Impetuously Irresistible: An insta-love with the Billionaire Boss Romance Novella

by Ember Flint

  I nod, smiling a little. “I totally get it, but why lingerie?”

  My friend chuckles. “Well, she not only gave me a price range for her gift, but she insisted on the what and the where: it has to be a bra and panty lace-number and it has to come from this very expensive designer lingerie’s place…”

  I shake my head. “How thoughtful of her… and what’s the name of the fortunate knickers shop that is going to bankrupt you?”

  Charles taps on the darkened glass divisor with a smile and Lucas, my driver, pulls it down. “Where are you headed this fine evening, Mr. Henley?”

  I look at my best friend, one eyebrow raised in question and let him speak, since I still have no idea of where we are going.

  He smiles. “Intimate Delights.”

  Chapter 2

  LARA

  I sigh, looking at the pile of discarded bras and thighs hanging on the back of a chair in one of the changing rooms. Some people have no decency at all.

  I don’t expect customers to lose their precious time actually folding each item, but would it really kill them to take the stuff they don’t feel like purchasing and at least bring it back to the front counter so I can perform the task myself within working hours instead of having to do it all at once afterwards?

  Well, apparently their time is money, while mine is shit, since they think I can easily stay after closing time on a Friday night picking up after them.

  Not that I have any programs for this evening, but still…

  I have at least another hour of work before I can call it a day and it’s already half past eight.

  I have to examine the accounts, do the inventory, go through the new shipment of lingerie that arrived yesterday and should have been on display since this morning —and yet is still in the storeroom— then I have to set the alarm and close the shop.

  It’s a lot to do and I probably won’t be home before ten.

  Today has been a nightmare.

  I don’t know exactly what happened, but at opening time I was the only one present in the upscale lingerie shop I’ve been working for the last two years as a manager.

  I’ve been running up and down since seven in the morning like a maniac, catering to the whims of one string of bossy, obnoxious patrons after another, non-stop.

  The owner of the boutique is out of town for at least another week, my assistant manager and one of the clerks are on leave, yet I was supposed to be covered for today, since the others two girls that work for Intimate Delights were on duty.

  The problem is, they didn’t show up at all and as an explanation I only got one puny text during the afternoon saying they were sorry, but they both were too sick to come in.

  I don’t think they would lie to me, they are good, steady workers usually, so probably they have food poisoning or something, it wouldn’t be too far-fetched since they are roommates, but this knowledge doesn’t make this day any less shitty for me.

  Once in the storage room, I start to go through the new garments. Exotic, silky textures and vibrant colors surround me and even though it has been an awful day I find myself smiling: this is way I love my job.

  There is nothing as pretty and empowering as lingerie for me.

  My hands caress the lacy material of a beautiful lavender set. It is a strapless balconette, lace molded on memory-foam cups adorned by swirls of silk, accompanied by a pair of sheer floral lace pattern cheeky with scalloped edges. Super sexy, yet comfortable.

  I could never afford this kind of lingerie, but if there’s one good thing about being the manager of this shop, is the owner’s policy that guarantees me an allowance that doesn’t cut into my salary and yet gives me the chance to pick one or two —depending on price range— handmade pieces for myself.

  If there is a 38DD available, this baby is coming home with mama.

  I rummage a bit and I find my size.

  I grab the shop tablet and immediately sign the set under my name.

  I pick it up and thumb it longingly, I bet I would feel great wearing this: it would be just the thing to give a boost to my ego and salvage the rest of this tiresome day.

  Since I’m alone here, I decide to try it on to see if the soft cups will be as comfortable as they look and if the shiny lavender tone will actually go with my pale skin.

  I dart into one of the changing rooms and start to undress with a little smile playing on my lips.

  In no time, I’m only clad in lavender lace and it feels heavenly against my skin.

  “Not bad,” I murmur to myself.

  It looks very pretty on me, not that anyone is going to see it, though.

  I sigh. No, this is going to be only for my self-esteem.

  I definitely need a little pick-me-up!

  There hasn’t been anyone in my life in a very long time.

  I try to think about the last time I so much as held a man’s hand and I come up with nothing.

  I can’t even remember the details of my last date, but it’ not surprising: it has been over three years, after all.

  I don’t know why is it that my life is so lonely; I didn’t choose for it to turn this way, yet here I am.

  ***

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