Free The Courtship of Dani by Ginna Gray Page B

any better than that piece of scum, Lewis.
    Gritting his teeth against the throbbing ache in his loins, Jason sighed inwardly and grasped Dani's shoulders. Tenderness and regret mingled in his expression as he eased her away and smiled down into her flushed face. Slowly Dani's heavy lids lifted, and the glazed look of passion in her blue eyes took his breath away...and came very near to undermining his good intentions.
    Forcing a chuckle, Jason lifted his hand and stroked her cheek with the back of his knuckles. "I think we'd better get you home before I get carried away," he said in a voice that was even huskier than usual.
    It took a minute for his words to register and when they did Dani blinked as confusion slowly replaced passion. What was wrong? Why had he stopped?
    "Home?" she repeated blankly. "I, uh...that is..." She stepped back and raked her fingers through her hair, pushing it away from her face. "That won't be necessary. I'm okay. Besides, I have my car."
    "I'll have someone bring it to you tomorrow." Jason grasped her elbow and turned her toward the door. "You shouldn't be driving home alone this late at night. Especially not after the fright you've had."
    "No, really. I'm fine."
    "I'm glad to hear it. But humor me anyway."
    Before Dani knew what hit her, he had hustled her down the hall and into the elevator.
    The drive to Dani's apartment was strained. A few times Jason tried to make conversation, but once she had given him the directions Dani lapsed into silence, and after a while he gave up. Huddled in her seat, she stared out the side window in an agony of embarrassment.
    She felt like such a fool. He had merely tried to comfort her. Even that kiss, at first, had just been a friendly gesture, meant to calm her nerves. Then, like a love-starved idiot, she had taken fire in his arms. What normal, red-blooded male wouldn't have responded?
    Remembering that kiss and the sensations it evoked, Dani felt a delicious shiver ripple through her. No man had ever affected her like that before. She hadn't even known it was possible to feel like that. It was beautiful.. .and exciting.. .and terrifying. Dear Lord. Hadn't she known that it would be dangerous to get involved with Jason? He was too vital, too exciting, too... too... rawly male. She simply didn't have the experience to handle a man like Jason.
    When they reached her building Jason insisted on walking Dani to her door. After unlocking it he gave her back her key and studied her intently. "Are you really okay? You look pale."
    "I'm fine," she assured him quickly then looked down, not quite able to meet his searching gaze. She shifted uncomfortably and reached for the doorknob. "Well, good night, Jason. And thank you for coming to my rescue and bringing me home," she said in a stilted voice.
    "Any time." He reached out and smoothed a lock of hair back from her cheek, then cupped the side of her face. "I'll have your car delivered first thing in the morning. Now I suggest that you get a good night's rest and forget about what happened. It won't happen again, I promise you." He smiled and leaned down to kiss her forehead. "Good night, Dani."
    When he had gone Dani stepped inside, closed and locked the door behind her and leaned back against it. Her face was solemn, her eyes unconsciously wistful as she stared into space. She felt strange—achy and unsettled—and she had to battle against an inexplicable urge to cry. Part of it, she knew, was a reaction to that distasteful scene with Lewis, plus a lingering embarrassment over having made such a fool of herself. But what really disturbed her was her own wanton response to Jason. Dani had a horrible feeling that she was falling in love with him.
    "Which is about the most irresponsible, stupid thing you've ever done," she muttered to herself as she pushed away from the door and started for the bedroom. After tonight it was doubtful that Jason would be interested in her romantically, but even if he were, it wouldn't