Sensual Games (Novak Springs #3) (11 page)

“Now tell me how Vitoria tested Colt.”

Ginnifer spun a tale of Tori that Emma had never heard before. Colt, freshly broken-hearted after their break up, had turned Tori down flat. The way Ginnifer told it, he said he was in love with Emma and even if she refused to speak to him he planned on spending the rest of his life with the only woman who’d ever own his heart.

A small part of her softened when she heard the words. They could find their way back to each other, if she sucked it up and gave him another chance.

Emma grabbed her small suitcase and began to fill it with all the items she’d need over the next several days. She’d be traveling with the team for a couple of away games, each a week apart, the second only guaranteed if they won the first. The playoffs were always a stressful time for the team, every player, coach, and corresponding staff were on high alert. For Emma, this particular game took on a whole new meaning.

Normally she didn’t put too much thought into what she packed for away games. Generally they were only gone a couple of days, depending on where the game was. The first game was in Green Bay, so she’d have to pack some cold weather gear. Not a problem, as most days she was freezing anyway. The second game the opposing team would have home field advantage. If they were moving forward, it would be in either San Francisco or Dallas—depending on who won the game. She looked forward to some warmer weather. If Seattle lost, everyone would head home and watch the rest of the playoffs and the Super Bowl on television. No one wanted their season to end yet.

The stakes were high, and everyone was on edge. Emma had her own reasons for being a nervous wreck. She wanted to follow Ginnifer’s advice, but it scared her. What if it was a mistake? Could she forgive Colt? She began to throw clothes all over the bed in Tori’s guest bedroom. None of it seemed right.

“Did a tornado go through this room?” Tori stood outside the entranceway. “What on earth are you doing?”

“I don’t have anything to wear!”

Tori raised an eyebrow. “Really?” She walked over to the bed and picked up a white frilly blouse that matched a loose flowing skirt. “What is this? Rags?”

“Yes.” Emma nodded. “Ugly too.”

Tori burst out laughing. “Okay, tell me what’s going on because this—”she held up the outfit“—is not ugly.”

“I went out to see Ginnifer this morning.”

“Oh? And how’s the new mommy doing?”

“Dreadful—exhausted—happy, all at the same time.”

“Sounds about right.” Tori nodded. “What’s this have to do with your lack of appealing clothing?”

“Nothing…” Emma sighed. “Ginny made a suggestion and it led to me tearing through everything I own. None of it will work.”

Vitoria sat in a chair near the bed, leaned back, and crossed her legs. She tapped her hand on the armrest. “Explain what she wants you to do.”

“Seduce Colt.”

A sinful smile spread across Vitoria’s heart-shaped face. “Oh, I do love that woman.”

“I take it you approve.”

“Whole-heartedly, and now I completely understand your dilemma.”

Emma was glad Tori understood—now if only she could help they might be in business. “So do you have any helpful ideas?”

“Yeah, let’s go shopping. We have a few hours before the mall closes. Just enough time to get what we need.”

“But—”

Vitoria grabbed Emma’s hand and began to drag her out of the room. “Don’t argue, Tori knows best.”

“Says who?” Emma asked.

Vitoria ignored her and led her down the stairs. She stopped in the hall closet and pulled out Emma’s coat. She tossed it to her. “Put it on. We don’t have time to argue.” Tori pulled her own coat out and slipped it on.

Emma didn’t argue. She didn’t see the point. Vitoria was on a mission, and once she got an idea in her head there was no talking her out of it. Besides, a small part of her wanted to see what she had in mind. Maybe Tori could steer her toward the best way to get what Emma wanted from Colt.

“So why’d you decide to listen to Ginny’s advice?”

“Because it’s what I want, and it made sense.”

Vitoria snorted. “It’s always made sense. You refused to listen to it.”

“You know why.” Emma still couldn’t get the idea of Colt with Missy out of her head. “It’s taken a while for me to accept the inevitable.”

“Hallelujah, I thought you’d never see your way clear to giving that man another chance.”

“I’m not making any promises.” Emma still had lingering doubts, but she’d made up her mind to get to the truth. “Have you located Melody yet?”

“I’ve got a lead, but so far no. I’ll let you know as soon as I figure out where she disappeared too. I wonder if she knows we’re looking for her.”

Emma shrugged her shoulders. “Maybe I should talk to Missy. At least I know where she works.”

Tori shook her head. “No, not yet anyway. Give me another week. If I don’t find her by the time you get through the two away games, I’ll go with you to talk to Missy.”

Emma didn’t really want to confront the woman who’d destroyed her relationship with Colt. Mainly because she was afraid of what she might do to the woman. She’d rather get a much deeper and more subtle retribution. Besides, Emma didn’t know for sure how much of the whole thing was Missy and how much Melody influenced. Missy could have been coerced. Emma wasn’t stupid, she knew Missy was culpable, but it might not have been her idea. That was what she needed to know. If Melody planned to break up Emma and Colt, she needed to know why. She had an idea, but she wanted verification. It wasn’t a coincidence she agreed to be the yoga instructor for her first Cowgirl Yoga session. A lot of her idea for Cowgirl Yoga came from talking to Melody. The woman influenced her more than she’d like to admit. Turned out she wanted on the ranch to covertly watch Dallas. Melody decided she wanted him back. It still boggled her mind that she thought she’d be able to sneak back into her brother’s life, and he’d welcome her back with open arms. Thank goodness he’d fallen in love with Ginnifer. If not he might have.

“Okay, if you think it’s what I should do.”

“I do.” Tori’s eyebrow rose. “I’m always right. Didn’t you hear me before? Tori knows best.”

“Don’t listen to her she’s already too full of herself.” Wes stepped out of the penthouse elevator. “Where are you two off to?”

“Shopping, would you like to come?” Tori asked, batting her eyelashes innocently.

“God no. I’ll hang back here and wait for you to get back.” Wes shuddered. “I’m not getting roped into being the walking bag carrier.”

Tori pouted. “Oh, why not. You’re the cutest accessory I own.”

“Own?” Wes raised an eyebrow. “I didn’t realize you’d purchased me off of a shelf.”

Tori brushed her hands over his chest. “Of course not, but I did pick you out especially for me.” She pulled his head down and kissed him.

“Ahem—still here.” Emma waved her hands around trying to get their attention. “Shopping remember?”

Tori took a step back and licked her lips. “Yeah, I didn’t forget you. I needed a taste of bliss before I was forced out into the cold.”

“Have fun, buy something pretty,” Wes said.

Tori winked. “Oh, I’ll get something more than pretty—it’ll be positively decadent.”

Wes rocked back on his heels and whistled. Then he turned to Emma. “When you leaving town again?”

Emma laughed. “Not soon enough for what you have in mind. My plane leaves at six tomorrow morning.”

He snapped his fingers. “Damn—” He paused, wiggled both eyebrows, and with a sinful smile on his face he studied Tori. “I can improvise.” Wes kissed Tori and sauntered away. “Take your time ladies. I have plans of my own to make.”

Emma shook her head. “That brother of mine is something else.”

Tori leaned over and said, “You have no idea.”

“I don’t want to either.”

“Come on let’s go. We have a lot of ground to cover.”

Emma followed Tori onto the elevator, and they went down to the parking garage. They strolled over to her vehicle and climbed inside. Tori started the engine and drove off.

“Where we going again?”

“The mall—if you’d said something sooner I’d have hit up my favorite boutique. Sadly they closed an hour ago so we’ll have to make do with good ole’ Vitoria’s Secret.”

“
Vitoria’s
Secret?” Emma rolled her eyes. “Have an overly large sense of your self-worth do you?”

“Nope. I know exactly what I’m worth.” Tori laughed. “And yeah, that’s a play on the lingerie store. We will be shopping there, but that’s not our only stop.”

Emma laughed. “So what you’re saying is your knowledge is invaluable, and I won’t know what it is until we get there.”

“Precisely.” Tori grinned and continued driving. “Sit back and relax while you can. Once we get to the mall, I’m going to set a bruising pace.”

The drive to the mall was both uneventful and short. Once Tori got an idea in her head, it was quite difficult to steer her away from it.

“Can’t you give me a tiny clue of what I have in store with this little expedition of yours?” Emma asked.

“Patience is a virtue you know,” Tori said. “You should practice it.”

Emma stuck her tongue out. “I changed my mind. I don’t need another sister. They’re worse than brothers.”

“Don’t worry. You’ll get used to it.”

“I don’t want to.”

Emma was only giving Tori a hard time. She really did love her. Wes was lucky to have her in his life. There was a time Emma had thought he’d never wake up and realize the gift he’d been presented with. Tori was the best thing that had ever happened to him.

“Shut up and follow my lead.” Tori got out of her vehicle and walked into the mall. “It’s going to be fun, promise.”

“Debatable, but I’m willing to give it a shot.”

“Good, ’cause you don’t have a choice.” Tori laughed, evilly.

Their first stop was a cute boutique that displayed sexy dresses, classic suits, and chic ensembles. Emma fell in love immediately with everything. She wanted to buy up the whole store. “I don’t remember seeing this store the last time I went shopping.”

“It opened a couple weeks ago. I know the owner.” Tori waved at someone in the back of the store. “Her husband plays on the team with Colt.”

“Oh, which one?”

“Bryant Trix.”

Emma remembered him. He was constantly pulling something and needed small amounts of physical therapy. Bryant pushed himself too hard and paid for it later. He was the player who’d injured himself when she first started working with the team. Dr. Ellwood had gone to check on him while Emma filled out her paperwork.

“Hey, Bebe, how’s the shop doing since the grand opening?” Tori asked.

Bebe Trix had long ebony hair that curled around her shoulders and reached the middle of her back. Her eyes were a bluish purple. Emma wondered if it was natural or if she bought colored contacts. The color was awesome no matter what, and it looked good with her blue-black hair.

“It’s been great. Thanks for helping with the publicity.”

“No problem.” Tori waved her hands. “It’s my job to help out where I can. Your husband pays me well to assist both of you.”

“I still appreciate it. You’re awesome, and some of your ideas—I’d never have thought of them.” Bebe smiled. “What can I do to help you? Are you shopping?”

“We are here to buy something fabulous for Emma.”

Bebe turned to look at Emma and sized her up. “You have lovely hair. I’d kill for this color—such a pretty brown with hints of red.”

“Um…thanks.”

“You’re the physical therapist, right?” Bebe asked.

“Yeah,” Emma replied.

“That’s what I thought. Bryant speaks well of you.”

Bryant was always polite. Not always a guarantee with men—football players could take it to a whole different level of arrogance too. “He’s one of the best.” Emma did like him. She wouldn’t lie to get help finding a killer dress.

“Emma is going to seduce Colt.” Vitoria’s whisper was almost loud enough for everyone in the store to hear.

Emma rolled her eyes. “Tell the world why don’t you.”

“I might, don’t push me.” Tori pinned her with a glare. “Can you help?”

“Oh…” Bebe looked at her with interest. “How willing is he?”

Vitoria snorted. “It won’t take much.”

Bebe’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “I have just the thing. Wait here. I’ll be right back.”

Bebe walked off and went into the back room. She came back a few minutes later carrying an outfit Emma never would have picked out herself. It was a pair of black leather pants that would hug her hips and every inch of her legs. They put skinny jeans to shame. The top was a breezy, almost sheer, white top with a shimmery gold under layer—and sleeveless.

“Really?”

“It leaves little to the imagination without being slutty,” Bebe explained. “You also need some high heels. Tori should be able to help you with those.”

“Oh, I know exactly what she needs,” Tori agreed.

“Don’t forget lingerie,” Bebe reminded them. “I’d suggest something in soft golds. He’ll love it.”

Emma wasn’t so sure about their suggestions but decided to let them dress her like their very own Barbie doll. She did like the shirt. It was pretty. The leather pants, however—she’d never thought to wear any.

“I guess… If you two think it will work.”

“Oh, it definitely will.” Tori’s eyes gleamed as she stared at Emma. “I’m so proud of you.” She fake sniffled. “You raise them right and send them off into the world—they don’t always listen to good advice. It warms the heart when they finally see reason.”