His side of the bed was cold, which meant he’d been up for a while. Shifting to look at the clock, her heart skipped a beat. It was after eight. They were supposed to meet his ex-wife and her new husband in less than two hours.

  As if he knew she was awake, Daniel strolled into the room. His hair was still wet from his shower, and he was dressed in jeans and a black button-down shirt.

  He took a seat on the edge of the bed. “Good morning, sweetheart. Did you sleep well?”

  “Yes.” But before she could say any more, his hand cupped her breast, and he began playing with her nipple. She closed her eyes and hummed.

  Daniel ran his hand down her side and rested it on her hip. “I’m tempted to blow off brunch and fuck you instead.”

  Ali sighed. She’d be good with that.

  His lips caressed hers, coaxing her mouth open, but before it could go any farther, his phone rang.

  Daniel groaned and removed the phone from his pocket. He checked the caller ID. When he met her gaze again, she knew their fun would be put on hold. “I need to take this.”

  He stood and walked out of the room, leaving her alone.

  Ali stared up at the ceiling and blew out a breath. She dragged herself out of Daniel’s bed and picked up the T-shirt she’d worn the night before. Slipping it on, she went around the room, picking up her discarded clothing.

  As she passed by the kitchen, Daniel looked up from his call. His eyes sparkled as his gaze roamed her body. She felt her sex pulse. Then the person he was talking to said something, and he turned his attention back to the phone.

  It took her twenty minutes to shower and another twenty trying to figure out what to wear. While Ali shouldn’t care what Daniel’s ex thought of her, she kind of did, but more than that, she wanted to make a good first impression on James.

  In the end, she took a page from Daniel’s playbook and went with her favorite jeans and a button-down shirt. Most of the outfits she’d brought with her from her apartment were either dress clothes for work, club attire, or T-shirts and leggings for lounging around the house.

  A knock came at her door as she was putting in her earrings. “Come in.”

  Daniel walked in, his gaze scanning over her. He held out a hand, and she went to him. “Not sure which I like more. You running around in nothing but a T-shirt, or your ass in these jeans.”

  Ali laughed.

  He pulled her into his arms and kissed her. “Ready to go?”

  “Yeah.”

  The drive to the hotel took less than thirty minutes. Finding a place to park in the parking garage had taken another twenty-five. By the time they made it to the hotel restaurant, they were ten minutes late.

  Daniel gave the man at the host stand his ex-wife's name and they were escorted into the restaurant. Ali wasn’t sure what she’d been expecting, but the woman sitting at the table they were taken to wasn’t it.

  The woman had short red hair with streaks of gray around her temples that framed her features. She was dressed casually in jeans and a T-shirt with a huge yellow smiley face on it.

  They stopped in front of the table and Daniel held out a chair for Ali. She didn’t miss how Jessica’s face changed as she registered Daniel wasn’t alone. “Who’s this?” she asked.

  Daniel made the introductions. “Ali, this is Jessica and her husband, David.” He picked up the menu from the table. “My apologies for our tardiness. It took longer than expected to find a parking spot.”

  “It’s nice to meet you, Ali,” David said.

  Ali replied in kind. “You, too.”

  David smiled, but Ali couldn’t read the expression on Jessica’s face. It wasn’t exactly hostile, but it wasn’t overly friendly either. Ali picked up her menu and scanned over the offerings.

  After placing their orders, Daniel got down to business. “So what is it about Cassie’s fiancé that you wanted to make me aware of?”

  Jessica seemed to hesitate, but after giving Ali a side-eye, she said, “I’m not sure he’s right for her.”

  “What makes you think that?” Daniel asked.

  “He works all the time, for one thing. And I don’t like the way he talks to her.”

  Daniel took a sip of his coffee. “I need specifics, Jessica.”

  She huffed. “About a month ago, we were talking on the phone. She forgot to hang up and I overheard some things.” She paused and Daniel waited. “It sounded like he was hitting her.”

  Ali glanced at Daniel, but he didn’t take his gaze off Jessica.

  “So I called one of her friends under the pretense of getting her mom’s number to see if she was interested in helping me with a project.” Jessica tapped her fingers on the table. “Olivia said she hadn’t talked to Cassie in almost six months and you know how close they used to be.”

  “Did she give any reason why?”

  Jessica shook her head. “Not really and I didn’t feel like I could push without giving too much away.”

  Daniel nodded.

  “We’re concerned,” David said. “He seemed like a nice guy when we met him, but some people can be good at hiding their true selves.”

  “I’ll talk to her.”

  A few moments later, their food arrived. Ali had gone with yogurt and granola. Daniel had told her James would want to go out after his competition, so she didn’t want to stuff herself.

  “How long have you two been together?” Jessica asked.

  The question was directed at Ali. She swallowed her bite of food and answered, “About two weeks.”

  Jessica’s eyes went wide.

  While his wife recovered from her apparent shock, David picked up the conversation. “Have you met James yet?”

  “No,” Ali said. “Daniel’s told me about his kids, but I’ve never met any of them.”

  “James is the most laid-back of the three, but don’t be surprised if he tries to put you on some sort of nutrition plan.”

  Ali laughed. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

  They spent the rest of the meal talking about James and his competition. Ali learned a lot, including more about the competition itself. She’d never been to one of these things before, so she’d been clueless about what to expect.

  When the server came with their bill, Daniel pulled out his card and handed it to the man, not bothering to look at the amount. Jessica and David made no move to stop him or chip in even though the meeting had been their idea.

  Daniel stood, pulled out her chair, and offered his hand. She took it and got to her feet.

  “It was nice meeting you, Ali,” David said.

  Ali laced her fingers into Daniel’s. “It was nice meeting you, too.”

  They made their way out of the hotel’s restaurant and followed the signs for the fitness competition. A long hallway led to another long hallway. If not for the signs, she would have gotten lost for sure.

  As they turned down yet another hall, this one full of people, Daniel brought their linked fingers to his lips and kissed the back of her hand. “You ready for this?”

  No. She wasn’t sure she was. But instead, she met his gaze and nodded.

  When they entered the room, there were five women standing on the stage. They were all wearing bikinis and heels. But it wasn’t their clothing that stood out to her the most. It was how tan they were and the fact they all looked as if they could bench press a truck.

  Okay, maybe not a truck, but she’d never seen women with so many muscles before. Their arms and legs were as big as most men’s, and they all had six-pack abs.

  They found seats about halfway back and watched as the judges picked their winner out of the five women. Once the women left the stage, several people in the audience left, clearing out a good portion of the room.

  “Thank you for coming with me today,” Daniel said. He hadn’t let go of her hand when they sat down.

  “You’re welcome.” She’d do anything for him. All he had to do was ask. Then she noticed his posture. “Are you nervous?”

  He turned to look at her, then back to the empty stage. “Maybe a little.”

  “Why?”

  Daniel’s chest vibrated in a suppressed chuckle. “I've never introduced a woman to my kids before.”

  “Never?”

  He shook his head. “I don’t...date...a lot.”

  A warm feeling spread through her chest. “I’m honored you want me to meet them.”

  More people entered the room, filling up the seats around them. She saw Jessica and David sit on the other side of the room, two rows back. Commotion on the stage drew everyone’s attention and within minutes things were getting started.

  If she’d thought the women’s bathing suits were skimpy, the men’s were even more so. The strip of fabric didn’t hide much of anything. In fact, it hid nothing. As they flexed to show off their muscles, Ali was surprised certain parts of their anatomy didn’t fall out.

  Then it was James’s turn on stage. To say he was the spitting image of his dad was an understatement. Add some gray and a few years and they could be twins. He even had his dad’s gray eyes.

  In the end, James got third place. The two guys who come in first and second were bigger than he was, but that was the only difference she could see. Then again, she had no idea what she was looking for.

  Like before, as soon as the contestants left the stage, people began to leave. Daniel stood and guided Ali into the hall. He moved them away from the entrance and leaned back against the wall, pulling her against him.

  Jessica and David came to stand beside them, and she couldn’t miss the big smile on Jessica’s face. David stood next to her while they waited, his arm around her shoulders.

  People milled around, going in and out of the room. Then, a door opened down the hall and Ali recognized some of the men who’d been on stage. They filtered out in groups of two or three. She had no idea how many men passed by them before the door opened and James walked out.

  He saw them almost immediately and hiked the duffle back higher on his shoulder. “Hey.”

  Jessica moved in. She pulled him into her arms for a hug. “I’m so proud of you.”

  “Thanks, Mom.” His gaze moved to his dad, then to Ali. He took a step toward her and held out a hand. “Well, hello there. I don’t think we’ve met. I’m James Ross, and you are?”

  Daniel put a possessive hand on Ali’s back. “James, I’d like you to meet Ali.”

  “Ali.” James took Ali’s hand and held it in both or his.

  Daniel had never been jealous of either of his sons before, but he was now. It was stupid, but love did that to you.

  Ali laughed. “Hi, James. Your dad’s told me so much about you.”

  James looked at Daniel, then at Ali. He took in Daniel’s hand on her back and his grin grew even bigger. “Well, Ali, I hope you’re hungry because I’m starving.” He hooked his arm in Ali’s and tugged her down the hall with him. “So, tell me everything.”

  Daniel sighed and followed behind them. He didn’t miss the laugher coming from Jessica.

  “What do you want to know?” Ali asked.

  “How’d you meet my dad?”

  Ali glanced over her shoulder, meeting his gaze as they all entered the lobby. James tended to crave certain foods after his competitions. He’d often scope out the restaurants in the area and knew exactly what he wanted. “We met at a club.”

  James stopped and Daniel almost ran him over. His son turned to look at him, shock on his face. “You went to a club?”

  Daniel raised an eyebrow. “I may be old, but I’m not dead.”

  His son chuckled, then continued on his way.

  After a brief stop at James’s hotel room so he could drop his bag, they were off again. Outside the hotel, they took a left. The streets were bustling with traffic, but they only had to cross once.

  James continued to ask Ali questions as they walked. Where had she grown up? What did she do for a living? It was an interview.

  They stopped in front of a burger joint. Daniel had never been there before. He liked cheeseburgers, but he didn’t eat them very often anymore. If he was going to eat beef, he preferred steak.

  His son kept Ali next to him when they all sat down at a long table. He included her in the conversation, even when it turned to his siblings.

  Daniel went to get a refill on him and Ali’s drinks. He was putting the lids back on the containers when James came up beside him, cup in hand. “I like her.”

  He met his son’s gaze but didn’t comment.

  “She makes you happy, right?” he asked.

  It was strange having this conversation with his youngest son. “She does.”

  James smiled, put the lid back on his cup, and took a sip from his straw.

  They finished their meal and walked back to this hotel. Once again, James commandeered Ali. This time the two chatted about music. “What was that band you had me listen to the last time I was at your house?”

  “Guns and Roses,” David said. “Only one of the best hair bands of the eighties.”

  Ali scoffed. “I don’t know about that.”

  He didn’t hear David’s response because Jessica placed her hand on his arm, drawing his attention. “She’s good for you.” Before he could find something to say, she went on. “You deserve to be happy, Daniel. I know things didn’t work out between us, but that was both our faults.”

  That was true. He and Jessica had drifted apart and they’d both had a part in that. At any time, they could have changed course, made time for each other, kept the connection. They hadn’t.

  “I see the way you look at her.” Jessica stopped and he did the same. “You’re in love with her.”

  He didn’t deny it, but he didn’t confirm it either.

  “Don’t let this opportunity pass you by, okay?” With that parting comment, she began walking again.

  James was flying out early tomorrow morning, as were Jessica and David, so Daniel and Ali said their goodbyes at the hotel. “Call me if you need anything.”

  “I will,” James said, embracing his father. Then, he turned to Ali, pulling her in for a hug as well. “Take care of him.”

  Ali nodded.

  James, Jessica, and David made their way to the elevators, leaving him and Ali alone. Daniel checked his watch. It was after six thirty. “It’s getting late. We need to get moving.”

  Leaving the parking garage was a breeze. The competition had wrapped up two hours before, so most of those who’d come to watch the show had already left. That was good, considering the time.

  While there wasn’t a set time they needed to be at the club given Ali wasn’t working this evening, he wanted to enjoy the time with his sub. He had plans for her tonight and after having to keep his hands to himself all day, he was ready to play.

  He’d picked out her attire for tonight and he couldn’t wait to see her in it. It was purple, her favorite color.

  “I love your outfit,” Bridget said as they entered the lobby.

  Daniel handed over their jackets for Bridget to hang up. While the days were warm enough, the evenings were a crap shoot.

  After Bridget scanned his membership card, Daniel swiped his card and entered the club. Since they were later than usual, the main floor was full of people. He cupped Ali’s ass, pulling her against him. “Get changed, then come find me.”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  Ali took her bag and he watched her hips sway as she made her way to the locker room. She’d worn his favorite jeans today and he was going to have fun making her pay for teasing him.

  “I was wondering if you guys were going to show tonight.”

  Daniel turned to find Alexander coming toward him. He was using his cane. Most nights he was fine without it, but the injury he’d sustained during his time in the Army acted up when he pushed himself too hard. “My son had a fitness competition today and wanted to go out after.”

  “Ah.”

  “Where’s your girl?” Daniel asked, not seeing Grace anywhere on the main floor.

  “Changing. We just got here ourselves.”

  Daniel nodded. “I was going to get a drink. Care to join me?”

  Alexander motioned for Daniel to lead the way.

  While Daniel ordered a water, Alexander ordered a Scotch for himself and a piña colada for Grace. That told him more about how the other Dom was feeling than anything he could have said. He and Grace wouldn’t be going upstairs tonight.

  “How’s business? Any issues growing your practice?” Daniel asked.

  “Slow, but steady. We’ve been asking for referrals, so that’s helping.” Alexander was a doctor. In the Army, he’d treated wounds caused by gunshots and IEDs. When he decided to open a practice here in St. Louis so he could be with Grace, he’d chosen to switch his focus to pediatrics.

  “That’s the way to do it.” He twisted the top off his water bottle and took a drink. Mid swallow, he saw Ali exit the locker room and almost choked.

  Alexander clapped him on the back, then stood. “Have fun, man.”

  Oh, he planned to have a lot of fun.

  CHAPTER 20

  Ali wanted to cover herself. The baby doll Daniel had selected for her to wear tonight had a sheer top. Her hard nipples were on full display.

  And if that wasn’t bad enough, he’d given her no panties to wear. The negligée barely covered her butt. Heaven help her if she had to bend over.

  Taking a deep breath, she forced her feet to move. Daniel was waiting for her.

  He followed her movement as she weaved through the other patrons, not taking his gaze from her. She focused on him and not all the people around her. Why she could be completely naked upstairs in one of the rooms and not be bothered, yet want to hide in the corner down here, she didn’t know. It was just different.

  She came to a stop in front of him and waited.

  His gray eyes darkened, and his nostrils flared. “You are a walking temptation.” He lifted a finger to her lips. “You will not speak unless I ask you a direct question or to use your safeword, do you understand?”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  Daniel slid off the stool and took her hand in his. She thought they would head upstairs, but instead, he led her to the dance floor. He stopped in the middle of the floor, facing her. “Put your arms around my neck.”