He was looking down, reading the New York Times, when Celia cleared her throat. Haley stood before him with three-inch heels and a shimmering teal gown. The top hugged her tight, with thin straps holding it in place, and accented her scrumptious breasts. The dress molded to her body until just below her hips, where it flared slightly, then stopped four inches above her knees.
“Perfect,” he said out loud, his tongue nearly hanging from his mouth.
At his words, Haley grinned while doing a full spin and he got his first mouthwatering glance at her bare and exquisitely toned back. No fabric blocked his view, and as his eyes dipped lower, he itched to run his fingers over the top of the material, which rested just above the curve of her perfectly rounded backside.
“We’ll take it!” There was no question. This was the dress.
“That’s what I thought as soon as I saw her in it,” Celia sighed dreamily. “The shoes are perfect, too.”
“I couldn’t agree more. Now, where do we go for lingerie, Celia?” Crew asked.
Haley flushed as she turned to him in surprise. His own question was taking him by surprise, too. The thought of her in a garter belt and stockings with nothing else on but those heels had him shifting in his seat. Oh yes, they were lingerie shopping. He would certainly work in a lesson that involved her modeling the sheer lace and garters for him. Before too much longer, he would be taking this game to a whole new level.
“You must go to Agent Provocateur. No woman can wear any of their pieces without feeling like an absolute sex goddess,” Celia insisted as she led Haley to the back.
When it came time to pay, he slipped Celia his credit card, feeling a tad guilty about the deception, but if Haley had known the true cost of the dress, she’d have had a minor stroke. Never had he thought about money before the day his father had told him that his inheritance and trust fund were being taken away. He’d always just had plenty of it. Life as a billionaire’s kid…
That first year of being on his own, however, had taught him a lot. He no longer took wealth for granted, and he now knew how important it could be for someone who didn’t have much. But there were some items that were worth splurging on. The perfect dress was one of them.
Surprisingly, Haley didn’t fight him on the panties. She was entranced from the moment they entered Agent Provocateur. The only problem he had was her refusal to allow him to give her his opinion.
In this store, he wasn’t able to slip in his credit card. Haley wouldn’t even let him know the amount. He knew it wouldn’t be cheap, but he’d figure out a way to make it right with her, soften the financial blow.
They passed the next couple of hours purchasing a few more outfits, now at less expensive boutiques, and enjoying the beautiful California sunshine. When dusk arrived, Crew led Haley back to Long Beach, where this time they boarded a private boat for the twenty-two-mile ride to the island.
“You are both in luck tonight. The dolphins have been entertaining the guests.”
“Ooh, I love dolphins. I have been meaning to take one of the tours offered on the island, but haven’t had a chance yet. I must do it before I have to leave. I can’t believe I have only a little over a week left,” Haley said with a frown.
Crew’s gut clenched at her words. He’d known her for less than a week and already he was growing attached in a strange way. She was just so full of life, so full of happiness. Her enthusiasm for everything around her was contagious.
Halfway to the island, they saw the dolphins dancing on the water next to the boat, showing off for Crew and Haley as the captain slowed so they could enjoy the show a little longer.
The sun was just starting to set and Crew couldn’t fight the urge to slip his arm around Haley’s shoulders and pull her tightly against his side. And when she looked up, he couldn’t resist bending down and capturing her lips for just the briefest of moments.
As she sighed into his mouth, he felt his wavering control snap. They would make fireworks ignite when they finally came together — it couldn’t be soon enough.
Chapter Thirteen
As she walked from the elevator, Haley felt a twinge of her old insecurities. Here she was in a stunning gown with her hair piled atop her head and with her newly acquired makeup lightly applied. She’d even spritzed herself with the subtly scented bottle of perfume she’d found in the bathroom with a ribbon tied on top. This was what she wanted. She wanted to turn heads. She wanted to feel gorgeous.
So why was everything inside of her telling her to turn around and run back to her room? She wanted to hide away and slip back into a baggy T-shirt and frayed shorts.
But refusing to let her fears dictate her actions, Haley moved purposefully through the lobby toward the softly lit bar where Marlin was working. Crew had only instructed her to meet him at ten at the bar; all she knew was that he was taking her to a nice dinner. If only she could feel a little less afraid, a little more excited.
“Wowee! You look hot!” Haley looked up to find Marlin giving her an exaggerated wink. “Beautiful ladies get the first-class bar stool,” he finished as he came around the bar and pulled out the seat for her.
“Why, thank you, kind sir,” she replied demurely. She sat as gracefully as she could, but getting comfortable took her a few moments, what with adjusting her dress and positioning her heels just right on the rungs of the stool.
“Would you like a surprise or would a woman of your high class like a glass of champagne?”
“You may surprise me. And you can quit that flattery any time, Marlin. You’re making me blush,” she whispered as she looked over her shoulder. The bar was crowded, but luckily the crowd was near the new piano player and the large gas fireplace on the other side of the room, and no one was paying the two of them the least bit of attention.
“Hey, a dress that hot, covering a body that’s even hotter, deserves some of my special attention.”
“I’m going to tell your wife,” she said. “In fact, she’s right over there.”
Marlin looked around in terror, causing Haley’s nerves to fade away into laughter. She was glad Crew wasn’t there yet — it gave her a few necessary moments to relax.
“I was just having some fun. That was downright cruel,” he pouted as he began mixing her a drink.
“Don’t mess with a woman in heels, Marlin. You’ll lose every time,” she said, still laughing.
“Don’t I know it,” he sighed as he placed a martini in front of her. She raised her eyebrows at the choice, but picked up the amusingly retro silver-plated cocktail stick and started moving it and its olives around in the glass. “I figure you’re dressed classy, so you need a classy drink,” he offered.
“I see. So when I’m in my cutoffs, I get the Bottom-Feeder Special?”
“I’d never think of doing that to you, missy. Do you want me to slip you some brazini with fennel puree? It’s delicious.”
“I would love some, but I’m meeting Crew here and he’s taking me out to dinner.” She was thinking the brazini sounded much better, though.
“That explains the new dress. I knew the boss man would get his claws into you. He has an eye for the pretty ladies.”
“It’s not like that. He’s helping me out — and though he’s a pain in the butt, I have to admit that he’s doing a pretty good job so far,” she admitted.