He jumped up and picked her up.Damn it, that was it!She struggled, but he ignored it and walked to the couch where he sat down, his arms still around her.
She turned her face into his neck and quietly cried.She clutched his shirt, and her body shivered against his.A tenderness he didn’t understand made him gather her closer while his hands moved rhythmically over her back.
He wished he could miraculously take her hurt away, but he also knew that wasn’t possible.
Her phone rang.She lifted her head and took her phone from her bag then sighed and closed her eyes for a moment.
“I have to take this,” she said and got up.“Hi, Mom,” she said as she walked away and stood with her back turned toward him.
“I was in Cape Town… I’m sorry, I didn’t know…”
It was quiet for a few minutes.
“But I gave you money last week.”Dana lowered her voice but the frustration in her tone was unmistakable.
“My car broke down.I’m not sure—” Silence again.
“Okay, Mother, I’ll see what I can do.”She sighed resignedly as she hung up.She stood for a while before turning back to face him.
Chapter Seven
Dana walked backslowly to where David was still sitting on the couch.She wished she could simply walk past him, close her bedroom door, and pretend she never had a telephone conversation with her mother.
But he’d obviously heard the whole thing.“You probably heard that, right?”she asked.
He nodded.
“It’s my mom.This whole thing with my dad hit her hard.She is struggling to cope with what happened.And, on top of everything, she is struggling financially.”
“This has nothing to do with me, but didn’t your dad provide for her?”
Dana nodded.“Yes, he did, but I suppose with everything getting so expensive…” She shrugged.
“Don’t you have a brother?”David asked.“Does he help out?”
“He lives and works in Dubai.My mom visited him over Christmas last year, so he does his bit.”
David stared at her for a moment.“Have you spoken to your mother’s financial advisor?I assume your dad would have had someone look after his affairs.”
Dana nodded.“Yes, but my mother and he sorted out my dad’s things.”
David leaned forward.“Look, I know this is none of my business, but I suggest you talk to this guy.Try to find out exactly what her situation is.Maybe, I don’t know, it’s just a matter of helping her manage her affairs?”
“More coffee?”Ignoring David’s question, she picked up the mugs.The last thing she wanted was for David to become involved in her family problems.It was humiliating enough that he’d had to bring her home today.
Behind her, David moved and she felt his presence.He took the mugs from her and put them behind him on the kitchen counter.“No, thanks.What about your car?”
“I’ll sort it out, thanks,” she said, trying a smile.“I’ve been waiting for the school break before looking for a new car, so now I have time.”
“I’m staying at Don’s house for the weekend,” David said.“If you like, I could pick you up…”
She lifted her chin.“I’m quite capable of buying my own car, thank you.”She turned toward the front door.“Well, thank you for bringing me home… I’m sure you have other things to do…”
She trailed off.David had moved quickly and was standing in front of her.
“Oh, I have lots of other things to do…” He growled, his eyes flashing once before he bent his head down.Without closing his eyes, he caught her bottom lip between his teeth, much the same way she’d bitten him a few days ago.
A shiver ran down her spine; his eyes darkened.
