“She’s allowed.” Nathan shifted on the seat so Chloe found herself plastered against him. “Phil gave me an earful today about how selfish I was to force you to leave Trainor Electronics. He had lunch with your boss and heard all about the great work you’re doing for Allitel.”
“At least I’m not working for a competitor,” Chloe said as gratification made her grin. Judith had found her the job three weeks after she’d resigned from Trainor Electronics. Chloe had made Nathan swear not to intervene in any way, so she knew she’d gotten the position on her own merits. “It’s almost as good a company to work for as Trainor.”
“And the location is convenient.” Nathan bent to kiss the side of her neck.
Delicious shivers danced down over Chloe’s breasts at his touch . . . and at the thought of her occasional lunchtime visits to Nathan’s office. They would barely manage to wolf down one of the sandwiches Janice ordered for them before Nathan would have her stretched out on top of his desk or bent over one of the armchairs.
“Dad says you need to come down to visit Allitel’s regional office in Raleigh. He wants to take you out to dinner at a great restaurant he knows there.” Nathan picked up her free hand and toyed with her fingers. “I might join you there.”
Nathan and his father were finding their way to a new relationship, but he still liked to have Chloe around when he was with the general. The Marine had taken a liking to her, and it softened some of the edges of his forceful personality, making it easier for Nathan to connect with him. Angel’s presence also helped, and Nathan was coming to terms with the prospect of having a very young half sibling. In fact, Angel had asked him to be the child’s godfather, much to Nathan’s initial consternation but ultimate pleasure.
“I’m sure I can come up with an excuse for a road trip,” Chloe said, “as long as you’re coming too.” Especially now that Grandmillie had Taleesha.
Nathan’s hold on her tightened. “You didn’t really think I’d let you go without me.”
“Well, you went to Japan for four days alone.”
“Only because you wouldn’t quit your job and come with me.”
Chloe laughed. He had suggested she do that, which had made her heart flutter with delight because he wanted her company that much.
The Rolls glided to a stop, and Chloe peered out the window. They were parked in front of a brownstone adorned with fantastic gargoyles and ornate curlicues, all thrown into high relief by dramatic up-lighting. A small black shield was attached to the wall beside the door with the gold initials B. C. intertwined.
“What is this place?” she asked.
“The Bellwether Club.”
“This is where you made that bet.” Chloe sat back.
“Yes, and I brought you here to prove that I won.”
“Luke and Gavin already know me,” Chloe said, not moving from her seat. Although she now considered the two men friends, she hadn’t quite forgiven them for the part they’d played in the four most miserable days of her life.
“They need to see the ring,” Nathan said.
Chloe wiggled the fingers of her left hand to make the sapphire and its surrounding diamonds flash in the light. She still felt like a bit of a show-off wearing it. “It doesn’t seem real yet.”
He lifted his hand to take her chin and turn her face toward his. “Darling, there’s nothing more real than what we have between us.” The playful gleam was absent from his eyes as he said it.
He kissed her and pushed the car door open, taking her hand to help her out of the car. “Now let’s go rub it in.”
A staff member met them by a marble-topped table decorated with a giant bouquet of flowers, taking Chloe’s cape and Nathan’s overcoat. “Ms. Hogan is waiting for you in her office.”
“Ms. Hogan?” Chloe threw a questioning glance at Nathan as he led her down a wide hallway carpeted with jewel-colored Oriental rugs.
“Frankie Hogan is the keeper of the betting paperwork. She’s also the owner of the club.” He ushered her into a cozy room furnished with plush green wing chairs and a warmly glowing fireplace.
The inner door was open, and a slender woman stood framed in it, her white pageboy catching gold glints from the fire. She wore a pantsuit so dark Chloe couldn’t tell exactly what color it was. “I’m Frankie Hogan. Welcome to the Bellwether Club,” the woman said, the rasp of her voice reminding Chloe of smoky Irish bars. “You must be Chloe Russell.”
“I am.” Chloe shook Frankie’s tiny hand. “A pleasure to meet you.”
“I told them all they had to bring in the women who had the misfortune to fall in love with them,” Frankie said, but a twinkle in her eye took the sting out of her words. She scanned Chloe’s face for a long moment. “Come in.”
Chloe followed her through the door into a large office that looked nothing like the rest of the club. It was brightly lit and held clean-lined modern furniture designed for function as well as form. Steel-framed French doors gave onto a garden featuring a sensuous abstract sculpture, now dusted with snow.