extracted his long legs from the narrow floor of his Triumph. He should invest in a bigger car, one large enough to haul his business materials around.
But he loved the little convertible, the rush of the wind on his face when he drove, the freedom... the same way he loved being single.
Smoothing down his tie, he glanced at his khakis and white shirt, hoping he looked professional, then opened the door to Jenna's shop, once again taken back by the heady fragrances that assaulted him and intrigued by the display of sexy undergarments.
His groin tightened uncomfortably when he spotted Jenna. He stood for a moment, mesmerized as he watched her dress a mannequin in a red bustier with black fishnet stockings and long black gloves. Unbidden came images of Jenna modeling the racy underwear for him.
Hell, he had better get himself a date—some woman who would distract him from his newest client.
The bell tinkled above him as he closed the door, and he froze, trying to mask his reaction so she couldn't read his wayward mind. She'd probably fire him or sue him for sexual harassment if she did.
Then she glanced up and smiled, the sunlight filtering through the window casting slices of gold in that sassy auburn hair, and all common sense fled.
"Hey, Zack, I'll be ready in a minute." She knelt to adjust the garter on the mannequin and his fingers tightened around his briefcase, his body hardening.Damn. She should go back to the modest suits she'd worn before, he thought as the v-neck of her silk top fell open to reveal her enticing cleavage.
A simple gold chain encased her neck, but the emerald stone glinted in the sunlight, reflecting the deep green of her eyes, and lay precariously close to her bosom, drawing his attention further down to the soft spot he'd like to touch. She looked so damn seductive and tempting in that sexy top with her hair spilling around her shoulders that he knotted his hands beside him to keep from dragging her into his arms.
"Thanks for waiting. I'm ready now," she said, brushing her hands over her short brown skirt.
For the first time since he'd entered, he noticed another woman behind the counter, a short, chubby brunette with curly hair and a friendly smile.
"Angel, this is Zachary West," Jenna said. She snagged her jacket from the back of her chair and slipped it on, thankfully covering up her breasts and saving him from making a complete fool of himself.
"I heard you're designing our new ads." Angel stepped from the counter and he noticed her protruding stomach. His eyes must have shown his surprise because the women exchanged knowing looks.
"Angel's due in the spring," Jenna said. "She's having twins."
"I'm trying to convince Jenna to add a line of maternity lingerie in the store," Angel said. "You know, something sexy... but big! Maybe you can include it in the ad, too."
He shifted uncomfortably at the thought of drawing nursing bras and maternity gowns.
In fact, his hands were starting to sweat again, his heart stuttering.
"Let's go," Jenna said.
He followed her outside and gestured toward his car, grateful for the crisp air to clear his head. "We'll drive my car, that is, if you don't mind your hair getting a little wind-blown."
"Not at all. It's a lovely day." Jenna's eyes sparkled as she pulled a paisley scarf from her purse and tied her hair in a ponytail at the nape of her neck. "Let's go."
He settled into his seat, desperately trying to ignore the way her skirt rode up revealing her shapely legs as she fastened her seatbelt. Then she adjusted the radio to a soft rock station and sat back listening while he started the engine.
In spite of the scarf, the wind whipped her hair around her face, and she hummed to the music as he sped away. He noticed her hearing aid and realized suddenly that she usually wore her hair over her ears. Did she wear it down to cover her hearing aid?
Maybe, maybe not. She seemed comfortable with the disability, and it obviously hadn't affected her
Learning to Kill: Stories