Dana forgave him for that. Of course she did. She was also aware few men would have been as decent in this situation. But as long as he saw her in that light, it took away some of tonight’s joy. Maybe no man would ever take her seriously if she continued to be associated with her father. Neal had been a case in point. Slowly she removed her arms from around his neck.
Tonight this unparalleled experience had given her a lot to think about. Though it killed her, she eased away from him. “You didn’t frighten me, but I guess if we’re being truthful, I am somewhat nervous that things have escalated so fast.”
His handsome profile took on a chiseled cast before he got up off the bed. He stood at the end with his powerful legs slightly apart, away from the flashlight’s beam. “I made a vow I’d never cross your threshold while you stayed here. Tonight I broke it, but I swear to you it will never happen again.”
“Alex—there’s no one to blame. We both lost our heads for a little while. It’s human. I’d be lying if I didn’t admit I enjoyed every minute of it, but as long as we’re being honest, I wish you’d tell me something.”
His shadowed eyes swept over her in intimate appraisal, waiting.
“Would you rather I left? Arrangements have already been made for me to stay in Saskia’s room at the Metropole.”
The way his mouth tightened into a thin line made her shiver. “That decision is entirely up to you. Meet me at the truck at seven-thirty in the morning and I’ll drive you to Angers to get your car.”
Her heart thudded till it hurt. By asking him that question, she’d proved she was the girl he’d called her, not a woman who acted on her own. Let it be the last mistake she made. “Thank you. Good night.”
His dark eyes impaled hers before he disappeared out the door.
She sat on the bed for a long time pondering what to do. A girl would have a meltdown. A woman would brazen her way out of this.
He’d told Saskia that Dana was part of his staff; therefore she’d behave like an employee from here on out. She’d fix the lunches, but beyond that she’d leave him alone until she left the château. The man didn’t have time for drama. He was in a hurry.
At six-thirty the next morning, Alex got up to fill the truck bed with debris. Might as well take another load to the landfill on the way to Angers. When he drove around the front of the château, his pulse sped up to find Dana waiting for him. She looked sensational in white pleated pants and a mini print top of blues and greens on a white background. He’d never known a woman so appealing, all golden and fresh as a piece of summer fruit.
“Good morning.” She said it with such a friendly demeanor, last night’s fireworks might never have happened. The minute she climbed in the cab, she brought the fragrance of strawberries with her, probably the result of her shampoo.
“You sound rested.”
She opened her window. “I had a wonderful sleep.”
His fingers tightened on the steering wheel as they headed for the gate. Throughout the endless night his desire for her had never cooled. He could still taste her mouth, feel the mold of her body. Though he’d told her it was her decision about staying or leaving, he hadn’t meant it. The château wouldn’t be the same without her in it. He’d made up his mind to do whatever was necessary to keep her sleeping on the premises.
“When I came down to the kitchen a few minutes ago, I couldn’t find the wine bottle.”
He flicked her a shuttered glance, feasting on her lovely profile. “I put it in the wine cellar for sakekeeping.”
She flashed him an enticing smile. “That’s where it should have been all along. Thank you.”
Something was going on in that unpredictable brain of hers. Silence stretched between them. Before they left the landfill he said, “How would you like to tour Angers castle this morning? There won’t be as many tourists this early. We’ll escape the worst of the heat.”
To his surprise she gave a caustic laugh that didn’t settle well. “Do you know you’re so much like my father at times, it’s uncanny?”
His black brows met together in disbelief. “How did he get into this conversation?”
“When has he ever not been a part of it in some way or other? Last night you lit in to me. This morning you’re trying to placate me. That has been his modus operandi since I was a child. Throw Dana a tidbit and she’ll forget.”
He gunned the engine and streaked out of there until they were beyond the view of any workers. Then he slammed on the brakes beneath the trees. Turning to her, he slid his arm along the back of the seat and encircled her warm nape with his hand. He could feel her pulse quicken beneath his fingers.
“I haven’t forgotten one second of what happened last night and know in my gut you haven’t, either.” Unable to stop himself, he kissed her neck, knowing her skin smelled that sweet all over. “The fact is, I want you to stay at the château and was hoping to tell you that while we took a little time off to play. You were right about Jack being a dull boy.”
“I wasn’t planning to leave,” she stated quietly, jolting him in that inimicable way of hers. “As for Jack, it’s a well-known secret dull boys are usually the most successful because they never waiver from their goal.”
Dana understood him so well, it hurt.
“Knowing how anxious you are to get the estate ready for the public, you won’t be doing either of us a favor by taking me through that monster castle. I have my own plans for today. Thank you anyway.”
The desire to drag her off to an undisclosed location and kiss her until she cried for mercy was trumped only by the knowledge that she wasn’t going to run away from him yet. He bit her earlobe gently before separating himself from her so he could start up the engine.
Neither of them spoke for the rest of the drive into town. He didn’t mind. For now it was enough to know she didn’t want to leave the château. She loved everything about it including his damn grapes lying dormant inside those gnarled trunks.
It seemed the only drawback in the scenario was Alex.
“There’s my car.” Her voice jerked him from his torturous thoughts. He maneuvered his truck through the hectic morning traffic and pulled into a parking spot near hers.
She alighted before he could help her down. “You didn’t need to get out,” she told him as he followed her to the car.
“I’m the one who told you to leave it here overnight. Just looking to make sure everything works.” He watched her get in, then shut the door for her. After checking the tires, he told her to pop the trunk. “Everything looks good.”
She started the engine. “Thanks for driving me in. See you later.” As she backed out and drove off, he waved until he couldn’t see her golden head anymore. Turning sharply on his heel, he walked two blocks to the post office to collect his mail.
There were a few bills and letters from his colleagues in Bali, as well as his contacts in Louisiana. He would read them when he got back on the estate. As he finished cleaning out his mailbox, a postcard fell on the floor. He picked it up. The picture of Sanur gave away the name of the sender.
Martan—thank you for the postcard you sent with the big castle on it. One day I want to see it and the house your grandfather left you. I am working hard and am saving my money to come and visit. Maybe work for you one day in the States? Are the French women as hot as they say? How many have you had so far?