Page 44 of Irresistibly Wicked

“You’re such a guy.”

“A wildly charming guy,” he tossed out. “It’s a curse.”

“I’ll stock up on sage,” she said from behind the curtain.

A minute later she opened the curtain, her eyes downcast as she took a tentative step forward, absolutely stunning in the little black dress, all legs and luscious curves.

Zander whistled long and low. “Damn, girl.”

She crossed and uncrossed her arms. “It’s too tight.”

“Tight is good, darlin’.” He held her gaze. “You’re on fire.”

The air vibrated with unspoken attraction, her eyes shimmering with heat. Fuck, that was sexy. But in the next breath, she planted a hand on her hip, trying to stifle a smile as she said, “I don’t care if I’m burning down the whole damn store. I’m not wearing this.”

“Why not? You look amazing.”

“I look like I’m trying to get attention, and that’s not me.”

“And yet, you’re smiling,” he pointed out, knowing she was right. She wasn’t an attention seeker, but damn. The world was missing out.

“Because it’s absurd that I even have to say it.” She turned on her heel and stalked back into the dressing area, pulling the curtain shut, speaking from behind it. “I’m not trying on any more dresses.”

“Naked works for me.”

He heard her laugh and pictured her dark eyes glittering, her dimples coming out to play. Man, he liked that. He liked her, and he was having way too much fun with a woman who was too easy to pretend to love.

He paced and was mulling over that dangerous thought when a text rolled in from Madigan.

Mads: I heard you were helping the girl who pulled you out of the wreck and drove her friend to rehab. If she needs an ear from someone who won’t try to get in her pants, I’m around.

A laughing emoji popped up.

He wasn’t surprised she’d heard about that. His brothers and cousins had checked in with him last night to make sure everything had gone smoothly, but he hadn’t told them about the whole marriage thing yet. He wanted to talk to his parents first, but Madigan’s comment irked him. Maybe it shouldn’t, given his reputation, but it did.

Zander: Thanks. I’ll let her know.

Zander: And I’m not trying to get in her pants.

Madigan sent an eyeroll emoji.

As he pocketed his phone, the curtain opened again and Shauna stepped out, all lean shoulders and rounded hips in a cream halter-top jumpsuit with a plunging neckline, a cinched waist, and wide-legged slacks. He couldn’t take his eyes off her. But it wasn’t just her looks that held his rapt attention. It was the dark-haired beauty beaming at him as she said, “What do you think?” and spun around with the flair and grace of the strong, confident woman he already knew her to be.

Holy hell. The jumpsuit was backless, and it fit snugly around her gorgeous ass, which he couldn’t help but notice was made for holding on to, and his hands itched to prove it. But as she finished her spin, his eyes were drawn to those fucking bruises on her arms, and his every muscle seized up.

He fought to keep his expression in check, not wanting to dim the light in her eyes. “You’re going to make the justice of the peace wish he were marrying you. Maybe you should wear sweats to the courthouse. Baggie ones.”

Her deepening dimples hit him square in the center of his chest as she said, “You’re ridiculous.”

“And you’re marrying me. I’d say that makes me ridiculously lucky.”

“I’M LEAVING THE tags on so you can return it after the wedding,” Shauna said as they left the store with the cream jumpsuit. Zander had coerced her into trying on all the other outfits, including the dresses, with his flirty comments and that all-too wicked smile. He made it fun, and after seeing his reaction to the jumpsuit, which she loved, she wasn’t as opposed to trying on more. She couldn’t remember the last time anyone had looked at her like she was the prettiest thing he’d ever seen, but the jumpsuit was definitely the winner.

“That’s not happening,” Zander said. “You can’t return gifts.”

“It’s not a gift,” she challenged. “According to you, it’s a necessity to pull off this ruse.”

“The hell it is. It’s a gift to my future wife. Come on.” He grabbed her hand and headed to the other side of the corridor.