From the very first touch...

The moment suave businessman Dante Sanderson brushes hands with Lanelle Murphy, he can’t get her out of his head. The guarded beauty resists all of his polished attempts at seduction. To soften the pain in her past, she’s dedicated her life and family fortune to helping others, not chasing sexy millionaires like Dante.

Something about Lanelle makes Dante want to open his heart like never before. He knows their encounters are destiny. Lanelle is sure their sparks mean another heartache is in the making. Yet her cherished new project—a state-of-the-art neonatal unit—brings them together. From charity ball dances to strolls in Milan, desire pushes her...right into his arms. But will Lanelle be able to seize this sweet second chance at love?

Without warning, Dante invaded her space and tilted her into a dip. Gripping the shoulders of his tuxedo, she scowled into his smiling face as the blood rushed to her head. Before she could chastise him, he brought her upright.

She hated surprises. Being out of control ranked number one on her never-to-do list. Dante threatened all of that. From the few stories Vanessa had told her about him, they were as different as a waltz and a tango. “Talk.”

Should she be feeling the deep rumble of his laughter against her chest? When had he pulled her so close? She tried to create space between them. His hand splayed at her back made it impossible.

“Do you ever loosen up?”

She snapped her head up. Even though she was wearing stilettos, he loomed over her. “You’ve met me, what? All of twice? You have no idea who I am.”

He leaned in close, his breath tickling her ear as he whispered, “But I’d like to.”

All thoughts of why she’d come on the dance floor escaped as he pressed his cheek against hers. For once in her life Lanelle lost herself in the gentle sway of a man’s embrace.

Dear Reader,

Lanelle Murphy’s life hasn’t been easy. Wealth and success have helped to cushion the blows thrown her way, but tragedy is hard to endure no matter who you are. Lanelle has closed herself off from men, and so Dante Sanderson has no chance with her when they meet. Dante isn’t without his issues when it comes to previous relationships, either, but he’s willing to try.

Dante realizes if he doesn’t do something drastic, he’ll never have Lanelle. He devises a trip to the most romantic country in the world—Dante’s words—to help her overcome whatever prevents her from pursuing a romantic relationship. When Dante discovers Lanelle’s secret, the doubts settle in.

I hope you enjoy the emotional drama, laughter, romance and trip to Italy.

Nana Prah

A Perfect Caress

Nana Prah

www.millsandboon.co.uk

NANA PRAH first discovered romance in a book from her eighth-grade summer reading list and has been obsessed with it ever since. Her fascination with love inspired her to write in her favorite genre, where happily-ever-after is the rule.

She is a published author of contemporary, multicultural romances. Her books are sweet with a touch of spice. When she’s not writing, she’s overindulging in chocolate, enjoying life with friends and family and tormenting nursing students into being the best nurses the world has ever seen.

To my greatest role model, my late mother, Theresa Prah.

Acknowledgments

To the women who hung out with me when they didn’t have to. Thanks for helping to mold me into who I am today. I will always love and cherish you. Aunt Waynet, Aunt Frances, Aunt Sherry, Aunt Elizabeth P., Aunty Tej, Aunt Betsy, Aunt Lucy, Lisa S., Sister (former) Elizabeth, Marianne S.

A huge thanks to my inner circle who have supported me in my writing and allowed me to harass them with questions and beta reads. Cathrina Constantine, Debbie Christiana, Kiru Taye, Empi Baryeh and Ortanyi Arrington, you are all the best.

I’m throwing an avalanche of gratitude at Rachel Burkot for grabbing me and tossing me into the Kimani family, and at Carly Silver for securing my place.

Thank you, Toshia T., for helping to promote my work. Toshia, this is for you.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

Dear Reader

Title Page

About the Author

Dedication

Acknowledgments

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Extract

Copyright

Chapter 1

Tackling a person to the ground in order grab the last piece of cake would be wrong. Lanelle Murphy had trouble convincing herself of this little truth. Maybe not so much wrong as bad and kind of depressing. Unless it ended up being the best cake ever baked.

Her gaze never wandered from the prize while a suspected perpetrator remained in the periphery. At five feet eight inches, Lanelle increased her already long stride to eat up more of the ground at a faster rate.

Their hands landed on the clear plastic container holding the triple-layered moist chocolate cake covered with scrumptious, rich chocolate icing at the same time.

Since Lanelle’s palm touched the container with his warm fingers wrapped around hers, it meant she’d gotten to it first. The cake belonged to her. The stranger’s resigning breath pushed away any idea she may have had of elbowing him in the ribs before running toward the cashier and dropping money on the counter without stopping.

Lanelle tilted her head to the man without deigning to look at him. If she gave him her full attention, she’d do the kind thing and relinquish the treat. After receiving a disappointing update about a project close to her heart, she deserved it.

After almost two years of planning and fund-raising to build a new neonatal unit in the hospital, Lanelle felt like giving up. Dealing with the other members of the hospital board had proved tedious.

The problems creeping up with the construction set their timeline back and deepened the financial ditch. The funds they’d raised had run out faster than expected, and she couldn’t understand how it had happened. They’d been meticulous in their calculations. After going through the books with her personal accountant this past week, they’d found nothing amiss.

Maybe she should’ve accepted her father’s help when he’d offered it, but she figured it couldn’t be difficult to construct a hospital wing. It wasn’t like they were building a whole hospital from the ground up. It turned out that more went into it than she’d researched.

Lanelle had been trained by the best to ensure things happened the way they should, but this project was draining the life out of her.

She needed this cake. “Hi,” she said instead of telling him to get his paw off her pastry.

“Hello. It looks like we both want the same piece of cake.”

The deep rumble of his voice enticed her but wouldn’t detract her. “Looks that way.” Didn’t this man know not to get between a woman and her chocolate? She turned her head to get a good look at the enemy. They stood so close she had to angle her head back in order to see his face.

Great. The guy who threatened her sanity turned out to be at least six-two. She could’ve picked a better day to wear her cutest pair of Tabitha Simmons ballerina flats.

More than his height caused her breath to hitch. His sienna-brown eyes, contrasting with skin almost as rich and dark as the cake, made for a gorgeous man.

“Would you be interested in the vanilla, by any chance?” His grin drew her attention to full lips covering a set of even white teeth, adding to the squishy feeling in her stomach.

“As tempting as it looks with those rainbow sprinkles, I’d prefer the chocolate.” She’d finished playing nice with the handsome stranger sporting the cutest little afro she’d seen in a while and pulled the cake toward her. “Since my hand is on the container, it means I reached it first, so technically it’s mine.”

“On a normal day I’d agree, but I need this cake.”

She snorted. “Let me guess. You have PMS and you’re about to take down anyone who gets in the way of getting your fix.” Her frown melded into a grin at his burst of laughter.

“No. My niece is about to find out if she’s still in remission from the cancer she beat last year. She asked me last night to pick her up a piece of chocolate cake from this cafeteria when I came to join the meeting after her MRI. She insisted no other would do.”

Lanelle squinted in an attempt to assess if he’d given her a line. Detecting no guile in his expression, she released the box. He didn’t let go of her hand.

Sliding her fingers out of his grasp, she crossed her arms over her chest. “I hope your niece is healthy.”

“Thank you. I know she’ll appreciate that I almost got beaten up for her cake.” He held out his right hand. “I’m Dante Sanderson.”

“I wouldn’t have fought you. Maybe just taken you down,” she mumbled as she placed her hand in his. She pulled it away at the bizarre sensation of tingles racing up her arm to her scalp.

She tucked her hand behind her, confused at her body’s reaction.

He raised an eyebrow. “You think it’s a possibility?”

“A fact.”

“Hmm. You sound sure of yourself.”

A slight dip of her head to the side would have to suffice for an answer as they walked to the front of the cafeteria.

He placed the single item on the counter and waited to be checked out. Before she had the chance to move past him, he asked, “What’s your name?”

She paused, wondering if she should answer with the truth. His charm had an uncomfortable effect on her. What did she have to lose? She’d never see him again. “Lanelle Murphy.”

“Can I walk you to wherever you’re going?”

She backed away as her gaze fell on the cake with regret. “It’s better if you don’t. I’d like your niece to be a happy girl. Take care.” Before he could speak again, she blended into the throng of people passing by.

* * *

Dante dashed a ten-dollar bill onto the counter and rushed out of the cafeteria without waiting for his change. Lanelle had headed to the left, so he made his way down that hallway. It had been a while since a woman had fascinated him. His heart still raced.

For once his height wasn’t an advantage when it came to finding someone in a crowd. A tall, medium brown–skinned woman with her hair piled in a tight bun turned out to be more difficult to find during lunchtime near a cafeteria than he’d anticipated. She’d vanished.

He relaxed his outstretched neck. The news he’d received in the morning, about his company winning the bid to install the flooring and countertops for the new hospital wing, had brought him to the hospital early to sign the contract. It would pull his business in a whole new direction. One that would leave the company free and clear in his name. Winning him full ownership of the company.

If only they’d get good news from his niece’s doctor, he could have a celebration.

The vibration of his phone diverted his attention from the now-waning search for the mystery woman. The screen lit up with a picture of Vanessa’s bright, smiling face. A year ago his knees had buckled when they’d found out her Hodgkin’s lymphoma had been kicked to the curb. If only it would stay there.

He answered the phone with “I’ve got the cake, CocoVan.” The girl loved chocolate. Everyone swore that her first word had been “cocoa,” as she’d reached for the candy bar her mother had been eating.

Vanessa giggled instead of chastising him for using the nickname she claimed to loathe. “More great news.”

“More?”

“Where are you?” She evaded his question.

Dante continued to scan the hall for the elusive Lanelle. Give it up. She’s long gone. “Near the cafeteria you strong-armed me into going to.”

“You offered, Uncle D. Mom wants you to meet us in the parking garage.”

“What about the results?”

Did she just emit laughter of hysteria or of joy? His palms sweated as he turned on his heel in haste toward the opposite direction from the one the mystery lady had taken. Had they gotten the news already? Was it bad? No, he wouldn’t allow his mind to go there. “Are you okay?” Please say yes.

“Just meet us. Mom’s getting all clingy again.” She hung up, sending him flying through the hospital corridors in an attempt to reach his niece without having a heart attack from the fear ready to choke him.

When he arrived, from halfway across the parking lot, one thing hit Dante: huge smiles erupted from each of their faces.

When his niece noticed him, she ran over and grabbed the chocolate cake from his hands. “You’re the best.”

“What’s going on?”

The fingers his older sister, Cynthia, held over her lips couldn’t hide the ear-to-ear grin. “Vanessa’s still in remission.”

Dante froze. His gaze roamed over to his brother-in-law, whose head bobbed up and down so fiercely, Dante feared damage to his spine. When he looked at his niece, his dazed state broke. Lifting her, he spun so her legs arced behind her.

Vanessa’s laughter transformed into a groan. “I’m dizzy.”

So was he, but he didn’t care. Setting her down, he ensured she didn’t fall after she stumbled. “This is amazing.” He’d become a proud member of the irrepressible smile club.

Cynthia and her husband joined them in a huddled hug. Their prayers of gratitude weren’t loud, yet he knew they could be heard in the loftiest of places.

Breaking away, Dante didn’t care that they saw him wiping away tears. With a sniffle he asked, “How come you found out without me?”

“We wanted to wait, but Little Miss Hot-Pants here—” Cynthia pointed to her only daughter “—begged us to go in early when the receptionist announced we could see the doctor.”

Alan’s laughter echoed through the parking lot. “That’s not how I recall it.” Cynthia’s husband was one of the only men he knew who had the ability to call his sister out when she implemented her overbearing ways. “Switch the names and you have a truer account.”

Vanessa sidled up to her father and swung an arm around his waist. “I wanted to wait for you, but Mom didn’t even ask me when she snatched my arm and dragged me into the office.”

Cynthia dismissed the duo with a flick of her hand. “It’s all good. My baby girl is healthy. Nothing else matters.”

“Amen.” Alan raised a hand in response.

Dante became aware of his surroundings. “What are we doing out here? Let’s pick Ryan up and party.

How does McKnight’s sound?”

“Delicious.” Cynthia smacked her lips. “I could use some soul food I didn’t cook myself.”

Clasping his palms, Dante set the plan in motion. “Great. How about you and Alan get the hyperactive child and meet us there? Vanessa can drive my car.”

Vanessa’s emitted screeches had Dante concerned for his eardrums. “You’re going to let me drive your Lamborghini? Really?”

For once, he’d relinquish control of his beloved custom-tailored car. “Today is the day to rejoice, and you mean more to me than the car ever will. Since you’ve been hounding me about it since I bought it two years ago, I figure today is as good a day as any.”

Vanessa’s giddiness as she tackled him in a hug solidified Dante’s decision, making his heart swell even further.

Alan nodded. “Sounds like a plan.”

Cynthia extended her arms to her daughter, and Vanessa stepped into them without question.

Dante watched the touching scene. The family had been through hell and back since Vanessa had been diagnosed. Now life would go back to as normal as it could be, with the threat of cancer always hanging over them.

Vanessa broke the embrace and walked to Dante with her cake in one hand and the other palm up with her fingers wiggling. “The keys.”

He fished the keys out of his pocket and handed them to his niece with one warning. “Be careful.”

“Of course I will, Uncle D,” she said as she waved her dessert parcel. “I didn’t make it this far to let it all go for some speed.”

The cake brought to mind the mystery woman he’d met in the cafeteria. Other than announcing he’d lost a beautiful Nubian princess over the hospital speakers and saying she should hightail it back to the cafeteria, there was nothing he could do to find her. Shaking his head at the regret of having to wait to start his search for her, he hooked an arm around his niece’s shoulders and led her to his car.

Chapter 2

The sudden scream put Lanelle on full alert. Taking in her surroundings, she wished she’d had her driver drop her off at the meeting instead of insisting on driving herself.

Four rows across the barrier where she’d parked, an older and a younger woman hugged. Lanelle spied on the pair, wondering what had happened to make them embrace in the middle of a parking garage.

Considering the lot belonged to a hospital, morose thoughts of death and illness came to mind. Perhaps one was comforting the other.

Slipping herself out of the imaginary world she’d created for the people she’d never meet, Lanelle opened her door and slid behind the wheel of her favorite, yet least ostentatious, car. She sparked the engine of the navy blue Volvo S80. With the press of a button, the seat’s massaging system eased the tension from her lower back.

After a few moments of bliss, she pulled out of her parking space. As she rounded the corner where the women had embraced, she noticed a tall, dark-skinned man standing in the middle of the aisle. How could this be when she’d done such a good job escaping him earlier? Distracted, she slammed on the brake.

Realizing too late she’d drawn their attention, Lanelle pressed the gas in an attempt to ease past without being seen. Although the side windows were tinted, anyone outside the car had full view of her through the windshield.

Fate. Kismet. Destiny. All words of impossibility Lanelle didn’t believe in shuffled themselves around in her head. What had been the chances of ever seeing Dante again when she’d given him her name? Obviously, the odds had been pretty darn good.

The attempt to make herself invisible by scrunching low in her seat failed. He disturbed her in a warm-feeling-at-her-center kind of way. The last thing she needed in her life was to be attracted to someone.

Lanelle knew the moment the cake stealer recognized her. Waving her down, he stepped over to her window. For a split second she thought of zooming past so she’d never have to listen to the deep timbre of his voice again. Isn’t that what I thought when I left him in the cafeteria?

From the impression she’d gotten of him earlier, Lanelle figured Dante was the kind of man a woman could have fun with but never tie down. She wasn’t in the market for either.

His broad grin sent a flutter skidding through her belly. “Hi. Funny meeting you here.”

Uncanny, but stranger things had happened. She’d have been out of the parking lot a good five minutes ago if she hadn’t forgotten her briefcase in the boardroom in her dash out of an adjourned meeting for chocolate cake therapy. “If you find it even mildly amusing, then you have a weird sense of humor.”

“I’ve been accused of it a time or two.”

She smirked.

“You have a pretty smile.”

Yes, the man’s a charmer. She straightened in her seat, thinking she might feel more comfortable if he didn’t tower over her. Whom am I kidding? The man’s a giant. He’d dwarf her even if she was standing in three-inch heels. “Thank you.” Keeping things light and polite would be the easiest way out without hurting his ego. “Nice seeing you again. Take care.”

“Wait.” He motioned to the young woman she’d seen hugging the older one. “Vanessa, come here.”

Lanelle’s mouth watered as the girl brought her chocolate cake closer. Good to know he hadn’t been lying.

“Vanessa, meet Lanelle. The woman I almost got into a fight with to make sure you got your cake.”

Lanelle put the car in Park and eased her foot off the brake. Reaching out the window, she extended her right hand to the young woman. The dimple she displayed in each cheek brought out Lanelle’s own smile. Her test results must’ve been good. “Nice to meet you, Vanessa.”

“You, too.” Vanessa gave Dante her attention. “What do you mean about the cake?”

Dante’s light brown eyes gleamed as he focused on Lanelle while answering his niece. “This gorgeous woman was on the cusp of initiating a takedown over the last piece of chocolate cake in the cafeteria.”

Lanelle’s face flamed as Vanessa turned to her with an openmouthed stare. “You’ve tried the cake,” Lanelle defended. “Tell me what you would’ve done.”

Vanessa nodded. “Snatched it and run.”

Lanelle liked Vanessa’s honesty. “Exactly.”

“But you decided to give it up.” Vanessa drew her eyebrows together. “Why?”

“Your uncle told me you’d be getting news today.”

Vanessa placed a hand on her chest. “You gave up the best chocolate cake in the world for me? That’s so nice of you.” Then she looked down at the container and pushed it through the open window. “You can have it.” Hopping from foot to foot, she burst out with “I’m in remission.”

Joy beyond anything Lanelle had ever experienced for a stranger overwhelmed her. Shoving the cake back at Vanessa, she opened her door and hugged the girl. “How wonderful. I’m so happy for you.”

Vanessa held her tight, their upper bodies swaying from side to side as they giggled. When they separated, the reality of what Lanelle, oftentimes accused of being conservative to a fault, had just done hit her.

Three pairs of eyes stared at them as she stepped away and attempted to regain her composure.

An older version of Vanessa moved to the young woman’s side. “Who’s this?” The question was made less severe by the crinkles at the corners of her eyes as she grinned.

“Lanelle,” Vanessa answered. “She gave up this cake for me without fighting Uncle D.”

Cynthia held out her hand. “Nice to meet you, Lanelle. I’m Cynthia. I’m not sure what’s going on with the cake, but thank you for not hurting my brother.”

The woman’s grip was firm as they shook. “It’s not like it sounds.”

“Yes, it is,” Dante gloated.

Lanelle hurled Dante a look that should’ve had him quivering. He threw her off-kilter by laughing. “No, it isn’t,” Lanelle protested. “I’m happy Vanessa is cancer free. I guess I got a little overwhelmed.” It took a split second for her to decide to share her own news. “My mother is a breast cancer survivor, so I understand just how good it is to get such wonderful news.”

“I’m happy for you and your mother.” Cynthia held an arm out to the man on her right. “This is my husband, Alan.”

The last set of handshakes took place, and then Lanelle said, “I should be going. Congratulations, Vanessa.” She gripped the handle of her car to open it.

Vanessa touched her arm. “We’re going out to celebrate. Would you like to come with us?”

Lanelle looked at the girl, then glanced at Dante, who seemed just as surprised by his niece’s offer. She would’ve expected that from him. “I think this might be a family celebration.”

She was a reserved person by nature; it didn’t help that Lanelle’s conservative childhood hadn’t allowed her to open up to too many people out of fear of them finding out she was an heiress and attempting to manipulate her for their own benefit. It had only taken a couple negative experiences to know that her life was smoother when she kept to herself.

Cynthia looked at the trio. “Do you all know each other?”

“I met Lanelle in the cafeteria about fifteen minutes ago,” Dante said.

Vanessa looked at her mother. “Uncle D introduced us just now. But she seems so cool.” She turned to Lanelle. “I’d really like it if you joined us,” Vanessa insisted.

Dante licked his lips before adding, “Me, too.”

She had to stay away from such a dangerous man, even though an unexpected urge propelled her to spend time with this family. “I have something to take care of at home.”

Cynthia grabbed her daughter by the arm. “It was nice meeting you, Lanelle.”

Alan waved as they dragged Vanessa away. She broke free of her mother’s grip and came back. “Can I have your number?”

She had no idea what propelled her, but Lanelle found herself rattling off the digits to the bubbly young lady, whose presence alone made her feel lighter.

“I’ll call you,” Vanessa promised as she backed away toward her parents, who stood in front of a sweet red Lamborghini.

Dante’s presence dazed her as she tore her attention from the car to him. No man should be so handsome and have charm oozing from his pores to affect the innocent women of the world. Under the suave exterior lay, she sensed, someone who possessed a depth of character it would take the rest of her life to unearth. Someone worth getting to know? “I’d better go.” Once again she reached for her door. Dante’s hand stilled her. The warmth of his touch radiated up her arm, heating her in the most delicious way.

“Would you like to go out to dinner tomorrow night?”

She opened her mouth to speak and ended up drawing in a sharp breath when he stepped forward and crowded her. His spicy, citrusy scent enticed her. With a hard swallow, she stepped back, only to bump into her car. One way to get out of this. The destiny card.

Tilting her head up, she memorized his features, knowing she’d never see him again. “Let’s do this. If we ever meet each other by accident again, I’ll go out with you.”

“You seem like a reasonable woman. What you just proposed isn’t anywhere near rational. We’ve already met twice by chance. I think kismet has played its role.”

Impressed, she tried to stay strong instead of falling into his invitation. “It’s the way I live. Third time and you get a date.” She pointed a French-tipped manicured finger at him. “By the way, I gave my number to Vanessa, not you. So don’t even think about calling me. If fate wants us to go out, then we will.”

He reached for her hand and held it between them, rubbing his thumb against her palm. The few seconds of sensual circles hardened her nipples. With reluctance, she pulled away.

He looked into her eyes. Not a hint of a smile appeared. “I don’t like this game, but we’ll play it your way. Remember your promise, because we’ll see each other again.” He backed off.

The solidness of the car on her backside grounded her, helping her resist the desire to follow him as her body longed to do.

Tearing her gaze away, she turned her back on the temptation he presented and got into her car. With one last wave at Vanessa and her parents, she took off, refusing to acknowledge Dante with a goodbye.

No man would ever be able to provide her heart’s desire, so why even bother with them at all?

Chapter 3

For once Dante was almost pleased to be chauffeured as his thoughts wandered back to the encounter with Lanelle in the parking garage. He relaxed as Vanessa navigated her way through the streets of Cleveland.

At a fresh red light Dante watched as she opened the lid on the dessert and scooped out a piece with a plastic fork. He should reprimand her for eating in his car, but fascination over what had brought him into contact with the most amazing woman he’d met in a long time took precedence.

Vanessa shook her head and slapped her leg. “Mmm, mmm, mmm. This is so good. Even better than I remember.”

“I don’t need to see it all in your mouth to know it’s delicious. Let me try.” Without any more coercion she placed a piece, albeit a small one compared with what she’d taken, onto the fork and slid it into his mouth. Not bad. Not worth a tussle, but he saw the appeal.

“What do you mean not bad? No wonder she turned you down for a date. If you can’t appreciate fabulous cake, you probably can’t appreciate her, either.”

Did his niece just take a stranger’s side over his? He couldn’t blame her. Lanelle radiated something alluring beyond her obvious beauty. The memory of her flawless skin, large dark brown eyes, an adorable nose he could eat up and lips he had difficulty looking away from made him sigh.

Lanelle’s poise and sophistication, along with her readiness to smile and celebrate life with a stranger, added to her charisma. He’d been inches from kissing her. Only the fact that his family stood so close watching their every move had stopped him. “Watch it. It’s not too late to revoke your driving privileges on my car.”

“You wouldn’t. Not to someone who found out she’s still free from cancer, now, would you?” Vanessa tried to pull off her sad, begging puppy-dog look but got diverted by the cake.

“We’ll be eating soon.”

“Mom’s not here to threaten me, so I’m eating dessert first. Can we swing by the college? Art history is letting out now, and I want to show off a little to my friends.”

Dante chuckled. “Fine, but don’t expect me to get out of the car and wait on the corner while you do.”

She shoved the half-empty container into his hands when the light turned green and the car behind them honked. “It’ll only be for ten minutes.”

“Either you showcase me and the car or there’s no deal,” Dante insisted.

“Okay.”

He closed the lid on the cake after sneaking another forkful. “What made you get Lanelle’s number?”

Vanessa flashed him a grin. “What made you ask her out?”

Smart-assed little girl. How Cynthia hadn’t driven that annoying quality out of her by now was a mystery to everyone. He resorted to “I asked you first.”

“I liked her. She seemed to be someone I could hang out with.”

“Even though she’s older?”

She shrugged. “We hang out.”

“Because we’re family.”

Vanessa sucked her teeth as she made a left turn. “Uncle Xander is family, but I don’t go places with him.”

Dante held up a finger. “First of all, your dad’s brother is nowhere near as cool as me, and second he lives in California, so you can’t just pick up the phone and ask him to come get you. And don’t you even mention my brother Emmanuel. With the number of kids he and his wife have, they can barely get out the house.”

“Whatever. My point is, age doesn’t matter with friendship. Or did I hear it about love?”

“I concede.”

Vanessa pulled the car over in front of a café a few blocks from her school, put it in Park and pressed the button to unlock the doors. “Please, Uncle D?”

He crossed his arms over his chest and looked out the windshield. One glance at her would break his resolve. There wasn’t much he wouldn’t do for his nieces and nephews, and they knew how to play him. “You can forget about me getting out of this car.”

“How about if I talk you up to Lanelle when I call her?” The manipulative minx tapped a finger on the custom-designed steering wheel. “Maybe find out where she’ll be, so you can bump into her.”

Dante reached for the handle. “You can tell her how wonderful I am, but don’t ask where she’ll be at any point in time. The woman is not stupid.” He opened the door. “You have twenty minutes. We still have to meet your parents and little brother at the restaurant. Your friends can sit in the car, but don’t go joyriding.”

He pulled out his phone. “I have an app that lets me see exactly where the car is at all times.” She didn’t need to know he had yet to learn how to use it.

“I promise. Thanks, Uncle D.”

Curbside, he watched his precious niece and car roll down the street.

Vanessa’s offer had been tempting, but he’d never get away with it if she became his informant. The two seemed to get along, but who knew if anything would come of their spark of friendship?

He had to find a way to see Lanelle again. Why would she deny the attraction blazing between them? Maybe she’s married. A ring had adorned two fingers on her right hand, but the left hand was free. No matter the reason, he’d find her. He hadn’t become successful in life by giving up, and he wouldn’t do so with her.

On the other hand, if they were meant to be together, they’d meet again. He scoffed at the idea. As long as my name is Dante Leroy Sanderson, I’ll find her. Fate be damned.

* * *

Toshia Covington panted hard as the StairMaster kicked her ass early the next morning.

Lanelle’s own breath came out with less stress as she jogged at an easy pace on the treadmill next to her best friend. “Why don’t you lower the intensity? I don’t want to break out my CPR skills on you here in the gym.”

Even sweating buckets, her best friend looked good. Toshia’s thick hair swung in its ponytail as her hips swayed. Her large, dark brown, almond-shaped eyes remained bright even as sweat dripped into them. “What happened to no pain, no gain?”

“I think the person who coined the phrase died of a massive heart attack while not listening to his body.”

Toshia let go of her machine’s handle long enough to dab the sweat from her face with her towel. “Ha, ha, ha. How are things going with the NICU you’re building?”

Lanelle puffed out a breath. “The wing is coming along great in terms of construction, but we’re running out of money.” Saying the words out loud brought on a fresh wave of frustration.

“What?”

“Yeah, we have no idea what’s going on. The books balance, but it doesn’t make sense. The flooring and the fixtures are the only things remaining. And there’s very little cash in the till.”

Toshia stared at her. “How can that be?”

Thinking about it made her angrier with each minute. “You know how I was busy working on Dad’s supersensitive project.”

“You mean the one where I saw you once during the six-week period and you hardly slept?”

Lanelle shivered thinking about how much work had gone into the assignment. Every once in a while, when her father had a highly confidential financial project, he’d call her to head it. “Work on the NICU started at around the same time, but I couldn’t say no to Dad.”

“Plus, you’re naive as hell and thought people would be honest.”

“Who would try to extort money from a hospital trying to build a wing to help innocent babies?”

Toshia pursed her full, pinkish-brown lips to the side and tapped her chin in a pretense of thinking. “Let’s see. Greedy-ass bastards with no concept of right or wrong come to mind.”

“I’m not saying the money was stolen, but it wasn’t well managed. We’ve gone through the books twice. The next step is to call a forensic accountant.” She pushed an errant strand of hair behind her ear. “I feel like I’m on a crime show, only instead of dead bodies, it’s all about paperwork.”

Toshia shook her head. “None of this would’ve happened if you’d been fully on board. Your anal-retentive ass would’ve known how every penny was spent.”

Damn straight. “I’m not sure where the money went, but I know one thing.”

“You’re going to do whatever it takes to find the bastards and hang them by the balls?”

Lanelle smiled at her friend’s crassness. “What you said was better than I could’ve phrased it. I’m going to have to hold another fund-raiser. If I don’t, the money comes from my pocket.”

“You’ve already sunk how many millions into it?”

Lanelle had no issues with the money she’d invested to see the project completed. Technically, Eliana Lanelle Gill Astacio, the official name on her birth certificate, the only daughter and middle child of the Fortune 500 business tycoon who hailed from a lineage of Spanish royalty, had donated the money.

Having learned her older brother’s experiences, Lanelle’s parents had registered her in boarding school by her middle names. She’d become a Murphy when she got married and had kept the name when they divorced. Living a life outside the spotlight the Astacio name brought had suited her over the years.

When Lanelle had been asked to be on the board of the five-hundred-bed hospital two years ago, she’d noticed the NICU was inadequate. The tug on her heart to construct a larger, more modern unit pulled on her so hard she’d decided to spearhead the construction of one for the hospital.

The board had unanimously agreed to her proposal. After brainstorming, they’d designed a three-story structure. The top floor would consist of a hostel where parents could reside and still be near their babies.

The first floor would house the women who’d just delivered their premature or sick newborns. Lanelle had learned from experience that being on the same unit with happy mothers who got to take their adorable, gurgling children home with them in a couple of days added to mothers’ depression when they couldn’t do the same. Placing these women on their own floor while their child struggled to live would be a psychological boon. The second floor would consist of a state-of-the-art neonatal intensive care unit.

“Yeah. I’m sure Dad will shake his head in disappointment if I put in any more cash. And you know what Leonardo would say.”

“He’s an ass. Why does his opinion matter to you?”

“He’s my older brother. He’s gained a reputation as a cutthroat corporate lawyer, all without using my father’s influence. I have to respect that.”

“I’m not arguing with you about this again.”

“He can be a pain sometimes.”

Toshia arched an eyebrow. “Whenever I came to your house during school breaks, he’d torment me as much as he did you.”

“He’s misunderstood. I still say he’s a good guy, on the rare occasion.”

“How do you have the ability to see the good in everyone?” For once Toshia hadn’t asked the question as if it was a curse.

Getting them back on course, Lanelle said, “I’m pretty sure the hospital won’t infuse more money into the project, not when they’ve capped out what they’d anticipated giving. I haven’t run it past the board yet, but I’m thinking of having one last fund-raiser. If we don’t make enough, then I’ll offset the costs.” She upped the speed of the treadmill to help tame the distress storming through her. Over the past few years, it seemed like the universe had decided that, by any means necessary, she had to learn people couldn’t be trusted. Letting her compassionate heart rule her life had led to some major disappointments. Without fail, she’d always decided to help rather than hide. If she could only maintain a more cynical frame of mind in which, like Toshia, she anticipated that people would screw her over.

The NICU had to get built, and she’d do anything to make it happen, even stomp down the people trying to get in the way.

“If you want, I’ll donate my time to organize it.”

Lanelle stopped short of jumping off the treadmill to hug her friend. “I couldn’t thank you enough.” Toshia was one of the most renowned party planners in the business. She’d organized all of the other successful fund-raisers they’d had for the hospital. For Toshia to offer her services for free went beyond the call of friendship.

“I can’t let you be the only one doing your part to make the world a better place. When are you thinking of holding it?”

“In a month.”

Toshia sucked air in through her teeth. “You’re cutting it close.”

“Yes, but I have the best event planner on board. Even if I gave you two days, you’d turn out a fabulous party.”

“True.” Toshia blew on her nails and rubbed them on her sopping-wet tank top with a smirk. “I am that good. When are you meeting with the board?”

“We’re having an emergency meeting on Monday.”

Toshia increased the pace on the StairMaster. “Be honest—what do you think is going on with the money?”

“I don’t know. All of the paperwork looks good. And you know me.”

“You can’t think the worst about anybody until they show their true face.” Toshia shook her head. “Not one of the traits I admire, by the way.”

Lanelle grunted hard through her panting. She wouldn’t get into it again about their personality differences, but if she were more untrusting she could circumvent some of the problems she’d had in her life before they even happened. But then she’d miss some of the good in people. “Maybe we just did some bad financial calculations.”

“With you, Miss Graduated-with-Her-MBA-at-the-Top-of-Her-Class, as the head of the project, I doubt it. You’re a natural-born philanthropist. When you aren’t helping someone in need, you’re computing to make sure your projects get the most out of what you have to offer.”

“Other than setting the budget, the board doesn’t deal with the money aspect. We only oversee that the decisions we’ve made are going in the right direction. If I’d been around, I would’ve kept a closer eye on things.”

“Then you need to vet the hospital’s accounting department. Brad’s told me horror stories about what accountants have tried to do with his money.” Toshia loved to talk about her husband even more than parties or clothes. “But because my baby is too smart to get taken, he circumvented their efforts. I’m sure the money is disappearing somewhere it’s not supposed to.”

The same suspicions had plagued Lanelle. “I’ve been there and found nothing. Wherever the funds went, they made a clean getaway.” For now. No longer wanting to discuss her failure in keeping her project on course without a major glitch, Lanelle got lost in the music coming through her headphones.

Toshia knocked on the treadmill to capture Lanelle’s attention. “You’ve gone to the previous fund-raisers alone. I refuse to let you do it again. Who are you taking as a date?” Toshia answered her own question. “How about Mr. Tall, Dark and Afro? I can’t believe you fobbed him off.”

The exact same thoughts had kept her tossing and turning the night away. Images of Dante had refused to leave as they morphed into fantasies about more than just their hands touching.

Lord knew she was long overdue for a good time.

“Why didn’t you say yes to a date? The way you described him, he seems like a nice guy. You’re the most instinctive person I know. Something told you to say yes, and yet you did the opposite. Inquiring Toshia wants to know why.”

“You already do.”

“Girl, you need to get over it. Your ex-husband was all kinds of a jerk for leaving you.” She paused to catch her breath. “Not all men are the same. Conrad was a punk of distended proportions.”

The loss of Lanelle’s five-month-old baby as a stillbirth had devastated her. She’d survived the heartbreak and had gotten pregnant a year later, only to deliver premature twins and watch them die. She’d been distraught and beyond comfort. When she’d held their lifeless forms in her arms, she’d been told they’d suffered a severe case of anemia from her body attacking the babies’ red blood cells.

Her B-negative blood lacked the rhesus, or Rh, factor; her first baby had inherited it from her ex-husband and tested positive for it after she’d miscarried. She’d been injected with the RhoGAM vaccine; if she didn’t take the medication, her body would see the blood of the next Rh-positive child as a foreign body that had to be destroyed.

But the RhoGAM had failed, a rare occurrence that had stumped her obstetrician. The antibodies the vaccine was supposed to prevent her from developing had killed her twins.

Her ex-husband hadn’t been able to handle the news that they’d most likely never have a child together, so he’d divorced her.

In less than two years, she’d had to suffer the tragic loss of her three children and had been left by a man who’d promised to stay with her through sickness and health. A childless marriage hadn’t been part of the vows, so he’d taken off.

Lanelle would never be able to endure the agony of losing another child. Compounded with the fact that no matter how much a man claimed to love a woman, he couldn’t be trusted to stay when he was needed. What was the point in having a relationship if he’d end up leaving?

Other than the occasional date forced on to her by her parents, her younger brother, Miguel, and Toshia, Lanelle hadn’t had a long-term relationship since her ex-husband, Conrad, left her.

When she’d found out he and his new wife had delivered a healthy, full-term baby boy six months after they’d married, her heart had broken all over again. And her resolve to stay away from men had strengthened.

Lanelle had been pleased with her life choice to live like a nun. Until yesterday. Dante’s knee-buckling smile started shattering walls she’d never intended to let crack.

“What’s his name again?”

An image of his rich, dark skin came to mind. “Dante Sanderson.”

Toshia pushed a button on the machine and stopped pumping her legs as it came to a stop. “Oh, my goodness, you like him.”

“No, I don’t.”

“Alleluia, praise the Lord.” Her friend raised both hands. “After all these years, she likes someone. Glory be. I know you like him,” Toshia said. “It’s the sappy smile that crept onto your face when you mentioned his name. And you said it all breathy.”

“Couldn’t be because I’m running on a treadmill at eight miles an hour.”

“Go out with him.”

Lanelle pressed the button to add an incline to her jog. “Even if I wanted to, which I don’t, I couldn’t.”

Toshia crossed her arms over her full bosom. “Why the hell not?”

Lanelle pulled the first excuse that came to mind. “I don’t have his number.”

“Oh, please. It doesn’t take the CIA to find someone. You have his first and last name. Look him up.”

Tired of trying to justify her decision, Lanelle said, “If we meet again by chance, then I’ll go out with him. If not, then it wasn’t meant to be.”

Toshia flattened her lips. “You don’t believe in fate. Why would you bring it to the table with the first guy you’ve been attracted to in years?”

Because he scares me. “He seemed like too much of a smooth talker to trust.”

“I can’t believe you.” Toshia glared at her. “That’s not the reason, and you know it. It’s been ages. When will you be ready to date again?”

Lanelle stopped the machine without going through a cooldown. “Time for weights.”

“Fine, we’ll talk about this later.”

With Toshia’s penchant for focusing on herself when prompted, Lanelle had no doubt they wouldn’t speak about it for weeks to come. By then Dante Sanderson would no longer star in her fantasies.

Chapter 4

The most recent meeting Lanelle had with the hospital board dragged on for hours as they’d discussed the issue of funding for the NICU.

During the first half hour, tempers rose as some of the board members’ anger about the lack of funds surfaced. Lanelle observed the discussion with a critical eye as she fumed. She couldn’t believe there were some who seemed ambivalent to the miscalculations. And yet she didn’t trust those being most vociferous in their outrage, either.

She ensured that her voice was calm when she said, “The best thing to do at this point is hire a forensic accountant to find out what happened to the money.”

Rather than the commendation she expected for her idea, the room went silent. After a few seconds, one of the ones who hadn’t seemed to care one way or the other said, “Forensic accountants are specialists who charge a lot of money for their work.” She raised her eyebrow in a condescending way that made Lanelle’s hand form a fist. “And who do you suppose should pay for it?”

Some of the others grumbled things Lanelle couldn’t hear, which made her angrier because they seemed in support of the older woman. “If money has been stolen, they’ve done such a good job of it that it’s probably not the first time. Wouldn’t it be better to invest in finding out if funds are being stolen from the hospital?”

A couple people drank from the glasses that sat in front of them, increasing Lanelle’s suspicions of some of their involvement.

“It’s just conjecture that the money has been stolen. Any number of things could’ve happened to it,” one of the others in the neutral camp said.

Incredulous, Lanelle calmed herself with a deep breath. “And that’s why we need forensics to assess the situation. We need to know for sure what happened to the money.”

The board’s treasurer straightened his stack of papers. “You have an excellent point. But the question remains about funding the fees of the accountant.” He paused as some of the members nodded. The smile, meant to charm her, didn’t work. “Can I suggest another fund-raiser to offset the remaining costs of this noble project you and your family have invested so generously toward?”

Lanelle’s heart beat double time and she struggled to keep herself from shouting out her wrath. It would’ve hindered rather than helped. They already saw her as an eccentric rich woman from the powerful Astacio family, so they treated her very carefully. No need to add crazy to the list. “I hope we revisit the idea of hiring the forensic accountant.” She settled her gaze on each of the board members as she vowed to discover the truth, even if she had to do it on her own. “My family would hate to think that their money has been allowed to be stolen due to...personal interests.” Turning the tables in a flash, she smiled at the treasurer. “A fund-raiser would be a lovely idea.”

Once the throat clearing, body shifting and water drinking settled down, they discussed the fund-raiser, which they all agreed Lanelle would chair and organize, as she’d expected. They’d hold the event in one month to try to keep on the building’s work schedule while giving them time to plan.

Other than her suspicions of the involvement of some of the board members in stealing the project’s money, the meeting went well once the tension dissipated. When it was adjourned, Lanelle had a clear plan in mind about both the fund-raiser and finding the money.

Grabbing her things, she left without making small talk with anyone and headed down to the hospital cafeteria for her favorite decadent treat. Her heart skipped a beat at the memory of meeting Dante the last time she’d gone there. She felt a niggling regret at not saying yes to his invitation. Recalling the children she’d always love but never hold and how she’d never put herself through that again, she knew saying no had been for the best.

* * *

Lanelle had been busy planning the fund-raiser with Toshia over the past couple weeks. Her friend had performed miracles to get the event organized.

At a meeting at Lanelle’s house, they arranged a silent auction to help bring in more proceeds.

“We’re ahead of schedule. Two more weeks and we can set this party off.” Toshia leaned her elbows against Lanelle’s desk. “So tell me what happened at the meeting with the forensic accountant.”

“You will not believe how much money those people make.” The quote had staggered her. “It will be worth it, though. I can’t stand when people get away with doing the wrong thing.”

“Not even your best friend.” Toshia waggled her index finger. “You’re not the one I’d ever call to help me bury a body. I’d end up in jail when you called the police.”

Lanelle laughed. “Good thing I know you’d never kill anyone.”

“If you say so.” Toshia finished her drink and quirked an eyebrow. “Did you set up a date with Mr. Afro for your fund-raiser?”

Something in Lanelle’s belly fluttered at the mention of Dante. He’d been on her mind every day since they’d met. He epitomized the phrase “tall, dark and handsome” and she liked the confident manner and sense of humor he’d displayed during their much too short time together. How could she miss someone she’d known for less than fifteen minutes?

“I haven’t seen or heard from him since the parking lot, so no.” Although she’d seen a lot of him in her fantasies.

Toshia clucked her tongue. “You are one hard-headed woman. You know you liked him. Why don’t you just get in contact with him? Brad thinks he’s a good guy.” Her face perked up. “I’ll call him for you and set up a meeting.” Her friend giggled. “It’ll be destiny.”

Lanelle gasped. She wasn’t sure if she wanted Toshia to go through with her idea or not. Then the fear overtook her desire to get to know the first man she’d been attracted to in years. “Don’t you dare, Toshia. Promise me that you won’t.”

Toshia pouted.

“Promise me.”

“Fine,” she said with more than a little petulance in her voice. “I’ve got to get going. I have a meeting across town in thirty minutes with a client. Get this—he wants to hold a five-story party with each floor having its own theme.” Toshia glowed. “It’s going to be my masterpiece.”

Lanelle smiled at her friend’s joy. “I’m happy for you.” She walked Toshia to her car and hugged her goodbye. Just as Lanelle stepped into her house, her cell phone rang. At the name flashing on her phone, she smiled and answered. “Hello.”

“Hi, Lanelle.” Then a pause. “It’s me, Vanessa.”

They’d spoken almost every day since they’d met. She’d even taken Vanessa out to dinner. Lanelle couldn’t understand how they’d become fast friends in such a short time. The girl’s intelligence, sense of humor and zest for life fascinated her, even though she found their connection disconcerting. The young lady had become the little sister she’d never known she’d wanted. “Why would you think I haven’t saved your number? How’d class go this morning?”

“I think I’m going to change my major.”

Having grown up with a business magnate for a father, one she’d emulated, Lanelle had known what she’d study long before she went to college. She’d never wavered in her decision and couldn’t understand how Vanessa had changed majors three times. “Again?”

“I’m having a hard time making up my mind.”

Lanelle had nothing scheduled for the day except her weekly video chat to keep in touch with her parents when they traveled. She could postpone it to the evening. For once they’d taken a trip to Jamaica to unwind, rather than for business.

She made a quick decision. Hanging out with Vanessa was like blowing bubbles: fun, light and easy. The young woman posed no threat. Her uncle, on the other hand...

“How about I pick you up for lunch and we’ll talk about it?”

“Sounds good. I’ll be waiting in front of the building with the golden dome like last time. Are you taking me to Azure again? Wait. How about I take you to lunch this time?”

“You’re a student. I’m not in the mood for Burger King.”

The harrumph of annoyance would’ve been more believable if not followed by a chuckle. “Goes to show what you know. I would’ve taken you to Wendy’s. Their value meals are better.”

“Since I invited you, I’ll choose the place.”

“I don’t care where we go—food is food.”

Said like a true college student. “I’ll be there in thirty. Bye.”

Every time she agreed to meet Vanessa, Lanelle wondered if Dante would show up. It unnerved her that she wanted to see him again. After two weeks, she hadn’t been able to get him off her mind. A man Vanessa adored couldn’t be a bad guy.

The thrill of awareness she’d felt when he’d touched her had been unparalleled. She sighed. Maybe if she’d met Dante before her life had gone to hell, something good could’ve come from getting to know him. At this point, she could let no man in, not even a handsome, muscular, charming one who’d stolen her breath and ingrained himself into her daily thoughts.

* * *

In the middle of picking out his tuxedo for a fund-raising event two weeks from Saturday, Dante’s phone rang. He excused himself from the tailor after looking at the screen.

He’d barely gotten out his hello when his niece shouted, “Get to campus right now. Lanelle’s picking me up in twenty-eight minutes.”

“What happened to not telling me where she’d be?”

“That was before I realized you’d be perfect for each other.”

Besides their initial two chance meetings, Dante hadn’t run into Lanelle again. He knew nothing about her other than that she possessed the wit and intelligence he’d observed during those brief encounters. Over the past couple of weeks, an image of her beautiful face would pop into his mind at random. When he remembered the spark in her eyes when they’d touched, his skin would get flushed. Not a day went by when he didn’t regret not pushing her for a date, but she seemed as stubborn as he tended to be tenacious, so he’d played the game by her rules. “What makes you think so?”

“I’m not going to say. I just know. Are you coming down?”

And have her call me a cheater and renege on the offer of a date? No. “I’m in the middle of a tuxedo fitting.”

“Can’t you do it later?”

The salesman tapped his foot as he leaned against the counter. “I’ll be out of town for a couple of weeks. I’ll be back just in time to attend a formal fund-raising dinner I’ve been invited to. If I don’t get fitted now, then I’ll be wearing a suit to the dinner.”

“Where are you off to now? I thought you gave most of your travel assignments to one of your executives.”

His niece had a knack for remembering things he’d never expect her to, especially when it came to his work.

“Is it Italy?” She sounded so excited Dante chuckled. “Can I go with you?”

Vanessa had been hounding him for a trip ever since she’d been a little girl. Maybe he’d have to make her dream come to fruition. After the cancer scare, he knew life, no matter the person’s age, could be gone in a moment. “Listen, I’ve got to go. Have a good time with Lanelle. As she said, if it’s meant to be, it will be.”

Vanessa sucked her teeth. “That philosophy is bogus. I like it better when you say that if you want something, go out and get it. What changed your mind?”

I don’t want to piss her off and mess up a chance to get to know her. “I’ll talk to you later.”

“Bye.”

Dante turned to the salesman. “I’m ready.”

Lanelle had starred in all of his fantasies since meeting her. It wouldn’t mean as much if they’d all been sexual. When he’d imagined them having a conversation over dinner, he knew she’d affected him more than a woman he’d just met should’ve. And yet he hadn’t made a move toward finding her. He’d give it more time. Maybe a month. If they didn’t meet by then, he’d do what was more in line with his nature and make it happen.

In the meantime, he’d focus on his business. The hospital project had fallen into his lap, the perfect way to try his hand at a new type of flooring. This contract marked the beginning of a new era in his company. Once they completed the job to perfection, the referrals would flood in. Then he’d be able to get the wicked and greedy Calvano clan off his back.

He ground his teeth at the thought of losing part of his business to them. A deep breath helped to clear the anger. With this hospital bid in his pocket, he no longer had to worry. He’d beat the deadline and maintain complete control of his company.

Perhaps the only thing that would rank with beating the Calvanos would be dating Lanelle.

Chapter 5

Everything at the fund-raiser was perfect, from the food to the elegantly dressed patrons who’d donated generously to be part of the event. Of course it had helped that she’d let it leak that her paparazzi-beloved brother, Miguel, would attend. He loved the limelight more than Lanelle did her privacy. She watched her brother schmooze his way through the guests, encouraging them to further support the NICU by bidding in the silent auction they’d planned.

“I wish Mom and Dad could be here to see what a wonderful job you’ve done,” Lanelle gushed as she took in the splendor of the ballroom. “Toshia, you’ve outdone yourself.”

“Thanks. I tried to create a glamorous space without going crazy with the budget. Where are your parents now?”

“You know them. They said they went to Jamaica to relax, but after a week they took off to the Dominican Republic for a tour of their sugarcane plantations and manufacturing company. Then they’re going to Columbia to check on their coffee investment.”

Toshia shook her head. “What aren’t your parents into?”

Lanelle rolled her eyes up and to the right, pretending to think. “Staying in one place for too long, and drugs. Wait, let me clarify. Illegal drugs. They do own a pharmaceutical company.”

Her friend dropped a piece of fresh cantaloupe wrapped in prosciutto onto her plate. “Good job getting Miguel to come.”

She smiled as she found her younger brother laughing with a politically prominent man. Miguel was the antithesis of their oldest sibling, always seeking fun, while Leonardo took life much too seriously “I didn’t even bother to invite Leonardo. He would’ve claimed to be busy with work, and I wasn’t up for the rejection.”

Toshia didn’t hide her frown at Lanelle’s antisocial brother’s behavior. “How far has the forensic accountant come with the investigation?”

Lanelle shook her head. “Nothing yet. He’s thorough, too. He’s inquired into the contractors we used, but he hasn’t found anything out of the normal. It’s not as if anyone is going to confess to stealing the money, so it might take some deep digging to find out what we need. I still find it impossible to believe someone would embezzle from a hospital. Or at all, for that matter.”

Toshia sucked her teeth. “First of all, you are such a sucker. You believe everyone is inherently good and all that crap.”

“Toshia!”

She ignored the outburst. “Secondly, we’ve always had money, so we never had to worry. You’d be surprised at what people will do to obtain it.” Toshia took a delicate bite of the meat-and-fruit combination. “Why don’t you ask your parents, or even Leonardo, for help?”

Lanelle picked up a glass of champagne from a passing waiter and took a sip before placing it on the table. Her churning stomach hadn’t allowed her to eat much at dinner, so she needed to take it easy on the alcohol. “I can handle it.”

“If you say so.” Toshia blew a kiss to someone across the room.

Lanelle turned to see a tall, broad-shouldered man headed their way.

“Brad and I are going to leave soon. Since the party’s winding down, there’s no need for me to stay. The caterers have their instructions.”

Toshia’s husband slipped an arm around her waist, bent down and whispered something in her ear, eliciting a girlish giggle.

The tiniest stab of jealousy made Lanelle avert her gaze from the happy couple. Five years of marriage and they still got so wrapped up in each other that no one else in the room existed.

Through the good and the bad, Brad had stuck by Toshia’s side. Lanelle considered him to be a different breed of man from the rest. How can you classify all men as the same when you don’t get to know any of them? Just like Brad, not all of them are weak. Great. Now my subconscious sounds just like Toshia’s blabbing.

Lanelle’s sharp inhale drew the lovebirds’ attention as her gaze settled on the one person she’d never expected to see again. Too late to turn and hide behind Brad. True to her obstinate nature, she hadn’t come with a date, so she had no one to use as an excuse.

The slow saunter of slim hips, emphasized by powerful, tuxedo-clad shoulders, captivated Lanelle. She raked her gaze from his shiny black shoes up to his magnificent body to meet his eyes. With a single look, the man held her frozen, stopping her from running for her life.

Lanelle resisted the urge to look down at her gold taffeta dress to make sure her hardened nipples weren’t poking through. Just in case, she crossed her arms over her breasts. With an ease that told of his utmost confidence, Dante reached for one of her hands and placed a kiss on her knuckles.

“What a coincidence to see you again, Lanelle.” He tucked her hand into the crook of his left arm. She made a pathetic attempt to extract it, but the little tug ended up being useless.

“Won’t you introduce us to your friend?” Toshia’s voice had risen a pitch.

Shifting her gaze from Dante’s glittering light brown eyes, Lanelle felt the party filter back into her consciousness.

Clearing her throat in an attempt to gain a few seconds to compose herself, Lanelle plastered on a smile before making the introductions. “This is my best friend, Toshia, and her husband, Bradley Covington. This is—”

“Dante Sanderson.” Brad held out his hand.

“Good to see you again.”

Toshia’s mouth dropped open. “How do you two know each other?” Toshia asked.

Brad encircled his wife’s waist. “We’ve worked together on a few projects. He’s excellent when it comes to supplying and installing top-quality marble and granite.”

“I’ve branched into PVC floor installation.”

“PVC?” Toshia asked.

“It stands for polyvinyl chloride,” Lanelle answered. “They use it for plastic pipes and flooring. It can be created to look like wood, linoleum or anything in between. Depending on the look you want. You know the flooring they use in the gym? That’s PVC. It’s a rather versatile material.”

Dante turned to her with his eyebrows raised.

“What?” No need to tell him she’d come about the information while doing research on what type of flooring would be best for a hospital. “I can’t know things?”

Dante flexed his biceps in response. “I’m pretty sure you know a whole lot.”

Lanelle’s intake of breath didn’t go unnoticed by her friend as Toshia smirked.

“Brad, if you have a project that needs vinyl, give me a call. And you know I’m always available for marble and granite.”

“I’ll be sure to do that.”

Lanelle found it impossible to calm her racing heart.

“Isn’t the world just too small, Lanelle?” Toshia asked.

“As a Ping-Pong ball,” Lanelle creaked out, placing a hand to her throat as she struggled to swallow. Where was a wandering champagne waiter when she needed one? Darn their competence at picking up her first glass. “I need a drink.”

Lanelle released her arm from Dante’s prison and pivoted toward the bar.

“I’ll join you. We’ll catch up later during the evening, Brad.”

“Toshia and I are leaving, but I’ll give you a call.”

Lanelle reached one of the strategically located bars within seconds. She forced a smile at the bartender. “Gin and tonic. Not too much ice, please.” She didn’t hear what Dante ordered and didn’t care. When the cold drink hit her hand, she downed half of it in gulps.

She glared at Dante. “What are you doing here?”

“I hope someone’s told you how stunning you look tonight.”

Taking a step back from his magnetism didn’t help. “Flattering me isn’t an answer to the question. Did Vanessa tell you I’d be here?” Too late, she recalled she hadn’t told Vanessa anything about tonight.

“It’s good to know you’re a little paranoid before we go out on our date.” A slow, sexy grin made an unwarranted appearance, weakening her knees. “I thought I’d imagined your graceful beauty, but my memory didn’t do you justice.”

Lanelle lifted her straight shoulder-length hair off her neck, wishing she’d worn it in an updo so she wouldn’t feel so overheated. “Still not an answer.”

He took a sip of the dark drink he’d ordered, placed it on the counter and then took her glass.

“Hey, I was drinking that.”

“For the record, I had no idea you’d be here, so you can calm down. If you dance with me, I’ll explain my presence at this,” he lowered his voice, “rather boring party.”

She wouldn’t be able to withstand being so close to him. Even now his scent enticed her, drawing her closer. “Or...” She poked him in his chest, only to wince at the pain she’d caused herself. “You could save us the trouble of going to the dance floor and explain it here and now while I finish my drink.”

Dante held out his arm. The man was an enigma. Showing up at a last-minute fund-raiser gala. Late, too, because she was pretty sure she would’ve noticed him earlier. Plus, he knew Brad.

The fact that he caused her body to react in incredible ways she could never recall happening before was beside the point. She had information to ascertain, and she would. Placing her hand in the crook of his arm, she went with him to the dance floor.

The space he maintained between them as they danced to a smooth jazz song should’ve helped her to relax. Her gaze roamed the still-crowded ballroom. With the help of a few friends, she’d organized a silent auction. From the bids she’d seen earlier in the night, the guests had been generous.

Her brother came into sight. She wasn’t happy about the wink he sent her. Miguel could see romance in anything. Sometimes a dance with a man who set her insides on fire with his touch was just a dance.

Without warning, Dante invaded her space and tilted her into a dip. Gripping the shoulder of his tuxedo, she scowled into his smiling face as the blood rushed to her head. Before she could chastise him, he brought her upright.

She hated surprises. Being out of control ranked number one on her never-to-do list. Dante threatened all of that. From the few stories Vanessa had told about him, they were as different as a waltz and a tango. “Talk.”

Should she be feeling the deep rumble of his laughter against her chest? When had he pulled her so close? She tried to re-create space between them. His hand splayed against her back made it impossible.

“Do you ever loosen up?”

She snapped her head up. Even though she was wearing stilettoes, he loomed over her. “You’ve met me what, all of twice? You have no idea who I am.”

He leaned in, his breath tickling her ear as he whispered, “But I’d like to.”

All thoughts of why she’d come on the dance floor escaped as he pressed his cheek against hers. For once in her life, Lanelle lost herself in the gentle sway of a man’s embrace.

Chapter 6

Dante willed the music to play forever. Once Lanelle let go of her stiff and demanding demeanor and melted into him, everything changed.

Her tall, lithe frame fit well into his. For those precious moments they formed a fluid connection. When the song ended, they continued with the same languorous movements, which could barely be interpreted as dancing.

An up-tempo beat blared through the system. Hesitant to distance himself from Lanelle’s sweet rose scent and perfect body, he summoned his strength and took a step back. Pleased it took her a few seconds to lift her eyelids, he angled himself farther back, though that didn’t dim the need to kiss her. But at least it made her less accessible.

“Unless we want to swing dance, we should get off the floor.”

She broke eye contact first. For a moment he thought she’d break out into dance when she tapped her foot to the tune before walking away.

Caught up in her essence, he had no choice but to follow.

This time at the bar she ordered sparkling water as she slipped onto the stool. After her first sip, she raised an eyebrow. Needing no further prompting, Dante said, “I’m doing work for the hospital. When they sent me the invitation, I thought it would be a good way to network.”

“At a thousand dollars a plate?”

He hoped the lift of his shoulder exhibited the nonchalance he attempted to portray. Lanelle had his insides tied in knots. What is it about her? “I figure it’s for a good cause. Besides, I’m doing the flooring on the hospital wing they threw this fund-raiser for.”

Lanelle’s hand fluttered to her throat, and a soft “oh” came out.

Dante expected her to say more after such a strange reaction. “And what brings you here?” he asked when she remained quiet.

Her eyes widened the slightest bit before she stated, “Toshia planned this event, and I wanted to support her. Didn’t she do a brilliant job?” Lanelle held up a hand to the side of her mouth and stage-whispered, “I happen to know she did it under budget. So if you’re looking for an event planner, you might want to give Toshia a try.”

Those words had to be the most she’d said to him at one time. The woman was too couth to babble. And yet she had. Maybe he’d misjudged her. Or she’s hiding something.

The drink in Lanelle’s hand disappeared as she drained it. When ice cubes remained, she sucked one in and chewed.

He clenched his teeth together as the sound grated in his ears. He must’ve winced because she stopped and covered her mouth. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to annoy you.”

“How could you have known listening to someone chew ice is worse than nails on a chalkboard for me?”

“Do they make those anymore?”

“I’m not sure. All I remember is my classmates using it as a form of torture when they went to the board.”

“Did you ever have to clap the erasers?”

He chuckled at the memories that dredged up. “It was my favorite job. I loved creating a cloud of chalk dust. Plus, it got me out of the classroom.”

She scrunched her nose. “I hated it. The teacher would make me do it as a punishment.”

“For what? You don’t seem like the kind of person who’d get into any sort of trouble.”

“You’d be surprised.”

Their gazes held. I’m sure I would be. He couldn’t let her slip away again. Vanessa wouldn’t be the only one who got the chance to enjoy her company. “About our date. Are you free tomorrow?”

A flicker of her eyes to the right and upward told him she was about to lie. He hated liars. Before she could speak, he reminded her, “Destiny has brought us together. You owe me a date. You said it yourself in the parking lot.”

“Tomorrow is Sunday.”

“And? We could do something fun.”

Lanelle lifted her glass, and just as she opened her mouth to take a piece of ice, she stopped and placed it on the bar, pushing it away. With less enthusiasm than he would’ve liked, she asked, “What time?”

“Will you be going to church tomorrow?”

“Yes.”

“What time does the service end?”

“Ten.”

Dante chuckled. “No all-day worship for you?”

Lanelle smiled. “I’m good with a couple of hours.”

“Me, too. How about if I pick you up at eleven? We could go to brunch.”

Her dramatic sigh made him think she’d rather dip her toe in a pond filled with crocodiles than go out with him. “How about we meet somewhere? At the restaurant would be good.”

“Ever been to Peaches ’n’ Cream?”

“Yes.” She hopped off the bar stool. “See you there tomorrow at eleven.” Backing up a step, she hitched a thumb over her shoulder. “I promised I’d take care of some things for Toshia so she could leave early with her husband.”

“Are you an event planner, too?”

“With my anal-retentive organizational skills, I could be, but no.”

“What do you do?”

The step she was about to take faltered, and Dante reached out to steady her. He couldn’t help himself from bending his head toward her when her gaze dropped to his lips. Enticed by the heat from her silky skin, he caressed her arm. Clasping a hand at the back of her neck, he went for what he’d been dreaming about since he’d first met her.

Before he could reach his goal, he yelped in pain. Without drawing attention to them, Lanelle held his pinkie in some kind of death grip.

He hissed in a breath when she made the tiniest move to the left. “That hurts.”

Her lips curled up in a vicious smile. “I know. Do you remember what I told you when we first met?”

No thought other than getting his finger out of her mean grip came to mind. “Refresh my memory,” he gritted out. To the crowd, they must have looked like a normal couple, touching in an almost intimate way. The control she had over him with just his pinkie in her possession humbled more than embarrassed him. “Can you please let go, first?”

She did as he asked. He massaged his poor finger behind his back. As the pain diminished, the memory surfaced. “You said you could take me down.”

“Yes. And you didn’t believe it. I’d appreciate if you didn’t touch me again.” She angled her head in a silent warning.

Her reaction had been extreme. She could’ve told him no and he would’ve backed off. What had happened in her life to make her use violence as a first resort? Or was she one of those women who’d rather fight than communicate?

He could explain he’d touched her only to ensure her safety. But it would be a lie. It may have started that way, but it had transitioned into more. He’d been about to kiss her.

Even now, knowing she could land him on the floor without breaking a sweat, he wanted to swipe a lock of hair off her forehead, and her lips still beckoned. Would they be as soft as her cheek had been against his while they’d danced? Softer, his brain teased.

How could he keep the promise he was about to make? “As you wish.”

A curt nod and she left. If only she’d take the throbbing in his pinkie and the need to hold her again with her.

* * *

Would her legs support her? Still shaken from the encounter with the sexiest man on the planet, Lanelle barely made it to the auction table. She placed her hands against it to help support her weight. Her knees seemed to have changed consistency.

What got into me? She shook her head, attempting to figure out if she was more upset about almost kissing Dante or preventing it from happening. Causing him pain had been her instinctive reaction to stop her from making a colossal mistake. She didn’t need a man. Especially one who seemed to move through life on so much testosterone it formed a cloud around him.

She had no excuse for attacking him, other than pure terror at wanting his kiss so much. She’d panicked and she hated that she’d been driven to it.

Her little self-defense move should’ve made him cancel their date. Who wanted to go out with an unpredictable woman who spouted off about destiny? Obviously Dante did. Maybe she should reassess him.

If she were to date again, it would be with someone predictable. Someone she could depend on to support her, even when life became so demanding they’d wonder if they’d make it through. Yet they’d buoy each other, knowing they’d survive any problem attempting to plow them over.

No such man existed. She preferred the thought of being alone for the rest of her life over getting her heart broken again. Especially when she wouldn’t give him children.

A hand at the small of her back preceded a deep voice asking, “Are you okay?”

She jumped and turned with her arms in a defensive position. She relaxed when Miguel came into view. She had to calm down; otherwise, she’d put someone in the hospital.

Miguel held both hands up. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”

Lanelle admired her brother’s handsome face. She could see why the cameras and women loved him. She used to love braiding his soft, curly hair when they were younger. Now the ringlets falling over his forehead brought out the onyx color of his eyes. “You know how I am with surprises.”

Miguel’s smile displayed a double onslaught of dimples. “You detest them. Who was the guy you were dancing with? You two looked cozy.”

“Just a guy I met a month ago at the hospital.” Simple and to the point.

Miguel stroked his goatee. “Hmm. Then why’d you have him in one of your infamous pinkie grips when he got a little close?”

Mortified, Lanelle covered her face with both hands and groaned. She could’ve ruined the whole party with her impetuous maneuver. Miguel pulled her hands down. “You used that move on me so many times I can recognize it anywhere. No one else even noticed.” He tipped her chin upward so she had to look him in the eyes. “Not that it wasn’t funny as hell to see it happening to someone else for once, but what ticked you off that much?”

“Nothing,” she said. Other than Dante’s attempt to give her the kiss she’d desired, up until the point when their lips had almost touched.

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