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  I was no one. Just a fat teenage girl with no money and a suitcase full of gifted clothes.

  “Dani?” Kristi asked, looking at me curiously.

  I stared back at her, feeling tears well up in my eyes. I couldn’t stand being there anymore, and without another word, I turned back and ran. Her calls trailed after me, but I didn’t care. I ran back down the street towards Justine’s house.

  When I opened the front door, my aunt happened to be in the foyer.

  “Daniella, what are you doing? I thought you were in your room.” She got a good look at me. “Daniella! What is wrong?”

  I walked past her, as the tears streamed down my face.

  I didn’t stop until I was back in the safety of my room. I closed the door, locking it, before going to the bathroom that I shared with Justine and locking that door too. I went to my bed and crouched over the sink, chest heaving, tears pouring hotly down my cheeks.

  Justine was at the door, knocking loudly, begging me to let her in. But I didn’t want to talk to anyone. My chest hurt so much. I felt like I couldn’t breathe. But even more than hurt, I felt so stupid.

  How had I ever believed that someone like Hunter Maddox could ever be in love with someone like me? A powerful, sexy alpha male with a naïve, inexperienced teenager? Yeah, right. Instead, I was the fly caught in the spider’s web, and now that he’d gotten what he’d wanted, I was yesterday’s news … discarded like a piece of trash.

  Chapter Twelve

  Dani

  One year later …

  As I left my apartment in Kolkata, I smiled at the same man that sold starfruit in front of my building every morning. He smiled back as I strolled down the street.

  It was the last week of my summer abroad. At the end of my first semester in college, I’d signed up to go to India and volunteer. It had been an easy choice because I didn’t want to stay home with my mother all summer, and spending time with Justine for another summer was out of the question. Sure, we’d been friendly through the year, exchanging emails and talking about our various adventures. She’d even invited me to visit again.

  But I couldn’t do that. Justine had been so generous twelve months ago, and what would I possibly have to offer her in return? I couldn’t expect her to fund my bills and take me shopping again.

  Not to mention, I didn’t want to run into Hunter. And Justine must have known, deep down, what was wrong…but she’d never said anything.

  I still felt so stupid and naïve.

  So, India it was instead. It was a nice change because my first year at college had been hard. I can’t say that I was strong all the time. On my first night in my college dorm room, I broke down and called Hunter’s phone number. By that time, it had been disconnected. And that was enough to tell me that Hunter was really done with me because guys only change their numbers for one reason – to get rid of a pesky girl.

  After that, I knew that I had to get myself through it. I immersed myself in my studies, joined a few clubs, and made a few friends.

  And when I saw that ad for the India volunteer trip, I knew it was my chance to make different memories. New memories that could fill me with joy and not be tinted with sadness. And so far, my experience has been great. I volunteer in the city with a few other students teaching English, and it’s really rewarding and fun. Because although English is the lingua franca of India, there are many poorer citizens who don’t speak the language well. So thus the classes to help improve and burnish their skills.

  Plus, I’ve met someone. Joshua is one of my fellow teachers, and back home in the States, we’d actually lived in the same dorm. I had seen him a few times before, but never really interacted with him until the first day in India. We had ended up sitting next to each other and had talked a lot about school and whatnot.

  We’d also gone out a few times. Usually, it had been in a group, but lately, but we’d also gone on a few dates alone, and I found myself really appreciating the boy. He was kind, thoughtful, gentle and sweet.

  If I were in a different mindset, I could even see myself dating Joshua, but a real relationship wasn’t possible. In my soul, I knew I wasn’t ready to move past my heartbreak. And of course, thinking of heartbreak made me think of Hunter. I’d spend nights crying into my pillow for no other reason than the sheer pain that haunted me still. My chest would ache, throat stuffy, eyes red and puffy

  But make-up does wonders, and the teabags I’d placed over my eyes ensured that any lingering puffiness was gone. It was time to get to work, and my students were waiting.

  Joshua smiled at me as he held open the classroom door. “Hey Daniella,” he said with a smile. “I was wondering when I’d see you.” He feigned shivering. “It’s cold today!”

  “Yes, it is,” I said, as I walked into the room. Everyone at college called me Daniella and I didn’t feel like correcting them.

  Here, I was strong, independent Daniella. I wanted to shed Dani from my being. Dani was the old me. Dani was the one that was in love with Hunter, pathetic and useless.

  And if I could forget Dani, maybe I could forget him.

  “What are you doing tonight?” Joshua asked as I set my purse down in my storage cubby.

  I inwardly groaned. I didn’t want to let him down again. I wanted nothing more than to give this boy a chance, but I couldn’t shake the pain and longing that I felt for Hunter. Plus, it wasn’t fair to Joshua. He deserved better than a girl mooning over another man.

  “I don’t really know. Kimmy wants to go out, but I’m thinking that maybe I should stay in and read a good book,” I waffled.

  “You can read at home,” Joshua said with puppy-eyes. “Come on, Daniella. We’re in India. Don’t you want to make the most of it?”

  I smiled softly. “I just want to relax. We’ve gone out almost every night, and I have to sleep eventually.”

  Joshua smiled, throwing his arm around my shoulders companionably. “Just live by my philosophy. You can sleep when you are dead.”

  I just shook my head as he led us down the hallway to another classroom. Joshua made me smile and was funny in his own goofy way. Maybe I could pretend. If I carried on like I was okay, how long would it take for me to actually be normal again?

  Late that night, as I stood in front of my mirror, I cursed myself for agreeing to go out because the tired, puffy eyes were back, along with a gray listlessness that seemed to seep into my brain.

  “Hey girl!” said Kimmy, as she waltzed out of her room. “Please don’t tell me you are wearing that.” She looked at my top and then my skirt. “You look like a grandma.”

  I looked at my tapered skirt and loose blouse. “I do not,” I said primly, smoothing out my skirt.

  “Yes, you do. You can look like a school teacher by day, but no one wants to see that at night.” She slipped on some black pumps to match her tight blue dress. Kimmy was my roommate and although we didn’t have much in common, we’d clicked instantly. In fact, Kimmy reminded me a lot of Justine and it was nice to have someone like her in my life, full of wild pronouncements and bubbly energy.

  Kimmy snapped her fingers as if she remembered something. “What about that black dress you have in your closet?”

  “What black dress?” I asked as I turned in her direction.

  “You know. The slinky one. I’ve been begging you to wear it since I saw it. You’ll definitely look hot.”

  Oh.

  That dress.

  The last time I’d worn it, I’d met Hunter.

  “I don’t think so,” was my murmur, as I turned around to look at my clothes again. I frowned – my outfit had seemed fine before but now that Kimmy had criticized it, it did look a little dowdy.

  Kimmy walked up behind me, holding my shoulders. “No, babe, you are wearing that dress. Come on, it’s perfect.”

  I groaned. The dress – like almost everything else nowadays – made me think of my past. I couldn’t look at the material without remembering how Hunter’s hands had felt gliding over my bod
y. I couldn’t look at the hem without remembering how Hunter and I had made passionate love on the beach.

  And how I’d been stupid enough to fall for his lies.

  Just looking at the tiny slip of fabric brought tears to my eyes, so I’d shoved it as far back in my closet as I could. But knowing that Kimmy had seen the outfit made me realize that I hadn’t been as crafty as I’d thought.

  “Why don’t you want to wear it? Dresses like that are begging to be put on and then swiftly taken off,” Kimmy said with a devilish grin.

  “If I put that dress on, it’s firmly staying on,” I said, with a little too much conviction.

  Kimmy put her hands up in surrender. “Okay, okay, your choice. But seriously, Daniella, we only have a few more nights here. You should live a little and let go. You’ve been so careful. Don’t you want to let your hair down for one night?”

  I sighed. I did want to let loose. It was the only part of Dani I missed. So taking a deep breath, I reached into the closet and put on the dress. When I went to show my roommate, Kimmy squealed.

  “I knew you’d look hot!” she clapped her hands, as I stared at my reflection. And looking in the mirror, I knew she was right. I did look hot, my curves lovingly emphasized by the clingy material.

  What would Hunter say if he saw me in this? But I shut the thought out. He was no longer a part of my life, and I’d never see him again. Besides, Kimmy was on a different wavelength that had nothing to do with my lost love.

  “Now let’s go before all the cute boys are gone!” she sang, grabbing her clutch. I followed her obediently, my steps tracing hers. Tonight, I was going to let myself try to be the Dani I once had been. Shy yet vivacious. Fun yet reserved. A rose blooming under Hunter’s masculine gaze.

  I just hoped I could remember who she was.

  The club was bustling with people. Music blared loudly through speakers from all corners as I followed Kimmy to the back. As we got closer to the back tables I saw Joshua, along with a bunch of other classmates at a few clustered tables. As soon as he saw me, he waved energetically, almost falling out of his seat.

  “Wow,” he said, as he got a good look at me. “Daniella, you look amazing.”

  I blushed. It had been so long since a man had complimented me. While I knew it was wrong to lead Joshua on, I couldn’t deny that being flattered felt good.

  “Thank you,” I muttered.

  Kimmy elbowed me in the ribs, whispering in my ear: “See? Am I a genius or what?”

  Kimmy had been egging me on the entire summer to hook up with Joshua. Even when I explained to her I wasn’t interested in anything, much less a hookup, she still continued to pester me. At one point, she’d questioned why I was so resistant. I didn’t want to tell her the real reason, so I hid behind wanting to focus on why I was in India – to help kids, not to get laid.

  Kimmy had obviously never believed me, but she’d accepted the excuse all the same. Although she was still subtly trying to get me together with Joshua, she wasn’t as aggressive as she had once been.

  We were standing there for a few awkward seconds until Joshua leaned in. “Do you want to dance?”

  Not really, but I nodded, taking the hand offered. I followed him onto the dance floor and closed my eyes, moving to the music. Josh’s body brushed against me lightly, his arms snaking around to my waist. The contact, although unfamiliar, was okay. It made me think I could forget the sadness. Maybe I could allow myself to forget, just for tonight.

  As the music continued to play, I swayed my hips back and forth. As I reached up to touch Joshua’s cheek, my eyes opened but instead of looking at the boy, I gazed into the gaggle of the crowd, settling on pair of familiar icy blue eyes.

  The air left my body and I felt a sharp punch to the gut as I recognized that penetrating stare.

  They were the same eyes that haunted me in my sleep … and they belonged to none other than the man who had broken my heart.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Hunter

  I knew it was Dani when as soon as she walked into the club. I had seen her before, walking in the street, a flash of those lovely curves, the bounce of those brown curls. And yet, I’d been so devastated since leaving the woman, that I chalked it all up to my imagination.

  Because I saw Dani everywhere I went, and it was sheer torture. I knew it was punishment for how I had left her. Kristi had called me shortly after I left, berating me for not telling Dani about my immediate departure. She told me the whole pathetic story, down to the expression on Dani’s face when she realized what I had done. Her hurt made me feel like shit.

  But I had to go. I knew the brunette wouldn’t understand. At that time, the job had been my life and Maddox Media was everything to me. It was my only reliable go-to. If I didn’t have the business, then what was I as a man?

  Nothing. And I had worked too hard to let it all slip through my fingers, no matter how much I loved Dani. I had no choice. So I disconnected my phone, and deleted her emails from my account. I blocked her email address, just in case she tried to contact me. And I threw myself into work, focusing on nothing but the business for the next year.

  And it seemed to work at first. After I recommitted myself to the job, my father left me alone. My mother kept trying to set me up with other women of course, but it was useless. I didn’t want anyone.

  All I wanted was Dani.

  At night, my dreams were haunted by the beautiful girl and when I woke up, my body ached for her warm wetness and creamy curves.

  My heart ached, but I persevered. Until I couldn’t anymore. One night, I asked myself what was I doing this for? I wasn’t happy. I was killing myself over something that held no meaning for me, throwing away the one thing that had made me happy for the first time in my life.

  So before I could lose my nerve, I resigned. Put in my papers and walked out that same day. I decided that I was going to leave the company and find penance in the one place it was possible to disappear. Kolkata. A city teeming with people with less-than-perfect bureaucracy which would make me impossible to find.

  I’ve been here for a little over four months now. It’s been humbling to be sure because I was no longer a rich guy able to buy influence, power, and comfort. I was just another laborer, struggling to survive. But it worked. I started doing odd jobs here and there, and the work was strangely satisfying. But still, Dani was never far from my mind.

  And on the one night when I decided to treat myself and hang out at a disco, she was here. When the female entered the club, at first I did a double take. I couldn’t believe it was really her – what was she doing here, of all places?

  But it was Dani for sure, and not only that, but the girl was wearing that same bewitching black dress she’d worn the summer before. Looking at that curvy form, all of my feelings came rushing back with an intensity that frightened me. Clearly, nothing had changed – I wanted her as much as I always had.

  But Dani had no idea. She was with a female friend, and they made their way to the back of the club, winding their way through the pulsating crowd.

  And to my disbelief, I watched as some guy – some college loser with bad skin visible even under the dim lights – asked her to dance. When she accepted, I scowled as the kid led her onto the floor and began to paw that luscious frame.

  Jealousy coursed through my veins. I hated the way his arms locked around her waist, fingers trying to touch. Those creamy curves belonged to me, not him. I wanted to snatch Dani away from him, and bring her to my house. But to do what? It had been a year of silence, a tortuous, devastating cold.

  Did she hate me?

  Was it selfish of me to wish that she still loved me? Because I knew I loved her. In fact, I never stopped loving the girl, and I could never stop loving Dani.

  But with all that had happened, how could we possibly have a future? I didn’t blame her if she hated my guts and never wanted to see me again.

  Dani kept her eyes closed for the longest time, as if she was feeling the
music in her soul. And when she opened them, wide and caramel, I willed for her to see me.

  When we locked eyes, a bolt of electricity pulsed through the air, sizzling and hot. I watched her expression change from disbelief to shock to anger. And then, predictably, that pretty face lit up with rage. I knew I had to act now before I lost her again. I set down my beer and strode to the couple.

  Dani had stopped dancing. The guy with her was trying to lead her away, but I put my hand on his shoulder and shoved him backwards. He fell to the floor in an ungainly tangle of limbs before getting up awkwardly.

  “Don’t talk to her,” I snapped, not even looking in his direction.

  The man’s jaw dropped. He turned to Dani. “Daniella, do you know this man?”

  I was still holding her forearm, but she yanked it away.

  “No,” she said firmly, refusing to meet my eyes.

  Hot anger tore through my frame. I went to grab her hands again, but she stepped away and out of reach.

  “Dani,” I pleaded.

  The boy looked from me to her. “Daniella?”

  The brunette took a deep breath.

  “I’m sorry Joshua, I think I’m going to go home,” she said, before turning around and walking towards the exit. I wanted to punch this jerk in the face to assert my dominance as her lover, but this wasn’t the time. I didn’t want to lose her. Not again.

  Instead, I left him standing in the middle of the dance floor and followed Dani outside. The air felt cool as we exited the stuffy atmosphere of the club. The exit was in the middle of an alleyway and Dani started to walk fast, her heels clicking on the cobblestones.

  “Dani!” I growled after her. When she didn’t stop, I jogged up to her side. Reaching again for her arm, I grabbed onto an elbow, forcing her to halt. “Dani, please,” I ground out. “I need to talk to you.”

  She stood there, tension radiating from her body.

  “You don’t get to do this to me.” She turned around and glared daggers at my frame. “We are nothing to each other. You can’t just come here and act like that.”