him a disbelieving look. “I don’t think it’s quite that bad.”
“Maybe not. But it’s pretty bad, and since he sits when he showers, he needs a more powerful showerhead, one that offers a wider spray area.”
She couldn’t argue with that. “Okay, let’s get a new showerhead.” She’d figure out where to sacrifice in the monthly budget to adjust for the cost of that.
But when Rafe picked out some fancy rainfall showerhead that also had a handheld shower wand to go with it, she looked at the price and her eyes widened.
“I don’t think so,” she said.
Rafe turned to her and frowned. “Why not? This way he can be more independent.”
Dammit. “Yes, but that’s a little pricey.”
“But this was my suggestion, so I’m buying it, and I’ll install it.”
She shook her head. “Absolutely not.”
He laughed. “You can’t stop me from buying this. It’s my treat for Jimmy.”
She blew out a frustrated breath. “I don’t need your charity, Rafe.”
“This isn’t charity, Carmen. Quit being so defensive. I like Jimmy. He’s my friend. And he needs the damn showerhead, so stop arguing with me and let me do this.”
She wanted to put her foot down, but since this was for her grandpa, she kept her mouth shut. And Rafe was right. Anything that would give Grandpa more independence was a good thing.
“Okay, fine.”
Rafe put the box in the cart and added a few more plumbing supplies, which made her give him a side-eye, but, true to her word, she didn’t say anything. Then they headed for the front of the store.
After checking out, they walked to the truck and she slid into the passenger side. As she was buckling up her seat belt, she turned to Rafe.
“Thank you.”
He smiled, and that smile could melt a million cold hearts. “You’re welcome. What’s next?”
She wanted to say the grocery store, since the thought of him going to the lingerie store with her made her skin tingle in a not-unpleasant way, but instead, she told him to head to the mall.
His lips curved, and all she could think about was Rafe hovering above and giving her that same hot smile while her legs were spread and he was just about to slide his incredible cock inside of her. Not that she knew if his cock was incredible or not, but she’d just bet it was.
Despite the air-conditioning blasting in the truck, she was sweating between her breasts because she was fantasizing about sex.
You are so doomed, Carmen.
CHAPTER 11
IT WAS A WEEKDAY, BUT IT WAS ALSO SUMMER, WHICH meant every teen was going to be at the mall. Not Rafe’s favorite thing to do, but since Carmen wanted to shop for underwear, he’d make the ultimate sacrifice.
Oh, who was he kidding? He was dying to do this with her. She was going to allow him to be in the same lingerie store with her, and that was an intimate thing. He recognized the privilege being afforded him, and he wasn’t about to do anything to jeopardize it, especially knowing how skittish Carmen was about the whole dating and relationships thing.
Not that he was big on relationships himself; he just wanted Carmen to get her feet wet with a guy who wasn’t going to lead her on or hurt her. And in doing so, help her remember that dating and sex were fun. She was young and vibrant and beautiful, and she should be out there leading men around by their dicks. Guys should be lined up at her front door begging for a chance to take her out.
He aimed to wake her up and make her look at herself in the mirror and help her see all the fun she was missing out on. Then, once she had her confidence again, he’d let her go with a smile and know that he’d done a good deed. And had some fun himself in the process.
“You sure you’re up for this?” she asked, standing outside the lingerie store with a dubious look on her face.
“I’m totally up for it. How about you?”
She stared at the lingerie store sign as if it was some gauntlet she had to run. “It’s been a while for me.”
Obviously, it had been a while for her for a lot of things. He was more irritated at her ex than ever. What the hell had this guy done to her?
He slid his arm around her waist. “Have I ever mentioned you have a fantastic ass, Carmen?”
Her eyes widened and she looked around. It was the