Authors: Violet Walker
Chapter Three
“
D
o you have a boyfriend?” Her frown alerted Dean that he probably shouldn’t have just blurted the question out of the blue.
“Excuse me?” Arms crossed defensively and that small chin tilted up, he could tell she was ready to pounce.
Dean sighed, knowing he had overstepped the boundaries she was determined to set between, them but he needed to know and he knew it was for more than professional reasons. He’d keep those to himself. “I just want to make sure we have your full attention until Christmas Eve.” Maybe longer, but he’d worry about that part later. “I need to know you won’t run off and get married next week.”
Her laugh was humorless. “That is definitely
not
going to happen, so don’t worry your pretty little head about it.”
“You think I’m pretty?” His laughed but he was under no illusions. Krista was here for Angel, not him. He could live with that—for now—even though it did sting his male pride. She was a beautiful, if strange, woman. She was freakishly small, like an elf. Her hair was too blonde, almost golden and it was way too curly, standing nearly a foot from her head. Those big, watery blue-green eyes made his protective instinct kick into overdrive, and her sweet nature with Angel was awesome. She was born to be a mother, a caretaker, and he was surprised to find she wasn’t taken.
She scoffed and let a small smile creep across her face. “I think you are
something
Dean.”
He didn’t think she meant it as a compliment, but that flare in her gorgeous eyes told him she was attracted to him. That he could work with. “So if you don’t have a boyfriend, or a girlfriend, why do you need to be gone by the holiday?”
Krista set her silverware on the edge of the plate, wiped her mouth and focused on Dean. “Because I need to figure out the rest of
my
life.”
He nodded. “Maybe I can help. Tell me what you want to do.”
She sighed and he could tell she wasn’t comfortable talking to him, but there was a moment, a tiny spark in her eyes, that told him she would tell him. “That’s the problem; I don’t know. I spent most of my early twenties taking care of the grandmother who raised me. She was sick for six years before the cancer took her, and when she died I had no real skills because I took care of her. Then Karen hired me to care for her mother, who died just after she found out she was pregnant. So she kept me on and I took care of Angel. Now I finally have my life to myself and I have no clue.”
“None?” He figured she was ashamed or embarrassed to tell him.
“I’d like to travel, but I’m not sure it would be wise.”
“Financially you mean?” She nodded. “I’m sure Karen left her estate to you.”
She bristled. “She did, you prick, and I put it all in trust for Angel.” She stood up, slammed her napkin down and stormed out of the room.
“Damn.” He hadn’t meant it that way, but his past comments came back to haunt him. Of course she thought the worst of his comments. Hadn’t he done the same to her within seconds of meeting her?
He needed to apologize. Now.
Dean found Krista in the library, perusing his fiction section. “Krista, I’m sorry.” She stiffened at the sound of his voice but she didn’t turn around or acknowledge his words. “I know you have no reason to believe me, but I didn’t mean it that way.”
“Then how did you mean it?” Her voice was laced with steel and she still wouldn’t let him see her face.
“I just meant you have choices and you shouldn’t let money be the only factor in whether or not you decide to travel.” He walked over to her, stood just inches from her, close enough to smell the peachy shampoo she used. “I’m sorry that I offended you.”
“You didn’t.”
He smiled at the steel in her voice. “Okay then. We’re cool?” She nodded but didn’t turn, so he grabbed her shoulders and turned her until they were facing each other. Her eyes darkened and he could see the pulse point racing at the base of her neck. His fingers itched to reach out to her, to touch her and taste that pink mouth.
“Dean,” she whispered, reading the intent on his face. He could see the war within her and he knew, as he drew closer, that she would succumb to him. That this thing between them was too hot for either of them to ignore.
He leaned in until his breath mingled with hers and he smiled. “Yes, Krista? Tell me you don’t want this.”
“I-I,” was all she could get out.
He smiled. “I thought so,” and then leaned in and kissed her.
~
The kiss was so hot it stole the breath right from Krista’s lungs. One minute she was fuming mad at Dean and the next she was in his arms, clinging to him as his mouth explored and devoured hers. Her hands flung around his wide back, caressing his muscles up and down as his tongue tasted her mouth and moved to her neck. His breathing was as shallow as hers, his hands smoothing over every inch of her body from her shoulders down to the curve of her ass.
His fingers sank into her ass and pulled in, and she gasped as his hardness came into contact with her body. He rubbed her body against his, making sure she felt his arousal. She could barely breathe as desire flowed through her veins. “Dean,” she moaned and he swallowed it, taking another kiss so deep that she had to suck in air when he was done. His mouth attacked her neck, kissing and sucking and licking until she was close to begging him to take her.
“Krista,” he panted and let his fingers sneak under her t-shirt, hissing when he found her breasts bare. “I want you, Krista.”
She wanted him, too, and the time had passed for her to deny it. Her body wanted his, her mouth longed to taste him everywhere and her nipples wanted his sweet, hot kisses. She said the only thing she could. “Yes.”
In the next second, Krista felt the cool air touch her breasts, her stomach as her shirt went flying across the library. His mouth and hands went to her breasts, kneading and lavshing them until she cried out. “Dean!” Her hips rolled against him, her body unashamed to beg for what her mouth would not. “Yes,” she moaned when his hands and mouth switched positions. Her own hands had a mind of their own, ripping his shirt open so buttons flew through the air. Her hands were greedy to explore his body, over the hard muscles of his chest, his abs, and oh god his back! His body was hot and hard. Pulling her mouth from his, she kissed and licked his body while her hands eagerly worked on opening his pants. His hiss of pleasure made her smile as her tongue swiped across first one nipple and then the other.
“You’re killing me, Krista.” His voice was tight, gruff and full of need. She had never felt so feminine, so desired.
She swallowed a groan when her small hand wrapped around his hard length. It was warm and soft and hard, and it was the best damn thing she’d ever held in her hands. Fisting him tight, she stroked up and down, up and down until a hiss of pleasure stole her concentration. She looked up at him, hair mussed and golden muscles flexing under the opened shirt. “You are a beautiful man.” She heard the reverence in her voice, but damn, he was a sight to behold.
“I think that’s my line,” he chuckled and made quick work of opening and removing her pants. “No Krista, you are the beautiful one.”
He bent over and helped her out of her pants, skimming his hands up her legs. He dipped his head in and inhaled the sweet nectar wafting up from her feminine center. She quivered and pulled a handful of his hair when his tongue made a swipe, parting her folds for an all-too-brief kiss. “Oh god, Dean!” She didn’t know what he was doing, but it felt incredible.
“You taste amazing, babe.” His hands continued the path up her body, kissing a spot here and a spot there before swiping his tongue across her lips. She squealed when he palmed her bottom and lifted her up. Instinctively her legs wrapped around his waist and her tongue was drawn to the pulse beating in his neck. It was intoxicating.
He
was intoxicating. His taste, his smell, the warmth that surrounded him and the way he felt under her hands, her body.
“Dean, I-” her words were cut off when his swollen tip slid inside. He moved slowly, slower than her body wanted, but she was thankful. Despite his flaws, he was a gentleman and he wanted it to be good for her. He pushed in inch by slow inch and then he stopped. She would not let him stop until they were both satisfied. “Dean,” she groaned and loosened her legs until the weight of her body sank down and took the rest of him in. “Oh shit!”
Dean grunted as her tight warmth engulfed him. She could see him struggling to take it easy on her, but she didn’t come this far to let him give her half an experience. Krista easily picked up his rhythm, her hips moving with his own. Beads of sweat trickled down her back as his pace sped up, becoming more frantic until some weird sensation took over her body. This was nothing like the times she’d given herself pleasure. This was mind-blowing, earth shattering. It was fucking explosive!
His thrusts were now rapidly pounding into her tight sheath and she felt herself pulsing around him as he grew thicker, harder. “Dean,” she growled. She couldn’t explain what was happening, but she knew the orgasm was imminent and it would be big. “Dean,” she moaned again in warning and then millions of bursts of light went off behind her eyes and her body trembled powerfully. She held onto Dean as the waves washed over her. He thrust into her pulsating sheath, faster and faster until he stilled and shook, emptying his seed inside her. “Oh!”
“Oh shit, Krista, that was incredible!” His smile was bright as he struggled to catch his breath. “How in the hell are you a virgin?”
“I was busy taking care of people,” she said defensively. She pushed him away and slid down his body, ignoring his words and reveling in the glow of what had just happened. “That was amazing, Dean. Thank you.” She kissed his cheek and picked up her clothes scattered around the library before slipping out and up to her room.
As Krista tiptoed upstairs, she couldn’t believe what she had just done. As fun and passionate and as satisfying as the encounter was, the fact was that she had slept with her boss. An arrogant billionaire who thought she was after his vast fortune. God, could she make a worse decision right now?
Only time would tell.
Chapter Four
D
ean stood in the doorway of the newly refurbished nursery while Krista and Angel played on the plush mint green carpeting. At Krista’s urging, he had moved the nursery to the empty room that connected with hers so they could all be closer to Angel as she slept. He’d left everything up to Krista, and while she had spent a tremendous amount of money, he saw the bills and knew she’d gotten only what the baby needed. He was surprised yet again that she hadn’t gone down to the city and purchased everything from one of those trendy baby boutiques. Instead, everything was beautiful and coordinated, but only the armoire and dresser were high quality.
Normally he would have balked at the idea of his child receiving less-than-excellent nursery furniture and toys, but looking around he could see everything was sturdy and reliable, soothing and appropriate for a baby’s room. She had done a good job, and once again, she’d impressed him, which was good since she didn’t seem to be too impressed with him lately. Days had passed since their hot encounter in the library and he couldn’t stop thinking about it, about how open she was then. He’d spent long days in the office and the only thing he could focus on was the beautiful flush of her skin when she reached her sexual peak, the dark pink pebbled nipples that hardened under his touch. The scent of her and the taste of her consumed his waking hours. But it was nighttime that really tortured him. Her scent seemed to be everywhere, forcing him into a cold shower or to take himself in hand like a horny teenager. He needed her again or he was going to lose it.
“I need more time.” He knew his voice startled her because she and the baby jumped. He smiled and came to sit on the floor beside Krista.
“More time for what?” She held the baby close, cuddling her as she peered at him over Angel’s shoulder.
Krista didn’t mince words or use his words to her advantage, and Dean was learning to appreciate that about her. “I need you to stay longer because I haven’t had any time to dedicate to Angel yet.” He looked at her but stroked the baby’s soft cheek.
“I’ll think about it.”
“That’s it? What am I supposed to do if you think about and decide not to stay?” Again those old insecurities rose to the surface. What was her game?
“It’s already been almost two weeks and you haven’t made any effort to spend time with Angel. You don’t know how to change a diaper, make a bottle or even hold her.” To prove her point, she thrust Angel in his arms and watched as he held her awkwardly. “I give you more time and it’ll accomplish nothing. So you make more of an effort with
your
child or you find someone content to let you continue to ignore her.”
His sigh was resigned because he knew she was right to call him on his bad parenting. He hadn’t spent much time with Angel because he was so focused on his latest acquisition. The sale contracts would be signed on Friday and then he could focus on learning how to be a father. “I will make an effort, I just need more time. The deal that has been distracting me will be complete at the end of the week and then you both will have my full attention.”
She frowned at his charming smile. “You see, that’s the thing Dean, you can’t be a parent around your other responsibilities. Angel should be your priority.”
Her disapproving stare got to him in a way he didn’t think was possible. She managed to make him feel guilty as though he’d come up short in her eyes without pissing him off. He knew he was wrong, dammit, but he had other things on his mind. “Can you cut me some slack, Krista, please?”
Krista shook her head as she stood, moving Angel to the blonde wood changing table. “No Dean, I can’t. If I don’t force you to do this now, who will later? Angel needs a parent, not just a provider. If you can’t give her your time, then why the hell do you even want her?” Her gaze never lifted to his and he looked on as she made quick work of removing the dirty diaper, cleaning her up and fitting a new one on the kicking, smiling baby. “Much better, right?” She kissed Angel’s tummy, making her squeal.
Watching them, Dean knew he needed to do more for his daughter. He wasn’t worried about Krista taking her because he had enough money that she’d never be able to challenge him in court. But if it came to that, he’d lose Krista before he was ready. “She’s my daughter.”
Leaning back in the matching wood rocking chair, she fit Angel’s heart against her own and rubbed gentle circles on her back. “Really? Have you gotten the DNA results to confirm that? Because I seem to remember you being very doubtful of mine and Angel’s motives where your money was concerned.”
She wouldn’t give him an inch, and for some strange reason, he loved it. “I was an ass, okay?”
She nodded. “Be home at five every day, spend one full weekend day with Angel and put her to bed every night and I’ll stay.”
He looked at Krista, her look daring him to disagree or attempt to negotiate. He nodded, “Okay, I can do that.”
“No excuses, Dean.” Her tone was hard and he knew she meant business. “I don’t want you calling at the last minute to say you won’t be here, because when Angel is older, all she’ll know is that you’re not here. She won’t care about the reasons.”
Dean took in her words and remembered when he and Rory learned of their parent’s deaths. The only thing he’d thought about for days was that they’d left him because he was bad. “Okay. I’m in.” He extended his hand and rather than shaking it, she held him tight to help her stand and lay Angel in her crib.
He looked down at his sleeping daughter and thought she really was an Angel. He couldn’t resist touching her, rubbing her downy soft hair as she slept. “She’s so tiny.” His words were reverent, and the more he looked at his daughter the more connected he felt to her.
“Yes and she needs her father.”
“What about you Krista, what do you need?” His look was intense and he fingered one of her wild curls, twirling it around his finger playfully.
“I need more than an orgasm, Dean.” She stepped away from him and he followed her down the stairs.
“So you want a relationship with me?”
“No.”
He laughed at her quick denial. “Then what do you want from me?” He didn’t like when women played games. and he couldn’t figure out hers.
Turning so quickly her curls whipped around her face, she swiped them away. “Nothing Dean. I want nothing from you other than for you to be the father Angel needs.”
He followed her angry steps into the kitchen. “Even after what happened in the library, you still deny you want me?”
“I’ve
had
you, Dean, and it was great. But that’s not what I’m looking for in life. I shouldn’t have slept with you anyway!” She pulled out tons of ingredients from the fridge and angrily slapped together a sandwich.
“Why not? You just said it was great.”
“Because I don’t make it a habit of sleeping with men who don’t trust me!”
He shook his head. Would she ever get over his initial accusations? “Obviously I trust you! I leave my daughter alone with you!”
“Only because you can’t be bothered to give her what she needs! Besides, I’ve been with her since she was born because her parents were too busy with their exciting lives to give her the time of day!” She threw her sandwich on a plate and walked away.
This time he let her go.
~
Things had been cool between Dean and Krista in the days after their outburst in the kitchen. Dean kept his word and came home on time every night and she helped him with Angel’s nighttime activities. Once he committed himself to being a father, he’d taken to it brilliantly and she could admit she was impressed. He talked to Angel in a soothing voice, played with her and learned how to make her smile. The pride he felt at connecting with his daughter was written all over his handsome face.
She couldn’t believe it was going so well. As sad as she was that she wouldn’t be involved in the little girl’s life much longer, she was happy that Angel would have a father who obviously loved her. Dean may not know it, but he was totally smitten with the sweet baby. “Now just lay her over your heart and soothe her until she’s asleep.” She sat back and watched him put her words to action. His deep voice, calm and low, quickly sent Angel to sleep.
“That was amazing.” His smile was bright and proud as he followed her out of the bedroom. “Flora made lasagna for dinner, let’s go.” Without waiting for her answer he guided her downstairs and into the small informal dining room.
“It smells good,” she said politely as she sat. She poured wine into both glasses and lifted it. “To fatherhood and to closing the deal.”
He smiled and tapped his glass to hers. “And to beautiful women with endless patience.” He took a long sip, his gaze focused squarely on hers.
“So everything went smoothly yesterday?”
Her smile was genuine but he wondered at her interest in his latest acquisition. “Yep.”
“Oh for crying out loud Dean! I’m just asking because it took up so much of your time. Don’t worry, I’m not tallying up how much I can get from you!” She plated up a square of lasagna for herself and dug in, savoring the taste of garlic and basil and fresh tomatoes. Other than Angel, she would miss Flora’s amazing cooking when she was gone.
As she ate she internally chastised herself for being upset at Dean’s words. He’d shown he was a man incapable of changing his opinion, at least about her. It was a shame because he could be nice and charming when he wanted to be. But it was for the best. They hadn’t used protection that night in the library and as long as she kept her distance, she would be long gone before she found out if their careless actions produced any results. In a rare moment of clarity, she perfectly understood Karen’s actions now. Dean wasn’t a man capable of trust, and he would have made her life hell, insisting on a DNA test before Angel was even more, consequences be damned.
As much as Krista wanted a baby, she didn’t want a baby like this and she didn’t want one with Dean. Even though she had softened towards him over the past couple weeks, and he had shown himself to be more than the arrogant tycoon she’d first met, he was still far from her ideal mate. Besides, she would never want to spend her life with a man who thought all she wanted was his money.
Ironic
, she grinned,
considering the only thing he willingly gives of himself is his money
.
“What’s so amusing?”
She shook her head. “Nothing much. A thought I had just struck me as amusing.”
“Would you care to share?”
“Nope.” She finished eating and took her plate to the kitchen, where she rinsed it and put it away. “Goodnight, Dean.”
~
“Do you have a date yet for the Christmas Ball?”
Dean eyed his sister and his cousin from across his large desk. They both had suspicious smiles and he knew they were up to something. “Not yet, but I will.” His plan had been to ask Krista, but to say she’d been keeping her distance from him lately would be an understatement. She helped him with Angel every night and they ate dinner together, but she was so distant she may as well be on another planet. They had polite conversation about the weather and Angel and that was it. It was his fault, he knew, but a man couldn’t be expected to change overnight.
“I was thinking I’d invite Krista,” River said with a smile. “She works so hard and she has no friends or family. I think a ball would be a good way to thank her for taking care of Angel.”
“That’s a great idea!” Rory squealed, patting River’s arm enthusiastically. “I asked her to go and she said she wanted to spend as much time with Angel as possible before she left. Maybe you’ll have better luck.”
Both sets of eyes turned to him. “Krista is free to do whatever she pleases.” He hoped it didn’t please her to be River’s date for the ball, but if it did, he had no right to say anything. Especially with the way he constantly treated her.
“And you have no problem with that?” Rory’s all-knowing eyes sparkled with mischief.
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
“Probably because of the bra I found under the bookshelf in the library last week.” The amusement in River’s voice did not escape him.
That night felt so long ago that he couldn’t believe it was just a week ago. “Doesn’t matter. I screwed it up after that.”
“Of course you did, Dean; you’re an idiot when it comes to women.”
“Gee thanks, sis.”
Rory leaned forward. “Oh hush, you know I love you. But you have a problem. You hate women who chase you for your money ,but then you only date those types of women. I can tell Krista doesn’t want anything from you and I’m sure you’ve accused her on more than one occasion of being after your billions.”
He felt the flush roll over his face at his sister’s words. “I have been an ass to her on multiple occasions. She only speaks to me now when it’s necessary.” He hated the stilted silence between them. It ate at him and that look in her eyes, of constant rejection, tore him apart.
“See? An idiot.” Rory gave him a satisfied smile, pleased her description of him was accurate. “The good news is that she likes you as much as you like her, so there’s still a chance for you two.”
He balked at her words. “What do you mean? I don’t like her and she loathes me!”
River barked out a laugh. “You really are clueless. I guess it’s a good thing you’re not that clueless when it comes to business or we’d all be living under a bridge by now.” Dean’s narrowed gaze had River laughing again. “You both think you’re sneaking glances when the other isn’t looking. You’re not. We can all see it, Dean. So I suggest you get your head out of your ass or she’ll be gone on Christmas Eve just as she said.”