Dimly, they could both hear a car coming down the gravel road. Laura sat up, alert and ready to beg rescue from whomever was coming down the drive. Shit, thought Dalton, who the hell is coming at this time of day?
He quickly stood up and pulled Laura into the house. Stumbling after him, Laura tried to hold back as much as she could, without being obvious, but he just tugged her along. Dalton couldn't let whomever it was, catch him with Laura in his house. He couldn't take the chance of them recognizing her. Good thing he had cleaned everything up. He pulled Laura into the elevator.
"No!" she protested. "You can't take me back down there!"
"Sorry, but I can't take the chance of anyone recognizing you."
The doorbell pealed.
Dammit, thought Dalton, I don't have enough time to get her settled down there. He pulled her back out of the elevator and started down the hall. The bell rang again. He pushed her onto the sofa.
"Stay here! I'll come get you after I get rid of whomever decided to pay me a visit."
"I thought you said no one came here without an invitation," said Laura sweetly, although she was fuming inside.
"There are few people who dare come unannounced," replied Dalton angrily.
Cursing a blue streak, he marched to the door, ready to chew out whomever had the gall to come to his home unannounced. He threw open the door, only to find James about to ring the bell again. James was his best friend. One of the few who stuck with him through thick and thin. It was thanks to James that Dalton was enjoying his current lifestyle.
"What are you doing here," Dalton growled.
"Well, good afternoon to you too, Sunshine. I see you've forgotten what day it is," said James cheerfully. "Do you not remember we're supposed to go to this bachelor auction thing your mother set up for a fundraiser?"
"Shit! It's tonight?" asked Dalton, raking his hand through his hair.
"Yes... so go get yourself put together already. I tried calling you several times, but you didn't pick up. I just came by on the off chance you were home, and we could go together."
Dalton thought about backing out and telling James to go himself, but he didn't want to let his mom down. Besides, he'd never hear the end of it, since he'd reluctantly agreed to be one of the bachelors in the auction.
He couldn't back out on James, since he had bribed James into participating with him. What was he going to do with Laura? He couldn't leave her home alone. She was smart enough to find a way to escape. No help for it now.
"Well, are you going to let me in?" asked James.
Dalton sighed and stepped back from the door so James could enter. They both walked into the living room where Dalton had deposited Laura. Laura stood up and James stopped dead in his tracks when he saw her. Knowing that Laura would start requesting help from James any second, Dalton ran his hand up her arm and gripped her nape.
