Cate groaned into the phone. “I can’t believe I’m doing this.” She slid off the plush king sized bed and padded over to the window to stare out at downtown Los Angeles.
She’d always supported her sister Zoe’s romance writing career. She’d been the first one to send congratulatory chocolate and flowers when she signed a publishing contract, and she was more than happy to read Zoe’s “rough chapters”, but agreeing to pose for her next novel cover was going above and beyond. The fact that Zoe insisted Cate was “just perfect” for the cover made her even more wary. “You swear you didn’t model your heroine after me?”
“Of course not. You’ve read it. Cassandra is outgoing, and fun to be around. She’s nothing like you.” Zoe snorted through the phone. “She just happens to be your age with your coloring. This will be good for you anyway. You always spend your vacations sitting around your house doing laundry, cleaning things that don’t need to be cleaned and moping. Already you’re coming out of this with a week in a luxury hotel. Besides, every woman should have a few sexy shots taken before she gets so old she can’t.”
“I’m only two years older than you.”
“Eternally. Remember that.”
As if she could ever forget. “You weren’t so happy about being younger when I got my driver’s license first.”
“Quit living in the past. Now listen. This just worked out perfectly. You have a week off work with nothing to do, and Bo had an opening. It was fate. You agreed to it, and after only two mojitos. So—the photographer will show up around ten to set up equipment. Bo will get there about eleven. A few dozen shots and you’re done.”
“A few dozen? How many books did you write?”
“Aw come on. You know how this stuff works. They’ll take a ton of pictures and find the best one to use. Bo keeps a bunch of stock photos on his site for other novel covers so if you don’t end up on my book, you’ll probably land on a buttload of others. Actually, I don’t even know if my publisher will use any of these.”
“Wait. What?” Cate pinched the bridge of her nose. “You mean these pictures might not even be used? Zoe, I swear you’re trying to kill me.”
“Oh shut up. You knew that. You read the contract.”
“But you said your publisher takes exclusive rights, so I thought that—”
“They do. If they want the picture at all, they take exclusive rights. If they don’t want them, Bo will sell them as stock. Now would you relax already? It’s not like you’ll be working up a sweat for this. All you have to do is look sexy.”
“Zoe, I don’t want to be on a ‘buttload’ of other books. I was only doing this for you—”
“Big deal. We’ll worry about that later. Did you lose the glasses?”
“Yes, I’m wearing my contacts, but—”
“And who did your makeup?”
“Who? I did it myself. It’s not like I’m a model.”
“You are today. Now hang up and curl your hair.”
“And it’s not a date.”
“No, but you want to look good, right? I want to see Bo’s eyes dripping with lust on those cover proofs.”
“Wait a minute…you told me Bo was gay.”
“He is. But he’s a professional model. He works off of his female model. If you look like hell, and act like some old spinster woman, it’s not going to work. I’ve seen him at work during one of our conferences. As soon as there’s a camera, Bo can fake lust like no other. You can’t, so I’m counting on you to clear your mind of all of these reservations.” Zoe popped her gum, leaving Cate scowling through the phone at the habit. “The guy’s hot, so all you have to do is pretend he wants you.”
“You owe me so big.”
“I know. You’re welcome.”
“Very funny Zoe…Zoe?”
The little brat hung up.
Cate threw her phone against the pillows, and sat on the edge of the bed. She was a doormat when it came to her little sister. It had been that way since Zoe’s first newborn cry, but none of the extra dessert helpings or keeping secrets from mom compared to this one. Cate ran both hands through her hair. The fact that Zoe’s favorite model was available on the same day that Cate started her staycation was just too perfect. Zoe reserved the hotel suite for a week, and even offered unlimited room service as incentive. And it worked. Cate jumped at the chance to have hotel staff wait on her in exchange for some photos.
And why not? She’d been divorced for four years. Her son Sean would be starting his second semester in college, and still Cate was acting like a goody-two-shoes PTA mom.
But Zoe was up to something, she just knew it.
Cate chewed on her lip. She still had an hour before this “gig”. There was time to back out. Maybe Zoe could get a refund for the rest of the week.
Rather than pack her suitcase, she looked around the hotel room. White, Grecian design, plush white bedding, dark wood floors. It was beautiful. If she wasn’t going to enjoy a real vacation in Acapulco, why not have a week away from home in this luxury?
Plus, she could hold this over Zoe’s head for years to come. By the time Cate called in this favor, it would be big.
She double checked her makeup. Not too much, not too little. No nail polish. Brand new red bra and panty set picked out by Zoe, legs smooth, invisible antiperspirant…she was all set, even though she hadn’t completely committed herself to this ridiculous thing.
She threw on her new jeans and sweater before starting on her hair, cursing her sister with each Velcro curler rolled to her scalp.
She was checking out Bo’s website one last time when the photographer knocked on the door. Tall and lanky, he introduced himself as Keith, brought a luggage cart through the doors, and twisted his glossy black hair into a pony tail at his nape before setting up the lamps and tripods. Cate wrung her hands. It still wasn’t too late to back out.
“Contemp, right?” Keith nodded toward her outfit. His slim body moved fluidly, reminding Cate of the way a dancer glided across stage.
“Excuse me?”
“Contemporary. The book. It’s not a historical or werewolf thing, right?”
“Oh. Yes. It’s a contemporary story. I didn’t know what I should wear, my sister was the one corresponding with Mr. Gaddis, so I’m afraid the information I got was filtered through her.”
“It doesn’t matter.” He shrugged, his eyes moved down her body as if he were a sculptor with a lump of clay. “This publisher likes skin. I can’t imagine you’ll be wearing much in the end.”
Good thing Keith squatted down to plug in a row of cords so he didn’t see her jaw drop. Not that she should be surprised. She’d practically memorized Bo’s website, and his stock photos for sale. Did she think Zoe would have the only chaste Bo Gaddis cover on the market?
She bit her lip. She could do this. So a hunky gay man will be feeling her up while another hunk takes pictures. No big deal.
I can do this.
It’s not like Sean would be teased by his dorm mates. Her boss didn’t read romance novels. Even if he did, the cover models were pretty much anonymous. She knew. She looked. Even Bo, who was widely known inside the industry, wasn’t credited in the book itself. The focus would be on him. Not her. She’d be surprised if she got a partial profile in the final picture.
I can do this.
A knock on her hotel door ended her internal pep talk.
“That’ll be Bo.” Keith spoke over his shoulder. “Get that, would ya, Doll? I’m just about done here.”
I can do this.
She pasted on a polite smile, and opened the door. When Bo’s smile disappeared, so did hers. Along with all of her hard-fought bravado.
Okay. I can’t do this.
He stood in the hotel hallway, a hanging garment bag slung over one shoulder, a stack of manila envelopes tucked under his arm, and a duffle bag in hand. His broad chest bulged beneath a tight white tee shirt that molded over every sculpted curve. He was taller than she’d expected, but after pouring over each of his website photos, she knew this was him. The man was perfection, and by the shape of his body, he worked hard at keeping it that way. Cate’s libido perked to life at his mere presence, then simmered down with the reminder that he didn’t like women.
It took a second for his gaze to finish their journey along her body and meet hers. Even his eyes were a perfect shade of blue. Maybe he wasn’t human.
“Hi. I’m Bo Gaddis. You’re…uh…” he jerked his chin toward her, “Catherine?”
Oh God. He’s disappointed. She was probably too old. All of a sudden she could feel every one of her forty-two years as a weight pulling her heart into her stomach. “Please, call me Cate.” She tried a smile, though it was shaky.
Maybe she wasn’t good enough. Hell, measuring up against every other twenty-year-old model she’d seen him with, she would have to agree. This was a bad idea. Mortified, she shoved her hands in her jeans pockets and struggled to maintain eye contact. “I’m afraid so. My sister set this up. I apologize if you were misled. I’m sure I’m nothing like what you must be used to.”
“Oh, now wait…wait.” He entered the room, hung the garment bag on the now empty luggage cart, and threw his duffle bag and folders on the chair.
She took a step back as Bo shut the door behind him. She almost wished he’d left it open to make it easier for her to escape.
“I didn’t mean to offend you. I suppose that after talking to your sister I was expecting someone a little…different,” he said gently. His warm hand cupped her shoulder, stifling her thoughts about running.
“I don’t think I want to know what she said.”
“Believe me. Nothing bad.” He smiled, showing off his perfect teeth. “She sent me a few scenes of her book to get a feel for the characters, but you’re not how I pictured Cassandra.” He gave her the same thorough inspection that his photographer had.
Cassandra—the heroine in Zoe’s book, Four Seasons. Cassandra was an outgoing fireball, with a killer body who falls for Lucas, the wealthy, cocky alpha hero. No one would think romance heroine when faced with Cate. Cassandra was perfect in every way, and Cate was just…well…not. Maybe this was her way out. “If you think this won’t work, I’m sure Zoe will understand.”
“Oh it’ll work.” His grin turned naughty. Zoe was right. He was good. “I just had a different picture in my head after reading Cassandra. Believe me, you look a lot better than Zoe’s description of her. I thought she was supposed to be…older.”
“Oh.” That was good, right? Cate relaxed marginally, making a mental note to tip her hairdresser big.
As if she spoke out loud, Bo reached up to her hair, and when he unfurled one curler, she shut her eyes in horror. She’d forgotten about the damn curlers. Great first impression, Catherine.
She twisted her fingers together as he slowly removed each one. “Hm. A little too curly, but they’ll probably relax. Keith, toss me the spray.”
She kept her eyes shut as Keith joined him and they spritzed her with products.
I can do this. Today, she’d just pretend to be Cassandra. That’s it. Catherine Roberts wasn’t really here about to undress in front of this gorgeous young model and his equally hunky photographer. With his camera.
I can do this. Cassandra would do this, right?
“All done.” Bo’s voice was sexy too. It didn’t seem very fair that this delicious male played for the other team.
She peeled open her eyes and smiled. Not very convincingly. “What do you want me to do?”
Keith chuckled. “First, you need to relax. You look like you’re on death row. I swear Bo doesn’t bite. Well, except when he’s supposed to.”
Was it her imagination, or did Bo glance down at her neck? Did she just stare too long at his teeth?
“No fangs today, Keith.” Bo shook his head.
“Maybe after these contemps are done? Come on, look at her skin. She’d make a great vamp.” He unzipped Bo’s garment bag, and sorted through the contents.
“You’re scaring our model.” Bo took her by the hand and walked toward the center of the room, where Keith’s equipment was all set, and huge lights covered the bed with an unnatural brightness. To her relief, he led her to the sitting area, where he sat on the sofa, and pulled her down beside him. Keith shook his head and continued setting up his equipment.
“Zoe said she had to twist your arm to do this.”
Cate pulled her hand free of his as unobtrusively as she could. “I still can’t believe I agreed.”
“You’ve never modeled before?”
“No.” She clasped her hands tightly in her lap to keep from fidgeting. “I usually hide from the camera.” Did he have to be so damn good looking? So damn young? Muscles bulged underneath his shirt, and he’d propped an ankle on his knee, pulling the fabric of his slacks tight.
“Don’t be afraid of the camera.” He gestured toward the tripod just as Keith tightened a bolt on the camera. “I’m going to do my best to make you forget that it’s there.”
“Except during the solo shots.” Keith grinned, and stroked his camera lovingly. “Then I want you to seduce this baby.”
Solo shots? Oh God.
Keith took a few measurements from different points around the bed, and adjusted the shades.
“Zoe says you’re a banker.” Bo lifted a strand of hair away from her temple.
She pulled her focus away from the mechanical monstrosity Keith was creating, and focused again on the man sitting close beside her. “Not exactly. Zoe tells people I’m a banker because it’s easier to explain.”
“So why don’t you explain?”
She smiled. “It’s not very interesting. I’m sure you don’t really want to hear details.”
“We’re going to get pretty intimate in the next few hours.” He raised one eyebrow. “I don’t like to get naked with a complete stranger.”
Keith snorted. “Liar. You’d take your clothes off to order a pizza.”
“No one’s talking to you.”
The photographer snapped a picture of Bo’s snarl. “Showtime, Romeo. Let’s see some skin.” Keith ducked back down, and snapped a few pictures.
Skin? I can’t do this. Cate’s hands were damp with sweat, and she’d tangled her fingers together almost painfully.
“Don’t rush us.” Bo peeled her hands apart and held one. “Sorry. It’s been a while since we’ve had anyone join us that isn’t at least an amateur model,” he told her. “But we can take our time. We’re on no schedule.”
“Unless there’s no room service.” Keith rubbed his flat belly. “I’m not working on an empty stomach.”
“Good idea. Why don’t you order some snacks while I get to know Cate here?”
Keith straightened and shot Bo an incredulous look. “What? Why?” He glanced at her. “I mean…no offense or anything.”
Cate wanted to disappear.
“She’s not ready.” Bo scowled at Keith. “And I don’t push. Now go order something to eat so you can keep your mind on the job, and not the clock.”
Keith said nothing more as he loped over to the phone and the room service menu.
“Watch this guy put away more food than you thought humanly possible.”
“It’s called a high metabolism.” Keith interjected.
She relaxed, thankful that there wasn’t any pressure, and the easygoing personalities of these two men as they bantered back and forth, though she felt a bit like a fraternity house mother.
“Order some fruit. Strawberries and grapes if they have any.” Bo squeezed her hand. “Want anything?”
“No, thank you. I’m not hungry.” She wasn’t sure she could keep food down if she tried to eat.
“Maybe a glass of wine? What relaxes you?”
Thank God he didn’t offer her a glass of prune juice. Was eleven too early to start drinking? As she hesitated, Keith ordered a bottle of merlot.
“I take it you and your sister are pretty close.” Bo threw an arm over the back of the couch, looking very much at home while she perched on the edge of the cushion in what felt like some surreal dream.
“Yes, very. We shared a bedroom until we were teens.”
“I’m the youngest of three boys. I think we would have killed each other if we shared a bedroom.”
Cate smiled with memories of their masking tape line down the center of their bedroom. “It was touch and go there for a few years. I couldn’t stand how messy Zoe was, and she couldn’t stand how I made my bed every morning.”
“I think I can see that about both of you. I only met Zoe once. In a romance author’s conference. She came across as a wild woman. You grew up in California?”
“Yes. Our parents divorced when we were in grade school, so we divided our time between L.A. and San Francisco.”
Keith sang a few lines of a Beach Boys tune, and continued to fiddle with his camera.
Bo laughed. “Keith likes the blonde bombshell beach babies.”
“Not anymore.” Keith pulled the tie out of his hair and shook it loose. “I’ve switched to brunette bombshells. They don’t break your heart.”
“As if your heart’s ever been broken. You don’t let a woman close enough to hurt you.”
Keith grinned. “My body is made to please, but my heart is off limits. That’s why it’s still intact.”
As the men discussed Keith’s love life, Cate wiped her palms on her jeans. So Keith and Bo weren’t lovers. Before she could imagine what kind of man Bo preferred, he nudged her.
“Don’t believe a thing he says. He’s still pining for his high school sweetheart.”
Keith stiffened. “Fuck off, Bo.” His eyes narrowed. “I barely remember her.”
Bo leaned close to her. “Wait until he’s had four shots of whiskey.”
“Quit being a bastard.”
“Your sensitivity proves my point.”
“And your insensitivity is why I hate you.” Keith flipped him off, and went back to his equipment.
Bo winked at Cate. “We have a great working relationship.”
“I see that.” Cate smiled. The more they sat and chatted, the more she relaxed. By the time their lunch arrived, she no longer needed it, but she still accepted a glass of red wine.
“Have you read Four Seasons?” Bo popped a grape in his mouth.
“Yes, but that was before edits. I’ll read it again when I can buy the hardcover.” The strawberries came with a delicious chocolate dipping sauce, and despite her assurances that she wasn’t hungry, she couldn’t stop with just one. “Zoe always was the storyteller.”
“And you were the bookworm?”
She laughed. “I suppose so. We make a good team.”
“Mind if I put on some music?” Keith studied the console stereo.
Bo raised his eyebrows, clearly leaving the decision up to her.
“Sure!” Cate drained her glass, and poured herself another. “Not too loud though, I don’t want to get kicked out.”
Soft rock filled the room from invisible speakers. “That would be right up Bo’s alley.” Keith raised his glass in a mock salute. “Ever get that bill paid?”
Bo rolled his eyes. “That was a long time ago.”
“You see,” Keith leaned against the back of the sofa, “Bo went through a destructive phase—”
“Once,” Bo growled, “And you weren’t even there. Don’t act like you know what happened.”
Cate propped a hip on the back of the sofa next to Keith and raised her eyebrow. “So what did happen?”
Even the glower he shot at the photographer was sexy. “A little too much beer, and a few too many people in one hotel room. I never should have told this guy about it. He brings it up all the damn time.”
“Just keeping you grounded, bro.” Keith finished his glass of wine, and returned to his camera. “You two keep talking. I’m going to start getting some shots. Ignore me.”
“No problem.” Bo turned away from Keith and the camera and winked. Zoe was right. He was good.
He told her a little about growing up in Florida, his first job at Disney World, and she shared more about her job in investments. “I told you it was boring.”
“I sure don’t understand it, but I’m glad there are people like you out there watching out for people like me.”
Oh, that dimple was adorable. It only showed itself in certain smiles. Cate made a mental note to cruise his website for one caught on film. “Well you know,” she raised an eyebrow, and ignored the camera flash. “I can leave you my business card.”
“I’d like that.”
He’s gay, Cate. Gay. And probably Sean’s age for Christ’s sake. Not your type.
She took another sip of wine. Damn.
Bo nudged her. “So what do you think? Ready to get started?”
Was she? Cate swallowed, and nodded before she could think better of it. “Just…like this?” She looked down at her attire.
“I brought a few wardrobe changes. You know that scene where Cassandra is wearing Lucas’s shirt? I thought that would be a sexy shot.”
Bo reached up to arrange the curls of her hair. “We could start with that and see how it goes?”
The camera flashed, but Cate focused on the man in front of her. She was close enough to feel the heat coming off him, and breathe in the clean scent of his cologne. “Okay,” she answered.
“Keep the jeans too. We’ll work up to that. Keith, hand me the white button down.” He never took his eyes off of her, even when the shirt appeared in his hands. “Go change, and we can get started.”
“Okay.”
Cate walked into the bathroom in a daze, and quickly changed into his shirt. His shirt? She held the collar to her nose, and breathed deep. Unfortunately there wasn’t a trace of men’s cologne, just the clean scent of starch. There should be a rule against gay men being so damn sexy. And sweet. Of course the gay men of the world would probably disagree.
She checked her reflection. Her hair was fuller than usual. Her cheeks flushed, her eyes fevered. Too much wine. A shadow of her red bra showed through the white shirt. She licked her lips, released a few buttons from the top, then left the bathroom before she could chicken out.
Bo met her on the way. He’d removed his shirt, and Cate had a hard time peeling her eyes away from his chest. Smooth, tanned, and rippling with muscles.
“Okay? We’ll take it in steps.” He cupped her shoulders, and slid his warm hands down her arms to her elbows.
She lifted her gaze to his and nodded.
When Bo smiled, Keith started snapping pictures. “Beautiful. Keep going, kids.”
Cate glanced over at the camera, but Bo used two long fingers against her cheek to bring her attention back to him. “Forget he’s here, Cate. It’s just you and me.”
She tried to swallow, but her mouth was too dry. “Okay,” she croaked.
“I won’t do anything you don’t want me to do. You’re in charge here.” He stroked her forearms and clasped her hands.
Click.
Cate bit her lip
“Now, we’ll start by getting used to me being close to you. Try touching me.”
She dropped her gaze to his pectorals. Why not? It was completely safe. Her touch wouldn’t fill him with desire. He wouldn’t take advantage of her—hell, he wasn’t even attracted to women!
She raised both hands to cover the dark circles of his nipples. Hot. His skin was so warm. She curled her fingers, denting the smooth flesh of his pecs.
“That’s right,” he growled. “Learn me. Don’t be shy. Nothing is off limits to you.”
His words sent a splinter of lust through her core. This sexy man was hers to do with as she pleased. The fact that her lust was one-sided, and she couldn’t do any more than touch only enflamed her further. She didn’t try to analyze the reasoning, and maybe it had something to do with the wine, but when Bo ran his hands down her sides to stroke her hips, she didn’t care.
She was vaguely aware of the click of the camera, but either she tuned it out, or it was drowned out by the soft music. Or the sound of her heart pounding.
His nipples stiffened beneath her palms, and she adjusted to pinch them between her fingers. She’d never known a man’s body to be this responsive. She pulled at one peak until his hissed breath made her pause.
“It’s okay,” he whispered, his mouth close to her ear. “Don’t stop. I like it.”
“You’ve got a very nice chest.”
“I work hard on it.” He slipped one hand beneath her shirt. His shirt.
When he touched the skin on her back, she caught her breath.
“Too much?”
Click.
“No. It’s fine.” Her eyes slid closed as his hands explored her back. His touch was soothing, not arousing, but her libido didn’t care. Her nipples beaded beneath her bra. She slipped her hands behind him, and pulled closer, hoping to get the heat of his chest against hers. Had it been that long since she’d been with a man? Bo awakened nerve endings that Cate barely remembered possessing. Each time she tried to focus on the job, his hands would take a new path along her skin to steal her attention.
He bent over her, his breath hot against her ear when he whispered, “Your skin is so soft. You’re a beautiful woman, Cate.”
Flattery must be part of the package. Well, if he could pretend to be heterosexual, maybe she could act as Cassandra, with Bo as her sexy Lucas. Hell, she’d taken some drama classes in college. She peeled open her eyes, and smiled. Cassandra’s smile. The smile of a woman who knows she has her man at her mercy. “Thank you.”
“Jesus, Bo.” Keith’s whisper reached her as he snapped the camera. “Whatever you said, keep it up. That’s perfect baby.”
Confidence warmed her blood, but she refused to look at the photographer. Standing this close to Bo Gaddis consumed her attention. Maybe faking lust wouldn’t be too hard.
“Come.” He led her to the bed, which had been transformed. The white comforter was missing, and the mattress was draped with an overabundance of silky red fabric. She couldn’t take it all in before Bo sat down, drawing her between his knees. With the height of the bed, it put them at eye level. “Look at me.”
She did. She lost herself in his eyes. Barely registering the fact that he’d released the top button on the dress shirt.
Click.
“I’m just going to unbutton this. We’ll leave it on as long as you’d like.” Another button slipped free.
“Okay.”
“Stop me if you start to feel uncomfortable.”
Click.
He released another button. Then two. “Touch me Cate. Let me feel your hands all over me.”
Cate tried to suck a lungful of air, but could only manage little panting breaths. She gripped his biceps, loving the way the hard ropes of muscles felt beneath his smooth skin. She traced one tendon from his shoulder to his nape, then tunneled her fingers through his thick hair, surprised at how soft it was.
Bo had her shirt undone, and his hands framing her waist. “So soft. God, you smell good.” He dipped his head and his breath washed against the base of her neck.
“Bo…” She threw her head back with a moan.
Click.
“Keith was right. Your skin is flawless.” He traced circles on her skin where her neck sloped to her shoulder. “But to mark it would be like defacing a piece of art.”
Cate could barely think straight. Lust poured through her.
“See how my hands look against your skin? So hot.”
She blinked a few times to focus on his hands on her shoulder. He pushed one shoulder of the shirt down to gather at her elbow. His perfectly manicured finger slipped beneath her bra strap and followed it down to the cup.
Click.
“Doing okay?” He traced the lacy edge of her bra from the top to the center, and toyed with the clasp.
“Yes.”
Somehow, as soon as this man touched her, she’d lost all her reservations. She wanted him to release that clasp. She wanted his hands on her flesh, his lips on her breasts, but had to bite back a whimper when he left the clasp intact and skimmed down her abdomen instead.
“I’m going to unzip your jeans,” he whispered, his lips so close to her chest that she felt his words. When she didn’t object, he made quick work of the button and zipper. “You’re doing wonderfully, Cate. Let it all show. I want to see pleasure all over your beautiful face.
He slid his finger beneath the waistband of her panties, and a rush of heat spread from there to her toes.
Click.
Whirr.
“Shit!”