“Home.”
Noelle managed to look pretty despite the loose hair and smudges of dirt on her cheek. Val appraised her, imagining how Dane must see her, what he must like about her, what he’d want to do with her. And she suddenly understood why he’d need to possess her. Not only did she refuse him once, she was the sort of woman who refused most men. And she’d fight against him every step of the way. She was a prize he had to have. And Val didn’t stand a real chance as long as Noelle was still in play. “Would you like to go grab a drink?”
“I’m a mess. I should really go home and shower.”
“You look fine. Really. And look at me. But if you like, I could meet you a little later? I have no plans.”
“Sure. When and where?”
They made the arrangement, and as Val drove home, she weighed the available options. Noelle was a rook, and she could be moved to the side, out of Dane’s reach. Without the temptation, he might move on to Selena. Selena might be all eyes for Anthony now, but she’d shown her hand. Dane would know that. And if Dane took Selena, Val could reclaim Anthony. Her pride demanded it. But it was short-sighted.
For what she really wanted, she needed to find a way to move Noelle straight forward, right at Dane. And that would bring Dane back to her. It would be so much easier if she could murder, abduct, or fire Noelle. Or simply wipe her off the board.
The shower was every bit as heavenly as Dane had imagined. He stood under the water, enjoying the memory of what was and the image of what might have been if he’d had any clue that he’d find himself half naked in the woods. It would have been sweeter still if he’d convinced her to ditch the schoolboy to come home with the experienced man, but tomorrow would be entertaining. He was already making plans in his head. He was already picturing the look of delight on Selena’s face when the new dresses arrived. He could at least make her happy while he was ruining her for all other men.
Dane loved women. He loved everything about them.
He turned off the shower and dialed the number of his friend Margaret, a buyer for Armani in New York. She answered on the second ring. “Dane. Please tell me you’re in town.”
“If I were, you’d already be under me.”
She laughed. “God, I miss you. It’s so boring here. Couldn’t you fly out for the weekend?” She lowered her voice. “I have a new line of lingerie you could test out.”
Yes, he loved women. “I’m going to have to reconsider my weekend plans.” He sighed. “But I was hoping you might help me with that.”
“You’ve got a young one?”
“Early twenties. No wardrobe at all.” He fumbled his way one-handed into a pair of boxer briefs.
“Where are you taking her?”
“You wouldn’t know it. It’s as upscale as you get in the Midwest.”
He put the phone on speaker as he pulled a T-shirt over his head.
“You’ll be wearing a tux?”
“I don’t think so. Something elegant though.”
“What size is she?”
“Six.”
“Busty?”
He felt through his drawer for a presentable pair of cargo shorts and hopped on one foot as he put his leg through.
“Of course.”
She laughed. “All right. I might be able to help you out. I’ll contact some people in the morning. Can you email me her address?”
“Sure thing, Margaret. I owe you.”
He slipped his feet into a pair of European leather sandals and made his way downstairs.
“After you pay me for everything, then we can arrange how you want to square the favor. I have some ideas.”
“Keep talking.”
