Whisper My Name Page 6

  “None that I knew. Mama came from Alabama, but left her family to follow my father to Texas when she was a teenager. She never talked about them much, but she did say they had disowned her. My mother thought he was going to marry her, but he didn’t. When she became pregnant, my father left. She never heard from him again.”

  “Did you ever try to look for him?”

  “No. There was no need.”

  “Why?”

  She dropped her eyes to the coffee cup. “He was shot and killed by his girlfriend’s husband when I was eight. That was the only time I ever saw my mother cry.”

  His fingers curled around her fingers, creating awareness along the rim of her spine. “It’s for the best he’s not in your life,” he mused. “With your status and money, you don’t need strangers coming out of the woodwork.”

  “I guess you’re right.”

  He let go of her hand. “I know I am.”

  A long silence settled between them.

  “Tell me about your childhood,” she said.

  He glared at her for a very long time before providing some details. “I was adopted at five days old. From what information my parents could garner, my mother was probably Indian and my father white, or vice versa.” His tone was cold and forbidding.

  She ignored it. “How do you know that?’

  “I was wrapped in an Indian blanket. They surmised it was a woman who would do that, not a man.”

  “And your father? Do you know anything about him?”

  “I inherited his eyes. I don’t need to know anything else. Period.”

  She could tell he was finished talking about his past. His jaw was set in a tight line.

  “Well, you ended up with some great parents and I know that Sally worships the ground you walk on.”

  He drank his orange juice and didn’t say anything else. He was uncomfortable. She could feel it vibrating from him and decided to change the subject.

  “Why did you show up at my house yesterday?”

  His green eyes ran over her face. “Why do you think I came?”

  She squinted. “I don’t know.”

  “I came to ask you out on a date.”

  “Really? Even though you knew I was dating Jon?”

  “It didn’t matter. I wanted you.” His gaze roamed her face. “There’s nothing I want more.”

  She wasn’t sure how she felt about his statement. Her eyes searched his. “I’m not your type.”

  “What is my type, Danielle?”

  “Sally said—”

  “I don’t want to hear what Sally said. I want to know what you think.”

  “I don’t know you well enough to give an opinion.”

  “You’re correct. So, you don’t know what type of woman I like.”

  She studied his hard, lean face. “No, I don’t. So tell me what you look for in a woman.”

  “I like women. I don’t play games. I’ve had plenty of one-night stands. Too many to count.”

  “Wow. Your honesty is…startling.”

  He continued as if she hadn’t spoken. “I’ve dated a couple of women. I’ve never had a serious relationship. If I meet a woman who interests me, I let her know what I want. If it happens, then it’s good and if it doesn’t, I move on.”

  “Well, that is direct and to the point. I don’t want a relationship either but I do require monogamy when the time comes.”

  “Monogamy?” He frowned at the word.

  “Then we’re at an impasse.”

  “I don’t lie. I’m a straight shooter.”

  “So it seems.” She cleared her throat. “Why me? The magazines photograph you with petite and tall, blond-haired women. Besides tall, I don’t have the looks you require.”

  “The paparazzi snap pictures of what they want. Don’t believe everything you see in those rags. I haven’t slept with every woman I’ve been photographed with.”

  “Really? I’m sure every one of those women tried to get you in their beds.”

  He glared but didn’t say anything.

  She scanned his hard face, seeing a man who didn’t share himself only his wants. He was even more handsome at close range. He intrigued her and she was definitely attracted to him, but she was cautious, she needed to be. He was correct they were at an impasse, just as they had been over a month ago. He wanted her, but she didn’t trust him or herself. He was complicated and older. But sexy as hell. Her eyes roamed over his lean face covetously.

  He cocked a heavy eyebrow. “You like what you see?” he chided.

  She shrugged. “Maybe.”

  “Let me know when you make up your mind. Don’t take too long because I’ll make it up for you.”

  “Promise,” she said daringly.

  He caught her face in his hands and tugged her closer. “I always keep them,” he whispered against her mouth, then drew back and released her. “Are you ready to leave?”

  “Yes.” Breathing had just become extremely difficult.

  At his truck, he helped her in, then went around to his side. Once inside, he reached over and pulled her against him, with her mouth a scant inch from his. At that proximity, she could see the rim around his green irises. She didn’t move, waiting on him.

  “You make me do things I’ve never done,” he said in a soft, tender tone, running a finger across her full lips. His face was solemn. He bent to her mouth and brushed it with his. It was like electricity between them, causing her to jump. He then touched her cheek with his fingertips and leaned back in his seat. “I can tell you feel it also.”

  After a short drive from the restaurant, Brody brought the Durango to a slow stop in her driveway. She opened the door, but he was at her side before she could step from the truck. “Stay put. Give me your key. Let me check the house.”

  He ran up the steps, opened the front door and walked in. She got out and stood at the door waiting for him to return.

  “All is clear. You can go in now.”

  “Thanks.”

  Danielle walked into the house and turned to close the door but he beat her to it. She flashed him a grateful smile. He didn’t smile back but closed the door and moved further into the room.

  She cleared her throat. “Thanks for breakfast. I enjoyed it.”

  He didn’t say a word. The silence stretched to an uncomfortable plateau.

  “I want you, Danielle.”

  She opened and then closed her mouth. She waited. For him.

  He placed his hand around the nape of her neck and pulled her to him.

  “What are you doing, Brody?”

  “Something I should’ve done a long time ago.”

  He kissed her. They were breast to breast. So close, she was engulfed by his scent, felt his skin blaze through the cloth of his shirt and she wanted him just as much as he wanted her. Blood ricocheted through her veins, causing her pulse to speed up, heating her skin, her core.

  Before she could think, he’d swept her into his arms and pushed her against the wall, holding her there with his body.

  “I need you to want this as much as I do.” The words sounded as if they were torn from his throat.

  A battle raged inside her, pulling her in two directions at once, her mind said no while her body screamed yes. Her body won.

  “I—”

  “While you sleep and dream tonight, I want you to whisper my name,” he uttered. His tone was rough. “I’ll be the only man in your dreams. You will know it’s me and that no one else is going to make love to you.”

  “Brody,” she whispered and laid her hand on his chest. She could feel the beat of his heart against her palm. Her need for him stabbed inside her, layering heat throughout her body.

  With his head tilted, he gave her an accessing look and then frowned. His eyes shadowed. He lowered her to her feet, stepped back and stared at her so hard that it made her uncomfortable.

  “Lock up.” Brody turned abruptly and was out the door before she could say anything. With an unexpected twinge of regret, she
stood in the opened doorway, puzzled at his behavior. With a last nod, he backed out of the driveway. She watched until he was out of sight.

  What the hell just happened?

  Chapter Eight

  The hustle and bustle of the photo shoot brimmed with excitement and chaos. Models jostled each other as the coordinator organized the line-up for make-up and hair.

  Danielle sat in a high-back chair away from the commotion, while her personal make-up and clothes stylist fussed around her head.

  “You’re pulling my hair from its roots,” Danielle retorted. “Be gentle.”

  Leroy Sommers, known as Lee, fluttered his heavily mascaraed lashes. “Girl, you need more than a pull. And look at your skin. It’s awful. What in the world have you been doing here? It’s as rough as a steel woven pad,” he exaggerated in a strong New York accent. “It’s gonna take me months to get it whipped back into shape. I have my work cut out for me.” He snapped his fingers. “But Ms. Lee has never lost a case yet.”

  “I’m on vacation. I don’t need to put on make-up or perm my hair.”

  Lee’s mouth gaped open. “Bite your tongue.”

  His eyes, an uncanny mixture of blue and gray, gave him an exotic look. His skin, a light caramel, was smooth and taut. The fine hairs on his head were a natural deep black, but he kept it dyed red and curled. Because of his longevity in the business, she guessed him to be somewhere in his thirties or early forties, but she wasn’t sure. He looked to be in his late twenties. She’d asked him once what his nationality was and he carelessly said he was a mutt. He didn’t offer any more information and she didn’t press for it.

  “You look like a newbie on her first gig.” He shook long ringlets of red hair over his shoulder and waved his hand around the room, bringing it back to place over his heart. “I do high fashion, honey. The reason I’m here in this hot, humid and godforsaken place is because of you.”

  “Thank you, my friend.”

  “I could see Lee’s eyes rolling and hands moving across the room. What’s he complaining about now?” Danielle’s assistant, Sue-Carol murmured dryly as she approached them.

  She was African-American, tall and beautiful, although she always laughed it off when someone paid her a compliment. She’d been with Danielle since she started modeling. She was now in her mid-forties, Danielle’s right hand and a precious asset.

  Danielle chuckled. “You know Lee. If it’s not New York it’s foreign land to him. I agreed to do this shoot because it’s for the runaway teen center. Coverage like this could bring them a lot of needed money.”

  “But couldn’t it have been done in New York? This place is just too country.” He shuddered dramatically.

  “I’m on vacation, remember? Adore Cosmetics wanted a major sponsor, which was fine. It gave them the chance to advertise their make-up while I was wearing it. But the national exposure and awareness for the center is my main purpose. My condition was that the shoot be done in Dallas. I didn’t want to go to New York. I knew if I did, my agent would’ve had other jobs lined up.”

  “By the way where is your evil ass agent anyway? I thought he would be here trying to run things as usual.” Lee said.

  Danielle laughed. “You need to stop calling him that. One day you’re going to make the mistake of saying it to his face. He’s not coming. This is my personal project. I’m not accepting a fee.”

  “Hey, I almost forgot what I came to tell you.” Sue-Carol said. “I didn’t want you blindsided. Acario Rossi is the photographer for this shoot.”

  Danielle stopped laughing. “Rio? My ex?” She concentrated on keeping her breathing even so she wouldn’t have a panic attack.

  “Yes. He’s one of the best in the business, Danielle.”

  “I know that. But how did this happen?”

  “I’m sorry. In the past, I made sure he was never the photographer on any of your assignments. But the client specifically requested him. By the time I found out, it was too late to get a new photographer.”

  Lee planted his hands on his hips. “Sue-Carol you’ve lost a screw to your brain. You know damn well Danielle can’t stand that Italian big prick,” Lee squealed. “After what his ass did to her, he needs to be in jail, not photographing her.”

  “Lee, please be calm. It was over two years ago. I’ve moved on,” Danielle said.

  “Well, I haven’t, and I know you haven’t either.”

  “Let it go,” Danielle stressed.

  Lee’s eyes widened with shock. “Are you kidding me? You caught the bastard in bed with a fellow model and friend. You should’ve listened to me when I told you that hussy was no friend of yours. But, no, you had to—”

  “Lee, zip it!” Danielle shook her head. “Why do you always have to go off half-cocked?”

  Lee ignored her. “Then the bastard slapped the shit out of you because he got caught. And then you let psycho ass get off with a misdemeanor when you didn’t press charges.”

  “I’m telling you—”

  Lee nudged her hard.

  “What?”

  He pointed toward the door.

  Danielle whipped around in her chair. A tall, handsome, almost pretty, black-haired and olive-skinned man strode toward them. All of Danielle’s senses went on red alert and she sucked in a ragged breath to steady the uneasiness that assailed her at the sight of her ex-fiancé, Acario Rossi.

  “Hello Danielle,” Rio said with an Italian accent.

  He had been born in New York but raised in southern Italy by his European mother. His American father, a retired theatre producer, had been divorced from his mother since he was two and now lived in upstate New York with his fifth wife.

  Acario looked leaner than she remembered. New lines assailed around his eyes and mouth, but it didn’t take away from his handsomeness.

  “Rio,” she replied, concentrating on keeping her tone even.

  He leaned in. She stiffened, turned her head and didn’t offer her cheek.

  A frown crossed his brow at her reaction. Stepping back, he smiled at Sue-Carol. “It’s nice to see you again.” Sparing Lee a short glance, he issued a curt nod.

  Lee rolled his eyes upward. “Asshole,” he said loudly.

  Danielle shot him a warning glance. He shrugged and continued to glare at Rio.

  “I’ve missed you, bella.”

  After ten years in New York, his native Italian tongue was still prevalent. His accent, in the past, had melted her insides but today it caused tension.

  She wouldn’t let him drag up memories. It was too embarrassing. “I just learned you’re doing the shoot,” she said.

  He addressed her friends. “I would like to talk to Danielle alone, please.”

  No one moved.

  “What you have to say can be said in front of them.”

  He ran his long fingers through his hair. “Alright. I know we parted on bad terms—”

  Lee shrieked. “Bad terms? You call beating her within an inch of her life, bad terms?”

  “Stop exaggerating, Lee. You know that didn’t happen.” Sue-Carol said.

  Lee continued to shoot daggers at Rio. “You’re lucky your stank ass had left the penthouse when Sue-Carol and I got there. If you had stayed, I would’ve gone ballistic on your ass,” Lee threw at Rio.

  Rio narrowed his eyes. “I see that your favorite word is still ass. I wonder why?”

  Lee patted his ass. “Well, honey, you’ll never get the chance to find out.”

  “Lee, that’s enough. Will you and Sue-Carol leave us?”

  Moving closer to Danielle, he pushed the hair from his face. “I’m not going anywhere.”

  “I’ll be fine. Please do this for me.”

  “Okay. But I’ll be nearby and listening.” He swished from the room, throwing an evil look at Rio.

  “I’m going to check with the crew to make sure everything is set up. Are you sure you’re okay with this?” Sue-Carol asked, concern evident in her voice.

  Danielle patted her arm. “Don’
t worry.”

  Without another word, Sue-Carol left her alone with the man who had shattered her faith in herself. So much so, that taking a chance on love again wasn’t something she was willing to do. She’d given him her heart and he’d thrown it away. Rio had been the first of many things in her life. Her first friend in New York, her first lover, and the first to break her heart. Her ‘conquer the world attitude’ and strong personality had gone into eclipse.

  She had wondered how she would feel when or if she saw him again. Surprisingly, she felt no pain, only regret that they had stayed together for as long as they had. They’d started out friends but moved into an intimate relationship. If he’d told her the truth—she wasn’t enough for him—that he wasn’t ready for marriage, at least with her, they could’ve parted sooner. A year together seemed such a colossal waste.

  She watched him, realizing she missed the friendship they’d enjoyed before becoming intimate, but nothing else.

  Now she was more cautious around men. Except Brody. Where in the hell did he come from? She shook her head to clear her thoughts.

  “I see Lee is still with you,” he said.

  “He’s my assistant and friend.”

  “You need to get rid of him. He’s bad for business.”

  “You didn’t seek me out to discuss Lee, what is it?”

  “I’m sorry about how we parted two years ago.”

  “It’s over.”

  “Not for me.” He ran his long fingers through his thick black strands again. It was an impatience gesture he did when he was uncomfortable.

  She remembered how she would fall asleep after they made love, with his silky hairs around her fingers, making indentations with his normally straight locks.

  “You misunderstood what you saw in our bedroom.”

  She blinked. “Are you serious? Seeing you humping one of my friends like a rabbit in heat was a mirage?”

  “It meant nothing, caro,” he said in his thick accent.

  “You married her—”

  “She told me she was pregnant. I’m a traditional Catholic. No children out of wedlock. I believed her. She lied. I divorced her. End of story.”

  “Surprising you didn’t make her get you proof.”

  “She did.” A blush covered his face. “A friend of hers, a med student produced false papers.”