Page 50 of Beyond Friendship

“What are you looking for?”

“My phone. It’s here somewhere,” he mumbles.

I smile as I take my phone and press a few buttons. Seconds later, a ringtone erupts nearby and I crane my neck to find his device, shaking on the ground behind a pile of boxes.

I reach down and pick it up, only to view the nameBrowniepopping up on the screen. My heart skips a beat. It sounds so intimate.Does it mean anything?I hand him his phone and we lock eyes. The warmth of his gaze is like an abyss I wouldn’t mind getting lost in while he lies on top of me, naked.Okay, stop it.I clear my throat and take a step back, needing to put some distance between us.

“I better get to work,” I mumble, barely able to keep my focus as I grab the first box.

“Can I help?” he asks with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

“You’re asking to help me unpack lingerie? Not surprising,” I fire back, playing coy and averting my gaze so he can’t see how much he’s getting to me.

He grabs a box, winks at me, and adds, “It’s as close as I’m gonna get to touching them at the moment, so might as well take advantage.”

My breath catches in my throat.What does he mean by that?I don’t ask, afraid I’m reading too much into it, and watch him grab another box.

We work shoulder to shoulder, and I become aware of how his gaze lingers a bit longer each time he hands me a set of lingerie, and all I can do is hope he doesn’t see the blush on my cheeks.

“Wow,” he breathes, and I turn to find him mesmerized by a black lingerie set. Its whisper-thin silk glimmers in the light, and its intricate lace detailing swirls around the edges and curves of the piece, creating an almost floral-like pattern. It’s my personal favorite and judging by his reaction, I’m not alone.

“Hmm,” he hums, running his fingers along the fabric. “Very delicate and sensuous.”

Heat washes over me as his eyes linger on me.

“This would look good on you.”

My heart stops at his words.Is he even aware of what he’s saying?

I take the set from him and hang it up. “It’s for the models to wear, not for me.”

He turns to me with curiosity in his gaze.

“I never asked you, but why did you decide to add lingerie to your store?”

I answer while keeping my hands busy with organizing.

“Because even though I believe genuine beauty is something that comes from within, the right clothing and lingerie can help women feel confident and help them unlock their inner diamond and give it the chance to sparkle brighter than ever.”

My heart races as he leans in closer and drops his voice an octave. “So how do you let your inner diamond shine, Brownie?”

I take a deep breath, standing tall and confident. “I find wearing the right clothing and adding some sexy lingerie to it helps me feel empowered in any situation.”

He grins. “From a man’s perspective,” he says, with a wry smile playing on his lips, “there’s nothing sexier than a woman who knows her own power.”

The chemistry between us reaches new heights, and I can’t help but ask, my voice barely above a whisper, “Do you think I’m powerful, Brian?”

His eyes glow like brilliant searchlights. “You, Amanda Brown, are a force to be reckoned with,” he says in a low, velvety voice that sends chills down my spine. “Your fierce determination sets you apart from the rest, and your confidence and intelligence are magnetic and impressive.”

His supportive words warm my heart, but unfortunately, they do so much more. Such as launch themselves straight at my pussy, causing me to want to grab him by the neck and kiss him. Thank God, we’re interrupted by a knock on the door.

“Ladies, here is the dressing room,” Darius notes before walking in, followed by a group of women.

“Welcome, girls,” I say with a bright, professional smile before hiding a chuckle when seeing the Casanova grin on Darius’s face as he talks to one model.

“I’m your man when you need a drink tonight.”

The red-haired woman giggles and bats her lashes at him.

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