Lawful Lover (Eternal Bachelors Club #2) (4 page)

His cock jutted out proudly, ready for her. Ready to be buried inside of Sabrina’s warm and welcoming body. His fingers itched to touch her, to explore every soft inch of her skin. His lips tingled with the need to taste her lips.

Daniel quickly lathered and rinsed his body. He dried off and wrapped the towel loosely around his waist.

“Hey baby, I hope you’re ready for me,” he said as he entered the bedroom.

There on the bed lay Sabrina, sprawled out, and sound asleep.

He smiled despite his disappointment, his heart full of affection for her. Sabrina was exhausted and needed to rest.

Daniel dropped his towel, hung it over a chair and climbed into bed with her. For tonight, he’d just have to settle for holding her in his arms.

He couldn’t imagine ever being with anybody else again but Sabrina. She was his dream come true, the only woman who warmed his heart and ignited his cock at the same time. He loved and desired her more than any other woman he’d ever met.

“I love you,” he whispered, placing a kiss against her temple, then spooned her and closed his eyes.

4

Fully dressed in his expensive Armani suit and silk tie, Daniel emerged from the bathroom. Even though Sabrina had been in his arms all night, he hadn’t slept well. Helping her with the move the previous day had brought reality home: Sabrina had given up everything for him, yet he hadn’t given her anything in return.

As soon as this latest deal was finalized, he would make it up to her. In fact, he’d take her away for a couple of days so they could spend time alone. And he’d be sure to take her someplace where there was nothing else to do but stay in bed. Maybe someplace cold. Yes, he could book a room with a fireplace and make love to her in front of it.

Walking quietly back into the bedroom, he was surprised to see Sabrina sitting up in bed, wide awake.

“Hey baby.” He smiled as he walked toward her. “What are you doing up so early?”

“I rolled over and you were gone.” She frowned then ran her eyes over his suit. “You’re leaving for the office again?”

“I have to. I’m close to finishing this deal. And I’ve worked so hard on this. I can’t let things slide now.” He kneeled on the edge of the bed and kissed her forehead.

“I’ve been in New York for a week, and I’ve barely seen you. I don’t have a job to keep me busy like you. It gets old exploring the city on your own.” Sabrina pushed the blankets off her and got out of bed.

Daniel watched as Sabrina paced toward the closet, opened the doors, and aimlessly searched for something to wear. He sighed. In his business, he traveled a lot, often staying away for weeks at a time. He knew firsthand what it was like to be in a new city and not know anyone. Sabrina had given up everything to move to New York with him and what had he done in return? The same thing he’d done with every girlfriend he’d ever had: he’d neglected her by spending more time at the office than with her. It was something he’d promised himself he wouldn’t do again, not with her. He wouldn’t make the same mistakes twice. Sabrina deserved better.

He stood and walked up behind her. Wrapping his arms around her stomach and resting his chin on her shoulder, he said, “I’m sorry.”

Sabrina turned in his arms and faced him. “I miss you, Daniel. I miss us.”

“So do I.” He pulled her closer and pressed a soft kiss on her lips. “Just a couple more weeks, Sabrina, and then this deal will be finished and I’ll—”

“A couple more weeks?” She attempted to wiggle out of his arms, but he held her firm.

“Sabrina.” Finally, she stopped struggling to get away from him. “I’m sorry I’m not here more. But please, I need you to understand how important this deal is.”

“I do understand. Really. But I thought I was important to you, too.”

He closed his eyes for a brief moment. “You are. Don’t ever think otherwise.”

“Couldn’t you just take one day off and spend it with me? You worked all weekend. Aren’t you tired of work sometimes?” Her eyes pleaded with him.

Daniel drew a deep breath and exhaled slowly. She was right. He worked too much. Maybe this was just what he needed: a day with her, a day away from the office.

“Good. I’ll take today off.”

She threw her arms around him and squealed with delight. “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!” She kissed him. “This will be so great! I can’t wait to see the city with you instead of on my own!”

His lips curved up into a smile. “You want me to take you sightseeing?”

“Yes.” She laughed. “What’s wrong with that?”

“Nothing.” He shook his head, the smile never leaving his face.

New York was a fantastic city and there was a lot to see, but he’d lived here most of his life so he took most of it for granted. “I have to call the office and let them know I won’t be in today.”

Sabrina beamed at him.

Daniel laughed. This feeling right now, the feeling of sheer joy and all-consuming love, knowing that he could make her happy simply by agreeing to spend time with her was like an aphrodisiac. It was better than any drug on the street.

He’d known immediately that Sabrina wasn’t like any of his other girlfriends, and she’d once again proven it. She wasn’t making unreasonable demands on him. He loved her for it and wondered if he’d ever be able to find enough words to tell her. A simple “I love you” didn’t come close to expressing how he truly felt about the woman in his arms.

“Okay, I’m going to shower and get dressed while you call the office,” she said.

He pulled her tight to his body. His hands slid down her back and palmed her backside, grabbing it and yanking her against him.

“Make it fast, before I drag you back to bed.”

Then he slapped her ass playfully and allowed her to peel herself out of his embrace. Soon enough, he’d whisk her away to someplace private, someplace where the only option was to stay in bed and make love all day.

While Sabrina showered, he quickly changed out of his suit and into something more comfortable: jeans and a polo shirt. Then he went into the kitchen and placed a call to his office. His schedule today, like most days, was full, and on top of it he was constantly putting out one fire after another. Every time he thought things were running smoothly, something else would come up. He’d be glad when this deal was finalized.

“Daniel Sinclair’s office. How may I help you?” Frances, his executive assistant answered after the second ring.

“Frances, it’s Daniel.”

“Good morning, Mr. Sinclair.” Her voice was pleasant, and even though he couldn’t see her, he knew she was smiling.

“I’ve had something come up and I won’t be coming into the office today. Please reschedule my meetings.”

“Oh, okay. I hope everything is all right.” The disappointment in her voice was evident.

“Yes, everything is fine. I’m not to be disturbed today, Frances, unless it’s an absolute emergency. Things can wait until I return tomorrow.” His voice was firm and left no room for argument.

“Yes, sir.”

Daniel ended the call and a moment later, Sabrina came walking out of the bedroom. Damn, she was fast. He’d never met a woman who could get ready as quickly as she did. She was dressed in a simple purple sundress with white sandals. He let his gaze roam over her body and linger on her long, shapely legs.

“Is this okay?” she asked.

He walked to her and caressed her cheek. “You look beautiful as always, Sabrina.” She took his breath away every time he looked at her.

She blushed. “Thank you.”

God, he loved it when she blushed like that. And he loved knowing he was the one responsible for putting that color into her cheeks. “Are you ready?”

Nodding, she answered, “Yes.”

Daniel took her hand and laced his fingers with hers as he led her out of the apartment. “Is there anything specific you want to see?”

“Surprise me.”

He laughed. “That I can do.”

Sabrina looked at him with so much excitement in her eyes it was like watching a kid on Christmas morning. Her enthusiasm was contagious.

“The Met is my favorite place in the city.” He squeezed her hand. “Let’s start there.”

Sabrina smiled and nodded, gently clutching his arm and walking beside him down the sidewalk. Neither of them spoke, and Daniel couldn’t take his eyes off her. Seeing her experience his city with him pleased him immensely.

A short cab ride took them to the Metropolitan Museum. He couldn’t wait to show Sabrina the museum and his favorite exhibits.

They entered through the main entrance on Fifth Avenue and Eighty-Second Street. The lighting was dim except for the natural sunlight that filtered through the windows. It was this dimness, this ambience, that Daniel found comforting and familiar.

He came here whenever he needed to be alone and think. The familiarity of these walls had offered him solace when he’d dealt with difficult situations. He found strolling through the galleries calming and peaceful.

Before today, Daniel had never visited the Met with any of his girlfriends. He’d never had the desire to share this part of his life with anyone. But Sabrina was different. He wanted to share everything with her.

As was to be expected on a mid-week morning, there were plenty of tourists around. It was always easy to spot them, as they were the ones who rushed through the museum, trying to take in everything all at once, afraid if they slowed down or stopped they would miss something. Ironically, by rushing, they missed everything.

Daniel directed Sabrina toward the Egyptian wing. But she tugged on his hand, stopping him. “Don’t we have to pay for admission?” Sabrina nodded toward the ticket booth.

He smiled. Daniel was a member, giving a very large monthly donation that allowed him to visit whenever he wanted. He opened his mouth to tell her that, but then quickly closed it.

“You’re right. Wait here. I’ll be right back.”

He walked to the ticket booth, paid the regular admission price for two, and was given two aluminum Metropolitan pins—the signature “ticket” for anyone who’d paid admission. He didn’t have to do this, but he wanted Sabrina to have a memento of her first visit to the Met and of their time here together. It was a memory he was making with Sabrina, and as such priceless.

Sabrina was waiting for him near the information desk. She held a brochure in her hand. “Did you know they have all sorts of classes and activities throughout the year?”

“Yes.” He found himself smiling again—a condition he couldn’t seem to control when he was around her. “Here’s your ticket.”

She took the pin and turned it around in her hand, inspecting it. “I love it.”

Daniel put his hand on her lower back and ushered her farther into the museum. “We’re off to Ancient Egypt.”

They lingered in the Egyptian wing, which was brightly lit compared to the entryway they’d come through. It took a moment for his eyes to adjust. Normally, he was completely enthralled with looking at the treasures of the museum, but today, all he could focus on was Sabrina. He was awestruck by the way she looked around, her eyes wide and full of appreciation. Walking around the indoor lake that surrounded the
Temple of Dendur
, Daniel pointed out all of the different gods and goddesses that kept watch.

“What’s with all the coins in the lake?” she asked, peering down into the glassy water.

“Every coin signifies a wish,” he explained.

“Do you believe in it?”

Her question took him by surprise. He fumbled for a response that wouldn’t make him sound jaded, because the truth was, he didn’t believe in any of it. People made their own destinies, and wishing for things in a magic lake was something people did when they didn’t have the balls to make it happen on their own.

However, he kept his thoughts to himself, not wanting to burst her bubble, figuring she wanted to believe in the magic of it. The romantic in her was showing, and he didn’t want to do anything to make that side of her retreat.

“Let’s find out,” he said, digging into his pocket for some change. “Make a wish.”

“I wish this day would never end.”

Daniel hesitated tossing the coin in and glanced at her. “You know that’s a wish that can never possibly come true, right?” He cocked an eyebrow. “How are we supposed to test this theory when you’re making wishes that are scientifically and physically impossible?”

Sabrina’s soft laugh filtered through the massive hall and wrapped around his heart, squeezing the breath from him. What he wouldn’t give to drag her into a dark corner right now and show her just how much he loved her.

“Okay, how about… I wish for us to always be as happy as we are right now.”

Daniel looked at her, their gazes connecting, fusing. She could have wished for anything, a piece of jewelry, a lottery win, yet she’d wished for their happiness never to end.

The coin fell carelessly into the lake as he reached for her. “That’s not something you need to wish for, Sabrina, because I promise to spend every day making you happy.”

“Then I guess my wish will come true,” she said, before she kissed him.

It was a kiss that was probably too long, and definitely too hot for a public place. But Daniel didn’t care. He wanted the world to know that Sabrina was his and his alone. Reluctantly, he pulled away.

“Come, there’s still a lot left to see and if you kiss me like that again, the only thing you’ll be seeing is the inside of our bedroom.”

Sabrina nodded and took his hand. He forced himself to tear his eyes away from her, and focused instead on leading her through the Great Hall and into Greek and Roman Art, where they stayed for a brief time before meandering through Modern Art, and then into the Medieval wing.

The Arms and Armor room was Daniel’s favorite. All the knights mounted upon their noble steeds, ready for the inevitable battle, made him feel at home, like they were kindred spirits. All his life, he’d felt like it was him against the world—always fighting to get ahead in business, fighting to keep the shallow, gold-digging women away from him and his fortune. The sense of accomplishment and victory he felt when in this room was unlike anything else.