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There as a small stretch of silence, then a light chuckle.
“I think you’ll fit in well, Courtney. I’ll pick you up in about an hour and a half then. Bring plenty of credit cards and wear comfortable shoes. I haven’t been shopping in weeks. ”
The line disconnected as Courtney moved from the tabletop and began to walk back to the house. Tally Conover, who claimed to be married to both Conover twins and rumored to, at the very least, hold both men in the very palm of her hand. The gossip Courtney had heard regarding the other woman was vivid to say the least. The jealousy she had heard in the voices of the supposedly decent women who had sneered contemptuously, had been rife.
As she stepped back into the house, Ian’s butler materialized from another room, glancing at the phone she carried questioningly. The man had to be a robot.
“Jason, could you inform Ian I’ll be out for the day. ” She handed him the phone as she headed to the stairs. “And possibly this evening as well. ”
“Of course, Miss Mattlaw,” he responded coolly. “Shall I tell him where you’ll be?”
She stopped at the first step and turned back to the butler with a frown. Why the hell would Ian care?
“That’s not necessary,” she said coolly. “I’m certain I’m old enough to go out alone now. I’ll have my cell phone with me if he needs me though. ”
He inclined his head once again, his expression composed, reflecting little if any emotion.
“I will relay your message then. ”
Courtney had the oddest desire to snort derisively at his arrogance. As though she were somehow putting him, or Ian, out with her plans. Devil take them both, she was tir
ed of wandering around this bloody mansion waiting on Ian to find a few spare moments to spend with her. And after last night, she wasn’t even certain she wanted to see him.
After giving her that long-awaited orgasm, leaving her voice hoarse from her own screams, and leaving her body tender from his lust, he dared to sleep elsewhere, to not even be there when she awakened. As far as she was concerned, there was little chance that he even cared if she returned before morning.
Stubborn man. He was so intent to show her how little it mattered, how little she would matter as his lover, that he was cutting his own nose off to spite his face. And it was a game she wasn’t willing to play.
Entering her bedroom, she strode to the closet. The sweater and jeans were perfect for a day in the garden, but shopping required clothing more suited to the adventure. Something easily taken off, to make way for changes. Low-heeled shoes rather than the high-heeled, half-boots she now wore.
As she reached into the closet for the below knee-length, button-up cotton sweater dress she chose, the bedroom door was pushed opened rather forcefully, to clash against the wall. Turning, she frowned at Ian, as he stood framed in the doorway.
“Your entrances leave much to be desired,” she stated mockingly.
“Where the hell do you think you’re going with Tally Conover?” His expression was borderline angry.
“Shopping,” she answered him with a shrug as she laid the dress over the back of the nearby chair before stooping to retrieve the low-heeled walking shoes she had bought to go with it.
“Tally never just goes shopping. ” He snorted. “Shopping to her is seeing how much trouble she and those other women can create in one day. ”
“Excellent. ” She flashed him a brilliant smile as she straightened and set the shoes on the floor beside the chair. “Sounds like the type of company I enjoy. Life would be rather boring otherwise, Ian. ”
“Not for you. ” He closed the door behind him, watching her broodingly. “You create enough havoc on your own. You don’t need any help. ”
She allowed a sense of pleasure and pride to infuse her expression.
“Thank you, Ian. That’s one of the nicest compliments I’ve received today. Now, I really need to get ready. ”
A quick frown furrowed his brows.
“How long does it take to get ready to go shopping?”
“I’ll be pressed for time the way it is,” she sighed. “Tally will be here in an hour and a half. ”
Actually, it took her no time to get ready, but she would be damned if she was ready to deal with Ian right now. He looked much too dark, too sexy for her peace of mind. Especially after last night.
“I would prefer that you didn’t go. ” His expression filled with chilly disapproval.
“Why? Because Tally is married to two of the Trojans? What, you thought I hadn’t heard the gossip on your married members?” She laughed at the faint surprise in his expression. “It’s been a little over a week, Ian. I learned who was who, married when, and fucked where, during those two dismally boring parties you insisted I attend those first few days. I would guess I’m acquainted with the better portion of your club memberships through hearsay. By the way, is it really true that Khalid has a harem?”
