Valerie
damn near ran him down. He might have heard her coming if he hadn't been fuming
at himself. So that was the reason for the dinner invitation, was it? To watch
some over-privileged moneybags brush up against her? Was Dylan supposed to feel
threatened or impressed? If awe and respect was what she was going for, Valerie
had seriously overestimated her appeal.
Dylan didn't care who touched her or held her, or even who kissed her. She
was a grown woman and could make her own choices. They weren't dating, weren't
going to get involved. She was a friend at best, and even that much was straining
things. The fact that he wanted to plant his knuckles in someone's teeth was just
his protective streak rearing its head.
He staggered half a step back when Valerie plowed into his chest, and caught
her by the shoulders to keep her on her feet. He met her gaze, saw the panic in
her eyes, and something tightened inside. So she hadn't wanted him to see the
moment on the balcony. It took all he had to grit out, “Good night, Valerie.”
He let go of her shoulders and brushed past.
“Dylan, wait. Kyle, go to the car.”
“But Mom!”
“Go to the car, I said. Now. Dylan, please.”
He shouldn't stop. He should keep walking. Walk away. Forget the chance.
But his feet refused to go where he willed. Despite the shoulds, despite knowing
better, he stopped, turned and waited, arms folded across his chest.
Kyle glanced up at him as he picked his way past on his crutch. He mumbled,
“...wasn't acting that weird before.”
Once Kyle was out of earshot, Valerie stepped forward, voice lowered so that
only Dylan would hear her. “We need to talk.”
Dylan tried to smile, to shrug it off. “No, we don't. You don't have
to explain anything to me. You don't owe me anything, I wasn't expecting anything.
You invited me to dinner, that's all. Sorry I was late.”
He hadn't meant those words to sound so bitter, but Valerie heard and flinched.
“The invitation was real, Dylan. I didn't set you up.”
“Set me up for what?” Dylan's eyebrows rose. “Why would I
think you'd done something like that?”
Valerie sighed. “Dylan, please. On the balcony—”
“You looked like you were having a good time.” All right. So maybe
he cared a little bit. “You deserve to have a good time.”
She frowned. “I was trying to figure out how to get away.” Her
scowl deepened. “And I thought you weren't coming.”
“Well, I'm sorry,” he shot back. “I'll just leave you alone.
Hate to change up on you without warning.” He turned to leave again, just
like he'd meant to in the first place. Women. Couldn't live with them,
couldn't leave well enough alone.
He jerked to a halt when Valerie caught his arm, turned him, and met him with
a fierce kiss. His lip smarted where she'd mashed it against his teeth. Her fingers
were deep in his hair before he had time to register the warmth of her lips or
the taste of wine. Then the kiss ended. Short of breath and flame-cheeked, she
shoved him away.
“Go on, then. Go on and go home.”
Dylan stepped forward and kissed her again. Drew her against his chest, wound
an arm around her waist, and made that kiss just as fierce as the one she'd given
him. He slid a hand to her chin, angled it up, and pressed deeper, claiming her
with lips and teeth alike. He swallowed the little sounds she made, held her against
him while she shivered in his arms. But when the kiss ended, he couldn't push
her away.
Her
eyes were nearly black with desire. Her chest rose and fell against his in short,
ragged hitches, and her lips were swollen. “Come back with me,” she
whispered. “Come back to the house. Please.”
What was it that Emilia had said? Go after what you want and don't shy away?
There were a dozen reasons why he should say no. Her lips and her eyes and the
smell of her hair, and the insistent pulse of desire that beat through him and
made his jeans feel two sizes too small were reasons to say yes. And then there
was... “Kyle.”
“Half an hour with a video game in his room and he'll be in bed. Please.”
Valerie surged up on her toes and kissed him again, suckling on his bottom lip
in a way that made every inch of him stand up and pay attention. It was a promise,
reflected in her eyes when she stepped back again.
“Half an hour,” he murmured. “I'll meet you there.”
"Fortune's Fool is a riveting story about the agony and blessing
of love. This is a great read and well worth the time. I highly recommend Fortune's
Fool."
- 4 ½ Kisses- Jennifer McKenzie, Romance Divas
"Fortune’s Fool is a wonderful contemporary romance
combining well-developed characters with a compelling story line. Dylan and Valerie
are very real multilayered characters that the reader will like and identify with
immediately."
- 4 Cups- Maura, Coffee Time Romance
"Fortune’s Fool by Sara Dennis was just a lovely story
that I couldn’t put down. I love nothing better than for a hero to finally
‘get it’ and in this, I was not disappointed in Dylan’s determination
to make things right. Fortune’s Fool is poignant and sexy all the same,
with groveling and redemption thrown in for good measure. Great read, Ms. Dennis!"
- Talia Ricci, Joyfully Reviewed
"Fortune’s Fool is an emotional, rewarding story rich
in characters and realistic details. Sara Dennis immediately captured my attention
with the desperation and love Valerie displays in the first few pages of the story.
The stark professional and subdued support Dylan exhibits as he tries to do his
job is a wonderful contrast to Valerie. The story just gets better from there.
"
- 4 Angels- Amanda, Fallen Angel Reviews
"Fortune's Fool presents the reader with good characterization
and realistic, loveable characters. The drama was well-written and carries an
interesting story of two people falling slowly in love after an accidental shooting.
The secondary characters were intriguing too. The story was seasoned with several
emotions: happiness, sadness and perhaps a smidgeon of insanity. Basically it
was an enjoyable read and most problems and conflict that arose seemed realistic
and kept me turning the pages. Great job Sara Dennis ! I wholeheartedly recommend
this story."
- 4.5 Flags- Karen, Euro-Reviews
-top-
