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Ben
When Grace agreed to take me shopping, it had been before I’d cornered her on my desk last night. Before I had realized that things between her and me could never be just friendly.
From the first time we’d fucked there was something different about her, and that scared the shit out of me. No matter how much I wanted to keep things platonic, the pull between us was just too intense, too different from anything I’d ever experienced. Sex would have been easy, but this “thing” we had didn’t fit into any compartment I’d ever created. And I had no idea what to do with it.
I had been close to breaking my promise last night, but somehow I’d garnered enough willpower to keep our interaction to a scorching kiss, which only served to turn me on even more. I had thought if I kept my mind in game mode, I’d have some hope of leaving there with my balls still attached. Unfortunately, the moment I saw Grace walk near the fountain, across the sunken middle of the shopping mall, it had confirmed only one thing.
She was definitely carrying my balls in her purse.
She wore tight jeans tucked into black stiletto boots, a dark gray knit sweater exposing one shoulder and collarbone, the straps of a tank top visible on her shoulder, a purse and coat slung over her arm. She stalked toward me, her auburn hair billowing behind her, and I swear I heard music. Our eyes were locked, neither of us looking away as she got closer with every sultry step. It should have been awkward. But instead, having the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen smile and lower her gaze at me made me feel ten feet tall. Like I could slay any dragon or scale the highest wall. For the next couple of hours, she was mine. And if I couldn’t have her in my bed, I’d settle for the mall.
“Hi.” She reached out, her hand in a fist, gently nudging my bicep in greeting with a sheepish look on her face.
I mimicked her action, nudging my own fist to her arm and returned her greeting. “Hi.”
We stood in silence for a moment, the rush of the water through the faucets in the fountain echoing in my ears. But as if she had some kind of programming controlling her personality, she pulled back, a look of indifference washing over her face.
“Case in point.” She wagged her finger up and down my body, referring to my lack of dressing the part.
I laughed. “You don’t like my Saturday shopping casual.” I settled back, spreading my arms so she could get a good look under my North Face jacket. Jeans, ripped beneath the pocket on the left side and a Toron
to Blue Jays long-sleeved T-shirt. “Just like you said, I’m dressing the part.”
I hadn’t given much thought to accommodating my life or appearance for a woman, because I’d never thought I’d be with one long enough for it to even be an issue. I was seriously second-guessing this idea. I didn’t need new clothes. I could have managed to put something together that was presentable enough for the speakers session.
“You want those kids to think you’re in high school or the VP of White Lace?” She pursed her lips and for the first time since she’d shown up, she looked at me. Really looked at me. Her eyes burrowing deep into mine, searching, assessing. I’d never met anyone who wanted to get the root of everything. Whether it be a problem, a person, or the decision to choose soup or salad.
I huffed out a hard breath. “Why would I try to be someone I’m not?”
I still didn’t understand her motivations, and if I was honest, it hurt what little feelings I had that she wanted me to change. But maybe that’s exactly what I needed to do in order to be taken seriously.
“I think you’re great.” She reached out, her hands sliding over my shoulders and straightening me out. “Just the way you are. But I’ve learned that in order to get people to take you seriously, you have to be serious. If you want those kids to see you as the vice president of a major corporation and not a peddler of porn, then you need to be that professional.” Her eyes gleamed with mischief. “And that includes dressing the part.”
I groaned. “Can’t we just go to Gap and pick out some stuff?”
“Bite. Your. Tongue.” She swatted my chest and then settled at my side, wrapping her arm around mine. “Your credit card is getting a good workout today, Mr. Lockwood. Are you ready?”
She was doing this to help me. For my own good. Although I still had no idea why, or if I could trust her to finish it. I had to take her words at face value, even though every fiber of my being told me not to believe her.
I looked into her eyes; the sparkling jade never failed to knock me off my game. I took a deep breath and in my best impersonation said, “Get to the chopper.”
She looked at me with confusion then finally said, “Arnold?”
I shook my head. “If we’re going to be spending time together, can you just Google some movie quotes? Then you won’t look at me like I’m weird.”
The first place she dragged me to was a high-end men’s store I’d never shopped in before. Ever. But I gave her the benefit of the doubt and followed her inside.
She fiddled through a couple of racks, but all I saw were confining, trendy clothing I wouldn’t want to be caught dead in.
“Can I help you?” A soft voice sounded behind me.
“Yes, hello.” Grace greeted the salesgirl with a smile and a knowing glance in my direction. What was she up to?
“I need to find something acceptable for my new assistant. I can’t have him walking around the office looking like a schoolboy.” She placed her hand at her mouth, hiding it from him, and whispered loudly, “We can’t have my clients thinking I picked him up off the street.”
“Of course,” the girl responded.
Grace liked playing games. There was an edge of danger to her personality that I couldn’t quite figure out. I wasn’t sure if it was her way of having fun or a means to keep her real self locked up tight. But a little harmless role-play in a shopping mall couldn’t lead to a major catastrophe. So I’d play along.
