I puff out my lip and give her puppy-dog eyes, used to get my mama every time. “Please?”
She throws her head back on a groan. “You are annoying,” she says and spins around back to my room.
I take another swig of beer, wondering how I got here, let alone convinced Mae to model the clothes she bought. I can’t help myself. I love looking at her.
She comes out of my room and I nearly spit my beer out. I cough a couple of times, staring at this woman in what looks like anightie,as in lingerie. It’s a sleeveless, silky dress that reaches her mid-calf. Buttons run up the center, with lace around the edges. It’s stunning, more breathtaking, actually.
“I’m sorry this is for going out in? This isn’t for … you know,” I ask.
Her eyebrow is tipped up, and she slides her hands over her hips.
“This is the dress I was going to wear on our date,” she says saucily.
I shake my head and stand up to get a better look.
“Nope, date is cancelled,” I say, shaking my head.
Mae snorts and crosses her arms. “Last time I checked, I can decide what I get to wear.”
“Yes, that’s true, but preferably something that I won’t have to get into fistfights for.”
“Afraid to protect my honor, Coop?”
I stand up a little straighter and grab her hips, pulling her into me. “Not at all, but I won’t be responsible for what happens to this dress when we get home.”
“Break it, you buy it, caveman.”
“I think that’s a price I’m willing to pay,” I say, stooping down to kiss her. “You look radiant, Mae, truly.”
She pushes my chest, making me take a step back. “Not tonight, Mr.”
I groan, and she goes back to my room.
“Okay, this is the last of it. I told you it’s nothing special, they’re literally lounge pants. I wanted something for winter and they were on sale,” she says, looking down at her legs.
I stare at my woman, currently wearing my t-shirt with herlounge pants,and I’m pretty sure this is my favorite outfit of all.
“I see you saved the best for last.”
She scrunches her cute nose. “What?”
I’d drop to my knee right now if I knew where she stood. Hell, I’d crawl on my hands and knees to earn her hand. She has no idea the impact she’s had on me, on Naomi, let alone my heart.
“This is my favorite outfit,” I whisper grabbing her butt.
“I borrowed your t-shirt,” she rasps.
“I see that.”
“I’ll put it back. I just needed something to wear with these.”
“Keep it,” I tell her.
“Uh, okay,” she says, leaning into me.
The temperature changes between us, and the heat ratchets up even though the AC is blowing.
“Are you satisfied with the fashion show?” she asks me.
