“No one’s trying to take her. It’s nothing like that.”
“Then what is it?”
“Donovan, remember I told you I like my privacy?” When he nodded, she said, “It’s more than that. Before moving here, I dated a guy who was trying to make a name for himself as an actor. We were introduced by a mutual friend and hit it off pretty well. The first month or two was fine. Then every date became a publicity stunt. He promised things would change, but they didn’t. I got tired of the lies. So I ended it.” She stared up at him with tear-filled eyes. “He spun it to seem like he’d broken up with me and accused me of basically being a groupie. I couldn’t go anywhere without a camera being shoved in my face asking all kinds of horrible questions. After they started showing up at my job, I knew it was time to leave.”
His jaw tightened, and anger surged through his veins. Then it dawned on him. “And you’re worried about my job.”
“Yes,” she whispered, swiping at an escaped tear.
Donovan gathered her in his embrace and kissed her softly. “Even if things don’t work out with us, baby, I would never do that to you. I’m not that kind of man. And my mother would be on the first plane out of Chicago if she found out I disrespected a woman in any way...unless my father got to me first.”
Simona laughed.
“Seriously, though, I won’t let anyone hurt you or Yasmine. I don’t want to give you up, Simona. I can’t. Trust me and take a chance on us.” He was glad to have her in his arms again. Although he should be focused on the conversation at hand, with her soft curves against him, he couldn’t think straight. It didn’t help that the moment he saw her in that sexy outfit he wanted to spread her out on his conference table. He’d expected her to show up in scrubs, but clearly she’d dressed to make a statement. He heard it...loud and clear. She had his full attention.
“I don’t want to give you up, either. But he made my life a living hell, and I can’t go through that again, especially not with Yasmine.”
“Anyone who tries to hurt you will find out exactly what hell is like. I can promise you that.” He meant every word. Thinking about what her ex put her through had Donovan seriously contemplating finding the man and beating him to a pulp. He tilted her chin to meet his eyes. “Trust me, Simona.”
* * *
Simona read the sincerity in his eyes and heard the fierce protectiveness in his voice. No man had ever made her feel as safe as she did at this moment. And he had included Yasmine in his statement. “You don’t have a problem dating a woman with a child?”
“Initially, I did. But actually, I’m sort of attached to her already.” He shook his head. “That big grin did me in.”
She laughed. “Yeah, Yasmine has that effect on people. But I’m surprised by how easily she took to you. She usually requires a warm-up period of several visits.”
Donovan leaned back. “Girl, you’d better recognize. I got it like that. Yasmine knows quality when she sees it.”
Her mouth gaped. “I’m not even going to comment on that. Somebody is a little arrogant.”
“Arrogant, not a day in my life. Confident, yes.” He shrugged. “Just sayin’.”
“Wow, I’m amazed you can remain upright with that big head of yours.”
He picked Simona up and swung her around, and she let out a startled yelp. “I like you, Simona Andrews. We’re going to have so much fun. Starting now.”
She narrowed her eyes. “What are you talking about?”
“Do you know how hard it’s been for me to sit here and not touch you? From the moment you walked into my office, it was the only thing on my mind.”
“What?”
“This outfit. Every time you move, that skirt reveals more and more of your gorgeous legs.” His hand reached inside the opening of her skirt and caressed her thighs. “You obviously came dressed for battle, and I’m waving the white flag, baby.”
His mouth came down on hers, hot and hungry, and stole her breath. His hand moved higher and around to caress her butt. He wound a fistful of her hair around his hand and tugged, gently but firmly, to expose her neck, transferring his kisses there. At the same time, Donovan glided his hand beneath her panties. She shivered and moaned as his fingers probed her slick, wet folds.
“So wet,” he murmured. “Do you know how many nights I’ve dreamed of having you here in my office, just like this?”