Whisper My Name Read online

  “But you’re very much aware of me and that’s what has makes you scared.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Get over yourself.”

  Brody moved even closer, backing her up against the wall. “I want you, Danielle…bad.”

  “Well, you can’t have me.”

  “Do you want to bet on it?”

  “You said no games.”

  “This is real.”

  Her eyes and mouth opened wide. Finally, he had shut her up. She was a beautiful fire blazing in front of him. He’d been burned and now he wanted to go up in flames. He pushed her up against the wall.

  “You …must…stop…” Her breathing was erratic.

  His eyes roamed her lips. “No.”

  “I mean —”

  Brody’s lips claimed hers. He groaned at the impact. When she kissed him back he was lost. The sweetness of her lips consumed him. The kiss was hot and oh so sexy. He captured her tongue while hers battled seductively against his, tempting him to surrender his control. Her moan joined his and they began the mating dance together.

  “Brody…” she whispered his name against her his lips.

  He released her mouth and attacked her neck, planting wet kisses along her pulse. She shook her head, a deep moan rose from her throat. He captured her mouth, again, and resumed the assault.

  Brody ran his hand over her breast, squeezing the nipple and making it stand to attention. He lifted her against the wall; her legs circled and clasped him around his hips. He pushed aside the sarong. He moved the bikini bottom aside until he felt her slippery heat.

  “Shh,” he uttered. His fingers parted the swollen folds to explore deeper into their depths. Her breathing was choppy and sexy. Brody pushed more and felt her muscles clench his fingers into a strong grip. He growled as he watched her eyes. She ran her tongue over her lips giving them a wet shine. He shook as pleasure took her by storm. His thumb ran over the distended flesh to calm the tremors.

  “Cum for me, Danielle.”

  Her eyes fluttered opened and he watched the look of surprise hit her eyes. “Brody…”

  “I got you, darling.”

  She shivered from the fever and then dropped her head onto his chest, taking in deep breaths.

  He removed his fingers from her heat. Her legs fell from around him and slid to the floor. She stumbled and he reached out to hold her up.

  She gulped for air, trying to catch her breath. “That should’ve never happened.”

  “It was bound to happen sooner or later.” He took a handkerchief from his back pant pocket. Holding her gaze, he licked his fingers, slowly, and then wiped them, storing the cloth in front pocket.

  She swallowed hard, pushing at his chest. “No, it wasn’t.” He didn’t budge.

  He leaned forward for another taste of her lips.

  She turned her head. “Stop, Brody. This was a huge mistake.”

  “I disagree.”

  She sucked her teeth and pushed at his chest again. “Will you please move?”

  He reluctantly stepped back. She smoothed the sarong and stepped away from him.

  There was a quick knock on the door before it opened.

  Ashton walked in. If he was surprised to see Danielle with him, it didn’t show. “Brody, I was told you were in the house. I didn’t know you were coming.”

  “Sally hounded me about coming.”

  Ashton laughed. “You never could deny your sister anything.”

  “I decided I’d stop by at the last minute.”

  “Yeah, sure you did. I know you don’t like crowds and I find you hiding out in your favorite room in my home.” Ashton grinned. “When did get you back in town?”

  “I landed an hour ago and came straight here from the airport. I ran into Danielle at the bar.”

  He looked at both of them for a long moment. “Well, Nicole loves to entertain family and friends. It doesn’t take much for her to get a group of people over to celebrate any occasion.”

  “What’s the occasion today?”

  “We’re celebrating Danielle’s new job.”

  “I see.” Brody frowned at her. “What is it?”

  Ashton raised an inquiring brow. “She’s the new face and spokesperson for Adore Cosmetics? It’s been in all over newspapers and magazines.”

  “I didn’t read the newspapers in Saudi Arabia. I was out on the rig.”

  “It’s big news. To have Nicole tell it, every model in the world was vying for the contract. But our girl here beat out every one of them.”

  Brody stared at her. “I’m not surprised. Congratulations.”

  “Thanks,” she said, but kept her eyes trained on Ashton, refusing to look at Brody. “I’m going to find Nicole. Ashton, I’ll see you later.”

  Brody watched her walk out the door. He was pissed. She had used Ashton’s presence to get away from him.

  “Did I interrupt something?” Ashton asked.

  Not answering, Brody moved to the window, and watched Danielle maneuver through the crowd. When he could no longer see her, he walked to the bar in the room and grabbed a bottle of Lowenbrau beer.

  “When did you start drinking Lowenbrau, Coors is your posion.

  Brody didn’t answer.

  “What’s wrong with you?”

  Brody sipped on his beer and ignored his friend.

  He would let Danielle run for now. But he wouldn’t let her hide from him forever. He would make sure of it.

  “Brody, you didn’t answer me.”

  “Nope, I didn’t”

  “I could feel the tension between the two of you. What’s going on?”

  “Nothing.”

  “But you want something, right?”

  “What I want and what’s going to happen are two different things.” He took a long swallow of the beer.

  “You want a relationship with her?”

  “You know that I don’t do relationships.”

  “And Danielle does,” Ashton said matter-of-factly.

  He grunted. “She’s unique.”

  Ashton chuckled. “Wow. Never heard you describe a woman as unique.”

  Brody mulled over what Ashton had said. He liked solitude. But there was something different about Danielle. He had felt a connection the moment that he had first seen her at the christening. He felt that connection even stronger each time he saw her.

  “Brody, don’t pursue her.”

  He set the empty beer bottle on the bar and crossed his arms. “Is she still dating Jon Hillman?”

  “Damn man. I’m serious. Didn’t you hear a word I said?”

  “Yeah, I heard you. Now answer the question.”

  Ashton shook his head. “I don’t know if she is or not.”

  “I’m going to head home.”

  “You just got here.”

  “I know,” he said, as he scanned the crowd through the window before walking outside.

  Ashton followed him. “What are you looking for?”

  He didn’t answer.

  He gave the crowd a final glance. Not finding her, he ran a hand over his face.

  “I’ll see you around, Ash.”

  “You’re just going to leave?”

  “Yep.” He walked around the corner of the house toward his car.

  Chapter Five

  “How did your meeting go with the investors yesterday?” Danielle asked Jon as they reclined on the sofa in her den.

  Dressed in a pair of khaki shorts and a red sleeveless cotton blouse, Danielle crossed her legs and met Jon’s gaze, which was riveted on her legs. She ignored it and tried to relax.

  She knew he’d met with a potential investor for Horizon House, the girls and boys home he was trying to get off the ground. However, since that incident with Brody at the pool party, she’d been avoiding Jon. But today, he’d popped up unannounced at her house and she had no choice but to let him in.

  “The meeting went well. The Brison Group is involved with a lot of charities, but I believe they’ll see how importa
nt it is to have a home for runaway boys and girls. The CFO was impressed with the figures and the building plan I presented. The meeting ended on a good note with them agreeing to take everything into consideration and get back to me soon.”

  Danielle nodded. “Jon, that’s wonderful. How is everything else going with you?” She poured ice tea into his glass and offered the cookies that were on a small plate on the table. He took the ice tea but shook his head no to the cookies.

  “Going well. How are things with you?” he asked, watching her with a brooding frown stamped on his lean strong features. “I haven’t seen you in over two weeks. If I didn’t know better I would think you were avoiding me.”

  “I’ve been busy.”

  “You’re on vacation, Danielle. What’s kept you so busy that you couldn’t return my calls or text messages? If I hadn’t shown up unannounced today, you would still be dodging me.”

  She stood and moved away from him. “I came back to Dallas to rest and to visit with my best friends. We’ve been spending a lot of time together that’s all.”

  “And dating me has complicated things?” He set his glass on the sofa table and walked toward her.

  She watched him with hooded eyes. Today he was dressed in well-worn jeans and a navy T-shirt. He must’ve gone home to change before coming to her house. She admitted to herself that with his long muscular physique and black, curly hair cut close to his head made him a very handsome man. His skin was a smooth, dark chocolate color with a pair of startling, deep set caramel eyes that drew many women his way. Although he was beyond handsome, she couldn’t figure out why he didn’t do anything for her.

  A tall man with flowing jet-black hair and piercing green eyes flashed before her. She blinked, trying to clear her vision. Brody. Why couldn’t she forget about him?

  Jon stared at her, anger flaring in his eyes.

  The tension that had been simmering since he walked through the door was now fierce. She went rigid.

  “I asked you a question, Danielle.”

  She frowned not liking his tone. “There’s no complication.” She cleared her throat. “You know, I think it would be best if we stop dating. We’re friends and I would like to keep it that way.”

  “Where’s this coming from? You requested that we take it slow and I have done that. I haven’t pushed you for anything more because I wanted to give you time to get used to the idea of us being together. If we went any slower there wouldn’t even be a heartbeat in this relationship.”

  “You’re being ridiculous. I have too much on my plate. I just don’t want dating to be one of them. Look, you’re a very nice man. You need someone who can give you what you want. I broke my engagement off two years ago; I’m not ready to start a new relationship.”

  Jon shot her a glare with so much outrage she should’ve been frozen on the spot. His lips pinched, he watched her. “You’re dismissing me?”

  She felt a shiver of unease run through her, but refused to let it show. “No, I’m changing the parameters of our relationship.” She spared a glance at him and his icy glare chilled her to the marrow.

  “Who the hell do you think I am? Some chump you can dangle on a string? If so, you better think again. I’ve invested a lot of my time in you and you expect me to just to walk away? Not happening.” He grabbed her arm. “It’s that Indian isn’t it? I saw how you melted in his arms at the ball. I’m nobody’s fool. When I walked out onto the balcony I could smell you.” He sneered with disgust. “You were a bitch in heat.”

  “Who the hell do you think you’re talking to? Let go of me.”

  He grip pinched her skin, hurting her. “I believe it’s time for me to sample what I’ve been missing.”

  He wrapped one arm around her waist and used his other to pull her face closer to his. His mouth was rough and wet. She struggled, pushing frantically at his chest. He propelled her backwards, his hand now twisted in her hair, causing her to groan at the pain. It did nothing but seemed to fuel his desire. His tongue pushed into her mouth and she recoiled. Fighting in earnest, she pummeled his chest with her fists but he was like a brick wall. She bit hard on his tongue and he pushed her away, his hand wiping at his tongue. His finger came away with blood on its tip, but he didn’t step away from her. He grinned and tried to grab her. She slapped his face, maneuvered around him and ran toward the front door.

  He was right behind her. He reached for her again. “You like it rough. Good, so do I.” Jon grabbed her hair and pulled her up hard against his chest and she stumbled from the impact. His mouth close to her ear, his breathing erratic with the hot air escaping against her skin, he uttered, “Damn. You’ve made me hotter than a furnace.” She cringed, her stomach flipping, causing bile to come into her mouth. She swallowed and fought against his strength.

  He ran his wet tongue alongside her neck. “It’s going to be good between us.”

  “No! Don’t do this!”

  He shook her. “Stop it. I’m claiming what’s mine.”

  He swung her around and ripped at her shirt. Her breasts pushed at the lace of her bra.

  She tried to loosen her hands from his and cover herself but he still held her.

  His eyes narrowed with lust as they scanned her chest and then he ran his tongue over his lips. “Well, look what I’ve been missing. I’m going to enjoy this.”

  “No. Please. You won’t get away with this.”

  He chuckled. “With what? Remember we’re dating. People would expect us to make love.”

  “I’m not going to let you rape me.”

  He reached back and slapped her hard, causing her head to fall back. His ring caught the side of her face, almost connecting with her eye.

  She blinked, shocked at what had just happened. She felt the trickle of blood rolling down her cheek.

  “You hit me…”

  “It’s not rape.” He shook her like a rag doll. “It didn’t have to come to this. But you think I’m going to let you give Beaumont what belongs to me? Not happening. You’re my woman.”

  “Get your hands off of me,” she screamed. Danielle was scared but she would be damned if she’d let him win. She punched his chest and scratched at his face, trying to get him to release her, but it made him stronger. He dragged her from the door but she fell back into a dead weight. Her fear escalated. She was in a dangerous situation and had to do something fast to get out of it.

  Her doorbell rang and he stopped to look at the door and then back at her, putting his hand over her mouth. She pushed with all her might, knocking him backwards just a little. That was all she needed. She took off running to the door before whoever it was would think she wasn’t home. She threw open the door so fast that it flew back and hit the wall.

  Brody stood on her doorstep with a deep frown on his face.

  Chapter Six

  Brody glared at the woman who’d been haunting him for more days and nights than he wanted to remember. The restless tension that had been choking him was now drowning in a molten storm of desire but something was off. He squinted while he observed her. Danielle’s beautiful hair which was normally situated perfectly looked disheveled. Those brown eyes that had flashed anger at him previously, showed fear. Danielle’s blouse hung haphazardly on her body with the front torn almost half in two. Blood seeped at the corner of her mouth. Also, bruises on her cheek, neck and chest looked fresh.

  “What in the hell happened to you?” he shouted, stepping over the threshold. “You’re bleeding.”

  She fell into his arms, holding him around the waist. She started to cry. With a natural instinct he didn’t know he had, he gathered her up in his arms. Then he pulled back and captured her beautiful face in his hands.

  “Tell me what happened, baby?” he asked in a soft tone and then frowned. “Damn, did you fall and hurt yourself? Please tell me.”

  She began to cry harder with large gulping sounds. She was going into shock.

  Brody looked over her shoulder and stiffened. Jon Hillman stood there
bare-chested and with the top snap of his jeans unbuttoned.

  “Beaumont, what are you doing here?” Jon grinned. “Can’t you see you’re interrupting?”

  Danielle’s arms locked around his waist. “Don’t leave me,” she whispered.

  Brody looked at her and noticed the slight swelling on the side of her face that he’d first missed. He swore loudly, put her to the side and faced Hillman. “You put your hands on her!” he roared with anger so thick the air in the room felt like it disappeared.

  Hillman stood relaxed, leaning against the wall, with his arms crossed, as if he was at home.

  Brody advanced and punched him in the face. Jon fell to his knees.

  “You want to hit on someone. Get the fuck to your feet. Hit me you son of a bitch.” Brody punched him again knocking him on his ass. He raised his fist to do it again.

  “Brody!” Danielle screamed, pulling on his arm. “He’s not worth it.”

  “Get back, Danielle.”

  “No, please I just want it all to end.”

  He pushed her away, still standing over Jon, who sat on the floor, wiping at the blood around his mouth.

  “I don’t want you getting in trouble over this, please Brody, let it go.”

  “You’re going to pay for this.” Jon shot to his feet, holding the wall for support.

  Jon retrieved the T-shirt he’d been wearing from the floor and pulled it over his head. “Danielle, call the cops. I want his ass arrested for assault!” Jon shouted.

  Her eyes widened at his request. “Go to hell!”

  Brody looked over at the wild fear and shock in her eyes. “Danielle, honey, go upstairs to the bedroom.”

  “No.”

  “Do as I say.”

  “I’m not moving.” She stubbornly held her ground.

  Jon snickered. “Well, well, the hellcat has arisen.”

  “Do you want some more, Hillman? If you do, I can accommodate.”

  “Another time and place, you won’t be so lucky.”

  Brody grabbed a fistful of his shirt and got up into his face. Jon was tall but he had him with two extra inches. “I look forward to it.”

  “Brody, please just let him go.”