Page 22 of Wicked Takeover
“Dante, hey!”
Hallie, a busty redhead and regular customer, wiggled her fingers. “You ready for me?”
“He’d better be.” Jasmina pointed at him. “Back to work.”
Lauren pivoted, the Dove Bar forgotten, and ducked into her office.
…
Running into Dante was more than Lauren could manage. Talking to him, being close, and experiencing his touch unglued her.
No telling what eating a Dove Bar with him would have done.
Wasn’t going to happen. He had the gorgeous redhead to deal with.
The woman laughed heartily.
He said something low in return. Possibly seductive.
Silence followed, except for a sad Spanish ranchera flowing from the sound system.
His client squealed.
He couldn’t be tickling her. She sure as hell had better not tickle him.
They fell silent.
That was the absolute worst. Lauren hoped they weren’t kissing. What happened to threats from lawsuits? And what about the security camera?
She kept her back to the monitor.
He had three more female clients tonight before the parlor closed. This day would never end.
She wasn’t certain she’d survive it.
…
Twice more that evening Dante ran into Lauren unexpectedly. Both times, she’d barely met his gaze, her manner aroused yet uncomfortable. The way a woman might behave if she wanted to say something but didn’t know how to begin.
He would have helped her along, sensing this was more personal than business, but she kept giving him a panicked glance and rushing off, showing him her back.
What a back it was, along with everything else about her.
She’d finally taken his advice and relaxed, somewhat. Snug jeans hugged her succulent figure. She’d paired the denim with an embellished blue tee. The sparkles across its neckline and her boobs glittered nearly as bright as her eyes. The heat in them had been more than amazing; it smoldered.
She was losing control.
Dante couldn’t have been happier. With his last customer gone, he stopped in the hall and glanced behind him.
Jasmina approached, smartphone to her ear, listening to whatever the person on the other end said.
He’d hoped to see Lauren.
Jasmina reached his side and spoke into her phone. “Baby, hold on. Gotta talk to Dante.” She pressed the device to her chest. “I’m taking off. See you tomorrow.”
“Wait.”
Van Gogh shouldered past them and sighed loudly. “Night.”
