Crashed (Entangled Indulgence)(45)

He wanted to see her in these sexy, kick-ass boots, and nothing else. Talk about torturing himself.

“Silver studs, Deacon? I didn’t think they were your style.”

He turned at the sound of his ex-wife’s voice, taking in her appearance. There was no trace of the emotional breakdown from his office that morning. She was perfectly put together, not a hair out of place. Tammy stood beside her, a vicious smile lifting her glossy red lips. “I’m surprised to see you out and about, Emily. I take it you’re feeling better?”

She straightened her shoulders. “Don’t tell me you’re concerned.” She looked at her friend, then back to him. “And how is it any of your business?”

“It’s not, you’re absolutely right.” He turned his back on them and headed to the dressing rooms just as Alex stepped out in the purple satin slip dress she’d spotted as soon as they’d walked in. Shit. She looked amazing. The woman stole his breath.

Her nose crinkled in a cute way that made him want to pull her into his arms and never let her go. “What do you think? Not too short, too clingy?”

Her face was flushed with pleasure. That expression on her face was the reason he’d planned this excursion. Alex had grown up with nothing, even when her parents were alive, and after, well, she’d worn other people’s castoffs, and he remembered a time or two when she’d been forced to wear boys’ clothes.

She’d been through a lot, had suffered unimaginable pain in her life. She deserved nothing but the best now, and he wanted to be the one to give it to her. He wanted to put that look of pleasure on her beautiful face every day. “You look spectacular. You take my breath away.”

Alex’s blush intensified, and his protective instincts fired to life. He wanted nothing more than to make her believe it. Make her see herself the way he saw her. She was a knockout in a designer dress, but she was just as stunning in a pair of cutoffs and a tank top.

She screwed up her face. “You think?”

He stepped closer, couldn’t stop himself, and cupped her face. “You are—always have been—the most exquisite woman I have ever laid eyes on. You’re beautiful, Alex, inside and out.”

She shook her head, and her long dark hair slid over her shoulder, brushing the back of his hand. She inhaled deeply, eyes bright. “Deacon—”

“Alex?” Emily’s voice came from behind him, and he cursed.

Seeing Alex looking like that, he’d momentarily forgotten his ex-wife and her friend were in the shop.

Alex’s gaze darted over his shoulder and stuttered before she crossed her arms. “Wow…Emily, hey. Long time no see.”

His ex strode forward, and he recognized the look in her eyes. This was the side of Emily that had eroded their relationship in the beginning.

“Well, I’ll hand it to you, your persistence paid off. It looks like you got what you wanted in the end.”

“Emily,” he growled and stepped in front of Alex, blocking his ex’s line of fire. “Do not say another damn word.”

“God, you’re so blind. I told you this morning, she’s not good enough for you,” Emily said in a surprisingly calm voice. “It’s your money she’s after. You know that, right?”

He heard Alex suck in a sharp breath behind him a second before she charged forward. “You spiteful cow.”

He grabbed Alex around the waist and hauled her back.

“Have you finished?” he said to Emily, looking down at her and wondering what he’d ever seen in her. And how the hell he’d ever escape the twisted cycle they were locked in, allowing this woman to mess with his life. Emily shrugged, looking extremely pleased with herself. Her gaze moved to Alex, and she smirked.

When he turned to face Alex, he knew why. The look on her face terrified him, made his gut twist. What are you thinking, baby? Emily was a bitch, but Alex had dealt with far worse.

Jesus, he needed to get her away from these vultures. “Would you mind giving me a minute alone with Emily?” Alex didn’t say a word, just pulled out of his arms and headed back to the dressing room. Her easy compliance alarmed him more than anything else.

“Oh, look, she’s obedient as well,” Tammy said.

He spun around and pinned his ex-wife’s friend with a look that had silenced more than one asshole in the boardroom. “You’re a nasty—”

“Deacon.” Emily placed her hand on his arm and squeezed, successfully cutting him off. She stared up at him, the wounded innocence back, plastered on her face. It took all his control not to shake her off, shove her away. “I’m just worried about you, that’s all, darling.” Then she took her friend’s arm and left the shop.