Author's Note: I was going to make this a one-shot, but decided to turn it into a few chapters instead. Promise to post the ending before Valentine's Day. Enjoy!
Reconciliation
The Limo
It was mid-afternoon and Jake's had the occasional regulars that were now arriving for an early happy hour; the quiet, solitude of the once nearly empty bar was invaded by songs belting from the jukebox, the cracking sound of billiard balls into pockets and the increased volume of voices.
Dante Falconeri sat opposite of her, his hand frozen around the neck of his beer bottle, his exhausted eyes focused on her.
"Lulu, I don't think," Dante started to say, in disbelief, while his heart was pounding in his chest and the lingering hope that they still had something worth saving, caused his legs to tremble.
"Just come with me, Dante," Lulu said, extending her hand, as her eyes looked back at him with concern, "Please. Let me remind you why you became a cop in the first place."
"After all of the pain that I've caused you...us, and all the people around me," Dante answered, with guilt, "I don't understand how you can even look at me. I shouldn't be a detective. You should want nothing more than to turn and walk away. Run, actually," he told her, forcing a laugh.
"Turning in my badge is the least I can do," Dante replied, despairingly, as Lulu moved closer.
"Don't you think you're being a bit hard on yourself, Dante? Giving up everything that you've worked for seems a bit extreme," Lulu told him.
"It's what I deserve," Dante said, bringing the beer to his lips and tilting the bottom of the bottle upward, praying that the lukewarm liquid would make him numb. Lulu stared into his eyes and knew without a doubt, he believed it.
"I disagree. Now, move, Detective for Right Now," Lulu ordered, grasping his hand in hers, and pulling him to his feet.
The minute that her fingers brushed his, it was instant electricity. That same hand recoiled just as abruptly, his emotions in complete turmoil at the feel of her touch, as he fisted his hand, trying to stop the current rushing through him. The bolt ignited a flash of fire deep inside, stirring his cock and no matter how desperately he tried, he could not extinguish it. The past few weeks without her had been torture, searing a pain so heated that his heart was most assuredly scarred.
She was just concerned, Dante thought. Nothing more, he painstakingly reminded, as he followed her, exiting the bar, his eyes glued to every inch of her. She was so beautiful. He closed his impassioned eyes for just a second, his head trying to silence his racing pulse. This was a no-win situation and he was definitely the loser in this game.
Lulu Spencer had never been shaken so much in her life, her nerves jumping up and down like an out of control yoyo. She could feel his heated gaze on her back, his eyes caressing her skin and it was sending a tingling sensation throughout her body. She felt pulled in every direction, her head telling her that she was only doing this to keep Dante on the force, but her heart shouting at her to tell the truth. Honesty: the whole reason she had broken up with Dante in the first place. Omissions. Lies. How could she continue to be angry with him for not sharing his past with Brenda, when she couldn't even be honest with herself? She still loved him. Nothing she had done to remove him from her life had changed that. She couldn't eat; every bit of food on her tongue as distasteful as sawdust. She couldn't sleep at night, tossing and turning. Maxie had repeatedly threatened to kick her out, claiming that Lulu cried herself to sleep nearly every night. It wasn't every night, Lulu thought. Some nights she didn't sleep at all. She missed him so much. But, dammit, this wasn't her fault. He lied. To her of all people, to the one person that he promised he never would.
"Lulu-" Dante said, lifting his arm and touching the back of her shoulder with his hand. Lulu tensed beneath his touch and Dante sucked in a breath, his heart stopping in his chest. He peered around them, noticing their surroundings. It was the docks, vacant but for them. He drifted his eyes upward, the blue skies turning dark, their stormy color a reflection of the turmoil in his heart. He glanced toward the water, the stillness in no way calming his erratic nerves.
"I'm sorry. I should have told you everything, " Dante admitted, turning to her, his eyes pleading with her to just listen.
"I didn't bring you here to talk about that, Dante. Not now," Lulu pleaded, sitting on the wooden bench behind them, patting the seat beside her, "Sit with me?"
Dante walked toward her, every emotion he had settling in the pit of his stomach. Slowly, he sat down beside her, leaving a few inches between them. It felt like miles. A bridge that he had no idea how to cross. He had thought the pain was excruciating the day his father shot him, but it was nothing compared to the agony he felt when Lulu walked out.
Lulu placed her hand atop Dante's, interlacing her fingers with his, the touch eliciting a startled breath from Dante, as he turned his face toward her, his sorrowful eyes peering into hers, as his hand clung to hers in desperation.
"I love this place," Lulu told him, smiling, as her hand remained, his hold tenacious. Dante looked at her with confusion, his emotions all over the place, tension emanating from his body.
"I wouldn't admit it then," Lulu grinned, turning slightly toward him, eliminating an inch of space between them, "but, I looked forward to our chance meetings here."
Dante sat in silence, clinging to her every word, as if it were a lifevest and his only chance at survival. Her voice was a haunting melody, the words causing his heart to ache and his head to beat upon him at the stupidity of his actions and the result, her loss.
"You shared why you became a cop, remember? Lt. Poletti. The man you looked up to, as if he were your own father," Lulu continued, as Dante hung his head in shame.
"Lt. Poletti. I haven't thought about him in a long time, " Dante acknowledged, realizing that somewhere along the way he had lost his need for justice, his desire for revenge. He'd set all of that aside when he'd fallen for Lulu, "I can't imagine he's proud of me now. I've made a mess of my life. He was so much better than me."
"That's not true. You are the same man that I met all those months ago, Dante. You have the same values, you have the same ambition. You believe in the system, Dante," Lulu assured him, her hand stroking his.
"You seem so sure, Lulu. Why? My father shot me in the chest and I let him walk away. I could have gained justice, but I didn't, I covered it up. I found out that Michael killed Claudia, that Sonny, Jason and Carly buried the truth and what did I do, Lulu? I turned him in. My own brother, Lulu. And now-" Dante began, his eyes tormented, his hand gripping hers, "I can't even tell you the damage I've done."
"It's not your fault, Dante. Good or bad, you made choices. They may not have turned out the way you wanted them to, but you led with your heart," Lulu shared, lifting her hand to wipe the moisture that was brimming around his eyes.
"But, I broke yours," Dante said, practically choking on his grief, "I love you so much and baby, if I could change anything-"
"I know, Dante. I know," Lulu answered, her thumb stroking his cheek, "I had a lot to think about these last few weeks. It was one of the hardest things I've gone through in a long time," Lulu admitted, as the tears started to fall upon her cheeks.
"I'm sorry-" Dante interrupted, moving closer to her, bridging that gap that divided them, "If turning in my badge-"
"I don't want you to quit the force, Dante. Not for me, not for anyone. If you choose to walk away Dante, do it because you've lost faith in the system. That you believe with every inch of your heart, that it's the right thing to do, then I'll support you. But, honey, don't do it because of some misplaced guilt. You've made mistakes. I've made mistakes, Dante. We learn from them. Am I mad that you lied to me? Yes, Dante, I am."
"Then, you understand why I need to this," Dante answered, quietly, a calm, finality in his voice, "I caused this. I lied. I lost you. Look at what I did to Michael's life-"
"You've been the best big brother, Michael could ever have, Dante. You are a great role model for him," Lulu replied, honestly, "I dare you to ask him, otherwise."
"I don't. You don't know, Lulu. Michael-"
"Is fine, Dante. He's out of prison. Because of you, Dante."
"I put him there, Lulu. Me."
"The judge put him there, Dante. Not you. You were doing your job. A job that you are good at. The best, Dante."
"I don't know if I believe that anymore, Lulu," Dante answered, his eyes cloudy with tears, swollen and red, "If you knew the truth-"
"Believe in this," Lulu told him, hating the desperation in his eyes, and leaning in to press her lips to his, the softness of her mouth, startling him, awakening him, "In us," she continued.
"Lulu-" Dante questioned, his heart leaping within his chest. Dare he hope? He'd give anything to have her forgiveness, to get a second chance. But, did he deserve her? The future he wanted so much with her.
"I love you, Dante. Faults and all. I accept you. All of you, Dante," Lulu promised him, running her hands through his dark locks, "But you have to promise me that you won't change who you are, that you won't stop believing in yourself. No more lies, Dante."
"Lulu, I really do love you."
"Then, you know how to prove it. I know the man you are Dante. You're still the Dominic Pirelli I fell in love with. You may have changed course along the way," Lulu replied, placing her hand upon his chest, "but your heart, and who you are on the inside, honey, that is still the same."
"Lulu, are you saying-"
"I'm not saying that I completely forgive you. I'm still mad as hell, Dante. I hate that you lied to me. But, I love you. I have missed you every day."
"I've missed you, too," Dante replied, moving his hands to the sides of her face, cradling it within his grasp, "Lulu, if you give me a second chance-"
"We're going to have to make promises, Dante. I can't go through this again. My heart won't take it. I need to trust that you believe in us," Lulu said, seeing Dante's assurance in his eyes.
"I do, Lulu. I really do. You have to believe me. I love you, "Dante replied, kissing her on the lips, a smile spreading across his face, "God, how I've missed this. You," Dante acknowledged, closing his eyes and gliding his lips across hers, tracing the contours of her face with his hands.
Her tears felt salty upon his lips, and he reveled at the taste. The moisture increased, falling softly upon his face, its cold wetness soaking his skin.
Dante broke away, cradling her face between his hands, grinning, as he felt the heavy rain pour from the skies. It was like a dam was released, one filled with so much pain and anguish, its burden suddenly gone, as the barrier was removed.
"Baby, it's raining," Dante laughed, pulling Lulu closer, sheltering her in his arms.
"I don't care," Lulu cried, her lips finding his once more.
They sat on that bench, the torrential rain falling downward, soaking their hair and skin, their clothes plastered to their bodies, as their arms remained locked around each other.
As much as they generated heat from their bodies, the coldness of the rain began to penetrate their clothing and they started to shiver.
"Lulu, you're going to be the death of me, if we don't get out of this," Dante smiled, the rain causing glistening drops to cling to his dark lashes.
Dante pulled his jacket above their heads, reached for Lulu's hand and led her beneath the shelter of a nearby warehouse.
"We could go to Kelly's," Dante suggested, as Lulu shook her head, reaching into her purse and pulling out her cell phone, "I got a better idea."
She pressed a button on her phone and waited for the caller on the other end to answer, her shivers causing Dante to wrap her into his arms.
"Maxie, it's Lulu. I need a favor-"
Not even fifteen minutes later, a black limousine pulled alongside them, the driver rushing to their assistance.
"A limo?" Dante questioned, Lulu, raising his eyebrow, as the rain continued to fall around them.
"Maxie. I told her to send us a car," Lulu answered, shrugging her shoulders in defeat, as the driver opened the back door and Dante followed Lulu inside.
Lulu turned to give directions to her apartment, but the driver shook his head, telling them that Ms. Jones had taken care of everything. He pointed toward the towels inside the limo, suggesting that they dry off. Then, directed their gaze to a garment bags that hung from a hook on the opposite side of their seats.
"Ms. Jones took the liberty of packing some clothes. There is also brandy in the bar, to warm you up," the driver told them, closing the door.
Dante towel-dried Lulu's hair first, then his own, before looking toward the partition and ensuring that the driver could not see in. He poured a glass of brandy into a glass from the bar and handed it to Lulu. She took a sip, the amber liquid slowly warming her body. Dante took a few sips and placed the glass back on the bar.
He stripped the jacket from Lulu's shoulders, tossing the wet garment on the floor at their feet. Lulu trembled, whether a result from the rain, or Dante's touch, she did not appeared on her skin, as his hands moved to the hem of her blouse and he slowly pulled it over her head. Beads of moisture dotted Lulu's chest, her breasts rising and falling with each quick breath. He reached for the towel, rubbing it against her skin, drying her arms, shoulder and neck.
Every glide of the towel over her flesh, left Lulu shivering. It definitely was not from the cold. When Dante reached her breasts she'd had enough, tearing his shirt from his chest. Turnabout was fair play, she thought, grabbing her towel and drying him just as briskly. Her body felt like it was on fire and no matter how close she was, she wanted to be closer.
"Lulu? Are you sure?" Dante asked, as he felt her hands make quick work of his belt, slowly sliding the zipper down. Before she even answered, he felt her hand wrapped around him, his hands now removing her jeans in record time.
"Lulu, slow down," Dante told her, attempting to hold her steady, as she pressed insistently against him, frantic in her need.
"I need you, Dante. Now, if you need foreplay," Lulu shouted, gasping, as he thrust inside, her walls tight against him, his hands guiding her, setting a slow and steady pace. She was so tight, his size stretching her, as he buried himself to the hilt. For Lulu, it wasn't enough. It had been too long.
Emotions were raging inside her, mirroring the storm outside their window. She climbed higher atop him, positioning her body, so that he hit at just the right angle and then pushed downward, her mouth opening in surprise at pleasure. Dante's hands were caressing her back, his hips driving upwards, countering her movements.
Their bodies once covered by drops of rain, now were awash with beads of their perspiration, as they strained to find their release. Their breathing was fast, their bodies faster, as they slammed against each other, the sounds of flesh meeting flesh, echoing the pounding of the rain on the rooftop of the limo.
Higher they reached, each waiting on the other, to fall first. Like the storm, it couldn't last, their orgasms like a crescendo erupting from them both in a triumphant shout, their bodies trembling, as they clung together.
Minutes later, they lay snuggled in each other's arms, their breathing returning to normal. Lulu lay nestled against Dante's chest her head resting atop him, her hands at his waist. She placed a soft kiss upon his skin, the cold starting to seep within her skin and her body starting to shiver.
"Are you cold?" Dante asked, his hand reaching for the blanket folded on the floor and wrapping it tightly around them, "Not anymore," Lulu answered, smiling, her eyes drifting closed, as she felt Dante kiss the top of her head, his hand wrapped gently around her.
Dante roused from his sleep, the driver's voice echoing from the speaker, "We'll be at your destination in ten minutes. It's a beautiful night. I took the liberty of lowering your window a bit."
Dante wasn't sure what destination Maxie had in mind for him. He had no idea how long he had slept, but was quite sure that it was longer than the five minute drive to Lulu's apartment. The rain had stopped long ago, and the driver had cracked the window just enough for Dante to see the midnight sky sparkling with stars. He could here the bustle of people on the street and the blaring of car horns around them. Where the hell were they?
Gently, he nudged Lulu, her eyes reluctantly opening, as she stretched out before him. He kissed her softly on the lips, "We're almost there."
"Almost where?" Lulu wondered, hearing the noises from outside the limo.
"You spoke with Maxie," Dante answered, moving to the other side of the limo and pulling the garment bag from the hook, "You tell me," he said, unzipping it, surprised to see its contents.
"Dinner? The Opera?" Dante asked in surprise.
Maxie had included a full suit, shirt and tie, boxer briefs a pair of socks and his dress shoes. Beside his garments, she had also included a dress bag for Lulu.
"Maxie, I am going to kill you, " Lulu exclaimed, as she pulled out the red cleavage dress from last year's Valentine's Day.
"Is that-"
"No," Lulu lied, trying to zip the bag closed.
"It is," Dante shouted, smiling, as his hands playfully swatted at Lulu's, as he managed to unzip the bag and pull out the famous red dress. He hadn't been able to take his eyes or his hands off of her that day.
"Aren't you going to model it for me?" Dante whispered, reaching for the black thong underwear, "No bra?"
"Dante, you've seen the dress," Lulu cried out in exasperation, motioning to the open slit in the front, that would nearly bare her breasts, "Where would I hide it?"
"I want to see it again," Dante insisted, yanking the blanket from around them. Lulu directed his gaze to his own clothes, while she debated on putting hers on. He turned, his backside to Lulu, as he reached for his boxer briefs, giving her an eyeful, as his well-toned cheeks were there in full display.
"Are you checking me out?" Dante laughed, with a cocky grin, as Lulu smiled sheepishly, still utterly amazed that the gorgeous man in front of her was completely hers.
"In your dreams," Lulu answered, turning her head slightly, her hand reaching for the thong that Dante let dangle from his fingertips.
"Oh, your in mine, Lulu. Every night," he assured her, pulling the briefs over his hips, before outstretching his arms and grabbing the pants.
"You know, I'm thinking we don't even need the dress," Dante told Lulu, as he zipped his pants, leaving the button undone, as he pulled on his pale blue dress shirt, "You look spectacular without it."
"I won't be able to leave the limo, Dante," Lulu glared, completely topless, the only thing covering her skin a thin scrap of black satin that covered her mound.
"I can live with that. I like you without the dress," Dante growled, his fingers teasing the edges of the satin, barely peeking in. Lulu swatted his hand, reached for her dress and pulled it over her head, yanking it down and over her hips. The dress still fit her like a glove. The material clinging to every curve.
Dante inhaled sharply, his heart stopping in his chest. She was so fucking beautiful. It took his breath away.
"I take that back, Lulu. I love the dress," he said, as his hands traced a path from beneath her chin, slowly south toward the hollow between her breasts.
Lulu's hands slowly trailed up and down Dante's chest, her fingers teasing his nipples. They hardened beneath her touch and she smiled, pulling his shirt together and buttoning it.
"Do I have to wear the tie?" Dante grimaced, tucking his shirt within his pants and buttoning them.
"I think ties are sexy," Lulu shared, placing it around his neck and using it to pull him closer, "Incredibly sexy," Lulu whispered, as she feather brushed her lips against his.
"Dante quickly grabbed the tie from her grasp, looping the ends quickly and tying it securely. He reached for his socks and shoes, pulling them on, as Lulu found a pair of black strappy heels in a box at her feet.
"Here, let me, " Dante told her, yanking her left foot toward him, his lips pressing a soft kiss upon her ankle, before brushing lightly across the instep of her foot. Lulu moaned, her eyes drifting closed, as the most exquisite sensation she'd ever felt spiraled upward centering at her very core. Just as quickly as it came, it was gone. The touch fleeting, as Dante reached for the heeled-shoe, placing it gently upon her foot and securing the straps. Dutifully, he paid just as much attention to her right foot, relishing the look of pleasure on Lulu's face as his lips and hands caressed her, before securing that shoe as well.
"Whatever I have previously said about Maxie," Dante told Lulu, pulling her faux fur wrap about her shoulders, "The slate is completely clean. I owe her big time," Dante said, making a promise to himself. He slid his dark blue jacket upon his shoulders, sitting back against the seat, his eyes locked on the beauty in front of him.
"What?" Lulu asked, a bit self-conscious, her hands tugging at the wrap surrounding her.
"Nothing," Dante smiled, his finger reaching across to tease her nose, "I was just thinking how much I love looking at you. How much...I love...you," Dante exclaimed.
Lulu smiled, her hands dropping from her wrap, the open slit, revealing her swelling breasts, "I love you too," Lulu answered, admiring the way the suit fit Dante perfectly, the blue shirt clinging to his physique, emphasizing his toned body. Her imagination was running wild, images of Dante sans shirt, his muscles subject to her touch, the tie still secure about his neck. There were so many interesting uses for that tie, Lulu grinned, mischievously.
Dante's imagination was running wild as well, although in his images, Lulu was wearing his tie and nothing else, but that tiny scrap of black satin.
Their eyes remained locked on each other, grins plastered across their face and their hands entwined together, as the car came to a stop and the driver opened the door.
Dante stepped out of the car first, his mouth agape, as he stared at the building in front of them. It was more than he could afford on a cop's salary, Dante concluded, turning to assist Lulu out of the limo.
"Oh My God," Lulu exclaimed, her eyes focused on the opulence before her, "The Park Plaza? Are you kidding me? Do you know who has stayed here?"
They walked toward the concierge, as he started to mention all the celebrities that had suites at the famous hotel over the last century, Lulu's eyes widening with each mention. Orlando Bloom, Lulu whispered, to Dante, as he rolled his eyes. The concierge continued on reminding them that gawking was not allowed and to at least attempt to be cool when running into someone famous. They walked inside the marbled floors grand, as Dante and Lulu's eyes drifted upward, taking in the chandelier and the glass dome on the ceiling forged in geometric designs that captured the light. The concierge handed them off to another hotel employee, who took the information from their driver, smiling as he read their room number, "The Deluxe Rose Suite, the absolute best and most romantic," the man said, leading them toward the front desk.
"Evie will send your luggage to your room. Did you wish to freshen up before dinner?" he asked them, as Dante and Lulu were completely stunned.
They were staying here. In a suite, Lulu exclaimed. Paris Hilton stayed here. Michael Douglas and Katherine Zeta-Jones had their wedding here, Lulu thought, remembering the article in Crimson a few years ago. For God Sake's, Kate Howard didn't even stay here.
"I think this is a mistake," Dante said out loud, as the employee, named Evie, shook her head, "No, no mistake, Mr. Falconeri. Your name is here plain as day. You and your wife's."
"His wife?" Lulu shouted, as the hotel patrons seated in the lobby turned to stare, "I'm going to kill Maxie!"
…...