Driven to Temptation, page 11
He pasted on what he hoped to hell was something better than a scowl. “How you guys doing?”
“How many’d you sign up today?” one of them asked.
David Campbell. A hard-ass city planner Aidan was sure Harold could eventually win over. Too bad he wasn’t here to take a shot at David.
Aidan shrugged, tried not to let his irritation show. “Got a few good bites.”
“Yeah? That’s good. That’s good,” said the stocky man standing beside David. “Guess she didn’t scare everyone away.”
Jack Green might be a city manager, but he never came off as very smart. Slowly, Aidan turned until he faced the jerk. “Excuse me?”
“The girl you’ve got with you.” Jack smirked. “Ya know, you shoulda brought some eye candy to the conference if you want any action at your booth.”
“Oh?” He fisted his hands but kept them pinned to his sides.
This time, David gazed off into the distance as if in deep thought. “Actually, she’s pretty enough, I suppose, for the redhead type. If you dressed her so that more of her assets were displayed, she’d probably draw in a crowd.”
A surge of anger bubbled up from deep inside Aidan, made him want to punch both men. He tightened his fists. He could lay a clean one right in each guy’s gut to teach a lesson.
But the army had taught him the importance of restraint. Acting on impulse would likely land him in jail with assault charges. Neither of these jerks was worth it.
He unclenched his jaw, but kept his fists curled while he fought for control. “Delaney’s one of the smartest engineers I’ve ever known, let alone have on the payroll. Anyone would be lucky to have her on board.” He glared. “You both might consider that when you select a team for the city’s next construction project.”
David laughed. Jack snickered.
Assholes.
“Competent female engineers.” David nodded. “I get that. Doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be easy on the eyes, too. Or maybe you missed that memo?”
Aidan gritted his teeth, his need to defend warring with his need to protect his company.
“One more set of bench presses.” David smacked his companion on the arm. “Then let’s go grab a beer.”
“That works.” Jack nodded. “See you tomorrow, Ross. And good luck.”
Aidan turned away.
Assholes. Those guys were assholes who didn’t know what the hell they were talking about.
He grabbed his gear off the treadmill and stomped toward the door. The last thing he wanted to do was hang around now. He headed for the elevator and slugged a drink from his water bottle.
Delaney was all sorts of sexy rolled into one passionate package. Didn’t matter if she was talking about her computer modeling program or helping a lost dog. She had a lot to share with the world.
Those jerks had no idea what they were talking about.
Or did they?
Would it be so bad for her to dress in clothes that fit better? Not as far as he could tell. Especially if it meant she’d be taken seriously. Naturally, if she were taken seriously, then Ross and Associates would benefit. Hell, when it came right down to it, his company was at stake here. That was reason enough to get her to do it.
Could she afford new clothes? He didn’t know. But even if she could, he also realized he might have to talk her into going shopping.
Wait. Women loved to shop. At least, Elizabeth had. It was one of the reasons he was familiar with Seattle. She’d insisted throughout their short marriage that Portland shopping paled in comparison. He figured shopping was something built into a woman’s DNA. Although, so far, Delaney wasn’t much like most women.
He stepped out of the elevator and stalked down the hallway toward their room. By the time he unlocked the door, he’d made a decision. “Delaney?”
She sat cross-legged on one of the beds, a pile of empty potato chip bags and candy wrappers tossed in front of her. Oh, shit. She’d raided the minibar. This was bad. Very bad.
Her eyes were puffed like she’d been crying, but there wasn’t a tissue anywhere around her. She cleared her throat. “Yeah?”
That protective surge came over him, made him rush to her. He wanted to hold her, to comfort her somehow, but something held him back.
“Whatcha eating?”
Silently, she held the bag out to him.
Aunt Molly’s barbecue chips.
She reached into the bag for a chip before offering it to him again.
He hesitated, then finally said, “It’s been years.” He dropped his gear on the floor. The bed shifted under his weight as he sat on its edge. “I suppose a couple wouldn’t hurt.”
He took the bag and snagged a chip, the need to share a memory with her so overwhelming there was no way he’d stop it.
He held the chip in front of him. “The last time I had an Aunt Molly’s chip, Grant and I were busted.”
She looked at him, swiped at her nose.
“Grant? Your foster brother?”
“Same one.” He nodded. “We were a couple of teenagers, and our foster mother had certain expectations for us. Like being a gentleman…and following rules.”
Both expectations had served him well through the army, and even now.
“I take it the two of you didn’t follow the rules?”
At least she’d stopped sniffling.
Aidan held on to his chip. “We were kids. Pushed the envelope every now and then.” He shrugged. “One night we were hungry and wanted a snack. One thing led to another, and before we knew it, we’d dared each other to sneak into the kitchen for a bag of Aunt Molly’s. Miriam must’ve had her radar tuned in extra well that night.”
He shook his head at the mental images. “She came into the kitchen and flicked the light on just as we closed the cabinet door, with each of us holding on to the bag.”
“Caught potato chip–handed.” She offered a small smile, then reached into the bag again.
“I suppose you could say that.” He held his up. “Cheers.”
She reached across the space and tapped hers against his. “Cheers.”
Aidan crunched down on the thin chip, relished the burst of flavors in his mouth. He reached his free hand across the small space and gently stroked Delaney’s smooth cheek.
If a makeover was needed for Delaney—and by extension, Ross and Associates—to be taken seriously, then so be it. Hell, he’d pay for the outfit himself.
“C’mon.” He stood, then reached both hands out to take hers.
“Where?”
He smiled. “I’ve got a surprise for you.”
…
At the top of the escalators to the hotel’s adjoining mall, Aidan turned, his face a serious mask in contrast to the workout shorts and shirt he wore.
One minute she was drowning the day’s disaster in chips and candy from the minibar, and the next she was standing in the ladies’ department at Nordstrom. How convenient for the hotel to be attached to a huge Seattle area shopping center. Too bad it didn’t matter much to her.
As Aidan would soon find out.
Delaney stared dagger eyes into him. “I thought you said we were doing something fun.”
“I said I had a surprise,” he corrected.
“That implies fun.”
“It’s time you dressed the part.”
The words sank in, the meaning not far behind.
Oh, hell, no.
Slowly, carefully, deliberately, she folded her arms under her breasts. “And if I don’t want to?” Some principles were worth fighting for. Like using her brains to get ahead, not her body. Now there was a real reason to fight.
He gave her a cajoling smile. “C’mon, Delaney. Think of it as a project.”
Think of it as a project? Was he nuts?
How dare he insist on buying her clothes? How dare he think she needed any help? She’d show him.
She’d play along, try on an outfit, then give Aidan Ross hell for insisting. Then she’d quit. Right here, right now.
Even if it meant getting another job and starting over, she’d do it. And she’d make it happen before her parents figured out she’d switched jobs. Because turning tail and going home was so not an option.
Of course, there were some logistical things to work out. Like how she’d actually get back to Milestone. Although it didn’t matter to her how it happened. She’d figure all that out later. Maybe she’d rent a car and drive.
He pulled out his phone. “I need to make a call,” he said before turning away.
Now? She frowned. Irritation raced through her again. He could make all the damned calls he wanted. She was determined to get through this wasted time as quickly and efficiently as possible.
She surveyed the clothing racks, made a beeline for the closest one. With the speed of a shopper on a time limit she pushed hangers aside and found her size. She pulled a blouse out. Yellow with white, pink, and lime polka dots. Wasn’t yellow supposed to be this season’s new black? Worked for her.
She stomped toward the next rack and yanked out a tan suit in her size. Tan was a neutral. It went with anything. There. It was all she’d need.
She marched past Aidan.
“Where are you going?” he asked from behind her. “I’ve got a personal shopper headed over to help you.”
She stopped and faced him. “You have a personal shopper?”
“My ex-wife did,” he said blandly. “Rosalind will be down in a minute.”
“I won’t need her help.” She turned and continued toward the dressing room as she held the outfit up. “This will do.”
She passed an attractive older woman who smiled pleasantly, but quickly shifted her gaze behind Delaney. “Mr. Ross, so good to see you again.”
Well, shit. She couldn’t just keep walking, could she? Her mother’s lessons in politeness surged forward. Some things couldn’t be shaken.
Delaney stopped, turned, watched as the two of them exchanged pleasantries. She eyed Aidan intently until his gaze landed on hers.
“Rosalind,” he said. “This is Ms. Harper.”
“Hello, my dear.” She glanced at the outfit in Delaney’s hands. “What do you have there?”
She squared her shoulders and offered what she hoped to hell was a pleasant smile. “Sorry he had to go and bother you, Rosalind, but like I was just telling him, I won’t need your help.” She held the outfit up. “I already know what I want.”
The older woman peered over the top of her stylish red-rimmed glasses and nodded with a soft smile on her face. “Very good, then. Why don’t you try it on?”
See? Even Rosalind approved of her choice. She glared at Aidan. “I think I will.”
She handed the garments over, then followed the older woman toward the bank of private dressing rooms.
She should put a stop to all this, tell Aidan to take his shopping trip and shove it where the sun could never shine.
But when she looked back, she realized a couple of things. First, he was following them. Second, the light in his eyes burned bright, deep, almost like the anticipation was eating at him but he forced himself to hold back, to wait.
This didn’t make sense. He was usually restrained, collected, not one to give in to emotion. Yet this guy looked about ready to burst. All over a shopping trip.
No way.
Who was Aidan, anyway? The smart, sexy, incredible lover she’d had last night? The less-than-charismatic principal of a successful engineering firm? Or the guy who now seemed to be pulling rank because he could?
“Here you go, my dear.” Rosalind stepped into the room and hung the suit and blouse on a chrome peg. “I’ll be right outside when you’re ready.”
As soon as the door shut, Delaney kicked off her sneakers, then stripped out of her yoga pants and top. She’d show Aidan she didn’t need any help picking out clothes. But if he wanted to fork over his hard-earned money so she could make a point, so be it.
Maybe she should’ve pulled clothes off the most expensive rack.
One blouse.
One pair of pants.
One jacket.
A moment later she reached for the door and yanked it open. “I’m done,” she announced. “Now can we bag this up and get some dinner? I’m starving.”
Chapter Seventeen
She alternated her gaze between Aidan and Rosalind, both of whom stared at her intently. “What? Is there a button loose or something?” She looked down at the jacket. Nope. All there and all intact.
The older woman smiled politely. She loosely clasped her hands in front of her and smiled politely. “Yes. Well. While that looks…fine…” She cleared her throat. “With your coloring, I’m thinking we can come up with something even better.” Her smile widened encouragingly. “What do you think? Shall we give it a try?”
Delaney hesitated. This really was too much fuss over something as insignificant as an outfit.
“We’re already here,” Aidan added. “Might as well see what Rosalind has in mind.”
“I suppose.” She allowed her shoulders to slump. Really, where was the harm in trying on one more outfit? “But can we make it quick? I really am starving.”
“Of course.” She pulled the jacket off Delaney and stared at the tag. “I’ll find the perfect fit for you.” With a nod of her head, the woman retreated.
Across the hallway, Aidan leaned against the wall. “Should you be in here?” she asked.
“It’s a dressing room for personal shoppers. We’re all alone, so I think I’ll be okay.”
Right. No doubt he’d done something similar countless times with his ex-wife.
“Why is this so important to you, anyway? It won’t change anything about my presentation.”
“No. I still expect you to be brilliant.”
“I can be pretty brilliant without fancy clothes.”
His grin widened as he pushed off from the wall, stepped into the dressing room, and gathered her in his arms. “Judging from last night, I believe you.”
Her face heated as she stared at a spot on the partially opened dressing room door. Did he mean her software presentation or their time in bed?
“But why can’t I do it with just my brains?” Delaney leaned away from him, stared into his steel-gray eyes, and willed some understanding into them. “Professor Keith said we had what it took to make it in a man’s world without having to use our bodies to be successful.”
He sighed, realization dawning across his face. “Delaney, listen to me. There’s nothing wrong with using what you have. That doesn’t mean doing anything inappropriate. But realize that even men do the same thing.”
“They do?”
“How many of the men at the trade show had anything less than a shirt and tie on? Most of us wore suits, right? It’s what makes us look professional, what instills confidence in a client that we know what we’re doing with their account. It’s all I want for you.”
“I’m not sure I can do the girl thing.” She laid her head on his chest, heard the thumping of his heart. “Every time I’ve ever tried, it backfired. Like today. I wore a suit and heels. What did I get? Not one single client. And the stupid shoes hurt my feet.”
“Here you go.” Rosalind breezed back into the room, effectively pulling them apart. “Oh. I’m sorry.”
“I’ll wait outside.” Aidan stepped out of the room.
She hung some hangers on another chrome peg. “I’ve brought some basic pieces for you to try on.”
Delaney reached for the blouse, the fabric silky-soft. “Those look too small.”
“I promise if they are, I’ll bring you a larger size,” the older woman said. “Fair enough?”
“Okay.”
The door shut, leaving her to stare at her reflection in one of the dressing room’s three mirrors. Might as well get this over with.
She yanked the yellow top off, and then slipped the blouse on.
Whoa.
Delaney crossed her arms under her breasts as she stared at her reflection again. She hated shopping. Preferred to purchase things online and be outdoors the rest of the time instead. But this…
The emerald-green blouse was soft. Supersoft. And it wrapped around her like a caress, emphasizing her curves in a way that was actually flattering.
This was different. This felt different.
She stripped out of the pants she’d chosen and reached for the gray pin-striped pair Rosalind had left behind.
By the time she’d pulled up the zipper and fastened the tab, she knew something was very, very different about this outfit. She looked good. Better than good.
Denim she understood pretty well, but this… She pulled the matching jacket over the blouse.
And the image in the mirror smiled back at her. Ohmigod. Was that really her?
The gray jacket and pants fit perfectly, molding against her figure without being obscene. And the fabric was softer than even her fanciest sweater. She released her hair from the clip, allowed it to fall over her shoulders. For once, the bangs and straight strands didn’t make her cringe.
There was a knock on the dressing room door. “Do you need any help, my dear?”
In answer, Delaney reached for the doorknob. When she opened it, she knew what she’d seen in the mirror wasn’t a mirage.
Rosalind quickly stepped into the dressing room, and closed the door behind her, a self-satisfied smile on her face. “You see, the cut and color of the suit plays off your skin tones and emphasizes your eyes.”
Delaney smiled. The older woman was right. Admittedly, she didn’t know much about cut and color, but she knew she looked…feminine. Not necessarily girlie-girl, but damn close. And she felt incredible.
“With a coordinating skirt or another pair of pants, you’d have a different outfit altogether.”
Delaney glanced at the remaining garments hanging on the peg. She was probably right about that, too.
“Shoes,” Rosalind announced with a clap of her hands. “Let me find some shoes.”
“Please.” So far, so good. Why the hell not go all the way?
Rosalind crossed one arm over her waist and rested the elbow of her other arm on it. “You’re a size eight, correct?”
“Yeah.” She tilted her head to one side. The woman was good.
