Page 40 of Desperate Pucker (Denver Bashers #6)

Maddy

I’m grinning so wide, my cheeks hurt as I slip on the black satin evening gown.

I can’t believe this is my life right now. I’m trying on designer gowns during a private shopping appointment at my favorite fashion designer’s new boutique.

All because of Ryker.

I feel like the heroine in a romance novel being doted on by her rich boyfriend.

Except he’s not my boyfriend.

A pang of disappointment zooms through me, catching me off guard. I ignore it and focus on enjoying the moment.

When I step out of the dressing room, Ryker’s brow hits his hairline.

“Whoa…”

My tummy flips at the expression on his face.

I bite back a giddy smile. “What do you think?”

“I think…Holy shit, you look incredible.”

I grin and do a spin. “This is really beautiful.”

“You are beautiful.”

My face heats as I take in the fiery look in his eyes.

“Do you like it?” he asks.

I nod. “But I wanna try on more.”

I go back into the dressing room and try on a slinky silver gown that plunges low in the front.

When I walk back out, Ryker’s gaze falls to my chest. His eyes bulge out of his head.

“Damn,” he mutters.

I rest a hand on my hip. “I like this one a lot, but I think I’d be worried the whole night that one of my boobs would pop out.”

His eyes glaze over as he stares at my boobs. “Definitely can’t have that,” he murmurs. I laugh and pat his shoulder. He catches my wrist, pulling me to stand between his legs. “You look so sexy.”

I drop a kiss to his mouth. “I feel really sexy in this.”

Next, I try on a gorgeous, light peach ballgown with a huge skirt. When I come out to show Ryker, he grins wide.

“Wow.” He shakes his head as his gaze runs along the length of my body, like he can’t handle the sight of me.

I’m smiling so wide my cheeks hurt. “I feel like a princess in this.”

I grab the skirt of the ballgown in my hands and spin in front of the full-length mirror. The material is Chantilly lace—light, delicate, and airy.

“Oh my goodness,” Kara says as she walks over to us. “You look stunning.”

I beam. “You really think so?”

Both Kara and Ryker nod.

“I love it. I think it might be a little much though for casino night,” I say.

Kara smiles like it’s no big deal. “Understandable. This is a grand dress for sure.”

“I wish I had a reason to wear it. I’d wear it every day,” I say.

Kara chuckles. “Oh, I love when a dress makes you feel like that.” Her expression turns knowing as she looks at Ryker, then me. “You know, this would be the perfect wedding gown for you.”

“Oh…” I let out a flustered laugh. “I haven’t really…we’re not actually…”

Kara holds up a hand. “Say no more. I don’t mean to pressure you two.”

She raises her eyebrow at Ryker. His cheeks are flushed, and he’s smiling like he’s flustered.

“It’s just that you have such a beautiful fair complexion, and the traditional and white and ivory gowns can wash you out,” Kara says. “A dress in this color is just gorgeous on your skin tone.”

Ryker raises an eyebrow at me, a teasing look in his eyes. “She’s right.”

“It’s definitely something to think about,” I say to Kara.

She grabs a satin magenta gown from the rack. “I think you should try this one on next.” She hands it to me. “This will look incredible with your hair.”

I look at the slinky, strapless, floor-length gown with a gentle sweetheart neckline. I’m normally not drawn to such bright colors, but I can’t deny how beautiful this is.

I take it into the dressing room and try it on. When I turn and look at my reflection in the mirror, I gasp.

Oh wow.

Kara was right. This color is perfect with my hair. It makes my skin glow and my natural lip color pop. And it makes my hair look even more fiery.

When I step out of the fitting room, Kara beams. Ryker’s jaw falls to the floor, and his eyes look like they’re about to fall out of his head.

“Holy fuck,” he mutters. He blinks, and the focus returns to his eyes. He looks at Kara. “Uh, sorry.”

She just laughs. “Oh, don’t apologize. That is exactly the reaction I want you to have when you see my gowns.”

She turns to me and shakes her head, that dazzling smile still on her face. “My goodness. Madeline, you are a vision in this dress.”

Ryker nods, a hungry look in his eyes as he gazes at me. I bite my lip as I grin, my cheeks heating. He’s looking at me like I’m something to devour, and it’s making me very, very hot.

“This dress is perfect,” I say. I move in front of the mirror. “And it’s really easy to walk in because of the slit at the side.” I turn to Kara. “This is the one.”

Kara claps her hands and grins. “Wonderful!” She looks at Ryker. “I’ll go ahead and charge your credit card then.”

He nods at her. “Please do. Thank you.”

She walks off, and I turn to Ryker, stunned. “You’re not buying this gown for me.”

He quirks an eyebrow, a smug look on his face. “I am.”

I shake my head, feeling flustered and surprised. “Ryker, no. I can pay for my own clothes.”

He stands up and grabs me by the waist, pulling me against him. Raw want flashes in his eyes, making me giddy.

“I know you can.”

“Then why won’t you let me?” I ask.

“Because I want to treat you.”

Tingles fly across my skin at the boldness in his low, rough tone.

“You deserve to be treated, Maddy.” He kisses the hinge of my jaw. I shiver, instantly turned on.

“You deserve to be spoiled,” he rasps.

Those tingles drift to my belly. I can’t help the giddy smile that pulls at my mouth.

He kisses me so hard, I’m unsteady on my feet.

“Get dressed,” he rasps.

I’m dizzy as I walk back into the fitting room. When I’m back in my clothes, I step out holding the gown. Ryker takes it from me, and we walk toward the front register area where Kara is waiting for us. Ryker pays for the dress, then Kara secures it in a black garment bag.

“When you’re ready to go wedding dress shopping, I hope you keep my gown in mind,” Kara says with a sweet smile.

“I definitely will. Though it’ll be a long, long time before I ever get married.”

“Still waiting for a ring?” She gives Ryker a pointed yet teasing look.

I laugh, feeling awkward. “Oh, it’s not—”

“I’ll be taking her ring shopping soon, don’t worry,” Ryker says without missing a beat.

I gawk at him, then rein in my expression.

Kara pats his arm. “Well, aren’t you the perfect boyfriend.”

He just smiles. I stare at him. What is he doing?

“You know, I’ve always preferred when guys take their girlfriends shopping for an engagement ring,” Kara says. “That way, there’s no chance for disappointment. She gets the exact ring she wants, you stay in budget, and everyone’s happy.”

Ryker nods once. “My thoughts exactly.”

Kara looks at me. “You’ve got a good one.”

I let out a flustered laugh. We thank her and then head out of the store toward Ryker’s car, which is parked down the block.

“What was all that about?”

“What do you mean?” The corner of his mouth quirks up. He knows exactly what I mean.

“Why’d you make it sound like we’re together? And that we were about to get engaged?”

He doesn’t say anything until we’re in his car. When he hops in the driver’s seat, he turns to me, pinning me with a fiery gaze.

Then he cups my face in his massive hand and kisses me, hard. When we break apart, I’m dizzy.

He traces his thumb over my lips, pinning me with his stare. And then he says something that has me floating.

“It’s fun pretending to be yours, princess.”