Chapter 8
CHAPTER
EIGHT
Skye
I had no idea where the day had gone. It felt as if I’d barely come into the city, and then I was out again, on my way home.
My brother Cole called as I waited for the train. He was at the store today, together with Mom and Ryker’s fiancée, Heather. We’d agreed that the boys would always do tasks that required them to be in the back, because some customers might be intimidated by guys in a lingerie shop.
“Hello, brother,” I greeted. “How’s it going?”
“So far, so good. I’m staying in the back, as promised, but damn, I like your customers. They’re hot.”
I laughed. “How do you know they’re hot if you’re staying in the back?”
“I might break the rules from time to time and go in the front. How was your meeting?”
“It went well. They’ve got great fabrics, and I’ve negotiated a great price. You were right, leading with competitor prices was smart.”
“Glad it worked out.”
I loved that he checked on me, that we bounced ideas around.
My brother was very good in negotiations and overall a brilliant businessman.
Before we’d opened the store, Tess and I had spent a lot of evenings at Hunter and Cole’s office.
We’d wanted a place to work from in our spare time that wasn’t our couch, and the boys had offered.
They’d also hung around with us, offering advice on our business plan, which we’d appreciated.
“Do you need anything?” he asked.
“No.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, I’m good. Heading home, where I think I’m in for a delicious dinner.”
“What do you mean, you think?”
“Well, I—” Holy shit. I almost told him about the hot neighbor. I was in no way ready to talk about him, but if I didn’t come up with an answer fast, my brother would sniff out that I was holding back.
“I just have to see,” I said vaguely.
“Want me to take you to dinner?” he offered. Awww, my brother was adorable.
“Thanks, but I’m good. What, no date tonight?”
“Not yet, but the evening’s not over yet. Could ask out one of your customers.”
“Cole!” I admonished in a teasing tone.
“Have to go. Heather needs me in the front. Anyway, just wanted to check on you.”
“Thanks, brother. For the call and taking care of the store.”
“No problem.”
After hanging up, I drummed my fingers on the phone, sighing. My family was amazing for helping, but hopefully they wouldn’t have to do it much longer. Tess and I were close to convincing Jane to take charge of things on Sunday.
My stomach rumbled, and my thoughts circled to Rob again. In an instant, I became all jittery and nervous. I was afraid to admit to myself how much I looked forward to our evening together.
To give myself something to do, I pulled out my phone, looking at the bookmarked sites.
There was a scientific article about the best type of plastic to use in combination with fabric that was acceptable even for sensitive skin.
I’d wanted to sink my teeth into it for a while, and the topic itself was not a quick read.
I loved reading scientific articles on just about everything.
My love for them started in college when I wrote a paper on biodegradable plastics and I needed to read up on all of the articles pertaining to the subject.
But I couldn’t concentrate on that either.
Damn. My thoughts kept bringing Rob to the forefront.
I had no idea how I’d even agreed to dinner with him tonight.
All I remembered was that I’d braced myself against his charm the second he’d walked up to me.
After he’d cleared up the sister and niece topic, I lost the battle.
In my defense, he’d worn a mouthwatering outfit: a two-button suit.
I couldn’t help wondering what kind of meeting on Sunday required that attire, but oh well, I was grateful for it. Rob looked delicious in it.
I’d planned to stop by my place quickly and freshen up, maybe even change out of my white dress, but I didn’t get a chance. Rob opened his front door as I approached the house.
“Hello, neighbor.”
“Hi,” I said back.
“Hope you’re hungry.”
“Starving.”
He’d taken his suit jacket off but was still wearing the shirt and pants.
I made a concerted effort not to look down his body…
right until I realized he had no such qualms. His gaze rested on my shoulders before wandering farther down, stopping at my hips, and then traveling back up.
My nerve endings lit up. Goodness, we weren’t even in the same room and I was on fire.
I’d never been so insanely attracted to anyone.
He smiled as he opened his front door. Ushering me in, he put a hand at the small of my back. A bolt of heat jolted me straighter. On instinct, I glanced to him, only to discover he was watching me intently. He curled his mouth into a smile.
He knew exactly how he was affecting me. Everything in his body language, from the way he leaned in slightly to the way he kept his hand on my back, made it clear that he lured me in here with a purpose… and it was not exactly dinner between neighbors.
“Wow, you’ve unpacked fast.”
His living room and kitchen looked lived in already.
There was a shelf behind the couch, and it appeared to be filled mostly with business books and thrillers.
There was yet another bookshelf between the kitchen island and the window, this one filled with travel books and the occasional whiskey bottle.
“My sister was a big help.”
“Did she also decorate it? I remember you were stressed about the lack of furniture.”
He shook his head. “No, this is my stuff from LA.”
I liked his style. The couch and dining chairs were a matching blue color, and there was a black-and-white carpet on the floor.
On the mantelpiece were pictures of him, his sister and niece, as well as some other people I didn’t know.
I assumed family and friends. I loved that he liked surrounding himself with their photos.
“What are we eating?” I asked.
“Tuna steaks with sesame, soy, and honey, prawns masala, or vegetable curry. Your choice.”
“All three sound delicious. I don’t know how to decide.”
“Pick one for tonight, and we’ll find occasions for the rest.”
Ah, so whatever plans he had, they included luring me back again. I smirked, taking a step to the right. Maybe I could think clearer if I wasn’t so close to him.
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. First I have to make sure you’re actually a good cook.”
Amusement flickered in his eyes. Honestly, I realized he was a great cook just from the dishes he listed. They weren’t for the faint of heart.
“Let’s make a deal. If you like our dinner, you promise to stop by again,” he said.
Damn. How had I managed to talk myself into a corner?
“Dinner first. I vote for prawns.”
“Whatever the lady wishes.”
His tone was triumphant, which meant he thought he’d already won. Half an hour later, I knew why. His food was absolutely delicious. We’d set the table in the living room, and he paired the prawns with an excellent white wine. Damn. I couldn’t resist a man who could cook.
“I know you own restaurants, but I assumed you studied business management. Did you also go to culinary school?”
“Yes. After college, I did one year of culinary school in France. Plus, I started as a kitchenhand when I was sixteen. My parents insisted I work my way up in the company.”
“Wow.”
He chuckled, sitting back in his chair, surveying me over his glass. I squirmed in my seat, fiddling with a strand of hair. The two glasses of wine I’d had certainly weren’t helping me resist his charm.
“I wasn’t thrilled. Rebelled every chance I had.
But now I’m very grateful they insisted.
Knowing how a kitchen works, what it takes to make customers happy is invaluable when drawing up strategies.
I know which cost-cutting measures make sense, when to push for innovation or give the staff room to breathe. ”
“Not to mention you have amazing cooking skills,” I added on a wink.
“That too. I take it you’re impressed enough to stop by again?” He fixed his gaze on me.
“Hmm….” I tilted my head playfully, crossing and uncrossing my feet under the table. He moved his legs, touching mine while also leaning forward slightly. My heartbeat was out of control, especially when he lowered his gaze to my mouth.
“That’s still up in the air. Depends on how entertaining you are.”
“I have to prove myself?”
“Something like that.” Oh Lord, what was I getting myself into?
“Challenge accepted.”
His gaze traveled downward, resting on my breasts. My breath caught.
“Tell me about you, Skye.”
“What do you want to know?”
“Everything.” His tone was so demanding that it felt as if he wanted to know all my secrets and desires.
“Hmmm, might be more than you can handle.”
“Try me.” If possible, his tone became even more demanding. “Tell me about your store. How did you decide to open it?”
“A combination of things. I’ve always had trouble finding the right bra.
I had breasts really early, and it was hard finding something that wasn’t too sexy for a thirteen-year-old.
Even in college, I kept modifying bras to fit me.
It was a fun thing to do but also necessary.
I studied biochem and then accidentally started working in fashion.
One thing led to another, and Tess and I opened our online store.
It went okay, but with lingerie… it’s best if you try it on.
I love being in the store to help customers find the perfect items for them, and to help them feel confident in their bodies.
We have so many clients coming in ashamed of their figures—no matter if they’re too curvy or too lean—but with the right items, their confidence just goes up.
It’s my favorite part, besides working with my sister.
I’ve always loved sexy lingerie, always wear it, so?—”