Brikelle’s stomach flip-flopped. Alone in his house, in swimming suits? “As long as you remember that we aren’t really married.”
Colt’s warm chuckle filled the cab of the truck. “I’ll try.”
They swung by her apartment to get her suit, then drove up the hill to his house. He parked his truck in his nicely organized garage and got her door. Ike rushed up to greet them with a flurry of barks and tail-wagging. Brikelle predictably jumped, but she withheld the scream and tried to think positive thoughts toward the dog. It wasn’t Ike’s fault that other dogs had hurt her. That was like trying to say all humans were bad because some committed crimes, right? She took deep breaths to slow her racing heart and tried to believe her own pep talk.
Colt stepped in front of her and she really appreciated the barrier, but she wanted to try to like his dog. Ike was a big part of Colt.
“Hi, Ike,” she managed to say.
Colt looked at her over his shoulder and gave her an encouraging smile. “Good job.”
“I, um, want to try to pet him.”
Colt’s eyes widened. “Are you sure? It’s fine, Bri. You don’t have to be best friends with my dog.”
She swallowed, grateful he understood, but maybe she could do this and overcome her fears. She used to be afraid of heights until her brothers rigged a zip line and helped her ride it. Soaring through the air was exhilarating and they’d had to fight her for turns after that first ride. Maybe Ike could be like that. He could be her zip line to a world where every dog wasn’t out to bite her. “I think it would be good for me.”
Colt studied her for a few seconds, then gently took her hand in his. He stayed between her and Ike, but slowly stretched their hands until they were joined on top of Ike’s head. Ike barked and Brikelle pulled in a quick breath, but didn’t jump, scream, or pull her hand away. Ike shifted his head up, pressing into their hands. Brikelle’s hand was flat on his head with Colt’s on top of hers. She moved her hand back and forth a few times, and Ike stood still and let her.
Colt lifted his hand off of hers and scratched at Ike’s ears for a few seconds. Brikelle continued to move her hand slowly. Ike’s fur was smooth, and though her heart was beating faster than normal, she thought she was doing pretty good. Finally, she lifted her hand. Colt bent down and said, “Go play, boy.”
Ike barked happily and ran outside.
Colt turned to her. His eyes lit up. “You did great. Thank you.”
“I want to try to like him.”
“I appreciate you trying, but the most important thing is you like his owner.”
“Now that’s asking a lot.”
He chuckled, and she grinned.
“Is Ike more of an outside dog?”
“Yeah. He sleeps in the garage.” He indicated a corner with a huge dog bed. “I don’t usually let him inside. He gets a little rambunctious and he isn’t trained. I don’t like cleaning up after him.”
Brikelle walked into the laundry room. She was proud of how she’d done with Ike, but still relieved to be inside where she didn’t need to worry about being surprised by a bark or the large dog brushing against her. Kind of like how she could zip line but wouldn’t be jumping out of an airplane anytime soon.
She admired the black-painted cabinets and the red-and-gray-swirled granite of the large laundry room. “I would think a cabinet maker would frown on paint on his cabinets.”
“I’m not that big of a purist. Would you like to change in the bathroom?”
She’d like a tour of this house, but she nodded and went into the bathroom to slip into her suit, which was still damp from boating last night. It remained her best option for swimwear. She eyed herself critically in the mirror, noting the suit was getting stretched out. What did she expect? It was from high school.
She exited the bathroom and sauntered into the kitchen. Her eyes were drawn to the knotty hickory cabinets and the dark brown, gray, and black granite countertop. She ran her hand along the rough-finished edge of the granite. The decorations were nonexistent, but the house could stand on its own. Two-story windows opened up to a back deck and the green canyon wall. The woodwork throughout was amazing with different grains and types. She was marveling over the entertainment center and fireplace, both made of a deep walnut, when she heard footsteps on the stairs. Turning, she caught sight of Colt descending the stairs in just a swimsuit, his calves flexing with every step. Sheesh, that man wore swimming apparel rather well.
“Is the master suite upstairs?”
“Yeah. It’s kind of a different style, and my mom tells me I’ll regret it when I’m old and my knees hurt.” He grinned. “But the entire upstairs is the master suite. The rest of the bedrooms are in the basement and the main level is just the great room, office, formal room, and laundry.”
“I like it.”
“Thanks. My sisters keep claiming it needs a woman’s touch and they’re always offering to spruce it up. Could I hire you to decorate it for me?”
Brikelle tilted her head to the side. “I don’t come cheap.”
He finished crossing the distance to her. “But I’m sure you’re worth it.”
“Definitely.”
He was in her space, within kissing distance. Brikelle met his gaze, and then her eyes dipped to his lips and back up. He took a long breath that came out a little ragged on the exhale. “Bri?”
“Yes?” She moistened her lips and leaned in.
“I told you I’d wait to kiss you.”
Brikelle’s stomach took flight and her throat was suddenly dry. “What if I’m the one who initiates the kiss?”
He inched closer to her. “Would you do that … for me?”
“It is asking a lot.” She wrapped her arms around his neck. “But you’ve been pretty good to me. I think I could return the favor.”
Colt grinned, wrapped his hands around her waist, and bent down. He came within centimeters of her lips, but then he stopped and pulled back slightly. Brikelle’s breath was coming hard and fast, and her hands tightened around his neck. Colt just stood there staring at her.
“What?” she finally pushed out.
“You have to kiss me,” he murmured.
Brikelle smiled. “Oh, yeah. I’ve never initiated a kiss. Any tips?”
Colt massaged her lower back, sending her stomach tumbling with anticipation. “I think you’re pretty much a natural. I’ll take whatever you’re willing to give.”
Brikelle wondered once again what his boundaries were. “We draw the line at kissing. Hope you’re okay with that?”
“I’m okay with anything, but could we please stop wasting time talking and get to the kissing?”
She laughed, lifted up on tiptoes, and pressed her lips to his. He didn’t need another invitation, pulling her snug against his warm chest and deepening the kiss until she was certain she’d never felt passion or excitement like this in her life.
Chapter Six
Brikelle was an interesting mix of excited and nervous for their shopping trip Monday night. She had no clue what clothing or styles would impress a bunch of wealthy people, and she felt really awkward about Colt buying them for her. It was obvious he wasn’t hurting for money, but still it didn’t feel right for her to be a charity case for him. Her dad wouldn’t like it. No matter how tight things had gotten on the farm, her family had never taken a handout. She could remember winters surviving on milk, meat, cheese, wheat bread, and what they could process from their garden, but survive they did.
Her phone rang as she was driving back from Emma’s house to her apartment to get ready to go tonight. If she wore the same pencil skirt with a different top, would that just scream to him that he definitely needed to buy her clothes? He might think she would wear this same outfit to Emma’s party this weekend and really embarrass him. The skirt was a great one that she’d found on the clearance rack at Macy’s. It fit her well and it was Anne Klein. Wasn’t that a nice brand?
She fumbled for her phone as it rang again and h
urried to swipe it to accept the call. “Hello?”
“Girl! Where have you disappeared to? I go away for my graduation trip and you just up and leave the valley without my permission.”
“Caimbre. How was Europe?” She’d missed her friend these past few weeks.
“Oh, friend. I can’t even describe how fabulous it was. The castles, the scenery, the food, the men.” She sighed dramatically. Everything with Caimbre was dramatic, but Brikelle absolutely loved her. They’d roomed together their freshman year because neither of them started school with someone they knew, and they’d been inseparable their entire college experience. Except for summers, when Brikelle would go home to work on the farm and save up money, and Caimbre would travel the world with her ultra-wealthy parents. Brikelle mostly ignored the unfairness of life, because Caimbre was such a great friend and didn’t rub it in too much.
“Where are you?” Caimbre demanded. “Did you go home? I thought you were working for that design company that you were so excited about.”
“I am. There was a lot of work up Ogden Canyon in Eden and Huntsville, so I got an apartment up here to work for the summer, maybe longer.” She looked around at the picturesque valley. It wasn’t Europe, but the lush greenery and scenic lake made her feel like she was on a vacation and she was really enjoying her summer, especially a certain cabinet maker’s company.
“Good for you! Any hot men?”
“Um, yum—I mean, yes.”
“Yum? Oh, this I have to hear about.”
“Yeah, he’s definitely yum. Colt is doing the cabinets for the house I’m decorating. That man is the epitome of hot construction worker.”
Caimbre giggled.
“He owns the business and he’s pretty amazing.”
“You like this Colt, I take it?”
“I like him a lot.”
“Yeah, baby!”
“Hey.” Brikelle pulled into her driveway and popped out of her old car, standing in the sun for a minute. “I need to look fabulous this weekend for a party I’m going to.”
“A nighttime party or what?”
“Like an all-weekend party with a bunch of richies. If I impress them I’ll get a bunch more work and it’d be amazing.”
“Oh, gotcha. So not a party-party. A weekend house, stuffy people party?”
“Yeah. At Emma Jensen’s new house. That’s who I’m decorating for right now.”
Caimbre gave a low whistle. “Whoa. Good job, girl. Emma’s a sweetie. She runs in my parents’ circles sometimes.”
“She is. She’s really fun to work for and she’s kind of promised more work if this weekend goes well.” She paused and knew she’d regret it, but then she had to spit it out to her best friend. “I also have to pretend I’m married to Colt.”
“What?”
“Yeah. Everything got kind of twisted.”
“Oh, my. Sounds like this is going to be a really fun weekend.”
“For sure.” The sound of a motor tugged at her attention. Colt’s white truck rolled into the driveway. “I’ve got to go. He’s here.”
“Okay, good luck! Oh, and go to White House, Black Market. Classy and great quality. You’ll look fabulous, but won’t look like you’re trying too hard.”
“Thanks. Love you.”
“Love you too!”
Colt hopped down from the truck and grinned at her as she pocketed her phone. “Let’s shop!”
Brikelle laughed. “Didn’t figure the tough construction man would like shopping.”
“Oh, I don’t, but I get to be with you.”
Brikelle strode up to him and planted a kiss on his lips. “Thank you! This is so nice of you.”
Colt kissed her again. “If you’ll promise to model, then I think it’ll ease the pain a little bit.”
She kind of loved that he was so attracted to her. The thought of modeling for him warmed her cheeks. They were getting really good at this fake-married act.
Colt was relieved Brikelle requested White House, Black Market. His sisters had told him that was the best spot for really high-quality women’s clothing.
They drove to Salt Lake City and into the City Creek shopping district, situated in the middle of downtown. Brikelle seemed a bit uncomfortable at first, but she explained that her friend had told her this was the store to go to and the saleswomen were fabulous with her. Colt sat in a comfy chair by the changing room and watched as they brought her armloads of clothes and she kept coming out to model. When she walked out with a blousy black shirt and some floral print shorts that showcased her legs very nicely, helped out by strappy black-heeled sandals, he couldn’t hold in a whistle of appreciation. She shimmied her hips and did a little dance, and Colt lost the ability to breathe for a few seconds.
“I don’t care what you say,” he finally muttered. “We’re buying everything you have on.”
The saleswoman beamed. “Your husband is a keeper.”
Brikelle blushed. Colt wondered why everyone assumed that they were married, especially since neither of them wore a ring. He should buy her a ring of some sort. He liked that people assumed they were married. Hopefully that meant they really did have sparks between them. Crazy that he’d only known her for a week and not liked her at all when he first met her.
She strode back to the dressing room. Colt lifted out of his seat and pivoted to watch her go. Those legs were great.
“Your wife is a beauty,” the saleswoman said.
“She is.”
“And so sweet. I love working with women like her.”
Colt nodded. He decided shopping was a great pastime as he watched her model dresses, skirts, shorts, and loved every minute of it. “What about a swimming suit?” he asked the saleslady.
“Oh, we don’t carry suits. I’d suggest Athleta.”
“Thanks.” The saleslady had kept everything that he’d said he liked and there was quite a pile by the checkout desk.
“Did you get a bunch that you liked too?” Colt asked Bri. Everything in the pile looked like the clothes he’d preferred on her. He didn’t care which clothes he bought for her; they’d all looked great and he just wanted her to be secure in the way she looked.
“I liked the same ones you did.”
He studied her. “Bri. I want you to be comfortable and confident in the clothes you choose.”
“You’re paying for it, and unfortunately I can read numbers on price tags,” she whispered.
The saleswomen were now gathered around the counter, watching the two of them. Colt smiled at them, but pulled her gently away. “Bri, I don’t care what the prices are. I want you to get whatever you like.”
“All of the ones you wanted are far too much.”
He ignored that. “But was there anything I didn’t pick that you liked?”
She glanced down. “There was one dress.”
“Grab it. Which one?”
She looked at the saleslady. “Can you please get the sleeveless white with the small black polka dots?”
The lady’s face lit up. “The fit and flare. I loved that on you.” She hurried back to the changing room, returning with the dress.
Colt remembered the dress too. “I loved that on you too,” he murmured near Bri’s ear.
“Why didn’t you say something?”
“I loved everything on you. Should we buy it all?”
“No!” She blushed; then she leaned up and kissed his cheek. “Thank you.”
The gesture was sweet and innocent, and her gratitude made him fall just a bit deeper for her. Obviously, she hadn’t had much money in her life, and she’d been so cute throughout the modeling show. They waited while the ladies totaled and bagged the clothes. The clerk started to say a total, but Colt cut her off with a quick shake of his head and thrust a credit card into her hands.
He was loaded down with bags as they walked out into the sunshine. “Now I get to watch you model swimsuits.” He pumped his eyebrows. “This is the best shopping trip ever.”
Brikelle rolled her eyes at him. “I can choose a suit quick. I bet I won’t even have to try it on. You’ve spent too much on me already.”
“I’d be happy to break the bank if it made you happy.”
“Who knew you were a big old softy?”
“Don’t let it get out. My crew would riot.”
She laughed. “We still need to find you clothes.”
“Naw. I can wear whatever.”
She pushed at him. “You liar! You claimed you needed this shopping trip.”
He quirked an eyebrow at her, then sighed. “My sisters would say I definitely do. Okay, here’s the plan. You model suits, then we eat at Cheesecake Factory. After that, we’ll run into Hugo or Nordstrom and buy me some stuff.”
“I get to sit in the chair and watch you model, then.”
“I don’t think it will be nearly as fun for you as it was for me.”
“Think again.”
He laughed. “I wish I could set all these bags down and kiss you right now, my beautiful wife.”
“You’re getting way too comfortable with that.”
“Kissing you?”
“No. Wife.”
“Just practicing, pretty girl.” He winked and followed her into the swimsuit store.
Chapter Seven
The week was busier than any Brikelle could remember. The cleaning crews finished with the house and Joshua declared it was ready for Brikelle Monday afternoon. All the furniture and decorations were delivered Tuesday morning, and she spent every minute hanging, arranging, eyeballing, and beautifying. Emma came by often with several assistants to help Brikelle position bigger items. It was a lot of fun, but exhausting. Colt brought her takeout every night—sandwiches, pizza, Chinese food. They’d talk until she forced herself to get back to work.
“So the big party is tomorrow,” he said as they sat on the back patio in the plush furniture Emma and Brikelle had chosen.
She nodded, the orange chicken catching in her throat.
“You nervous?” he asked.
Swallowing, she took a long drink of water. “Yes. You?”
How to Love a Dog's Best Friend : Must Love Dogs Page 7
