gown, Jake.”
He grinned at her frowning face. “So you said last night.”
Erin plucked at her bodice one last time before running her hands down the skirt. “There. Even Nicky couldn’t complain…” her mouth dropped open. “I’ll be back in a minute. I promised I’d call Nicky when I got home and I forgot.”
She bunched the bottom of her dress in her hands and rushed toward the staircase, grabbing her purse from the floor of the pickup. She turned her cell phone on. Six messages, all from Nicky, lined up and waiting to fire poisoned darts at her for forgetting to call.
Erin groaned at the groveling she’d need to do to apologize for her one track mind. Flicking a quick message back, she headed upstairs. Stopping in Jake’s room, she picked up her shawl and shoes. She took one last look at the scene of her reckless and frivolous night and grinned.
Nicky was right. She hadn’t been disappointed.
Jake turned from the kitchen window. The soft swish of satin coming down the hallway drifted toward him. He smiled at the sight of Erin decked out in her ballroom finery.
She looked even more adorable than last night. She’d twisted her hair into a knot on the top of her head and wrapped her filmy shawl around her shoulders. Red painted toenails and bare feet peeked out from under the bottom of her dress and her high heels dangled from her fingers. All she needed was a crystal ball, and she could start a business as a gypsy fortune teller. “All sorted?”
Erin nodded. “As much as I can. I’ve left a message for Nicky but I’m going to have to do some serious damage control.” She pulled out a kitchen stool and sat down. Her legs dangled in mid air as she sipped her tea. “I’ve got to go into work this morning, so I’ve ordered a taxi to take me home.”
“Trying to get away from me so quickly?”
A blush warmed her cheeks. “Call it a defensive retreat, Mr. Williams. Anyway, I still have to think of a suitable payback activity. I saved you from the clutches of at least one deranged female last night.”
“I could think of a few things I could do with my hands tied behind my back, Miss Reynolds.” He laughed at the saucy gleam in her eyes. It was just as well her sense of humor was as warped as his otherwise she’d probably be running a mile by now.
With a quirk of her lips she said, “In your dreams.”
“If necessary,” he winked. “By the way, I gave Stan a check for your bid last night so we’re officially signed, sealed and delivered.”
“I’m sure the camp committee will appreciate your donation. It wasn’t too much money was it?”
Jake shook his head. “You saved me from a fate worse than death, so I’ll be forever grateful to you.”
Erin looked at him with mischief lurking in her eyes. “In that case I plan on making sure you work hard to pay for your night of bribery and corruption.”
“I’m sure you will,” he laughed. A flash of movement outside the window caught his attention. He looked down into the driveway. “The taxi’s arrived.”
Erin wiggled sideways on the stool. He pulled her into his arms as she jumped off. “Thank you for last night.”
Red heat skimmed along her cheeks. “I enjoyed myself too.” Her eyes darted toward the window, looking everywhere except at him. “We’d better head downstairs before the taxi wakes up half the neighborhood with his horn.”
He held her hand while they walked downstairs. Before she stepped into the taxi, he handed her a slip of paper. “I’ve scribbled my home number on here. Give me a call in the next few days so I can repay my debt to humanity.”
Smiling, she gave him a mock salute, “Yes, Sir.” And in a softer voice added, “Have a good weekend.”
He closed the taxi door and watched her disappear down the driveway. He stuck his hands in his pockets, breathing in the crisp morning air, remembering what had happened last night.
He hadn’t expected to meet
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