Harlequin Desire June 2021--Box Set 1 of 2

by Katherine Garbera

  What had she gotten herself into?

  * * *

  Zach waited for Lila to change, trying to forget how hot she’d looked in those shorts. He had suspected she had a killer body under those sensible clothes, but he hadn’t anticipated how turned on he’d get just from seeing her in clothing that fit her.

  The sooner he got Lila out of her shell the better. Though he wondered if she was going to really let herself be comfortable in anything he chose. Speaking of which...she was taking a lot longer in the dressing room than he’d expected.

  It had been funny to him that she hadn’t believed him when he’d said she’d be popular. He knew the way followers reacted online and he was steering Lila to the sort of persona that would have the maximum effect. Also, his gut was seldom wrong.

  Once she was popular, once she was like all the other women he knew, then...well then, he’d know how to handle her. He’d feel comfortable just being his flawed self around her. Instead of the guilt mixed with lust he felt right now.

  Zach glanced toward the dressing room again. He wasn’t nervous, but he was anxiously waiting to see her in the clothes he’d selected.

  He’d settled on a classic A-line dress with a halter neckline. It was universally flattering and had a timelessness to the look, which he suspected Lila would appreciate. Georgia was chattering on about her summer and how she felt so lucky she was on Appaloosa Island when he’d arrived.

  “Why are you here?” Georgia asked.

  “I heard there was going to be a luxury food, art and wine festival here and wanted to check it out,” he said.

  “Are you coming back for it? I’ve heard about it, too, but I thought it was going to just be another event in the Mustang Point social calendar.”

  “It’s going to be big,” he stated, with a certain vagueness. He wasn’t willing to commit to attending the event yet. There were still too many unknowns. Like if it would be a success or not. He wouldn’t endorse something that might fail.

  “I’ll tell all my friends,” she promised.

  Her phone chimed and she groaned. “I have to go. Will you be here for a while?”

  “Heading out in a short while. But it was great to see you,” he said. “Maybe I’ll see you at the Soiree.”

  She smiled and waved as she left. He took another sip of the champagne and waited. Scrolling through his social media feeds, he noticed that he’d been tagged in a lot of photos this afternoon. Well, he wasn’t off the radar. Which was fine.

  Zach grimaced when he saw a DM from the husband of the woman he’d been caught with. He wasn’t about to open that. Instead, he delegated it to his assistant. That was why Dawn worked for him.

  He heard the door of the dressing room open and glanced up and nearly lost his breath. The transformation wasn’t complete, but in clothing that actually fit her and with those heels on...Lila Jones was a knockout.

  He was trying to make it physical but when their eyes met and she smiled at him, he felt something...something he’d never felt before. But he refused to let this be anything other than fun and flirty. That was it. All he had to give to anyone.

  A therapist he’d seen after his parents’ divorce had pointed out that he was reluctant to create any lasting bonds and Zach had shrugged it off. But those words lingered in his mind and he felt more and more that he’d never be able to be anything more than the photos on his feed.

  And damn, she was hot. He had sensed it when he’d seen her in the shorts and scoop-neck blouse but this was next level. The confidence she’d always had was suddenly front and center. She wasn’t trying to wrap her arms around herself like she had earlier.

  He had included a headband and some various hair accessories that he’d seen in the shop, and he was pleased to see that she had pulled her hair up into a high ponytail, which left her shoulders bare. She’d even put on the earrings he’d selected.

  He stood up, putting his champagne glass down before he walked over to her. God. How was he going to hide his reaction? Did he have to? “Damn, I’m good.”

  “You’re good? I’m the one wearing it.”

  “And you wear it well,” he rasped. “Step up here.”

  He gestured to the step situated in front of the three-mirror setup. Offering her his hand as she stepped up there. The mirror gave him every angle of her outfit and honestly there wasn’t a bad one. Well, except for those rather large glasses, but they were cute and Lila. IRL—in real life—they’d be okay, but not for the photo he had in mind.

  “Wait here.”

  He turned and went back into the main store area and sorted through the designer sunglasses on the rack. Finally settling on a pair of black cat’s-eye frames. They weren’t too big and would be perfect on her heart-shaped face. He brought them back in and stood next to her on the step in front of the mirror.

  “Turn toward me,” he commanded.

  She did and he reached for her glasses, taking them off. She blinked at him as he did so. For this one moment when she couldn’t see he let his guard down. Looked at her with the hunger she’d stirred deep inside him.

  “What are you doing?” she asked. “These aren’t for show. I need them to see.”

  “Trust me,” he said. He needed her trust...needed her to follow wherever he led. And he honestly didn’t want to go much farther than back in that dressing room so he could kiss her until they were both breathless and naked.

  “You ask that a lot, don’t you?”

  “Just of you. Most people inherently do,” he said.

  “Most people are waiting to be told what to do,” she retorted.

  “Not you,” he said, reaching up and pulling a few tendrils out of her ponytail to frame her face and then decided that they were too much and tucked them back behind her ear. He was trying to make her look like other influencers he knew but even in the same outfit she was still Lila Jones. Still so different from them. It wasn’t the clothes, it was the woman.

  Then he put the sunglasses on and stepped back.

  “Perfect.”

  “If I could see myself, I’d let you know if I agreed.”

  He almost laughed at the way she said it. “Put your glasses on and then step down and we’ll find a good place to photograph you.”

  “Sure.”

  She took her glasses from him and a tingle went up his arm as their hands touched. He wanted to pretend it was just static electricity. But he knew it was more. He wanted her. He’d wanted her before when she’d been sweet and shy little Lila, but with the fashionable new clothes and hair...she was making him hard and addling his senses.

  He was thinking that he wished he’d brought his private jet instead of his Ferrari to Texas, because then he could have swept Lila onto it and taken her someplace exotic and intimate.

  “Zach...?”

  “I’m sorry, what did you say?”

  “I asked if I should leave my clothes in the changing room?”

  “Yes. We are coming back.”

  She dashed in and grabbed that hideous bag of hers and he shook his head. “Not that sack.”

  She almost hugged the purse to her chest. “What’s wrong with it?”

  “Too much to explain. We will find something suitable before we leave. Let’s go take a photo and see if this works.”

  “Oh, okay. But I’m not giving up my purse.”

  Zach didn’t argue with her. Instead, he told the shop assistant they’d be back in a few minutes and led Lila out into the lobby, where he found the right background for the photo. He took her hideous bag and put it by his feet and then took her glasses and made her put on the sunglasses he’d found.

  “I don’t know why I’m wearing sunglasses inside,” she complained.

  “And that’s why you have so few people following you on social media.” As he moved back to take the picture, he noticed that the me
n and women in the lobby were watching them. He heard someone ask who the woman was and smiled to himself.

  This bet was in the bag. But he knew that this was never about winning, it was about getting Lila into his bed. About making her into the kind of woman that he could hook up with and not have regrets. He felt that twinge again deep inside. Why was he trying to take someone who had been unique, beautiful and natural and make her into a woman like so many others?

  Because he was selfish and wanted her more than he should.

  * * *

  Lila felt silly posing in the lobby of the chic boutique resort on Trinity Bay. It was odd, but when she’d been alone with Zach, she hadn’t felt silly. As soon as she filtered out the other people and just concentrated on him, her nerves settled. Of course, once he’d taken her glasses from her and insisted she put on the sunglasses, she couldn’t really see anything but blurry images.

  That was oddly freeing.

  She didn’t worry about what anyone else was thinking about what she was doing because she couldn’t see them. All she could truly concentrate on was Zach’s voice. He told her how to stand and how to pose and when to smile, and she did it.

  He took—no lie—about a million pictures. Or at least it felt that way to her. She wondered if he really thought that he was going to be able to make her into a social media star with just a change of outfit.

  But she knew he didn’t. He’d said wardrobe. Yet while he wanted this change to be permanent, she wasn’t sure she did. He finally stopped and came back over to her.

  “We are done for now,” he said. “Here are your glasses. What do you think?”

  He handed her his phone and at first she barely recognized herself. She’d felt sort of different when she’d seen herself in the mirror, but not being able to see everyone else in the lobby had been more liberating than she’d imagined. There was a playfulness and a confidence to her poses that she’d never seen in herself before.

  “I like them.”

  It made her wonder why she hadn’t thought to try this before. But she wasn’t interested in delving into her psyche at the moment. “What now?”

  “Well, I’m going to reach out to Warby Parker after we get your photo trending and ask them to make you some new glasses and sunglasses,” he said. “But first let’s pay for these clothes and then I’ll show you how to post your picture to get the maximum likes.”

  Lila doubted that Warby Parker was going to want her wearing their glasses, and as much as the photo made her feel different, she still wasn’t sure that Zach’s confidence wasn’t misplaced. She followed him back across the lobby and noticed that people were watching them. Of course they were. She was with Mr. Über Famous who just took it all in stride. But the eyes on her...well, it was flattering, but she was used to a certain amount of anonymity.

  Zach had her old clothes wrapped up and put in a bag, which the shop attendant handed to her with a smile. “You look great.”

  “Thanks.”

  He led her back outside until they were standing with the bay to their back. “Put your sunglasses on.”

  She did it and he put his arm around her waist and pulled her close.

  “What are you doing?” she asked. Trying to ignore the fact that her heart was beating faster and that she could feel the heat of his hand through her dress on her waist.

  “Taking a selfie. We are about to start your social media climb,” he said.

  He put his sunglasses on, stretched his arm out and snapped a picture of the two of them.

  “So never post a photo without editing it. Every platform has its own size that works best. I’ll AirDrop you the dimensions when we are done. Next you want to find a filter that works best for you. I’d try this one...it’s my favorite.”

  She leaned in closer, resting her hand on his upper arm so she could keep see the screen. A little tingle went straight up her arm and her nipples tightened. She wasn’t going to pretend she didn’t want Zach.

  But she was his project...

  “Then when you are satisfied with the image, you need to think of the right caption. What do you think we should say?”

  “This is on your account?”

  “Yes, I’m going to tag you,” he said. “Tell the Benningnites to follow you.”

  “Fun day out with @lilajones93,” she suggested.

  “Maybe. How about this?” he asked.

  She saw he captioned their photo with, “@lila jones93 is bringing the sizzle this summer in Texas. #SoireeontheBay.”

  “Now what?”

  “Now we wait for the likes to come flooding in. One of my followers suggested a great seafood restaurant in Mustang Point. I’ll treat you to dinner before we drive back to Royal.”

  Dinner?

  She didn’t have any plans tonight, but wasn’t sure she liked that he thought she didn’t. “I might have plans.”

  “Do you? I’m hungry. I just thought eating would be nice before we went on a three-hour drive.”

  Now she felt silly for even saying anything. “I was just being defensive. I hate when anyone assumes I don’t have plans.”

  “Me, too. Do you want to eat with me?”

  “I do,” she admitted.

  “Is seafood okay or do you have allergies?” he asked.

  “Not allergic to anything but BS,” she said.

  “Good to know we have the same allergies,” he deadpanned. “Let’s get out of here.”

  “I’m going to have to put my prescription sunglasses on to drive,” she told him.

  “I’ll allow it, since I’m not sure we want to be in a car accident.”

  “So glad you’ll allow it... I’m a grown-ass woman, ZB,” she said. “I make my own decisions.”

  “Oh, I know you are, LJ. I was teasing.”

  “Fair enough. But you’ve been very bossy today,” she reminded him.

  “It was to help out Soiree on the Bay.”

  She nodded and didn’t say anything else but couldn’t help wishing that he’d helped her out for herself and not the event. That made her face the fact that she might have agreed to the makeover because it had brought her into Zach’s spotlight and she liked it more than she wanted to admit.

  FOUR

  Lila valet-parked the car and then followed Zach into the Republic of Texas Steak and Seafood House. He smiled at the maître d’ and did his charming Zach thing while she hung back watching him. She wasn’t sure how she felt about the afternoon. So much had changed in so little time.

  Honestly, it rattled her. Probably because she didn’t hate it as much as she thought she should. She had the feeling if she’d been dressed like this, Zach would have noticed her when he’d pulled up.

  Her phone pinged and she saw it was a text from her mom.

  Honey, you look great in that picture. Are you dating that guy?

  Thanks, Mom. He’s a work friend. For Soiree on the Bay.

  Try to make him a friend friend. He’s cute. ;)

  Mooooom.

  [kissing emoji] Have fun. Text me tomorrow. We can meet for lunch or coffee. Love you.

  I will. Love you, too.

  “Phone blowing up with likes?” Zach asked as he came back over to her.

  “Uh, no. That was my mom.”

  “What did she say?” he asked. “Did she approve of your look?”

  She rolled her eyes. “She liked it. Said you were cute.”

  “I like her already.” Zach grinned. “You should be getting some notifications from the post...let me see your phone.”

  “Why?”

  “I want to make sure your notifications are turned on,” he said.

  “Is that important?”

  He looked at her as if she’d started speaking a different language. “It’s massive. When we are seated, I’ll show you. I’ve already gotten a t
on of likes. So I’m sure you’ve gotten a few.”

  The maître d’ offered them a glass of champagne while they were waiting to be seated and Lila almost groaned. “I have to drive home.”

  “What if you didn’t?” Zach asked.

  “Then I’d love a glass. It kind of feels like a champagne kind of day,” she said. And in all honesty, Zach bought the good stuff, not the bottom-shelf grocery store sparkling wine that Lila usually purchased. “But I don’t think you are going to skip drinking.”

  “I’m not,” he said, winking at her. “Leave the details to me. We will get home safely and your car will be in your driveway in the morning.”

  “How?”

  “Leave it to me,” he repeated. “Can you do that, Lila Jones? Just stop worrying and planning and let go for one night?”

  “Of course I can. I just might not want to,” she huffed. But she did want to. She caught a glimpse of herself in the mirrored panels behind the maître d’ stand. This was new Lila. “Fine. But my car better be there in the morning. I have a meeting at ten.”

  He just shook his head and laughed, turning to the waiter. “We’ll have a bottle of champagne. Two glasses here, the rest at the table.”

  “Of course, sir,” the waiter said, turning away.

  Zach led her to a padded velvet bench and sat down next to her. “So, if you go in your app and hit the settings button you can turn on notifications.”

  He showed her on his phone, and she was surprised to see she already had way over five hundred likes on the photo that Zach had tagged her in. She turned on the notifications like he demonstrated and then went back to her profile to notice that her actual followers were increasing, too. By a lot.

  “Uh, what’s going on?” she asked Zach, showing him the increasing likes.

  “You’re going viral, LJ. Prepare to be famous,” he said. “I need to make a quick call. I’ll be back and then we will celebrate.”

  He got up and she stared at her phone. She couldn’t believe one photo could change her online presence that much, but it had. A thrill shot through her. Zach was going to do wonders for the Soiree on the Bay. This was what the event needed. The kind of publicity that was in essence free.