“I just…Look, Mr. Carrington. I can’t leave this place. I won’t be able to find anything comparable in this area. My store won’t survive. My clients will not follow me if the location isn’t superb.”
“The quality of your products suggest otherwise,” he said. He picked up a pair of handcuffs and turned the key. The cuff clicked open in the silence and something inside of her quivered with arousal. Where was her music when she needed it? Perhaps her body wouldn’t be so attuned to the man if there was music to fill the void.
“Thank you,” she said. “But you don’t understand. Even if I were lucky enough to find a location in this area, I don’t have the financial resources required to start something new. Not in a place as nice as this.”
He clicked the cuff shut and set them back on her table. If he dared reached for a vibrator, she was going to scream.
“I’ll give you back your deposit. Assuming everything is left in ready condition.” His arm went out and grasped a little product that could easily be confused with a computer mouse. She reached out too, hoping to grab the item before he did so she wouldn’t have to scream.
“What’s this?” he asked as he gripped the vibrator in his hand.
Dear God, why her? Why did the most-gorgeous, arrogant man alive get dropped into her lap with the most-awful news of her life? And now this?
“It’s…well, it’s a vibrator.” Jillian swallowed.
“Is that so?” Cole asked. He turned his head examining the oval product, seeming completely indifferent to what part of the anatomy it was used on. He pushed the button and it buzzed to life. His eyes widened. “It’s powerful.”
“Very much so.” She blushed. “It has different levels, too.” She reached over and pressed the button twice causing the toy to pulse to a higher degree. They stood like that for a few seconds, her hovering so close to him she could smell his peppermint breath and he angled against her as the oval egg vibrated in his large palm.
He pressed the button a few times and the product went still. This time when he met her gaze, his eyes glinted with something naughty and inviting and she refused to believe that was the case. She tried to ignore the tingle in her toes. He was in a suit, for crying out loud. Ready to kick her and her boutique out of the place they’d been in for the past three and a half years.
“Mind if I take a look upstairs at the office and patio?” he asked as he set the egg down.
“I don’t mind. You’re the owner. Do what you’d like.” She shoved the intimate moment away hating the reality of what was going to happen to her and The Peekeasy. All her inventory in the basement, as well as everything on display, including the Pleasurable Selfies corner. Dear God, she was going to have to work at lightning speed to try to find something else or she was going to be up to her eyeballs in lace, leather and dildos.
He stepped back and allowed her to move ahead. Even though it was only four in the afternoon and she didn’t normally close the boutique until seven, she locked the front door and turned her sign from OPEN to CLOSED. She could feel his smoldering eyes on her with every step she took and decided the attraction she felt was only because it’d been a while since she had anything close to intimacy in a long time.
He was a man. In a suit. With extraordinary green eyes that reminded her of some grassy knoll along a river bank. And he had nice, thick eyebrows to go along with his nice, thick fingers. What else did he have that was nice and thick? I’d like to find out. No. She shook the thought from her head.
“Follow me then,” she said tersely even though she was feeling anything but.
She gripped the metal railing and made her way up the black set of stairs, with him trailing behind her. She purposefully added more pep into each step she took on the chance that he was appreciating the view. She didn’t work out every day, but her butt and thighs were tight, mostly. There was that little area on her right thigh that didn’t seem to budge no matter what she did but otherwise…
“It’s pretty bare up here,” Jillian said as she stepped aside. The room was large and open. Like downstairs, the paneling and shelving were done in white trim. Built-in book shelves took up the entire wall opposite of them. A large crystal chandelier hung above her thrift-store-found oak table that she’d taken the liberty of painting a striking silver hue that played well with the railing from the stairs. On the side closest to them was a small kitchenette equipped with a stainless steel mini fridge and matching microwave, a sink and more cabinets.
“I don’t remember it being so open,” he remarked.
It still irked her that Cole had come in here, obviously without her knowledge, and got to look around an area she took pride in calling her own. Granted, half the shelves up here were somewhat bare—a few vases, more toys and loads of books that still didn’t take up much space—but it was still hers. She spent more time here than at her home. Tasha clearly hadn’t any qualms about letting him in either, which only fueled Jillian’s anger. Be professional.
“It helps with the windows opening to the south.” She leaned against the railing and watched as he made his way around the room. He stared intently at the space, checking out the light fixtures, walking along the row of shelves that lined the wall and she guessed, he was giving everything one final look-over since he was the new owner.
“Can I ask what you plan to do with the place, since you aren’t renewing my lease?” Jillian asked in a quiet voice that didn’t show her anger. Hurt, yes.
He turned and faced her and that remorseful look was in his eyes once again. “I’m opening a store here.”
“What kind?” she questioned, already gathering it would be some kind of store based upon its location.
“It depends. I own a larger corporation that is the parent to a bunch of smaller retail businesses. I specialize in women’s fashion.”
“What kind of women’s fashion?” she asked through clenched teeth, not liking the general answers.
A much-too-charming smile graced his face. “All kinds. But I think you’ve hit the nail on the head for what this place is best suited for. Lingerie.”
Disbelief flooded her entire body. Was he serious? “You’re joking.”
“No, actually, I’m not.” He had the decency to look away from her.
“Who are you?” she demanded. “How could you do this?”
“It’s business, Ms. Winters. I’m the owner of Deluxe Posh which, like I said, is a larger corporation that oversees a lot of smaller retail businesses in women’s fashion.”
“I’ve heard of it,” she said.
“Good. Then I’m sure you’ve heard of Lacie’s Lingerie. This location is going to be perfect for it. Especially since you’ve already molded it to fit my needs.”
Ashley’s Playlist
That saying, “Music is Life” - Yeah, that’s definitely me.
~Ashley Bostock
Pour Some Sugar on Me
You Give Love a Bad Name
Move
Pony
Takin’ Care of Business
Perfect Symphony
That’s Amore
Like a Wrecking Ball
Let’s Get It On
Nobody
Not To Miss!
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Also by Ashley Bostock
IRRESISTIBLE BILLIONAIRES
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NOTHING BUT TROUBLE
ALL S
HOOK UP
THE SNOW BALL - a novella
WORK FOR IT
THE VALENTINE’S DAY WEDDING - a novella
LOVE BY DESIGN
PLAYING FOR KEEPS
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LOVE IN LONE STAR SERIES
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WET
WILD
WICKED
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GIRLS WITH GUNS SERIES
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GUN SHY
TRIGGER HAPPY
PISTOL WHIPPED
PACKIN’ HEAT
About the Author
Ashley Bostock was born and raised in Colorado where she currently resides with her husband, two children and her animals. She loves reading, writing, and music and is always trying to find more time in the day to incorporate all three.
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Seeking an outlet and pursuing her life-long passion for writing, she began composing her first novel in 2013. She has traveled all over the world, but still has an extensive list of places she would love to visit. Anywhere near a sky-blue ocean will always be at the top of that list.
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She carries a Bachelor’s Degree in History with a concentration in Elementary Education from Metropolitan State College of Denver. While she loves children, she now fears teaching, which probably has something to do with being a stay-at-home mom.
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She would love to connect with you on her social media pages!
Nothing But Trouble Page 22