Page 77 of Some Like It Hot

“It was amazing how she could transform from my mom into a completely new person. I asked her how she did it and she said that the makeup and hair and clothes helped. That when she dressed differently, she felt different.”

“That makes sense,” I say. “When a call comes in and we all get into our gear, it’s like a switch flips. We go from just guys and girls to firefighters. Our gear is obviously functional, keeping us safe, but being in it also helps with focus and mindset.”

Elise’s eyes sparkle a little when she looks at me. “Exactly. When I was in high school, I discovered the pinup look because of a show my mom did. It just hit me. It was absolutely my style. It was the first thing I really felt good in. So I started trying to create the look myself at thrift stores and using what I had. Then I got into making pieces. And as I got further into design and making my own, I discovered the modeling circuit. I met amazing people, and I got a huge confidence boost.” She smiles. “There’s nothing like the feeling of being up on stage and showing off something you’ve created.”

As she talks, her entire face lights up. She is passionate and animated and I wish I could take a picture and capture the moment.

“Here,” I say, handing her a gorgeous red dress I noticed as soon as we walked into the shop. “Try this on. I want to buy it for you.”

“I can make this for a fraction of the cost,” she laughs, fingering the tag.

“I’m sure. But this way you can wear it to dinner tonight.”

Her eyes widen. “Where are we going for dinner? This is a little overkill.”

“I’ll send a photo to Simon and tell him to match up the venue with how you look. I guarantee he’s going to want you in the dress. Dinner will be a very secondary concern.”

She blushes prettily, but I can tell that the compliments matter. I hope she knows every one of them is genuine.

“Try it on,” I urge. I might not have a credit card with a limit like Armstrong’s, but I can splurge on this girl.

She shakes her head. “You are not buying me this dress.”

“I am.”

“Aidan, you don’t have to.”

I step closer to her. “Would you let Simon buy it?”

“I would protest.”

“But it would be easier to let him buy it.”

She sighs. “Yes.”

“Would you let Blake buy it?”

She pauses, then nods. “Probably. Mostly because he wouldn’t ask, he’d just do it.”

“Then you have to let me buy it. I am going to get just as turned on looking at you in it, imagining stripping you out of it,” I tell her, lifting my hand and tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “And if I buy it for you, that means I get to be the one to undress you. And take the first taste of everything that’s underneath.”

She takes a shaky breath. “That only seems fair, I guess.”

“Please do this for me. Don’t let those guys have an unfair advantage when it comes to dressing and undressing you.”

She laughs softly, breathlessly. “Is that the rule?”

“If you let me buy this dress it is,” I say. I love teasing her. I love making her blush. I love making sure she knows that she is the most gorgeous woman I have ever seen.

“Well, if it’s a favor to you….”

“Exactly. And this dress is really hot, isn’t it?”

She looks down at it. “It’s fire engine red hot.”

“It sure fucking is.”

She presses it against her chest, then lifts up on tiptoe and presses a kiss against the corner of my mouth. Then she turns and heads for the dressing rooms.

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