“When I introduced you two, there was enough current in this room to supply the whole building.” He shifted, leaning both elbows on the counter and tilted his head to within inches of her face. “You were in the shower alone?”
“Sure. Right up until Craig joined me.” She said with muster, and more bravado than she felt. She snatched her empty cup and shoved Dennis out of her way.
“Whoa. Come back here. You don’t drop a bomb like that and strut away.”
“I don’t strut.”
“You strut.” He’d clasped her shoulders, his voice vibrated close to her ear.
Scrunching up her face, she glared her irritation as she tried to squeeze around him again.
He crossed his arms over his chest, planting himself firmly in her way. A familiar stance, one she knew quite well, signifying he wasn’t going to budge. She’d stared him down in the past many times, but he had the patience of a rock.
“Move it or lose it, buster.” She gave a push that resulted in nothing more than tightening her muscles.
“Did something happen?” His eyes glittered with suspicion.
“Right Dennis, we took a shower together. Before I even met the guy.” At least she could tell him that with confidence. They hadn’t shared the shower.
“Hey. You know I’m only kidding, right?” By his apologetic tone, he must have believed her. “It’s just that you both acted weird.”
She placed her cup on the counter, causing him to drop his hands from her shoulders. “I acted weird?”
“Well, maybe not you.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Look, if you want me to, I’ll speak to Craig.”
“You don’t need to do that on my account.”
“We’re buddies. I’ll pry, he’ll tell me or he won’t.”
“Great. Just leave my name out of it.”
“Not a chance.”
She fisted her hands and her temper flared.
“What?” He held up his hands in defense. “I talk about you all the time. He’ll notice if I don’t.”
Giving up, she dropped back down on her stool. Usually by the second cup of coffee, she was ready to greet the day.
“Do you remember I promised to take you shopping?” Dennis asked.
“I do remember. I thought you might conveniently forget.”
“Such a low opinion of me.” He scowled. “I like shopping.”
“Since when? I seem to remember our last shopping excursion. When you told me ‘Never again’.”
Dennis shook his head. “That wasn’t me.”
“Sure, Bart Simpson.” She took another sip of coffee and peaked over her cup. “You’re in a good mood this morning.”
“That’s because my favorite girl has come to town.” He rinsed his cup in the sink, then made a grand showing of opening the dishwasher. Looking directly at her, he held his cup forward, then pointed to a rack—a not so subtle hint. He was a hoot. He closed the dishwasher and held up one hand, fingers spread. “You’ve got five minutes.”
“I’ll be ready in two.” She ran from the kitchen, purposefully leaving her coffee mug on the counter.
Twenty-five minutes later, she strolled into the living room. “I’m ready.”
Dennis pulled his shirt sleeve back from his wrist, glared at his watch and then at her. “Right on time.”
“Did you have any doubt?” she said, as she slung her purse over her shoulder.
The sound of his laugh cheered her. “Come on. I’ll feed you first.”
After a divine breakfast at a pancake house, Dennis took her to a specialty clothing store for women. The display window housed several mannequins wearing some pretty classy dresses in white and black. The color of professional elegance. Kelly had a friend who worked in a clothing store where the only colors in their inventory were white and black. She hoped there was more color in this store.
The first thing she saw was gold and glass. Elegance at its best. Bold and bright, red, blue, green, and yellow were tastefully displayed in several fashions. Before she had a chance to take in the arrangements, they were greeted by a tall, willowy blonde bombshell in a figure hugging dress and five-inch heels.
“Good morning, Mr. Williams.” She had bright white teeth and a huge smile, just for Dennis.
The grin that split his face revealed his attraction to her as well. Dennis had the knack to appear a tad more innocent than a hungry wolf on the prowl. Kelly’s brows rose at the woman’s familiarity. She brushed against his arm in such a way that suggested the two knew each other quite well. Obviously, it didn’t matter that a female accompanied him.
“Good Morning,” he said in his sexy voice.
The woman finally met Kelly’s gaze. “Welcome to Madame Russe.”
“Thank you,” Kelly replied. At least she was pleasant. Maybe she saw a big commission.
“My name is Effie. Feel free to look around. If you need assistance, just let me know.” Then she turned back to Dennis as if Kelly didn’t exist.
She decided not to hang around while the two flirted, so she went off to explore on her own. She wandered to a wall of dresses, arranged as if they were hanging in a closet. Whoever had designed this place sure knew how to make it attractive.
“May I help you with anything?”
Kelly spun to find an attractive brunette with a welcoming smile.
“My name is Gina.”
“Hello, Gina. I’m Kelly.”
“If you are looking for something nice for an evening out, this is a wonderful selection.” Beautiful as well as nice. Kelly liked her immediately.
“Yes,” she said as she turned back to the collection. “These are quite lovely.”
“If you want to try anything on, I’d be happy to assist you.”
“Thank you. I think I’ll just browse for a while.”
A few minutes later, Dennis was at her side.
“Did you lose something?”
He looked puzzled. “I don’t think so.”
“The blonde hanging on your arm.”
“Jealous?” His brows wiggled. “She’s helping another customer.” He braced one hip casually against a wooden counter, his gaze fixed on a certain brunette, the one Kelly had just been talking to.
“I can see you’ve been here before.”
“Why would you think that?”
“For one thing, we came straight here like you knew exactly where you were going. And the staff seems to know you.”
“Guilty.” He volunteered no more information.
“Look, you don’t have to stay here while I find a dress. I don’t need a dress anyway. Let’s leave.” She spun on her heel and he grasped her arm.
“Nothing doing.”
“Why did you bring me here?”
“That’s a stupid question. What woman doesn’t want new clothes? You’re going to be here for a few weeks—”
“Two.” She held up two fingers, but he went right on, as if she hadn’t spoken.
“And we’re not sitting in the apartment every night.”
“But you’re bored.”
His brow arched to his hairline. “Bored? Me? In a room full of women?”
Kelly swatted his arm.
“Now get busy or I’ll pick out something for you.”
“All right, all right.”
Before long, she’d chosen several items to try. When she came out of the fitting room for an opinion, she found Dennis and the blonde with their heads close together. Kelly cleared her throat loud enough to get his attention.
“Dennis,” she called. “What do you think?”
He waved a hand in her direction, never taking his eyes from the beauty before him.
“Wonder if she works on commission
,” Kelly muttered on her way back to change. After deciding which ones to purchase, she came out and found Dennis casually leaning against one wall. He held a black slinky dress in one hand and a royal blue flimsy creation in the other.
“Look what I found.”
She couldn’t help but smile, the image replicating a little boy with a candy treat.
“Here.” He held the garments out to her. “Try these on.”
With one glance, she noted the sensual, sheer elegance of the fabric. She caught her breath at the smooth softness. “And just where do you think I’ll wear them?”
“As I told you in the car, I have plans.” He shoved the dresses in her arms, turned her around and gave her a little shove on the shoulders, sending her on her way.
When she returned in the black number, Dennis gave a long whistle. The slick material left her shoulders bare, with a slit in the back that seemed to go to the crack of her ass. Though risqué, a wicked sense of pleasure made her a tad giddy. A delicious sense of freedom, permitting wanton behavior in the one who wore it.
“That’s definitely you, Kel.”
“Think so?” She spun on her toes, wanting so badly to own it.
“Ask any man.”
The man who came to mind had flashing blue eyes and sleek black hair.
“Next?” Dennis’s voice jerked her back to the moment.
As she smoothed the blue dress over her thighs she gulped in wonderment. Sin was the word that came to mind. The slinky material hugged every curve and was so light it felt as if she wore nothing. This dress molded to her figure, clung to her like a second skin. She rotated, staring at her reflection in the mirror. The back draped from her shoulders, slinking down to gently rest on her buttocks, exposing her entire back. Any observer would be perfectly aware she wore no bra. Blue was her favorite color, the hue reminded her of dazzling blue orbs. She wondered if the shade would change color when Craig saw her in this.
When she stepped out of the dressing room wearing the blue creation, Dennis scowled and remained quiet. The silky material slithering against her skin puckered her nipples. Warmth flooded her. She raised her chin, fully intending to announce she could not wear this dress, and met Dennis’s stare.
He looked at her the way a man looked at his lover.
“I’m not getting this one,” she choked out. She quickly turned to flee back to the fitting room.
“Good.”
She stopped. “What did you say?”
“I said good. I agree. You absolutely cannot get that one.”
She didn’t like someone telling her she could not do something. “You picked it out,” she reminded him with a huff.
He shoved his hand through his blond hair. “I thought it would be sexy. But I had no idea you’d look like that.”
“Like what?” she asked, placing one hand on her hip.
He groaned. “If you wore that dress, you’d be attacked by every man who came within ten feet of you. And I am too busy to be protecting you, not to mention the physical exertion required in defending you. That would wear me out for other more pleasant bodily activities.”
The smile on his teasing face mollified her. “Gee thanks. For offering to be my bodyguard, and for saying I look good enough to need one.”
“Are you kidding? You nearly knocked my eyeballs out.”
The tall buxom blonde sauntered down the aisle behind Dennis, headed straight for him. When she reached his side, his playboy grin appeared again.
“That dress is stunning on you.” At least she didn’t act catty. Every woman in the store appeared friendly, although this clerk showed more interest in Dennis.
“Thank you.”
Effie turned, Dennis watching as she returned to the front of the store. Kelly laughed.
“She’s just your type.”
“Yeah? Maybe.” He glanced over to the brunette, Gina. “But, that one,” he let out a heavy sigh. “Legs all the way up to her shoulders.”
“Have you talked to her? She’s both pretty and nice. You can practice some of your mojo while I change.”
“There you go again. Leave it alone, Kelly. I can manage to make my own dates.”
“Knowing you, you’ve already got one with Blondie over there.” Kelly glanced over just in time to see Effie blow a kiss in his direction. “I rest my case.”
“Are you ready to leave?”
“Oh? I thought you loved shopping.”
“We have more stores to go to. I thought I’d take you to Vestique for some knockaround clothes.”
“And shoes. I need more comfortable shoes.”
“Definitely. Now hurry and change.”
~ ~ ~
Kelly dumped her packages on the couch. “Just how long do you think I’m staying? You spent a fortune on me today.”
“I especially like the orange bikini. Which you would not model for me.”
After the look he gave her when she’d modeled the blue dress, Kelly wasn’t showing any more skin. “Why bother? Your mind is still on the blond bombshell at the first store. I thought the brunette caught your eye.”
“She did. But the blonde got to me first.”
“And the redhead? Thought I missed her, didn’t you? I bet if you’d asked her, she would have modeled every bikini in the boutique.”
“Why are you so interested in my dates?”
“For crying out loud. You flirted with the sales clerk while picking out a bikini for me.” Kelly tilted her head and batted her eyelashes imitating the clerk. “She looked at you with goo-goo eyes and didn’t care if you had your girlfriend with you.”
Dennis paused with one bag still in his hand. “If you were my girlfriend, I would never have given her a second look.”
“Loyal to the girl of the moment. Admirable. But the clerk didn’t know I’m not your girlfriend. Not by the way you looked at her.”
“Actually, she was worth a second and a third look,” he chuckled.
“Just how many dates did you make today?” Kelly plopped on the couch.
“Only two. Normally I concentrate on one female at a time, but—” He gave a shrug. “—I couldn’t help myself.”
“You’re hopeless.”
“You sound jealous.”
“When are you taking them out?”
He leaned forward, caging her in, bracing his arms on the back of the leather. “What you need, Kelly, is a man in your life so you won’t have time to interfere in mine.”
“No thanks. I feel like I just had one.” She’d foolishly believed Robert’s lies. If she couldn’t trust her instincts, she certainly did not need any more men in her life.
Dennis scooted packages out of the way and fell into a spot beside her. Putting his arm around her, he clasped her head to his shoulder. “I’ll give him a black eye if you want.”
“I’d just as soon forget I went out with a married man.”
“Don’t beat yourself up. If you’d known—”
“I should have known,” she burst out. “How could I have been such a fool?” His hand cradled the back of her head, making her want to burrow into his chest, absorbing his compassion. She did just that, thanking her lucky stars that Dennis was in her life.
She’d never had anyone to hold her, console her, tell her she was safe. Not even her parents had time to comfort their daughter.
She’d never known this kind of devotion. What she had with Dennis was the most precious thing in the world. She would never do anything to jeopardize their relationship. Maybe that was why they’d never had sex, although he was one of the sexiest men she’d ever seen. There were a few times she’d been tempted, but the fear of losing his friendship weighed heavily on her mind. She considered him her only family member who cared. She wouldn’t take th
e chance of losing him because of something as meager as sex.
“Hey.” He hugged her tighter. “You came to me. You must have some smarts up there.” He tapped her head with his knuckles.
“Arrogant ass,” she mumbled.
He ran his hand up and down her back. “Time heals, Kel. Stay as long as you like.”
“Be careful what you wish for. I just might.”
“You won’t hear me complain.”
Chapter 5
Unwinding by the pool had been a great idea, so had coming to her best friend for support. Already Kelly’s stress over her last relationship was diminishing. Dennis had always been there for her and teasing him was simply entertaining.
“All right, Dennis. I saw that.”
“I’m asleep.”
“You’re not fooling anyone with those sunglasses.”
“Kelly, if I take off my shades, these beauties will know exactly who I’m ogling.”
“As if they don’t already know.”
“I haven’t made my mind up yet. Can’t decide which one.” A wolfish grin formed on his too handsome face. “I like them all. Besides, with sunglasses, they don’t know their face is not the part of their body I’m looking at.”
From where she and Dennis sat, she could see the entire length of the pool. “I don’t think they care.” Swimsuit model wannabes paraded around the water in their skimpy tops, barely covering their boobs, and thongs that left their butt-cheeks completely exposed. “Their intention is blatantly obvious, attracting a man.”
“I’m happy to oblige.”
She groaned. “Tenacious as ever.”
“You have no reason to be jealous. Not many have a body comparable to yours.” Dennis’s voice dripped honey.
“I’m not the one trying to catch your eye.” She wouldn’t mention the hours she’d put in at the gym back home to achieve her figure. Although, his compliment gave her a good deal of satisfaction.
“You don’t have to.” He sat up and pulled his shades down his nose so he could glare over the top of them. “My mind keeps playing back a luscious image of orange. That fellow at two o’clock dropped his jaw when you took off your wrap. What did you wear one for anyway?”
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