Page 26 of Sexy Bad Valentine

It’s probably the better of the three dates we’ve filmed. Maloney sits in the middle of the store with a red bow tie around his collar and a pair of angel wings attached to his back. Couldn’t quite manage a diaper though.

Evie is in one of the dressing rooms trying on the first of about five costumes Kelly helped her pick out. She’s been all grins and laughter the entire time. Is this the guy she’s going to end up picking? Pete, Maloney’s owner, actually did seem like the nicer of the three potential dates. And he’s clearly fun. The idea of her choosing him puts me in a bad mood.

“What do you think?” She steps out of the dressing room in a gown that makes her look like a princess. My jaw comes unhinged, drops to the floor. I’m almost thankful she’s looking at Maloney when she asks because I’m not sure I could form the words to tell her how beautiful she is.

Maloney barks twice. Maybe that’s his way of saying yes. Though I have nothing to compare it to.

“Can you sit with the dog?” The photographer that joined us when we got to Fantasy Costumes asks. “Let’s get some photos, so you can remember this date.”

“Great.” She kneels on the floor, and the man makes a few quick adjustments to the way the skirt of the dress sits before he starts snapping away. After that she tries on the rest of the costumes one after the other, each including a photography session with Maloney the Cupid dog. Aphrodite, Queen of Hearts, an Angel.

“Last one,” she says getting off the floor after the photographer steps back.

The crew mills around while we wait for her to come out. A few minutes pass and Maloney starts barking repeatedly.

Kelly goes to the changing room to check on her. Christ, what is going on in there? I almost join them. Almost. But I’m not sure after the costumes I’ve seen so far, I’ll be able to pretend like it doesn’t kill me that she’s enjoying some other guy’s idea of a fun date.

Finally the curtain parts and she steps into the main room. Everyone goes silent. My brain melts and my dick gets rock hard. I fight the urge to grab the closest garment, which happens to be the drapes behind me, so I can wrap her in it head to toe.

“What do you think?” She curtsies, her gaze locked with mine while she shows way, way, way too much of her inner thigh to a room full of men who I may now want to blind.

The red and black burlesque costume is tiny, and will star in my fantasies for a long time to come. Amazing, sexy, gorgeous, perfect, mine, be mine. My mouth is parched, words won’t come.

Maloney jumps up from his spot in the middle of the room and zips toward her. And then like it’s all happening in slow motion he grabs her leg with his forelegs and starts humping it.

“Oh no, no, no,” she tells him as she tries to pry him loose.

The camera guy is snapping photos, and the crew are filming. And maybe Pete isn’t going to steal Evie out from under my nose after all.

I stride across to her and clip the lead back on the mutt, growling out an order for him to sit.

“I can’t believe he just did that.” She chuckles, but it’s hollow. “This date was going so well too.”

“You are mind-blowing in that costume, Evie. Three quarters of the room wanted to do exactly what Maloney did.”

“You think?” She blanches.

“I think you’re the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen. In and out of this.” I finger the lace fringe at her hip, then, recalling where we are, drop it. At least for now I need to pretend I’m not completely smitten by her.

“Okay, okay. Let’s wrap up here.” Kelly claps her hands to get everyone’s attention. “Evie, can you ride back with Max? I have something I need to attend to.”

I don’t think I’ve ever appreciated my assistant more than I do right now.

“Okay,” Evie agrees while everyone else files out of the shop. “I’ll just go and get changed.”

“I’ll be waiting,” I tell her, and I mean it. Not just waiting to take her back to her car or my apartment or my bed, or for this whole ridiculous charade to wind up. But for her to fall for me. I’ll wait as long as it takes.

Once she disappears behind the curtain, I quickly pick up a few items and get the cashier to ring up the purchase. By the time she joins me dressed in her usual jeans and jacket, I’m holding a bag of Valentine themed paraphernalia. Including a pair of wings that would make Cupid jealous.

“What did you buy?” she asks as we leave the shop and head toward my car with Maloney leading the way.

“Wings. I thought I might dress Barclay up for Valentine’s and take some photos. My sister will get a kick out of it.”

“He’ll look adorable.” She laughs. “Though he’ll probably eat them.”

“Definitely.” I nod, stowing the bag in the trunk before I get Maloney into the back seat. “You should come over tonight. Watch me try to get them on him in the first place.”

“Maybe.” She licks and bites at her lip.

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