'Why?'
'You'll see.'
She did as he requested, slowly moving up his body. He shifted, sliding his shoulders between her legs, then running his hands up and down her stocking-clad thighs.
She was about to protest that she felt too uncovered this way when he told her to, 'Hang on.'
She grabbed the only thing she could-the headboard-then nearly screamed as she felt his tongue between her legs.
He used his fingers to part her flesh so she was totally exposed to him. Then he moved against her, licking, sucking, but letting her set the rhythm with her hips.
She held on to the headboard for support and rode him, rising up when she needed less pressure and sinking down when she needed more. Blood rushed to her groin, engorging her. Every inch of her felt sensitized. Heat and need and pressure built faster than she'd ever experienced before. She was close in seconds, yet desperate to prolong the pressure and not come-even though coming was inevitable.
She moved faster as she got closer. He grabbed her hips and dug in his fingers as he helped her move, urged her on. She gasped, then cried out as her orgasm claimed her.
She stiffened and parted her legs even more, wanting him to touch her everywhere. He sucked her until raw nerves made her shudder, then he backed off, kissing her, licking her, drawing out every last ounce of her release.
She knelt there, leaning heavily on the headboard as she tried to catch her breath. Alex moved away. She heard the rustling of a plastic wrapper, then he was back, turning her to face him.
She shifted and settled herself over him. He filled her, stretching her, making already sensitive nerves sing with excitement.
Passion darkened his eyes and pulled at his features. A smile turned up the corners of his mouth. She braced herself on her slightly trembling arms and rocked back and forth. They both groaned.
She was still swollen from her release, yet as he moved in and out of her, she felt her muscles begin to tighten again. He reached up and began to stroke her breasts. When he brushed against her nipples, her entire body squeezed around him.
She rode him until they were both gasping and reaching, until he pushed in so deep, she couldn't help coming again. As the first shudder claimed her, he stiffened and rose toward her. Their eyes locked as they lost themselves in their mutual release.
Dani hummed softly as she took the elevator to Walker's office. She'd stayed at Alex's the previous night and hadn't seen a single reporter as she'd left. Maybe the reality of her personal life wasn't so interesting anymore. Wouldn't that be thrilling?
Even better had been the night' of lovemaking, broken by a few hours of sleep and cold pizza. She loved sleeping in his bed with his arms around her. She felt safe there. Being with Alex was something she could get used to but there were still thousands of complications.
She reached Walker's office and half expected to see Cal and Reid there. But her brother was alone.
'Just us?' she asked as he stood and walked around his desk to hug her. 'I was braced for another explosive family secret. Not that I think I could take another one. It might push-me over the edge and send me screaming into the night.'
'It's barely two in the afternoon,' Gloria said as she entered the room. 'You'd have to wait to scream and run.'
Dani felt the space-time continuum shift and fold. Her grandmother wore a suit Dani had seen before. Elegant, perfectly fitted and in a shade of gold that was both fashionable and flattering. Gloria looked like what she was-a powerful matriarch.
For a second Dani felt swept back a year, to when she'd been doing her damnedest to impress Gloria by making Burger Heaven the best it could be. She could almost feel the burning on her forehead from pounding it against a wall she couldn't see or understand, but also couldn't break through.
'Is it bad?' she asked before she could stop herself. 'The reason for the meeting? Is it really bad?'
'It's not bad at all,' Gloria said, pointing to the leather sofa in the comer 'It's good. Have a seat. Walker and I want to talk to you about something.'
'If you're going to tell me I'm not my mother's daughter, either, I'm not sure I can take it.'
Gloria smiled. 'You can be very dramatic. I think you get that from me.' She looked at Walker. 'Do you want to tell her or shall I?'
'It should come from you,' Walker said.
Dani felt as if she was going to throw up. Was someone dying? Was there a genetic disease that was going to eat her flesh? Was the sky falling?
'We want you to run Buchanan's,' Gloria said. 'The manager is leaving and we need someone brilliant in charge. We've all been talking about it and you're the most logical choice. Not to mention the best one. You've always loved the restaurant, you're good at what you do and you're family. So, what do you think?'
Dani opened her mouth then closed it. She'd never expected anything like this. Buchanan's?
'No one's sick?' she asked.
'We're all fine. Say yes.'
Say yes? Just like that?
While it was true Buchanan's was her favorite of all the family restaurants, the offer was totally unexpected. 'I just started working for Bernie,' she said, more to herself than them. 'I love it there. I'm learning a lot. It wouldn't be right to leave so quickly.'
'She's a good negotiator,' Gloria said to Walker. 'We haven't even started talking money and already I'm going to have to increase my offer.'
'This isn't about money,' Dani said, even as she wondered what the opening offer would be. How much did her grandmother think she was worth?
'Of course it's about money,' Gloria said. 'Get as much as you can. Walker's no kitten to work for.'
Dani laughed. 'Hey, I survived you.'
'Yes, you did. You were wonderful at Burger Heaven. I probably never told you, did I?'
Dani was humiliated to feel tears burning in her eyes. 'No, you didn't.'
'I'm sorry about that. I'm telling you now. You did an incredible job and I was always proud of you. While Bella Roma is a perfectly fine restaurant, it's not enough for you. Besides, Buchanan's is family. We need you, Dani.'
Dani looked at her brother. 'You're being very quiet.'
'She's doing a-good job of explaining my position. I figured if I said it you wouldn't believe me. But coming from Gloria, it has to be true.'
'Interesting point,' Dani murmured.
'You're the only one on the list,' he continued. 'You're the one we want.'
She was seriously tempted, but there was a lot to think about.
'Give me a few days,' she said as she stood. 'I'll get back to you by Friday.'
'We should talk money,' Gloria insisted.
Dani grinned. 'If I decide to take the job, we will. Don't worry. I'm going to make you pay for the best.'
Gloria smiled. 'That's my girl.'
Dani figured her day couldn't get much better than it was. Last night had been spectacular, the morning relaxing and now she had a shiny, new job offer.
Running Buchanan's was tempting. Honestly, the only thing holding her back was the fact that she'd only worked for Bernie a few weeks and she hated to hire and run. Of course, if she gave him a lot of notice, that would help.
She laughed out loud as she realized she'd already made up her mind-she wanted the job at Buchanan's. In
