Page 67 of Wicked Takeover
“Night.” Even though he couldn’t see her, Lauren offered a smile.
Her heart raced with anticipation for what Dante had planned. She couldn’t fathom how it would be better than their night in the park and the carousel. That had been wicked good.
A few minutes later, Dante opened her door. “Ready?”
For anything, except not hearing him say that again. Sad, she knew. But they both had real lives to get back to, although she didn’t want to think about that right now. “Absolutely.”
She drove, since Dante had walked to work. He didn’t rest his hand on her thigh or play with her intimately as he had when they’d been in his pickup. An uncomfortable silence stretched between them. It was difficult to breathe. Her heart wouldn’t stop pounding. She ached so much for his touch, she could barely concentrate on her driving.
He pointed. “See that light?”
It was red. “Don’t worry. I’ll stop.”
He smiled. “Turn left there.”
After she did, he directed her past several streets. She was so busy following his directions that it took her a moment to notice they were in a residential area with spectacular homes, most probably worth a million or more even in the depressed market. She slowed her car to a crawl and took in as much as she could. “What is this place?”
“A housing development. Go up two more blocks. After the stop sign, turn right, then pull into the first driveway.”
She did. The house, or rather mansion, was Spanish style, possibly five thousand square feet, with white walls and a red tile roof. Lush vegetation surrounded it. Palm fronds, flowers, and bushes swayed in the breeze. Its arched front door had lacy ironwork embedded in the glass. There were two double garages for four vehicles.
Dante exited her car.
Lauren got out before he could come around to her door. It was incredibly quiet here, even more so than the park had been. The wealth was obvious. Dante took her hand. Her pulse leaped. Effortlessly, she curled her fingers around his, grateful they were touching at last.
He led her to the front door. She expected him to ring the bell. Maybe they were going to a party that was taking place in back. The front was dark except for the porch and landscaping lights.
No other cars were nearby.
He pulled out his keys.
She wasn’t certain what he planned to do with them, except the obvious. “You have a key to this place?”
“Yep.” He opened the door, punched in a code on the alarm, and turned on the lights.
The foyer had a tan marble floor streaked with white, ecru walls, and a massive crystal chandelier with countless bulbs he hadn’t flicked on. To the left was a spacious living room. It boasted a milky marble fireplace, beige leather sofas and chairs, a wrought iron and glass cocktail table, sumptuous wall hangings, and windows that stretched from floor to ceiling, the spotless panes draped in raw silk curtains.
She’d never been in a place as spectacular as this. “Are you a real estate agent in your spare time? Are you selling this place?”
He flicked another switch. A zillion lights rained down from the chandelier. “I’ve already sold it.”
Lauren turned a slow circle, eager to explore. Her first impression had been a sea of tan and white. Rose and gold added to those neutral colors. The interior design was impeccable, the way it would be if this were the setting for a television show. Possibly a reality series about millionaires. “Your commission must have been un-freaking-believable.”
“I didn’t get one.” He laced his fingers through hers.
“You’re still waiting for it? The broker stiffed you?”
Dante regarded the house with indifference. “This used to be my place. Owned it free and clear. Had more money than I knew what to do with.”
He caught her so off guard, she couldn’t think for a moment. Early on, she’d considered he might have money since it didn’t mean anything to him, but that was more fantasy than reality on her part. Uncertain how to react, she squeezed his hand sympathetically. “What happened? Did you lose it in the recession? Your stocks tanked? You lost your job?”
He shook his head. “I decided to face reality.”
…
Lauren’s face flushed.
Dante hadn’t meant to be mean by reminding her what she’d said to him days ago. He simply needed honesty between them. “It’s all right. I know you weren’t trying to hurt me.”
