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“I need a gift.”
Of course he did. She knew about his awful divorce, but with his devastating good looks and obscene amount of money, it made sense that he had found someone new.
“You can help me, right?” He glanced around. “Or is there someone else I need to talk to?”
Finally recovering, she cleared her throat. “Yes.”Sir. “Do you have an idea of what type of corset you may be looking for?”
“Something…” He took a step inside the booth, bringing them closer together.
Instead of surveying the inventory, he stopped right in front of her. Even wearing heels, she had to tip back her head to look at him. She ended up moving so quickly that her hat fell off and crashed to the hardwood floor.
Right away, she crouched, but he beat her to it. Suddenly they were a scant few inches apart.
Abigail inhaled his scent, crisp, laced with confidence and underlaid with an intoxicating masculine musk. Her pulse skittered, and she couldn’t draw a breath. No man had ever affected her so powerfully and completely.
“I can’t resist a lady in distress.” He stood and offered a hand.
As unsteady as she was, she needed the assistance.
She slipped her hand into his much larger one. His grip both reassuring and dangerous to her equilibrium, he helped her up. “Gallant.” To save herself, Abigail needed distance. Though it was suddenly the last thing she wanted, she took a step back.
“Allow me.” He returned the hat to its rightful spot, angling it a bit, the way she’d been wearing it.
Had he missed nothing about her?
“Thank you.” To cover her nerves, she smoothed the front of her skirt and retreated behind a cloak of professionalism. “Are you looking for something specific?”
“Perhaps you could show me a few things?”
Was he being intentionally difficult? “Is there a budget we need to be respectful of?”
“That’s the last consideration.”
Good thing, as most of Raven’s stock was handmade and the prices reflected the exquisite craftsmanship. “Any particular type?”
“I’m afraid I’m out of my element.”
Abigail doubted that.
He walked past her to study the display pieces, and he asked about the benefits of each type.
All night, she’d answered similar questions without a hint of embarrassment. But none of her customers had been as deeply sensual as Master Hayes.
“And you’re wearing an overbust?”
“That’s correct.”
“It’s your preference?”
“To be honest, I have every different type of corset. They’re a weakness.” She shrugged. “A lady can never have enough purses, pairs of shoes, or too much lingerie.”
“I tend to agree.” He picked out a tiny waspie.
“Do you have your lady’s measurements?”
Leisurely he swept his gaze down her body, heating her once again. “She’s about your size.”
“In that case, this might work better.” She sought out a garment that was slightly smaller, then offered it to him.
