First and Ten Page 5

  “I’m not the treat,” Jerome said, shrugging off the compliment.

  “You would be the piece of chocolate I’d keep hidden in my box.”

  “And on that note,” Dani said as she wished the chills running up her spine were from the cold and not embarrassment. “We need to get going.”

  “So soon.” Esme crossed her arms with a pout. “Can’t I come along?”

  “I’m sorry, I only planned on two, not three,” Jerome’s deep baritone caused a warmth only matched by the fact his hand went around Dani’s waist as he pulled her close. “Maybe next time.”

  “Maybe,” Esme said with a wink. Dani wasn’t sure if she was hitting on Rome or not. It’s not like there would be any competition between them. Esme was leaps and bounds ahead of Dani. Technically, Dani’s father had a higher net worth, but that was the only place she was more attractive. And it was her father’s net worth, not hers and he’s been very vocal about that.

  Esme waved as she continued to her car and Jerome turned them both around. The cold wind slapped Dani to the point she lost her breath for a moment and if Jerome hadn’t been holding her, she might have fallen. He’d parked illegally, or turned his flashers on as he stopped half on the curb. A campus cop was getting ready to write him a ticket and probably have him towed when Jerome walked up to him and in less than three minutes they were on their way heading to Lake Shore Drive.

  Danika nervously fumbled with her loose skirt. Jerome loved the way it hugged her curves, but didn’t scream from being stretched to its limits. So far he had seen her at her best, her worst, and now her most comfortable middle ground. Not one had turned him off. Each showed him a piece of her that made him want to know more. Today her index finger was twisting the charcoal gray fabric so tight it might be cutting off circulation.

  “I didn’t tell you my Tuesday Treats were usually more casual.”

  “You went to La Femme, didn’t you?”

  “Well, that was a bit out of my norm. You could have called or texted me about the dress code. I do have the ability to accessorize with the best of them.”

  “Of that I have no doubt, but you never gave me your phone number.”

  “Randy has it.”

  “I’d never ask another person for a woman’s number.”

  “That a general rule?” she asked, finally releasing her finger from its confines.

  “If you wanted me to have it you would have given it to me.”

  Jerome had hundreds of women’s numbers in his phone. They threw them at him like trash out a car window. Although not having Dani’s had been irritating over the last week, it did help with him keeping the stalker thoughts of texting every few minutes away.

  “I feel underdressed,” she confessed as her finger started to twirl again. He placed his hand over hers and loosened the fabric so he could intertwine their fingers.

  “I had a meeting in the city. It wasn’t until I looked up online where the business school was that I realized I needed to drive to Evanston. I didn’t have time to change.” He lied. His plans were formal, but not necessarily so. They were the only two involved so the dress code wasn’t set in stone.

  “Sorry, I wasn’t thinking.”

  “It’s okay,” he laughed. “I didn’t get caught by the staties when I tore up here.”

  “You were early, why did you have to speed?”

  “Lombardi time,” he replied with a smirk.

  “What exactly is Lombardi time?”

  “When Vince Lombardi coached, his players knew whatever time he told them you better get there fifteen minutes before.” Jerome shifted in his seat as he approached the exit he needed to get to Navy Pier.

  “I said five fifteen.”

  “So I got there at five, it was a good thing too.”

  “Why’s that?” she asked.

  “You were trying to avoid the date.”

  “Was not,” she said defensively.

  “Right, that’s why I caught you and Esme walking toward the parking lot.” Rome let his window down and retrieved the parking ticket. “You said you’d be by the building.”

  “Esme’s my project partner,” Dani began then stopped and turned to him. “I don’t have to explain myself…why am I explaining myself to you?”

  “How would I know?” he said as he put his truck in park and retrieved his wallet and phone from the center console. “But you’re here now. Any reason you’d not want me to treat you this week?”

  Dani’s top teeth nibbled on the corner of her bottom lip. When her eyes flashed up at him, he saw the vixen inside her. It resided in every woman and when they chose to unleash it, Rome crumbled. This might not have been his best decision. After a day of planning out a custody agreement for the son he’s barely seen, he needed a night of relaxation as much as Dani did.

  “You think Navy Pier is the way to treat me? I usually try new things on Tuesday.”

  “Are you telling me you’ve eaten at every restaurant, rode every ride, and played every game at the pier?”

  “Native Chi-towner,” she said pointing to her chest.

  “Alright,” he said leaning back in his seat and stroking his chin. “What about a private cruise?”

  Danika bowed her head. “You know,” she breathed in deep as she intertwined her fingers and then twisted them back and forth. “There’s something I should… See…”

  Rome put his finger under her chin and turned her head as if it were on a swivel so she was looking directly at him. “Even if all native Chi-towners get a free private tour on their birthday, you’ve never gone with me. That makes it new.”

  “True.” A smirk crossed her lips, she unbuckled her seatbelt and opened her door. “We better hurry. I heard those cruises are on a strict schedule.”

  Jerome chuckled as he got out and came to her side of the vehicle. He ran his hand over her dark hair and cradled her head in his hands. With his other hand, he slid it on her hip and pulled her flush against his body.

  “I’m Jerome Speed,” he said as a broad smile crossed his face. “And I’m about to show you what it’s like to be with a pro ball player. It’s a world that can be amazing and overwhelming. You’ve been skating on the edges looking in, but I’m going to show you something new. The only thing I’m worried about is what you’ll have to do to top this Tuesday night.”

  No, Danika had never gone on a private lake cruise with Jerome Speed before. She had gone on more than a few though with her father’s business. Private was a loose term. Usually the so called private cruises still had at least a hundred people. It wouldn’t be cost-effective if they didn’t, but as she walked down the dock to the yacht there weren’t others milling around on the upper decks. It was a cooler night, but that never stopped anyone from taking the cruise with its fine indoor dining area and breathtaking views. Although most enjoyed the summer night cruises, Dani had always enjoyed the ones when there was just a bit of bite to the air.

  “Welcome, Mr. Speed,” the Maître d’ said with a nod as they stepped onto the vessel. “Ms. Albright, nice to see you again.”

  “Hello, Jack, it’s been a while hasn’t it,” she replied sheepishly as Rome spied her with a bit of chagrin.

  “Native Chicagoan.”

  “Told you,” she said with a bit of a shrug. “But I’ve never seen it this empty.”

  “It rarely is,” Jack confessed as he closed off the gate. “Mr. Speed has requested a solo tour.”

  “You do those?” Dani asked, shocked because even her father wouldn’t make that request.

  “Anything can be done for a cost,” Rome said as his arm once again wrapped around her hips and his thumb found the top of her waistband as he softly rubbed the bare skin under her sweater. She inhaled sharply, but settled into the warmth of his body.

  “That’s a bit much for a Tuesday,” she said.

  “I got a Groupon.”

  “Right,” she laughed, but appreciated the reference. Why were such little things important to her? Becau
se he actually listened or better yet, remembered.

  “We’ll be pulling away in a few minutes,” Jack said as they made their way inside. It was cold out and as the sun was setting over the city, the yacht would want to be out a bit so they could take in the final rays that leaked through the tall buildings. Already, stars were appearing on the horizon of Lake Michigan.

  Inside the glassed in deck, warmth filled the room. It was larger than she remembered, but having only elegantly dressed tables with their padded chairs tucked in nicely and Vince tending bar at the far end, the space was sort of intimidating.

  “Would you like a drink?” Rome asked as he placed one hand on the small of her back and the other ushered her toward the bar.

  “It might be necessary.”

  “Why’s that?”

  “Calm the nerves and all.”

  “Not into sailing?”

  “Sure,” she said with a half smile. “Let’s use that excuse.”

  “What else could it be? I haven’t seen you rattled once since I’ve met you.” He leaned his forearm on the bar but kept his deep mocha eyes locked on hers. With his other hand still in place on her back, she was locked in tight against him. Even in the warm room, she felt chills trickling down her spine as he managed to push her sweater up just enough to let his whole hand this time scorch her bare skin. “I know it couldn’t possibly be me that’s unsettling.”

  “I never thought I’d be grateful for a crowd,” she confessed. “Something about disappearing into it has a nice sense of security.”

  “With me it’s usually impossible.” He waved two fingers at Vince, the bartender, who uncorked a bottle of wine and poured two glasses. “You almost did it last week for me, but if this cruise was full we wouldn’t have a moment to talk. I thought this would be less intimidating than going to my house for a catered meal.”

  “That would have been pressure for sure.”

  It wasn’t because Rome had almost a foot of height on her, or arms so muscular they were the size of her thighs that made Dani finally relax and feel safe. The thoughtfulness of his actions. Motioning Vince away so they could be alone as soft music played. On one side of the windows, pink and yellow streaks spread wide after hitting the glass. The other side a sea of black told of their future, unknown, but not foreboding. Cloudless, the sky still had a beacon of light as the moon’s light was a sliver tonight.

  “Want to dance?” he asked as they both took a sip of the cool white wine. “I think there might be room.”

  Abandoning their glasses, he led her to the center of the floor and took her hand in his. Being agile on the field translated nicely on the dance floor. She found herself standing on her tiptoes and wishing she had stolen Esme’s Manolos. Flush against his body, Dani let her head fall to his chest and he took over. The moment was perfect as her mind calmed and she found herself clear of any distraction. He was her only thought as they spent the next ten minutes dancing in each other’s arms.

  A strange bell sounded through the Stravinsky playing over the sound system. Dani pulled from his arms in a daze as if the one sip of wine had been laced with Rohypnol. Her eyes fluttered as Rome tried to balance her.

  “Shit,” she groaned. “I forgot to turn off my phone.”

  “I thought your clients know not to call you on Tuesdays.”

  “Doesn’t mean they don’t still try,” she said as her fingers trailed down his arms and their connection broke fully. She’d left her bag at the bar and as she dug through it and retrieved her phone, Jack approached Rome.

  “Dinner will be out in a few minutes,” he said. “If I would have known Ms. Albright was your dinner companion, I would have had the chef make her favorite dish.”

  “She’s been on here so many times she has a favorite dish?”

  “Not that many, but there are certain people you know to remember.”

  “And why is that?” Rome inquired. Danika was a student and stylist, not really cutting edge unless Jack was trying to smooze her for her client list. “I’m sure her clients already know about your boat.”

  “Her clients? She has clients now?” Jack’s face showed the confusion Rome felt.

  “Crisis averted,” Dani said as she approached and he once again saw the confidence that first attracted him to her. “And better yet, phone is off.”

  “And dinner is served, Mr. Speed, Ms. Albright, you have your pick of tables, but may I suggest table thirty-seven.” He waved his hand and a waiter brought their meals to a table right by the corner window where they’d be able to see clearly in three directions.

  “Thank you,” Rome said as he laid a hundred-dollar bill in Jack’s hand while shaking it. “If we could have our drinks brought over and the bottle left, we’ll be fine for a while on our own.”

  “Does that mean you’d like a delay on your dinner service then?”

  Rome looked at the table and saw two salads that should be in the Chicago Museum of Art, not on a plate ready to eat. Five courses. Shit. Alone time would be interrupted and the two of them would be under constant surveillance to see where they were with their food.

  “Why don’t we time it,” Dani suggested as she sat in the chair as Jack pulled it out. “Twenty minutes for the first three courses, forty-five for dinner, then dessert is what it is.”

  “We could do that.” Jack snapped his finger and pointed, which sent Vince from behind the bar. “Vince will be on call then.”

  “Sounds wonderful.” Dani smiled as Rome sat next to her.

  “Who are you?” he asked when the crew left.

  “Danika Albright, knower of all things society related.” She laid her napkin across her lap and picked up her salad fork. “A requirement of all stylists.”

  “No.” Rome shook his head as he got his own fork. “Jack said I didn’t know who you are. He also didn’t know you had clients.”

  “Strange,” she said averting her eyes from his. “I’d say most of my clients have at one time or another attended a function on his cruise line.”

  “You know everything about me—”

  “Stay off Sports Center and TMZ and I won’t,” she interrupted him and he realized why. She was someone he should have at least googled. Maybe there was another reason Randall sent him to her.

  “Sports Center is hard, at least if I want to keep my sponsors.”

  “Okay, the gossip part.”

  “Back to my point, I know very little about you.”

  “Grew up mostly in a suburb of Chicago, graduated, went to the University of Chicago for my undergrad. Spent a few years bumming around trying to figure out what to do after that. Decided to follow my father in business, so I went to Northwestern. I should graduate in a month. That is if I ever pass Dr. Kent’s class.”

  “Tuesday’s lecture?”

  “Yep. Nothing like a professor that doesn’t know which side of the theory she wants to support to make it hard to do a project.”

  “Why does her belief system dictate yours? Does she fail people she doesn’t agree with?”

  “Not that I’ve heard, but I’m used to finding what’s best for a person and giving it to them.”

  “What about what’s best for you? When you start consulting full time and hire people below you, will you bend to their will?”

  “I don’t want to be a stylist or a consultant.”

  “What do you want to do?”

  “Would you believe, I don’t know?”

  “No,” he said as he leaned in close to match the whispered tone she’d taken. “But I have noticed you still haven’t told me who you are.”

  “Danika Albright.”

  “That doesn’t tell me anything.”

  “Then I guess I’m not as big of a person as you’re trying to make me out to be.”

  The soup course was brought out and Dani was given a small reprieve as they were interrupted. Her spoon glided over the cream chowder soup. Not getting any, instead she stirred it slightly as her head cocked to the side.

>   “My father is William Albright.”

  The name flashed through Rome’s mind as he remembered seeing the man with three children as he waved making his way into a charity function. Danika was one of those children? Couldn’t be. She wasn’t some small child forced to be in a black velvet dress with her hair pulled up as if she were an adult. William Albright, the third or fourth richest man in America has a daughter that looks like Danika? Then again, with billions of dollars he probably had his pick of models to be Dani’s mother.

  “Yeah…and there’s the look.”

  “What look?” he asked as he shook himself and took a spoonful of soup to avoid looking like an ass.

  “It borders on fear and scheming.”

  “Scheming?” he said, dropping his spoon. “Trust me, I’m far from scheming.”

  “Good, because my father is loaded, I’m not.”

  “Are you estranged? Is that why you pay for school?”

  “No, I live with him. Twenty-six and living with Daddy.”

  “Why are you paying for school?”

  “My father is a self-made man. He said he’d only cover me through high school. College was mine.”

  “I guess there’s no chance you’ll be picking up the bill for tonight then,” he teased.

  “Um, no. This is your treat.”

  “Good thing I have a Groupon then.” He smiled. Dani probably never had anyone who saw her without seeing her father. That Jerome could understand fully. “Back to the important thing, what are you going to do after school?”

  “Not take over my dad’s company if that’s what you think.”

  “I’d doubt he’d give it to you.”

  “You’ve met him then?”

  “No, but I’ve never heard of a successful man not wanting his children to inherit or take over.”

  “You want your kids to be professional athletes?”

  “Who knows what my son will be. I have no influence over him.”

  “Why not?”

  “You know, I shouldn’t have pushed you about your father.” Rome breathed in deep before, focusing on what was left of his soup. Looking over his shoulder, he thought they had to of hit the twenty-minute mark.