Page 30 of Bargain With the Boss
She licked her lips. “I have work.”
“It will still be there in an hour.” I glanced down at my watch. I needed to be in the office soon, but I wanted to make sure she was fully invested in the clothing fun before I escaped.
And it was no hardship to see the pleasure build in her eyes as Ember fussed over her and made her see that clothes could work for her not make her feel bad about her body.
I was hoping to see the ivory and poppy dress, but I made sure to tell Ember to put it on the yes list and left her with instructions to put all the clothes on my tab. I’d started an account when I needed a few suits tailored. Ember wasn’t lying about her abilities. It saved me a trip into Manhattan more than once.
I stopped outside the dressing room door and my whole body tightened when she came out. She wore a cropped pink tank sweater with a pair of denim shorts that made me swallow my tongue. She looked younger with her hair pulled up into a high ponytail in deference to all the change of clothes.
“Wow.”
“I’m not sure why this ended up in the pile.”
“Because those legs make me want to say a few prayers.”
She frowned. “Why?”
“Because I need to ask for forgiveness for the ways I want to yank them off you, Duchess.”
She swallowed. “That’s very impertinent of you.”
I laughed. “I’m an impertinent guy sometimes.” I stepped into her space for a heartbeat. “But I do need to go into the day job. It’s a late one for me, but we can meet for a drink later.”
Her gaze drifted down to my mouth. “I’m sure I can find something to do.”
“I’d much rather find something to do with you.” My mouth was close to hers. “Damn responsibilities.” Then I moved back. “Take it all, Duchess.”
She frowned. “I’m not a duchess.”
“Are to me. So proud and proper and built to be treated like royalty.”
“You’re an ass.” But the flush of pleasure was undeniable along her cheeks and chest.
“More often than not.” I took another two steps back because I wanted like hell to move in closer. I’d scare her off and she’d shut down. Also, I liked the push and pull between us. I was used to taking what I wanted, but there was something to be said for a slow burn.
Her gaze tripped over my lips before defiantly meeting mine.
I grinned and turned away from her. “Take all of it, Syd. Especially those shorts,” I said over my shoulder.
I stopped in at the desk on my way out to make sure Ember’s staff had my information before heading back down to Sugar Rush for the sweet treats for my staff. I had the Japan call which would extend my workday.
I firmly put Sydney and those endless legs out of my head.
At least for a few hours.
Chapter 9
Sydney
I wanted to ignore Xavier’s high-handed orders.
He had a damn lot of nerve telling me to take the clothes like that. Just one more person who assumed I couldn’t think for myself.
I folded the shorts and a few items that Ember hadn’t marked for alterations. She even took the pants I was wearing, leaving me in a blue ankle length dress that flowed around me like water. It clung at my hips making me self-conscious. Ember even found me a pair of espadrilles that matched the summery look.
I was so used to heels,skirts, and trousers that the soft shoes and material felt...wrong. Like I was on vacation.
Not that I’d been on a vacation since I was nineteen years old. A few of my roommates in college had convinced me to go to a beach for a weekend. I’d ended up sunburned and hungover, but it was one of my few good memories of school. Being a rich kid surrounded by rich kids was just an endless stream of one-upping in clothes and grades.
