His smile faded. “You wouldn’t.”
“Don’t tempt me.” She stalked down the hall, savoring her victory.
He caught up with her in the lobby. “You can’t see anything in that old picture.”
“Oh, I saw plenty.”
“Do you mean plenty, as in you could identify me in the picture?” He grabbed her elbow, his gaze glinting like glass. “Or plenty, as in you were impressed with the sheer size and magnitude of my…physique?”
“Hmm. Let me think.” Jaye tapped her finger on her chin, having no trouble remembering the photo. Who could forget the sculpted shape of his strong torso? She wasn’t about to admit she couldn’t stop thinking about how good he looked naked—especially the fascinating shadow between his legs. “Let’s just say I was so impressed, I thought about using your picture for my screen saver.”
Mitch let out a bark of laughter.
She headed toward the lobby’s door leading to the parking lot.
His boots pounded after her. “I never met anyone who fights like you do, Jaye.” His gaze bored into hers. “Are you having as much fun as I am?”
“Did you just say you’re having fun?” She splayed her hands on her chest in mock surprise. “With a consultant?”
He snatched his coat off a nearby chair and let out a groan. “In case you haven’t noticed, I’m desperate to get you out of my factory so I can kiss you again.”
“Wait a minute, this isn’t a date. I’m still mad at you for digging up my ex on the Internet.” She jabbed her thumb toward her car. “I’d be heading home right now if I didn’t need a coat.”
He swept an arm toward his truck. “Looks like we have an interesting evening ahead, huh?”
Jaye stopped in the middle of the parking lot to peer at the big, brightly lit store. A prickle of anxiety pushed the delicate hair along her arms against the thin sleeves of her blazer. “I hate shopping. Nothing ever fits. If I do stumble across something in my size, I rarely like how the clothes look on me. I usually buy stuff from my favorite online store, which is much easier than searching for a coat in a place that sells everything.”
“Don’t worry.” He patted her back. “I’ll help.”
She crinkled her nose at him. “Did you just say you’d help me find clothes?”
“Have you forgotten I studied art?” He pulled the brim of his baseball cap down on his forehead and his smoldering gaze raked her from head to toe in blatant male appreciation. “I know what looks good.”
Yowza. The man knew how to drop a compliment. She crossed her arms over her chest, shivering from his throaty words and the biting cold. “I’ve never had a personal shopper who possessed the brawn to keep overzealous bargain hunters out of the way.”
“I’ll do my best to protect you from the rabid crowd in the shoe section.” His gaze dropped to admire her jeans. “The tough part will be finding a coat in a size six.”
Her sneakers skidded on a patch of ice. “How did you know I’m a six?”
“I’m an only child, remember? My mother took me with her when she went to the mall. I know a slender, athletic woman like you is probably a six.” He strode beside her, close enough so his coat sleeve brushed hers. “When I earn the privilege of buying you lingerie, I’d guess you’re a thirty-six B.”
Her face burned at the thought of him buying her sexy underwear. “Don’t say stuff like that, Mitch. Not now.”
“Because we’re fighting?” He took her elbow, lowering his mouth to her ear. “Isn’t this the best time to remind you of the heat between us?”
“Right now, the only heat I need comes from a coat.” Jaye walked into the store and came to an abrupt stop. The place was big as one of her father’s warehouses. Aisles lined the cavernous space like so many rows of corn, forming a maze she couldn’t decipher. “Oh, gosh. This place is huge. I’ll never find boots in here.”
“The shoe department is this way.” Threading his fingers through hers, he led her past jewelry and cosmetics. His calloused thumb caressed the bridge of her knuckles.
Warmth radiated into her cold irritation. How was she supposed to stay mad at him for prying into her private life if he kept caressing her hand like she was the most precious thing he’d touched all day?
Somewhere near the back of the store, they stopped beside a rack containing a mind-boggling array of women’s sneakers. Jaye squinted down the aisle, unable to see past the twenty pairs of neon pink running shoes. Casting him a helpless look, she shrugged. “This is embarrassing to admit, but I don’t do well in department stores. Too many choices.”
“Follow me.” Mitch had her sit on a small bench and made quick work of pulling out a pair of chocolate brown boots from the shelf.
The boots were attractive yet sturdy enough to stomp through the snow. Better yet, a squishy soft fleece lined the insides. Jaye couldn’t believe they fit. “I feel like I’m standing on a warm cloud.” She wiggled her toes against the velvety lining. “How did you find these so fast?”
A hint of red crept into the hollow under his blunt cheekbones.
“This is embarrassing to admit, but I’m good at shopping for clothes.” He knelt, bracing her foot against his thigh. He unzipped the boots with two sure tugs and grinned. “Now I’ll find you a coat.”
Struck by how he resembled a burly Prince Charming to her reluctant Cinderella, Jaye stayed put on the bench. “You’re a man on a mission.”
“Is it working yet?” He pulled her upright and searched her expression. “Guess not.”
“I can’t believe you googled David. I told you not to dig.”
He tucked the boots under his arm. “I’ll stop digging if you tell me what’s going on.”
Her shoulders drooped. “That’s blackmail, Mitch.”
“How am I supposed to protect
