Page 38 of Capitally Engaged

“So, who are you really meeting?” I asked, nodding at the phone he tried to put casually face down on the table. Hunter considered me for a moment. “I’m your big brother. I’m allowed to worry,” I said, quoting Duncan. “I know you can take care of yourself, but if you’re meeting someone different from who you’re leading Hayden to believe...”

“It’s just this girl I met on Tinder. She likes that I’m only in town for the weekend, and I believe her when she says she doesn’t normally do the random thing. And she just told me... well, she seems really excited to meet up. I don’t have her name, but her username is WeatherGirl85.”

“Well, you know, just use protection, keep your location on, all that.” Hunter rolled his eyes at me. “God, do I sound like Duncan right now?” He laughed, while nodding. “Let’s get out of here before I tell you to open a Roth IRA or something.” We both stood and hugged before walking toward the exit.

“I’m going to hit the head before I leave. It was really good to see you, Hunter. And I’m proud of you.”

“Thanks, Prez,” he said. “That means a lot.”

“Now, get out of here, go get some,” I said, cringing as I heard myself and turning around before I could become even more of a cliché.

“You too, bro.” I heard Hunter call as I entered the men’s room. I stopped at the sink and looked at myself in the mirror. The only place I wanted to get some from right now was closed for business. Because in my slightly tipsy state, as I was alone inthis fancy-as-fuck restroom, I could admit it. I wanted my fake fiancée. And I had no idea what to do about it.

Chapter

Sixteen

Jax

Laurel indeed knew just the place, and all four of us dropped a good chunk of change in the little boutique she took us to that afternoon. Laurel and Caitlin kept their purchases a secret from each other. Michelle bought something for her meet up that night, which was definitely on. We all made plans to get drinks next week to hear all about it. Michelle’s night that was. Laurel would tell me at the office without much prompting, if I let her.

Now back at Preston’s apartment, the mimosas had practically worn off, and I was getting cold feet. I decided to try on what I bought again, the last item being a royal blue lace and silk nightie. The mirror in the bathroom cut me off at the waist, and I couldn’t get a full body view without contorting myself into a weird position. Not exactly the sexy image I wanted to portray. I checked my phone, and seeing nothing from Preston, decided to risk using the full-length mirror inside the coat closet in the entryway.

I opened the closet door and stepped back. Blue happened to be my favorite color because, yes, it did bring out my eyes. The fact that Preston had noticed made it a bonus. The lace onthe cups was a floral pattern, allowing just a glimpse of pink to show through. The long silk layers that started at the top of my rib cage flowed to just below my ass. Those pieces parted just above my navel if you pulled them in opposite directions, but fell almost demurely the way they hung right now.

“Okay, it’s a good look,” I muttered, my hands on my hips. “But what am I doing? We’re adults. Surely we can talk about this.”

Suddenly, a key sounded in the lock and a second later the outside door bounced off the closet door, rebounding back with a thwack.

“Ouch. Fuck!” It seemed that thwack was the door making contact with the person trying to enter.

“Shit, Preston, I’m sorry.” I shut the closet door, opened the front door, and pulled him inside. “Are you okay? Let me see.” I pulled his hand off his forehead where he was rubbing it, and saw a red welt forming. “I can’t see in this dim light. Come into the living room. Do you need some ice?”

I pushed the front door shut and dragged Preston into the living room where there was more light. It was then I noticed his eyes were zeroed in on my chest and I remembered what I was doing when he came in.

“What... what are you wearing?” Preston asked, his eyes tracing me from the hem of the skirt, up to one of the straps that had now fallen off my shoulder and onto my arm.

“Oh, this old thing?” I asked fixing my strap, trying to play it off. It didn’t work.

“We did some shopping after brunch and I was just, trying things on, to see if I wanted to take them back or not. A bit of buyer’s remorse, you know. Let me grab my robe, and then I’ll get you some ice.”

Preston grabbed my arm, stopping my motion and my rambling. “If you’re uncomfortable, by all means, cover up. Butyou don’t need to do so on my account. You look beautiful. I... I think it’s a keeper.”

My skin warmed from my cheeks through my chest at his praise. His eyes were on mine now, showing me the sincerity behind his words. It seemed I didn’t have to worry about seducing Preston. This was a man ready to be seduced.

I lightly pulled out of his grasp. “I’d feel a lot better about accepting that compliment if I knew for sure you weren’t concussed.” I grabbed my robe from the back of the bathroom door, tying the sash. “Sit down. I’m going to get you that ice.”

Preston sat, but his eyes burned, focused on my every move while I grabbed ice from the freezer, wrapped it in a towel, and brought it over to him.

“Here,” I said, offering him the bag of ice with one hand. Preston grabbed that hand, and pulled toward him, causing me to land on his lap. He arranged me so I straddled his legs, my face just above his.

“Here,” he echoed. “This way you can hold the ice on my forehead, and check out my pupils, or whatever other concussion tests you have in mind. But I promise, I’m fine.”

I licked my lips nervously, his eyes following the movement. His pupils did seem to be a normal size.

“What day is it?” I asked.

“It’s Saturday.”

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