Free Playing With Pleasure by Erika Wilde Page A

effect of the dress, then looked at the saleslady. “Is there anything we can do to make this dress fit better?”
    The other woman shook her head, even as she offered Paige a sympathetic glance. “I’m very sorry, but it’s the way the gown is designed, and Paige’s proportions and shape isn’t ideal for this particular style.”
    Melissa touched a hand to her sleek blonde chignon and sighed. “Well, I’m not sure what to do. She certainly can’t wear it as it is, and there’s only two weeks left until the wedding.”
    Despite the way Ashley had always treated Paige, Melissa had always been kind to her. Melissa clearly didn’t want Paige showing up wearing such an ill-fitted gown to her upscale ceremony, and that was the last thing Paige wanted, as well. A solution to the problem popped into Paige’s head, and she crossed her fingers and hoped that her stepmother would agree to her proposal.
    “I have an idea,” she said, which captured the attention of all three women in the room—the saleslady, Melissa, and Ashley all turned their gazes her way. “I can make myself a bridesmaid gown, similar in style to Ashley’s but not as form-fitting, so I’m comfortable in the dress and it suits my figure better. I can even use the same lace and chiffon fabric, so the color and material is exactly the same.”
    Melissa was quiet for a moment as she contemplated the idea, and Ashley went back to admiring herself in the mirror, unthreatened by Paige’s plan to create a handmade dress.
    “That is a fabulous idea,” the saleslady replied enthusiastically, which, in turn, seemed to ease any concerns Melissa might have had. “Having bridesmaids in different style dresses but in the same color is quite popular right now. I can order the lace and chiffon and have it sent directly to Paige so she could have it in a few days’ time.”
    Melissa nodded her agreement. “I guess that will have to do.”
    A huge surge of relief rushed through Paige, but nothing took away the heaviness in her chest or the feeling of inadequacy the entire situation had caused. She was embarrassed and humiliated, but she had no other choice than to shake it off and set her mind to creating a knockout gown that would make even Ashley sit up and take notice.

Chapter Seven

    S awyer stepped on the gas pedal of his ’69 Pontiac GTO, enjoying the kick of horsepower as he drove onto the freeway onramp toward Paige’s apartment. After he’d discharged from the military a few months ago, the classic muscle car had been his one indulgence. He’d rebuilt part of the engine, and he’d restored the car to its original bright Orbit Orange color with black and yellow pinstriping. He didn’t drive the vintage vehicle every day, but it was perfect for a quick ride across town, which also helped to keep the carburetor cleaned out.
    After a week away on assignment for Noble and Associates, Sawyer was anxious to see Paige again. It had been difficult not to call or text her while he’d been out of town, a deliberate choice he’d made to give her space. He hoped like hell their week apart had given her the time to think about their intense encounter at The Players Club and be willing to give him another chance after their conversation about Ashley over dinner.
    Just the mere thought of Ashley’s name made his fingers clench around the steering wheel, especially after their run-in at Paige’s shop last week when she’d acted as though everything was just fine between the two of them. She’d even had the gall to pretend like they were friends. The woman was his worst enemy, and even though a year and a half had passed since that fateful night, his anger toward her hadn’t abated one ounce. There wasn’t anything about Ashley that he trusted, especially when it came to Paige and his relationship with her. For reasons he’d yet to figure out, it seemed as though Ashley held some kind of grudge against Paige, and sabotaging her happiness was her main