Page 96 of Hoofin’ It

Laughing, Marian tugged me out of the way. “I seem to have fried your circuits. Which part got you? The idea of kids, knowing I’m interested in having kids with you, or the practice involved in making kids a reality?”

The idea of woman wanting kids wanting kids with me stumped me almost as much as me having kids with anyone. “I never got past finding a nice woman who might want to settle down with me to think about kids.”

“I’m not nice. I’m actually a bit mean. I also bite.”

“When I get a few minutes, I’m going to research that biting habit so I know if I should be encouraging you to bite me more often or if I need to get better at dodging your teeth. I’m sure I can amuse myself with this research at a later time. Right now, we have more important business to attend to.”

“I’m not sure me trying on dresses is more important business.”

“Sure it is. You in a dress directly influences how elaborate my plans to kidnap you become. Choose your dresses wisely, Marian Peterson. I’ll be watching you.”

“Most women would be seriously creeped out by that statement.”

“Says the woman who keeps pinching my ass.”

She shot me a glare, scanned the mall, and pointed at a shop I suspected contained the most expensive dresses in the mall. “I hope you can live with your regrets, of which there will be many.” Grabbing my hand so I couldn’t escape, she dragged me into the store.

She had no idea how wrong she was, and I’d enjoy her finding out.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Some women could wear red well, but Marian wasn’t one of them. While the dress fit her athletic body, hugged the curves she had, and made it clear a strong woman stood before me, the color didn’t do her justice. Such a vibrant shade should have been stunning on her, but it distracted instead of complemented.

“No.” I handed down my verdict with an exaggerated wave of my hand.

“My, my. Aren’t you a bossy badge bunny today,” Marian murmured, putting her hands on her hips, lifting her chin, and staring down her nose at me.

I changed my mind about the dress the instant she shifted her shoulders and the fabric clung to her chest. “Do you think they have that dress in black?”

“My eyes are up here, Shane.”

I grinned. “But you’re not wearing the dress over your eyes.”

Marian shifted her weight and stuck out her leg, which caught my attention and held it rather well. “It’s not covering my legs, either.”

“Thank God for that.”

“They might have it in black.” Marian spun on her heel and marched in the direction of the dressing room, leaving me with one of the two amused store clerks. I had no idea what it was about the black heels she’d partnered with the red dress, but I needed to see her in them again.

“How much are those shoes? I think I’ll buy them.”

“Six hundred and forty, and of course, sir. I’ll grab them when she tries on a different pair of heels.” The woman flashed me a smile and went off to do my bidding.

I didn’t know much about women’s clothing, but I hoped black heels went with more than a red dress. And if they didn’t, maybe I could talk her into wearing them with a pair of jeans. The wait bored me, but when she returned, I had no regrets.

The store did have the dress in black, and I forgot how words worked when she sauntered my way. “Is this better?”

Unable to think anything coherent to say, I bobbed my head. She did a slow turn that showcased her legs, which did terrible yet wonderful things to me. “I don’t need my parents anymore, right?”

Taking her home and unwrapping that dress from her body became my highest priority. Ernesto could keep my parents occupied for another day or two.

“I’m pretty sure you’d miss your parents after a while.”

I flagged the clerk down. “I’m buying that dress, I don’t care what it costs, and if she could just wear it out, that’d be great.”

“Shane!” Marian laughed. “Don’t be crazy.”

“There’s nothing crazy about you in that dress.” I turned to the clerks for help, and the women grinned. “I’m right, right? She’s stunning in that dress.”