The scoop neck took on a whole new dimension when there were breasts filling it out, rising teasingly over the edge. The column turned seductive when the slightest movement parted that long side slit and revealed the length of leg.
She slipped on her shoes, delighted that the stiletto heels added three inches to her already impressive height. Shed never been sensitive about being tall. She liked it.
She hadZoe to thank for the hair. Shed done it sleek and loose, with a little jeweled clip anchored between the crown and the tip of her left ear. Just another tease, Dana mused. The clip didnt do anything but sit there and sparkle.
She dabbed perfume at her collarbone, in the valley between her breasts, at her wrists. Then tossed her head. “You are a dead man, pal. You are meat.”
It occurred to her that she was actually looking forward to the evening. It had been weeks since shed dressed herself up for a date. Plus, she had to admit she was curious. How would Jordan handle himself? How, for that matter, would they handle each other? She wondered what it would be like to be with him, within the ritual of a date, now that they were man and woman rather than boy and girl.
It was, she had to admit, exciting. Particularly exciting since she was certain he intended to win her over and she had no intention of being won.
She leaned toward the mirror, slid murderous red on her lips, then dropped the tube of lipstick in her purse. She pressed her lips together, opened them again with a cocky little pop. “Let the games begin.”
When Jordan knocked at exactly seven-thirty, she couldnt have scripted his reaction any more perfectly.
His eyes widened, blurred. She actually saw the pulse in his throat jump. Then he fisted a hand and rapped it twice against his own heart as if to get it started again.
“Youre trying to hurt me, arent you?”
She angled her head. “Absolutely. Howd I do?”
“Kill shot. Am I drooling?”
Now she grinned and turned back inside to get her coat. He stepped in behind her, leaned down and sniffed. “If I whimper, try to…” He trailed off as he saw the books. Piles and stacks of them beside the sofa, another stack on the coffee table, a sea of them on her dining table.
“Jesus Christ, Dane, you need treatment.”
“Theyre not just for reading, not that theres anything wrong with that. Theyre for work and for research. Im playing an angle on the key and Im preparing to open a bookstore.”
She slipped into the coat, trying not to be miffed that he now appeared to be more interested in the books than in how incredible she looked.
“ The Key to Rebecca, Key Witness, A House Without a Key . I see where youre going here. The Key to Sexual Fulfillment ?” He sent her a long, smirking look.
“Shut up. Are we going to eat?”
“Yeah, yeah. Youve got your work cut out for you.” He crouched down, began flipping through pages. “You want me to take some of these?”
“Ive already split the load with Malory andZoe .” She knew hed start reading in a moment; he wouldnt be able to help himself. In that area, they were identical twins.
“Thats enough. Hungry here.”
“What else is new?” He set a book back on a tower of its fellows, straightened and took another good long look at her. “Wowzer.”
“Aw, thats so sweet. Are we going?”
He moved to the door to open it for her. “Wheres Moe?”
“Romping in the park with his best friend. Flynns dropping him off before he goes home. Where are we eating?”
“Just get in the car, Miss One Track Mind. Youll get fed. Hows the painting brigade doing?” he asked once she was settled and he was behind the wheel.
“We rock. Seriously. I cant get over how much were getting done. And I have the body aches to prove it.”
“Anything you want me to rub, just let me know.”
“Thats a kind and selfless offer, Jordan.”
“Just the kind of guy I am.”