Midnight Kisses Read online

When he had married Lorraine at twenty-two, he had been a virgin. Not that he hadn’t been tempted during their courtship, but they’d both wanted to enter marriage knowing that they had saved themselves for each other.

  He laughed. That idea sounded so old-fashioned now, but back then he was innocent and didn’t know anything much about the world around him, except the church.

  He and Lorraine had fumbled through their wedding night, but over the course of their honeymoon, eager to learn, they’d got things more than right. He’d been shocked by his own passion.

  One thing he had to confess was that he loved sex.

  He had loved to feel the heat of Lorraine’s body under him and at times he’d wondered if they did it too often. But he remembered clearly his father telling him that the marriage bed could not be defiled.

  Even now, his body was hardening with arousal. He’d long forgotten how it felt to have a woman close to him, inhaling the scent of her body. Renée’s face came to mind instantly.

  The sexy temptress/social worker was slowing working her way into his system and she didn’t even realize it. He’d felt that moment of awareness between them, could feel it even now.

  The thought of seeing her that afternoon energized him, and the day passed with unusual speed. At just after four o’clock, he walked along the corridor of the hospital ward he’d visited the night before. When he reached the nurse’s station, about to enquire, he heard Renée’s voice behind him.

  Time stopped.

  Renée stood when she saw Daniel walk down the corridor. He moved with purpose; something that she liked about him. But he seemed a bit too serious, a bit too sad. She’d seen it in his eyes and since meeting him, he’d been on her mind.

  Okay, that was an understatement. He’d been in every moment of her day…and night.

  Daniel turned at her approach, and she caught a glimpse of something else in his eyes. Something raw.

  Fire.

  She could feel the heat inside of her, working its way up her body until she could hardly breathe.

  He smiled warily and she wondered why.

  When she reached him, he smiled again. This time, it reached his eyes.

  “Thanks for coming,” she said.

  “I hope I haven’t kept you waiting?”

  “No, not at all. I just got here,” she responded. “You ready to go see her?”

  “Yes, I’m ready when you are.”

  She stepped off, not looking to see if he followed, but eventually feeling his presence next to her.

  She wondered for the hundredth time what it was that made her stomach tie up in knots whenever she thought about this man…a man she’d only seen once before.

  Maybe this was what love at first sight felt like. But then she reminded herself she had no intention of falling in love.

  “Have you found out who she is?” His question drew her from her reflection.

  “No, we haven’t found out anything about her.”

  “Is it the concussion?” he asked.

  “I don’t think so. I just don’t think she wants to talk about herself. Maybe you can help?” Renée said. “She sees you as her hero, her rescuer, her angel. Maybe that will give her reason to trust you. I can see that she has lots of stuff bottled up inside and maybe she wants to talk, but she just isn’t ready yet.”

  “I’ll see what I can do,” he said with determination.

  When they reached the girl’s room, Daniel waited for Renée to enter.

  The girl immediately opened her eyes, her wariness evident, but her attention sparked when she saw Daniel. She smiled, the first smile Renée had seen touch her lips.

  Renée remained standing, while Daniel walked forward.

  “I hope you’re feeling better?” he said.

  “I’ll be all right,” she replied. “It’s nothing much. I know how to take care of myself.”

  Renée saw the bravado and knew that the girl was more talk than action. The slight trembling of her hand on the bed convinced her of that.

  “You can,” Daniel said. “I can see that.”

  The girl’s eyes flashed. “I can,” she said. “I’ve been taking care of myself for years.”

  The fire in her eyes lessened and her voice became shy and softer. “Thanks for coming to help me.”

  “It’s no problem,” he assured her. “I’ve never liked bullies.”

  She looked at Daniel out of devoted eyes.

  “You want to tell me your name?” he finally asked.

  She stared at him for a long time before she answered. “Jamie.”

  Relief swept over Renée. She glanced admirably at Daniel.

  “What’s your last name?” Renée asked.

  Jamie turned to Renée and her expression changed.

  “I tell you that and then she’ll have me going back where I came from,” she accused. “I’m not going back there. I’m seventeen already. I can do what I want.”

  Renée watched as Daniel reached out and placed his hand on Jamie’s. Immediately, she calmed.

  “There’s no need to be rude,” he said. “Ms. Walker is only trying to help you.”

  Jamie turned toward Renée again. She didn’t say anything. Her expression flashed with defiance again.

  “I’m going to go to sleep,” she said, turning to Daniel. “I’m tired and my head still hurts.”

  Without waiting for a response, Jamie placed her head on the pillow and closed her eyes.

  Renée watched as Daniel stood there for a while, unsure of what to do or say. Jamie’s body needed the rest and time to heal. Her steady breathing soon confirmed that she had indeed fallen asleep.

  Daniel finally broke the silence. “Sleep will do her good. You want to go get something to eat? I haven’t eaten all day.”

  Renée hesitated. Going with him was not a sensible thing to do, but she was hungry.

  “Sure, I haven’t had much to eat, either. I’ll meet you in the lobby downstairs. I just have to collect my things from my office.”

  She turned and walked away without waiting for a reply, knowing that his eyes were on her.

  Thirty minutes later, awaiting their order, Daniel glanced around the restaurant she’d recommended. He liked the cozy, warm atmosphere. Lively country music flowed from an antique jukebox near the entrance. He’d lived in Chicago for almost two years now, and rarely came to this area since his work and apartment were downtown.

  Being here with Renée felt strange, but good. In fact, tonight was the first time he’d been out on a date—if he could call it that—in months.

  Sitting opposite him, her hair pulled back in a stiff bun, Renée was the picture of professionalism. She’d taken off her white coat and underneath she wore a business suit, which she didn’t seem to realize did little to hide her natural sensuality.

  Daniel felt a stirring in his blood. He tried to ignore it.

  In the past two days his focus had changed. And it scared him. He’d grown so accustomed to his lack of sexual activity that on the few occasions when nature had demanded release, he distracted himself until the feelings went away.

  “So how long have you been living in Chicago?” she asked. Daniel watched as she lifted her glass of wine to her lips, his mind again focused.

  “Two years,” he replied, intent on being polite if nothing else. “Before that I lived in New York for several years. I’m originally from here, though…a small town called Oak Park, just outside of Chicago.”

  “I know it. I’ve been there several times. So what brought you to back to Chicago?”

  He hesitated. He’d known somehow that the question would eventually come, but he still wasn’t prepared for it. When Daniel finally spoke, he did so slowly. “I just needed a change in scenery.”

  “It must be a real change from New York. You must miss all the excitement and energy. Did you work in a center while you were there, too?”

  “No,” he replied. He wasn’t sure if he wanted to reveal too much about himself, but her expec
tant look forced him to respond. “I was a minister at a church in Brooklyn.”

  The look on her face was priceless.

  “You were a minister?”

  “Yes.”

  Renée blinked before responding. “You don’t look like the minister type.”

  He laughed and asked the inevitable question. “What does the minister type look like?”

  “Well, definitely not like you.”

  He laughed again. “Sorry, I’m just teasing you. I know what you mean. I’ve been hearing it for years. If you knew me then, you’d be amazed at how much I’ve changed.”

  “What happened?”

  “My wife and daughter died in an accident,” he blurted out.

  He looked at her, watching for her change in expression. He didn’t see the expected look of pity, instead, her saw her acceptance and sympathy.

  “I’m sorry to hear that. It couldn’t have been easy.” Her voice was gentle, soothing. A hand reached out and touched his, offering him comfort.

  “No, it wasn’t. I wandered around aimlessly for a whole year before I shook the grief off and decided to get on with life.”

  “But it still hurts, I’m sure.”

  Again, he hesitated. “Yes,” he finally replied, “it hurts still, but living each day is a lot easier that it was a year ago. Working at the Center has given me a purpose.”

  “I’m glad. But, I still can’t imagine you standing in a church preaching. You’re too…”

  She blushed.

  “What?” Daniel asked. He wanted to know.

  “Sexy,” she finally said with a giggle, before she blushed again.

  “Oh—oh,” he spluttered. He wasn’t sure what to say about that one, but hearing her say it made him feel hot and bothered.

  Come on, Daniel. You’re losing control.

  “I’m sorry,” she said. “I didn’t mean to embarrass you. My friends always say I speak before I think. I’m sure you’ll probably agree.”

  “Yes, you do. But I’m fine with it. I find honesty refreshing. I may have spent most of my life in church, but it’s not easy for anyone to be totally honest.”

  “A cynical way to look at the world,” she observed.

  “Cynical, but true. You could say I’ve earned the right to be cynical.”

  At first she did not respond. “Because of your wife and child?” she finally asked, cautiously.

  “Yes, because of them. But we’ve talked a bit too much about me. Tell me about yourself.”

  Before Renée could speak the waitress returned, carrying their meals. After she placed the plates on the table, she smiled, told them to enjoy dinner and left, her eyes focused on Daniel.

  “Seems that you have an admirer,” Renée said, her voice laced with amusement.

  At first, Daniel didn’t understand what she was talking about.

  “Admirer?” he asked. He seemed more focused on his meal.

  “Yes, the waitress.”

  “You’re kidding me. Me?” he asked, his disbelief evident.

  “Yes, you.”

  “Sorry, I didn’t notice,” he said quickly. “I’m just hungry.” He smiled.

  He waited until she started before he picked up his knife and fork. They ate in silence, the expressions of satisfaction on their faces evidence of the enjoyment of the simple fare of fried fish and French fries.

  When Daniel paused to lay his utensils on the table he said, “So before we started gorging ourselves, you were telling me a bit about yourself.”

  “Well, you already know I work at the hospital,” Renée began. “I’m an only child. My dad died when I was a kid, so it’s only my mother and I. My mother is the consummate matchmaker and believes that I will die single and alone. I’m only twenty-eight, so I think I still have some time.”

  “You were born in Chicago?” he asked, glad the attention was off of him.

  “Yeah, I’m a native. Never wanted to live anywhere else. There is nothing like Gino’s deep-dish pizza or Garrett’s popcorn. Two of my only vices.”

  “And the hospital? You enjoy working there?”

  “Yes, I do. I was fortunate. Just out of college, I applied for a position and got it. I like to work with people, to help them.”

  “We have that in common. I’ve always wanted to help people. At first I thought the church was my calling. I wanted to be like my father. Now I realize I can help more people out here doing what I do.”

  “I wouldn’t trivialize the work you did in the church. I’m sure you helped people there.”

  “Yes, I did, but this is different.”

  Renée looked at him with curiosity, her eyes boring into his soul. “There is something very heroic about you,” she finally said. “What you did for Jamie was remarkable.”

  “There’s nothing heroic about me at all. I just happened to be there at the right time.”

  “You could have been killed. But you didn’t think about what could happen to you—you just did what you thought was right.”

  “Please don’t make me out to be noble,” he responded. “I’m far from it. My thoughts right now are far from noble,” he confessed with a smirk.

  “And what, pray tell, are your thoughts?” she asked, her voice low and husky.

  “That I’d like to kiss you.”

  Everything went still. He couldn’t believe he’d said it, but he’d said it and the awareness between them intensified.

  “Can we pay the bill and leave?” she asked suddenly.

  He wasn’t sure what she meant. Had he insulted her?

  No, he could see the flame in her eyes.

  Renée stared at the television, seeing it but not fully paying attention. Daniel Buchanan’s image was firmly locked in her mind’s eye.

  What was she going to do?

  She almost felt like a sinner, but he was not a minister anymore and maybe she needed to pull herself under control. She also noticed the wedding ring on his finger, too. There must still be some attachment to his late wife. That only increased her uneasiness.

  She switched the television off, waiting until her vision grew accustomed to the darkness of the night.

  Renée touched her lips, closing her eyes and wishing Daniel were there.

  Daniel had kissed her.

  He’d waited until they reached his car in the dimly lit parking lot and taken her in his arms. His lips had sought hers.

  Renée shivered, remembering the intensity of his passion, the touch of his lips on her neck, the probing of his tongue as he parted her mouth.

  She’d pressed against him, loving the feel of his body next to hers and the hardness of his arousal pressed against her. She’d almost melted with the heat between them. When Daniel had suddenly pulled away, she had ached for more of him. And then he’d drawn her close to him and held her, placing his arms around her while stroking her hair. When he finally stepped away, she had felt his uneasiness at what they had done.

  Renée remained at the window into the early hours of the morning. The kiss had left her aching for more. She was confused, but the only thing clear to her was that she wanted Daniel Buchanan.

  Across town, Daniel listened to the gentle pitter-patter of rain. No more heavy downpours and high winds. It was as if nature was apologizing for the past few days of unpredictable weather.

  He’d had his meeting with Jerome and was satisfied that the teenager was progressing well. Daniel still remembered when he’d first met the angry, troubled boy. His instinct had been to take the boy and grip him with a manly hug. He could tell the boy had been hitting out at the world. Later, he’d discovered that all Jerome needed was someone to care about him.

  But he still had some concerns about the boy’s home life. With only an ailing grandmother, Daniel was worried what would happen if the old lady died. He didn’t think Jerome would survive foster care, but the possible alternative was taking his responsibility to another level. He already spent one of his off days, when they fell on Saturday or Sundays, with the
boy.

  He pushed the thought from his mind. He wasn’t ready to be a father to any child. There were too many complications involved, too many issues to deal with.

  Daniel had been glad for the meeting. It had kept his mind off of Renée, and the kiss.

  Surprisingly, he’d eventually fallen asleep that evening, though he’d lain in bed for hours, thinking about Lorraine…and Renée.

  He couldn’t believe that he’d just met her three days ago. To say that the kiss had affected him was an understatement. Renée’s passion had amazed him, stirring already awakened feelings.

  Even now, the taste of her lips caused him to harden, his erection pressing against the tight boxers he wore. He was attracted to her. He’d reveled in her softness, not wanting to let her go and disappointed when the kiss had ended. Even now he still ached with desire.

  God, she was beautiful, with that head of luxurious shiny hair that smelled like a rain-kissed rose. He remained uncertain about what to do. His body told him one thing while his mind said something else.

  Getting involved with someone may be a step in the right direction. He’d come to an indifferent understanding of the workings of destiny and fate, but he knew that he was still far from the healing he needed.

  Renée Walker could be a meaningful diversion. Daniel wanted to live for today. With Lorraine, he’d envisioned a long future of marital bliss and look where it had ended…with him all alone and broken.

  No, he had all intentions of enjoying today. And if enjoying life could be had with a relationship with Renée, then he would explore the possibilities. He knew he wanted more. Wanted to kiss her again. Wanted to feel her legs wrapped around him.

  Unfortunately, the guilt he felt each time he thought of her threatened to send him crazy. And if he wanted to see Renée again, it was guilt he needed to resolve.

  Chapter 3

  The next two days, Daniel visited Jamie at the hospital and felt a sense of disappointment when Renée did not appear. She either hadn’t come for the day or she’d already left. He wondered if she was trying to avoid him. And then there was Jamie.

  Her slow recuperation worried him. At times she seemed to be healing but other times she continued to suffer from bouts of dizziness and headaches that made her cry. He suspected that the hospital would soon want to discharge her or transfer her to a state hospital, but he planned on talking to Renée about the situation. If he had to pay to make sure Jamie got proper care he would. Very few people knew how well off he was. He’d spent little of the considerable sum of money his father had left him. He and each of his brothers were more than comfortable.