“What do you mean you aren’t saying it? It’s perfect, and she’ll want you all the more.”
He waggled the book in the air and then read, “You’re a rare blend of intelligence and beauty that I find irresistible, and I want to take the superficial relationship we’ve shared up until now to something deeper and meaningful…”
“See? Perfect.”
“It’s disgusting and untrue.”
“You said she’s smart.”
“I said she’s a driven bitch who would eat a man for breakfast.”
She choked. “I don’t remember you saying it like that, because I wouldn’t have added her to the list. And don’t call women bitches.”
“You women call each other that all the time.”
“My friends would never disrespect me that way, and I wouldn’t do it to them. That’s beside the point. Are you going to tell me you don’t think she’s beautiful?”
His gaze slid over her body, warming her. “I have to be me, Kenzie.”
“You asked for my help!”
He stood up, and she focused on the stiff shaft extending from his body. With no shame whatsoever, he strode into the bathroom naked. Damn, he has a nice ass.
“I’ll cancel and make a date with the next one,” he called from the bathroom.
She rubbed a hand over her burning eyes.
“Kenzie, come and shower with me. It will save time.”
“No, I don’t think I will. You might attack me in there. I’ll get one at home. Please call the car for me.”
No answer.
* * * *
By the time Kenzie got to work, the hour neared eleven. “I’m so sorry, Lisa. I got hung up. I will definitely make it up to you.”
Her friend smirked. “Uh-huh, you have the look of a woman who got some.”
“Shush!” Kenzie scarcely kept the laugh from bursting out. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Lisa set a plate of food on a table, took the number for the order, and walked back behind the counter, Kenzie following. “No? So why are you moving like you just did a twenty-mile run?”
“Maybe I did,” Kenzie quipped.
“Yeah, right.”
She had no intention of revealing how Easton had refused to call a car for her until she took a shower with him and then proceeded, just like she’d feared, to seduce her in there. She’d been powerless to resist his touch and his kisses. He hadn’t even entered her, which made him all the more intoxicating. Knowing she ached, he’d used his fingers on her clit while holding her against his chest. The man had brought her to two amazing orgasms and commanded she get on her knees and satisfy him. She’d been too eager to please him and had swallowed his yummy come before he let her up to wash off. Well, no more, she promised herself. He could take things seriously, or she was out.
Activity at the shop stayed high until late evening, when she got a breather. Most patrons had gone home, and when she heard one more ding of the bell a half hour before closing, she groaned.
Pasting a smile on her face, she turned to her customer. “Welcome to These Words—”
The man standing in the doorway was familiar to her by now, James, Easton’s driver. He held a garment bag over one arm, another bag in his hand, and an envelope.
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“James, hello,” she said, curiosity getting the best of her. “May I help you?”
He stepped forward and unfolded the garment bag to hand it to her. “Ms. Bridges, this is for you, as well as this.” He handed her the bag, which she saw on closer inspection held shoes. “The envelope will explain everything.”
She frowned and took the offered items to hang over the back of a chair. Tearing open the envelope, she called good night to the last customer and then removed the card stock within. “A charity event?”
She unzipped the garment bag, and Lisa, behind her, echoed her gasp at the beautiful silver evening gown. Fringes made of tiny beads dripped like icicles from the neckline, over the breasts, and just past the waist. More fringes were woven from thigh level on down to the floor, where the silky material of the dress ended. Kenzie ran fingertips over the soft material, and if she had to guess from the tapering of the design, the dress would be formfitting.
“Oscar de la Renta,” Lisa squeaked.
Kenzie looked up from the dress. “Huh?”
Lisa’s eyes were round. “The label says Oscar de la Renta. Can you imagine what an evening gown made by that man would cost? I’m thinking over ten thousand dollars.”
Kenzie snatched her hand away from the dress and took a step back. James coughed, and she peered at him. Something told her he meant to indicate the dress cost even more. “Oh, hell no. This is from Easton, isn’t it? Why did he buy it? Wait, is it a gift for his intend…uh…friend, because I think that’s moving a little too fast.”