I widen my smile. “It’s my job. You do know that because it’s in the middle of nowhere, Nigel booked two rooms for the night, don’t you?”
He stares at me. I guess he didn’t know.
“Aren’t I lucky that he doesn’t expect me to sleep in the car?” Although I could easily. “I think he was planning on taking the Rolls-Royce. Is that all right with you?” It’s a beautiful car, with a stunning interior ceiling.
“This is why we need a PA,” he grates out.
“Nah, this is why you’ve got me. If it’s anything to do with getting from A to B, I know what the plan is.” I wave the Post-It Note. “One costume coming up.”
He half-smiles. “Thanks, Rowan.”
“You’re welcome.” Now get out from behind your desk and give me a hot, steamy, thank-you kiss. A guy can dream.
“What’s the verdict?” Rubin asks when I rejoin him.
“Oh, he wants me to go collect his costume for the ball tomorrow night.” I lean on his desk and fan my face. “Which means I get to spend a couple of hours in the car with him tomorrow. Be still, my heart.”
“Make sure you keep your eyes on the road rather than him.”
“He’ll be in the back.”
“Exactly. Eyes on the road.”
“I’ll have you know I’m an excellent driver. I wonder what his costume is.”
“Go pick it up and sneak a peek.”
“I shouldn’t.”
“But you could.”
I grin. “I could, couldn’t I? You're a terrible influence.”
He points at himself and mouths ‘me?’ with the most indignant expression I’ve ever seen.
“Yes, you. Right, I’d best get going. See ya.”
I don’t take either car. It would take far too long to navigate London traffic. Instead, I go tube line hopping to make my way to the other side of the Thames and London. The city is so bright and vibrant. Christmas music is playing everywhere. Even the buskers are playing happy tunes. It’s packed above and below ground, which slows everyone down. At the same time, there’s a weird sense of camaraderie. We’re all sardines in this giant tin, and nearly everyone is smiling and chatting about their Christmas wishes.
Eventually, I make it to a tiny costume shop. The window is packed full of decorations and Christmas costumes, from bright to garish, from modest to sexy. It’s easy to imagine Damon wearing a sexy Santa costume, with an open, bright red jacket, trimmed with fake fur, an equally bright jockstrap, and black, knee-length boots. Would he put me on his good list or his naughty list? I’d quite like him to put me over his knee and spank me for being naughty. Another dream that will never come true.
I go inside. The shop is warm and smells of hot chocolate and cinnamon. I wait for my turn while imagining Damon in more sexy costumes. He’d look hot as a vampire. A sheriff in nothing but a blue shirt and brown leather chaps? Yes please. He can arrest me any day. I’ll admit it, I have a crush on my sort-of-boss. Nigel owns the business. Damon helps him run it. Most of the time, I’m driving Nigel around or running errands for him, so it’s a rare treat to get to do anything for Damon.
“How can I help?” the woman behind the counter asks, snapping me out of my daydream.
“Hi. I’m here to pick up a costume for Damon Cole.”
She flicks her gaze up and down me. “You’re shorter than you claimed to be on the phone. I’m not sure the costume will fit you.”
My face heats up. “Oh. I’m not Damon. I’m just picking up the costume for him. He’s around six feet.” Which is the limit of my ability to estimate someone’s height. He’s taller than me by roughly half a foot, and his shoulders are broader. He has big hands, too, perfect for— I blink, smile and focus on the moment. “I’m sure whatever he’s ordered will fit him.”
“Uh-huh.” She turns to a rail behind her and, after a little bit of searching, takes a bag off it. “It’s prepaid, and he signed the rental agreement online. Tell him he needs to bring it back by noon on the twenty-seventh.”
“I’ll make sure it’s returned on time.”
The bag is black, which means the only way to get a sneak peek is to open it. I can’t do that. I shouldn’t do that.
“Oh, you need the hat.”
