Page 33 of Wild Rush Of Love
“Can I help you?” A woman wearing a shirt with the aquarium logo on the breast pocket made a beeline for them as they entered the shop.
“Yes. We took an unexpected dip in the harbor and I was hoping you had some pants and shirts we could purchase so we could get out of these wet clothes.” He smiled while tucking Reena tighter against his chest.
“Oh, yes, we do. In fact, we have the last of our winter stock on sale right now. This way.” The woman—Tina, according to her name tag—led them to the back of the store.
Before Rush could even look, she was pulling things off the display counter and piling them on a chair.
“You’re in luck. We’ve got one pair of men’s sweatpants left.” Picking up the pile she’d made, she was on the move again. “You can change in the fitting room. I’ll get a bag for you to put your wet things into.”
“Thank you.” He ushered Reena into the first curtained alcove. “Can you manage on your own?”
“Yes-s.” She smiled but he could tell it was forced. “I’m f-feeling warmer already.”
“We’ll get something hot to drink when we’re dry,” he promised.
Rush made quick work of stripping and redressing. When he came out of the changing room, Tina was back with a plastic bag and he handed over his credit card. “Put it on this, please.”
“Certainly. Debit or credit?”
“Credit.” He shoved his wet clothes in the bag. “Oh, is there a coffee shop in here?”
“Yes. Right across the foyer.”
Rush hadn’t taken notice of anything else when they’d entered the building. He’d been focused on his goal. “Thanks.”
“That feels so much better.” A smiling Reena appeared from behind the curtain.
He looked down, taking in the way the t-shirt, while not tight, hugged her naked breasts and the indent of her waist before flaring out to sit snug across her hips. The sweatpants weren’t much better for his control. A little tighter than the top, they skimmed down her long, sleek legs, molding to every curve and ending with her bare feet.
“Where are your shoes?”
“I lost them in the harbor.”
“What?” His gaze bounced back up to hers. “Why didn’t you say something?” And how hadn’t he noticed she was barefoot before now?
She shrugged. “Not much you could do about it. They were only a cheap pair of slip-ons. I’m sure they’ve got some flip-flops here I can buy.”
He was grateful he’d talked her into leaving her handbag and their phones at home. None of those would have survived their dip; his wallet was waterlogged, luckily he’d only had a few dollars in there. “Right. Flip-flops.”
Rush grabbed her hand and pulled her behind him.
“Wait. My clothes.”
“Oh.” Spinning around, he ducked into her changing room and scooped the soggy bundle into the bag with his. “There. Now shoes.”
By the time they left the souvenir shop, his credit card had taken a hundred-dollar hit and he was looking forward to a hot, strong coffee. The line in the café was out the door, and if it weren’t for their need to warm up, he’d have suggested they forget it and head home instead.
The line might have been long but it moved quickly, and the wait had the bonus of Reena snuggling into his side for warmth.
When they got to the counter, Reena ordered a hot chocolate and he ordered the blackest, strongest coffee they had. The girl behind the register gave him a funny look as she punched in their orders. Who knew what he’d end up with. As long as it was hot and coffee, he didn’t care.
It actually turned out okay. Reena sighed in relief as she took her first mouthful and he had to admit what was in his cup was indeed the blackest, strongest coffee he’d ever had.
They didn’t talk. Were happy to sit quietly at a table in the far corner watching the customers around them until they’d taken the last sips.
“I think we’re done sightseeing for the day.”
Rush had to agree with Reena. His hair had gone hard as it dried. He didn’t want to think about what was in that water. “Let’s go home and take a warm shower.”
