Page 10 of The Christmas Gift

Ivy schooled her features. Krista was challenging the outcome, as was her right since her stores were going to be interacting directly with the public. “Curvy women, no matter their ethnicity, want to be comfortable and sexy in their lingerie, Miss Buckley. We shouldn’t have to compromise comfort for style or vice versa.” Her gaze touched the members around the table. “Unfortunately, we’re cutting it close for market testing because the star designs aren’t finalized. I hope preorders with the gift wrapped option will not only boost sales but give us another glimpse into demand.”

“What do you need?” Cor asked, folding his arms across his broad chest.

Coming from Cor, the question was laced with double innuendo. Personal. Intimate.

He was the only person that knew her penchant for being prepared. Ivy pressed her thighs together too late to stop the spark of heat his deep Southern drawl created. Like the night they met, she recognized his strategy for coaxing her to reveal parts of herself. Then and now, his unwavering interest in what she had to say, his nearness made her pulse roar in her ear.

“That segment of the market wants shades and designs to complement our shape and many skin tones. We want flexibility and materials that move. Playful.” She emphasized the last word with a smile. Because she knew from experience selling her position worked better with honey rather than vinegar. “It’s difficult to find those things when the initial designs are sketched for size two models. Having more companies think about everyday women like me during product development is an all-around good thing.”

Cor’s smile was devilish.

Ivy’s chest tightened.

“Speaking of marketing, can you get me a visual for where the merchandise will be placed in your locations, Miss Buckley?” Ivy asked, hoping the woman would take her grubby hands from Cor’s arm. Throughout the meeting, Krista looked for any reason to touch him.

Why was she jealous?They had shared one moment. Albeit it was a hot, steamy night that left her with more than memories for a reminder. She resisted the urge to touch her stomach.

Seeing him again wasn’t good. Ivy hadn’t planned or even dreamed of running into her one-night encounter was a possibility after leaving Wheelcaster. Now she was working for his father’s company on a project he was heading.Drat!

How was she going to tell him her planned night of pleasure hadn’t been so well organized after all? That he’d poked a hole—literally—into her walls of protection. On the other hand, they were his lousy condoms. She risked a glance his way and flushed. He was still speaking to Krista, but his eyes were locked on her.

“Three days to finalize the sketches people,” Arthur said again as he stood. So did most of the room.

She waited, not wanting to be run over by employees who were eager to carry out the boss’s bidding. She secretly hoped Cor would leave too. It was awkward enough seeing him again, but every time she looked at him, Ivy couldn’t help seeing him naked, demanding she get on her hands and knees. Remembering the tingle of his hair running between her fingers, the graze of his stubble against her sensitive nipples made her panties wet.

She was in town for a short time, she reasoned, standing on shaky legs. The holidays would be over, then she’d blow out of Bourbon like every other town she’d worked in. She didn’t even have to tell him about the baby.Right?She’d already made plans to be a single mother, a great single mother. Watching Krista flirt with Cor, he wasn’t what she needed.

Yanking her flash drive from the projector, she bit the inside of her cheek.What was she thinking? She wasn’t selfish.

She couldn’t justify keeping the baby a secret.

She was already more than two months pregnant. While that was barely a blip for lots of women, she’d already noticed changes in her body. There was no way she’d be able to hide it five months in. Cor wasn’t confined any longer to one night of memories.

Guilt, the same guilt making her stomach queasy, now, would eat her alive. He had a right to know about the baby, but she would tell him it changed nothing. She needed nothing from him.

“Give us a minute.” Cor untangled Krista’s hand from his arm. “Dad catered lunch in the next room. I’m sure he will be excited to hear about your company’s plans for the season.”

“Aren’t you coming?” Krista asked.

Ivy pretended not to notice Krista’s annoyed glare.

“I need to speak to Miss Collymore.”

Drat. Swoony man-bun was staying.Except today, his hair was in a short ponytail, the sides of his head trimmed low.

“Let’s plan for drinks before I leave,” Krista offered.

“We’ll see.” Cor walked Krista to the door before closing it, sealing them in.

Ivy busied herself organizing her folder as she watched him approach from under her lashes. His tan suit jacket hugged his shoulders and when he slipped his hands into his pockets, the movement drew her gaze downwards to the crotch of his pants. He wasn’t making it easy to forget what laid under his starched pants.

Lordy he was sexy. Confident. He was a distraction that had snatched her thoughts from the meeting more than once. Ivy swallowed, inhaling a whiff of his cologne.

“Joan, huh.”

“We were having fun,” she reminded him. “Playing a game.”

“I gave you my real name.”

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