Page 53 of Tempting as Sin
Six.Bailey, who wasn’t technically occupying the shop. She was in the back room drinking a smoothie that Lily had brought from home in a thermos, keeping Chuck company, and reading a book about Australian animals.
“He’s probably nervous, and starved, too, because he couldn’t even have breakfast,” Bailey had told Lily when she’d arrived this morning to find the girl already waiting. “I bet he knows something’s going to happen. He probably thinks we’re going to kick him out again.” She’d dressed in her new sky-and-stars-patterned tee and gray drawstring fleece shorts and was looking cute at last, except for her haircut. Even the faded black Converse sneakers with their white toe caps looked better, like it was a look and not the only choice.
Lilyhadto do something about the haircut, though. About laundry, too. She just hadn’t figured out how to make it seem accidental. She was also going to have Bailey make herself another T-shirt and pair of shorts this afternoon. After that, she’d work on the rest.
As for Chuck—Lily didn’t think “nervous” was in his emotional repertoire, but having Bailey back there with him meant he wasn’t barking.
Six people, plus two. She was doing the job she loved, helping women feel beautiful, keeping her eye on everything and everybody, pulling out garments for Maggie. Nothing too out there, but maybe an Adorable push-up demibra in black lace that would offer her breasts up in a way her rancher would never, ever be able to resist. She picked that up, then a Natori set, and along the way, she straightened a nightgown here, a stack of lace thongs there.
That was what she was doing when Rafe and a tall, lean man with a bony, interesting face walked through the door and brought the count up to ten.
“Whoa,” Maggie said. “They’ve either got the wrong store, or the right one. Hello, sailor. That is one good-looking man.”
“I thought you were crazy about your rancher,” Lily said, fighting the urge to (a) fuss with her hair, or (b) wipe her hands on her skirt. There were beads of sweat forming around her hairline, she was sure, and her hair felt too hot even piled on top of her head.
“I am,” Maggie said. “Looking’s not a crime. And, yes, he’s too young for me. Do I know him? I swear he’s familiar. I never forget a face. I can’t afford to. But…”
“New in town,” Lily said, glad that Rafe was still wearing his sunglasses, plus a blue-and-white plaid shirt that hid some of his musculature. And yet he still pulled her as if he had some kind of tractor beam, the same way he’d gathered an entire room full of people into his orbit during their karaoke night. He was moretherethan everybody else, and it was more than looks. It was star power.
One of the Sinful Inn women came out of the back, accompanied by Hailey with a most comforting armful of garments, the margin on which would be paying the lease for a while. Lily told Maggie, “Let me put these into a fitting room for you,” and then said to Rafe, “Hi. I’ll be out in a moment.”He’s here for Chuck,she told herself.That’s all.
It took more like five minutes, but Rafe and his friend were still there when Lily came back again. Standing near the front of the shop and not seeming a bit put out by their surroundings, or by the curious glances of the customers, either, whom Hailey was ringing up one after the other. Lily had been right about the twentysomething girls. Two pairs of underwear, their daring indulgence. They’d chosen well, though. Hailey held one up to fold it, and Rafe stared at it like he was mesmerized.
“Hi,” Lily said, coming up to join him. “What?”
“Uh…” Rafe said, and nodded towards the register. “I’m trying not to be sleazy, as you know, but whatisthat?”
“Ah. I’ll show you.” Lily took them over to the far wall and pulled a garment off the rack. The black briefs weren’t cut low in any way, although they were cut high in the legs. They’d look reasonable otherwise, though. From the front. At the back, they laced in a criss-cross pattern all the way up, and that lacing wasn’t intended to close up any gaps at all. “You get a major vee of derriere here, see?” she told Rafe. “Right up the middle. What do you think? The laces tie in a bow. I know how much you like bows.”
Should she not be flirting with him, still? Too bad. He wanted to be casual? This was her casual. It was her job. The other guy just looked mightily amused, and anyway, she recognized him for what he was. Hollywood assistant, and good at it.
“Yeah,” Rafe said. “I think I’ve got it. Holy hell. Another experiment?”
“Yes, in fact,” she said. “They’ve sold well, though. Not un-classy, just a nice little surprise when she turns around, right? Also, good job on the ‘holy hell.’ Much better at staying in character.” She smiled at him in a most professional way and hung the garment up again, then offered the other man her hand. “Hi. I’m Lily. I’m guessing you’re Martin.”
“That’s right,” he said. “I’m the dog wrangler today, since the werewolf here is keeping a low profile. Besides, the vet might try to give him a rabies shot. Heishalf animal, after all. Probably why his horse hates him. And you look exactly like your sister. It’s a little eerie. I finally met her last week, did she tell you? Funny lady. Scary lady. That way she looks at you, like she could take you down with no trouble at all, so you’d better watch your step.”
“Mm,” Lily said. “Paigeispretty awesome. How did the werewolf do today? He looks a little dusty again.”
“Hey,” Rafe said. “The werewolf is standing right here. And, no, I did not fall off. I may be uncomfortable, but that’s not because I fell off.”
“Oh?” she asked. “What did you do?”
He was scowling. Too bad it looked good. “I cantered. The horse bounces.”
She laughed out loud, and Hailey looked over. “Yes,” Lily said, “it does. A little uncomfortable?”
“You cannot imagine,” he said, and Lily laughed again.
Oh,she remembered.Maggie. Whoops.She headed back there. Her head may have been spinning a little.Breathe,she told herself. This was her new life, and she was the only one in charge of it.
“How are you doing?” she called in to Maggie. “Need another size?”
Maggie opened the curtain a crack. “These are those last ones you chose. What do you think?”
“I think your rancher’s going to think it’s his lucky day,” Lily said. “If he’s a breast man, he isgone.”Because—yes. Demibra, and Maggie’s white breasts pushed up to the max and showing themselves off? Her new man would have his hand there, and then he’d have his mouth there. You bet he would.
“Let’s say I’ve caught him looking at the girls a time or two,” Maggie said. “I’m taking them off and coming out. Is Mr. Wonderful still out there?”
