Sweet Love - Mia Kayla Page 0,51

the female, I like the feel and texture of this material for the date scene.” Smiling from ear to ear, Charlie extended a piece of blue fabric with tiny flowers on it to Susan. “I want her to wear a nice, flowy floral shirt and white skirt that accents the flowers on her shirt.”

“I have something perfect for your vision,” Susan said.

Charlie bounced on her seat, excited, and flipped to the next page. “For the male, I’d like him to wear a solid blue polo shirt and dark-washed jeans.” She turned to face me and pointed to her sketches. “Sorry … this is your gig too. How do these look?”

She looked great, and the way her silk shirt stretched over her full breasts had me shifting in my seat.

“Connor?” Charlie lifted a brow, and my eyes moved to meet hers.

I blew out a breath. I didn’t remember the last time I’d wanted a woman this badly. It wasn’t because the lack of sex I’d had. I’d had casual friends with benefits in New York, and it hadn’t been that long, but shit … it seemed as though it had been, given my nonstop thinking of being inside Charlie.

“Yeah. It’s perfect. You’re perfect … I mean, your vision is perfect.” Screw me sideways. What is my issue? I tipped my chin toward her sketchbook in her lap. “What else do you have?”

“Oh! So, here …” She flipped the page and pointed to the picture where the male was down on bended knee. “I think we should have her in a flowy dress, and the proposal should be at the lake or some sort of beach.” She pulled the fabric stuck between the pages and extended it to Susan. “I was thinking chiffon.”

“Yes. And maybe a touch of organza?” Susan’s face lit up as she rubbed the fabric between her fingertips.

“You ladies do what you need to do. I’m just here to pay for whatever decisions you make.” Because what was the difference between organza and chiffon?

Susan laughed. “And paying is what you shall do.” She addressed Charlie, “Is that all?”

“Oh … the wedding scene. I don’t have anything particular other than a beach-themed wedding, so maybe something not too big or ballgown-style but a fitted piece.” She lifted her shoulder to her ear. “But I think that’s it.”

Susan clasped her hands together and then stood. “Okay, now, the fun part begins.”

When I squeezed Charlie’s knee, she stiffened, and her gaze dropped to my hand. The smile on her face slipped, so I jerked back my hand. There was a sadness in Charlie’s eyes—something that hadn’t been there.

I could see what mixing business and pleasure was doing to her, which wasn’t good. But besides her over-the-top good looks and her charming personality, she had insane talent that made her beyond irresistible.

But … boundaries. Personal space. Isn’t that what they’d taught us in grade school?

“Let’s get started, shall we?”

“Yeah,” I muttered, knowing that it would take continuous effort to try and stay away from her.

Charlie

“I love it!” I stood on top of the circular stand where mirrors outlined the room and lifted my hair to a ponytail.

I could picture it—me opening the door, seeing my date standing there, a little nervous. His hands would be behind his back as he held the chocolates and flowers within his fingertips.

“Do you love it?” I liked the feel and look of the light-blue floral top with short sleeves capped with ruffles at the end. It was girlie and pretty and totally the look I was going for.

“It fits you perfectly,” Susan added.

I turned to Connor to get his approval, and he had the same dang gaze in his eye. Every time I caught him looking at me, heat would rush to every part of me, and arousal would set deep in my belly.

He ran one shaky hand through his hair. “Yeah. Looks great.”

We’d just started shopping, yet he wasn’t really talking, only responding with one- to three-worded answers to my questions.

I knew we’d have to talk about the elephant in the room once this shopping session was over, but I just wanted to get the look right for the commercial and get the rebranding done because numerous families depended on it.

“I really need you to have an opinion, Connor. Like, a real one instead of, ‘Fine. Looks good,’ and, ‘That works.’ ” I placed my hands on my hips. “I’m not doing this for me. I’m doing this for you, your company, the employees at Colby’s.”

He