“I just wanted to see if you’ll be all right handling the store alone today.”
“Yeah,” he responded. “Cindy’s assistant is going to be there. Considering tonight is the gala, I’m sure the salon and the stores will be packed. Have the ladies bring you back here instead of the shop when you’re done. We’ll leave as soon as you get back.”
She tipped her head in agreement, then turned to leave. Before she could move, however, his hand was on her forearm, stopping her. “Vanessa.”
She turned, reminding herself to keep her composure. Yes, she’d agreed to let herself have fun. That didn’t mean she needed to seem desperate for his attention, though, even if she was.
“Despite being put on display like a flat-screen TV on Black Friday, this year doesn’t feel so bad. For the first time, I’m looking forward to going to the gala.”
“Why’s that?”
She didn’t know what he’d say, she just hoped it was something that was going to make her heart beat even faster than it already did.
“Because I’ll have the most beautiful woman in town on my arm. I’d be an idiot not to celebrate being such a lucky bastard.”
Yeah, that was it. The wonderful thing that was going to make her heart beat so fast she thought she might have a cardiac event. His words leaving her mouth dry, she swallowed, then cleared her throat.
“For a small-town sheriff, you sure have big game, Michael.”
He crossed his arms and lifted his brow. “Is it working?”
She nodded enthusiastically, “Oh, it’s working. That’s for damn sure. Let me get out of here before my girlfriends catch us in a compromising position. Wouldn’t want to feed the gossip mill. Would we?”
“With you,” he said as he leaned closer, placing a finger under her chin, “I’d be willing to risk it.” He placed his lips on hers and her body quivered as if it were more liquid than flesh and bone.
His lips were soft and full, yet still so strong. Guiding her, tempting her, making her chase him for what she wanted. If temptation was a field of study, he had to have a doctorate. Because there was no reason a simple kiss from a man she’d only known a handful of days should make her body burn with need this way.
Okay, she’d slept with said man, yet even so, she shouldn’t be affected by his game.
He lifted his head, smiling down at her with this “Yeah, I know you want this” look in his hooded eyes.
His presumptive gaze should’ve offended her. Yet, to no one’s surprise—especially not her own—the only thing she felt coursing through her veins was hot, searing desire.
“Have fun,” he whispered after giving her one final peck and stepping away from her.
She blew out a breath and nodded. “Yeah… fun. That’s exactly what I’m thinking about having now.”
“Vanessa, what are you doing in there?” She cringed at the shrill sound of Janae yelling her name in the small boutique. She was currently standing at the mirror in a dressing room, trying on what felt like the millionth outfit the store owner had given her.
“Vanessa,” Cree said, joining in the chorus. “Come on, it can’t be that bad.”
“Says the woman with hips and boobs for days. These dresses make me look like I’m living in a bad eighties high school dance movie. I’m forty, not a teenaged prom queen.”
She stepped out of the dressing room and caught her friends fighting to keep their laughter at bay. When Vanessa stepped forward and nearly tripped over the large taffeta skirt of the dress, they understandably lost control and crumpled in laughter.
Vanessa turned around to look in the larger mirror and fell into a fit of giggles with her friends. Layers of peach taffeta covered her, and although the color looked great against her dark brown skin, she would not be caught dead outside this boutique in it.
The boutique owner tried hard to keep a professional demeanor, but when Vanessa glanced over at her, her shoulders began shaking with laughter too.
“I’m sorry. All of our more cosmopolitan options were purchased ages ago. I’m afraid this and a tuxedo are all we have left in stock in your size.”
Vanessa’s gaze collided with her two friends’ and all three of them said in unison, “Let’s see the tuxedo.”
Vanessa gladly peeled the peach monstrosity off and pushed it over the top of the dressing room door to Janae. Soon, the boutique owner was sliding her a black garment bag through the sameopening. She hung the bag on a nearby hook and stared at it with trepidation inching up her spine.
“If this thing has a ruffled shirt and a cummerbund, I’m going to lose my shit.”
She slowly unzipped the bag, pushing it back until the tuxedo was visible. Navy blue with black satin lapels jumped out at her and hope built slowly in her chest. “So far, so good.” She was cautiously hopeful that she could wear this and not look like a fool tonight.
