Authors: Brenda Jernigan
After the show they went for a candlelight dinner. The food had been delicious, but the strain of trying to keep their conversation light was wearing on her.
When Adrian suggested a ride through Central Park, she thought it was a good idea. The park was magical with the light snow fluttering from the sky. Much too soon the wonderful night had come to an end.
The slick black limo swung into the Marriott Marquis. They took the escalators up to the lobby where Adrian insisted on taking her to her room.
As they made their way over to the bank of elevators, she was surprised how crowded it was even at this late hours. With groups in every corner there was no way they could talk.
Finally, they reached her floor. Dani fumbled in her purse for the door card. "Thank you for
a fantastic evening," she said.
She couldn't think of any other way to keep Adrian with her. Well, there was on
e way, but they had done that one too many times and she was carrying the proof. Besides she didn't want him to think that she'd crawled in bed with him every time they met. She reached up and kissed Adrian on the cheek. "Merry Christmas," she whispered.
"I think you can do better. After all it's Christmas." Adrian's slip his arms around her so fast that Dani’s purse fell to the floor.
He was a magnificent kisser, just as she remembered every night in her dreams. Sweet, savage fire swept over her as his lips molded over hers. He demanded a response as he pulled her closer to him. She didn't hold back because she couldn't. This man seemed to hold the key to her soul. She never dreamed she could feel so many raw, exhilarating sensations and she wanted to experience them all. And she wanted Adrian to remember her, no matter how far they wandered from each other.
At last, he broke the kiss and pulled away, a slow smile forming on his face. He gazed at her for a long moment, then he said, "Merry Christmas. And that's the way to say it properly."
"Not bad," she said huskily, refusing to reveal anything. Remembering her purse, she stooped to retrieve the black bag off the floor. "Darn, everything is scattered all over the carpet."
Adrian stepped back, stumbling over something. He caught himself in time to keep from crushing it. "Here, I'll help you.” He bent down and retrieved a white medicine bottle. "What's this? Have you been sick?"
"Give me those--" Dani tried to grab them out of his hands.
"Prenatal Multi Vitamins. Take one with meals." Adrian’s eyebrows drew together as the contents of the bottle registered in his brain. He reached out grabbed her wrist, jerking her around. "I see you've been busy in the last few months. Were you going to tell me? Or just make me feel like a heel for not calling you--when you evidently were entertaining others?"
This was exactly the scene she had wanted so desperately to avoid. "Keep your voice down." Dani jerked her arm away and fumbled to get the door open. She stepped quickly inside and attempted to shut it but Adrian stopped her and followed her into the room.
"So you forgave that jerk?" Adrian spat. It might have been phrased as a question, but it was an accusation.
Dani swung on him, too furious to care any longer. "Why do you care?"
"I don't know! But I do!"
"The baby isn't Steven's."
"What are you trying to say?"
"I'm not trying to say anything. You're the one asking questions."
"Well try saying something!"
"The baby is yours,” she spat. “Now, are you satisfied?"
"Mine?” Adrian seemed unable to believe what he’d just been told. No, I'm not satisfied. You see, Dani. You're not the first who has tried this trick on me." He laughed bitterly. "And I thought you were different!" Rage surged within him. "I had hoped there might even be a future for us someday."
"You don't like children?"
"I love children. I'd like to have a dozen of my own. But what I don't like are conniving, lying women. I just got out of a marriage with one cold-hearted bitch, and I'm not making that mistake . . . yet again!"
"I don't believe I asked you to marry me, Mr. Massimino. Apparently, I made a mistake in thinking that you were a nice guy who would want to know he had a child. But I see I've made a mistake. If you remember, you sought me out."
"Save it, Dani. Listen and listen good. It’s not my child that you carry, and the reason I know that, sweetheart," he growled, enunciating each word. " . . . is because I had the mumps when I was a teenager, and it left with
little chance of becoming a father. The doctor was surprised when my wife got pregnant, but that is another story that I don’t want to get into. So take your song and dance to the real father."
Dani stumbled backwards, and Adrian reached out to steady her. She jerked. Her breathing becoming erratic from his jarring announcement. There was no way he'd ever believe her, no matter that it was the truth.
“Don't touch me!" Dani hissed, glaring at the man she loved. "I’ve not asked anything of you, so don't stand here with your righteous indignation accusing me--" Dani was so angry that the words wouldn't come, so she shoved him toward the door. "There is one thing I know for sure. I didn't get pregnant by my imagination, and rest assured, Adrian, I'll never bother you again! Thank you for a lovely evening, even though I provided the tickets and transportation. Now, I'm telling you like you told me, have a nice life Mr. Massimino!"
Before Adrian could open his mouth, Dani
slammed the door in his face. He remained staring at it for a long moment. Lifting his hand, he started to knock, but stopped short, letting his hand fall to his side.
What had just happened here?
He had really enjoyed the evening. He’d even been prepared to take a chance and tell Dani he'd like to see her again. He rubbed his chin. He couldn't understand why he was so fascinated by her.
After being trapped by his last marriage, he had sworn he wouldn't let that happen again no matter how he felt at the moment. Adrian rubbed a hand over his face. God, he felt like someone had just slammed a fist into his stomach.
The door had shattered the silence in Dani's room. It had effectively put her love life on ice, as well.
She stared at the closed door. Just before she closed it, she'd glimpsed a glimmer of raw hurt in Adrian's eyes.
After several minutes, Dani finally realized everything had happened for the best. Adrian was now out of her life
for good
. It was time to move on again. She could see he wasn't the least bit interested in being a father.
What did he mean about the last time he'd been tricked into marriage? Had some woman actually told him she was pregnant to get him to marry her? That would explain his anger.
Oh, well. Those were questions she'd never have the answers for. So wearily she undressed, packed her bags and crawled into bed. Of course, sleep eluded her.
What sleep she did manage was not peaceful. She was in love and miserable.
The next morning Dani slid into the limo, and sat silently thinking as Henry drove her to the airport. He hauled her bags to the aircaps for check in, then turned to her. "Have a safe trip, Miss Kapur. Are you sure you feel like flying? You look a little under the weather."
"Thanks, Henry. I
didn't sleep well last night. I'll be fine." Dani managed a weak smile then made her way through the airport. She kept hoping she would turn at any moment and see Adrian. If she shut her eyes, she could see him rushing up to her, begging for her forgiveness, then sweeping her into his arms, telling her that their life together would be wonderful.
But when she opened her eyes to the real world she realized that she’d have to give up her fairy tale endings.
The flight home was long, and she was sick most of the way. By the time, she staggered off the plane, she felt like kissing the ground and swearing she'd never get on a plane again.
Susan was waiting for her and waved to get her attention. Happy to see a familiar face, Dani trudged over to her friend, took one look at Susan, and burst into tears.
Dani filled Susan in on the details of her trip to New York as they rode home from the airport.
Once they were in the apartment, Susan turned to Dani and took her by the shoulders. "Something doesn't add up Dani. It sounds like you and Adrian had a good time up until he found the pills."
"That's right. We did. That was the third time he has left me. Like they say, three times and you’re out."
"You mean three strikes and you
’re out."
"Whatever. I just know that I can't go through saying goodbye to Adrian ever again. The man has walked all over my heart, and I feel completely numb inside." Dani pulled away and dropped her purse on the couch. "He said there was little chance for him to have children, but the key word here is
little
. Because he then turned around and said something about his wife had been pregnant, and it was a miracle, yet he has never mentioned the fact that he had a child. Can you believe that? He found out about our baby and he ran. I don't want another man who's afraid of commitment."
"Now wait a minute." Susan slumped down in the chair across from the couch. "Can't have children. Yet, his wife was pregnant? I agree it looks bad. The way you make it sound, he said he'd been tricked into marriage once before.
I don’t think we know the entire story. Maybe he thinks you’re after something."
"Yeah, right. His money? What money? I don't know anything about him. And I have no idea what kind of work he does--if any."
"Well, he must do something. A tux doesn't come cheap. Maybe there is more to him than we're seeing."
"I appreciate your help, Susan. But the subject of Mr. Massimino is closed!" Dani leaned back on the couch and propped her feet on the coffee table. He's made it perfectly clear that he wants no part of me . . . or his child."
"So what are you going to do?"
"Swallow my pride and go home for Christmas. Then somehow break the bad news to my parents--that once again I've let them down. My mother will probably faint when I tell her I'm going to be an unwed mother." Dani leaned her head back and shut her eyes, picturing the scene vividly in her mind.
"That's not so uncommon this day and time."
Dani's head popped up and she stared at Susan. "It is where my mother is concerned. Besides, I'm just barely making ends meet. I'm probably going to have to ask them for a loan."
"What about your aunt's money?"
"It has stipulations, remember. I have to be married for a year. I get part when I marry and the rest when the first year is up." Dani rubbed her chin. "I could take an ad out in the paper. Husband wanted, no experience, no qualifications--name needed only."
Susan laughed. "At least you haven’t lost your sense of humor."
"You think so? I don't feel very funny. But somehow, some way, I'll get through this."
"Yes, you will, and you’ll be just fine. I'll be here for you." Susan reached over and took Dani's hands in hers.
"Thanks, you're the one person I can count on. That and getting about twice the size I am now in the next six months."
"Ah, Dani, Dani, Dani. You're going to make a good mother."
"I hope you’re right, Susan. Because right now I feel lower than dirt."
Adrian had stayed well out of sight when he’d watched Dani sitting at the airport. He’d fought the overwhelming desire to run to her. No matter how pretty the package, Adrian had learned the hard way that beauty was only skin deep. By the time he'd watched the plane leave, he wasn't sure how he felt, so he went back to his office and buried himself in work--work always helped.
It was the one thing he could always count on.
Somewhere around six o'clock Marty ventured into his office not waiting for an invitation. He stood in front of the desk. "You've been closed up in here all day. What gives?"
"I have work to do."
"Really?" Marty raised a suspicious eyebrow. "I thought you'd be on cloud nine today after spending the night with one very pretty young lady."
"Women are all alike," he muttered bitterly.
"Ouch! Marty rubbed his chin like he'd been hit. "I see it didn't go very well last night. Want to talk?"
"No!" Adrian finally put his pen down and stared at his business partner. "Ah, hell. Sit down."
"I really like her, Adrian. Miss Kapur is so wonderfully different from everybody I've ever seen you with. So tell me what happened."
Staring at, but not really seeing, a calendar on the wall, Adrian began talking. After he'd finished, he was exhausted and completely drained of all his anger.
"I see now what's been eating at you all day."
"I thought she was different, Marty. I really thought she was different." A rolling wave of pain surged inside him. "But as soon as she found out I was rich, she couldn't wait to put a rope around my neck."
"Are you sure you're not jumping to conclusions? She didn't mention money," Marty reminded him. "I think Miss Kapur really is different from the other women you dated. Are you sure you've told me everything that happened?"