“If he seemed nervous, then I wouldunderstand. But everything you said and even the conversations you guys havehad at the coffee shop says that he’s curious and at least somewhat confident.Just show him.” Eli was clearly more of a gambler than I was because hehonestly didn’t understand why I was dragging my feet.
But I hated to admit that he might beright.
“But what if he’s—”
Eli interrupted, shaking his head. “No,he’s asked questions, and he’s opened up to you. You’re not the first guy thathe’splayed doctorwith, just the first one he wants to keep.”
He let that sink in a moment as he sat up.“You have to trust that he’ll tell you if something is too much. He’s made itclear he’s curious about the lingerie and who you really are when you’re not playingMr. Conservativein public.”
When all I could do was stand there, notwanting to admit he was right, Eli continued. “If you’re not willing to showhim, then you need to walk away. If this wasn’t something serious for him, hewould have probably already started letting things fade between you guys. Butjust that smile when he saw you at the coffee shop yesterday said that this isn’tcasual for him.”
“It’s not casual for me either. It’s not likeI’m just trying to hook up with the straight guy or bi or slightly curious guy,whatever he is. I like him.” Probably more than I should.
Eli rolled his eyes and leaned back down onthe bed. “Then show him that. If all you’re willing to show him is that facade,then he’s going to end up being frustrated, because he’s being honest withyou.”
I hated it when Eli boiled things down likethat. He was such a drama queen and could be such an asshole. But most of thetime, when he started lecturing people about something, he was right. It justmade me want to throw something at him.
“Okay then, smarty-pants, what do you thinkI should wear?” It was a stupid question, but in my defense, he’d been drivingme crazy for days.
Served me right for telling him, though.
Eli snorted and stretched out against mypillows like a drama queen on his throne. “Well, for starters, anything butthose hideous briefs.”
I just rolled my eyes but put back thesimple boy shorts I’d started to take out of the drawer. “They weren’thideous.”
“Hideous enough. You’re going to wearsomething sexy and fabulous so when you strip down, you look incredible.” ThenEli’s whole body tightened, and he grinned. “Because he wants to sketch you,and that has to be hotter than Roman taking pictures. It’s likeTitanicall over again, but this time there’s no sinking boat or asshole fiancésin the background.”
Laughing, I shook my head. “So what? I’mjust supposed to throw myself on his couch and say ‘Wilder, sketch me like oneof your French girls’?”
Eli nodded excitedly. “God, wouldn’t thatbe hot?”
“You’re insane.” It was going to be sexy,though.
“I’m fabulous, and you know it.” Eli’s grinturned slightly wicked. “How about a skirt and those red panties from the shoota few weeks ago? That would look awesome as a striptease.”
When had it become a striptease?
“Eli, I’m not pole dancing for the guy.” Iwasn’t sure I had the balls for that and I also wasn’t sure about the coordinationfactor as well. “I’m going to show him some lingerie, and hopefully will havesex if things go right.”
“That’s just semantics, dear. Okay, noskirt. Let me think.” Eli sat up, glancing between my closet and the dresser.“Are you sure you don’t want to wearanyof your pretty clothes?”
Eli sounded truly disappointed, like I’dtold him he couldn’t have a puppy or something. I just gave him a stern look.“That doesn’t work on me, stop pouting. And no, I’m not wearing anything likewhat you’re imagining clear across town.”
Although,part ofme wanted to—there was no denying that.
Most of the time, when I thought aboutwearing a skirt or dress, or even just heels in public, it was like a tornadosettled in my stomach. There was just no way. But something about the wayWilder looked at me made me curious. “How about the heels with those blackskinny jeans? Wilder said he thought something like that would be sexy.”
I’d only worn the shoes out a handful oftimes. I loved the way they made me feel. Eli had badgered me into wearing themwhen we’d gone out to a club a few times and when I dressed up for Halloween.
I’d never worn them on a date.
Eli brightened, like a kid who’d beenpromised an ice cream cone. “Yes, that would look good. And what about thatwhite top? The one that’s clingy and almost see-through.”
That was one of the shirts I’d only wornaround the house. It wasn’t so feminine people would stare, but it didn’t looklike anything that could be purchased in the men’s department. But it was softand silky, and I loved the way it looked on me. It would also look good withthe pants. “I don’t know.”
Eli gave me his puppy dog expression,trying to look innocent. “You’re just going from here to the car and then fromyour car to his place. Unless you end up in a car accident and they’re taking offyour clothes, no one will notice. And at that point, they won’t care.”
Rolling my eyes, I threw a pair of pantiesI’d randomly grabbed at him, wishing it was something heavier. “If I so much asget a flat tire or speeding ticket tonight, you are a dead man.”
