“I think Ash would take you in a burlap sack with dirt on your
face. But if you’ll be spending more leisure time with him, you’ll
want some new boots and a few tops and jeans, at least. Rosemary
and Bernadette will know what you need. When it slows down at
noon, why don’t you run over there for a little while? You wouldn’t
even have to worry about stopping to eat since we just finished with
lunch.”
“Okay. But do you think I should wear the dress tonight?”
“With the black stiletto pumps? Definitely. He’ll love walking in
there with you on his arm all dressed up.”
128
Heather Rainier
Chapter Twelve
Juliana leaned into the mirror over the lavatory in the women’s
restroom, refreshing her makeup after changing into her evening
clothes. Walking in twenty minutes before, she’d felt a strange
mixture of bedraggled and keyed up. She’d sat on the couch in the
outer rest area and massaged her legs and feet for a few minutes,
which helped a lot, and then she’d gone in to change clothing.
Her normal habit was to wear pantyhose under dresses and skirts,
but she wanted to go the extra mile for Ash tonight. Juliana had
noticed that as she hooked the garter belt and slipped the stockings up
her legs that her fresh lace thong was already a little damp. Smiling,
she wondered what Ash would think when he found out what was
underneath her little black dress later tonight. Oh, the possibilities.
She drew the slinky black dress on and zipped the zipper then
slipped on her killer black, patent stiletto heels. The stockings were
nude with a hint of sparkling sheen to them, and she thought they
accented her legs well. She smiled again, thinking she’d know in a
few minutes whether she was right.
After finishing with touching up her makeup, she stopped and
assessed herself critically in the full-length mirror. The dress fit her
well, accentuating her small waist and hourglass figure. The ultra-
high heels made her legs look even longer. She fluffed her hair a little
and gathered her work clothing and purse and headed out the door,
back down the hallway to lock up her office for the night.
She checked her watch, and her heart pounded a little, knowing
that he was probably there already, waiting for her. She could hear the
Spurs and Heels
129
sounds of employees coming back from the sales floor with their cash
register tills and sales receipts.
Juliana slung her evening bag on her shoulder and walked down
the hallway to the bookkeeper’s office to tell Evelyn goodnight and
also to get her opinion on the outfit.
Evelyn clapped her hands as Juliana modeled for them. “He’s
waiting out front. I let him come in when I locked the front door.
You’ll knock him dead. Go have lots of fun. Dance a waltz for me
and George.”
Juliana hugged her and bid her good night. Exiting the hallway,
she heard his voice at the front of the store as he visited with
someone. As she approached the turn to walk up the main aisle, she
noticed several employees were waiting to be let out.
Great, an audience.
Her employees were used to seeing her in no-frills, professional
attire.
She could do this.
Damn it, has the main aisle always been this long?
Catwalk, Juliana. You can do this.
She retrieved her key ring from her evening bag as she turned the
corner up the aisle, her heart fluttering as the conversation up front
suddenly stopped. She grinned to herself and walked up the aisle
imagining his internal reaction to her dressed like this. She made her
way smoothly down the store aisle as she met Ash’s riveted gaze and
smiled.
* * * *
Hot. Holy. Hell.
All conversation ceased around him as she walked—no, sauntered
toward the front door. He’d known she might dress up but hadn’t
known what to expect. Hell, if she was strutting up the aisle in ratty
blue jeans and a T-shirt, he’d still be getting hard.
130
Heather Rainier
It was the look in her eyes that did it. She drilled him with those
pale, wolf-blue eyes, and he lost track of all other sensory input.
Smiling at him as she walked up, Juliana slid her key into the
deadbolt lock on the front door then allowed everyone to exit, wishing
them a good night.
When the door shut on the blustery breeze outside, she turned to
him.
“Hi.”
“Hello, gorgeous. You’ve got me a little tongue-tied, darlin’.” He
twirled his index finger so she’d show off her outfit to him.
“You like it?” She slowly turned for him, and he groaned when he
noted the seam on the back of her stockings.
She’s wearing a g–g–garter belt and stockings.