AllFreeNovel
Share Us
My voice rises and I scoff, “So?”
People around us turn to see what’s happening.
“I’m single, Brian, I can date and dance with whoever I want.”
Frustration blazing, I bark, “I know, but that guy is no good for you. He’s just tryin’ to get you in bed!”
She lifts an eyebrow and a smirk edges onto her lips. “Maybe that’s exactly what I want right now.”
Surprise ripples through me. “That’s not like you, Amanda.”
“Says who? Have you ever asked me what I want?”
The words sting as they hit me like a punch to the gut. She doesn’t give me time to answer and continues on with her cutting words. “Thanks for your concern, but you’re not my boyfriend, Brian—we’re friends and business partners—nothing more.”
My mind swirls and my throat constricts as I recognize the truth in her words. As she moves toward the dance floor, a maelstrom of anger, desire, and confusion roils inside me, clashing with all my reasons for why I shouldn’t pursue her. My heart and mind both battle for control, but I end the conflict when I accept that there is too much at stake. Keeping my focus on helping Amanda launch the project is paramount, so I turn away from the dance floor and keep walking. My heart and treacherous body scream against my mind’s resolution. But I ignore them and focus on my goal. Keep Amanda happy and protect her from pain no matter what.
13
AMANDA
A month later, I pause and take a moment to admire the calm beauty of my boutique. My heart swells with pride, knowing I created this haven to help women feel confident and secure about their appearance. Wistfully, I wander over to the empty lingerie section and envision the finished product—shelves full of feminine apparel that will give women the opportunity to buy and match their lingerie with their fashionable outfits right here. There’s nothing more rewarding than imparting women with a sense of contentment and joy about their appearance. This is my life’s mission. The thought of failure frightens me, so I cross my fingers and hope that this endeavor will be the change that is needed to get Venus to be a go-to clothing store in Boston.
“I’ll take this one,” a customer says, placing a dress on the counter.
“Good choice. It looks amazing on you,” I say as I scan the item and begin to wrap it up.
“This place is fabulous,” she gushes. “You two know how to help a woman look beautiful while staying true to herself.” She points toward Alisha. “Her body confidence is inspiring. She rocks her pregnancy curves with pride.”
I laugh and nod. “That she does.”
After the woman pays for her purchase, my gaze follows her out of the store and lands on Alisha. Our regulars call her Miss Spicy Red Lips because she never goes anywhere without painting her lips a daring shade of red. Her collection includes all shades of red, but Cole’s favorite is Fire Brigade Red, the one she wears most often.
The bell clinks and, as always, my heart explodes with anticipation when Brian struts in. I scold myself for marveling at how his dark blue jeans hug tightly against those toned hips and pert behind.
Really classy, Amanda.
But this man has an energy I can’t seem to resist. From the get-go, he’s been the one my body craves. No other can fill that spot. Even charming Cody Michaels, who knows how to use his captivating looks to gain attention from women, cannot measure up. His seductive charms may work their magic elsewhere, but not on me.
No, I’m driven toward the man with the smirk and electric blue eyes that ignite fireworks deep within me with just one gaze, just like it is doing now. I know I should cease my daydreams about him, especially since I told him at Six-Pack that we are nothing more than friends and business partners, but it’s hard to deny when my body hums from his presence.
“Good morning.” The tenor of his voice thrums through me as if he’s playing me like a guitar. He’s standing on the other side of the counter, and I want to reach out and touch him. But I stay rooted in place, trying to quell my emotions with logical thoughts.
“I’m warning you, Fox,” Alisha says as she stops beside me. “If you give all women that look, they’ll think you’ve got naughty ideas up your sleeve.”
My cheeks heat as my imagination runs wild with visions of my own naughty thoughts involving Brian and ice cream. But I know the chances of that happening are slim.
“I’m sympathizing with Cole already if it turns out your twins have your mouth,” Brian jokes.
Alisha laughs, her eyes twinkling when he mentions her husband. “He’ll love it like he loves me.”
He points to her swollen stomach and raises an eyebrow. “The kids are growing fast.”
She strokes her bump tenderly. “Second trimester. Let’s just hope they don’t inherit their father’s stocky frame or else I’ll need a miracle to push them out.”
“Jesus. Don’t put images in my head,” Brian groans, scrunching his nose.
A smile tugs at her lips. “You’re such a baby.”
