Whisper My Name Read online

  Danielle threw him a cautious smile and he caught it while she moved further into the kitchen toward him. He thought it was her legs that he liked most, but he knew now it was her smile. It caused him to lose his train of thought. Damn. He’d slept over. That was something he definitely didn’t do but he broke his own rule. Why didn’t he leave? He stared at her, wanting to take her back to bed. Again, he reminded himself he didn’t do sleep-overs. Ever.

  “I’m surprised you’re still here.” Her throaty voice sheathed around him, warming everything in him.

  Before he could answer, Lee turned and saw her. “Hey, girl. I thought you were going to sleep the day away. Good thing. I had the Silenator to keep me company.”

  Danielle’s eyes widened. “Who?”

  Lee nodded to Brody. “The brooding giant leaning against the counter. I’ve been telling him about all the fabulous and famous people I have worked with through the years and he didn’t say one word,” he snickered. “Danielle, girl, you must’ve worn his ass out last night. The man can’t talk.”

  “Shut up, Lee.” Brody said, setting the cup of coffee on the counter. Without thinking, he pulled Danielle to him and gave her a lingering kiss. She groaned, leaned into him, and he deepened the kiss.

  Lee noisily put the tray of breakfast sausages, eggs, fried potatoes, biscuits and blackberry jam on the table. “Can we at least eat before the two of you get nasty—again?”

  Danielle flattened her hands against Brody’s chest and managed to put some distance between them, but not because he wanted it.

  It was after twelve noon when Lee left the house again with the pretense he had something to do. Danielle wondered about it. She doubted he knew anyone in Dallas, but it never did take him long to make friends.

  In the den, Brody leaned his head against the sofa headrest with his eyes closed and his booted feet propped on the ottoman in front of him.

  Danielle sat beside him with her feet tucked beneath her legs. The television was on but the sound was low. They were watching an action-adventure movie while she snuck glances at him. She had expected Brody to leave, but he surprised her by staying. He had followed her into the family room, turned on the television, and sat beside her without speaking a word.

  Staring at him, she wondered what made him tick. He was different from any boy or man she knew, especially Rio and Jon. Both were macho men who felt the world—women needed to bow to their command. They thought flattery and cajoling women were an art form they’d mastered. Most who crossed her path didn’t want to hear or know a woman’s opinion, deciding that a woman’s beauty was the defining factor.

  Brody never really laughed. He was very private and she didn’t know much about him. What she did know was what Sally told her. His silences didn’t bother her a bit. As she watched him, he looked relaxed and comfortable to the point of lazy, but underneath the surface lurked awareness and an edge she knew was there. He was a puzzle. She didn’t have all the pieces, but the ones she did have, didn’t fit into the holes.

  “Stop thinking so hard. Just ask me.”

  She could feel warmth fan her cheeks at being caught staring again. Damn. How did he do it? He turned his deep green orbs on her.

  “What?” She sounded calm but despite her best efforts, her heart rate increased at the scrutiny. For an hour they had sat beside each other without talking. The peaceful atmosphere wasn’t something she was used to, but she felt its calming effect. It felt surreal—intimate. It gave her a chance to observe him without him being aware. Evidently she had been wrong—he did notice.

  She was keen to ask questions but knew she needed to tread with care. Shit. She’d slept with the man but she didn’t know anything about him. Maybe she should keep it that way. No entanglements.

  He sat up, facing her. “You want to know why I’m still here. Why, after you gave me an out, one night and nothing more, why I didn’t take you up on your offer?”

  “Why did you—stay—? I mean you didn’t have to.” She bit her lip, hating that she sounded needy. What was wrong with her? What happened to the strong, independent woman she’d always believed herself to be? She didn’t need a man, but damn if she didn’t want one—him.

  He stared. “I don’t know why I stayed.”

  She waited, scanning his every feature, her senses starved for the feel and taste of him. Damn. If this is what happened with one night, what the hell would a week or a month be like? He seemed to sense her need.

  His lips captured hers and they both groaned at the impact. She loved kissing him. It brought her to such a fever pitch that she found herself releasing mini orgasms. She felt herself being lifted, and then she was straddling his thighs, her sundress riding up around her hips.

  Her vow that it would be one night escaped her mind. Her brain focused on the thing that mattered at the moment—what he was doing to her, the powerful desire of being held and kissed by a man who made her do and feel things she never thought were possible.

  He took his time making love to her mouth. Finally, he released her mouth, giving her needed air she craved in her lungs. He caressed her cheeks, sliding to her neck and suckling the pulse.

  He swooped her into his arms, gathering her close and causing her to giggle. He strolled with her to the bedroom. Dropping her on the bed, she bounced before resting on her arms. She watched as he removed his clothes, and then hers. He placed an arm on either side of her body and crawled, laying full length on her. With an uncontrollable need, her hands stroked his skin with urgency, liking the smoothness of his muscles. With a synchronized glide, his hands moved in a similar pattern, stroking her sides, her breasts, her stomach. Although, a businessman, his hands had the roughness of ranch work, which she loved. She wrapped her legs around his lean waist, enjoying the sensation of her heels embedded in the grooves of his back.

  He lifted his head, staring at her with a fiery blaze in his emerald eyes. He leaned into her and kissed her hungrily, harder, deeper. The fire between them erupted into a cosmic explosion.

  “I want you,” she grunted, grasping at him.

  “Then you’ll have me.” He eased his hard muscled dick into her channel with precision. She gasped at the sensation. He wasn’t all the way in but she felt as if she was full to the brim. He watched her face as he continued the progression. He thrust deeply. She opened her mouth, no sound escaped. He pulled out and thrust again.

  “Am I hurting you?” He held her gaze.

  She couldn’t form any words so she shook her head no. She arched beneath him to give him her answer, urging, wanting, and needing more. Answering her call, or perhaps the needs of his own body, he moved faster, harder while she gripped his shoulders and moved with him. The sensual connection of their bodies meshing and sliding together caused ripples to run through nerves, making each movement more sensitive than the last. With each stroke, she was headed to the edge. When it came, the release was more intense, more explosive than anything she had ever experienced. He groaned as he filled her core with his semen. He slumped on her, his breathing erratic. She rubbed his back in soothing circular movements, enjoying the connection between them. Brody dropped to her side. Throwing an arm across his eyes, he breathed deeply, taking in large gulps of air.

  She wanted to snuggle in his arms, but Brody was different—they didn’t have that type of a relationship. This was just sex. But she’d never had just a sexual relationship. It was liberating and also scary. She wasn’t as experienced as he thought. Brody was the third man she’d slept with. Her college boyfriend, Danny, had been a virgin like her. They had fumbled together. The act hadn’t been fulfilling. Then there was Rio, who sometimes could be selfish and demanding when it came to sex. But Brody was a power to deal with. He didn’t take his pleasure until he was sure she had hers. Thinking about him caused her juices to escape. She wanted him again. What in the hell was she doing? Danielle took deep breaths and inched away from him.

  He pulled her back. “What are you doing?”

  S
he threw him a quick glance. “Giving you space.”

  “Did I ask for it?”

  She laughed and then yawned. “No.” She tucked her head beneath his arm.

  He grunted, pulled the sheet over them, and resumed holding her close.

  It was late afternoon and all she wanted to do was sleep. Decadent—outrageous—new and she liked it. Fighting sleep, she settled into Brody’s arms and let sleep claim her. A little uncomfortable with his possessive hold but accepting it, she threw her arm across his bare waist. And with a small sigh, she resigned herself to where fate had placed her. The last thing she remembered was Brody caressing her hair with feather light kisses.

  ###

  Danielle was in a dream where she was cocooned in strong arms, held against a hot, hard chest and enjoying the feeling. She felt protected. Wanted. Then she was jerked from the dream by a loud buzzer going off. Reaching toward the offending sound, she fumbled and found the object of her distress and hit it with all her might. Groaning, she lifted herself up on her elbow squinting in the semi-darkness. A harsh light from the ceiling was flicked on, causing her to blink rapidly.

  “No need to kill the alarm. It’s time for you to get up anyway. You’ve been sleeping for hours.”

  She looked over her shoulder and frowned at the person standing in the middle of her bedroom wearing iridescent, bright green pants that looked more like a second skin—and a long yellow blouse with green polka dots. Sleep tugged at her, she forced it away and sat up, mindful to keep her hand on the sheet covering her breasts.

  “What do you want, Lee?” A weary hand ran through her hair moving it from her face. She closed her eyes for a moment and then leaned against the headboard.

  “I have Chinese food sitting in the warmer in the kitchen. Get up so we can eat.”

  “Chinese food?” She opened her eyes. “In the morning? What time is it anyway?” She squinted at the digital clock on the nightstand.

  “Past dinner time.”

  “Dinner? Give me a moment to get my bearings. You know I hate being jolted awake.” She yawned. “Did you set my alarm?”

  “I did.”

  “Why would you do that?”

  “You slept a long time. You and Silenator screwed all morning and well into the evening. Just nasty.”

  “Please don’t go there, Lee.”

  “If I continued to let you, you wouldn’t make it through the night without waking. I don’t need a cranky ass diva on my hands tomorrow morning.” Lee flopped on the bed and peered at her, a frown forming between his arched brows. “Girl, you got hickeys on your neck.” He snatched the sheet from her breasts. “Oh, my goodness. They’re also on your boobs. Girl, you and your man must’ve done some rough shit.”

  “Lee!” she said, grabbing the fabric to cover her breasts again, tucking it underneath her arms.

  “Don’t worry. You don’t have anything I want.” He laid across the bed, propping his head on his hand.

  “Mr. Hunk put it to you real good, sweetie.” He fanned himself. “Damn! I’m getting hot.”

  “I’m not discussing this with you, Lee.”

  He giggled. “In case you want to know, Silenator left here a few hours ago. He told me to let you sleep.” He pulled a half sheet of paper from his pocket. “This is for you.”

  She rolled her eyes and snatched the paper from him. “I’m sure he didn’t hand it to you but left it somewhere for me to read.”

  “Sure did. Right there on the pillow where he’d laid his sexy head.”

  She frowned and squared him with an angry stare. “You came in and took it from my bed!”

  He sat up and crossed his legs. “Sure did.”

  “That is an invasion of my privacy. Don’t you have any shame?”

  “None whatsoever.”

  “Is there a small chance you didn’t read it?” She put two fingers together, leaving a very tiny space between them. With a fist, she tapped her forehead. “Now that’s a stupid question. Of course you read it. You’re nosey as hell.”

  “No need to get hostile.” He stood with attitude and placed his hands on his slim hips. “Are you going to read it or not?”

  She glared at him. “Do you mind? I would like to be alone.”

  “I already know what it says. He had to leave because of an emergency at his ranch but he will call you later.” He tilted his head. “He called you princess. Isn’t that sweet?”

  Danielle shook her head in bewilderment. “I can’t believe you sometimes.”

  “Doesn’t matter because I’m one of your best friends. We have no secrets. Now this thing with Silenator.” He flipped his hands in careless matter. “I like what I see. Of course, being the detective I am.”

  “You’re not a detective, Lee.”

  “Well, not in the literal sense, but I have a keen eye. Nothing gets past me.”

  Danielle rolled her eyes. “Oh, brother.”

  “Now since it’s already after eight o’clock, he’ll probably be calling you any minute.”

  At that precise moment, the phone on the nightstand table rang.

  “What did I tell you?” Lee said with a satisfied grin and sat back on the bed.

  She picked up the phone. “Hello. Could you hold on a moment?” She covered the mouthpiece with her hand. “Get out Lee.”

  He laughed, waved his fingers, and walked out.

  “Shut the door behind you,” she yelled.

  Once it was closed, she removed her hand. “Hi.”

  “Did you get the note I left?” Brody asked in his deep and sexy tone. It sounded tired and rushed.

  “Yes,” she said, looking at the note in her hand. “You left for an emergency.”

  “A few of my steers got caught in barb wire.”

  “Are they okay?”

  He yawned. “Forgive me. It was tough going at first. One was hurt badly, but the vet is optimistic which means I am too.”

  “I’m glad.”

  They had slept together but she didn’t know where they went from there or what to say. She wanted to ask him if he was coming back tonight or when she would see him again but didn’t. She waited for him to give a clue to what was next.

  “Are you okay?” he asked.

  “Yes. Why wouldn’t I be?”

  “It got intense between us. I was rough. I was concerned I might’ve hurt you.”

  “It was perfect.”

  She bit her lip. Why did she say that? The sex between them had been explosive. When people talked about mountains moving and being elevated to another atmosphere, she now understood what the fuss was all about. Sex with Rio had been good, but compared to her experience with Brody, well, there it was no comparison.

  The dead silence grew. The sudden distance lay on the line between them, creating an unexpected awkwardness. He was silent for so long she thought he had fallen asleep or hung up. Danielle crossed her arms underneath her breasts and looked at the darkness through the opened curtains in her bedroom. She felt the emptiness. The loneliness.

  Brody finally asked, “Have you eaten?”

  “Lee bought Chinese food. How about you? ”

  “I’ll get something later.”

  “I’m sure there’s plenty food here...if…you. Why don’t you come to the house?” she trailed off.

  No sound through the phone could be heard.

  She sounded needy and that isn’t what she wanted to convey. Her mouth became dry and her hands gripped the phone tightly.

  “I’m finished, Danielle,” he said and almost sounded sorry about it.

  “Finished?” she whispered. She felt the pain in the word.

  “Last night was good, but it’s over. I told you I don’t do relationships.”

  “Stop. It was a one-time thing for me too.” She lied. Swallowing the thump in her throat, she took a deep breath. “No pressure. Remember?”

  “I—”

  “Look, I got to go. Take care of yourself.” She hung up the phone and squeezed her eyes to hold ba
ck the sudden rush tears that threatened to explode. She refused to cry. She just wouldn’t. She wiped her eyes with the back of her hands. She’d asked for one night. It was amazing and she got more than she bargained. She wouldn’t think about him anymore. Her head screamed it was over but her heart didn’t comply.

  Brody didn’t do relationships. It was something she knew from the beginning. Damn. It didn’t stop her from feeling more than she had in a long time. Why didn’t he feel what she felt? Why didn’t he want her as much as she wanted him? They completed each other but he didn’t see it or rather he refused to see it.

  It was over.

  She threw the phone on the bed, closed her eyes and slapped her hand against her forehead. Frustration and hurt oozed through her. She rolled into a tight, fetal position, trying to squash the tightness in her chest. Inwardly, she moaned and cried

  “Stupid, stupid, stupid,” she murmured, swallowing the painful thump in her throat.

  “You’re talking to yourself, girl.”

  Danielle opened her eyes to see Lee peering at her. She sat up and swung her legs on the side of the bed, tucking the sheet beneath her arms.

  “I didn’t hear you come in.”

  “I know,” he said and flopped on the bed, causing it to bounce. “What’s got you twisted in a knot? Is Silenator bringing his fine ass over tonight? If so, I know how to disappear, again, so the both of you can go at it like dogs in heat again.”

  Danielle squeezed her eyes tight for a moment. “No, he’s not coming.”

  “Why not?”

  “A problem at the ranch with one of his steers.”

  “Oh… I see.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Good. I don’t want you making more of this than it is. Brody and I shared a moment—nothing more. Besides, I won’t be seeing him again.”

  Lee gasped. “Whoa! What in the world just happened here?”

  “Drop it. Lee. I’m not going to discuss this with you.”

  “I know you, girl. You haven’t been with anyone since that dickhead, Rio. You pushed Brody away didn’t you? Look, everyone gets hurt at least once in their life, you can’t judge all relationships on one asshole.”