had entered the store. It was early for shoppers, but as long as they stopped by during operating hours, every customer got a smile and excellent service. “Welcome to Pretty Feathers, I’ll be with you in just a moment!” When they said nothing, I carried on. “Feel free to look around, there are some great clearance items near the fitting rooms!”
The customer continued their silent routine and I shrugged, clipping the last of the skirts to the hangers and eventually making my way out to the front, where I promptly froze at the sight of the last person I expected to see in my shop. Ever. “Are you lost, Nate?”
He had the nerve to look at me and flash one of those smiles I used to think was so charming, until I realized it was just a mask. “Nope. I found just who I was looking for.”
I didn’t bother to return his smile—that would indicate I was happy to see him, and I wasn’t. “You must be mistaken.”
“I’m not.” He frowned, confused that a woman couldn’t possibly be happy to see him, I was sure. “I came here to see you. Why else would I be here?”
That was a loaded question if I’d ever heard one, so I shrugged. “Maybe you’re buying a gift for someone, how would I know?”
“Dammit, Mikki.” The words came out on a low, frustrated growl that may have sent a little shiver of lust through me, but I was a strong and independent woman and ignored it. Completely.
“What are you doing here, Nate? Really, this time.”
“Go on a date with me.” His tone was serious and firm, gone were the charm and the gleam from his eyes.
But I wasn’t sold, not even a little bit. “No, thanks.” There was no way I’d give him—or anyone else, for that matter—a chance to play more games. “You got what you wanted, Nate, there’s no need to make this out to be more than it is. Was,” I quickly corrected.
He rolled his eyes and he when he spoke again, sarcasm dripped from his voice. “And what was it, Mikki? Please, tell me.” Arms crossed, he looked like every condescending man I had ever encountered in my life, so smug and sure that he knew it all.
“A good time and nothing more.” As I’d fallen asleep that night with his arms wrapped around me, maybe, for a moment, I’d pictured Friday night dates and stolen kisses—and, okay, even when I’d woken up the next morning. But the moment I’d felt the cold bed and called out to him in an empty house, I’d banished it all from my mind. It was too soon, and I wasn’t interested.
“Bullshit.”
“Wow, okay. I’ll tell you what’s bullshit, Nate. You, coming in here and acting like you’re doing me some big favor by deciding that you’d like to take me somewhere other than bed. We had a good time—a really good time—but any thoughts I might have had about a date or another round of sex flew out the window about the same time you did.”
“So, that’s it?”
I shrugged. “What else should it be? You’re not even really interested—if you were, it wouldn’t have taken you a full month to seek me out.” I figured he assumed I’d be the one chasing him and, when it was clear that I wouldn’t be, his ego had been bruised.
“I was giving you time to cool down.”
“To forget, you mean. Well, I didn’t forget, Nate, and more importantly, I’m not interested.”
Now came the smirk, slow and sensual. “I bet I can prove you wrong.”
Chemistry and lust, that’s what he was talking about. I laughed as it all became crystal clear. “Sex. Of course, that’s why you’re here.” I folded my arms and took in his big, muscular body—covered in jeans that were a little too baggy and a t-shirt that was just tight enough. He had the whole sexy lumberjack-cowboy thing going on that was pretty damn irresistible.
“There are worse things than sex, Mikki.”
Men. They were all the same, didn’t have one thought didn’t start and end with their dicks. “You want sex, Nate? That’s why you’re here.” It wasn’t a question and if there was any disappointment I felt, I tamped it right back down because there was no place for it here. “Why didn’t you just say so? I’m not opposed to another night of carnal pleasures, but I don’t need the pretense of something more.” I’d had it, bought it and lived to tell