Free Secured Undercover by Charity Parkerson Page A

she thought as she caught him once again bunching the waist between his fingers in an attempt to see his own ankles. She let out a frustrated growl before a bell sounded from the front room alerting her to a delivery.
    “Saved by the bell,” she muttered, thinking she might be forced to stab him with a pair of shears if she watched him destroying her work any longer. In the front room, a deliveryman stood holding a huge bouquet of flowers.
    The guy looked to be around eighteen years in age. He was snapping at his chewing gum as if he’d rather be anywhere else in the world. He straightened up from his slump when he caught sight of her. “I have some flowers here for … Flower?” he asked skeptically.
    She stopped from rolling her eyes, instead, opting to smile brightly. Kill them with kindness; that was her motto.
    “That’s me.” He handed the flowers over then stood as if waiting for something.
    “Oh I’m sorry,” she told him, setting the bouquet on the counter. “Let me get you a tip.”
    He brushed his hand nervously over his hair. “No, that’s not necessary. Maybe I could get your phone number instead?”
    She blinked at him in confusion, wondering for a moment if he needed it for some official reason before it dawned on her what he meant.
    “Um, how old are you exactly?”
    He flashed a dimply grin. “Nineteen, ma’am,” he answered cheerfully.
    Her hands clenched. “Okay, Skippy. The fact that you just called me ma’am should have been your first tip off that this wasn’t going to go well for you. For God’s sake. I have a bra in my dresser drawer right now that’s older than you.”
    He shifted his feet uncomfortably. “So … that’s a no?”
    She picked up the flowers and hugged them to her chest in an attempt to keep from wrapping her hands around his throat. “Yes. It’s a no,” she answered as sweetly as possible.
    “Jeez lady, all you had to do was say no. I didn’t need a whole speech about you needing to replace your underwear, and for the record, I really don’t want someone with a nineteen-year-old bra anyway. I got me some standards.”
    He stormed out leaving her feeling oddly disappointed, which should’ve been a warning sign that she had been too long without a man. Well, a man who actually wanted to be a man. Maybe she should have scooped up Skippy while he was willing.
    “More flowers from Chad,” she called down the hall. As she turned the corner, she caught Bradley with the dress hitched up around his waist so he could rearrange his junk.
    “Damn it Bradley!” She screamed slamming the flowers down. His head shot up and a look of guilt passed over his face before he turned mutinous.
    “I’m sorry Flower, but you have no idea what sequins will do to your boys.”
    “Please, please tell me you’re wearing underwear underneath there,” she begged, even though she already knew it was a lost cause.
    “Um well it kind of messes with the line of the dress.”
    “Oh my God,” she breathed. “This cannot be happening to me, not now. I have exactly one week to finish every one of these gowns before we head out to Nashville for the gala. What am I supposed to do if you keep refusing to work with me?” A single tear ran down her face. She couldn’t stop it any longer, nor did she want to. While this was a wonderful opportunity, it also forced her into being so stressed she was pretty sure she was going to snap.
    Bradley clicked across the room on three-inch heels and drew her into his embrace. “I’m so sorry baby. Just tell me what you want me to do, and I’ll do it.”
    Flower started to speak but a knot formed in her throat making it almost impossible. Her voice ended up coming out in a squawk. “I’m going to fail. I’m going to be an utter, complete failure. From this day on people will laugh about me behind their hands, because I don’t have what it takes to do this.”
    “What do you need to get this done?” Bradley asked solemnly.
    “I need you