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In that second, it seems like he’s talking about more than just my professional life. His words and that gaze have a double meaning that makes my heart race.
Is Parker Hamilton flirting with me?
Chapter nine
Parker
Assoonasweenter the fabric store, Penny's body seems to relax as she gets into her element.
"Well," she says, with a precise and crisp voice, admiring the fabrics on display. "We will need something sober and elegant that can reflect the importance of this event.”
She immediately begins to walk along the aisles adorned with fabrics of different types and colors, while one of the salesclerks scurries over to us.
The beautiful, blonde, long-legged woman was exactly the kind of girl I flirted with in the past. It could be expected that a part of me would react to the sight of the young woman. I might invite her over for a casual encounter from which we could both come out satisfied, but with no strings attached.
That all sounds like something I would do, but as surprising as it seems, even to me, the leggy blonde fails to grab my attention in the slightest.
Instead, Penny's expression, as soon as the woman approaches us and catches her eye, does manage to bring a smile to my face.
"We need you to show us some lighter fabrics. I want something airy and bright but still elegant," Penny says immediately, not allowing the salesgirl the chance to get to me.
It is obvious that the girl was hoping to approach me first; everything about her attitude shows it, but if anything, she remains professional and forces a smile across her pink lips.
"Right away, miss," says the sales clerk politely, as she guides a highly determined Penny through the aisles.
They immediately engage in a conversation about fabrics and styles, during which Penny obviously has the upper hand. The salesgirl offers her best fabrics, citing the advantages of one over the other, while Penny rejects them without even taking a breath in between sentences.
In the end, her resolve makes me laugh, causing both women to turn around, full of curiosity at my reaction.
"Seriously, Penny," I say as I move closer to her, the scent of her perfume wafting toward me. "You need to learn to relax a little."
On instinct, almost as if it was a reflex, my hands land on Penny's slender shoulders and easily meld to their shape. I massage them, noting the obvious tension there, as Penny quickly looks up.
There is an unexpected heat in her gaze as sparks fly where our bodies meet. I know that touching her is a bad idea, but I can’t stop myself.
It doesn’t seem like she wants me to stop either as she leans into my touch.
Feeling her so alluringly close to me, with her sweet scent floating through the air between us, and her lips slightly parted in surprise, I have to remind myself that I can't just lean over and kiss her.
She is not mine. She will never be, and I have to keep that detail at the forefront of my thoughts if I want to keep my best friend in my life.
Damn it.
He had asked me to keep an eye on her, to take care of her, and that's precisely why I brought her with me.
Not only because I trust her talent, but also because I had to take her away from Brittany's toxic personality.
Still, being alone with Penny is proving to be an issue for me. The closer I get to her, the closer I want her to me at all times.
Using a tremendous amount of self-control, I pull away from her slightly, noticing the delicate blush that creeps up her cheeks as she looks away.
Of course, it doesn't make the situation any easier on me, noticing how she reacts to my touch: shyly and submissively. It is almost as if she desires the feel of my hands as much as I wish I could give that to her.
"What do you think of this fabric, then?" the salesgirl asks, interrupting the moment.
Penny opens her mouth to respond, but I react more quickly. "That one will do."
Penny's mouth shuts tightly. She looks at me, as if trying to decipher something on my face. The salesclerk runs to the counter to enter our order into the system while the tension between Penny and I grows.
