And I wouldn't be if it weren't for Brad's neurotic fiancée, I thought to myself.
"Someone's got to make sure everything is going to plan," I said. I really liked the girl's lips. They were sassy and sensual, and I knew I had to have her.
At that moment, April chose to walk over. "I can help you now, Mr. Locklin. If you would just come right this way—”
"Actually," I interrupted. I looked over the blonde girl and quickly caught her name tag. Victoria. "Victoria here was going to help me with my measurements."
I even like her name.
A shocked expression marred Victoria's pretty face. "I was?"
I nodded. "That's what we were just talking about, remember?"
Victoria opened her mouth to protest further, but I gave her a look that made her pause.
"That was supposed to be my job," said April. She looked disappointed as she eyed me.
"I know, but Victoria and I go way back. I think I'll be most comfortable taking my pants off in front of her." It was hard not to laugh as Victoria's eyes grew as wide as saucers.
"Wow, I didn't know you knew Mr. Locklin, Victoria." April chewed on her bottom lip, debating with herself. "Fine," she said finally. "If that's what you prefer, Mr. Locklin, I'm sure Victoria will be more than happy to accommodate."
"It is . . . and she will," I replied with confidence. I turned to Victoria and offered her my arm, unable to keep myself from smirking. "If you’d just lead the way, Miss Victoria."
Victoria was flustered, her cheeks a dark shade of red as she glanced back and forth between April and me. After a moment, she finally took my arm and began to lead me toward the dressing rooms.
April tried to mutter under her breath to Victoria as we walked off, but I still managed to catch what she said. "You’d better not screw this up, Vicky."
"Why did you lie to her?" Victoria demanded as soon as we were out of earshot. She let go of my arm and put distance between us. I wasn't worried. She'd be begging for it before I was done with her.
"Because you look like the girl for the job."
She scowled at me, her cheeks turning crimson. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
"Just that it looks like you can handle big things."
Victoria appeared speechless and it was hard not to laugh.
"My size," I clarified. "I'm a pretty tall guy."
I wondered if her face would remain permanently red as she simply said, "Oh."
We made it to a vacant dressing room and stepped inside. Victoria closed the door behind us. There were a bench, a mirror and a hanger rack in the room. She walked over and sat her clipboard down on the bench and then turned to face me with measuring tape.
"Do you do this often?" I asked before we got down to business. I was intrigued by Victoria and wanted to know more about her.
Victoria shook her head. "Only when I'm called to, which is rarely. This wedding demanded a lot of fittings, so Christine sent a small army to help out." She shook her head. "But I didn't expect that I'd end up fitting you."
"Why are you so surprised?"
"Well, for one, I hear that you’re some big shot.”
I nodded. I'm not very humble, so I wasn’t going to act like I was. “I’m the co-founder, along with my father."
Victoria fingered the measuring tape. "That's amazing. You look young. How old are—"
"Twenty-five," I replied.
She shook her head. "I'm just twenty-two. I couldn't fathom accomplishing what you have at that age.”
"I did have a lot of help from my father," I admitted. "From a young age, he's groomed me in business and economics. But I've grown into my own man now."
"I see." After a moment of awkward silence, Victoria cleared her throat and said, "I'm going to need you to take your shirt off."
I was happy to oblige. I slowly unbuttoned my dress shirt, staring at Victoria all the while. I slipped it off my shoulders and tossed it on the bench, my washboard abs proudly on display.
Victoria stared at the muscles etched across my stomach for a moment, and I didn't miss the flash of admiration in her eyes before she stepped forward with the measuring tape. I tried not to smile as I noted her trembling hands.
"Can you raise your arms above your head?" she asked. Even her voice had a slight tremor in it.
I did as she asked and she moved in close, wrapping the tape around my torso. I peered down as she worked, noting the fullness of her hair. Up close, I could smell the fragrance she had on, a pleasant peach-like scent that reminded me of a fresh summer day.
"You have a nice, slim waist," she said quietly with admiration as she worked. I liked when her hands brushed across my skin. They felt soft and pleasant. "But broad shoulders. Are you a swimmer?"