Page 117 of The Pucking Wrong Man

I didn’t try and get out on my own—I’d learned that lesson over the last few days.

We walked hand-in-hand through the front doors, and as I stared around the very fancy, elegant interior, I remembered I was still in my black work uniform...and I was pretty sure my hair smelled like hamburger.

I was very aware of what I looked like compared to him…

“I look ridiculous,” I hissed to Camden as he led me toward the front desk.

“Just relax, baby,” he said softly, pressing a light kiss on my neck that had me almost tripping over my feet. “You’re going to have fun.”

Before the modelesque receptionist could even speak to us, a loud, vivacious woman bustled around the corner. “You must be Anastasia!” she exclaimed, her voice ringing through the salon. Her brightly colored dress and sparkling jewelry was almost as dazzling as her personality seemed to be. “I’m Maria, and oh my, you are a pretty, pretty girl. Perfect for our Camden here. Geraldine is going to go crazy over you.” She shot a look at Camden. “Or has she already?”

There was that name again. Geraldine. I did not like how often Camden and Geraldine were mentioned together. At all.

“Okay, follow me. This is going to be great,” she gushed, taking my hand and pulling me away from Camden. I shot him a helpless what the hell is happening look, but he just winked at me—the gorgeous asshole.

Maria practically pushed me into a salon chair, and then four other employees were suddenly around me, gushing and cooing as they examined me—thankfully without mentioning that I smelled like fried food and grease. Maria pursed her lips as she studied me intensely for a moment.

“I’ve got it!” she suddenly squawked, making me jump. “Let’s begin.”

I was hustled to a sink where my hair was washed, and I received what would go down as the best head massage I’d ever had in my life. It was actually my first head massage, but I couldn’t imagine a better one. After my hair was clean, they all went to work, their hands moving skillfully through my hair, transforming it into soft waves. I closed my eyes as they applied makeup, feeling the light touch of brushes and powders. They painted my nails a delicate, shimmering shade of pink, their friendly chatter and Maria’s lively stories easing some of my tension.

Maria kissed two fingers, doing a little shimmy after my hair and makeup was done. “Stunning. Fabulous. I love it.” She winked at me. “He won’t be able to keep his hands off you!”

I squeezed my legs together at that thought. I’d seen how Camden reacted to me in a leotard, my hair a mess.

I wasn’t sure I could handle his reaction to this.

One of the employees appeared with a shiny, black garment back. She unzipped it revealing a deep-blue mini dress. I stared at it, stunned by its beauty. “For me?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Exactly what kind of date was Camden taking me on?

“Absolutely,” Maria said with a wink. “Let’s get you into it.”

They helped me change, and when I looked in the mirror, I barely recognized myself. The dress fit perfectly, hugging my curves in all the right places. I felt like a different person. Like instead of the streets, I’d stepped off the runway.

“Shall we do the grand reveal?” Maria trilled, clapping her hands together as she looked me over one last time.

“Yes,” I murmured, nervous anticipation fluttering in my stomach...and my core.

Taking a deep breath, I stepped out into the lobby. Camden was texting on his phone, an arm slung over the back of the chair beside him, lounging back like an arrogant god, his legs outstretched in front of him. When he looked up and saw me, a low growl ripped from his chest. The sound reverberated through me like he had a direct line to my clit.

His gaze roamed over me slowly, heating with each passing second. I did my best not to fidget.

“Give me a spin,” he ordered roughly. I could hear some of the girls whispering and tittering behind me, but I slowly spun, enjoying the feel of his eyes savoring every inch of my skin.

“Incredible,” he finally murmured, standing up. “I don’t know if we can go tonight.”

“Why?” I laughed, still wondering exactly where this date even was.

“I don’t want any other man to see you like this.”

I smirked, thinking he was joking.

He stepped closer, his eyes burning. “If anyone dares to flirt with you, Anastasia,” he rasped, a finger trailing down my arm and leaving goosebumps in its wake. “I might have to kill them.”

The intensity in his voice made me ache for him. I liked his possessiveness. I wanted Camden to own me, take care of me...keep me.

He grinned and it was like the storm parted, all traces of his intensity from just moments ago disappeared. “Shall we go?” he asked, offering me his hand.

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