Page 15 of Hot Irish Halloween

“You’re very welcome,” he murmured. Her nipples tightened when his breath fanned heat across her temple. This time, the desire in his eyes was clear and confusion tumbled through her. Jack stepped back with obvious reluctance. “Go put those in some water. I’ll be here.”

“Okay. Be right back.”

She practically tripped over her own doorstep, giggling like she was a giddy tween instead of a grown-ass woman.

Get it together!she ordered herself and went in to hunt down a vase for the gorgeous bouquet. She hadn’t been lying when she’d said she loved them. Flowers were a gift from nature, made all the more precious because their beauty wouldn’t last forever. They smelled wonderful. She inhaled their fragrance and admired them in the vase, then went back out to the man waiting for her.

It was so natural, the way Jack interlaced his fingers with hers to escort her to his waiting car.

“Your car is so pretty.” She wasn’t a car enthusiast, but she knew this was an Aston Martin, and that they ran pretty pricey. This lovely, low-slung two-seater was a gorgeous shade of dark silver.

“Thank you. It’s a Vantage,” Jack said with some pride in his raised chin. “Not bad for a boy from the North side, eh?”

“Not bad at all.”

She didn’t ask what he’d meant by that. In the research, there hadn’t been a great deal about his life prior to his winning the title, but in an interview, he’d mentioned growing up poor to a single mother in his early years. He’d been so young in that interview, like a barely tame lion. She had a moment of regret that she hadn’t met him when they were that age and free to do whatever they wanted. Before life had altered her in ways she’d hadn’t imagined. Maybe they would have…

Too late for wishing the past had been different. Even if she wasn’t who she could have been, she liked who he was now. A man who clearly knew how to treat a woman to a nice night out, at least. He was more polished and self-assured than that kid in the video and she liked that. Liked it a lot.

Jack rounded the hood of the car to open the door of the passenger side for her. Penny thanked him and got in. Once her legs were safely tucked in, he closed the door and went around to the driver’s side. She had aBronx Talemoment where she looked to see if she could unlock his door and prove she wasn’t an inconsiderate broad, but Jack controlled the locks with a key fob. So much for advice from movies set in the 60s.

When he’d folded his large frame behind the wheel, he looked over to make sure she had her seatbelt on. Then he put the car in gear and drove.

“Is there a theme for the ball or can we come dressed however we want?” Penny asked.

“Fairytale theme. That probably means a stupid frilly shirt and tights for me.” Jack grimaced, but Penny laughed. “I’m gonna look like a total eejit.”

“I doubt you could,” she said, and he shot her a look with a sarcastic, stupidly sexy grin. “I know. We can go as Beauty and the Beast.”

He scoffed laughter at the suggestion. “I guess I’m the beast?”

Penny sucked her teeth at him. “It better be you.”

“I was just coddin’ ya, love. I’ll gladly be your beast, beauty.” He’d ramped up the accent for that line and she laughed.

Penny twisted her fingers in her lap. “I hope they’ve got a good size selection.” It had occurred to her, after failed shopping trips to costume shops in the past, that that might be an issue. She was prepared to be disappointed if they didn’t have anything to accommodate her.

“We don’t have to worry about that. They’ll do a custom rush order if we need them. Not many places carry my size,” he said, indicating his body.

Well, it was a relief to know the clothes sizing issue wouldn’t be hers alone, and she was grateful he had a plan for that.

Her eyebrows rose. “They’ll be able to make two custom costumes from scratch within a week?”

Jack nodded curtly, handling a turn with sure hands. “They promised they could. Don’t worry.”

“I still don’t think we’ll need clothes for long at your orgy.”

“It’s not an orgy,” Jack sighed.

6

AURORA

PENNY

They reached the boutique in under twenty minutes while arguing about the supposed orgy. The place was small and elegant, with pink and blue French décor that looked like a slice of cake. An array of costumes lined one wall, and a tall bookcase held frilly hats, gloves and shoe styles from several eras ranging from Regency to 70s disco.

A freckled brunette came forward and favored them both with a bright smile and sparkling blue eyes.

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