Chapter 10
CHAPTER
TEN
Skye
“I do feel like this is bringing out my boobs better,” I told Tess. After lunch, we were both having one of our “research and development hours.” Jane was dealing with customers, and we were in our dark room in the back. “I’ll wear it for the rest of the day, check how comfortable it is.”
“It is sexy as hell,” Tess said, surveying me.
We’d finished sewing this one yesterday.
We had a small sewing machine and a ton of fabrics in the back, and twice a week, we blocked four hours in the afternoon for experimenting.
Sometimes we stayed in the store so we could actually have some natural light, but if it was too full, we made do in the small room.
“I know, right?” It made my already huge boobs appear even larger.
I’d been so ashamed by them when I was a teenager, so conscious of the looks they attracted.
But now I was proud of them and of my body.
It wasn’t perfect, but I loved my curves.
“We just need to make the straps a little wider—or use another fabric. It’s cutting into my skin. ”
“I’m on it,” Tess exclaimed. Rummaging through the box where we kept leftover textiles, she picked two pieces of black stretchy fabric, carefully wrapping them around each strap. Instead of making them bulky, it added a layer of sexiness.
“Wow, now it’s even more sophisticated than before. I’ll just sew them real quick so they don’t fall off,” I said.
“I’ll do that,” Tess said. I took off the bra, and she quickly made the changes at the sewing machine. Then I put it back on, and we both admired the result in the mirror.
“That’s better,” I said.
“Let me just sew a bit of lace to the upper part of the cup. I think it’ll look great—balance out the sturdier straps. Don’t need the sewing machine for this. Just stand still.”
I eyed the needle she picked. “Don’t poke me.”
“When have I ever poked you? Wait… don’t answer that.”
“Uh-huh.” It had taken her a few months to get the hang of sewing a garment on me without making me feel like a pincushion.
“You’re not exactly still. What’s the matter? Thoughts of a sexy neighbor making you jittery?”
“Or the fear that my skin will get the pointy end of the needle.”
Tess stepped back, pointing a finger and the needle at me. “Don’t feed me tales.”
I grinned apologetically. “A mix of both?”
Tess kept staring.
“Fine, I was thinking about Rob.”
She smiled triumphantly, resuming the sewing. “There, that wasn’t so hard, was it? You didn’t give me any details about that dinner and kiss. Time you rectify that, don’t you think?”
She kept glancing up at me, and I knew the second she split her focus between sewing and fishing for spicy details, my skin was in danger.
“Fine, I’ll spill the beans. But give that needle here. I’ll do it myself and keep my boobs safe from you.”
Goodness, my stomach did two flips just because I was remembering that evening. My palms turned sweaty at the realization that I was heading home in a few hours.
“Perfect. So I just get to stand here, not work, and listen to you? That is what I call a relaxing afternoon.”
I’d been home for two minutes when there was a knock at my door. I checked my watch, grinning. Yup, Rob’s running time.
Breathe in, breathe out, Skye.
I made a concerted effort not to check him out, but I was failing. I just couldn’t help drinking him in. I had only admired him from a distance. Up close, the effect was magnified. My pulse pounded in my ears. My mouth was dry.
“Good evening, Skye.”
That voice….
“Hi!”
“You didn’t answer. Want to come on a run with me?”
I’d completely forgotten to reply. I shook my head, whistling. “Pilates girl here. Plus, I exercise in the morning. Specialists recommend that.”
“I find it relaxing in the evening.”
“I actually just read a study on the best time to exercise.” Taking out my phone, I clicked the library icon, pulling up said study. Rob was looking more incredulous with every passing second.
“A study?”
“I like reading or doing studies so much that I almost went for a PhD,” I explained. I turned the phone around, showing him the lines I’d highlighted.
Rob chuckled.
“What?” I asked.
“Nothing. I just like finding out more about you. Like the fact that you’re a brainiac. But I can’t factor in running in the morning. I usually get a call about some fire I need to put out just when I get out of bed. It relaxes me to do it in the evening. Releasing endorphins and all that.”
“Not the way to win over this girl.”
“What is the way, Skye?” He tilted closer to me. His eyes were smoldering. And just like that, I was on fire again. I swallowed, glancing away.
Ah, I could think of one or two ways. His hands could do wonders for my back, I was sure. Those full lips too. A current of heat ran through me. I could practically feel his mouth on my bare skin. How was this even possible?
Shrugging, I cleared my throat. “I’m just gonna drink a glass of wine and watch Netflix.”
“Is that an invitation?”
I laughed. “You are unbelievable.”
“Never claimed otherwise.”
“I’ve pegged you for the type who doesn’t drink this late. For sure not after a run, to take care of those muscles.”
“You noticed them?”
“Hard not to,” I admitted. Crap, I’d actually said it out loud? “Don’t let me keep you from your routine.”
“I’m tempted to ditch it tonight.” There was a playful glint in his eyes, but something told me he wasn’t joking.
“For wine and Netflix? That’s a slippery slope, neighbor. Before you know it, ditching your evening run becomes habit.”
“Not for wine and Netflix. For the company.” That glint in his eyes was becoming more and more pronounced. I squirmed, feeling my entire body sizzle, yearning for a kiss or a touch.
“I want you, Skye . ”
His words had been playing in my mind on a loop for days—not just the words but every detail surrounding them, including the intensity in his eyes and body language.
He’d kicked the ball into my court, but I still had no idea what to do with it. A one-night stand with my neighbor wasn’t the smartest thing, and yet….
I shook my head, snapping myself out of my thoughts.
“No, no. Don’t make me feel guilty for that. Come on, off you go.”
His smile widened, but he nodded, backing away. My pulse was still racing when I closed the door and leaned against it. Amazing how much sense of safety a piece of wood gave me.
I almost expected him to knock at my door one hour later after his run, but he didn’t.
To my astonishment, I was disappointed. Wow, this man was making me discover new things about myself.
I checked my phone before I went into my shower—no message. My stomach bottomed out.
I laughed at myself, taking off my clothes. The bra straps had left red marks on my shoulders, which meant they needed even more padding. I spoiled myself with a scrub and a hair mask. I was midway through rinsing when I heard my phone buzz with an incoming message.
My heart rate intensified the same second. I knew instinctively that it was from Rob. But what if it wasn’t? I had to know.
With my hair still full of gooey cream, I darted out of the shower and almost fell on my ass. I grabbed the towel rack for support, drying my hands before tapping my phone.
Rob: Just read that study. Very impressive.
Skye: It’s thorough, right?
Rob: Yeah. It’s just missing one thing.
Skye: What?
Rob: Instructions on how to have proper motivation to work out in the morning.
Skye: It wasn’t part of the research question though.
Rob: Plus, it comes down to personal choice.
Skye: True.
Rob: You can help.
I blinked at the screen, not really getting it.
Skye: What do you mean?
Rob: Train with me in the mornings.
Wow. Grinning, I leaned over the sink as I typed back. The mask was starting to drip, but I just couldn’t put the phone down long enough to rinse.
Skye: Thought you didn’t have time in the morning.
Rob: I’d make time for you.
I licked my lips, shaking my head. This man….
Skye: Think you could turn into a Pilates fan?
Rob: We could compromise. Half an hour jogging, half an hour of Pilates. You give in, I give in.
Skye: Sounds like making a deal with the devil.
I waited with bated breath for his reply.
Rob: It would be.
Skye: I’ll think about it.
I was grinning from ear to ear. How was I even considering it?
Rob: Tell me one more thing about you. Something I can’t guess.
Skye: But if I tell you, you’ll miss out on the fun of finding out yourself.
Rob: There’s so much to discover about you, so I’m sure we’ll have plenty of fun. I plan to be very thorough.
He wanted to discover me? That sounded….
Holy shit, I couldn’t even explain it, but it brought on a goofy smile.
The mask started dripping in earnest. After placing my phone on the counter under the mirror, I hopped back in the shower quickly, rinsing the rest of the mask.
My whole body was vibrating with excitement.
I usually liked to linger under the spray of the water, but now I was ready in record time, wrapping my hair in a towel and putting on a robe.
Another message awaited me.
Rob: Tell me something you haven’t told anyone.
Wow.
Skye: Aiming so high already?
Rob: Always.
Hmmm… what should I tell him? I made a mental list of possibilities, then chuckled at myself. I was taking this way too seriously.
Skye: I love to break rules occasionally.
He called me the next second. I went into my bedroom, sitting in the reading armchair next to the bed.
“I’ll need more details,” Rob said. “Pegged you as someone who sticks to rules.”
“I do.” I could barely keep from laughing. “I think they are there for a reason. But when I do break them, it’s such a rush….”
He didn’t say anything for a few seconds, but I thought he sounded as if he was stifling a groan. My body perked up at the possibility. I was getting feisty tonight.
“Give me an example.”
“So, my family organizes these events?—”
“The Ballroom Galas, I know. Anne told me.”