Page 9 of A Summer of New Beginnings
She had no idea of the meaning of some of what he’d said but he seemed enthusiastic enough and she trusted him, so she figured if he, the expert, was happy then so was she. Next it was on to clothing.
Shewas instructed to sit down by the fitting room whilst Josh pulled things from rails and flung them over his arm. The scene reminded her of a less glamourousPretty Womanand she wished she were on Rodeo Drive instead of in a camping shop in South London.
Her self-proclaimed personal shopper returned about five minutes later. ‘Now, Scotland can be wet, as you know. So you need waterproof trousersand jacket as well as comfortable footwear that still lets you cycle as well as walk. I’ll go and grab some suitable boots while you try on these clothes. Bear in mind the trousers need to be stretchy enough for you to cycle but not baggy enough that they could get trapped in the chain on the bike. Seeing as I don’t know the age or condition of the bike they’ve sorted for you, I brought legging-typetrousers that wick the water away and are quick drying. There are also some lightweight long-sleeved tops too because… well… midges.’ He plonked the pile of clothing inside the fitting room. ‘Obviously if you need any help undressing, I’m more than happy to help.’ He did a silly wiggle with his eyebrows and marched off in the direction of the footwear section. He was such a knowledgeable personand she was quite impressed. She had never seen him in his work domain before and couldn’t help the pride she felt for her man.
Ten minutes later Zara was standing before a full-length mirror in all of her outdoor regalia, complete with a backpack that would fit all the essentials she would need. The backpack looked as though it would probably fit half of her apartment, but Josh had insistedshe only take what she needed and no more.No make-up or nice going-out clothes, then,she grumbled inwardly, knowing that she’d also have to get used to letting her hair dry naturally unless she found a campsite with a really good shower block and hairdryers that worked.
‘Well, I think you look incredibly sexy,’ Josh told her from his position by the fitting room where he leaned against thewall, muscular arms folded.
She rolled her eyes at him and made a very unladylike snorting noise. ‘Well, youwouldsay that – I’m your girlfriend.’ She stared at her reflection. The face still belonged to her, but the attire was completely different from what she was used to. She didn’t know what to say so said nothing.
‘In fact,’ he whispered conspiratorially, ‘if you’ve got the time we couldhave a littlemeetingup in my office.’
Her focus snapped to him and she felt her cheeks colouring, as she fought her threatening smile. ‘Josh,’ she hissed as she glanced round. ‘I’ve told you that’s not happening at your workplace,’ she informed him again, even though she secretly liked the fact he fancied her so much.
He held up his hands and feigned professionalism once again. ‘Please forgiveme, madam. I don’t usually come on to customers.’
She laughed. ‘I should bloody hope you don’t.’
He stepped a little closer and his cologne infiltrated her nostrils. He smelled divine and her heart skipped a little. ‘You know I only have eyes for my little roving reporter, don’t you?’
Gazing up into his eyes, she almost threw caution to the wind and dragged him into the fitting room with her.‘Yes, Josh, I know that.’
‘Good. Now, later, you can do me a striptease with what you’ve bought.’
This time her laugh bubbled up from her boots. ‘Oh, yes, I can imagine how that would look if Marco walked in again. Maybe we should go to your place next time.’
Josh scrunched his nose. ‘Nah, your bedroom will work just fine.’ She knew his place was tiny from the minimal visits she’d made to thestudio flat. His kitchen wasn’t really conducive to romantic meals and his neighbours were quite loud, but she wondered if he ever got fed up of coming to her place all the time. She’d need to ask him.
‘Okay, well, I think that’s everything you’re going to need. I’ll take the gear to the cash desk for you. And when you’re done there, I’ll give you a hand to get it all to the car.’
‘That’d begreat. Thank you.’ With one of his signature sexy smiles Josh bent to pick up the pile of gear that had accumulated outside the fitting room and Zara slipped behind the door to get changed. As she clicked the bolt in place, she let out a long huff of air.Bloody hell, he really is gorgeous. How lucky am I?
Once the gear was loaded into Zara’s car, she slammed the boot shut and turned her attentionback on Josh.
A little electricity crackled in the air between them and the urge to fling herself at him, lips first, bubbled towards the surface but she stomped on it before it had time to manifest. It was just a shame that she wouldn’t be seeing him later to let off some of the steam she’d accumulated at seeing him in his role of boss man. Who knew camping store managers could be so damnedsexy?
Once the car was loaded Zara slammed the boot shut. ‘Right, well, I’ll be off, then. When will I see you?’
He glanced round to check that the coast was clear and slipped his arms round her. ‘Tomorrow night?’ He leaned down and whispered in her ear, ‘You could be waiting for me in your room wearing nothing but your walking boots.’
In spite of the ridiculous suggestion, a shiver travelledher spine and everything south of her waistline throbbed. ‘Hmm… It could be arranged.’
He squeezed her bottom and stepped away as a car pulled into the car park. ‘See you tomorrow, then, gorgeous.’
She watched him retreat towards the shop once more and climbed in her car to head home. The fact that he had been so helpful and she’d loved seeing him in his element gave her more reasons to adorehim and she smiled for the whole journey back to her flat.
