The Samba Room was packed. Evan Washington had some of the city’s biggest names. There were lawyers, athletes, socialites, entertainers, and slew of other high-society folk. Everyone was having a good time, dancing, sipping mixed drinks and mingling. Evan’s plan for the evening was to introduce the team and his staff.
Danielle showed up solo and was greeted by Evan’s assistant, Cynthia at the door.
“You look lovely, Miss Mitchell.”
“Thank you,” Danielle said. She wearing a fitted Dolce & Gabbana navy blue dress and matching heels. “Is Mr. Washington inside?”
“He is,” Cynthia side. “Go on in. Enjoy yourself.”
“Thanks.”
Danielle turned heads as she made her way to the bar. She ordered a frozen margarita, and slid onto the empty barstool beside her.
“Here you go, Miss,” the bartender said. “That’ll be five dollars.”
As Danielle opened her purse, a tall handsome, man slid beside her.
“This one’s on me.” She looked up into to the eyes Harvey West, the Tornadoes small forward. His sleek, athletic build was covered in milk chocolate. His smile, bright and friendly. He extended his hand.
“It’s a pleasure, Miss Mitchell,” he said.
“You know me?”
“Of course,” he said in a warm voice. “Everybody knows the infamous Danielle Mitchell.”
She took a sip of her drink. “I didn’t know I was that popular.”
“Beautiful women like you always are. Evan’s been telling the team about this new ad campaign all you big wigs have been working on. Everyone’s excited about it, especially me.”
“Well, you guys have a lot to be excited about. It’s a new start for the team.”
“Tell me about it. And it’ll be even better if you at the reigns. I like your style,” Harvey said, smiling.”
“Haaaaarvey!” a voice wailed from the crowd. “Where are—oh there you are.”
Danielle’s eyes widened when she saw the café ole, petite but busty young woman come up behind him. She wrapped her arms around him and then looked at Danielle. Her wide smile narrowed slightly as she clutched Harvey’s midsection.
“Who’s this?” she asked, looking Danielle up and down.
“Baby this is…”
“Oh wait, you’re that advertising lady,” the woman, in a high-pitched voice. She slapped Harvey’s arm. And it was then when Danielle noticed the huge diamond ring on her finger. It was an emerald cut, set in platinum, and at least five carats.
Harvey smiled nervously. “Miss Mitchell, this is…”
“I’m Renee,” the woman said, extending her hand. “His fiancée.”
“Oh, how sweet,” Danielle said, glancing at Harvey.
Renee flipped her long auburn hair. “We’re getting married next summer.”
“Well congratulations.”
“It took me two long years to get this ring. I was about to bail. Harvey is such a flirt…”
“No kidding?” Danielle said, wanting to agree.
“Baby, you’ve had too much to drink.”
“Well, it was nice meeting you both,” Danielle said. “I’ve gotta go say hello to some friends. Excuse me.”
The nerve of some men, she thought. He was just about to make a move on her with his fiancée in the same room. She shook her head as she walked away. It was men like Harvey that made her avoid the dating scene. She had enough of the lying and deceit in her twenties. Now, she wanted something more fulfilling. She held her drink and stood near the edge of the bar. She saw Harvey and Renee were making their way through the crowd like teenagers at the prom. Renee was proudly showing off her ring. Danielle wondered what strip joint Harvey had found her in.
“Miss Mitchell, hi.” She didn’t recognize the giddy young woman who approached her.
“Hello,” she said, pausing from taking a sip of her drink. “Do I know you?”
The woman put her hand to her chest. “I’m Jody, Mr. Weston’s assistant.” She extended her hand.
“Oh, it’s nice to meet you.”
“I’ve heard do much about you. I feel like I know you. So you’re Barron’s competition? How’s your ad plan for the Tornadoes going?”
“It’s going great,” Danielle said, wondering why the woman was asking her so many questions.
“The Tornadoes are huge deal. Too bad you and Mr. Weston aren’t on the same team. I’m sure the two of you could probably come up with a wonderful advertising campaign.”
“Yes, I’m sure we could have,” Danielle skeptically. “But since we’re not, may the best person win.”
Jody giggled. She was obviously drunk. “Mr. Simmons told Mr. Weston he should try and see what y’all were up to over at FAT Ads. He said that you are too talented for your own good and that Barron should be on top of things.”
“Really?”
“Yeah…I mean he said it in a good way. You know, basically that he should just make sure you don’t get to far ahead of him…I mean, you know. I’m talking too much. I better go. It was nice meeting you.”
“Uh-huh…” Danielle said, as the woman walked away. Then she looked around for Barron. She was furious that his assistant asked so many questions and she was wondering if Barron out her up to it. When she spotted him near the doorway, she took a deep breath and then headed for the ladies’ room.
Barron saw Danielle dash across the room and wondered where she was going. But before he could go after her, Mr. Simmons spotted him and motioned him over. He was in a circle with some of the other employees and some of the Tornadoes’ players.
“Barron, I’m glad you made it,” he said. They shook hands and Barron greeted the rest of his coworkers. “Let me talk to you for a moment,” Mr. Simmons said, ushering him to the side.
“Miss Mitchell is here. Think you can buy her a few drinks and pick her brain? I’m hearing that FAT Ads is planning something big.”
Barron frowned as he sipped his cognac. “Mr. Simmons, with all do respect, we don’t have anything to worry about. What I have planned is going to make an impact.”
“I don’t want to make an impact. I want to win the account.”
“I know.”
“Barron, I’m paying you a lot of money. Don’t blow this for us. Danielle Mitchell has been in this town a lot longer than you have. She’s got way more connections. I don’t want to be outdone.” He rested his hand firmly on Barron’s shoulder, making him extremely uncomfortable. “Find out what she’s up to. I won’t forget it if you do.”
Mr. Simmons walked away leaving Barron to take in what he said. Frustrated, Barron looked up to find Danielle heading toward the patio.
“Hey beautiful,” he said, approaching Danielle.
“Mr. Weston.”
“Oh damn, I’m Mr. Weston again? What did I do now?” he asked, bending to give her a quick peck on the cheek. Danielle turned away.
“What?” he asked, puzzled. She rolled her eyes at him. “Can you at least tell me what I did before you give me the silent treatment?”
“Why is you assistant asking me questions?”
“I don’t know. What kind of questions?”
“How I’m doing, how’s my presentation coming…”
He looked at her. “Okay, so?”
She sucked her teeth. “Did you put her up to it?”
“Up to what?”
“Asking me questions. Did you ask her to ask me those things?”
“Danielle, if I wanted to ask you something, I’ll ask you myself. You know that’s not my style to have someone do my dirty work for me.”
“So dealing with me is dirty work?”
“Danielle.”
“What?”
“Come on baby. We had a good time the other night. Let’s not ruin it. We’re on a good page and I wanna stay there.”
“Fine. Whatever.”
“You look nice tonight, querida.”
“Thank you.”
“How long you been here?”
“Not long, half hour I guess.”
“What are you doing when you leave here?”
“Going home.”
“Can I come?”
“What?”
“Can I come over?”
“Why? So you can try and get me in bed?”
“If you want me in your bed Danielle, I won’t have to try. And I just want to talk, and enjoy your company. What’s wrong with that?”
“If you were anyone else, I might believe you. But I still have some trust issues when it comes to you Barron.”
“I guess I deserve that. But I’m being sincere.”
“I know,” she sighed. “And I’m running out of reasons to give you a hard time.” They both laughed.
“I would love to give you a hard time…” He said the words potently, blatantly.
Danielle’s brow rose. “You just don’t know the meaning of the word subtle do you?”
“No, unfortunately not querida.”
Danielle shook her head at his comment and held her glass to her lips.
“Let’s go,” he said.
“Right now?”
“Right now.”
“If we leave together, people will talk.”
“Okay,” Barron said. “I’ll leave first and meet you at your place in ten minutes.”
Barron was waiting on Danielle’s steps when she pulled up. They went inside and Danielle offered him a drink. “Let me guess, Hennessey on the rocks,” she said.
“Yeah, that’s cool,” he said, looking around. Then he took a seat on the couch and watched her fix his drink.
“Here you are Mr. Weston. Hennessy on the rocks,” Danielle said handing him the glass.
“Thank you, Miss Mitchell.”
“You're welcome. Be right back, gotta use the restroom.”
“No boo, do you. I’ll be right here.”
Danielle handed him the television remote and went upstairs. Barron went over settee and grabbed Danielle’s iPod from her Bose speaker system. He flipped through her songs, and skimmed through her playlists. He found one called with some old school soul on it. He set it back on the speaker and a second later, Bilal’s Soul Sista flowed through the speakers. Barron took a seat on her leather chaise and put his feet up.
When Danielle came downstairs, she saw Barron lying back with his eyes closed. She went over to turn the music down and when she glanced over at him, he was watching her.
“I thought you were asleep,” she said, quietly.
“Nah, I was just relaxing. I been so busy I haven’t been sleeping as much,” he said, stretching his arms out.
“Maybe you need to slow down and take some time to enjoy just being here.”
“Maybe you need to show me how,” Barron said, walking over to her. He took her by the hand and pulled her into his arms.
“H-how am I gonna show you how to do that?”
“You can start out by dancing with me.” Slowly their bodies moved to the music.
“Then you can start by letting me take you out again and showing you a good time. Then, you can start by letting me be the man in your life.”
“Why do you want to be the man in my life?” Danielle asked.
“Because I’m a selfish, arrogant, bastard and I don’t want to see you with anyone else.”
Danielle laughed. “You are such a cornball.”
“But I’m serious. You know I never say anything I don’t mean.” Barron wrapped his arms around her neck and looked into her eyes. As the silence between them grew, Danielle noticed the temperature in the room was getting warmer.
Danielle looked up at him and smiled. “You are persistent if nothing else.”
“Persistence…pays off…” he said, kissing her gently above her brow.
With her mind wandering and her heart racing, Danielle wondered how long she could go without confessing her desire for this man. Admittedly, she was scared at first, but the more time she spent with Barron, the more she enjoyed his company. How could she not. He was a perfect gentleman and she wanted to get closer to him.
Her hands moved gently up his back to the base of his neck. Barron felt her fingers trembling against his skin. He smiled inside because he knew Danielle wasn’t as tough as she pretended to be. Beneath her harsh exterior was a passionate yet gentle woman with a loving spirit. A woman whose ambitions rivaled his own. Their faces were a breath apart. Barron leaned down and put his lips to hers. Her mouth softened, and he hold on his neck tightened. Barron’s hands caressed her back then slid down to her hips. The moan of pleasure that escaped intensified the heat between them. Danielle threw her head back as his tongue met hers in a dance of desire and passion. 
All past grievances seemed to fade as the two of them faded into their own private world. Barron moved them back to the chaise. There tangled in each other, they began to peel off one another’s clothes. Danielle undid the buttons on his shirt, her hands trembling with the release of each button. She eased Barron out his shirt. He was wearing a fitted white tank that clung to every inch of his muscles. Slowly her fingers traced the lines of his arms. He grabbed her hand, and put her fingers to his lips, kissing them one by one.
“Maybe we should take this upstairs,” he said, stroking her cheek.
“Why? You afraid to get a little down and dirty right here?”
“No, I just want to give you more room to run away from me,” he said with a smile.
Danielle smiled back then rose to her feet. “We’ll see who does the running,” she said, pulling him by the hand to his feet.
Danielle’s bedroom was dim, lit only by the small tealight holder on her dresser. Barron stepped in and looked around. Her queen size bed was covered in white linens, a vase of fresh hydrangea flowers sat on a Borghese chest near the window. The room was fit for a princess, and to Barron, that is exactly what Danielle was.
With such a beautiful set up, Barron couldn’t help but wonder if another man had been there. He felt possessive of Danielle, simply because he was the first man she had ever been with. He knew he had no right, especially after the way things ended between them. But he was willing to put his heart on the line if she would consider letting him be the man in her life.
He grabbed her hand and led her to the bed. There he sat as she stood before him. She wrapped her hand around his neck and eased onto his lap. The look in her eyes aroused him even more. He was so anxious all he could think about was stripping her from her dress and filling her with all the love she could handle. But he had to take things slow. He wanted the night to last. More than anything, he wanted enjoy her.
Danielle stroked Barron’s face, then she kissed his lips. He groaned quietly and squeezed her thigh. as her kiss deepened, his hands wandered. Danielle's breathing quickened, as his touches grew more intimate. He guided her hand to his pants where she tugged at the button to loosen them. He growled as she eased his zipper down. Her touch was more enchanting than her kiss. Finally, she managed to free him from the confines of his pants. He breathed a sigh of relief. He was almost ready to burst out of them. In the subtle light he could see her eyes glowing as she studied the bulge in his boxers.
“You made him mad,” Barron joked.
Danielle snorted and smiled as she kissed him once more. “What happens when he gets mad?”
Barron loved her playful innocence. “Let me take that dress off you and you’ll find out.”
She rose to her feet and stood between his legs. Slowly Barron eased the dress over her thighs and hips. He planted kisses on her stomach as he pulled the dress over her head. As he tossed the dress aside, his mouth moved up to her breasts. As his tongue lingered over each nipple, the lace bra dropped to the floor. Danielle didn’t protest when Barron lifted her on top of him, rubbing her body against his. He pulled her body beneath his and continued to let his mouth explore her. His tongue dallied from her lips to her knees and everything in between. Danielle was so lost in him, she didn’t realize they were both naked when he eased their bodies between the covers. When his hands eased between her thighs to feel her slick heat, her eyes slid closed.
“Looks like somebody missed me,” he said, climbing out of bed.
“I’m not telling you if I did. Wouldn’t want it to go to your head,” Danielle said.
“It already has,” he said, searching for his pants. He removed the condom from his pocket and returned to the bed. He slid the condom on watching Danielle as she watched him. He joined her on the bed again.
The kisses began again, and as Barron filled her slowly, Danielle held him close. For a moment he was still, the heat of her almost too much for him to take. With his hands on her hips, he began to move slowly. His lips found hers again and together they found a rhythm that bound their bodies together. Barron eased his hands into Danielle’s flowing hair. As he inched deeper inside her, he kept his gaze on her. The parting of her lips and soft moans that escaped her made him give her his all. Danielle wrapped her legs around his waist as she felt the waves of ecstasy flow through her. She came crying with his name flowing from her lips.
It didn’t take Barron long to follow her lead. His orgasm exploded like dynamite, sending him to the moon and back in a fury of rapture and solace. Breathing hard, he collapsed on top of Danielle, with their bodies tangled in sweat.
For the next several hours they slept. In the twinkle of the dawn, Barron slid from beneath the covers and pulled his boxers on. He walked downstairs quietly where he sat at the dining room table in front of Danielle’s laptop. He turned the computer on and scanned her desktop until he found the file with her Tornadoes presentation. He opened the file and looked through it. Danielle was definitely talented. Her concept was sure to win Mr. Washington over. But Barron knew his ideas would make a similar impact and as far as he was concerned, he didn’t care who won, just as long as he could have Danielle in his life. He left the computer on the table and grabbed a glass of juice from the kitchen.
Upstairs Danielle was still asleep. Barron removed his shorts and climbed right back into bed with her. Her snuggled against her warm body and planted kisses on her back. It didn’t take long for her to turn over.
“Where did you go?” she whispered, sleepily.
“To get some juice. You want a sip?”
“No,” she said, closing her eyes.
Barron kissed her forehead. “Did you miss me?”
“A little bit.”
“Just a little?” he asked, guiding her hand to his growing erection.
She snickered. “You’re too much...Barron Weston.”
“I know, Danielle Mitchell. I know.”
Barron wrapped his arms around her and Danielle breathed a sigh of relief. For the first time in a long time, she was actually content.
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