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“Um, Jack. Do you think we could go to another store?” She held out the hanger with the so-called bathing suit, giving it a once-over. “I don’t think they have my size here.”
He looked through the rack on the opposite side and picked up a solid yellow two-piece. “This isn’t your size…or isn’t your style?”
“Both?” She bit her bottom lip, hoping he would be kind and understand her hesitation.
“How do you know it’s not your style if you’ve never tried it?” He grinned. Sure, he would like it if she was naked, but she didn’t know about the other people on the beach.
“I would never wear anything like that.” She smoothed down her hair with both hands. “I own one bathing suit. And it’s a one-piece.”
“Go and try this on.” He nudged her toward a change room. “For me?” His eyes blazed with a smoldering stare that set her panties on fire. She let out a heavy breath and grabbed the suit.
The salt in the air must be messing with her brain. Was she really going to indulge him? As soon as he saw her in the suit he’d agree that it wasn’t her style. She didn’t have the body to pull it off. She damn well didn’t have the confidence.
She positioned the triangles over her breasts and tied a bow at the base of her neck. Might as well be naked.
“Sterling? Are you dressed, sweetheart?”
“Barely.”
He laughed from the other side of the change room. “Are you going to let me see?”
“I guess.” She unlocked the door and hid behind it.
He crowded the doorway. She was thankful for his large body blocking the view from other gawking eyes. His appraisal started with her face, then moved slowly to her feet, his stare so intense she shivered. Did he know his mouth was open? Or that his cheeks flushed? He might be adjusting to the heat. It had to be the heat.
She crossed her arms and her legs, trying to hide as much of her bare body as she could.
“Sterling, I’ve seen you naked. Why are you covering yourself?”
She groaned. “I don’t think I can do this.”
“You look hot.”
She snorted. “You’re just being nice.”
“Sweetheart.” He took a step inside the change room, his body hovering mere inches away from hers. She heated up immediately. “Just wait until you walk out on that beach.” His breath was a whisper against her shoulder. “You’ll see I’m not the only man thankful for skimpy bathing suits.”
“I don’t know…”
He reached forward, his hand sliding up her body. It barely touched her skin, but it was enough to cause her to shiver. The bathing suit tugged and a second later she heard a snap. He held up the tag. “You rip it, you bought it.”
“Jack!”
“Here, put this over yourself.” He handed her a black sarong, then took off.
She approached the register with her clothes in hand and her underwear and bra shoved into her purse. Novelty items, candy, chocolate, lighters, magazines all lay haphazardly by the register. Sterling cringed. This place was in desperate need of some organization.
Jack had piled sunscreen, towels, a blanket, bottled water, and a few bags of snacks on the counter.
“At least let me pay for something.” It was enough to fly her to another country. The least she could do was pay for their necessities. Sighing, she reached into her bag and grabbed her wallet. Just another thing to put on her credit card. Which she would essentially pay off with money she earned working for him.
“Absolutely not.” Jack stopped her. “It was my idea to come here.”
Today was definitely not a part of their business de
al. However, the more time they spent together, the more the lines between business and social blurred. But the lines were still visible, and she would travel them as best she could.
After packing their newly purchased tote full of goodies, they walked hand in hand toward the beach. The sun shone brightly, not a cloud littered the sky. Men and women whizzed by on bikes and inline skates. Sterling couldn’t imagine riding a bike in such a skimpy bathing suit, but the women did, their bottoms exposed for all to see.
