Miss Fortune (23 page)

But look at it the other way. What if hes here for three months? Rachel asked. I cant even pay the utility bill. The last thing I need is to get involved with someone and burden them with all that. Besides, I have to finish my dissertation. Either Dagne had something in her eye, or she was rolling her eyes at that one. I do , Rachel insisted.

So what, youre going to deny yourself life because youre a little short on cash and youre in school? Get real! Who knows where this might lead? And if doesnt lead anywhere, at least you get laid. When is the last time you had sex anvwav?

I think hes involved with someone.

So?

So ? Rachel echoed. Thats not right, Dagne. In fact, its really, really wrong!

Oh great, so now youre going to be Ms conscience?

Rachel turned away, looked at sweaters and jackets, refusing to debate the issue further. But Dagne was not finished. She marched to where Rachel was standing, picked up the cobalt blue dress again. This is the one you want. With those killer boots you have, you are one drop-dead gorgeous babe.

Rachel looked longingly at the dress again, shaking her head. I cant afford it, she said, but took it from Dagne and went behind a curtain to try it on.

Yes, you can. You have a credit card! Dagnes disembodied voice reminded her.

My maxed credit card, Rachel muttered. She emerged a few moments later. And I dont have any jewelry to wear with it, she added as she marched to the mirror to have a look.

Dear God, she looked hot . Not fat. Not big-boned. Sort of curvy and hot .

You dont have jewelry, but I do. I got something off eBay thats perfect for this. Youll love it, Dagne said, standing behind Rachel.

I cant afford it, Rachel said again as she turned every which way, checking it out. Damn, even her butt looked good!

Charge it. And dont. worry about the money. Im working that out.

Rachel laughed at Dagnes reflection in the mirror. What do you mean? What, are you going to cast a spell for a money tree?

Maybe, she grinned. Youll see later.

Rachel laughed and looked at her reflection one last time. She looked good. Really good. And it was sort of amazing, seeing as how she hadnt lost any weight, but her body did seem differentsort of rearranged.

Wow, a salesclerk said, her reflection appearing over the opposite shoulder from Dagne. That looks great on you. Not many women can really carry that off.

Really? Rachel squeaked.

Oh yeah, the girl said, nodding emphatically. You really need curves for this. You make that dress.

Impossibly pleased, Rachel beamed at herself. But then she remembered her little finance problem, and her smile faded, and she shook her head. God, this is stupid, she said, walking, dejected, back to the curtain to change out of it. I dont even know if Im going to have another temp job from one day to the next! The last thing I need to do is spend this much money on something like this!

Will you just trust me? Dagne yelled through the curtain, and the moment Rachel emerged, she grabbed the dress from her hand. Before Rachel could speak, Dagne took the dress, plus the gold blouse and winter-white skirt shed picked for herself, and marched to the counter, held them out to the salesclerk. Well take them!

A brand-new charge and no way to pay it later, Rachel and Dagne drove to an obscure side street and a little shop called Makin Magick! to buy oils and candles for Dagnes witchcraft.

They also had some amulets marked down 50 percent, and Rachel, never one to pass up a bargain, was all over that.

Then they went to Rachels, because Dagne had bought the necessary items to put a sex spell on Flynn and would not be deterred, as she was very worried about his being British. They went outside to commune with Mother Nature while they cast it.

Im freezing my balls off, Rachel hissed as she stood on the other side of her detached garage from the last spell casting, hugging herself, checking every few seconds to see if Mr. Valicielo was going to call the cops.

This is perfect, Dagne said. Stop whining. She had Mexican vanilla, honey, and ground almonds, which she had mixed inside. She held up the bowl to Rachel. Spit in it three times.

I will not spit into that bowl! Rachel cried.

Spit! Dagne said, waving the thing beneath her nose. The sooner you spit, the sooner we can go inside.

Rachel spit. Dagne grinned maniacally. Now you have to stir it with your finger, counterclockwise. Just three times. No more, no less.

With a grimace, Rachel pulled her hands from her mittens and stirred. Youre really freaking me out, she said, but she stirred three times exactly, no more, no less.

Dagne gave a little laugh and went down on her knees, lit the fat candle shed brought for atmosphere, and handed Rachel an apple and a knife. Cut it in half, then carve a triangle.

Rachel did as she was told, shaking her head.

Dagne gestured for her to give the apple halves back when she was done and carefully set them aside. Okay, lift your sweater, she said, picking up the bowl and holding it up to Rachel. Then dip three fingers into the mixture and make a triangle on your belly, point up. Make sure the point is up!

Are you nuts? Rachel demanded. Why do I let you talk me into these things?

If you dont hurry up, Mr. Valicielo is going to come out here, Dagne warned her.

Rachel lifted her sweater, dipped in three fingers, and made a triangle. Point up .

Now, dip more, Dagne instructed in hushed tones, and repeat it. But this time, look at the moon and repeat this while you trace the triangle over and over: Scents of the goddess I put in me, to bring my special night irresistibility.

Rachel frowned. How many times must I make that ridiculous statement?

Until you feel it, Dagne said with a huge smile as she clasped her hands to her breast.

Honestly. Okay, well, the night air was frigid on her belly, so Rachel dipped her fingers into the mixture, looked at the moon, and began to chant, Scents of the goddess I put in me, to bring my special night irresistibility.

This, she repeated, over and over until her vision began to blur and she thought she was getting frostbitebut then suddenly, Rachel felt a shot of warmth down her spine, from her neck to her tailbone, and lowered her head, blinking. I felt it! she whispered. At least I think I did! She paused, rubbed her shoulder, wondered if maybe it wasnt from leaning her head back like that for too long.

Whatever it was, Dagne was on her feet, the two apple halves in her hand. Thats it, thats it! she shrieked and grabbed Rachels hand, jerked her to run behind her.

Into the house they ran, to one of Rachels big potted ferns. Bury it, Dagne said so excited she could hardly transfer the apple to Rachel.

Bury it? Rachel exclaimed, looking at the big pot.

Dont wait! Bury it, bury it!

Rachel dug into the soil until shed made a hole, then quickly put the apple inside and covered it with dirt. She and Dagne stood there for a moment, staring at the pot.

Thats it. My work here is done, Dagne said and put her hands on her hips.

Thank God, Rachel said and turned, headed to the kitchen to wash her belly and her hands, but she noticed her message light was blinking. Hey, it worked! She laughed and punched the button on her way by.

Ah hi, Rachel. This is Mike. You know, from last night? He paused, chuckled a little. Listen, I tried to call your cell, but some guy answered

Ohmigod, it did work, a wide-eyed Dagne whispered reverently.

You werent doing the old wrong number routine, were you? Mike chuckled again as Rachel ran to her bag and dug through it with her clean hand best she could. No cell. Goddammit , Myron!

So if this is really your crib, will you give me a call? I was hoping we could get together sometime over Thanksgiving if youre around. He rattled off his phone number, made some joke about giving her the right number, and said hed be in later.

The message clicked off. Rachel glared at Dagne. Myron took my phone again, that asshole!

So are you going to call him? Dagne asked excitedly, blowing right past Myron.

No! Im going out with Flynn, remember?

Dont be an idiot, Rachel! Go out with both of them! Be in charge of your life! Dont let opportunities pass you up! Dont let men dictate who you will see! You decide which one suits you!

She was so adamant that Rachel almost expected her to pull out some Women of the World Unite ! banner and march down the street. Nevertheless, she thought about it. It seemed weird, especially for her, who wasnt exactly experienced in dating at all. Much less two guys. At once.

Dagne must have read her thoughts because she followed her into the kitchen and made her case while Rachel cleaned up. Look at it this way. What if you go out with Flynn and discover it is true what they say about English guysthat they cant fuck to save their lives? Then what? Mike could be the best lay in town, and youve missed it! Theres no law that says you cant see more than one guy at once! The smart, chic women see as many guys as they can.

They do? Rachel asked timidly.

Of course they do! Call him! she insisted, waving her hand at the phone.

Dagne was right. Not that this was about getting laid, really, although that would-be very nice. But she really had no reason to hold back. For the first time in her life, a couple of guys were interested in Miss Fortune. Why not take advantage of it? It sure wasnt like she had anything to lose, was it? Hell, she deserved it! She had spent her entire life being the chubby, doll-faced little sister of the two most beautiful women in Houston, and watched them go on date after date while she sat home and read romance novels.

For once in her life, she had guys after her, and by God, she wasnt going to pass it up. She picked up the phone, punched in the number Mike had left, felt her heart beating like a drum in her chest as it rang once, then twice, then three

Yo, he said when he picked up the phone.

Ah Mike?

Rachel? he said and sounded genuinely glad to hear from her. Great! You called!

Rachel looked at Dagne, gave her a thumbs-up. Dagne grinned, waved her hands in a way that said Rachel was to talk. Im really sorry about the cell phone thing. I wasnt trying to ditch you, I swear it.

Oh that, he said, laughing. Well, Im glad you called all the same. So what are you doing?

Well, Ive shopped for another date, and then I cast a spell, whataboutyou Hanging out with a friend. And you?

Football. The Pats are beating the shit out of the Jets. So listen, what do you say we get together over the Thanksgiving holiday? I mean, are you going to be around?

Yes, Rachel said. Id like that.

Great. He sounded relieved. Im really glad we met, Rachel. I never expected to meet someone as hot as you at those catered things.

Hot. He thought she was hot .

So, why dont we plan on hooking up the Friday after Thanksgiving? Ive got a gig down at the shore to work for a couple of weeks, and then see the folks on Thanksgiving Day. But Im coming back that Friday. Think youll be free?

Yeah, I think so.

Fantastic. Theres a club I go to you might likegreat food, great music.

It sounded wonderful. Mike sounded wonderful. That sounds wonderful, she said, beaming.

All right. Ill give you a call late in the week and well firm it up.

Now she was positively levitating. Thanks, Mike. Im looking forward to it. She hung up, looked up at Dagne.

I have to go shopping again! she said with a squeal of laughter.

FLYNN woke to the sound of a trumpeting phone on Sunday and groped his way out of bed, found the phone, then noticed he had an erection the size of a skyscraper. That would be due to one very erotic dream of a girl named Rachel, thank you.

Hello, he croaked into the phone.

Flynn darling! Iris fawned.

Oh God . Iris.

I should be very cross with you, Flynn Oliver! You promised to ring me yesterday, do you recall?

SorryI had to work.

They sound like monsters there, always making you work, she said petulantly. When are you coming home, Flynnie?

I cant say, he told her truthfully. Both projects were taking more time than hed anticipated. It may be a while yet.

Iris sighed her displeasure. Oh, Flynn, she said softly. I do believe youll never forgive me.

He rolled his eyes, sat on the couch, arms braced on his knees. Iris, please, couldnt this all possibly wait until Ive returned to jolly old England?

No, it cant. I dont think you understand how crushed I am by the whole thing, and Ive scarcely slept a wink since youve been gone, darling. I think about the wonderful times we had together, and how foolish it was of me to jeopardize everything simply because I was lonely.

Iris

The thing is, lambkins, that I never meant to harm us . I really rather thought of it as nothing more than a silly little tryst. It meant absolutely nothing.

Yes, so youve said several times now. But really, how am I to trust you, his? How can I know that when Im off on assignment, you arent shagging the neighbor?

Because I am swearing on my life that I wont do it again, she said, her voice pleading. I am giving you my solemn vow to be ever faithful.

Flynn suppressed a groan.

Oh darling, you know how much I love you! Remember that afternoon we drove to Windsor and took the little boat out onto the river?

He remembered it; of course he remembered it. Hed been terribly happy thenit was a couple of months before hed gone off so terribly sentimental and asked her to marry him.

That day at Windsor, shed been in the front of the boat, lounging against several pillows, a parasol over her head, looking quite delectable as they floated along to a picnic spot she knew about. He had adored that daythey had laughed and talked about a number of things, as comfortable together as an old pair of slippers, and hed seen his future stretch before hima beautiful wife, happy children, a dog or two.

Remember the spot where we picnicked? she asked, her voice suddenly husky.

He recalled that as well and leaned back against the couch. In a secluded area, on a thick quilt, she had seduced him, had enticed him, with the help of strawberries and cream, to eat her as if she were a luscious dessert. Just the memory of it aroused him, and he put his hand on top of his boxers, felt his dick growing thick again.