Dirty Deals by Nicole James Page 0,65

here so I can undress her.

I stroll toward her and cup her face with one hand. She smiles, and I swear that smile is more beautiful than any glitzy gown or jewelry she could put on.

I stroke her cheek with my thumb, cock a brow, and tease, “Sure you want to go downstairs?”

She kisses my palm. “You’re not getting out of this that easy, mister. Get dressed.”

Again my eyes sweep over her. “You know I’ve only got jeans with me.”

She gives me a mischievous look. “I had something sent up from one of the shops.” She lifts her chin toward the bathroom, and I swivel to see a dark suit hanging on the door. It’s a little out of my comfort zone, but if it makes her happy to see me dressed up this once, I can give her that.

My eyes return to her. “Give me ten minutes to shower.”

“Hurry up, cowboy. We have reservations.”

“Don’t suppose you want to slip off that dress and scrub my back.”

“Nope. You’re on your own.”

I shower and dress, somehow not surprised she got the fit of this monkey suit perfect. I look in the mirror as I adjust the cuffs under the jacket. It’s a quality garment, and I wonder its cost. I study myself. The man in the mirror is unrecognizable. It’s like a glimpse into an alternate universe where I took a different path in life. It’s like seeing myself if I’d become a different man altogether.

I look good in the suit, I won’t deny that, but I’m not that guy in the mirror. I exhale deeply, suddenly worried that perhaps Ashlynn won’t be satisfied or content with the man I am, that she’ll want to change me as easily as she’s redressing me. Perhaps she’ll want me to become someone different, someone more like the man in the reflection. I’ll never be that guy, and it suddenly makes me nervous about the ring I bought and the question I plan to ask her.

While I let the hot water sluice over my body in the shower, I thought about her in that dress and me putting on this suit. Thought about going down to dinner with her on my arm and that maybe tonight would be the better time to give her that ring.

But now I know it’s not—not when I’m dressed up like an imitation of someone else. When I ask her that question, I want to stand before her in my clothes, next to a motorcycle, out in the desert, watching the sunrise. Because that’s the real man she’s getting and that’s the kind of life she’d be accepting.

I walk out of the bathroom. She looks up and does a double take; her eyes slowly drift over me.

“Wow,” she whispers.

I shove a hand in my pocket. “Enjoy it, ‘cause it’s the only time I’m giving this to you.”

She moves toward me and slips her arms around my waist, staring up into my face. “I appreciate the effort. And so will every woman who lays eyes on you.”

“Will that bother you?”

“Nope. Because I’m the one who gets to come back here with you tonight.”

“Hopefully sooner rather than later.” I cup her face and press my lips to hers. Once, twice, three soft kisses. “You ready?”

She tucks her hand through my arm. “We’re going to have a wonderful night.”

This won’t be my idea of fun, but my baby’s happy, and that’s all that matters. I smile down at her, and agree, “That we are, Hot Rod.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Ashlynn—

“Babe, wake up.”

I crack an eye open to see Rusty standing at my side of the bed. He bends and flicks the bedside lamp on. I squint and blink. He’s fully dressed in his jeans, boots, and a thermal shirt along with his cut over it. I hadn’t realized he’d brought it. He must have had it in his pack.

I look toward the windows. It’s still dark outside. “What time is it?”

“Four-thirty.”

“In the morning?” I lift to an elbow. “Is something wrong?”

“Nope. Just want to take you somewhere.”

“Now?” He’s lost his damn mind.

“Yep. Go throw on jeans and a shirt. We’re goin’ ridin’.”

“Riding? On what?”

“I made arrangements. Now hurry up. We got some people to meet.”

“I haven’t even had any coffee,” I whine.

“Thought you told me you were turning into a morning person. All that fresh air, yadda, yadda.”

“Four-thirty a.m. is not morning. The sun hasn’t even come up yet.”

“That’s what I’m trying to beat here, so move it, woman.”

With that, he rips the covers back.

I