Page 9 of Bargain With The Boss (Crescent Cove: The Moguls #2)

Xavier

I whistled as I swung into Sugar Rush, the best bakery in Crescent Cove. Probably best in the county, to be honest. Van McNeill was rushing around, her wild colorful hair matched her frosting-smeared apron.

“Hey there, Xavier. Haven’t seen you in here in a hot minute.”

“I know. My cravings have officially careened into redline. Please tell me you have some of those red velvet cupcakes for me.”

She grinned. “Lucky for you my guy also has a weakness for them. I just made a full batch of cookies and cupcakes.”

“I’ll take some of each. And I need to make an order for a dozen of those plate sized cookies for an open house.”

“You got it. Back in a sec.” She was a little thing, but her personality and energy could actually power up the whole bakery she worked at with her sister. She quickly scrawled something on a pad and stuck it in a lavender box then disappeared through a swinging door.

I didn’t question how things worked at Sugar Rush, just trusted the process.

While waiting, I wandered over to the large window looking out on Main Street.

The foot traffic was at peak morning capacity.

Parking spots were hard to come by as the first trickle of summer tourism started.

I glanced down to the gazebo where a few people were taking photos in front of our crown jewel.

The vines of bougainvillea spread through the lattice and sunflowers were already reaching up into the summer sky.

Huge clay pots from a nearby pottery studio lined the stairs showing off flowers from A Flower a Day and Brooks’ Greenery.

During the height of summer the park would be filled with vendors and farm stands.

Right now it was an endless green with park benches stationed all over.

A few people were sitting with a breakfast sandwich or coffee, and still more were filling the pier to check out the stunning view of the lake.

The water was dotted with sailboats and our mix of historic and sprawling summer houses created one of the best scenic spots in Central New York.

A flurry of birds pulled my attention back toward the diner and my blood pumped a little harder.

Sydney.

She was crouched beside Owen who was determined to feed the seagulls and ducks on the hunt for a free meal.

Her hair was down and the curling ends lifted on the breeze. She tucked it behind her ear, and I caught a glimpse of the rare, wide smile on her face.

It was a punch I wasn’t expecting.

When she stood, her usual cool grace was back in place. She wore trim navy slacks and fussy, feminine blouse that would probably feel like a wet napkin by noon. The day was already soaring into the eighties and it was barely nine in the morning.

She waved to Jude and Owen, then crossed the street on those killer stilts she wore effortlessly. I wasn’t ashamed to say I missed the long line of her legs from her skirt the day before.

She was heading my way and the quick clip of her walk made my mouth dry. Some would probably see the no-nonsense woman in motion, all I could see was the sway of her hips that made my fingers itch to touch. When she passed the window, I couldn’t stop the urge to follow.

“Wait, Xavier!” Van’s voice lifted.

“I’ll be right back,” I said over my shoulder.

I slipped out the door, the bell ringing behind me as I merged into oncoming pedestrian traffic. She was obviously on a mission, but she stuttered to a stop outside Vintage December.

It was enough to allow me to catch up.

“Would suit you,” I said when I followed her eye line.It was a soft and feminine dress on display.

She startled, then frowned at me. “No it wouldn’t.”

“Sure it would.” I hooked my arm through hers and urged her through the doors.

“Xavier.” She tried to wiggle free, but I kept her at my side.

A stunning blond appeared almost instantly. She had a wide smile and when she moved, a swirl of ruby red and purple peeked from the underside of her thick hair. It matched the flowy skirt of her dress and jangle of silver bangles that stacked her forearms. “Welcome in.”

“Uh, thanks.” Sydney quickly switched from annoyed to polite.

“Hey, Ember. Nice to see you.”

“You too, Xavier. Can I help you two with anything?”

“Yes, the dress in the window.”

“No,” Sydney tried to interject.

“Is that a one of a kind or do you have others?”

Ember grinned. “One of a kind.”

“And I’m sure it won’t fit,” Sydney said firmly. “I don’t need it.”

“Do we need anything?” Ember’s voice was smooth and rich. “But lucky for you I’m also a tailor.”

Sydney looked uncertain before she hid it under her usual cool veneer.

“I think it would look amazing on her and be a helluva lot cooler than what she’s wearing.”

Ember stepped closer. “Well, I’m sure the Me + Em line has a more breathable wool for summer, but those are for a more temperate climate.”

Surprised, Sydney’s mouth dropped. “How did you know?”

“It’s my business to know. I have a few pairs myself, but it’s a bit too pricey for my shop with the markup. I’d be happy to tailor them for you if you wanted though. It’s a bit loose here.” She lightly touched Sydney’s waist. “You cinched that lovely Dior belt to cover it.”

Sydney glanced down. “I can never quite get the right fit with my wider hips.”

“Your hips are perfect,” I muttered under my breath.

She glanced at me, her cheeks flushing lightly before returning her attention on Ember. “They are too wide for my waist.”

“Not too wide, just how your body is made. Many clothes are created with a hanger in mind and that’s stupid. Which is why I’m the best tailor in over a hundred miles.” Ember moved past her to the mannequin in the window and quickly pulled it down, swapping it with another that was in the corner.

“Oh, you don’t need to?—”

Ember fussed with it, centering it in the window then quickly swapped a few accessories to match.

“Don’t be silly. This dress is supposed to bring people into my place.

It did its job and now another one will do the same.

” She swept the dress up and over the headless mannequin. “Now, let’s see if it works with you.”

Sydney fingered the fabric when Ember handed it over to her. It had dozens of sheer layers that worked together to make a more opaque silhouette.

“It’s very forgiving and more stretchy than it looks.” Ember urged her deeper into the store.

The boutique had a good mix of vintage and new styles. It mostly catered to the female presenting clientele, but there was a fair bit for both sexes and even some androgynous pieces that would be perfect for summer no matter who you were.

I stopped at a rack with linen pants in a deep purple that would go with Sydney’s hair.

I snagged two I figured might fit her and followed the women who were quietly talking about sizes and measurements.

I plucked a sleeveless shirt as well as two summer-weight sweaters off hangers then stopped at a poppy floral dress over ivory that made my chest tighten.

She’d look good in that as well.

I had an armful of clothes by the time we got to the massive dressing area that took over the back of the store. There was an oval raised dais with a 360o bank of mirrors that showed every angle of a person.

December Jones knew her business and excelled at body positivity.

Sydney frowned when I handed over my stack of clothes. “I came in for a dress.”

“And you need a summer wardrobe, obviously.” I turned her around and followed her in.

“I beg your pardon.”

I laughed. “Don’t worry, I’m not staying in here. Unless you want me to.”

Her raised brow was her only answer.

“I had to ask.” I brushed by her, my voice pitching low. “Definitely perfect hips.” Then closed the door in her face.

I turned around to see Ember with a wide grin. “How long have you two been seeing one another?”

“We’re not.”

“Oh.” Her lips twitched. “I see.”

“Yet.” I took a seat in one of the pink chairs and prepared for a fashion show.

Her delighted laugh made me smile back at her. It probably wasn’t the best course of action. She was Jude’s sister, but I couldn’t deny the pull toward her.

When Sydney came out in the flowy lavender dress, I was very glad I was sitting down. I folded my hands over my reaction to her. Those damn legs were going to kill me. As well as those grip worthy hips. She walked to the dais with her four inch heels that made her calves flex deliciously.

She smoothed her hand over her hips. “It’s a bit tight.”

Before I could dissent, Ember did it for me.

“Not at all. It’s just form fitting and the layers soften it.”

Sydney tugged at the fabric. “I don’t know.”

Ember glided toward her. “Look up instead of down.”

Sydney sighed and finally looked in the mirror. Her lips parted.

“See? I don’t even need to alter it. I could shorten it a touch.” Ember lifted the hem two inches and my mouth watered at the toned length of her legs.

“You think?”

Ember nodded. “Killer legs should be celebrated.”

“Damn right,” I agreed.

Sydney met my gaze in the mirror before she looked away again.

“Try on the rest.”

She licked her lips. “I have work.”

“It will still be there in an hour.” I glanced down at my watch. I needed to be in the office soon, but I wanted to make sure she was fully invested in the clothing fun before I escaped.

And it was no hardship to see the pleasure build in her eyes as Ember fussed over her and made her see that clothes could work for her not make her feel bad about her body.

I was hoping to see the ivory and poppy dress, but I made sure to tell Ember to put it on the yes list and left her with instructions to put all the clothes on my tab.

I’d started an account when I needed a few suits tailored.

Ember wasn’t lying about her abilities. It saved me a trip into Manhattan more than once.

I stopped outside the dressing room door and my whole body tightened when she came out. She wore a cropped pink tank sweater with a pair of denim shorts that made me swallow my tongue. She looked younger with her hair pulled up into a high ponytail in deference to all the change of clothes.

“Wow.”

“I’m not sure why this ended up in the pile.”

“Because those legs make me want to say a few prayers.”

She frowned. “Why?”

“Because I need to ask for forgiveness for the ways I want to yank them off you, Duchess.”

She swallowed. “That’s very impertinent of you.”

I laughed. “I’m an impertinent guy sometimes.” I stepped into her space for a heartbeat. “But I do need to go into the day job. It’s a late one for me, but we can meet for a drink later.”

Her gaze drifted down to my mouth. “I’m sure I can find something to do.”

“I’d much rather find something to do with you.” My mouth was close to hers. “Damn responsibilities.” Then I moved back. “Take it all, Duchess.”

She frowned. “I’m not a duchess.”

“Are to me. So proud and proper and built to be treated like royalty.”

“You’re an ass.” But the flush of pleasure was undeniable along her cheeks and chest.

“More often than not.” I took another two steps back because I wanted like hell to move in closer. I’d scare her off and she’d shut down. Also, I liked the push and pull between us. I was used to taking what I wanted, but there was something to be said for a slow burn.

Her gaze tripped over my lips before defiantly meeting mine.

I grinned and turned away from her. “Take all of it, Syd. Especially those shorts,” I said over my shoulder.

I stopped in at the desk on my way out to make sure Ember’s staff had my information before heading back down to Sugar Rush for the sweet treats for my staff. I had the Japan call which would extend my workday.

I firmly put Sydney and those endless legs out of my head.

At least for a few hours.