Page 41 of Sins of a King

He smiled. “Get in and I’ll explain,” he urged, opening the passenger door and then sliding over to make room for me. I got in next to him. He was still smiling, his eyes warm.

“What’s that look for?” I demanded.

His answer was to lean over and kiss my lips, his arms going around me, caging me in. I sighed against his mouth, pressing into him. His fingers skimmed along my jaw, leaving tingles in their wake. He pulled back but didn’t let me go as he looked down at me.

“I wanted to give you a proper hello,” he said.

“But I thought we agreed—”

“I’m tired of waiting, Barrett.”

“And I told you I won’t be your dirty secret. And I hate the back and forth, you being hot then cold.”

“I plan to change that,” he stated.

I shivered at the promise in his voice.

The car came to a stop and Flynn got out, lending me a hand. I stood on the sidewalk and looked around. We were outside an Upper East Side dress boutique, and I glanced at Flynn, waiting for him to explain. He said nothing as he pulled me inside.

A saleswoman in a black silk wrap dress and red pumps clacked her way toward us, her smile polite, her eyes taking in Flynn’s expensive suit. I wouldn’t have been surprised if her pupils turned into little dollar signs.

“Hello, sir,” she greeted. “How may I help you?”

“Hello.” Flynn smiled, turning on the charm. “We need a dress suitable to attend the opera and heels to go with it.”

“Undergarments?” she asked, clearly knowing her way around expensive retail.

“Yes.”

“Very good, sir.” The woman finally looked at me and eyed me like a mannequin. After a moment, she nodded and flitted away.

“Opera? Are you taking me to the opera?” I asked.

“No.”

“Then why—”

He leaned in, his warm lips brushing my ear as he whispered, “I’m showing you the casino, but I couldn’t really say that in front of a stranger.”

I quivered with desire. “Why? People will see us together.”

“Exactly.”

“That will change everything.”

“Maybe.”

“Care to enlighten me on your thought process?”

“No.”

The saleswoman returned and said, “If you’ll follow me, I’ll show you to the dressing room. I’ve hung up three different choices for you.”

We trailed after the woman to the back of the boutique and the last changing room. “Please let me know if you need anything.” She disappeared, leaving us alone.

“This feels too much likePretty Woman,” I muttered as I went into the dressing room. I turned to close the door and let out a gasp. Flynn had followed me inside.

“What are you doing in here?”