Page 7 of Temptation In Lingerie (Bare Naked Designs 2)

below his waistline. Her desire did nothing to impede the teenage fluster that grabbed hold of her tongue. Even though the urge to smooth her hands and mouth over that coarse hair burned inside her, even though she’d promised herself she would do everything in her power to seduce him, tonight was not the night. Her livelihood took precedence at this moment.

“Aleks, you know I’ve got stuff to do.”

“You can break for a few hours, can’t you?”

That face. That sexy as fuck face broke her down. It would be the perfect night. Comfortable.

Casual. Being themselves.

“I am kind of hungry.” Her level of pathetic behavior had hit new heights. She didn’t even

put up a fight.

Aleks grinned from ear to ear then turned and headed to the coffee table. Carrie put her materials away and walked over to the couch, enjoying the view as he bent over and set down the pizza box. His hair was a little different, shorter and neater. A haircut, maybe? He handed her a beer and set one on the coffee table for himself, putting the rest in the mini fridge.

Her parents hadn’t changed the layout of the basement in years. They had upgraded the television, but the couch and coffee table remained the same. The lamps that sat on the end tables dated back two decades. The only difference was the addition of a pool table Aleks brought with him when he moved in.

“Pineapple, bacon and garlic, thin crust, beer and Spaceballs,” he said with a grin a mile wide. He knew her too well. Those were her favorites.

This felt like a date. This was exactly like a date. Alone, movie rental, food and a bed in the next room. Definitely a date.

“What’s wrong, Care Bear? Why so glum?”

She wasn’t feeling glum, just a little stressed, and now completely awkward. They had done this a million times, so why was this time different? “Just thinking.”

“Always thinking. I think every once in while you need to shut your brain off and take a risk.” “Really? Is that what I need to do?”

He sunk his lean body into the soft couch. “Yup.”

“I think buying out the lingerie store was pretty risky.”

“Yes, but that’s business. I’m talking about other things, your personal life.”

“You don’t think I’ve met my quota of losers to date, is that it?”

“You’re maxed out actually. It’s time for you to find Mr. Right.” He winked. The simplest

movement of his eye heated her insides. “I can help you with that.”

Carrie eyed his body. He looked positively yummy. The band tattoo on his bicep peaked out from under his shirt sleeve. She remembered when he got it. The same day she got the spool of thread tattooed on her hip. Aleks had been scared, so she’d gone first.

Shaking off the distraction, she returned to their conversation. “Help me with what?” “Finding Mr. Right.”

“Since when are you an expert on my love life?” She took a swig from her beer bottle. “Since I’ve had to watch you date douche bag after douche bag who don’t have a hope in hell of keeping you around.”

After years of worshipping the ground Aleks walked on, after years of wanting him to say he loved her, here she was letting him tell her how to date.

“I know how to date, Aleks.”

“I know you know how to date. But you’re special, Care.”

“Special? Right. More like controlling, uptight, and I believe Rob once called me the fun-

killer.”

“Technically you’re all of those things.”

She gave him a snide face. “Most people would have lied.”

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