Page 23 of Nefarious
Noelle’s toothsome smile lit up her face, but Val no longer trusted the sincerity. “That is so nice of you. I haven’t had a moment to get around and explore.”
Val ignored the aversion. “So you’ll come out?”
“Well, I would love to. Ordinarily. However, I’ve somehow managed to agree to dinner with Dane tonight.”
Val widened her eyes, feigning surprise. “You’ve got a date with Dane? How—”
“It’s not a date! It’s just dinner.”
“Oh, right. Of course. It wouldn’t be a date.” Val smiled as Noelle’s body became fully erect. Dane had his work cut out for him. “Well, have a nice evening anyway.”
Noelle held one hand up. “You know, if you’re free tomorrow, maybe you could show me around?”
“Of course. I’d be more than happy to. I’ll give you a call?” Val’s smile showed all her teeth.
With his head against the steering wheel, Dane groped under his seat, feeling around the floorboard until his fingers brushed against a small plastic bottle. He reached across to the passenger side and checked for any other empty bourbon samples. It was lucky he’d decided to check because he found a still wrapped condom on the mat. He pocketed all the evidence and then double checked his teeth and hair. He’d gone home, showered, and dressed in a deceptively casual suit. He’d paid a fortune for the elegance of a custom-made sport coat and slacks. The cologne he wore smelled of citrus and cost two hundred dollars an ounce. Satisfied nothing about him would prove offensive, he climbed out of the car.
He tossed the empty into the street and transferred the condom to his wallet. He put his hand in his pocket and sauntered up to Noelle’s front door. According to his watch, he’d arrived two minutes early. He hadn’t come early to pick up a date in recent memory. Then again, he hadn’t been out with anyone worth showing up on time for. But tonight, he played the part of the eager suitor. It wasn’t hard to pretend. This was the first time he’d ever gotten her to agree to go out with him, even if he’d had to twist the circumstances to get there.
He rang the bell.
He’d expected Noelle to keep him waiting. He’d expected her to eventually appear wearing a professional button-down shirt and slacks combination. He was wrong on both counts.
Noelle answered the door immediately. She’d swept her blond hair up in some kind of tight twist at the nape of her neck, and she wore an elegant black dress and heels. It made Dane wish he’d gone for a more lavish restaurant. One with nearby rooms to rent. Not that L’Etoile was a dump. But he imagined himself decked in a tuxedo with Noelle on his arm as they crossed into a hotel room just before he unzipped her dress slowly.
The way he’d longed to undress her the night she’d pushed him away.
He caught himself mid-leer and forced a sheepish grin on his face. “You look stunning.”
Noelle dipped her head, and Dane felt a stirring. It had been ages since he’d dated a girl who blushed.
He waited a beat for her to close the door and then held his elbow out to her. “My lady.”
She hesitated but must have decided the gesture was innocuous enough and slipped her hand around his arm. “A true gentleman.”
He led her back to his car and opened the door, but she looked doubtful. “Do you mind if I move the seat back?”
Dane took the opportunity to step away and admire her long legs. “The seat won’t go back much farther, but there’s plenty of leg room.” He pointed at his own legs. “Promise.”
As she made up her mind to climb into the sports car, he resisted an urge to lay a hand across her back. It might be natural enough to support her as she slid in, but she clearly mistrusted him. He waited until she was settled, closed the door, and jogged to his side, straightening his slacks before taking his own place in the driver’s seat.
He pressed the ignition, and the engine purred. Noelle touched her flawless hair as though fixing an errant strand and said, “I confess, I’ve been admiring this car. I was looking forward to riding in it.”
“That’s good to know.” He flashed a cheeky grin. “The car’s just a metaphor for the driver.”
“Is that so?” She snorted. “While I know you’re expensive beyond reason, you don’t appear to come with cup holders.”
Her response relieved him. If she’d acted offended at his arrogance, he’d have to tone it way down. And he didn’t want this seduction to take an ice age. He revved the engine with a roguish eyebrow waggle. “Are you ready to experience metaphorical horsepower?”
Now she smiled. “Let her rip.”
His intended display of prowess was inhibited by the speed bumps through her neighborhood, but as soon as he hit open road, he floored it, letting the engine roar like a race car. He glanced at Noelle, pleased to see her face lit up with pleasure. The car was better than any aphrodisiac.
The restaurant was in the city on the top floor of one of the taller buildings. Dane slipped the maître d’ a fifty for no other reason than to be remembered the next time he called at the last minute for a reservation. He had no doubt they’d held a table with a view for him. He hadn’t needed to wait to be seated since he’d made his first million.
He pulled Noelle’s chair back before taking his own seat. She admired the lights of the city below, and that led him to his opening gambit. “Do you miss New York City?”
She turned her sparkling eyes back to him and plucked her napkin off the table. “I do. But there’s a quiet charm to the Midwest. Do you ever consider going back?”
