Excited, she put the clothes on, refusing to look at herself until she was in the larger mirror outside. When she stepped out of the room, her friends’ chatter stopped, and for a second, she thought retreat might be the best option. Except this was the last chance she had and she knew she had to at least look at herself before she vetoed it.
She turned to the mirror on the wall and released the breath she was holding. The black rouched bustier made her girls sit pretty and gave her stomach the illusion of flatness she knew didn’t exist.
The slender navy blue pants with satin piping down the side of each leg made her legs look long, paired with the gold, sequined heels the saleswoman had just brought over, and she looked like a runway model. The single-breasted two-button jacket gave her sharp, strong shoulders, taking the outfit overboard from nice to sexy as hell.
She turned to her friends, holding her hands out as she spun in a slow circle. “So, ladies, is this it?”
Neither spoke, both nodding slowly with their gazes fixed on her. “Well, if you two have nothing to stay, I must be stunning.” She found her reflection in the mirror, running her hands slowly down the front of the form-fitting jacket and bustier, sticking her leg out to one side and jutting her hip out to the other while she tucked her hand into her pants pocket, pushing the jacket flap behind her, exposing the rounded mound of her breast. Yeah, she was servingstunning with a side of sexy as hell with this look. This was perfect for her first and probably only official date with Sheriff Michael.
“You’re about to put a hurting on that man, aren’t you?” Janae’s question made her hitch her mouth into a confident grin.
“I certainly am.”
Cree came to stand next to her and gave her an appraising stare through the mirror. “Chile, he doesn’t have a clue what he’s up against, does he?”
Nope, he didn’t. And she didn’t feel the least bit bad about catching him off guard.
Chapter 16
“Michael,” Vanessa bellowed from downstairs.“The cliché is that the woman is supposed to be the one taking forever to get ready. Are you purposely trying to make us miss the gala?”
Yeah.
Even though he wouldn’t say it out loud, he knew it was the truth. He hated this thing and always waited until the last possible minute to get dressed and get on his way. Usually, Cindy was there to kick his butt in gear and get him situated so he’d leave on time. She was also here to tie this blasted bow tie he couldn’t get right if his life depended on it.
“Fuck it.” He threw up his hands, grabbed his wallet, and headed downstairs. He’d just have to go sans tie. He couldn’t spend another fifteen minutes trying to get this shit right.
“Michael!”
“On my way!” he hollered from his room. He thought about pulling the tie from his neck and leaving it on the dresser. However, as he glimpsed the untied ends hanging on either side of his neck, he thought perhaps he could pull off that “I’m too cool to tie my bow tie” look.
Determined not to fret over it any longer, he made his way down the stairs to find Vanessa standing by his fireplace on the other side of the living room.
She turned around to face him, and he damn near missed the bottom step by focusing on her instead of his feet. She was wearing a tuxedo that fit every curve she had and made him ball his hands into tight fists for fear he wouldn’t be able to keep them to himself.
Her sleek bob had been curled into beach waves with one side pinned back, exposing the elegant curve of her neck. Her jacket was open, and the sight of her plump breasts essentially standing at attention for his viewing pleasure made his tuxedo pants more uncomfortable than the stiff material usually would.
“That bad,” she said with a playful grin. She knew damn well there was nothing remotely bad about her look or her outfit. Everything about it said Sexiest Boss of the Year.
“Yeah,” he choked out. “Perhaps we should stay in and discuss my thoughts on what you’re wearing.”
She walked closer to where he stood, pushing both hands in her pockets, which gave him a better view of the beautiful brown skin of her chest and bosom. She was definitely not playing fair.
“Really?” she questioned, lifting her brow in mock confusion. “What exactly are your thoughts?”
He somehow found the strength and focus to make his legs and feet work to step down off that bottom step that led into the living room. “I’m afraid what I have to say might offend your delicate nature. Getting slapped right before an event may depreciate the value of the goods I have to put on display to get people to part with their coins.”
“And if I promise to keep my hands to myself?”
He stepped closer until they were almost touching. “That’s the problem.” He looked her up and down before bringing his gaze back to hers. “I don’t want you to keep your hands to yourself.”
He waited to see if she would back away. If she showed eventhe slightest bit of hesitancy, he’d pause this game they were playing. Yes, he wanted her again. But only if the desire was mutual. His ego couldn’t take it if he didn’t see the exact same need in her eyes.
“You see that as a problem?” She shrugged her shoulders and folded her arms, pushing her tits impossibly high, making the delicious vee of her cleavage more pronounced and tempting. “I see it as a goal.”
“I keep telling you you’re playing with fire.”
“And I keep telling you, I like the heat. What’s the problem, Sheriff?”
