“I admire your modesty,” Dani said, laughing at the way he sat there looking so full of himself. “It must be very trying to have women throwing themselves at you all the time.”
“Actually, it is," he said, his look earnest. “Try being a rich, not to mention startlingly handsome, man for a day and you’ll see what I’m talking about.”
“Oh, you.” She laughed and leaned over to give him a playful punch. She was joking around about it but she could understand exactly what he meant. Of course he’d have women after him. He was an eligible and very desirable bachelor.
And that was why it was so important for her to keep her distance, at least from an emotional standpoint. Storm had his pick of women and when he was really ready to settle down he’d select his life partner from his own circle. She could not afford to start feeling soft toward him. If so, she’d do it at her own peril.
“There’s a party coming up in a couple of weeks, one I’ve got to attend. And I’ll need to have my fiancée on my arm.” He cocked one eyebrow at her. “Are you game?”
Dani shrugged. “I’m always game,” she said casually. “It’s my job, remember?”
“Fair warning - Lola might be there.”
“Oh.” Dani didn’t feel quite so confident then. The last thing she needed was the possibility of Lola launching another attack, this time in front of a crowd.
“Oh, is right,” Storm said, his face serious. “We’ll have to be prepared for just about anything. One thing we can’t do is avoid the event. That would just raise suspicions. Lola already started questioning our relationship. We don’t want my parents to start wondering, too.”
“Oh,” Dani said and then fell silent. She knew what he meant. They’d have to stay close to each other’s side, hold hands and look like a loving couple. How in the world was she going to deal with that?
“Oh, again?” Storm chuckled. “Don’t worry, we got through dinner with my parents and we’ll get through this thing together.”
She only wished she could be as confident. Needing to ease the tension, she decided to change the subject. “I need to be out of town this weekend. I hope it doesn’t clash with any of your plans.”
“Not at all,” he said with a magnanimous wave of the hand. “You’re free to go.”
“Thanks,” Dani said, more relaxed now. “I haven’t been to see Brian since I dropped him off at the university. I want to take him some of his favorite goodies from home."
“You’re going on a cross country trip. Sounds like fun.” Storm had an eager look on his face. “Mind if I tag along?”
“It’s not cross country,” she said, bursting his bubble. “It’s in Indiana so we’ll only be crossing one state line. I’d love it if you could come along.” Then, realizing that what she’d said could be interpreted in more ways than one she added, “I’d welcome the company.”
“I’ll come on one condition.”
“What?” she asked, suspicious.
“You let me be your chauffeur.”
“You’ve got it, chauffeur. Just as long as you remember that the highway is not a racetrack.”
Storm gave a bow of acquiescence. “Whatever the lady wants.”
Dani could only smile at that. She didn’t dare divulge what had popped into her mind when he said those words. No, she would keep her mischievous musings to herself.
On Saturday morning when Storm picked her up in his now familiar Ferrari it was a perfect day. The sun, cheerful and bright in an almost cloudless blue sky, put her in an upbeat mood which Storm must have noticed because he gave her a wide smile, a quick hug and even a peck on the cheek then he bundled her into the car and they set off.
Dani grinned. She didn’t know what kind of chauffeur he was, greeting his client with hug and kiss, but she wasn’t complaining.
Under Storm’s expert control the Ferrari ate up the miles in quick time and within less than an hour of leaving Chicago they were pulling onto the university campus. Dani directed him to the parking area then they headed for the student dorms in search of Brian.
“I’ll call and let him know we’re here.” She took out her cell phone and dialed. She didn’t even hear it ring before Brian’s excited voice was on the line. When she disconnected she gave Storm a wide smile. “He’s coming down to meet us.”
She knew she probably looked like the Cheshire Cat in Alice in Wonderland but she couldn’t help it. She’d missed her kid brother and she was looking forward to seeing him again, even if it was only to wrestle him to the ground and remind him who was boss.
She glanced at Storm then gave a surreptitious giggle. Maybe that wouldn’t be a good idea, not in Storm’s presence anyway. What would he think of her, a twenty-two year old woman seizing her brother in a headlock? He’d probably want to drop her off at the nearest mental institution.
Within a minute of speaking to Brian he was dashing out of Dillon Hall and down the steps toward them. He grabbed Dani up in a huge hug and spun her round then he grabbed her in a neck hold and tackled her to the ground, laughing the whole time.
Dani was laughing, too, not just at the sheer joy of seeing Brian again but at her futile plan to appear dignified in front of Storm. Brian had totally shattered that dream.
“I got you, Sis.” Brian held her down for a second longer.
“Okay, you win, you win,” she yelled.
Only then did he let her up. He was grinning as she righted herself and straightened her clothes.
“That was a surprise attack,” she scolded and gave him a punch on the arm. “That was the only reason you beat me.”
“Yeah, right,” Brian scoffed. “I’m in college now, Sis. There’s no way a girl can get me now, least of all my sister.”
“We’ll see,” she said softly, making sure her voice reflected a quiet threat. “We’ll see.”
Then she turned to Storm. “I guess you know who this is.”
Storm, who had been smiling at their antics, nodded. “The famous Brian Swift who you’ve been talking about all morning.” He stuck out his hand. “Good to meet you.”
Brian took it and they shook hands. “Yeah, same here.” He stepped back and looked down at Dani. From his six foot two height that was easy. “Dani told me she’d have a chauffeur on her trip down her.” He looked back at Storm. “You don’t look like any chauffeur I’ve ever seen.”