“Welcome to Haute Couture.” Bethany greeted the handsome, thirtyish man as soon as the boutique’s front door closed behind him. “May I help you find something for the lovely lady in your life?”

The man, wearing a gray suit and standing six feet tall with short, wavy dark hair and flawless masculine features, grimaced. “You can try. She’s kind of hard to please.”

“Well, you’re in luck.” Bethany spread her arms to indicate the surrounding spring fashions. “We specialize in the finest women’s apparel and accessories to be found in the whole of Valdosta, Georgia. I’m certain we’ll be able to find something to suit her fancy.”

“I hope so. If not…well, it won’t be the first scolding I’ve taken from her.” The man gave up a charming smile and shrugged his broad shoulders as he turned toward the wall of shoes against the right side of the room. He weaved through the clothing racks to stand before the section hosting many different colors and variations of the peep-toed stiletto. He picked up a pink one with a five-inch heel.

“That is a very popular shoe.” Bethany walked over, transitioning into the hard sell. “It has very sleek lines and really enhances the beauty of a woman’s foot. It’s also very comfortable. And I like the open toe because it allows one to show off freshly painted toenails.”

“It does possess a certain amount of sexiness,” he admitted.

“Stilettos usually do.” Bethany sighed. “I like this particular shoe so well that I’ve already bought it in red, and now they’ve sent the pink one this week. But, as you probably already know, a young woman can never have too many shoes. I’ve got my eye on a new skirt over there as well. This year the spring colors are so vibrant and fun that I can’t resist them.”

“Ah, you’re a fashionista.” The man smiled in appreciation. “I’ve always admired the way fashionistas dress. May I take a good look at you?”

“Sure,” Bethany answered. Dressing to be seen by others was a big part of her livelihood. And she really respected his asking, instead of just leering at her as though it was his inalienable right. Yes, having reached twenty-five years of age and having come into her own as a successful businesswoman, she appreciated the good manners of true gentlemen. Thus, she placed a hand on her hip to strike a subtle, sexy pose.

The man turned all his attention on her for the first time. His brilliant blue eyes searched her slender face and turquoise eyes and then lingered on the way she’d fashioned her blonde hair in an elegant up-style to show off diamond earrings.

Bethany stared back boldly under the scrutiny. Although she couldn’t categorize this examination on his part as being sexual in the least, a shiver of sexual attraction traced its way up the inside of her thighs.

“Those earrings go very well with that lovely hairstyle,” he stated. His gaze turned to the matching diamond necklace around her neck before briefly examining the way the petite yellow blouse fit snug about her ample breasts and how the pleats made the silky material draw inward to hug her trim waistline.

Moving on, he cocked his head at the lay of the short and tight blue skirt against her curvy hips. His lips curled into an approving smile at the yellow, four-inch heels.

Upon looking back into her eyes, he said, “You are an exquisite beauty.”

“Thank you for thinking so.” Bethany hid her happiness at the compliment behind an expression of nonchalance. But a warm, fuzzy feeling enveloped her from head to toes as if she’d just drunk a glass of intoxicating champagne. To find out the answer to something she now wanted to know, she pointed at the shoe he held. “May I ask if your wife—”

“She’s not my wife,” he interrupted, appearing startled. He quickly added, “Girlfriend neither. She’s just a friend, and her birthday party is tonight. As usual, I’ve waited until the last minute to buy her a present. If I had a girlfriend, I would have asked her to do this for me weeks ago.”

“Oh!” Bethany beamed a large smile. “A girl’s birthday is a very important occasion. We must pull out all the stops.”

“I totally agree with you. She’d going to kill me if I don’t come up with something spectacular.”

“Well—” Bethany’s smile turned mischievous. “—we don’t want your friend to go to prison, so let’s get started shopping in earnest. Please call me Bethany.”

“I’m Brian.” He stuck out his hand.

A jolt of exquisite electricity passed through her the moment their palms made physical contact. And it wasn’t from static electricity.

“It’s very nice to meet you, Bethany, because I’ve found it usually takes a fashionista to successfully buy for one.”

“We fashionistas are a rare breed.”

“Indeed, you are.”

Brian turned his eyes back onto the shoe. He examined the stitching, the stiletto heel, the rubber sole, and then pressed his thumb into the padded insole. “Would you, perhaps, have a suitable outfit to go with this shoe?”

Bethany forced her mind to concentrate on the task at hand instead of entertaining lighthearted, indecent thoughts about this man. She said, “We have some of everything. Being it’s early spring, may I suggest a sundress with a light scarf?”

“By all means, let’s see everything you’ve got, and I’ll make my decision afterward.”

She smirked, her mind turning naughty. With a wink, she led the way across the shop while exaggerating the natural swishing of her hips. Glancing over her shoulder, she teased, “And just so you know, I don’t show everything I’ve got to everyone. I reserve some things for special people only.”

He chuckled in good humor. “I’m sure you don’t.”