Outer Core (12 page)

Josh's smile climbs up to his lips. The same one that seems to come as a reflex each time Daniel is mentioned. Before my declaration turns into a gabfest, I ask, “I'm going to get coffee, get you anything?” In my defense, I haven't had my first cup of coffee yet, making any minor action, let alone conversing, too much to accomplish.

“God, please. Caramel Macchiato. Oh, and a cinnamon roll.” This time, The Smile holds a grateful glee.

I nod and turn on my heel. Deep in thought, I make it to reception. Everything from missing Daniel, to Thing One and Thing Two's sleepover the other night and the test results, to the cute cowgirl boots I ordered online, distract me from realizing the reception area is not actually as abandoned as it appears to be. Our heavily pierced, impudent of a brat receptionist might have not arrived yet, but apparently there
is
someone in the room. The movement in my peripheral view and the weight of a stare on me makes me still.

Looking up, realizing who it is, I do a double take. No one can make my heart go as wild as it beats right now nor pull off sexy-disheveled like Daniel does. With overgrown stubble, unruly hair, and a white, slightly wrinkled, untucked shirt, he couldn't look more decadent.

“What are you doing here?” flies out of my mouth.

Daniel pushes himself off the wall and strides my way. Crooked smile present. His arms wrap around my waist, pulling me to him. His lips descend to hover over mine. “I didn't want to start my morning without kissing you.” It's pretty obvious he came here directly from the airport. A notion that adds a sprinkle of ecstasy to my overall hard swooning.

When he tries to ease back, I secure my hand around his neck, making it impossible. I attack his mouth, releasing all the pent-up longing from not seeing him for a few days. He chuckles into my kiss, but his tongue quickly joins the tempo my unleashed one is dictating. Reluctantly, after some wonderful moments, I ease off. Not only for the sake of being in a public place but with said public place also happening to be my place of work.

“I missed you,” I say, lacing my fingers with his.

“I can see that.” He rewards me with one of his extra sinful grins. Tugging on my hand, he brings me closer to his side. “Missed you, too.” He plants a kiss on the crown of my head.

“I was just going to get coffee.” I tip my chin toward the door.

“I'll walk you there.”

On our way to get coffee, we tell each other about the days we spent apart. Among other less important things, I tell him about taking a pregnancy test, leaving out the part where Ian and Tash took one with me. His reaction couldn't make me less edgy and at the same time love him more.

He kisses my temple. “There's a next time.” Something about the confidence and coolness Daniel emits makes
me
self-assured, worriless, and . . . blissful. Because no matter what, whatever happens, when he is by my side, everything is just . . . better.

Fifteen minutes later, Daniel kisses me good-bye like it's his job and takes off in the Veyron. The last look he gives me tells me just how the next time we're alone will play. A look that buzzes inside me. Two paper cups and a cinnamon roll in hand, and pulsing lips, I make my way back to the office. I'd be boldly lying if I said that I'm not mentally envisioning Daniel throwing me on a bed and devouring me as I hand Josh his order, flushed, mind you.

My phone pings with an incoming message, distracting Josh and me from the money-beverage exchange. “I'm just . . .” I start to say, and Josh nods, only interested in ravenously eyeing his coffee.

Daniel: H, want to play hooky with me?

I text back.

And do what?

Daniel: Me.

Have mercy on my ovaries, D.
It's as if he can read my deepest and filthiest thoughts. The earlier pulsing I felt on my lips now runs amuck to every part of me. I swallow hard and look up at Josh.

“You okay, Hayley? You're a bit flushed.” Josh's features harden with concern. He clutches his hand around my shoulder. “Are you having trouble breathing? Maybe you should sit down.”

Hell, that's where I'm going
. “Umm, I think I might be coming down with something.”
A stark case of D-bola
,
Boss
. “Um, would it be okay if I work from home today?” The little devil with the red corset that's perched on my shoulder gives me a thumbs-up.

“Oh, don't worry about work. Just get some rest. We'll be fine. Do you want me to drive you home?”

I shake my head, feeling even worse for lying now, what with the genuine concern Josh is showing. However, said feeling vanishes once I shoot Daniel a response. After all, one should get her daily dose of vitamin D.

Race you home!

Almost instantly, Daniel's name flickers across my screen. “Hey,” I answer through a grin.

“Drive safely.” His voice doesn't hold even an ounce of humor. My eyes fly to the skies right after he hangs up.

A message lands in my cell as I'm about to start the car. With the key in the ignition, foot still on the brake, I check it out.

Daniel: HAYLEY, DRIVE SAFELY!

I shake my head and toss the phone into the passenger seat.
Overbearing
psycho
.

I press the remote, waiting for the garage door to rise. My smile blossoms at the sight of Daniel leaning on the Veyron, his legs stretched before him, crossed at the ankles, waiting.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see him rolling up his sleeves as I rear park next to him. I push the button to close the garage door, drape my bag over my shoulder, and climb out. Daniel prowls my way, getting there before I'm even able to shut the car's door. With eyes drinking me hungrily, he sends his hand to my strap on my shoulder. He slides it down and unceremoniously throws my handbag into the driver's seat. Wordlessly, he takes my hand and walks me to the front of my car. I watch him with hooded eyes as he leans in to kiss me. Gradually, he presses me back till my rear meets the warm hood of the car. His hands that were holding my cheeks, slowly trace down my neck, collarbone, breasts and waist, till they reach the hem of my shirtdress. I let out a quiet whimper, deepening our kiss. Our teeth collide when the kiss gains momentum. Daniel's fingers graze my skin, pulling my dress up my thighs. Never leaving his mouth, I send my hand to his slacks. When I slide my hand inside his boxers, a raw growl rumbles from his chest. Abruptly, he grabs my hips and lifts me up. I land with a light jerk on the still cooling hood. Daniel's eyes are two pools of heat as he gazes at me, yanking his belt off, unbuttoning his pants, and letting them drop to his ankles.

“Spread your legs for me, Hales,” comes a gruff command.

Staring back at him with no less desire and biting on my bottom lip, I slowly do as asked. Daniel takes a step forward, settling between my parted thighs. Never breaking our heated stare, he sends his hand to my panties. I let out a breathy sigh when he slides his thumb under the fabric. His hazel stare becomes scorching as he pushes his thumb into me. I close my eyes, relishing the current of pleasure.

“Hales,” the command in his voice makes me open my eyes back into his. Doing what he wordlessly asked of me, I keep my stare on him as he grazes over my heated skin. His thumb works me, putting the right amount of pressure to elicit shudders up my thighs.

With his free hand, he takes mine. He threads his fingers through mine and guides me to wrap around his shaft. We watch each other with wild eyes as his thumb keeps circling me, and our hands glide together over his length. Daniel lifts our joined hands, bringing them near his mouth. He presses a warm kiss to my skin and moves my hand to hold his waist. He sends his arm to my lower back and slides me slightly forward.

Not breaking eye contact, as he pushes my panties aside with one hand and brings himself to me with the other. We both let out a guttural pant as he buries himself in me. Steadily, he slams into me and pulls backs. A light sheen covers his upper lip, the frown between his brows deepening as his thrusts become fiercer, deeper, sending me climbing higher and higher.

“Daniel,” comes out on a needy exhale.

“Yes, baby, that's it.”

His hand slides between us, and when it reaches my pulsing peak, I cry out incoherently. I start to spasm around him with an electrical current tidal in my core, sending me to lose myself in the incredible feeling of release, at the moment, in Daniel.

I blink one eye open, checking my phone.
God, I've napped for over four hours
. After I freshen up in the bathroom, I make my way to get coffee, knotting my hair in a bun. Tipping my eyes up as I step into the kitchen space, I stop short.

“Good morning, baby.” Daniel grins at me, handing a ladle to the cute blonde fussing around beside him.
Handing a ladle to the cute blonde beside him
?!

“Hi?” Not sure if that actually came out of my mouth, as I'm too busy studying the domestic scene taking place before me. A cropped-haired blonde with huge green eyes and a nose ring takes the ladle from Daniel while smiling at me.

Daniel's smile turns into a full-blown smirk as his eyes lazily take me in, reminding me that the only clothing I'm currently donning is a shocking pink bra and matching thong. I lightly smile at the appreciative glee in his stare.

“Hey, Hayley.” Blondie with the apron waves my way. I give the scene in front of me another gauging glance. There are several bowls with fresh vegetables, grains, and tofu piled up on the kitchen island. Daniel stands beside Ms. Apron in a pair of jeans and a snug white tee, barefoot and beaming.

I twist my mouth, not exactly the greatest fan of the fact that another woman gets to see his bare feet. Okay, that sounded borderline wacko, even in my head. Well, I don't like it. Big. Deal. Moving on . . .

My possessiveness cracks her knuckles, stretching her neck from side to side. Yes, it's she, and she's a badass. Though internally I flinch at my scanty appearance, I hold my head up and saunter toward the island.

I wrap my right arm around Daniel's waist, and casually send my left hand to the pistachio bowl on the counter. I plop one of the nuts into my mouth. “Having fun playing with
my
ladle?” I say to no one in particular; my eyes, though, are hard on the lady holding the incriminating utensil.

They both chuckle in unison.
How cute. Not.

“She's exactly how you described her,” she tells Daniel. “I'm Nadine.” Her smile trails to me. “Daniel has probably told you about me. I'm going to be your personal chef.”

I turn to look at Daniel in query.

Daniel kisses my temple. “Thought it would be useful to learn how to cook healthier food.”

“What is it? A surprise ‘why don't we hone your cooking skills a little' party?” I narrow my eyes, my lips slightly quirked.

“Though your cooking skills could use a little honing. . .” Daniel's eyes dance. I slap his chest with pistachio salt sprinkled fingers. “It's for the both of us.” And as if we don't have an audience, Daniel's hand moves to rest on my bare stomach. “Told you, I want to make sure you eat healthier food.” Warmness floods my belly where his hand rests.

Nadine, whipping eggs, is all easy smiles.

“Would have been nice to get a little heads-up about having someone over. I'm at a bit of a disadvantage here.” I whisper, and in a louder voice, I add, “I'm going to change into something
less
comfortable.”
Like actual clothes.

Daniel's eyes zoom in on my breasts while his hand moves to my bare rear. “Don't mind me.”

“Or me,” Nadine adds, her lips tipped up.

I let out a finesse-full snort. “You,” I press my finger into Daniel's chest, “can make me coffee, Mr. hire a personal chef without telling me.” His response? Squeezing my bum and planting a kiss on my forehead.

“How do you take your coffee? Why don't you let me pamper you?” Nadine asks, chopping fat stalks of asparagus.

“Um,” I start, slowly walking backward out of the kitchen. It's safe to say Nadine has seen enough of my butt to last her a lifetime.

“Double shot, extra hot, cappuccino, and go easy on the froth,” Daniel says, peeling a cucumber.

“Got it,” Nadine says.

“Thanks, Nadine. . .” I say over my shoulder and scurry to get dressed.

“I swear, if I weren't already engaged, I'd propose to you,” I tell Nadine, polishing off yet another spoonful of Korean fried cauliflower that ends with a moan. The lady gives good vegan.

Daniel gives me an admonishing look. I wink at him with a cheeky smile.

Nadine smiles into her wineglass. “Well, thank you for inviting me to stay. It was an absolute pleasure, but I should get going.” She starts gathering her stuff.

Somewhere between Daniel getting bored of kitchen labor and a burned, over reduced soy sauce courtesy of me, Daniel came to the conclusion that the whole us cooking healthy wouldn't work, so he hired Nadine to cook for us three times a week. Right after, we invited her to join us for the delicious meal she ended up cooking all by herself. In my defense, all through the cooking process, I dedicatedly helped with tasting.

I show Nadine to the door, once again declaring my insta-love to her and her culinary abilities. “Oh Hayley, I'd have definitely said yes if you would have actually proposed.” She grins at me, closing the door behind her.

Smiling, I make my way back to the kitchen where Daniel is resting his hip on the island, checking his phone.

“Nadine could totally take Ian and Tasha's place when they are gone,” I say, loading the fridge with the food Nadine prepared for us.

“Ouch.” Daniel chuckles. “That's vicious, baby. They haven't left yet, and you're already shortlisting?” He lifts his eyes from his cell.