Alveus (ABC's Inc. Romance #1) Read online

  “We’ll get to that. How about starting with that all knowing, wiser than God, I-told-you-so grin you were wearing when I kissed Aly.” Oma clasped her hands together and brought back the smile.

  “It was so sweet; you two are perfect for each other and you present such a beautiful couple,” she was genuinely pleased. “I just love her, Daney. I’m aware that something happened between the two of you last week to cause a tiff, but insisting upon a kiss was a good start at patching things up. I can see that you love her.”

  “Oma you need to slow down, things are not as perfect as you assume.”

  “Is it because she still refuses to marry you, Daney? Is that what the argument was about, because you called her your fiancée? I heard you were in a jealous rage,” she giggled – actually giggled! Dane had to admit that he never remembered seeing his grandmother act this way before. It put him at a loss. My God, what had he done by pulling this façade over on her? But, she was still talking…

  “…because she loves you, too. I know these things. You don’t get to be my age without learning the tell-tale signs.” She paused at the serious look on his face. “Daney, please don’t push her away; don’t push away your chance at happiness, jungen.”

  Dane gazed into the faded hazel eyes of the only woman he has ever loved; her worried eyes reflected that love back at him. There was only one thing to do – change the subject.

  “About that conversation I overheard…”

  Oma sent Dane out in search of Aly, saying she wanted to rest her eyes a bit. It wasn’t hard to find her; she had cornered some poor sap with her red-headed temper.

  “It is totally unacceptable!” she raged. “Frau Brighton has been here for the better part of the day and no one has seen fit to take care of the scrape on her leg.”

  “I’m sorry, ma’am, but we’ve been backed up here. The doctor was more concerned with finding any broken bones…”

  “Just give me the bloody supplies and I’ll do it myself! All she needs is some antiseptic and a bandage. And some pain meds – can you at least send someone in there to give her some pain meds?”

  Dane decided he’d better rescue the unfortunate porter. He took hold of Aly’s shoulders and turned her around.

  “Come, liebling, I’m sure he’s doing his best. Oma is resting right now.”

  “Even a small wound can get an infection if it’s not properly taken care of, Dane.”

  “I’m certain your right.”

  Dane had been steering Aly to the waiting lounge and gave her a gentle push onto the couch. She looked exhausted. There were dark circles under her eyes. “I’m here now, I’ll take over looking out for Oma,” he tried to reassure her.

  “That’s right; I’m not allowed to care about her,” she murmured sleepily, “I’m just a thing to be used and discarded. Soon sweet Oma will just be a memory as I continue to do my thing, thing.” Her words rambled off as she fell asleep in his arms.

  What the…? She seemed okay moments ago when she was in Oma’s room. Then he finds her ranting at some poor bloke, and now she’s like the walking dead – spouting off some irrational nonsense.

  “It’s good to see her sleep.”

  Dane was startled by Bruna’s appearance.

  “She hasn’t been sleeping since the fight you two had. Oh, she acted fine around your grandmother. I guess she didn’t want to worry her. The rest of the time she was like a zombie, wouldn’t talk to anyone, didn’t eat much. I’d look out the window at night and see her out there staring at the stars as if she was trying to find answers in them. It must be your arms about her that’s made her relax.” She lifted the bag she held. “I brought some decent food for Marta. You just sit tight; I’ll keep your grandmother company while she eats.”

  Dane slouched further down in the seat and propped his feet up on the table. The movement caused Aly to cuddle further into his chest – he could get used to this. Soon he joined her in slumber; truth is he hadn’t been sleeping much since the “fight,” either.

  When he woke up, Aly was gone.

  Chapter Six

  Keith Ingram had insisted on meeting with Dane at the Schwindelig Hund. It was the same tavern that had started him down this screwed up emotional ride. Like the last time, Dane was quickly becoming intoxicated.

  “Okay, I’m not going to stop feeding you biers until you explain what the hell is going on with you,” his friend threatened.

  Dane wasn’t sure he understood what was going on, himself. He’d never been one to think about emotions and crap like that, so he certainly wasn’t up for dissecting his feelings for Aly.

  “Oma’s been faking her illness,” he said.

  “Well, that scheming old bat! I’ll bet that housekeeper was in on it too, they’re as tight as Siamese twins.”

  Dane grabbed Keith’s collar and yanked his face close.

  “That’s my Oma you just slandered!” he snarled. Sometimes Keith’s arrogance just got on his nerves.

  “Okay, I’m sorry; I meant it affectionately,” his friend surrendered. “Man, you are wound tight! So, does that mean you’re finished with Miss Prost?”

  “The ice queen? No, I don’t think so, Oma loves her. Besides, I’d have to admit that our relationship was a hoax.”

  “Not necessarily, you could stage a break-up.”

  “No,” Dane shook his head, “Not for a while, anyway; Oma’s too smitten with the idea of me being in love.”

  Keith stared at him a moment. “Are you?” he finally asked.

  “You claim to know me and yet you still ask such an idiotic question?”

  “Well you’ve been acting out of character, lately. Is she that good in bed?” Keith snickered.

  “I wouldn’t know, every time I get close to her she freezes up on me,” Dane admitted.

  “You’re shitting me,” Keith said. “Is the great Dane Wellesley losing his magic with women?”

  Dane tilted his head toward the bar where two women sat giggling with each other and throwing come-hither stares his way.

  “What do you think?” he asked.

  “So then, what are you going to do?” his friend wanted to know. “It’s in her contract to take care of your needs.”

  “Her wifely duties,” Dane corrected. “Technically we aren’t married.”

  “Still, what’s she trying to pull? I can have a talk with her, if you want.”

  “No, why should I do anything? Oma’s happy, that’s all that matters. I’ll just make sure it’s a long engagement and avoid setting a wedding date. Work keeps me occupied, and there are other fish in the sea that can satisfy my hunger.”

  “Okay, so you’ve got it all figured out,” Keith said. He glanced at his watch. “I just want to know one thing, before I join the sweet little frollein waiting for me at her place. What was the so-called jealous rage all about? I saw the pictures posted on the internet and I must say that you looked pretty angry to me.”

  “I found Aly alone on the terrace with Dupree.”

  “Armand Dupree, the man-whore? Do they know each other?” his friend asked, intrigued. “Maybe they’ve worked together before.”

  “I don’t think so,” Dane answered. “He was pawing at her, trying to persuade her to leave me and run off with him to the south of France.”

  “What did she say?”

  “Didn’t give her a chance, did I? I told him to keep his bloody hands off of her and escorted her out of the place.”

  Ingram looked at him suspiciously.

  “What?” Dane asked, “She’s being paid to be madly in love with me. It wouldn’t look right if I turned a blind eye to her cavorting with Dupree, of all people.”

  “I agree,” Keith said, standing up. “And now I must take my leave. I told the barkeep to make sure he calls you a cab. Can’t have you driving under the influence, can we?”

  “Gee thanks, you’re all heart!” Dane waved him away and ordered another drink.

  »ɞ»ɞ«ɞ«

  Lexi was dr
eaming of Dane – again.

  It seemed every time she shut her eyes she would relive the thrill of his hands on her, and his lips… she would wake up with her treacherous body yearning for more. When conscious, Lexi would return to her senses. It had come to a point where she dreaded closing her eyes. The only restful sleep she’d received since that night was this afternoon at the hospital – in Dane’s arms. Apparently it only served to intensify her desire, because this dream wasn’t stopping where the others had. A huskily whispered voice filtered into her ear, followed by a playful nip to its lobe.

  “Open your eyes, Sleeping Beauty. I want to see the fire shoot from them, as you explode in ecstasy under my touch.”

  “Dane,” her dream shrouded voice moaned.

  “Yes, liebling, do you want me to stop?”

  “Um…yes – no!” Lexi’s eyes fluttered open, as the caresses paused.

  “Well, which is it?” he teased. “I take no satisfaction in pleasuring a woman against her will.”

  “No,” she repeated, only slightly desperate. Her body wriggled impatiently.

  “No what?” Still teasing, he played with the elastic on her panties, sliding his finger along her hipbone. She wriggled some more.

  “No, I don’t want you to stop,” she groaned, even as his mouth came down on hers and his hands continued their magic.

  Lexi’s groan turned into moans as her body flooded with sensual pleasure. It filled and rose like heated mercury, ebbing and rising in waves until it finally exploded, bursting through her body with convulsions. From a distance she heard her voice scream out his name.

  “Look at me, mein liebes.”

  Obediently, Lexi sank into the warm golden pools of Dane’s eyes, as her body began its retreat back to earth.

  “No, not yet, liebling,” he said, their eyes still locked. “We take the next trip together.”

  “I can’t… I… Oh!”

  Lexi’s body began its climb again as his lips and hands orchestrated. Her breathing became sporadic and then stopped as he entered her. She felt the slight pain, her body’s virginal response to the intrusion. Dane paused, but she eddied her body closer, continuing where he’d stopped. She wanted their bodies to meld together, two feeling as one. Her passion screamed for the intimacy of another soul bonded to hers. He responded in kind and took over. Deeper and deeper he made his way into the empty hollow that had been her core. Lexi cried out as the connection was made, and she felt alive again.

  Dane gently rolled onto his back, pulling her on top of him. Lexi’s head lay on his chest – her shelter, her refuge, her home. “I love you Daney.” Their heartbeats slowed, the rhythmic beats lulling her to sleep.

  When she woke, he was gone.

  Stretching her body awake, Lexi realized she was smiling. She couldn’t remember the last time she had slept so well. For years she had woken throughout the night worrying about her mother; it had become such a habit that she’d continued sleeping sporadically even after her mother’s death. Of course there were also the nightmares… Every night Lexi’s sleep was intruded upon with memories of her mother before she’d become sick, drawing her back into happier times. Then, just as Lexi basked in the maternal love, her mother would turn into a screaming monster, physically attacking her.

  Glancing at the clock, Lexi took in the fact that she had slept through most of the morning. Rolling out of bed, she stumbled with her first few steps toward the shower – a reminder of last night’s activities. Her smile widened. Warning bells rang out from the back of her mind – the prudent section – but the morning’s euphoria tamped it down.

  Lexi emerged from the shower feeling energized and invigorated. She pulled on the same tired pair of jeans, wishing she had something new to wear for Dane. After applying blush and mascara, she drew her hair back into a half-braided ponytail and went off in search of some coffee.

  A large arrangement of flowers garnered the main focal point in her sitting room. Its beauty drew Lexi in. Standing out amidst a jungle of greenery were delicate white orchids with deep, dark, velvety red lips. Leaning into one of the dainty blossoms, she inhaled its sweet aroma. A card attached was addressed to Aly.

  “These rare and exquisite blooms reminded me of you – Dane.”

  Lexi didn’t realize she’d let out a contented sigh until she heard it echoed from behind her. Turning, she caught Frieda watching from the door.

  “They are beautiful, aren’t they?” the young woman expressed in a longing voice. “It’s so romantic.” Lexi didn’t answer, but a smile remained plastered on her face. The frollein continued to stand where she was, swathed in her own thoughts

  “I was just on my way to get some coffee,” Lexi mentioned.

  Breaking from her stupor, Frieda remembered her mission. “Oh, that’s right,” she fluttered, “Frau Brighton has asked that you join her for brunch in her sitting room.”

  “Oh, she’s home already?”

  “Yes, Herr Wellesley brought her home before he left,” she replied.

  Lexi’s brain got stuck on the “before he left” portion of the sentence. Mumbling some version of a thank you, she crossed the hall to Oma’s sitting room. She wasn’t sure why she felt disappointed, perhaps it was good that she wouldn’t have to face an awkward “morning after” moment with Dane. Still, she couldn’t help feeling deserted. Shaking her head, Lexi put the thought out of her mind – he’d sent flowers to make up for his absence.

  »ɞ»ɞ«ɞ«

  Seated on a plane headed for Hong Kong, Dane could not purge Aly from his thoughts. He’d been called upon to meet personally with the executives of a high profile Chinese corporation. They claimed that the products Brighton Industries had sold them were faulty. He’d been going over the specs on his tablet, but his concentration was off. Damn it, this meeting was of huge importance to his company!

  He’d never felt such a connection with a woman before – physically or mentally. Last night just put those responses over the top. He tried to convince himself that he’d just had too much to drink, but he knew that was not the answer. True, the alcohol had given him the nerve to enter Aly’s room last evening, although once he saw her… She was asleep wearing only panties and a skimpy tank top. Pajama bottoms had been thrown haphazardly on a nearby chair. He smiled; apparently she’d gotten too warm – the covers were also tossed. Dane admitted that perhaps the alcohol had also buried his propriety, as he shed his clothing and slid into her bed. Funny, she never showed surprise at his presence. He was convinced that she shared the same connection.

  Aly had seemed so vulnerable and innocent… and yet encouraging, like a playful kitten, purring and writhing against his caresses. There was no sign of the ice queen. No, he had caught her with her guard down. Dane gained some satisfaction in the knowledge that he had beaten the schemer at her own little game. He had broken through her resistance, but then his stomach clenched – he had broken through something else as well. She was a virgin. How was that possible?

  At first Dane thought he must have mistaken, after all, he’d never been with a virgin before. Like every other pubescent youth, he’d taken the required sex ed class and knew about the thin membrane partially blocking a virgin’s road to paradise. Had he felt a slight resistance, milliseconds before it gave way? Aly had tensed for a moment. Startled he hesitated, until her movements ignited his passion once again. Convinced that it was his imagination, Dane surrendered himself to the pleasure, the taste, the feel, the smell… of Aly.

  Passed out from bliss, Dane had dozed off with his goddess wrapped protectively in his arms. When he awoke after a short nap, he found the evidence of blood on the condom he’d used. That was the moment he sobered… a virgin – but how?

  Determined to get answers (even if he had to rouse Keith out of the arms of his sweet frollein,) Dane gathered up his belongings and returned to his room. He never got around to calling his friend; his voice mail was bombarded by urgent calls from the Hong Kong office.

  With a s
igh Dane focused his attention back to the specifications for the electric car engine Brighton Industries had shipped to the Chinese manufacturer. He concentrated specifically on imported parts and the companies they’d bought them from. He felt confident that his people in Germany hadn’t fouled things up.

  Dane was glad that he’d been able to spring Oma from the hospital and see that she was comfortably ensconced in her bedroom, before he had to leave. She understood how important it was for him to rush off. The flight to Hong Kong is twelve hours and the meeting was set for the following day. With the time difference, he would barely get a few hours sleep before tackling the executives. God knows how little sleep he’d gotten last night. He kept replaying his time with Aly and, truth be told, it took everything he had not to climb back into bed with her.

  Of course, then there was his guilty conscience. He isn’t a bad guy; there’s really not a mean bone in his body. Everyone who works for him likes and respects him. All of the women he’d escorted before knew from the beginning that there would be no relationship involved. Sure a few tried to insinuate themselves deeper into his life, but he had kindly declined. It was a habit of his to send flowers after an evening’s engagement, with a generic thank you for a memorable time together. Sometimes he included jewelry, but never had he felt guilt. So, why now? Because, Aly was an innocent. And because he’d heard the soft, sleep ridden whisper she’d spoken before she succumbed to sleep – I love you Daney. It bore deep into his soul. An unfamiliar part of him felt a thrill, but the real truth is, Dane Wellesley doesn’t know how to love.

  »ɞ»ɞ«ɞ«

  Lexi consented to Bruna’s offer to throw out the last dying orchid. It had been almost two weeks without a word from Dane. Oh, he’d spoken to Oma a couple of times, but as far as she knew he’d never mentioned her. She thought they had shared a connection – she and Dane, but what did she know? Apparently she had earned the same place in Dane’s life as the rest of his female companions. The life and hope that had reignited in her during intimacy now bore resemblance to the slowly wilting flowers. She threw the card he’d sent into the bin with the pitiful bloom.