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My eyes popped. Holy shit. When it came to Dane, I knew what the word generous meant. Like pack up your family and treat them to two weeks in Bora Bora—first class all the way.
Kyle leaned toward me and deadpanned, “Think I’m included in the bonuses?”
Tearing my gaze from Dane, I said, “Don’t be an ass.”
He chuckled under his breath. “Maybe he’s hoping I’ll buy a boat and sail far, far away.”
“Likely.”
“Tempting, but … you’d miss me. And I couldn’t have you pining. It’s not becoming.”
I laughed. “I’m not sure where that ego comes from, though … I do find you amusing.”
“That’s something, now isn’t it?” His eyes sparkled. He was too charming for his own good.
“You do realize there are upward of a hundred women working here who would rip each other’s hair out in order to get to you?”
“Hmm, really? That many?”
“Well, I haven’t taken an official poll and weeded out the marrieds and otherwise committed, but let’s face it. I get the evil eye when you’re chummy with me.”
“Ha. Now you know how it feels.”
My gaze shifted to Dane. He glowered. Though only slightly.
He was clearly on a Lux high. The excitement dimmed and we all sat.
Mark said, “So with memberships almost covered, I guess I’m out of a job.”
Some laughed at his joke. Those sitting close to him offered condolences by way of pats on the back or hand.
Dane said to Mark, “First of all, managing all of the memberships is a huge, ongoing job. Trust me, you’ll be plenty busy. Second…” He shook his head and let out a surprising chuckle. “Who says this is the only property I’ll offer?”
Surprise ran rampant. Patricia said, “You’re not suggesting other resorts of this caliber…?”
Dane shrugged noncommittally. Exhilaration permeated the courtyard, overpowering the surprise. Oh, the career opportunities that abounded with this revelation!
I eyed Dane and he held my stare. If he were any other man, I’d say delusions of grandeur got the best of him. But he wasn’t any other man. Not an ordinary one. He thought so freakin’ far outside the box, so far over the rainbow, I didn’t doubt for a single second that if he wanted another property to rival the Lux’s magnificence he could pull it off—easily. Plus, I suspected he’d eventually need another challenge.
The remainder of dessert was spent with enthusiasm over the grand opening and what the success of 10,000 Lux might spawn—and how it could impact the execs who knew their worth, their value, in this environment.
By the time we wrapped up dinner and the valet brought around Dane’s McLaren, I was almost dead on my feet from all the event planning and the fervor that had engulfed the dinner crowd.
When we arrived home, Dane quietly said, “Sit tight.”
He exited his side of the car and came around to open my door. He unlatched my seat belt and scooped me into his arms.
“My bag,” I murmured.
“I’ll come back for it.” He carried me to the double doors and I used the hidden keypad to gain access. The alarm chimed as we stepped inside and I disengaged it with the code while still in his arms.
He took me to the bedroom and set me on the edge of the mattress.
“Maybe you overdid it,” he said as he deftly removed my clothes and then slipped a dark-silver satin nightgown over my head. He’d bought it for me in Paris, because the color and the Tahitian pearl accents on the bodice had reminded him of the outfit I’d been wearing the night we’d met.
It was a full-length, luxurious garment I loved to feel against my skin. But … “Are you suggesting we’re sleeping?”
“Baby, you can’t possibly have anything else in mind. You’ll be asleep in two minutes.” He discarded my shoes and rubbed my sore feet.
