Double Dare

They stood by the window, looking out at the wet ground. The air smelt fresh, damp.

"Shall I order you a taxi?" Zac asked, stroking her arm gently.

"Yes, thanks." She turned away from him to get dressed before she changed her mind about going home.

He walked to the wardrobe, but Abby went to the chair where she had spied his abandoned clothes earlier, and picked up the shirt he had worn that day. It was white with a tiny black line coiled in barely visible patterns on its surface. She held it up and inhaled his scent on it. She turned to him.

"Can I have this one?"

He nodded, came over, and slipped it around her, buttoning it gently. It was cool and crisp against her skin.

She smoothed it over her breasts. "Now I have you with me whenever I want, even though you will be in Paris."

He opened his mouth to reply, but seemed to think better of it and kissed her instead, before reaching for the phone. After he'd booked a taxi, he folded a piece of paper into her hand. "This is where I'll be staying in Paris. I'll tell them to expect you at the reception." He looked serious. "I want you to join me, but I will understand if you can't." He seemed unwilling to qualify that.

"I'll be there." Her bruised lips reached for him again, pressing their wearied kisses to his. To be without was the only real pain.

He traced the outline of her body slowly with his hands, as if memorizing its shape. "I'll be looking forward to your arrival."

She reached to stroke his face. "Me too."

He dressed and walked her to the taxi. When she got in she wound down the window and he leant on the doorframe.

"Paris?"

She nodded, and touched his lips. "I'll get away as soon as I can...I think I can last until then."

"If you can't, let me know and I'll fly back."

She laughed and blew him a kiss as the car pulled away.

As the taxi drove into the night, she looked at the time. It was one o' clock. In eight and a half hours she would be bidding for her chosen property in the auction. Zac had deepened her desire to win Blayne Castle. Now she wondered if they would ever be there together in the future.

Chapter Nine

Fitzsimmons of Twickenham, one of London's finest property auctioneers, was a fine neoclassical building with double doors that sprang twenty feet high, flanked by twin Corinthian columns.

Zac stood outside, eyeing the building, doubting his own sanity. He knew he shouldn't be there. He just couldn't resist coming along to see if Abby managed to secure the castle. After their encounter last night, he wanted to see the dream realized, to be there with her.

Pushing his shades higher on his nose, he glanced up and down the street in case she was about to pass by. He was pretty sure she'd already be inside to get a good seat for the bidding. It was a one-room auction house with a clear exit. The place had been a chapel at one time. She'd be focused on the bidding, she wouldn't even see him if he stayed at the back of the crowd. He could just observe and leave as soon as he knew.

It was a crazy thing to do. If she spotted him she'd likely find out about the link between them and he wasn't quite ready for that yet, but he couldn't resist. Besides, he wanted to see her again. He shook his head. It was only thirty-six hours until he had her to himself in Paris, if everything went according to plan.

A few stragglers went inside. He glanced through the doorway and noticed they had to stand at the back. Full house. That was good. He knew the layout and he'd have cover. Ironically it was the same auction house where he'd bought the venue he converted into The Hub. He glanced at his watch. The auction would have begun.

Without allowing himself to analyze his state of mind further he darted up the steps, picked up a catalogue at the reception desk and stepped in at the back of the crowd.

The crowd was thick and heavy with anticipation. The auction was well under way and, aside from a quiet murmur here and there, the auctioneer had the crowd's full attention. Zac craned his neck, looking for Abby. After a moment, he caught sight of her in front row on the right-hand side, so he dipped left and skirted the edge of the standing attendees until he had a good view of her.

Fitzsimmons senior was taking the auction. Zac lowered his head. Fitzsimmons and his Mother went back years. Many of her adventures in property had been started here. Flicking open the catalogue, he saw they were only one property away from Blayne Castle.

He wondered how Abby would play it. She looked immaculate, cool and sophisticated in a fitted jade colored dress, her hair hanging over her shoulder in a rope-like plait. She held a clipboard folder in her hand, the catalogue on it. Why did he feel so much pride as he watched, he wondered?

When Fitzsimmons opened the bidding for Blayne, she chose her moment well, waiting for the competition to make themselves known before moving. There were two other interested parties. The first was an agent who relayed everything via his phone to his clients, the second a father and son team who to look like they might be building contractors. The two parties took each other up in small increments.

Abby sat wordlessly, waiting, until the head of the building contractors shook his head and dropped out. The agent looked smug as he reported the news back to his client.

Abby lifted her numbered identification card and made a bid. She'd taken it up in a double step, causing a murmur to run round the hall, but Zac knew from the proposal that she was still within the agreed limit. She was signaling her intent to win. Her glance dipped from Fitzsimmons to her bidding opposition, her demeanor not giving anything away. She was good at this. He couldn't help smiling. He wanted her to get it so badly.