Page 19 of Power Play

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Dane gazed down at Regina as she slept on his chest. He’d worn her out last night. Funny, he was full of energy. He’d made love to her several times before she declared she was too exhausted to move.

He told her she didn’t have to. He carried her into the bathroom and into the shower. This woman was amazing. She matched his needs quite well. He washed her flushed body, dried her, and carried her back to bed. She curled up against him and went right to sleep. A sense of peace filled him.

His cell rang. He didn’t want to answer it, so he let it go to voicemail. When it rang again a minute later, he sighed.

Regina lifted her head from where it rested on his chest. “It might be important.” She sat up, and he missed her warmth against him. “I need the bathroom.”

“You know where it is.” But he pointed to the door as his cell rang again.

She slid out of bed and disappeared. Damn, she looked good with her hair mussed from sleep.

Dane rolled out of bed and found his phone on the dresser. He tapped the speaker button. “Yes.” His tone was short, and he knew it.

“Dane, honey.”

His mother’s voice floated over the airwaves. “Hi, Mom. Sorry I didn’t pick up the first time. I was in the middle of something.” How would Regina feel about morning sex?

“Sorry to bother you, honey, but you are coming home for your brother’s engagement party next week, right?”

“I’m not sure.” He wasn’t. He wanted to ask Regina to accompany him, but he wasn’t sure she could get away from work on such short notice. And if he did go, he’d take an extra day to do business with his Chicago gallery. So that meant she’d have to take at least Thursday, Monday, and Tuesday off.

“Please, honey. We miss you.”

“I know.” They’d had this conversation a few days ago. He had been in Pleasant Valley four months, but his mother acted like it had been years. How was she going to deal with him moving there permanently?

The thought flittered through his mind. He wanted to spend more time with Regina and see where things went, and he could only do that if he was here. “I’ll try. I’ll let you know early in the week.”

“Thank you. It would be a blessing to have you come home.” The line went dead, and Dane let out a sigh. His mother never said good-bye. He looked up to see Regina standing there.

“Better?” he asked. Her cheeks were pink.

“Yes. Are you going back to Chicago?”

“My mother wants me to come out for my brother’s engagement party.” Dane shook his head. “I don’t know if I’m going yet or not. Let’s go back to bed.” He held his hand out to her.

“I really should get home.” Her gaze flitted around the room.

Dane stiffened as if being hit with a bucket of water. What happened? “At least let me make you breakfast.” She’d found her panties and was pulling them on. Damn shame to cover up such a beautiful sight. Confusion swamped him.

“I’m not hungry.” The bra was next. She was reaching for her blouse when he caught her hand in his.

“Honey, what is it?” All had seemed fine until she came out of the bathroom and heard him on the phone.

“Please, Dane.” The plea in her voice and the uncertainty in her green eyes… He took a step back and released her. He was causing her distress, and that was the last thing he wanted. He might not understand what was going through her head right now, but he’d never harm her. Mentally or physically.

“Let me dress, and I’ll take you home.”

“I can call a ride share.”

“You will not.” The words were clipped. “I’ll take you home.”

She nodded. Dane grabbed clean clothes and went into the bathroom. He’d get the bottom of her wanting to leave on the drive.

Chapter Seven

That evening, Regina finished changing into her club outfit at Wicked Sanctuary and shut her locker. She and Dane had plans to play tonight. Regina closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Was it just last night that Dane rocked her world in more ways than one?

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