes and fancy
hair and makeup? The prolonged silence made her glance at him. He stared at
her, puzzled, expectant.
“You’ve seen me at my worst, Cope. I don’t know what you
think of me or how to act around you.”
“You’re nervous?” He said it as if he was curious, not
surprised.
Dani nodded. “If I were you, I wouldn’t like me very much.”
Cope stepped to her side. His arms went around her, and his
mouth covered hers. He pressed her against his body, and she molded to him as
though they were made to fit together. A moan escaped her when his tongue
darted into her mouth, hungry and insistent. The next moment, he released her,
but had to grab her again when she swayed.
“I’ve been wanting to do that since the day we met. But you
were my boss, and I had to keep it professional. After that, I’ve been looking
for an opening. How could I not like you?” He stroked her face, pushing the
stray strands of hair from her cheeks and forehead. “Because you had a tough
time coping with everything? It was difficult to watch, Dani, but it wasn’t
your fault, and I did my best to protect you.”
To Dani’s horror, she burst into tears.
“Dani?”
Sobs continued to tear out from deep in her chest. An
attempt to speak failed.
Cope pressed her head against his shoulder, one hand
stroking her hair.
“I barely acknowledged you. What a snob. How could you put
up with me? Almost every night, you had to either drag or carry me up to my
apartment. More than once, you helped me to the bathroom to puke. God, I’m so embarrassed.”
Cope sighed. “I’ve had my share of nights like that,
Dani—just perhaps not as many as you.”
Dani jerked her head up, but saw he was smiling. Unable to
resist, she smiled in return. “You’re great at holding my hair back and never
took advantage of me.” The wonder in her voice rang in her ears, and she
flushed. “I don’t mean to imply you’d do that.”
“It’s okay. You were always this beautiful, fragile,
vulnerable young woman, and I’d want to kill anyone who took advantage of that.
The times you spent with Henderson were particularly grating. He used you, if
you don’t mind my opinion, but I couldn’t interfere, because you chose to be
with him.”
Not wanting to discuss Henderson with Cope, Dani changed the
subject. “What happens now? Between us, I mean?”
“What would you like to happen between us?”
“I like spending time with you?”
“Is that a question?” As if unaware he was doing it, Cope
kissed the top of her head.
“No. I mean, it sounded like a question, but I know I like
spending time with you. When we’re not together, I miss you, and I want to hear
your voice, tell you little things. Sometimes, I talk to you in my head because
I want to tell you something and you’re not there.”
“I can fix that. I’d love to spend more time with you. My
parents are having a party on Saturday night. Come with me.”
Dani sucked in her breath. “To your parents’ house?” What
would his parents think of her? Never mind. She wanted to see him. If she
didn’t go with him, she’d spend Saturday night without him, and he’d ask someone
else instead. “Yes, I’d like that.”
“Great. I’ll pick you up around seven ... ” He said it in a
whisper and trailed off. Cope slid a hand under her chin and raised her mouth
up to meet his. They kissed, light nibbles at first, then more insistent, demanding,
each devouring the other.
The earth seemed to tilt when Cope lowered Dani backward
onto the bed. With one hand, he captured first her right wrist, then the left,
and raised her arms above her head. He stopped the kiss, and she gasped in
protest.
“Do you want to keep going?”
Dani nodded, whimpered.
“Say it.” Cope’s body draped half on her.
Dani pulled her wrists free and cupped his face with her
hands. “Yes. I want to keep going. Don’t you dare stop.” A slight hiss
emphasized the ‘s’ in stop, the ache for him rising through her body.
Cope plunged his mouth back onto hers, lips and tongue
working on her, tasting her. Dani moaned. She’d never wanted anyone the way she
wanted Cope right now. The weight of his body on hers wasn’t enough.
Fingers trembling, Dani plucked at the buttons on his shirt.
He rolled to the side to give her room, and one of his hands brushed her thighs
and slid under her dress.
The shirt peeled back to reveal a taut, muscular chest. With
frantic movements, Dani stripped the shirt from his arms, even though it meant
pulling his hands from her body. Freed from the shirt, Cope gripped the bottom
of Dani’s dress, pulled it up and over her head, and tossed it to the floor.
Dani kicked off her shoes while unbuckling Cope’s pants and came close to
ripping the button off them in her frenzy.
“Take them off, now.” Dani panted and tugged at Cope’s
pants. “Don’t make me beg.”
A growl sounded from low in his throat, and he slid his
pants and underwear off and hurled them to the floor. Dani slipped off her
thong and with the distracting clothing out of the way, attacked his body with
gusto.
“You’re so fit.” She loved the hard, smooth lines of his
chest and arms and ran a hand along the curve of his ass.
Warm palms massaged and kneaded her breasts, her butt, and
her thighs, moving, caressing, and leaving her breathless, while his mouth
feasted on hers. Dani lost herself in him, savored his touch, which covered the
gamut from tender and gentle to passionate and forceful.
When she was ready to take him into her, Cope put on a
condom. Dani used her hand to guide him and wrapped her legs around his waist
in a deep desire to be one with him.
“Ah, Daniella. Oh, God.” The cries, soft, urgent,
reverberated in her ear and stimulated her to move faster—meet force with more
force.
“Robert. Oh, Robert.” Need. Dani was need and nothing else.
Take me, please, just take me.
But she
didn’t say it out loud, willing him to know it. And to her delight, he did.
He made love to her in a way she’d never experienced. She
responded to him, received his ardor, and absorbed it. Cries and moans escaped
her lips. Dani screamed in wild release when she climaxed, and he followed
right after.
Eyes damp with tears from the unbearable poignancy of it,
Dani struggled to contain her emotions. Cope collapsed on her, and she stroked
his back, an affectionate gesture she’d never made with anyone else.
How much intimacy had she missed with the random men who’d
passed through her life? With John’s associates, she’d been desperate for
attention, spiteful, uncaring. She’d taken from them and gave nothing though
they had used her as much as she had used them.
Most of the time, it had been alcohol induced, as every time
she’d made a play for John she’d been sauced. It wasn’t an excuse and didn’t
justify throwing herself at a married man and expecting him to take the
bait—it’s just what had happened.
“You okay?” Cope kissed her cheek and ran a finger along her
tear-damp temple. “You’re crying?” Concern laced his voice, and he raised
himself on an elbow.
“You’ll laugh.”
“Of course not. What’s wrong? Did I do something?”
Dani pressed him to her body in a bear hug.
Cope exhaled, the breath forced from him when she squeezed
her arms tight around his back. “You’re stronger than you look. But you’re not
getting off that easy. Tell me, why the tears?”
“I feel moved, somehow, as if the intimacy was too much for
me.”
“Are you sorry?” He frowned, looked worried.
“Oh, God, no. I’ve never felt that close to someone while
having sex. That’s the thing, Cope. That’s the first time I’ve made love
instead of just fucking.” Dani shivered, chilled.
“Let’s climb under the blankets,” he said.
He helped her snuggle under the covers, and she curled into
the crook of his arm, laying her head on his chest. “Your body—so warm. It’s
heaven under here.”
“Oh, damn. Dinner. There’s a lasagna in the oven. That timer
will go off soon.” He glanced at the clock. “I was supposed to make the salad
and garlic bread while it baked.”
Dani laughed, carefree and happy. “It’s not important. We’ll
get up when the buzzer goes off, take out the lasagna, and I’ll help you make
the other stuff. Did you really make a lasagna for little ole me?”
Cope grinned, and her heart melted. “Sure did.”
“I didn’t know you could cook.”
“You might want to taste it before you decide I can.”
A strand of her hair wrapped around his fingers, and he
absently played with it. Dani stroked his cheek, rough with five o’clock
shadow. She pressed her lips to the bristles, then poked her tongue out and
teased him with the tip.
Cope groaned. “We won’t get to dinner if you keep that up.”
Dani giggled.
Cope rolled her off him and pinned her under his body.
Instantly, the passion ignited again, and when he bent his head to kiss her
lips, she moaned, stopping short of screaming.
When the buzzer went off, they didn’t hear it.