Free Little White Lies by Kimberley Reeves Page A

he leaned down and kissed the blue-eyed beauty on the cheek, a sharp pain twisted her gut. 
     
    She had no illusions about herself.  Not even on her best day could she compete with a woman who looked like that, and she was suddenly very conscience of her appearance and the nondescript clothing she was wearing.  No wonder Jack wanted to buy her new things if this woman was indicative of the female companionship he was used to; quite simply, he was embarrassed by Miranda and her drab wardrobe.
     
    Her cheeks were burning by the time Jack headed back her way and all she wanted to do was duck into one of the dressing rooms and hide.  Why was he with her anyway?  He was charming, devastatingly handsome, wealthy, a fantastic lover, and he could have any woman he wanted.  Miranda wasn’t even in the same league as the woman he’d been cozying up to, and she certainly didn’t possess the social skills necessary to accompany him to the exclusive parties he surely attended.  Standing there in her chocolate blouse and beige slacks with her hair falling unstylishly straight over her shoulders, she felt like Cinderella…after the ball!
     
    “Ready, sweetheart?”
     
    Miranda started, unaware that Jack had been standing beside her.  “Well, I…I haven’t really had a chance to look for anything.”  She glanced around, feeling hopelessly out of her realm.  “Maybe we should just go.”
     
    Jack was confused by her sudden discomfort. She was behaving as if she was going to bolt out of there any second. “I don’t understand.  Why do you want to go without even giving the place a chance?”
     
    “Look, Jack, I know you’re used to being with sophisticated women who dress like fashion models so I’m sure it’s just as embarrassing for you to be seen with me as…”
     
    “ Embarrassed?   Why the hell would I be embarrassed?”
     
    “Oh, please, Jack, I saw you with that woman.  That’s the type you’re used to; tall and sleek and dressed to the nines.”  Miranda was dangerously close to tears so it didn’t sit very well with her when he threw his head back and started laughing.  “And just what is so funny, Jack Devlin?”
     
    “You are, honey.”  He drew her into his arms, still chuckling.  “Miranda, baby, listen to me.  You can wear anything you want, wear a gunnysack if it makes you feel comfortable.  Personally, I prefer you in nothing at all. Regardless of what you wear or don’t wear, I think you are the most beautiful woman I have ever met.”
     
    “You don’t mean that.” 
     
    “I do mean that.  I swear, I just wanted to do something nice for you, something I’d never done for any other woman.”
     
    Miranda eyed him skeptically.  “If you’ve never done this for another woman before, how come that sales lady seems to know you so well?  Or is she one of your former lovers?”
     
    “Oh, my,” he grinned, “the green in your eyes is starting to spread to the rest of your body.”
     
    “Don’t be so full of yourself, Jack.”
     
    He pulled her a little closer.  “You’re jealous, admit it.”
     
    “I am not jealous, and you’re just trying to avoid my question.”
     
    “Beth is the wife of my corporate lawyer, who also happens to be a very good friend.  I brought you here because I knew she would take good care of you.  It’s not a sin to be fashion challenged, sweetheart.  I haven’t always been this dashing, you know.  It took a lot of work to learn just the right shirt to wear with blue jeans.”
     
    Miranda found herself smiling at his gentle teasing.  “So maybe I was just a teeny tiny bit jealous.  I just don’t want you to be ashamed to be seen with me.”
     
    His expression softened.  “If I was even the slightest bit ashamed of you, would I do this?”
     
    Her stomach did a wild flip when he dipped his head and caught her up in hard, passionate kiss.  Strong arms crushed her to his chest as his mouth did a very thorough