Page 57 of Bargain With the Boss

“Okay.” I slipped through the door to the bedroom. I’d gotten a suite since I wasn’t sure how long I’d be in town. I gratefully stripped out of the heavy skirt. My skin was clammy with sweat from the heat and the previous nerves from my mother. I pinned my hair up, unwilling to deal with drying it in this heat.

I lingered a little more than I should on the extras like shaving and exfoliating, but felt far more alert and refreshed after I turned the spray to cool for my last rinse.

I retouched my makeup, adding a smoky eye to combat the fatigue written all over my face. The dark brown shadow made my eyes glow, and a few tricks covered the bruised blue under my eyes. Happy with the results I chose the ivory dress with the large graphic poppies and my espadrilles.

Feeling feminine and pretty, I finished with a slim braid to keep my hair out of my face, leaving the rest to fall down my back in waves. It was a halter dress which meant I couldn’t wear a bra. I even did a little twirl in the mirror to check out the back to make sure there were no weird marks.

I grabbed a black shawl on my way to the door and opened it to find Xavier sitting on the club chair near the sliding door to my mini balcony. He’d changed into a linen shirt in soft green and pants in a darker shade that clung to his thighs.

He looked up and stood quickly, his phone falling to the floor.

“Does this fit the parameters?”

He swallowed. “More than.”

“Hope I didn’t keep you long.”

“Worth every minute.” He bent to pick up his phone and slid it into his pocket. “I knew that dress was going to look amazing on you, but damn.”

I couldn’t help the smile. “It’s like you know how to pick out women’s clothes or something.”

“Just yours.”

Unsure what to say to that, I moved over to my big purse and transferred a few things into one of the wristlets I’d found at Ember’s place. “Ready to go?”

When I turned, I wasn’t expecting him to be so close. “Maybe we should put some sunscreen on this skin.” His thumb coasted over my shoulder.

“Are we going on the water?”

“Sort of.”

Awareness pulled at me and I stepped away from him, my heart pounding in places I didn’t want to think about. I grabbed the can of sunscreen and feeling a little impulsive, handed it to him. I pulled my hair over my shoulder and turned around. “Would you?”

He nodded and the cool spray made my nipples tighten. I closed my eyes as he rubbed it in, the tips of his fingers slipping under the sides of the halter to make sure I was covered.

“I think you’re good.” His voice was low and rough.

“Thanks.” I took the can as I turned around. “Any hints as to where we’re going?”

“Nope.”

“Guess I’m at your mercy.”

I wasn’t sure I was ready for that, but for once I was eager to find out.

A day just for me.

Chapter 14

Xavier

Fuck.

It had to be the ivory dress.

And damn if I didn’t want her at my mercy in far too many ways. Somehow, I managed to step away from her and meet her at the door. Her scent wrapped around me as we locked up. I guided her down the hall, my hand at her lower back.

Her skin was so damn soft.