It was, of course, possible to not accept an invitation to any of the family get-togethers but, because of her strained relationship with her mother, Dana had spent most of her high school years over at the Sutherland house.Over the course of time, she’d become part of the family.So much so, she was always invited to a family gathering.To start refusing invitations at this point would mean trying to explain something she herself wasn’t quite sure about.
“Dana?”David stopped dancing.He pulled her to the side so they were standing behind one of the huge pillars.
“What?”she asked warily.
“I’m dancing with you, that’s all.Do you have to look so ticked off about it?”He was still smiling, damn him.
“I’m not ticked off, it’s just…”
He lifted his hand, and she forgot what she wanted to say.
Slowly, carefully, he combed his fingers through her hair.
Breathing became impossible.
“You’re beautiful.Have I mentioned that before?”His whispered words were accompanied by his usual devastating smile.
Dumbstruck, she looked up at him.That David Cavallo might think she was beautiful had never occurred to her.There was seldom a newspaper or magazine that didn’t carry a picture of one of the Cavallo men with a gorgeous woman at his side.David was no exception.She didn’t have time to worry about her looks, but compared to the beauties he’d been photographed with, she was a plain Jane.
“You don’t want to talk?”He smiled and lowered his head.“Well, that’s fine, because talking is not what I have in mind when I’m around you.”
And then he cupped her face with his hands and his lips claimed hers.She didn’t expect that, wasn’t ready for the sheer pleasure that streaked through her body, for the way her whole being responded to the simple action.Except being kissed by David was not simple.At all.
He lifted his head a fraction, still smiling lazily.Oh, so for him this was just something to while away the time.He’d gotten her all hot and bothered while he was apparently unaffected by the kiss.Well, they would have to see about that.She was not going to be the only one having steamy dreams tonight.
Without taking her eyes off his, she moved her hands slowly over his muscled torso.His smile slipped, his heart tripped under her fingers, and she grinned.Two could play this game.
She crept one hand around his neck, and she brought his head down.Just before their lips met, she cocked her head and bit his lower lip softly between her teeth.
A growl erupted from within his throat, but before she could chuckle triumphantly, he turned the tables and pinned her against the pillar.He moved his knee between her legs and skimmed her sides with his hands before his lips devoured hers.Everything else around them ceased to exist.
Desperately she tried to cling to reality, tried to remember this was David Cavallo.He would know all there was to know about her dad’s sordid story, but his arms closed around her and then nothing else seemed important anymore.
She sank into a stream of emotion, of feeling, where only her senses ruled.Every single rational thought left her mind and, resignedly, she stopped fighting the inevitable.Nothing could ever come of this; there would be no happily ever after like Caitlin and Zoe had, but Dana had this moment and she was going to enjoy it.
*
David was drowning—hecouldn’t get enough oxygen into his lungs.What the hell happened?
Kissing Dana Roux had seemed like a nice idea a few minutes ago, butnicewas certainly not the right word to describe what he was feeling.Something very primitive, something he’d never experienced before, had taken over his usually analytical mind.
As a trained journalist, he was used to relying on this skill.Although he’d said goodbye to that career a while ago now, the skill he’d trusted to gather facts, to come to rational conclusions, had never before deserted him.But, hell, there was no analytical way to explain what Dana’s warm body wrapped around his was doing to him, and the only conclusion that made sense was to get a room with a big bed as soon as possible.
A minute ago, he’d been in charge, putting the moves on Caitlin’s friend.After all, flirting with beautiful women was part of his daily life.It was kind of expected of him, especially now that two of his brothers were married.And he’d always thought Dana was stunning.She, on the other hand, made no secret of the fact that he irritated her to no end.
It had been a first for him.Women usually responded to his flirtations, to his smile.But not this blonde.As Caitlin’s best friend, she was usually around when his family and the Sutherlands got together.He’d never really asked why, but Dana seemed to be a fixed part of the Sutherland clan, and she was always invited.
Trying to get her to at least acknowledge his existence had become a challenge.And he was always up for one.So he had made a point of flirting with her whenever they met just to get a rise out of her.And she always reacted so predictably.
Until tonight, that is.Because tonight he’d apparently pushed buttons he probably should have left alone.
One second he’d been merely enjoying an easy kiss, but then she’d used her teeth on his lower lip, and easy changed to complicated within those sexy seconds.He was hard for this woman.He wanted her with a need so passionate it was scaring the living daylights out of him.
Someone laughed out loud close to him, and he lifted his head, gulping in some much needed fresh air.Dana looked stunned.The dazed expression on her face mirrored his feelings.
“Dana, I—” he began, but she shook her head and moved away quickly.
“Please don’t say anything.”She combed her fingers through her hair.They weren’t quite steady.“I agree, this was a huge mistake,” she said and gestured wildly.“Let’s blame the wine, the music, the night, whatever.You probably didn’t even know it was me you were kissing.Forget about it—I already have.”She tried a smile before she turned away.
