Page 15 of Temptation In Lingerie (Bare Naked Designs 2)

it very hard for me to be confident about the situation.”

“Maybe you need to be spontaneous. Forget about his actions and just worry about your own.

Entice him. Make it impossible for him to resist you.”

Amie reached across the counter and grabbed for the buttons on Carrie’s blouse.

“What are you doing?”

“Making you irresistible.” She undid the top two buttons then jumped down from the counter.

Amie rolled back on her heels to analyze. “Not enough.” With one more quick flick, the third button popped open, revealing the front clasp of Carrie’s white lace bra.

“That’s a little too much, don’t you think?” “The store is closed. No one will see.” “Sometimes Amie, you’re too much for me.”

“You know, all the men I date say the same thing. Just once I would like to find a man who can handle me. Speaking of...I gotta run and see if I can’t find him tonight.”

“Where are you headed?”

“I’m meeting some of the girls from the yoga studio at Bar Nine. Do you want to come?” “No, you go ahead. I’m going to finish up here and then head home. The next two days are going to be pretty hectic.” And they would be, but Carrie needed some time to get her thoughts together. She had recruited Martina as her helper weeks ago and had no doubt she would show up. But after finding out that she’d slept with Aleks, Carrie wasn’t sure how she felt about the woman she now considered a sister.

“Be nice tomorrow,” Amie warned, as if knowing exactly where her thoughts had drifted.

“I...” Carrie had no claim on Aleks. “I will.” It was ridiculous for her to be angry. At least not at Martina. Aleks on the other hand... “I’m overeacting, aren’t I?”

Without saying a word, Amie gave her best ‘duh’ expression then flitted out the door. Carrie didn’t bother to lock it behind her.

Spontaneous? Surprise Aleks Turko? Easier said than done. She would always be the pigtailed little girl in his eyes and not a spontaneous sex kitten looking for a good time. He would probably laugh in her face.

The logical part of her brain confirmed Carrie would rather spend the rest of her life pining over him than risk being humiliated, or worse, losing his friendship all together.

Unfortunately, the other side of her brain, the side that controlled her libido, couldn’t stop thinking about Aleks taking her every possible way.

She reached into her bag under the counter and pulled out her sketch pad and pencils. Maybe if she concentrated on work she would stop thinking about Aleks–on top of her, inside her, all over her.

* * * *

Before entering the store, Aleks watched Carrie through the window. She was hunched over the counter intently focused. By the way she gripped her tongue between her lips, he knew she was sketching.

It was rare for Carrie to be sans suit jacket. She was always neat and tied up, the picture of professionalism at all times. But tonight her white blouse, still tucked in, was unbuttoned, exposing the generous swell of her breasts. A large amount of flesh that was normally painstakingly hidden during business hours. His arousal stirred in his pants at the sight of her creamy flesh. Would he ever be able to look at her without wondering what heavenly fabrics were hidden underneath her clothes?

Her hair was up, a pencil stuck through the twirled strands, her black rimmed glasses perched on her nose. To any other man she would be a typical salesperson but to Aleks, Carrie was perfect.

The memory of their encounter in the basement was all Aleks could think about. It affected him too much. He knew if they took it all the way he would never recover and that just wasn’t Aleks Turko. He had see

n her look of disappointment earlier when he didn’t make a move, but it was a bad idea no matter how he tried to spin it. Seeing Carrie so freaked out after Rob put a stop to their fun, confirmed things would never be the same. Their day at the show had gone perfectly, as friends. How could he let anything screw that up?

With a surprise in his hand, Aleks hesitantly walked into the dimly lit store. Immediately, the overwhelming smell of flowery powders and soaps made him want to gag but as he walked in further, the scent of orange blossom swirled in the air. It was either her scent or the guilt at never seeing her store that weighed heavy on his shoulders.

Carrie straightened up when she heard the door. The moment she realized it was him, she immediately reached to take the glasses from her face.

“Working on something new?”

She pushed together the mess of papers and hit them on the counter, smoothing them into one neat pile. Colorful pencils were splattered across the countertop. She had definitely been sketching., “Getting some ideas down before I forget them.” She spoke as if trying to justify her actions.

“I really need these bridal designs to be perfect.”

“They will be. Just be patient with yourself.”

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