Presentation II

"Really?" Danny jeered. "Because from where I stand, you're the one hurting me."

Instead of feeling the desire she usually felt at having Danny near, Lacey had an overwhelming fury coarse through her.

"Hurt?" Lacey stepped away from Danny giving herself distance. "You have no right to talk to me about hurt, Danny. You were the one to have sex with me while having a pregnant fiancé. I don't like being used. Why don't you go home to your wife and son? Maybe you can tell her what a horrid hurtful person I am."

"What are you talking about?" Danny rolled his eyes. "I've never been engaged or married." He shot Lacey a look of indignation. "And the only son I have was obviously hidden from me."

Lacey's brow furrowed as she heard Danny's words. "Please, Danny. How does lying make this better?" Her eye twitched as she added. "Of course, lying has always been your pattern. Perhaps, you can't help yourself."

Danny smirked as he allowed an irritated chuckle escape his mouth. He stepped close to Lacey and whispered in her ear. "Look who is lying now."

Lacey felt the chill run down her spine at his words. She could feel his breath in her ear as he whispered with resentment. His leather and vanilla scent was too powerful due to being laced with memories of their making love. Lacey closed her eyes trying to gain her bearing.

Lacey's familiar scent tickled Danny's nostrils. She always smelled like fresh linen on a summer day. Danny swallowed as he cursed himself internally for allowing his thoughts to go to how her sleek body looked under nothing but a white sheet. Her ebony skin always begged to be touched by his thick fingers. Danny resisted the urge to slide his fingers across her neck. He stepped back more angry with himself than with this woman, who he had given his heart never to be returned. This same woman, who he felt betrayed him in the worst way possible.

Lacey was fighting the battle with her own demons. Before he removed it, she could feel his chest pressed up against her back. Her thin silk blouse allowed for her to feel his upper torso. Danny's muscles had became more defined over the years. Through his casual dress shirt, Lacey could feel the definition of those muscles. Now was not the time to relish in things physical. The most important part of her life was being questioned. Now was the time to put away foolish lusts for serious conversation.

"Rachel." Lacey turned only to catch Danny's menacing dark eyes staring back at her. She had to catch her breath and gain composure. "You know your wife. The wife with alabaster skin, flowing red hair, piercing green eyes and large breasts." Lacey made the description detailed on purpose. Because she was sure Danny became involved with Rachel due to her looks and nothing else.

"Rachel Crabtree?" Danny laughed haughtily. "Please. I dated her less than two months after my mother's death. And that was after you told me to stay out of your life for no reason. Besides, what about your husband? Does my son call him dad? Did you take that away from me and give that privilege to another man too?"

Lacey knew Danny was right in his anger. However, her pride would not allow her to admit that to Danny. He seemed to ooze with power over others. She refused to fall prey to Danny again. Therefore, she came back with defensive words of survival.

"Although that is none of your business. I'm not married and have never been married. So you have that information all messed up." Lacey took in a deep breath. She pointed at Danny. "Do you know what? Thomas and I have done fine without you. We didn't need you then and we certainly don't need you now."

"Go to hhhel..." Danny stopped mid sentence as he ran his non hurt hand through his dark long tresses. "You know what? I'm not going there. You owe me an explanation about my son even if you don't nor ever did need me."

"Fine!" Lacey's eyes penetrated Danny's eyes as she spoke. "Rachel, this woman that you dated, told me the night after Karen's funeral that you were engaged to her and you were expecting a child together. That hurt to the core of my being, Danny. I loved your mother. You knew that. I thought you had disrespected not only me but the relationship I had with your mother by using me after your mother's funeral." Lacey's voice cracked as she thought about Karen. "I told you I never wanted to see you because I felt used and betrayed."

"It was a lie." Danny slumped into a rolling chair. His face no longer showed anger but hurt. All the years he had loved Lacey but stayed his distance was because of a lie. "I wasn't even dating her or seeing anyone." Danny left out the part about wanting to ask Lacey to marry him. It wasn't important in the scheme of things. It would only drive home the hurt.

Lacey turned from him. It was much easier to face an angry Danny than a hurt one.

She continued trying to explain. "The pregnancy was a difficult one. The doctor even said that Thomas may not make it. I didn't want to tell you of an unwanted pregnancy when you were starting out in a new marriage. There was a good chance I'd miscarry. I saw how Phoebe and Cole began to resent each other because of being forced together for a baby. I didn't want that type resentment with each other. Then there was Clara. She was so sick. She took up most of my time. Not that I minded. She seemed to be the only one excited for my pregnancy. By the time I had Thomas and got over the fact that my sister died, I knew something was different with my son. I had to blow in his face just to get him to swallow his food because he didn't seem to know how. The doctor suspicioned autism but he couldn't really diagnose that until age two." Lacey walked to stare out the large glass window that looked over the city. "I ran into Rachel later. She said you were out of the country on business. She gushed about your marriage and your son. I didn't want Thomas compared and to look less in anyone's eyes."

"That's bullcrap, Lacey!" Danny hit his fist on the table. This time it was gently to make a point. However, pain still shot through his hand up to his elbow. He grimaced as he spoke. "I would never have done that to anyone let alone my own son. You know me better than that. I could've helped with him."

"You don't get it. Do you, Danny?" Lacey turned around as she stated vehemently. "It wasn't about you. It was about Thomas. What if Rachel or your new son did? I was not going to take that chance!"

"That isn't fair. THERE was no son or marriage. But that wouldn't matter if there was. It still doesn't excuse what you did in keeping my own son from me!" Danny stood up again. "He was my son too! I don't believe for a minute there isn't more to the story."

Lacey stepped up to Danny. She finally admitted to herself and to Danny a truth that she had hidden. Without thinking, her anger brought out the truth. "I didn't want to hurt every time I saw you with your perfect family. I know how rich you are! You would take Thomas from me! I couldn't chance losing the most important person in my life. I had already lost too much with Clara, Mom, Karen..and you." Lacey gulped back hidden tears. "I would not let you have all I had left. He is my world. Thomas is my world."

"I would never do anything like that to hurt you." Danny closed his eyes than reopened them. "Too bad that you couldn't afford me the same."

Lacey bit her lip. "I know that for some odd reason Rachel lied. Maybe she's obsessed with you. But how was I supposed to know that. Why would I not believe her when it sounded real? Even Jo believed her. Jo was there. I knew you had enough money to get at least Thomas for visitation. With you living all over the world, that would mean all summer without my son. However, I tried to find you later."

"You didn't try hard enough obviously." Danny raked his hand through his hair again. "You were so worried about losing Thomas to me, you selfishly cheated Thomas and me out of each other. This wasn't only about OUR son, Lacey. It was about you!" Danny accidentally allowed his hand to touch the back of a chair. He moaned due to the pain. "You know what? I do have money. And it does get me some things I want. Be prepared for that."

"I dare you to try to take my son from me." Lacey stepped up right into Danny's face.

Danny raked a piece of hair from Lacey's face. He had no idea why he even touched her. Both felt the contact in a jolt of passion. He breathed out as he leaned in close to her. "Unlike you, Lacey, I am thinking of OUR child. I would never take him from a parent he loves or not give you the chance to love him back."

Lacey pushed harshly at Danny's chest. "I've had enough of your power trip. I'm leaving with MY son."

She turned and marched from Danny's office. Danny stood in the door behind her. He watched her grab up Thomas and place him on her hip. Jo could see the worry on Lacey's face.

"You need to leave her alone, Danny." Jo stated as she grabbed up her belongings.

"You need to mind your own business, Josephine Marie Masterson." Danny stated with a smirk. "You always did have a way of inserting yourself where you don't belong. I'm not desperate enough for friendship that I really care what you think anymore."

Jo's eyes cut to Lacey. Charlie touched Lacey's shoulder. "Listen. I'm sure we can all come to an understanding."

"Take care of your little brother, Charlie." Lacey pulled away from him. "I think the moron broke his hand."

Bruce watched the females leave. He cautiously spoke to Danny."I'm sorry I didn't know..."

"Don't." Danny held up his hand. "I don't have time for explanations about this mess."

"Do you want me to squash the campaign?" Bruce asked as he placed his hands in his pockets.

"No. It was a great campaign. Get Rhonda in advertising on it. I want to see Love Laced products in as many mom and pops stores that New York state has to offer. Not to mention hotel gift shops, cafes', and things to that nature. Tell the executive lawyer to get started on making Lacey Porter a partner in Love Laced products." Danny looked over at Danny. "I think Lacey is right. I may have broken my hand. Could you run me to the hospital?"

"Sure." Charlie chuckled lightly as Danny tossed him the keys to his car.

"Is there anything I can do?" Bruce called after them as Charlie and Danny made their way to the elevator.

"Yes." Danny glanced over his shoulder. "Tell Misty to get a hold of my personal lawyer then to connect us via cell phone."