Page 85 of Nefarious
“It would be pretty stupid of me to fall for someone like you. I should probably just go join a convent or maybe try Internet dating.”
“You would die in a convent. And imagine the creeps you’d meet on the Internet.”
“I seem to gravitate towards sexists and womanizers.” She sighed.
“But none of them will understand you like a certain disreputable cretin you already know.”
“Let’s take it one day at a time, okay?”
He grinned. “You go ahead and do that. I’ll just be waiting for you to come to your senses. You know I’ve been in love with you since the first day I saw you.”
“You are so full of shit, Dane. But I’ve waited three years for that shy bad boy to commit to me.”
He chuckled and kissed the back of her hand. “You’ve turned out to be a dangerous vixen.”
She snorted. “Get dressed. We’re going downstairs. I’m feeling naughty, and I want to show you exactly how dangerous I can be.”
Her eyes met his, and he swallowed hard. For the first time, he realized, he was in major trouble.
Val,
I wasn’t planning on attending the conference, but then I remembered I hadn’t been in a couple of years. I thought it would be nice to run into acquaintances and network. It’s always good to keep up with other traders and learn about new legislation from experts. I was roaming around and happened to see Dane, but he was quite occupied and didn’t look open to conversation.
Speaking of which, you didn’t tell me that Dane and Noelle were an item. I took some pictures of them together. Don’t they look lovely? I thought you might like to see what a team they make.
I’ll be in touch,
Geraldo
Val scrolled through the pictures. Dane and Noelle weren’t even trying to be secretive. He had his arm draped over her shoulder, casually. She leaned into him, secure and content. She practically glowed. And Dane’s face had lost its edge. Her hair looked like she’d just rolled out of bed. His tie looked like she’d used it as boat rigging. They both mooned like they were fucking in love. That wouldn’t do.
That was supposed to be Val on Dane’s arm. Val would burn it all down before she let Noelle take her place.
She tugged at a lock of hair, twisting it in her fingers, thinking. She got up and paced to the window, tapping her nail against the glass. The absence of Dane’s car in the parking lot pained her. She could always count on him to be around to keep her entertained. Boredom left her irritable.
It was time to fetch the interns off the trading floor anyway, so she left her office and took a left down the hall. Her eyes landed immediately on Selena and Anthony, locked in each other’s gaze as they smiled and laughed about God knew what.
Her irritation flared. She walked through the desks with her hand raised to get the interns’ attention and bring them upstairs to the training room. They’d all resist. Now that they’d gotten the adrenaline rush of the floor, most of them couldn’t tolerate being relegated to the bullshit exercises. She didn’t blame them. And her heart wasn’t in taking them through another round of debriefing about their experiences on the floor.
As soon as they were off the floor, she announced, “Why don’t we call it a day. Good work, everyone.”
Their eyes lit up, and they all looked at one another as if to make sure they hadn’t misheard her. But without waiting for her to change her mind, they filed off past her. When Anthony walked by, she said, “Anthony, a moment?”
He touched Selena’s elbow. “Go on. I’ll catch up in a minute.” He pursed his lips. “Val?”
“Would you come with me?”
She led him back to her office, but he stayed several feet away. She’d coaxed him into another night, but his enthusiasm lasted as long as his orgasm. And then he’d gone home. He wasn’t going to give her another chance to seduce him which was fine. She didn’t need him anymore, provided she could exert her influence on Dane, but she wouldn’t let anyone treat her with disrespect.
She pulled the door closed and walked to her laptop.
“Has Selena told you she was seeing someone else until recently?”
He inhaled. “Yes. But it’s over now. She’s chosen me, just as I’ve chosen her. Please understand.”
Val sneered. “Oh, get over yourself. I thought you might like to know who your rival was.” She spun the laptop around to face him, revealing the photo of Selena playing footsie with Dane at the posh restaurant.
Val’s shoulders relaxed as she watched the blood drain from his face. She took satisfaction in his distress. She’d love to see him try to maintain a serious relationship with Selena knowing all the while Dane had been the one fucking her. She nearly smiled at the delicious melodrama. Anthony raked a hand through his hair. “I don’t understand. Dane? But then why did he encourage me to go after her?”
