Illicit

An hour later, promptly at ten o’clock, the door opened again, only this time, a beautiful man strode inside. After he quickly scanned the store, he closed the door behind him and twisted the lock, then pulled the string attached to the neon sign, turning off the bright pink “We’re Open” sign.

When he turned back to face me, I took him in.

He’d changed out of his three-piece suit and into a deep green, V-neck sweater paired with dark gray jeans and clean white sneakers.

Reed stalked toward me, kicking up an entire dance troupe of butterflies in my gut.

“Someone could still be in the dressing room,” I said, tilting my head toward the line of dressing rooms on the back wall opposite Mina’s office.

His gaze flicked past me. “Well that would be a problem. Let’s go look.”

I stepped backwards and he stepped forward, matching each step of mine with one of his own until my back hit the faux-ivy wall. He stopped so close the toes of our shoes nearly kissed. With his eyes locked on mine, he lifted his hand to knock on the only closed door. When no one responded, he cocked an eyebrow.

“We should probably investigate.” I shrugged.

Reed licked his lips and the Smirker was back. His gaze flicked back and forth between mine, then he reached up and knocked again. “This is your last chance. Olly olly oxen free.”

I snorted, covering my mouth quickly.

“Open it.”

His voice had that firmness in it again, that power that struck me right between the legs.

I reached over and twisted the knob. The door opened. In my peripheral vision, I could see what I already knew. The stall was empty.

I raised my eyebrows.

“Empty.” Reed tilted his head. “Now, if I didn’t know any better, I’d think you want me to grab you by the neck, drag you inside that room…”

I swallowed hard.

“And fuck your brains out.

I gasped, then nodded emphatically. Yes, please. My body hummed with excitement. Yes, please.

“But I told you I was going to work on my self-control.”

My shoulders fell.

His smirk pulled into one of his very rare smiles. “Don’t be so disappointed, Ms. Blake. My self-control is one of my best qualities.” He nodded behind him toward the register. “Go close up. We’re going to get acquainted tonight.”