Devil in Texas (Rugged and Risque 1)

Though she didn’t get that vibe from him. He seemed happy to be the carefree bachelor. Despite how intense he was with her.

But that was just sex, right?

Chapter Nine

As she walked along the path that wound to the front of her adorable new pad, Liza dug her key ring out of her clutch. She unlocked the door and stepped inside the cottage, only to turn right around. There wasn’t much to do here but stew over the odd predicament she’d found herself in. She had things to do in town, like find a hairdresser ASAP. The faded highlights were grating on her nerves.

She drove her Mercedes into town, the sporty red car garnering more than its fair share of attention. When she pulled into a parallel parking spot on Wilder’s main drag, she felt a twinge of self-consciousness creep up on her again at the stares that flashed in her direction. She headed down the sidewalk, thinking these people needed to find something more interesting than her to stare at, but knowing that wouldn’t happen for some time. Not until they all got used to seeing her in her New York garb and racy little car.

She found herself heading toward the parking lot where Jack had left the truck while they’d dined at Ruby and Mike’s place. Returning to the scene of the crime didn’t help her to let go of the afternoon’s bizarre events, but there was obviously something weighing on her subconscious mind. Across the street from where she stood was the lingerie boutique that had been the source of Lydia Bain’s contention when she’d slammed into Liza and Jack. Evidence of the wreck still remained in the street, as glass from the broken headlights was still scattered about.

A devious smile played on Liza’s lips as she crossed the street and walked into the boutique. She noticed the clothes rack with the nighties had been moved inside. No doubt Mrs. Bain had something to do with that.

As she entered the cozy shop, Liza was greeted by a petite blonde who looked all of twenty-two. “Hi,” she said with a shy smile. “I’m Ginger. Anything I can help you with?”

“Hi, Ginger. I’m Liza. New to town and in desperate need of a few things.”

A blind man wouldn’t have missed the smile on Ginger’s face. She lit up like a light bulb as excitement oozed from her every pore. “Oh that’s great! What are you looking for?”

Trying to keep the conversation light, Liza said, “I noticed your rack of nightgowns earlier. I spotted one I really liked.” She moved toward the lingerie Ginger had brought inside and quickly selected one. A red lace-and-satin number. “Here it is.” Lifting the hanger off the metal rod, Liza inspected it for all of two seconds and added, “Mm- hmm. This is it. Does it come in any other colors?”

“Hot pink, champagne, midnight blue and, of course, black.”

“Lucky me. I’ll take all of them in a medium.”

Ginger’s jaw fell slack. “You want five nighties?” Her thick southern accent put a heavy emphasis on the word “five.”

“And I’ll need panties to match,” Liza said without missing a beat.

The pretty shop owner simply stared at her, jaw still hanging open. Clearly that was bound to be everyone’s response to Liza. Luckily, she was rapidly growing a thick skin. Besides, it felt good to help Ginger. Didn’t take a Wall Street stockbroker to see this woman’s net shares were in the toilet. The racks were overflowing with sexy lingerie. The round tables in the center of the room were piled high with panties and stockings. In fact, Liza might be her only customer all day.

She bustled about the place, checking out the various accessories Ginger had on display, such as the thigh-highs with lacy tops and decorative ribbing to keep them in place, matching garter belts, four-inch-heeled slippers and feather boas. When she reached the glass shelves with the massage oils, edible body paints and sexy games, wild horses couldn’t drag Liza away from her new mission.

By the time she’d made her selections, she had an armful of goodies that she dumped on Ginger’s counter. She wanted to help Ginger, but she also thought Jack Wade could help her make excellent use of all of these naughty products. Something she’d never tried with Peter.

“Oh!” The petite blonde stared at her in obvious shock. “You really want all of these?”

“You bet. Beats waiting for mail order.”

Ginger frowned and Liza heard a little click in her own brain. Something was amiss here.

Probing as nonchalantly as possible, she asked, “How long have you been open, Ginger?”

“Just over a year,” she said as she started to ring up the purchases.

“And how are sales?”

Her smile faltered. “Oh well, you know. With the economy and all…” She shook her head, went back to keying in SKU numbers.

Liza asked, “Were sales good when you first opened shop?”

“Yes!” She beamed, despite herself. “I couldn’t believe it. I mean, I’d dreamt of opening a place like this since I was maybe sixteen or seventeen. Saved every penny I had from the time I started stocking shelves at the grocery store when I was just thirteen, knowing I’d build a niche somehow. I didn’t go to college, just kept working until I could afford the rent here and the merchandise. When I finally hung that ‘Open’ sign on the door…” Another sharp shake of her head as tears suddenly pooled in her big green eyes.

Tugging on Liza’s heartstrings, the girl almost made her cry. There was no mistaking Ginger’s pride in her accomplishment. Her desire to succeed at all costs. This woman had worked hard to make her dream come true, tainted though it was now. Liza’s heart went out to the girl because she could tell by the overstocked racks that sales were less than stellar.

“I’m sorry,” Ginger said as she fanned her face with one hand. Her efforts to contain her emotions were futile. A thin stream of tears slid down her lovely face and it was all Liza could do not to reach for her and hug her as she cried. “I just… I wanted this to be the kind of place women felt at home visiting, you know? To shop here for themselves, buying pretty, silky things that’d make them feel sexy and desirable. And yet…” Her head ducked toward the cash register so that her blonde curls fell across the side of her face, effectively hiding her distress.

Liza’s heart constricted. Ginger was the sweetest little thing and here she was, torn down by narrow-minded people like…Lydia Bain.