Your One True Love (The Bennett Family 8)

“You’re absolutely right.”

“I have just what you need,” she

says confidently. “I’ll take some outfits in the changing room for you. If you see anything you like, grab it and bring it in the changing room too.”

I turn to Daniel, sizing him up.

“What?” he inquires.

“Trying to decide what would go with a pirate.” I continue to eat him up with my gaze, intending to fully take advantage of the guise of studying him and visualizing him in his pirate costume. He’s wearing a simple polo shirt today. He’d have no problem making a living modeling. The man is a piece of art. I don’t think I’ll ever tire of drinking him in.

“Found anything you like?” Violet asks, reappearing beside us. “I took Cinderella and Snow White costumes in the back for you.”

I perk up at this. “Oh, so princess costumes are allowed?”

“Sure,” she answers.

“I’ll go right to the changing room and try them on.”

Violet leads me to the back with Daniel hot on my heels. Even though he’s at least a foot behind us, I can feel his presence, his gaze on me.

“Oh, this is beautiful,” I exclaim upon seeing the costume. “Let’s see how I look in it.”

Violet nods. “You’ll need help zipping it up in the back—”

“I’ll do it,” Daniel says. His voice is deceptively neutral, but I don’t miss the spark in his eyes. A shiver runs through me, and I inadvertently lick my lips, focusing on the costume.

“Right, you’re banned from going anywhere near the changing room, Daniel,” Violet exclaims. “No sex in my shop. I mean it. You’re looking at her like you want to eat her up.”

My cheeks heat up at her bluntness. Daniel merely laughs, shaking his head.

“I’m with Violet,” I tell him. “You’re not even allowed in the changing room. Sit there, and I’ll come out and model for you. I can zip myself up no problem. Plenty of practice.”

Daniel’s eyes darken, and my resolve nearly melts under his scrutiny, but I stick to my guns. See, it’s not just that I like adhering to common standards of public decency, but I love riling Daniel up, teasing him. So I pull the curtain of the changing room almost all the way closed. Enough for him to be able to see the peep show, enough to leave him wanting more. Oh hello, inner vixen, where have you been?

Once the costume’s on, I decide this is the one. I don’t need to try on anything else. This just fits right. Smiling, I step outside. Daniel sits in the armchair opposite the changing room, sizing me up with hunger. Whoops, I forgot all about the peep show I gave him, and I’m wearing the red lingerie he bought me for my birthday.

“You look fantastic in it,” Violet says, startling as the bell rings at the front and the door opens. “Have to go greet the customer. If you need me, shout.”

“I love it, and I’m buying it,” I announce.

He rises from the armchair, closing the distance to me, taking my hand and twirling me around once. “I’m buying it for you.”

“No, you won’t. I can afford it.”

“It’s not a question of affording it. You wouldn’t need to buy it if it wasn’t required for the party.” His voice is low but determined.

“But—”

“If I want to buy my girlfriend a Halloween costume, I damn well will.”

Warmth travels through me at his words, and I instinctively squeeze his hand. He frowns slightly, looking down at our interlinked hands, then back up.

“What?”

“You called me your girlfriend.” I have no idea why I’m whispering.

He searches my expression. “That a problem?”