He caught her before she swung the door shut in his face. “This is not a hostage situation,” he told her as she threw herself down on the bed. “Think of this as more of a mini-vacation.”
“With no clothes,” she mumbled into the pillow.
Quirking an eyebrow, he leaned against the doorjamb and crossed his arms. “Are you sulking?”
“No.” She was definitely sulking. But somehow the way she did it was sexy as hell. “I’m cold from being forced to wear a bra, myonlybra, as a top.”
Heaving a dramatic sigh, he said, “Well, we can’t have that.” He walked over to his drawer and pulled out a long-sleeved t-shirt. “Here, put this on.” Then he opened the middle drawer and withdrew a hoodie. “And this.”
When she stared at him like she’d never dressed herself in her life, he sauntered back to her. With a devilish grin, he tugged the knot of her towel, letting the terry cloth drop from her body. Her gaze fluttered up to his, but she didn’t reach for the clothes. She was beautifully naked again, but for a blue lace thong.
“Arms up, please.” He expected resistance, a sneer, maybe a comment, but to his surprise her arms went right up, as if this was what she wanted all along. Well, he was happy to oblige. He tugged the black cotton over her head, hesitating a moment before letting the material drop to cover her sensational tits. He missed them already.
After he did the same with the hoodie, he went over to her black leggings sitting on her travel bag. “There’s a layer of snow from last night, but it’s warmed up some. You should be okay in this until we get to town. Then I’ll buy you a wardrobe that will put the desperate housewives of Cannon Beach to shame, okay?”
Her face lit up. “Are we going shopping?”
“Yes, princess, we’re going shopping.” Since the clothes they’d left on the beach were gone when he’d checked that morning, shopping was even more of a necessity.
Vanessa bolted from the bed and tugged on her leggings in record speed, and he let another smile slip free. Good to know what motivated his girl.
“I don’t have proper shoes,” she told him as she grabbed a pair of his socks.
“Then I guess I’ll have to buy you those too.”
Her giggle had his heart in knots. He’d let her get close. Closer than anyone else had been in a very long time. Hell, he’d even let her see his bare chest.
This woman had him doing and saying things he never thought he’d do or say. Things he’d never done or said before. For the first time since he got out of prison, he wanted to share what it’d been like with someone. The things he thought about in the darkest hours of the night.
For the first time since starting his new life, he was thinking about things beyond next week, like he was a better version of himself. One who deserved a proper future.
And as long as he didn’t remind himself that Vanessa was moving to New York within the week, he could almost believe he could have it. With her.
The ride to the center of town took less than five minutes. The streets were clear. Only a thin layer of snow dusted the rooftops and greenery around them. On a warmer day, or if Vanessa had proper boots, they could’ve walked to town. Instead, she was snug against him on his bike, wrapped the leather jacket he’d given her, and he definitely wasn’t complaining.
He parked in front of the only clothing store he knew of in Cannon Beach. He’d never been inside, and judging from the mannequins in the window it wasn’t Vanessa’s usual style, but warm fleece pullovers were on display so they were going in.
“Oohh, this is a cute boutique,” Vanessa said as she slid from the back of his bike, took off her helmet, and tucked it under her arm like she’d done this a hundred times before. “I wonder if they carryMackage? They had a chic vest on an ad that popped up in my feed the other day.”
He didn’t know what the hell she was talking about, but he had a feeling she was about to be disappointed.
The bell chimed above the door as they strolled in. Vanessa halted and took in the mix of Oregon coast tourist clothing and beachwear. A couple of hat racks stood in the corner, along with a shelf of souvenirs. Clothing racks displaying a variety of dresses, jackets and sweaters stood around the store. A table with neatly folded t-shirts and jeans were in front of them.
Yep, he was going to guess the brand she mentioned wasn’t in this store.
A woman with short blonde hair, glasses, and a welcoming smile bustled over to them. “Good morning. Can I help you with anything today?”
Vanessa glanced around the store again, and said brightly, “Yes, I need a full wardrobe.”
The woman’s eyebrows shot up. “A full wardrobe?”
“Correct. I have nothing but the clothes on my back. More or less.”
“Oh.” The woman looked Vanessa up and down, her eyes growing wide, then suspicious.
“I’m Vanessa.” She jerked her thumb over her shoulder. “And this grump behind me is Jordan. He brought me to thistown for—” She glanced over her shoulder at him with narrowed eyes. “An undetermined amount of time, but all I have with me are a few pairs of underwear and these leggings. Everything else I’m wearing is pretty much his.”
The poor clerk’s gaze darted between them as though she wasn’t sure if Vanessa was joking or if she should be calling the police. Given the explanation provided, he didn’t blame her.
