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"What did I miss?" Dane strides through the doorway wearing gray sweatpants and no shirt. His hair is damp, and his cologne fills the room.
"It looks like your lust-filled escapade a while ago has given Britt a rug burn on her nose." Laurel's voice is breathy as she tries to control her mirth.
Dane snaps his head toward me. "Holy shit! I'm sorry, babe. That wasn't supposed to happen."
"No, it wasn't," I giggle. "And if I can't cover it well enough, expect to be the topic of some humorous gossip at tonight's party."
"Maybe I should formulate a colorful excuse before we go." Dane runs his hand through his hair, his brow furrowing in thought.
"Something more colorful than hot and heavy sex, doggy style?" Laurel cracks, obviously enjoying my predicament.
"Behave," I order while trying to keep a straight face.
"All right, I'll stop. Although, it is pretty damn funny." Laurel's face sobers, and she turns to Dane. "So about tonight. Are you sure you want me to go with you guys?"
"Yes, we want you to go. Barry and Jewel are good friends of mine. They had an intimate wedding with their immediate family in the Maldives, and tonight's reception is for the rest of us. There'll be room for you at dinner since my sister's boyfriend had to cancel. Besides, Barry and Jewel didn't want us to leave you on your own since you just got here."
"That was nice of them. I suppose I should find something swanky to wear. I'm pretty sure I packed a few options." Laurel heads upstairs to the second-floor guest bedroom, her shoes thudding softly.
"We'll be leaving in an hour and a half," Dane calls after her.
"I'll be ready." Her voice carries down the stairs.
"I need to shower and see what I can do about my facial disaster." I get up and move toward the doorway, stopping when Dane reaches out and grabs my arm.
"Hey, Rada texted me while I was in the shower. She found out Eloise will be there tonight, and I wanted to give you a heads-up."
"Eloise. As in your ex-girlfriend?"
"Yes. I've only seen her once since the cruise. It was at my dad's birthday dinner right after I returned to London."
"And how did that go?"
"Good and bad." Dane takes a step backward and leans against the built-in bookcase. "My stepmother invited Eloise,intending to help her get back together with me. Fortunately, Rada uncovered their plans and threw a wrench in them. Rada mentioned you, which upset Eloise, and I haven't seen her since."
"We weren't together then. Why would your sister mention me?"
"Because I told Rada about you, and she could see I was already smitten."
"That's certainly nice to hear. I assume I don't need to worry."
"Not at all."
"Good, and I'm glad you told me. Now, I better get ready before I run out of time." I rush across the hall to shower, putting on my makeup afterward.
Dane comes to check on me, and I see he's dressed in a charcoal suit, a white dress shirt, and a burgundy-striped black tie. The man is scorching hot, and I can't take my eyes off him.
"I take it I look all right?"
"Let me see." I put my finger to my lips and pretend to be thinking. "Hmm, I would say breathtaking, sexy as hell, lusciously fuckable. Should I go on?"
"It's okay. I get the point," Dane laughs. "I'll wait for you and Laurel downstairs."
"I'll be down in a few minutes. I'm having trouble with the scrape on my nose. Even with makeup, it still looks odd. I need to fix it."
Dane nods and leaves the room. Based on his silence, I can tell he still feels terrible.
I join Dane and Laurel in the ground-floor living room when I finish. Laurel looks sexy in a corset midi dress in navy with a daring side slit. I'm wearing a sequined midi dress in teal with spaghetti straps and a back slit.
