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“And given your natural kindness, I’m afraid we have strayed too far past acceptable.” His words ring with humour yet the sentiment behind them touches something deep inside me.
When Wes describes me, it’s as though I’ve always belonged; to him, to Taber, and to this moment.
I clear my throat to get rid of the emotion clogging it and give the dress shirt a final once over. “It’s horrible. Unless you plan on lighting it on fire as soon as we leave this building, I cannot allow you to walk out of here with it.”
Amusement flickers across Wes’ face as he gives me a mock salute. “Roger that, commander. Arson is not on today’s agenda.”
Clapping one hand over my eyes, I use the other to point towards the changerooms, “In that case, try on the next one. I can’t bear to look at that orange anymore.” Wes chuckles and retreats to his stall, drawing appreciative glances from the patrons mingling in the fitting rooms.
The fact he draws stares in such a hideous colour attests to some serious genetics. I catch one girl eyeing the curtain Wes ducked behind, so I quickly jump up from my stool and shuffle over to his curtain, making sure my body barricades the entrance. The blonde in question gives me the evil eye, and I try not to smirk in response.
I fail.
“Which one do you want me to try on next?” The clarity and shocking proximity of Wes’ voice startles me, and I topple, off-balance and headfirst into the dressing room.
Gravity takes its toll, and I plummet to the ground like an arrow. Right before I make nose-breaking impact, a pair of strong arms scoop me up and haul me back to my feet. My mind is slow to catch up, and the vision switch from pale vinyl flooring to hard planes of muscle has my head swimming.
So much for keeping intruders out.
I squeeze my eyes shut as a deep chuckle rumbles through the broad chest inches from my face. Peeking one eye open, my stomach goes into another free fall as my feet remain firmly planted on the ground.
“If you wanted to see me naked, all you’ve got to do is ask.” Wes’ teasing voice hums in my ear and I blush from the base of my neck to the tips of my ears.
The rookie standing before me is wearing nothing but a pair of navy boxers. That fit really well. A little too well.
Gulping, I run my gaze over the athletic body standing in front of me. I saw both Wes and Cody shirtless during their dance karaoke performance, but this is different. This time the six-pack leading into the narrow waist and muscular legs is within touching distance. Withinlickingdistance.
One stumble later and I’m halfway to becoming a cannibal. Stella will be so proud.
“I am so sorry, there was this girl I thought might break in, so I thought ifIguarded the curtain, it would scare her away but thenyouscared me…” My ramble trails off as Wes’ eyes take on a glint that can only be described as dangerous.
“EXCUSE ME!” A pitchy voice breaks through the thin curtain, causing Wes and I both to wince. “Only one person is allowed in a changeroom at a time. ONE PERSON.” Giving me a look that says he has been in this situation before, Wes throws the woman a thumbs up over the curtain.
“Just putting on clothes, ma’am! My friend here was just helping me with some buttons.” He quickly throws his t-shirt over his head and I bite back a sigh of disappointment as the material covers his lean frame. My eyes had just started to recover from the orange assault.
Tugging on his jeans, Wes grabs my hand. We exit the stall and find the blonde from earlier standing next to the elderly manager. Doesn’t take much to guess who ratted us out.
“I thought you needed help with buttons?” The girl (re: snitch) has the nerve to make one last comment as we head out the door. Wes and I both look down at his shirt, noticeably lacking buttons of any sort. Crap.
“I was helping him do up his jeans.” The words fly out of my mouth, shocking both the girl and me into silence. Choking back laughter, Wes throws a regal wave to our audience and tugs me out the door.
As soon as we’re out of sight, Wes drops my hand and bends over laughing. “The look on blondie’s face… God, Trip. You never fail to surprise me.”
I am still gobsmacked from my own outburst, but the awe in his tone pulls my lips into a smile.
Straightening himself up, Wes wipes imaginary tears from his eyes. “Although I have to admit, a part of me was scared shitless when you said that.”
Now there’s something I don’t hear every day. My eyebrows raise skeptically, “Oh?”
Wes shudders, “For a second there, I thought Stella had taken your place.”
I throw my head back and laugh, the sound resonating through the crowded mall.
“That would scare you shitless, wouldn’t it?” Still giggling, I turn to see Wes shaking his head vigorously.
“There is no shit left in my body at this point.”
I playfully bump his shoulder, “Youdidtell me I can be any version I want to be.”
