A Perfect Caress. Nana Prah

sudden scream put Lanelle on full alert. Taking in her surroundings, she wished she’d had her driver drop her off at the meeting instead of insisting on driving herself.

      Four rows across the barrier where she’d parked, an older and a younger woman hugged. Lanelle spied on the pair, wondering what had happened to make them embrace in the middle of a parking garage.

      Considering the lot belonged to a hospital, morose thoughts of death and illness came to mind. Perhaps one was comforting the other.

      Slipping herself out of the imaginary world she’d created for the people she’d never meet, Lanelle opened her door and slid behind the wheel of her favorite, yet least ostentatious, car. She sparked the engine of the navy blue Volvo S80. With the press of a button, the seat’s massaging system eased the tension from her lower back.

      After a few moments of bliss, she pulled out of her parking space. As she rounded the corner where the women had embraced, she noticed a tall, dark-skinned man standing in the middle of the aisle. How could this be when she’d done such a good job escaping him earlier? Distracted, she slammed on the brake.

      Realizing too late she’d drawn their attention, Lanelle pressed the gas in an attempt to ease past without being seen. Although the side windows were tinted, anyone outside the car had full view of her through the windshield.

      Fate. Kismet. Destiny. All words of impossibility Lanelle didn’t believe in shuffled themselves around in her head. What had been the chances of ever seeing Dante again when she’d given him her name? Obviously, the odds had been pretty darn good.

      The attempt to make herself invisible by scrunching low in her seat failed. He disturbed her in a warm-feeling-at-her-center kind of way. The last thing she needed in her life was to be attracted to someone.

      Lanelle knew the moment the cake stealer recognized her. Waving her down, he stepped over to her window. For a split second she thought of zooming past so she’d never have to listen to the deep timbre of his voice again. Isn’t that what I thought when I left him in the cafeteria?

      From the impression she’d gotten of him earlier, Lanelle figured Dante was the kind of man a woman could have fun with but never tie down. She wasn’t in the market for either.

      His broad grin sent a flutter skidding through her belly. “Hi. Funny meeting you here.”

      Uncanny, but stranger things had happened. She’d have been out of the parking lot a good five minutes ago if she hadn’t forgotten her briefcase in the boardroom in her dash out of an adjourned meeting for chocolate cake therapy. “If you find it even mildly amusing, then you have a weird sense of humor.”

      “I’ve been accused of it a time or two.”

      She smirked.

      “You have a pretty smile.”

      Yes, the man’s a charmer. She straightened in her seat, thinking she might feel more comfortable if he didn’t tower over her. Whom am I kidding? The man’s a giant. He’d dwarf her even if she was standing in three-inch heels. “Thank you.” Keeping things light and polite would be the easiest way out without hurting his ego. “Nice seeing you again. Take care.”

      “Wait.” He motioned to the young woman she’d seen hugging the older one. “Vanessa, come here.”

      Lanelle’s mouth watered as the girl brought her chocolate cake closer. Good to know he hadn’t been lying.

      “Vanessa, meet Lanelle. The woman I almost got into a fight with to make sure you got your cake.”

      Lanelle put the car in Park and eased her foot off the brake. Reaching out the window, she extended her right hand to the young woman. The dimple she displayed in each cheek brought out Lanelle’s own smile. Her test results must’ve been good. “Nice to meet you, Vanessa.”

      “You, too.” Vanessa gave Dante her attention. “What do you mean about the cake?”

      Dante’s light brown eyes gleamed as he focused on Lanelle while answering his niece. “This gorgeous woman was on the cusp of initiating a takedown over the last piece of chocolate cake in the cafeteria.”

      Lanelle’s face flamed as Vanessa turned to her with an openmouthed stare. “You’ve tried the cake,” Lanelle defended. “Tell me what you would’ve done.”

      Vanessa nodded. “Snatched it and run.”

      Lanelle liked Vanessa’s honesty. “Exactly.”

      “But you decided to give it up.” Vanessa drew her eyebrows together. “Why?”

      “Your uncle told me you’d be getting news today.”

      Vanessa placed a hand on her chest. “You gave up the best chocolate cake in the world for me? That’s so nice of you.” Then she looked down at the container and pushed it through the open window. “You can have it.” Hopping from foot to foot, she burst out with “I’m in remission.”

      Joy beyond anything Lanelle had ever experienced for a stranger overwhelmed her. Shoving the cake back at Vanessa, she opened her door and hugged the girl. “How wonderful. I’m so happy for you.”

      Vanessa held her tight, their upper bodies swaying from side to side as they giggled. When they separated, the reality of what Lanelle, oftentimes accused of being conservative to a fault, had just done hit her.

      Three pairs of eyes stared at them as she stepped away and attempted to regain her composure.

      An older version of Vanessa moved to the young woman’s side. “Who’s this?” The question was made less severe by the crinkles at the corners of her eyes as she grinned.

      “Lanelle,” Vanessa answered. “She gave up this cake for me without fighting Uncle D.”

      Cynthia held out her hand. “Nice to meet you, Lanelle. I’m Cynthia. I’m not sure what’s going on with the cake, but thank you for not hurting my brother.”

      The woman’s grip was firm as they shook. “It’s not like it sounds.”

      “Yes, it is,” Dante gloated.

      Lanelle hurled Dante a look that should’ve had him quivering. He threw her off-kilter by laughing. “No, it isn’t,” Lanelle protested. “I’m happy Vanessa is cancer free. I guess I got a little overwhelmed.” It took a split second for her to decide to share her own news. “My mother is a breast cancer survivor, so I understand just how good it is to get such wonderful news.”

      “I’m happy for you and your mother.” Cynthia held an arm out to the man on her right. “This is my husband, Alan.”

      The last set of handshakes took place, and then Lanelle said, “I should be going. Congratulations, Vanessa.” She gripped the handle of her car to open it.

      Vanessa touched her arm. “We’re going out to celebrate. Would you like to come with us?”

      Lanelle looked at the girl, then glanced at Dante, who seemed just as surprised by his niece’s offer. She would’ve expected that from him. “I think this might be a family celebration.”

      She was a reserved person by nature; it didn’t help that Lanelle’s conservative childhood hadn’t allowed her to open up to too many people out of fear of them finding out she was an heiress and attempting to manipulate her for their own benefit. It had only taken a couple negative experiences to know that her life was smoother when she kept to herself.

      Cynthia looked at the trio. “Do you all know each other?”

      “I met Lanelle in the cafeteria about fifteen minutes ago,” Dante said.

      Vanessa looked at her mother. “Uncle D introduced us just now. But she seems so cool.” She turned to Lanelle. “I’d really like it if you joined us,” Vanessa insisted.

      Dante licked his lips before adding, “Me, too.”

      She had to stay away from such a