Deep River Promise (Alaska Homecoming #2) - Jackie Ashenden Page 0,35

the appreciative look in Damon’s sky-blue eyes, or about how much she’d actually liked it, no matter what she told herself.

Would it really be too bad if she wore something nice? Before she’d had Connor, she used to enjoy dressing up. Putting on some makeup and pretty clothes. Going dancing and having fun with her friends. Then he’d arrived, and there was no time for fun, no money for pretty dresses, and all her friends had disappeared. Being with Aiden had been great initially, until his preference for her being pretty and feminine at all times had become pressure and a stick he used to beat her with, and eventually she’d ended up hating that side of herself.

It had been that feminine and passionate side that had gotten her pregnant in the first place too, and so even now, she tried to keep it in check wherever possible.

Still…it wouldn’t be wrong to wear something nice. They would be in her office, so no one else would see and gossip about it. And she wasn’t going to be doing anything ridiculous like going on a date. It would only be…letting herself enjoy a handsome man’s appreciation. That was allowable, surely?

Astrid went to her dresser and pulled out a drawer, looking through her T-shirts and tops. She wouldn’t go all out—she’d thrown away all her sexy clothing anyway—but she could put something on that she liked, that she knew suited her.

Pulling out one of her favorites, a light blue T-shirt in a silky fabric that did nice things to her eyes and skin, she put it on, then followed it up with a pair of close-fitting jeans. She brushed her hair until it hung in a straight, glossy, golden fall to her shoulders, then surveyed the meager store of makeup she’d allowed herself a couple of years after she’d come to Deep River. Most of it had dried up or flaked away since she never wore it, but now she regretted not asking Mal to order her some more. Ah well, she’d just have to settle for lip gloss.

Still, makeup or not, she felt good as she stepped out of the house and made her way back down toward the town center again, better than she’d felt in a while in fact. And that fizzing excitement gathering in the pit of her stomach only added to it, an excitement she couldn’t pretend wasn’t to do with Damon Fitzgerald.

She needed to get a handle on herself.

He was waiting by the entrance to her building when she arrived, holding two coffees and a paper bag in his hands, a folder under one arm. He smiled as she appeared, slow and sexy, making the excitement spread out, effervescent and light.

“Nice T-shirt,” he murmured. “That color is pretty on you.”

She flushed and looked away, trying to hide her pleasure that he’d noticed. “Thank you.”

“I hope you left room for at least one donut.” He waved the bag he was carrying. “In among all that worthy granola.”

“Well, seeing as I forgot about my worthy granola, I’ll probably take you up on that donut offer.” Fighting the stupid urge to smile at him, she busied herself opening the door, then tried to gesture him up the stairs first. But he only shook his head.

“My mom was very clear on the rules. Ladies before gentlemen.”

Astrid couldn’t resist. “And are you, in fact, a gentleman?”

“Sometimes.” His smile took on a wicked edge, a hot blue spark in his eyes making her breath catch. “And sometimes not.”

Oh boy…

Astrid turned away quickly, before she did something very silly like ask him what happened when he wasn’t a gentleman, and went up the stairs to her office.

Is this really such a good idea? To be alone with him?

She ignored the thought. Being alone with him was fine. They were going to talk about business and nothing more. It wasn’t as if she was going to throw herself into his arms or anything, not when she barely knew him.

Stepping into the mayor’s office, she moved over to her desk and sat down, feeling more restrained now that there was a large expanse of wood between them.

Damon sat in the old wooden chair on the other side of the desk, putting the coffee and donuts down on the desktop. He ripped open the donut bag and took one out, handing it to her. “Here. Quality brain food.”

“Did you tell April some of that was for me?” she asked as she took the donut from him.