Page 12 of Temptation In Lingerie (Bare Naked Designs 2)

“It’s a very good opinion.” The bride’s voice got high and giddy. Leave it to Aleks to charm the pants off a soon-to-be married woman.

“Then take my advice. Whatever man gave you that ring will be very happy.”

The bride looked down at her hand, and seemed almost disappointed to remember that she wasn’t single. “Can you have something made in two months?”

Carrie was shocked. The bride had teetered back and forth thinking that buying lingerie was an unnecessary expense. Then in less than a minute Aleks had charmed her into a decision.

“I can have it done in less time than that.”

“Great!”

“Do you have time for me to take your measurements?”

The bride nodded.

This was her first booking of the day. Carrie looked from side to side, as crowds of people flooded the aisles. If she was tied up there was no one here to man the booth. And right now, Aleks was the only help in sight. “Al, would you–”

“I’ve got it covered.”

She lit up inside and out.

Aleks shrugged out of his suit jacket and got to work. The mere presence of him at the booth had women buzzing around like bees to honey.

“He is one hot piece of man.” The bride actually blushed when she said the words out loud as Carrie slid the tape measure across her chest. “Is he your boyfriend?” Carrie shook her head.

“Is he someone’s boyfriend?”

Carrie wanted to smack the girl. This woman was at a bridal show because she was getting married and she was interested in Aleks. For the sake of sales, Carrie just shook her head again and continued without a word.

Besides the disgust radiating just under the surface, Carrie really didn’t want to get into discussing Aleks’s off-the-charts hotness with a slutty stranger. Especially with a strange woman he probably would bang if he had met her anywhere else. Regardless of the ring on her finger. That was just the type of guy Aleks was. So why do you love him?

She continued taking measurements, but out of the corner of her eye Carrie watched Aleks interact with the women at the booth. He charmed, he laughed, and before she knew it she had a line of young brides waiting to book an appointment. Aleks even managed to rope in some mothers who were interested in surprising their husbands.

A few hours later, as the crowd died down, and the last bride walked away with her appointment written on one of her business cards, Carrie rested her bottom against the eight-foot table and let out a huge sigh.

As soon as Aleks had shown up the time flew by. In a way, Carrie was happy that she was able to keep herself busy with fittings because she really couldn’t handle watching Aleks flirt his way into getting number after number. She saw them. Girls, brides or not, shamelessly letting him know they were easy.

Aleks stood to her left, quickly going through her design book. She looked him over. The flurry of women hadn’t fazed him at all. He didn’t have one hair out of place, not a shimmer of sweat on his skin. Carrie, on the other hand, felt like she’d just been put through the wringer.

“You’re good for business, Turko.” Because of Aleks, Carrie had thirty appointments booked over the next three months.

“I do what I can.”

“What are you doing here, anyway?” It had been so busy they’d barely spoken two words to each other.

“You know I only work a few blocks away.”

“Shouldn’t you be working?”

“I was bored.”

“So you take off?”

“I am the boss.” Aleks managed a recruiting company that specialized in high-level executive placement. He had moved up the ladder pretty quickly considering he had a degree in schmoozing. “Your booth looks great.”

“Thanks. The exhibitor services people were able to secure the black and white draping to match my color scheme.”

Her booth was decorated with white drape that hung to the floor. Black drape swagged across the top of the white. Carrie didn’t have elaborate signage. Instead, she pinned up her signature bags, alternating between black and white showing off her logo. Her samples sat on the long table with her appointment book and business cards. She had a pedestal and long mirror in the corner.

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