Embarrassment warmed her face, and she gulped again, wishing she had something to drink to help wash down the last of the brownie. “Ummm, ’tis me,”
“Are you okay?” he asked, his tone concerned.
She finally managed to get the majority of the dessert down, at least enough to talk without garbling her words. “I . . . uh . . . I’m good now. I was eating a brownie just as you called and shouldn’t have answered the phone with my mouth full.”
He chuckled, the sexy sound rippling through her like a physical caress. “Do I need to come over and administer mouth-to-mouth?”
Oh, yes, please, she was tempted to say. All weekend, her mind had replayed what he’d said to her outside of her shop about kissing her—when it happens, and trust me when I say that it will happen, I want the luxury of taking my time and exploring every inch of your soft, sweet mouth—and she’d already decided that when and if the opportunity presented itself and he tried to kiss her as part of the whole boyfriend experience, she certainly wasn’t going to deny him, or herself.
But right now, she wasn’t dressed for company. Her hair was in a sloppy ponytail, she was wearing sleep shorts and a tank top, she had zero makeup on, and she hadn’t shaved her legs in, well, almost a month. There had been no reason to . . . until now, just in case her calves or thighs came into contact with any part of Eric at the reunion. Yeah, that was her reasoning and she was sticking to it.
She cleared her throat one last time. “Thank you for the offer, but I think I’m good now.”
“Too bad,” he murmured, his voice low and teasing. “What are you doing? Other than eating what must have been a very thick, sticky brownie.”
The way he said thick and sticky made her thighs clench. “I’m sitting on my favorite chair in my living room reading a book.”
“What kind of book?” he asked curiously.
“A romance novel.”
She expected a snarky remark about reading porn, as her ex had referred to her genre preference, and was pleasantly surprised with Eric’s reply.
“Ahhh, that’s where the guy always gets the girl in the end, right?”
She grinned and switched it up. “Or the girl gets the guy.”
“I do love an aggressive woman who knows what she wants and isn’t afraid to go after it.”
“I’ll be sure to remember that.” Grinning to herself, she curled her legs beneath her and picked off a very small, safe piece of her brownie and popped it into her mouth. “I’ll have you know I’m super aggressive when it comes to the canoe race we always have at the reunion. You’ll be my partner, by the way.”
“I’ll try my best not to disappoint you, but don’t get upset if you get wet from all my vigorous . . . rowing.”
She laughed, marveling at how comfortable they already were with each other. How easy it was to talk and tease. “What are you up to?” she asked, turning the question around on him.
“You do realize, don’t you, that question is a loaded one?” His voice was low and husky in her ear. “Do you want the clean answer or the dirty one?”
Evie bit her bottom lip. She was so damn tempted to go the dirty route. “Are you flirting with me, Mr. Miller?”
“Yes, just like any good boyfriend would,” he said, his tone amused, though he didn’t push on the dirty/clean answer. “So, you mentioned something about your parents being a little over-the-top and I’m going to have to roll with the punches when it comes to them. Care to elaborate on that?”
She groaned, not looking forward to this conversation because she just knew that Eric was going to have a field day with what he learned. But he deserved to know what he was getting himself into so he was prepared when her parents said or did something outlandish. And there was every chance that they would.
“So, yeah, my parents are very open and accepting about just about anything, as long as it doesn’t break the law,” she said, pinching off another brownie morsel and eating it. “They’re also very unconventional, and all about free love and sexual freedom.”
He chuckled. “They sound like cool parents to me.”
“And extremely embarrassing at times,” she added, thinking about the time her father had given her prom date a strip of condoms, “just in case.” It had been her senior year and she’d just turned eighteen, as had the guy she’d been with, but at that moment she would have done anything for the floor to open up and swallow her whole.
“My mother is a tantric yoga instructor and my father is a sexologist.” How was that for ridiculously crazy occupations?
“Sexologist?” Eric asked curiously. “What is that?”
“It’s a fancy word for sex therapist, but my dad likes to be called a sexologist because he’s a specialist in the field. So if my father starts talking to you about erectile dysfunction, or that it’s perfectly healthy to fulfill kinky sexual fantasies as long as they’re consensual, or my mother takes you aside to let you know what position is the best for a woman to achieve a vaginal orgasm, I’m apologizing right now.”
By the time she was done with those warnings, he was laughing so hard it made her giggle, too. When she’d given her ex the same spiel about her parents, he’d been appalled and made her feel as though her parents were freaks.
“Oh my God, I love them already,” Eric said once they’d both stopped laughing.
“Honestly, they’re fantastic parents and I had a great childhood because they were so open about communicating with me and my brother, who came out as gay a few years ago. I always felt like I could talk to them about anything, and my friends were jealous of that.”
“Me, too,” he said, startling her with that admission. “You’re very lucky.”
She heard the melancholy in his voice, and a bit of sadness. Before she could ask him about his family and parents, he smoothly changed the subject. And truthfully, this exchange didn’t require her to know about his family situation, so she let it slide, though she was extremely curious.
“So, I now know that you like brownies and romance novels, but there are other basic things I should know about you if we’ve been dating a few months, like what is your favorite food?”
“Mmmm. Pepperoni and mushroom pizza with extra cheese.” Her mouth watered just mentioning it. “You?”
“Anything Mexican, but if I had to pick only one thing, it would be a chile relleno.”
She made an ick sound and a face to go with it, even though he couldn’t see her expression. “I can’t stand those green chile peppers.”
“I’ll be sure not to kiss you after I’ve eaten one,” he promised, interjecting the comment so naturally, as if they’d already kissed a dozen times. Or he planned to, anyway. “What’s your favorite kind of music?”
“Country.”
“Mine’s rock.”
She shook her head at their different tastes. “Looks like we’re going to be fighting over radio stations on the drive to Santa Barbara.”
He chuckled. “Are you a dog or cat person?”
“Cat person.” Dogs made her nervous. “I had the sweetest cat growing up and I’m thinking of adopting one just to have some company when I’m home.”
He groaned in disappointment. “I hate cats. It’s a good thing that opposites attract, right?”
“Yes,” she agreed, though since they weren’t really dating, those things weren’t an issue.
“Now this question is really important,” he said, his serious tone grabbing her attention. “What kind of underwear do you prefer to wear?”
She was quiet for a few seconds, the flirty question making her squirm on the couch. She thought about the panties she liked best, bought more for comfort than seduction, and knew if she was honest with her reply, Eric was going to be extremely let down. “Are you sure that question is really necessary?” she asked, keeping her voice light and amused.
“Of course it is. As your boyfriend, I would know this,” he said playfully. “Wait. Let me guess.”
“Okay.” She waited for
him to follow that up with a standard male response, like a thong or g-string.
“I think you’re all about comfort, but you like pretty, too,” he mused. “So, I’m going to go with soft white cotton panties trimmed in lace.”
She blinked in shock, wondering how he could have known. “I’m impressed. You’re right. Have you been in my lingerie drawer?”
He chuckled, the sound huskier now. “No, but I’m glad I was right. That’s the best kind of underwear on a woman.”
He was full of surprises, because in her experience, most men wanted to see the barely there panties. “How so?”
“The cotton makes them demure, the hint of lace makes them subtly sexy, so when they’re being pulled down a woman’s legs, it’s like unwrapping a sweet gift that ends up being really fucking hot.”
The last part came out as a sexy growl, and Evie’s entire body flooded with heat. Her nipples tightened and tingled, and between her legs . . . her neglected lady parts pulsed with an overwhelming desire and need. She could easily imagine him sliding her panties down her legs, his dark, hooded gaze brazenly staring at the treasure he revealed.
She swallowed hard. “Ahhh, I think we need to stop right there,” she said, before she spontaneously combusted from his words alone.
“Just for the record, I wear boxer briefs,” he offered casually, as if he hadn’t just left her completely breathless.
She groaned as an image of Eric in tight black boxer briefs and nothing else filled her mind. “I didn’t need to know that.” Because now, when she tried to fall asleep, that particular vision would undoubtedly keep her awake and very restless.
“Well, now you do,” he said, the wicked note to his voice letting her know he’d deliberately provoked her. “One last important question before I let you go. Are you a girl who likes sweet talk or dirty talk?”
She covered her face with her free hand, feeling it warm beneath her palm. “Why is that important?”
“It’s very important, because your boyfriend should know the best way to seduce you.”
God, he was killing her. Eric Miller might not be her legitimate boyfriend, but she wasn’t averse to the idea of him doing hot, decadent things to her. And because they weren’t face-to-face, she felt bold enough to admit the truth. “Well, not that I’ve had a whole lot of experience with this, but I’m not opposed to dirty talk.”
“Good answer, sweetheart.” His low, sexy voice made her shiver.
She bit her bottom lip and dared to ask, “Are you trying to seduce me?”
“Only if you want me to,” he said, leaving the possibility up to her. “Good night, Evie.”
“Night,” she whispered. She disconnected the call, but one crucial thought lingered. Did she want him to seduce her?
It was crazy because she hadn’t known him for very long, but their connection was strong, as was their attraction, and he was the perfect rebound guy after the way her ex had dumped her. She knew up front that they were a temporary item with an end date. She’d hired him for a weekend of the boyfriend experience, bought and paid for . . . well, not paid for yet, but she intended to settle that issue before they left. But the fact that she was aware that the boyfriend gig was a side job for him—a service that pretty much meant he enjoyed his single status—made it easy for her to guard her emotions and keep things between them light and fun, with no messy involvements.
She’d always put her whole heart into relationships, but for once in her life, she just wanted to give in to that no-strings-attached lust and attraction instead of saving it all for a guy who’d only end up letting her down or hurting her in the long run. And at least with Eric, she knew the score and rules up front.
Her stomach danced with anticipation, giving her the answer she sought. If the situation or opportunity presented itself with Eric, she was all in for a weekend of feel-good sex.
CHAPTER SEVEN
At one thirty Monday afternoon, Eric parked his car in an open spot near Evie’s Beauty and Bliss Salon and Spa. Even though she wasn’t expecting him, he had a legit reason for stopping by. And no, he wasn’t stalking her.
After last night, he’d gone to bed with a smile on his face, and that hadn’t happened in forever and never on a Sunday night after time spent with his mother. But Evie had given him exactly what he needed last night and made him forget about the pain of his sister’s death and his family issues.
He had to admit that he enjoyed flirting with her, and if he had his way, they’d be doing a lot more than indulging in sexy banter when they were together. First on his agenda was stealing a kiss. And from there, he’d take his cues from her to see if they were on the same page when it came to taking their attraction to the next level.
Getting out of his car, he headed toward the salon, and as soon as he stepped inside, he was taken aback by all the women in the place and the amount of noise that greeted him—a combination of lively female chatter and happy laughter. The sitting area off to the side of the reception desk was filled with over a dozen clients who appeared to be waiting for an appointment while conversing with the other ladies and enjoying beverages and a table filled with various desserts.
It was a very different scene from the quieter one he’d encountered on Friday, when there had only been one client for each of the women working in the salon. Today, it appeared like he’d walked into a social gathering of some sort.
As soon as the women realized that a man had entered the establishment, the conversations died down, and they all looked at him a little warily, which he found odd. He offered them a friendly smile, then glanced toward Evie’s station just as she turned her head to see what had caused the sudden hush that had fallen over the shop.
She saw him and her eyes went wide with surprise. The delighted smile that immediately appeared on her lips made him feel a little sucker-punched, because he knew it was meant just for him. He gave her a small wave, and she said something to the client sitting in her chair, then made her way over to the reception area.
The group of females was still watching him tentatively as Evie approached where he was standing. As soon as she reached him, she turned her attention to the women for a moment.
“It’s okay, ladies,” she said, her tone light and gentle. “He’s a friend of mine.”
He was struck by how weird the situation was. Why did Evie have to reassure these women and clarify who he was? But as soon as she did, a collective sense of relief spread throughout the salon and the ladies gradually went back to visiting with each other.
She met his gaze again, her pretty blue eyes filled with unmistakable pleasure. “Hey, what are you doing here?” she asked, not explaining the strange scene he’d just encountered. “Were you in the neighborhood and couldn’t resist stopping by to see me?”
She was teasing him, and he liked it. “That’s definitely one of the reasons.”
Her cheeks flushed a light shade of pink. “And the other?”
“Well, I was hoping you might have room in your schedule to give me a haircut.” He ran his fingers through the strands that were longer than he normally let them get, and while he could have gone to his barber, the thought of feeling Evie’s fingers running through his hair kind of turned him on. “I don’t want to meet your parents looking like a bum, but you obviously have a full day of appointments,” he said, referencing all the women in the shop.
“Today is definitely a crazy day,” she agreed. “Normally, we’re closed on Mondays. We’re only open today because of the Beautiful You program, which we do on the last Monday of the month. That’s why it’s so crowded in here.”
She indicated a sign set up on an easel by the front door that said Welcome to Beautiful You Day! It didn’t explain what the program was, but clearly these women were at the salon and spa to be pampered in some way.
“I’ll tell you what,” she went on. “If you’re willing to come back around six thirty this evening, which is after my last appointment for the day, I’d be happy to give you a
haircut.”
“Okay, that works for me,” he said, and knowing she had clients to attend to, he didn’t want to take up any more of her time. “You get back to your customer, and I’ll see you in a few hours.”
“Sounds good,” she said, her eyes sparkling happily. “I’ll see you then.”
After leaving the shop, Eric drove back to the office for the afternoon, and between fires he and Leo had to put out, phone calls, and paperwork, the time passed quickly. When he returned to Beauty and Bliss at the designated time, the only person left in the salon was Evie. The place was cleaned up, like none of it had ever happened.
“Hey,” Evie greeted him from where she was by her station. “Mind locking the door behind you? We’re officially closed for the evening, thank goodness.”
She sounded exhausted, but she was smiling, like the day had been a good one. He turned the lock to secure the door, then walked over to her. “Thanks for making time for me. I really appreciate it.”
“It’s not a problem,” she said, waving away his thanks. “It’s nice and quiet in here now, and your haircut shouldn’t take very long. Have a seat in my chair.”
He sat down, and as she grabbed the black hair-cutting cape and attached it around his neck, her stomach growled, long and loud.
She laughed in embarrassment. “Well, that was obnoxious.”
He chuckled. “Have you had anything to eat?”
“Nothing substantial since breakfast,” she said with a shake of her head as she lifted the lid on the cabinet in front of them, revealing a shampoo bowl beneath. “It’s been one customer after another all day. I’ll grab something after we’re done here.”
“I’m actually hungry, too. How about I order us a pepperoni and mushroom pizza with extra cheese?” Yeah, he was shamelessly suggesting her favorite food.
She met his gaze, her eyes dancing playfully. “You really are trying to seduce me, aren’t you?”
“Maybe,” he said with a wink, and taking that as a yes, he brought his phone out in front of him and opened up his favorite pizza delivery app.
The Boyfriend Experience Page 6
