She was gorgeous. I got an eyeful of her legs and—
Fuck me.
The panties she was wearing... were those even panties? They covered nothing of her ass. The front was semitransparent.
I glanced at the glass in my hand again, attempting to calm down. It was useless. I had a raging hard-on.
I fought to get it under control, and by the time she came out, I’d succeeded somewhat, but I was hanging by a very thin thread.
She was wearing a red dress that was just... perfection.
“What do you think?”
“You’re beautiful.”
“Does it fit the bill?”
“Definitely.”
“Okay. We’re done, then.”
“Buy more. More than the ones she brought you. About ten. You’ll be situated then for a few months.”
“Okay.”
Forty minutes later, Josie came out wearing the last dress. White with silver streaks, showcasing every curve. She was so goddamn sexy in it that I nearly swallowed my tongue. Her breasts were peeking out of the top of the gown, her neck and shoulders on full display.
“I love this dress. But I want something to cover my shoulders.”
“I can call Honor to find something.”
“No, just give me that scarf, I think it will work with all the dresses. I can throw it over my shoulders and just knot it in the front.”
She pointed to a mannequin with a silver scarf around its neck. I brought it, but instead of handing it to Josie, I wrapped it around her shoulders myself.
I rested my thumbs on her clavicle, desperate to steal a touch under the pretense of playing the fiancé.
“This took longer than we thought,” she said.
“I’m not complaining.”
“How so?”
“You didn’t close the curtains completely.”
She gasped. “Naughty fiancé.”
“That’s not naughty, Josie.” I dragged my thumbs up the sides of her neck, stopping at the nape, coming closer. “If I’d been naughty, I would’ve come after you in that changing room and kissed you until you moaned.”
“Hunter, you can’t say these things,” she whispered. Her cheeks turned pink. Her pulse accelerated. I felt its thrum under my thumbs.
“Of course, I can. I’m your fiancé.”
“You’re impossible.”
“Just wait until I’m your husband.”
The skin on her arms broke out in goose bumps. Her breath caught. Her reaction to me was intoxicating. A touch wasn’t enough anymore. I needed a kiss.
The salesperson was coming our way. I could pass this off as a kiss for the public, right?
I sealed my mouth over Josie’s the next second, and every doubt I had subsided, because she was kissing me back with a fervor that nearly brought me to my knees. When she sucked on my tongue, instinct overpowered every rational thought.
I wanted to kiss, claim, fuck.
I had no idea how I managed to pull back, but I did.
Josie averted her gaze, turning to Honor, who was looking between us with a wide smile.
“We’re taking everything,” I informed her.
“I’ll just change, and you can pack this up too,” Josie said.
She busied herself for longer than necessary inside. I didn’t feel too guilty, because Josie had enjoyed the kiss. It had been there in her body language, the way she’d kissed me back. The way she’d pressed her thighs together.
I poured myself another glass of water while Josie changed, even though she’d pulled the curtains all the way together this time.
Dammit, I was a jerk. What was I thinking, convincing myself it was okay to kiss her just because she liked it? Why wouldn’t she enjoy kissing? That didn’t mean it was okay for me to do it.
But ever since we’d decided to go through with this, it was as if a switch had gone off in my brain. Every time I looked at her, all I could think of was that she was mine. Which, of course, she was not. But I was beginning to realize I’d have to constantly make an effort to remind myself of that. She was my best friend, and I knew better than to push that line.
Chapter Nine
Josie
The next day, I met Tess and Skye early in the afternoon. We headed to Soho, in Lower Manhattan.
Many people swore by Fifth Avenue, but I loved Soho more. It used to be full of galleries, but a lot have been replaced by shops. The city kept reinventing itself constantly, as if it was determined to keep the sense of wonder alive among its residents.
Soho boasted an old-world charm, with its narrow cobblestone streets—even though I had to be careful not to misstep with my heels. The buildings with wrought iron facades housed artsy cafes and shops ranging from mainstream brands to unique boutiques.
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t looking forward to this. Was it nerve-wracking? Sure. But I also felt an excitement I couldn’t even begin to describe.
Skye and Tess were waiting for me in front of the store. I’d never seen them more excited. I was so happy they were shopping with me, because they had excellent taste in clothing. They could get away with wearing anything.
Skye was curvy and tall. She’d been like that as a teenager too and often said that was why she wanted to go into the lingerie business. She wanted to create sexy things for curvy girls. She waved at me so enthusiastically that a few chocolate brown strands bounced around from her high ponytail.
Tess was tall too, but willowy. Her light brown hair was interspersed with blonde strands. She didn’t follow trends. She knew what she liked and made no apologies for it. I loved Tess and Skye to the moon and back. I’d do anything for them. If they hurt, I hurt. If they were happy, I was happy. Right now, I was feeling extra guilty for deceiving them.
The store had bridal gowns on the ground floor and evening wear on the top floor. Despite intending to head straight upstairs, I couldn’t tear my eyes off the white dresses. I loved bridal gowns in any shape.
My heart gave a mighty sigh as I glanced at a rack. Belatedly, I realized Tess was watching me. Shit. The cat was out of the bag.
“Andrea, what do you have on the rack in my friend’s size? She and my cousin have recently realized they’re the loves of each other’s lives and are getting married in two weeks.”
“That’s so romantic,” Andrea said. “And you’re so in love that you can’t wait to get married and are willing to let any silly childhood dreams slide by just to tie the knot. What’s your size?”
“Six.”
“You go upstairs and pick what you like. I’m going to check what I have ready-to-buy in your size in the bridal selection.”
Twenty minutes later, I entered the changing room with seven evening dresses. They were all to die for. How was I supposed to decide?
A few minutes later, my problem escalated, because Andrea told me she’d found ten wedding dresses in my size. She’d hung them on a rack in front of the changing room.
They were all absolutely stunning, and I knew before I’d even tried them that I was a goner.
One by one, I paraded the dresses in front of Tess and Skye. A mermaid-style one with a sweetheart neckline stole my heart. I looked like royalty wearing it.
“This is the one, isn’t it?” Tess asked.