Finding Dandi, page 22
“Thank you, but no.”
His heart sank.
“I don’t date.”
Lucas pressed her. “But why? You are a delectable woman and I want to spend as much time with you as possible.”
She shook her head. “I can’t really explain it, there’s just something holding me back. I don’t want to date.”
“Are you afraid of men?” He wanted to ask. ‘Are you afraid of me?’ but he didn’t. “I could help you if you’d let me.”
Dandi shook her head and smiled. “No, I don’t really want you psychoanalyzing me. I’m busy with school and Lucy and work. I don’t have time for men. But I do appreciate you inviting me.”
Lucas refused to give up, it was just too important. “It’s not right, Dandi. A woman like you shouldn’t be alone.”
“Ha! I think I’d be more trouble than I’m worth.” At his puzzled expression, Dandi tried to explain. “My mom always cautioned me. She said, ‘Dandi, never be more trouble than your worth, if you are, people will be sorry they wasted their time with you.’”
Lucas just stared at her. He could remember holding her body as she came. He could remember taking her sweet gasps into his mouth as he kissed her, how it felt to be buried deep inside of her. She might be trouble, but it was trouble of the very best kind. “Foot,” was all he could think to say. “That’s ridiculous. I wouldn’t believe that unless I read it on the front page of the Times Picayune.”
Dandi burst out laughing. “Hey, I say that. My Dad used to say it all the time.” She looked at him. Time seemed frozen. An odd sense of déjà vu swamped her senses. “I like you, Lucas.”
Thank God. “I like you, too, Dandi.”
“We’re playing paintball tomorrow, if you’d like to come. It’s a group activity, but you’re welcome.”
Paintball? He’d never played, but that wouldn’t stop him. Her presence was the only incentive he required. “I’ll be here.”
*****
At home, Lucas lay in his bed and shook with need. He relived every moment they had spent together. Just seeing her today, being near to her was paradise. There was so much he needed to think about, but his erection was enormous and he needed relief. For the first time in a long time he had hope. Closing his eyes, he imagined kissing her lips, nuzzling his face between her breasts, sinking balls deep inside of her sweet heat. “God!” Taking his cock in hand he stroked his own flesh in a hard fist. “Dandi, my Dandi!” He wanted to wrap himself around her, bury his head between her thighs, take her higher and harder than any man had ever taken a woman. “I love you!” he shouted to the empty room as he pumped his cock, his hips lifting from the bed in supplication. Lucas’s whole body went tense as he threw his head back and roared loud enough to be heard in the next county. Hot jets of cum arched up and fell on the skin of his belly and thighs. “Please God, let her love me back, let her remember me.” Grabbing a towel from the bedside table, he wiped himself clean, rolled over and clasped the pillow to his face. He was tired of being alone.
The next morning, Lucas had two priorities. First he had to see to his will. He had responsibilities, he had a child. And he wanted no possibility that Dandi and Lucy wouldn’t be taken care of if something happened to him. His lawyer tried to give him a hard time, asked if he wanted to have a paternity test. Hell, he hadn’t even seen his baby, but he didn’t have to. He was a father; he knew it as well as he knew his own name.
Second, he had to learn how to play paintball. After checking it out on the internet, he concluded that it was simple warfare, except he’d be armed with a gun that shot water soluble dye. Knowing Beau and Firepower Munitions, they would have a world class game field and take their play very, very seriously.
Taking a break between patients, he drove to the sports shop and bought everything he’d need. If Dandi wouldn’t come to him, he’d go to her – anywhere, anytime. As he drove back to the Touch Institute, he let it sink into his mind, body and soul that he had found Dandi. She was safe and – thank God – she was still single. He had his work cut out for him, for he had to win her love for the second time around.
His afternoon appointment was one he dreaded. Kevin Young was being a first class bastard to his wife. But at least he was seeking help. Sandra Young was pregnant – for the fourth time. Plus, she was on the pill. At first Kevin had accused her of infidelity, but she had gone along with his demand and had a paternity test. After verifying that the child was his, he started on her about failing to take her birth control regularly. The poor wife was at her wit’s end and Lucas was tempted to tell Sandra she’d be better off without the scoundrel. But she wouldn’t – not really, they had 3 other children and if he could counsel Kevin and his young wife, maybe he could save their family.
Joyce buzzed him when they arrived. As much as he tried, Lucas had a hard time keeping his mind on business. Just the knowledge that he would see Dandi that afternoon had him as jacked up as a teenager. He couldn’t quit smiling to save his life, and he didn’t want to give his patients the idea that he was enjoying their trouble.
“I went to the Doctor, Kevin. He said it wasn’t my fault.” Sandra wailed.
“Of course it wasn’t your fault.” Lucas interjected. “It takes two to make a baby.” Lucy. He had a child. Her name was Lucy. He couldn’t get the thought out of his head.
“We didn’t need another child. And birth control is your responsibility.” The man was getting red faced.
“Do you want me to have an abortion?”
The stark question shocked both Lucas and the husband. Lucas didn’t speak. He waited to see what Kevin would say.
“No,” he hung his head. “No, I don’t want you to have an abortion.” He looked up at Lucas. “I love my kids. It just makes me angry that we didn’t get a chance to plan. The doctor should have told us that those antibiotics negated the birth control pill.”
Lucas almost fell off his chair. Bam! Dandi had been on antibiotics when they were having sex. No wonder.
“Can’t you love this baby?” Sandra asked as she wiped the tears from her eyes. “It won’t be her fault we didn’t want her?”
“Stop,” Lucas had to stop them. “Think about this. You have a precious child on the way. Five years from now, hell, a year from now when you look into her face, this will seem absolutely ludicrous. You will be holding and loving your daughter and whether or not you had followed a schedule or set the date for her birth will be meaningless. Think of the children you have, could you imagine life without them?” He had raised his voice, but all he could see was Dandi’s face and imagine what their child looked like. Did she look like him or her? Or was she a little diplomat who displayed both of their characteristics? What if Dandi hadn’t taken the antibiotics? What if he hadn’t went to the club? What if? What if? God, he was going crazy thinking what might have been.
“You’re right.” Kevin stood up and knelt by his wife. “I’m sorry. We’ll make it somehow.” He leaned up and kissed her.
Lucas leaned back and ran his hand through his hair. His outburst had not been normal therapy. He owed them an apology. “Look, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have raised my voice. Both of you have legitimate concerns that we need to work . . .”
Kevin and Sandra were kissing. “Huh.” Lucas smiled.
After he had seen them out, he came to a decision. Lucas needed to talk to somebody. And he might end up getting his ass kicked, but Beau LeBlanc was the obvious conclusion.
Confession time.
*****
She couldn’t get him off her mind. Lucas Wagner. Dandi stared into the mirror for long minutes trying to picture them together. She couldn’t. Was it possible that a man like him could want her? Since coming to live with Beau and giving birth to Lucy, she had pushed her past out of her mind. Arlon and Sam were a distant memory. Her days on the street and working at fast food jobs seemed like someone else’s life. Even the happy days she had spent with Miss Etta didn’t seem quite real. It was like a fog had settled over her former life and only now – today – was important.
“AHHHH!” she let out a little yell, not loud enough to wake her baby, but loud enough to echo in the small bathroom. Her tiny apartment was located in the back of Firepower Munitions warehouse. Beau had built her and Lucy a thousand square foot sanctuary of their very own. Harley had helped her decorate and Rick and Indy made sure she had everything she needed. Between her family, her coworkers and her friends, Dandi’s life was full.
Almost.
She could remember her youthful dreams. She could remember wanting someone to hold and love. Life had thrown her a curve when her mom had died, a blow she had never fully recovered from. And since the bus crash, she had known – without a shadow of a doubt – that there was some barrier standing between her and love. It was an oppressive feeling, a certainty that she couldn’t shake or substantiate. The worst part was that she was afraid to analyze it very closely. Whatever the root of her fear was, it was a reality she wasn’t ready to face.
Dandi put on a load of laundry and did the dishes. Lucy was already in bed and as she put up her toys, she couldn’t help but steal kisses and marvel at her blessings. Who was Lucy’s father? She didn’t know, but she was thankful for him. He had given her a great gift.
Ding! Her front door bell pealed. Putting the last stuffed toy in the storage box, she padded barefoot to see who was there. Standing on tiptoe to look through the peephole, she saw it was Deb. Dandi breathed a sigh of relief. Deb Schultz was a lifesaver. Throwing up the door, she hugged her friend. “Hey, Deb.”
They were so much alike, it was scary. Oh, not physically. Deb had beautiful blonde hair and dark brown eyes. But like Dandi, she was a tomboy. She loved sports as much as Dandi did, a fact that she attributed to her brothers – two of which were professional water skiers with a huge water park. It wasn’t all fun and games, Deb had lost a sister to a violent crime and she devoted a great deal of her life to organizations that supported the families of victims. Dandi loved Deb.
“Hey, Girl. Do you have anything to eat? I’m starving.”
“Always.” Dandi loved to cook, so she led her friend to the kitchen and warmed up her a bowl of jambalaya.
“Oh, yum, thanks,” the blonde settled down to inhale the Cajun food.
“What’s up?” something told Dandi that her friend hadn’t come just for the food.
“It’s Rick.”
“I’m sorry, Deb. I just don’t like him the way he likes me.”
Deb eyed her hard. “Are you sure?”
“Yes, I am.” If she were going to like someone it would be Lucas.
“Good.”
“Good?”
“Yes, I want him. I’m going to ask him out, but I wanted to make sure how you felt before I did.”
Dandi laughed out loud. “Go, girl! Are you really going to make the first move?”
“You darn tootin, he’s too cute to pass up. And the worst he can say is ‘no’” She said flatly, then collapsed on the table. “If he says ‘no’ I will just die.”
“He won’t.” Dandi was sure of it. “How could he turn you down?”
“I hope you’re right.” Deb dug in to her food with new vigor. “So, what’s up with you and the hunk doctor?”
“Nothing,” Dandi said, not knowing if that was the truth or a lie.
“I saw you two shooting together.”
“Yea, and he’s coming to paintball too. He’s Beau and Harley’s friend, not mine.”
“Do tell,” Deb said in a sing-song voice. “I think you protest a little too much.”
Later that night, as she lay in bed, she abandoned all of her protests and allowed her imagination to soar. Lucas called her up on the phone and asked her out again, this time he wouldn’t take ‘no’ for an answer. When he called for her, he had flowers and he took her to the show and out to eat. Dandi wondered if she had ever been on a real date. The youth trips at church didn’t count. After she had run away from home, there had been no opportunities. Most importantly, she had never met anyone she wanted to date. What had happened during her lost days, she had no way of knowing. Had she dated Lucy’s father? She hoped so.
Yawning, she shut her eyes and wondered if she liked sex. What did it feel like? What would it be like with Lucas? Oh my goodness! She felt her cheeks grown warm. He was an expert at it. “No, no,” that was reason enough to avoid him. How embarrassing it would be to have to admit she knew nothing about sex other than what she had read in a book or watched on regular television. Pulling up her dress, she felt for the Cesarean scar from when she had delivered Lucy. Then she felt for the stretch marks that were still on her tummy. None of those things were very attractive. No, it would be better if she didn’t get involved with the sexy sex doctor.
But as she drifted off to sleep, her body had other ideas. “Harder, Lucas.” Oh, she loved having her nipples sucked. He was bent over her and she twined her fingers in that glorious mane of his and held his head to her breast, so afraid he’d stop. Eagerness sizzled through her veins like a burning fuse.
“Do you want me, Dandi?” He whispered in her ear.
“God, yes,” she intoned as she went to her knees in front of him, her hands on his zipper.
“Give me what I need, Sugar.”
Dandi licked her lips. She needed what he needed – her lips on his cock. Pinching her thighs together, she tried to give her clit just a bit of relief. Her pussy was so hungry, she needed Lucas to stretch her – fill her – fu. . . . .” A tremor of arousal caused Dandi to jerk so hard she woke herself up. “My God!” Enough of the dream remained to answer one very particular question.
She was pretty sure she liked sex.
*****
Cindi sidled up to Dandi and put her arm around her neck. “I like Dane Wagner. I think I’ll make a play for him.”
Dandi didn’t see her wink at Deb.
“I don’t think so.” After her dream last night, she was feeling a bit territorial. Oh, she had no reason to be – but she couldn’t shake the possessiveness she felt toward him. Her body wanted Lucas, even if her mind knew she couldn’t have him.
“And why is that?” Cindi was a teaser. She loved to give Dandi a hard time. With hair the color of chestnuts and a cover model’s body, Cindi could have any man she wanted.
“Cause I have guns and I know how to use them.”
“Hahaha!” Cindi loved it. She knew all about guns too. Her family was military, and she had her eye set on one of Patrick’s buddies. Dandi knew this, but she still didn’t enjoy the idea of her and Lucas.
“Well, if you want him, you had better get after it. Someone else will grab him up if you don’t.”
Dandi might not be able to grab him, but she sure as heck could shoot him. Splat!
“Gotcha!” She laughed. Dandi loved paintball!
Her happiness was catching. Lucas wasn’t complaining. Having Dandi capture him was exactly what he had intended. Beau wouldn’t be happy, he liked to win, but right now – it was more important to win the hand of fair maiden than a paintball war.
“Yes, you have me.” He agreed.
Or he had her, she didn’t know which. Before she could react, he took her by the shoulders and pushed her behind a big oak tree and covered her body with his. “Lucas,” she breathed his name like a prayer.
This time he wasn’t asking. He had stood it as long as he could. “I have to do this,” he whispered, “don’t hate me, please.” Lucas brushed his thigh against hers, and lifted her chin with his finger.
Dandi melted. “I won’t hate you,” of that she was certain.
Slanting his mouth over hers, he caressed her lips with his own. Slowly Dandi softened, opening to him; her hesitant acceptance had him burning with need. The familiar taste of her kiss was almost his undoing. Lucas wanted to ravish her, consume her, grind his cock against her softness and let her know exactly what she was doing to him.
But he didn’t.
She didn’t remember him. To her – this was a first kiss. So, he ramped himself down to a controllable level and set out to woo and seduce. With great care he took her bottom lip between his and sucked on it, laving it with his tongue. How he had fantasized about kissing her again, and now she was here in his arms, and he was almost shaking with the wonder of it. A tender smooch, a sweep of his tongue between her lips, and finally – God, Finally! – she began to tentatively kiss him back. Her sweet little tongue darted out to mate with his and the significance of her small gesture wasn’t lost on him. There was no way he could contain the growl of triumph that rumbled up deep from his throat. Wanting more, he framed her face, eating at her lips, tempting her to open her mouth wider and let him in.
Lucas put everything he had into the kiss, to him this was a test – a test he either passed or failed. But when he felt her little hands touch his arms and she clasped onto his shoulders, he knew he had gained major ground. Shifting his body, he wrapped his arms around her waist and hauled her closer. There was no way he could hide his arousal from her and maybe it was good that she realize how utterly affected by her he was. Sinking deeper into the kiss, Lucas devoured her, relishing the sugary sweetness he had missed so much.
“Lucas?” Beau’s voice broke through their passion. “Can I talk to you a minute?”
Hell.
He didn’t just turn her loose like some untried boy, he kissed her once more tenderly on the lips and once on each eyelid, and loved that she trembled in his arms. “It’s okay,” he assured her. “I’ve got you.”
“Sure, friend.” He didn’t turn all the way around, no use advertising how big his cock was. “Can you give us a second?”
To Dandi’s dismay, Beau chuckled.
“I’ll never hear the end of this,” she sighed.
“There won’t be an end to this if I have my way. Have dinner with me.”
“I. . . I . . .can’t.” Could she?
