Not fussing with plates, she held out a fork. "Yesterday.
Except the chicken. I made it before I came."
He shook his head. "I didn't know you could cook."
"You still don't." Diving a fork into the macaroni, she placed it before his mouth.
Eyes never wavering, Robert allowed her to slide the fork in his mouth. "Hmm, absolutely amazing." His eyes closed as he chewed.
"I'm glad you like it." She beamed a smile at him when he looked at her.
"What I like is you." Holding her shoulder, he pulled her toward him.
Danielle's body started to sing once again as he kissed her.
When he entered her mouth, she could taste the warm flavors of the cheese and buttery pasta on his tongue.
Even after they parted, a low hum still vibrated between her legs and she felt the wetness seep onto her thighs; she wanted him again.
She was thankful when he picked up his fork and began eating. Joining him, she began to tell him about her trip to Florida to transport the two criminals. How she could feel things changing for her since she aided in the rescue of his sister.
"Every time I thing about that night, I want to tell you how grateful I am for your courage." Reaching out, he stroked the side of her cheek with his knuckles.
Her cheeks heated at his words. "You're welcome, again."
Robert laid down his third drumstick bone and wiped his mouth, then polished off the green beans.
Full, she eyed the empty containers and was amazed at Robert's robust appetite. They hadn't spent much time out of the 92
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hotel over the past few months, except a delivery food bite here and there. She'd decided it was time she did what Robert asked and moved their relationship to the next level. So she would be cooking for him when they were together, filling his belly in addition to warming his bed.
Retrieving the food, she began putting everything away.
When the area was clear, she moved across the blanket to Robert.
Noticing her amorous attention, he cupped her breast and circled her taunt nipple with his thumb.
"This weekend, Mr. Duncan is having an anniversary party at the country club." He pinched her nipple, giving it a slight tug.
Only half listening to Robert's words, her eyes slipped closed, loving his strong hands on her body.
"I want you to go with me," he said.
Stilling his hand on her breast, she gazed at him. "What?"
His hands moved underneath her own, squeezed her.
Normally a move that would've made her squirm in excitement, but her mind was too focused on what he would say.
"Be my date this Friday."
It was exactly what she'd thought he said. "I don't think that's a good idea." She stood.
He rose with her. "Why not?" His brows furrowed.
"Look, Robert, I don't think we're ready to be the out and about couple." Avoiding his eye contact, she picked up the blanket when he got up.
"We're not or you're not?" He leaned back against his desk.
Watching him from the corner of her eye, she shoved their makeshift table into her case and secured it. "What's wrong with how we are now?" Walking toward him with slow grace, she attempted to steer him away from the conversation. She cared for Robert deeply, but this discussion could only lead to trouble.
Grabbing her hips when she was within arm distance, he stopped her progression, reading her actions easily. "Nothing is wrong with us. That's why I want you to come with me."
Stepping away from him, she grabbed her clothes and put her panties on. "No, Robert, this is just not—"
"Not what…how you feel about me?" he questioned, crossing his arms over his muscular chest. "Maybe I've been 93
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wrong and you just want to keep this a booty call. Is that it?"
Moving away from the desk, he stepped to her, holding her shoulders firmly.
Danielle had no other choice but to gaze into his eyes. She could see his confusion. She was afraid if she tried to make him understand, the knowledge might push him away and she didn't want to lose him. "I care about you. A lot, but I just don't want to share this. Us."
"Beautiful, you act like something will change because we walk down the street holding hands." A harsh laugh came out.
"Claremont may be small, but it's not Mayberry. Couples even kiss in public here."
Annoyed at his ignorance of the town and their relationship, she stepped away from him and pulled her dress over her head.
"White couples and an occasional black couple kiss. But not this." She waved a finger between them.
Holding his hands out to his side, he said, "No one's going to care, sweetheart, that we're together."
Shaking her head, she glanced at him as if she were waiting for another eye to come out of his forehead. "You must live under a rock, Robert." Snatching up the handle of her rolling bag, she headed toward the door. She originally hoped to finish the rest of the night in one of their beds, but not anymore. "The next time you're at one of your country club affairs why don't you look around and see how many faces like mine you see."
"Danielle, you're being ridiculous. You act as if you're the only black person in town. Your Chief is even black." He rubbed his hand through his hair in frustration. "The percentage of minorit—"
Her own fingers tingled with the desire to feel the silky thick strands, but she pushed the thought away and refocused.
"Besides me, there're fourteen others. If I can count them, then what little percentage we hold doesn't matter."
Her agitation began to rise. She took a deep breath to keep herself calm. At the same time, she heard Robert exhale and laugh, all on the same breath.
"What do you want me to do, baby? I can't add more people to the town."
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The corners of her cheeks barely lifted as she gave him a weak smile. "Nothing. I just want to enjoy being with you without other people imposing their views."
Hazel eyes met hers. "Fine, beautiful, but I can't live in secret forever."
Noncommittally, she crossed the carpet and kissed him. She understood his viewpoint, but she also knew that if they came out, then so would the truth. She would lose Robert regardless.
Embracing her, he inquired, "Are you coming to my house?"
"Not tonight, I'm tired and need to get up early in the morning." It was a small lie, but it was best for her to be alone tonight. If she lay in his arms, he would convince her to risk their relationship with his enticing kisses and seductive touches.
Doubt was evident in his gaze, but he nodded. "Okay. I'll talk to you tomorrow." Pulling her to him, his kiss overpowered her, filling her body with heat and muddling her senses.
The kiss ended.
"Tomorrow." Backing away from him, she exited the office.
They were safe for now. But for how long would she be able to hide her secrets from him? This was more than about race. So much more.
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"Congratulations, squirt." Robert spotted his sister from the corner of his eye as she walked out onto the porch.
"Thanks, brother dear." Liza flopped down beside him on the swing, setting it in motion. "So, do you like Brad?"
"Yeah. But, I'm not the one marrying him." He chuckled.
Glancing down, he noticed how his sister's toes barely grazed the floor. Liza was small, just like Danielle. If they weren't so petite, Claremont County still would have been standing outside of the condo trying to figure out how to rescue his sister.
The thought of Danielle made his spine tingle. "Where's your intended?"
"He had to work late tonight, but he'll be here before dinner."
Looking at Liza with her wide hopeful gaze and ready smile, joy radiated in his sister's features. "I'm glad you're happy, squirt."
Envious, he turned away. Gazing off into the distance over the treetops, he and Liza silently watched the late June sun begin to set, turning the horizon to a magnificent golden with blushing shades of orange.
"I can see it's only going to be a matter of time. Stephanie's going to be heartbroken."
Catching only a few words his sister was saying, he asked halfheartedly, "Why? She already run through all the men in town?"
Oof
. He hadn't prepared himself for Liza's elbow to his ribs.
Raising her back off the swing, she put her hands on her hips. She would give the same bossy pose to him when they were little if she thought all the lights weren't on in his mental house. "No, big brother. It's because of you," she charged.
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Scrunching his brows, he eyed his sister. "Me? I've never given her any reason to think I was interested in her."
"Exactly. Now she's going to be hurt when she finds out you're in love with someone else."
That got his attention.
Fuck, someone must have seen
Danielle at his office
. They hadn't been careful when she left, after the disagreement about her going with him to Mr. Duncan's party, she had exited the building alone. He just prayed no one spotted her in her initial state of undress when she walked into the building. His hand clenched with the thought of some other man seeing her nude sexy body. "Who told you?"
"Aha! I knew it," she declared and slapped her jean-covered thigh.
The feeling of being duped made his shoulders tense.
"Knew what?"
"You're definitely in love and don't try to deny it." Turning her pint-size frame sideways on the swing, she gave him a smile, showing all her teeth. "Who is she?"
He glanced over his shoulder, peered through the living room window and assured himself that their parents were not within earshot. Seeing no one, he glanced out over the yard again. "I don't want to talk about it."
"Why not?" Leaning toward him, she whispered. "Is it a man?"
"Fuck no." He barked a laugh. "Not that I have issues with those who are…it's just not me."
"Then tell me about her," she whined. "Pleeasse…"
"Fine, squirt." He ran his hand over his hair. "Damn, I forgot how nosey you are."
"Thank you." She beamed. "Now talk."
"I'm not telling who she is." From the corner of his eye he noticed his sister's mouth gaped open and started to appeal, he shook his head. "She doesn't want me to. And I'm trying hard to respect her wishes of privacy."
"Does she know how you feel?"
"I've told her I care about her and want to move our relationship to another level."
"And?"
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Gazing down at his hands, remembering the feel of Danielle's toned supple skin the last time they were together, he sighed. "Nothing. She won't budge."
The sound of scrunching gravel alerted them to someone's arrival. Both of them turned to the right and spotted Brad rounding the corner of the house, still in uniform with a blue small duffle bag on his shoulder.
"I saw your mom out front bringing in flowers from her garden. She said you all were back here." Brad walked up the back steps. "Hi, princess."
Robert watched his sister scramble from her seat, move into Brad's arms, and kiss her fiancé loudly on the lips.
"If Mom had flowers, then dinner's about ready." Robert said.
"Well, I'm going to change beforehand so I can enjoy my food." Stepping away from Liza, Brad reached for the backdoor.
"I'll be right in to help."
Brad winked at her and stepped into the house.
Crossing the porch to where he still sat, his sister leaned down and pecked him lightly on the cheek. "Tell her you love her. It just might change things."
"Maybe." Rising, Robert followed his sister into the house.
He headed toward the kitchen while Liza moved toward one of the first floor guest bedrooms to find Brad. Silently, he hoped his sister and Brad didn't get too involved in there, because if they were late for dinner, their mother would have no problem going in after them.
* * * *
Danielle found herself in Robert's arms seconds after he opened his front door and shut it behind her.
"Hi, yourself, handsome." Wrapping her arms around his waist, she stroked the muscular plains of his back.
Robert's head bent toward her and their lips brushed against each other. His tongue slipped across her bottom lip and made her mouth tingle with anticipation. Capturing his tongue, she suckled it. His groan vibrated into her mouth and made her body come alive.
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They parted breathless and horny. Her sex had begun to throb as she'd prepared herself to come over to his house, now her panties were saturated.
"So, do you want to eat first or play?" Robert escorted her deeper into his living room.
Her first time in his house, she took notes of her surroundings, noticing Robert kept his decorations basic and simple with only the necessities. There was a couch and loveseat, no lamps or potted plants like her apartment, just a long panoramic picture of some sort of lagoon or inlet surrounded by thick green foliage and a small waterfall. The photo went well with his forest green and tan colored pattern of the furniture.
She was tempted to ask him to bend her over the back of his couch and ease the ache between her thighs. But the wait always made her orgasms so much sweeter. "I'd like to eat first while it's hot."
"Great. Let me show you the kitchen." He took her hand and led the way, introducing the areas of the house they passed.
"After we eat, I'll give you a full tour. Outside of the living room, kitchen, dinning room, and office, the only other room with furniture is the master bedroom."
Danielle considered how different their homes were. Her apartment had fewer rooms than he'd just listed. She had a one-bedroom apartment with a kitchenette and a great room. "How many bedrooms do you have?"
Arriving in the kitchen, he took the handle of her rolling food case from her and collapsed the extended grip to place it on the counter. "Five and a bounce room." He smiled, wiggling his eyebrows.
Biting the side of her lip, she turned away. The heat in his gaze was making it hard for her to focus. "This is a lot of space for one person." She unpacked the container of roast beef, mashed potatoes, sweet snap peas and cherry cobbler.