AllFreeNovel
Share Us
You’ll do anything to avoid admitting you want to see Big Red, won’t you?
“You say that now, but you’ll get so engrossed in your work, you’ll forget all about making me the center of your universe. I can’t have that.”
If only she knew. “I promise I—”
“Not good enough. Pack an overnight bag. I’m picking you up tonight.”
“I’ll be ready.” I breathe a little easier at knowing I have a legitimate reason not to bump into Cameron. If more crop up in the meantime, who am I to argue with fate?
While Jazzy talks, I check my surroundings. The path to the boutique is clear.
“Yeah, um Jazzy”—I shoulder the phone, hunch over to hug my body tight to prevent my twin spires from eagerly clapping each other, and exit the car in an uncoordinated dance to get to safety before anyone else I know sees me—“That all sounds great. I’ll see you tonight, but I’ve got to go now. Love you, bye.” I hang up without giving her a chance to prolong the conversation and haul ass to the boutique’s entrance.
Steps away from safety, relief washes over me as I reach out to the door handle.
“I thought I saw you just now.” Pedro’s voice coming from out of nowhere causes me to trip over my feet. I catch myself in the nick of time to avoid him from catching me and finding out what I’m hiding.
“Have you by chance spoken to your grandmother this morning?”
I keep my back to him. “Which one?”
“Ony—both of them. I wanted to make sure they aren’t suffering any ill effects from last night.”
I narrow my eyes at his reflection in the glass door. Is his dismissal of my glamma’s many overtures an act? If I had time, I would prod him, but preventing my embarrassing situation from worsening is more pressing.
“Can we discuss this at our lunch later? I’m in the middle of a minor emergency.” Without waiting for his agreement, I dart inside, leaving him with a perplexed frown on his face.
I swear if one more person gets between me and decent underwear, I’m going to land in Sheriff Preston’s jail for attacking someone. Silvie, who runs the boutique, raises her head at the sound of the bell from my hasty entry. “I knew it was only a matter of time before you crossed my door.”
I breathe a sigh of relief when I realize I’m the sole customer among the racks of lingerie. The pretty brunette rounds her cashier to hug me, but I raise my hand, forestalling her from getting too close.
“Sorry, I’m having a wardrobe malfunction. Let’s air hug now. Next time I’ll give the full deal.” I send her a one-armed air hug while never loosening my hold around my chest.
“Okay…” She steps back and assesses me. I can feel her gaze cataloging the arm pressing into my breasts and the other held tightly against my leg. “I don’t know what got you into whatever situation you’re in and I honestly don’t want to know, but I’m here to help.”
“I would hug you right now if not for erm…well, I need aserviceablebra and panty set. Nothing fancy or sexy. You should have my measurements on file. They haven’t changed.”
“Sweetheart, are you forgetting what I sell? My merchandise is art. You want serviceable, go custom order that beigey mess somewhere else. Here, you get lace, silk, and even fur masterpieces to wear. And you best believe that sexy is where shit starts.”
“I stand corrected. Will you help?”
Silvie twists her lips. “Of course I’ll help. I have just the thing and will ring you up now. You won’t even have to waste time browsing.”
“I would marry you if it didn’t mean having Ashley come after me with a butcher knife.” I hand her my card to expedite matters.
“You’d be lucky if that’s all she came at you with. My girlfriend doesn’t handle rivals well.” She leaves me to head toward her storage area.
With my decision made for me, I admire the various items in Silvie’s store. A set catches my eye, and I finger the material. Sexy, fancy, and way too hot, but it tempts me nonetheless.
If you weren’t such a prude, this little black and red number would be perfect for finishing what you started this morning with that fine tenant of yours.
I drop my hand and turn away from the enticing lingerie and head over to the robes. Silvie soon returns with a pretty pink bag tied with an elegant bow. We say our goodbyes with me promising to meet her and Ashley for dinner next week.
There’re no people milling outside so I hurtle myself toward my car in an improved imitation of how I made it into the boutique. This time no one stops me. Things run a lot smoother as I go to the laundromat until I open the package from Silvie’s.
Hot damn! I always knew Silvie was the shit. This is even sexier than the number you were looking at.
The universe is against me. It must be. What else explains the constant bombardment of Cameron reminders? Defeat weighs on my shoulders. Returning to Silvie’s isn’t an option and there’s no time to find an alternative before my lunch with Pedro. Resigned to my fate, I wash the items and try not to envision Cameron’s green eyes darkening as he sees me in my new purchase.
