Danny pulled himself away from her lips as the elevator opened to his penthouse. Her touch was so addictive he instantly longed to kiss her again. Pace yourself, damn it. She's only a woman.
But she wasn't just any woman, he argued with himself. He carried her to his room, but acquiesced to her desire for her own bed. He placed her on the mattress and lay on top of her.
“Ow!” she screeched.
Ow? He hadn't even started yet. Danny looked up, bewildered.
“My foot,” she said tersely.
“Oh,” His leg had hit her injured foot. He quickly rolled off her.
“I'm so sorry.”
She put a finger to his lips. “Just make it better.”
“Absolutely.”
He pulled her into another kiss, and slowly trailed his kisses down to her neck.
The gurgling of his stomach prevented him from reaching second base.
“I'm still hungry.”
“Me too,” she giggled.
“That one slice just didn't do it.” They both turned and looked at the soaked pizza box that had been thrown on the floor.
“Think it can be salvaged? It's probably ruined from all the rain.”
“Ten minutes of deliciousness were totally worth it,” Marnie said.
“Deliciousness, huh?” Danny walked over and picked up the box. “I'll just pop this in the oven for a few minutes. It should be fine.”
He whistled a tune as he walked into the kitchen. Pizza and sex. This night was getting better and better.
After he slid the pizza into the oven, his intercom chimed. He pressed the silver answer button.
“Sir, you have a guest downstairs, a Miss Nia Johnson,” said the night security officer.
“Send her up.” What the fuck is Nia doing here?
Marnie ripped the bobby pins out of her hair and shook out the auburn locks. She ran a hand through it, looking for loose pins. Satisfied none were left, she turned her attention to wrestling off her jacket. Anticipation of Danny's return had lifted the gloom that settled in her heart. She had felt miserable when Brian left, but it only solidified the feelings she had for his brother. She didn't lust for Brian, she never had. Now that he'd dumped her, she needn't feel guilty about her desires for Danny.
She lifted her shirt over her head and thought about the surprised look he'd have upon returning. She was going to be completely naked when he came back.
“Nia, what are you doing here?” The harsh lilt of Danny's annoyed tone caught her attention. What was Nia doing here? She better not be trying to cockblock me. Marnie pulled the shirt back over her arms and shoulders, then hobbled over to the door and opened it a crack. She placed her ear over the opening.
“Danny, I just want to clear the air with you. I get why you're mad. I didn't call you after that horrific incident with those animals. It's not like I didn't care. I just didn't think you wanted to hear from me.”
“I'm not mad at you. I mean I was, but after being run down by a tiger, I realized that I don't need to waste my time being mad at anyone, except the tiger.”
Marnie heard Nia's musical laugh. Who was she kidding? Danny's not going to fall for that again.
“But you were mad at me tonight. I just can't bear it.”
“You better grow some thick skin, then. If you're going to work with me, I'm going to treat you like a colleague. I don't let anyone embarrass me. You need to be on top of your game at all times. Tonight you weren't. I was being nice by coming to your rescue instead of letting you fall flat on your face.”
“Is there any way I can make it up to you?”
Marnie frowned. This girl had no scruples. Whatever power she'd held over Danny, she just flushed down the toilet.
Danny let out a low moan. Marnie opened the door wider. Nia and Danny's lips were locked, and Nia's midnight purple finger nails were wrapped around his face. Danny grabbed her shoulders and pushed her back.
“Nia, stop. Listen to me. I understand that you have feelings for me, but I don't feel the same about you. I wish I did, because I want you to be happy, but I don't. I… I tried. I'm sorry for any pain I've caused you, but you need to believe me and move on with your life. Now, I have pizza burning in the oven, so I've got to go.”
Marnie hopped back to the bed and curled up in the fetal position. Danny walked back in with a piping hot box of pizza. The tantalizing smell of pepperoni lost its previous zest for her. He laid it carefully on the bed. Marnie peered into the box. It was no worse the wear.
“Everything alright?” she asked. All he has to do is tell me what happened. I could care less that he let Nia slobber all over him.
“Yeah.” Danny cozied up to her on the bed and nuzzled her, running his nose softly down the spine of her neck.
Marnie craned her neck to look at him. “What took you so long?” This is your last chance. Was Danny a simple‐minded jerk, or did he have a heart made of coal? Up until now Marnie had believed in the former.
“It took a few minutes to get it crispy.”
“And that's all?” Please don't lie to me.
Danny's lips curled into a smirk. “What else is there?”
Damn, this boy really could act. She searched his face for clues of deception, but saw nothing behind the handsome smile. Marnie's heart sunk. He was in love with Nia; otherwise he wouldn't have lied about her presence. He wished he could be with Nia, which meant that she, Marnie, was standing in the way. He doesn't care two cents about me. He burned his bridges with Jessica, and now I'm just available. If he hadn't already planned on sleeping with her, he'd be with Nia. It wasn't fair! She needed love too. Wasn't there anyone out there who cared about her? How could she sleep with him now, knowing that he belonged with Nia?
She grabbed a slice of pizza and began gobbling it down. Danny looked at her expectantly, but Marnie ignored him. It was a hard decision to make, but she wasn't going to sleep with him. He reached over and caressed her cheek. Her face tingled at the touch.
“Want to watch some TV?” she asked.
It wasn't in her nature to be in the middle of some love triangle. Marnie wasn't about to beg him to love her.
His eyes widened in surprise. “Sure.”
After grabbing a slice of pepperoni, he snuggled up next to her and nudged her into his arms. She laid her head on his chest. Together they watched TV and devoured what was left of the large pizza. It could have been a great night, but she fell asleep trying not to show that her heart had been torn to shreds.