Leo picked Karen up at six o’clock sharp from work. She thanked Robert as he held the door open for her and she slipped inside the cozy limo. She sank into the seat with a sigh, savoring the bliss of being off her feet.
“Rough afternoon?”
Karen turned to look at Leo through her droopy eyelids. “You could say that.”
She watched as his gaze roamed her face. “You do look a bit pale. Are you sure you want to come along? I can get Robert to drop you off at home.”
Karen closed her eyes and turned her head back. “You won’t give up on the driving-me-home angle, will you?”
Leo huffed and passed her some prints. “I can find where you live easily enough. Now go through these and tell me what you think.”
He was smooth. Karen sat up straight and cleared her throat. She focused on the first image and gasped. It wasn’t a picture of the gorgeous model in the teeny-tiny corset; it was a picture of her lying on a beach towel reading.
“I don’t understand.” Her voice came out as a whisper.
“Tell me what you see.”
She saw a scrawny, unfashionable girl pretending to be a model.
“Try again.”
Karen bit her lower lip and chanced a glance at Leo. His eyes flared, and his mouth was set in a deep frown. She’d spoken her thoughts out loud again.
“Umm…I see a girl reading a book…”
Leo grabbed the prints out of her hand and tossed them on the seat across from them. “Are you purposely being obtuse?”
Karen inhaled sharply. “Of course not—”
Leo took hold of her wrists and urged her toward him so she was pretty much sitting on his lap. “I don’t know this girl you speak of. The girl I know is funny and witty and doesn’t take crap from anyone.”
“That may be the girl you knew.”
“What happened to her? To you? I see glimpses of the old you when you fight with Natasha, but then—”
“But then it takes a lot for me to keep pretending to be strong, and unfortunately you’ve seen me at my worse. I’m pathetic.”
“Never, but different than my memories.”
Karen slid off his lap and moved to the seat where he’d tossed the prints. “Maybe I was never like that, Leo.”
“I don’t believe it.”
She passed the prints back to him. “What do you see?”
He scanned the picture on top for a long time then handed it back to her. “I see a young, beautiful woman full of love and dreams. I see how enthralled you are in that book even with all the chaos going on around you. You’re relaxed and carefree as if you really were on a tropical holiday. But I also see confidence in your pose and a little bit of fun in the way you have your ankles crossed and the tip of the beach hat.”
Karen’s gaze strayed to the image he’d created in words. It sounded fabulous…and fake. “You didn’t show these to Ms. Vale, did you?”
Leo sighed and leaned back in his seat. “No.”
“Good.” She nodded her head once in confirmation.
“She’s seen the other prints.”
Karen held her breath. Why was he being so mysterious? “And?”
He sat forward, his focus on her. “And she didn’t even notice the adjustments.”
She wanted to jump for joy. She’d known it would work. “Did she like them?”
“Very much,” he grumbled.
“Okay, Mister Grumpy Pants. Why does it sound like you aren’t happy about that? We stayed overtime to get this done right.”
“She took full credit for it.”
Ouch. “That sounds like Natasha Vale.”
“Doesn’t it bother you at all?” He crossed the small space and turned to face her. Their knees touched, and a jolt of awareness ran up her leg. Long limo rides were not a good idea with this man, as the close confinement played havoc with her sanity.
“A…a…bit,” she stammered. She made the mistake of looking him in the eye and gasped. He looked like he wanted to devour her.
“And?”
“And…if this little costume save keeps her from flipping her lid and firing me, then the secrecy is worth it.”
The lust in his eyes disappeared. “That’s ridiculous.”
“Losing my job is not ridiculous.” Anger burned in her chest. “You never have to worry about self-preservation. You always got what you wanted and you still do. You will always be the Golden Lion.”
Her cheeks burned as she stared out the window. She spotted the Rockefeller Plaza street sign and knew they were close. She gathered her purse close to her side and placed her hand on the door handle.
“Karen, please. You misunderstood me—”
“No, I didn’t.”
The limo stopped. She didn’t wait for Robert to open the door for her. The cold air was refreshing after being cooped up in the limo. People moved past her at a brisk pace and jazz music boomed out for all to hear. Couples and young kids skated around the ice rink. Laughter rang out, and the aroma of coffee and hot dogs from nearby vendors filled her nostrils. This area of midtown Manhattan emitted a happy vibe Karen couldn’t help but notice.
“The crew is set up in the far corner.” Leo stood behind her, his hand on the small of her back, and the warmth radiated through her jacket. The feeling soothed her.
He guided her through the crowd to a secluded spot near the water fountain. A canopy was set up, with chairs for the models getting hair and makeup done. Space heaters were situated in each corner, and a coffee station near the back called out her name. With a cup in hand, Karen made her rounds. She had to admit the teams she’d worked with this week were a dream compared to the usual high-maintenance ones she normally got assigned.
The fur-themed photo shoot featured ankle-length and mid-thigh coats with bikinis underneath. A pale mint backdrop draped in green shamrock balloons, emerald streamers, and lots of faux diamonds was situated in front of the fountain. Green tinted water completed the St. Patrick’s Day theme.
“This is quite the set-up.” Karen picked up a diamond necklace and admired the rainbow shimmer as she turned it side to side.
“Cubic zirconia,” Leo commented as he stood beside her adjusting his camera lens.
“Are the furs real?”
“No way. Too controversial.”
A glam shoot without the expense. The first model arrived, and Karen helped pose her and adjust props, and then she stood near the back and watched Leo work. He put the model, Sarah, at ease with some jokes and then began. His movements were fluid, his tone polite, and his skill superb. He changed the camera lenses with the blink of an eye. The lighting crew knew his hand signals, and within the hour Sarah’s session was done.
“Next,” Leo called out.
When no one came out, Karen searched for the next model. “What’s going on? Mr. St. Clare is waiting.”
The makeup artist shrugged. “Kim said she was nauseous and ran off in search of the bathroom.”
“Hmm…okay. Who’s after her?”
“Sarah again. We only have the two models for this shoot.”
“We’ll need a bit of time to get Sarah ready. I’ll go get her.”
Leo looked up when Karen emerged from the tent. “Is something wrong?”
“Kim’s not feeling well. She’s in the washroom.” Karen nodded her head at Sarah. “We need you back in the makeup chair to get ready for the next shoot. Hopefully Kim will be back by the time you’re done.”
“Yes, Ms. Allen.”
Karen avoided looking at Leo until she could feel his gaze on her. “What?”
“You’re in your element at these shoots.”
The burning in her cheeks radiated to the roots of her hair. “What do you mean?”
Leo stood and placed his camera on the table beside him. His stare penetrated right to her soul, exposing vulnerabilities she’d buried deep. “Stop it,” she whispered.
“You are amazing.” His golden eyes lit up as his gaze dropped to her lips.
“Don’t.”
“You are very talented.” His voice grew huskier with each word.
“Please…don’t…”
“And so beautiful.” His lips were only inches from hers now.
“No—”
“Ms. Allen?”
Karen jumped back. With her pulse in overdrive and her vision blurred, she turned around. “Yes?”
“Kim’s back, but I don’t think she’s doing too well.”
Karen collected her thoughts and got her bearings, but her pulse still raced. “Thanks, Sarah. I’ll speak to her. Are you ready for Mr. St. Clare?”
“Yes.”
Karen didn’t look back at Leo before entering the tent. Kim was sitting in a corner with her arms wrapped around her middle and a bucket at her feet.
“Hey, Kim. How are you feeling?”
The young girl looked up at her. She couldn’t be younger than eighteen, but with the gaunt cheekbones and desperate look in her eyes, she looked more like twelve.
“Not good.” Her voice was hoarse.
“You’ve been throwing up?”
“Yeah.”
“Why don’t you tell me what’s going on?” Karen hoped it was only the stomach flu, but she didn’t think so.
“I’m late.”
A stab of pity hit her hard in the stomach. “Are you sure?”
Kim nodded then grabbed the bucket. After a few dry heaves, Karen passed her a Kleenex.
“What do you want to do?”
“I can’t keep it. I’ll lose my job, and I’ll never be able to model again.” Her eyes radiated pure desperation. Karen couldn’t fathom having to choose between a baby and a job. But in Kim’s case, she probably didn’t have any schooling past high school and had been living off her beauty—whatever that brought her. In this case, an unwanted baby.
“Please don’t tell Ms. Vale. I’ll be ruined.” Tears flooded her eyes, and her sigh hitched with her silent sobs.
Karen dug through her purse and found some anti-nausea pills. “Here. Take this. Hopefully you can keep it down.”
Kim popped the pill into her mouth and chased it down with the little bit of water from her bottle. “Thanks,” she muttered.
“You’re welcome, and I won’t tell Ms. Vale, but you’ll need to decide what you’re going to do soon. You know how gossip spreads in this industry.”
“But if I deal with it on my own first, maybe take a few days off, you could cover for me—”
“I won’t lie to Ms. Vale, Kim. You’re asking me to put my job on the line.”
“We were told not to get knocked up or we’d be out on our ass.”
Karen believed that. “So, what happened? If this career means so much to you, why did you let this happen?”
Kim leaned back in her chair and exhaled slowly. “Have you ever fallen for a sweet-talker who promised you the moon? Well, he promised that and more, until he got me between the sheets. I haven’t heard from him since… It’s been six weeks.”
Karen’s body went numb. Yes, she’d fallen for that type of guy once. Fortunately, a baby hadn’t followed.
“Do you love him?”
Kim bent forward and reached for the bucket. “Thought I did. Thought we’d get married too. I am so stupid.”
Karen rubbed Kim’s back. “Not stupid. Naïve, yes. How long were you seeing each other?”
“A week.”
Karen gasped but didn’t stop rubbing Kim’s back. “Well, okay…maybe a bit stupid.”
Kim laughed, long and hard.
“Hey, you guys okay in here?” Leo walked in, followed by Sarah.
“We’re good. You?”
“We did great. Sarah is a pro. You ready for a turn at this merry-go-round, Kim?”
“I need five minutes in the makeup chair.”
“Take ten. I need a quick break.”
Karen helped Kim stand and escorted her to the chair. “I want her vulnerability to shine through. Don’t add any color to her cheeks. Make her eyes bigger. Have her bangs partially covering the right side of her face.”
The makeup artist nodded and got right to work.
“Ms. Allen?” Kim whispered.
“Yes?”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. And don’t worry, we’ll figure this out.”
Kim’s smile eased a bit of the anxiety that had started to grow in Karen’s belly. She sought out Leo and found him at the coffee station. Would he help, or had he done his good deed for the week when he’d stood up for her earlier?
Joining him at the table, Karen topped off her coffee. “So, she’s pregnant, hey?”
Karen’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Umm…”
“Swore you to secrecy?”
“Well, no…”
“No, she’s not pregnant or no to secrecy?”
Oh, he was maddening. How on earth did he know? Was he the baby daddy? No, that was ridiculous. She shook her head a few times and changed her train of thought. No good would come from that tangent. She needed his help, not these dark thoughts.
“Well, she might be. But there could be a ton of other reasons why she’s throwing up.”
“For her sake, I hope it’s a ton of other reasons.”
There was no point arguing with him. Karen hoped so as well.
“In the meantime, we need to keep this from Ms. Vale.”
Leo took a sip of his coffee then placed the cup on the table, his gaze never leaving her face. “You want me to lie to the boss?”
“Not a bold, flat-out lie. Just spin a tall tale when asked. Or play dumb for all I care.”
“You’re going to put your internship on the line for a teenage model who’s made some bad decisions?”
Karen frowned and stepped back. “I’m not agreeing with her choices, and trust me, she’s made some pretty dumb ones that I can relate with, but I am not going to stand by and watch her be bullied by my boss, which is what will happen whether she’s pregnant or not. I don’t need your help. You do whatever helps you sleep better at night, and I’ll protect this young girl as much as I can, while I can.” Karen’s rant ended as abruptly as it had started. Her cheeks were on fire and her breath short and labored. Leo stood there with a bored expression on his face and his coffee cup back in his hand. He really didn’t care, it seemed, and the ache below her heart expanded to her stomach. She’d never felt so alone.
Any steam left from her passionate speech evaporated, leaving her bone tired. The fight was gone. It was a tough one to keep playing alone. “I’m not feeling well, either,” she blurted out. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Leo grabbed her arm. “You can’t leave. I need you—your help with Kim.”
Karen shook her head and shrugged her arm from his grasp. “You don’t need me. Kim will be fine. She may be young, but she’s a professional.”
Turning, she walked out of the tent and into the brisk night. The faux diamonds shimmered in the street light, creating a magical world Leo would no doubt capture and bring to life. She envied his natural talent and his self-confidence. His nonchalant attitude awarded him a stress-free life. Living in Tuscany and lounging around the pool all day probably helped a lot, too. Hailing a cab, she went home. Thoughts of a hot bath to ward off the chill warmed her during the quick ride.
»»•««
He had to admit she looked beautiful. The camera loved Kim’s vulnerability. The sadness in her eyes spoke to him, made him want to solve all her problems for her.
Karen was right. And it bummed him out that she wasn’t there to see yet again one of her ideas bloom into brilliance. If only he could make her see how talented she was—make her believe it. She’d be unstoppable.
But he was only in New York until the end of the week. He didn’t have the time to break Karen Allen out of her shell. He did, however, have time to take her out for Valentine’s night.
Thinking about the dinner reservations he’d made and the dozen red roses that were on order to be picked up on the way to her house excited him. Until he remembered how she’d stormed out of there. She’d been hurt by what he’d said, and he’d been a callous dumbass yet again.
Eager to make things right before the next day, he gathered up his equipment, congratulated the models on a great job, and said his farewells to the rest of the crew, who’d be stuck there for at least another hour cleaning up. Robert was waiting for him outside.
“All done, sir?”
“Yes. It was another successful shoot.”
“And Ms. Allen?”
“She went home.”
“Home, sir?”
Robert’s accusing glare had him squirming where he stood. “Yes. She said she wasn’t feeling well.”
“Shall we take her some chicken soup?”
Leo laughed. “No.”
They walked the remainder of the way to the limo in silence. Robert opened the door for Leo and cleared his throat. “To Ms. Allen’s house, sir?”
“Did you even have to ask?” Leo said before sinking into the soft leather seats.
»»•««
Karen lived on the Upper East Side. How on earth is she able to afford a place in this neighborhood? Was that why she never wanted him to take her home—so he wouldn’t find out how well off she was? The house was a quaint brownstone with a navy blue front door that made it stand out from the houses around it. A large holly berry wreath hung on the door, sending a splash of color into the slush-covered street. Leaving the warmth of the limo, Leo walked up the three steps. Upon closer examination, the door actually looked a deep violet. He pressed the doorbell, which rang out the last few notes of “Carol of the Bells.”
The door opened to reveal Karen wearing black yoga capris and a red tank top. Her skin glistened with sweat from her workout, and her short hair had a sexy, tousled look. He’d never been so turned on than at that moment.
Her look of surprise turned to annoyance in a matter of seconds. “What are you doing here? Better yet, how did you find me?”
She was pissed. That didn’t bode well for his asking her out for dinner.
“Well, I did tell you I’d find you.” Okay, that might not have been the best approach to take, he realized.
Her eyebrows shot up in response. “I’m sure whatever you have to say can wait until tomorrow.”
“Actually, it can’t.”
Karen leaned against the doorjamb and closed the door a bit so he couldn’t see inside. He was freezing. He’d foolishly left his jacket in the limo.
“May I come inside?”
From the sigh she exhaled, it sounded as if the worries of the world lay on her slight shoulders. She reluctantly opened the door wide and stepped aside.
Leo took in the white bare walls and single exposed light bulb that barely lit the foyer. A green gym bag sat in the corner, emitting a not-so-fabulous odor. To the right, a coat closet door barely hung from its top hinge. A black hoodie with a skull-and-crossbones pattern sat haphazardly on an old wire hanger. The lack of decor in the tiny space didn’t bode well for the rest of the house. And didn’t fit Karen’s personality at all.
Karen disappeared around the corner, so Leo removed his shoes and followed. The rest of the first floor was open concept and as bare as the foyer. A matching brown futon couch and chair set, along with a rickety coffee table, took up the most space in the room, paying homage to a huge 4K screen television. The walls were bare aside from a small clock above the archway into the kitchen, which housed the basic necessities. Old pinstriped wallpaper was peeling off in spots and yellowish and faded in others.
“Umm…lovely place you have here.”
Karen let out a choked laugh. “Oh, please. You’re itching to run and wash the filth off your skin.”
“You’re not wrong,” he mumbled.
Karen’s laugh filled the space and his heart. It felt so good to hear that sound from her. Her smile lit her face and put a sparkle in her eyes he hadn’t seen since he’d taken her to bed all those years ago. His loins stirred thinking about her naked above him, her eyes sleepy with lust. It didn’t help watching Karen now move around the room fluffing tacky animal-print throw pillows in those yoga pants.
“Would you like a drink?”
“Sure.”
Karen disappeared into the tiny kitchen, and Leo took advantage of the privacy to scrutinize the couch, looking for dirt and spills.
“It’s safe to sit. This place may look a sorry state, but it’s clean.”
Leo took the glass of white wine Karen handed him and sipped the golden liquid. His eyebrows arched in surprise. “This is good…really good.”
“Well, I hope so. This is the pinot gris from your family’s California winery.”
A flurry of emotions swirled in his chest, pride and surprise most prominent. This disturbed him, as he had no wish to pursue an interest in the family wineries.
“My parents know what they’re doing.” He sank onto the couch and sighed. “I’ll give them that.”
“And you have no desire to be part of the process that has made them such a success?”
Leo stood and ran his hands through his hair. “No.”
“Why not? You seem to enjoy the fruits of your family’s labor.” She tipped her glass at him in mock salute.
Leo closed the space between them so only their wine glasses kept them apart. Heat vibrated off his body, stirring his loins yet again as Karen’s gaze drifted to his lips. How he wanted to devour her, but he couldn’t let her barb go unreturned. “Why don’t you tell me the reason you’re living in a dump? This isn’t you.”
Karen’s eyes flashed with her anger before she stepped back. “Well played.”
“I want an answer.”
“As do I from you.”
The seconds dragged as they stared at each other, neither willing to back down. The air was electrified between them, their breath deepening and Karen’s breasts rising and falling in a hypnotic rhythm. She wanted him just as much as he wanted her, he realized.
He lifted his free hand and caressed her cheek. Her sharp intake of breath had his heart racing. “You are so beautiful.”
He placed a well-aimed kiss on the arch of her neck and made his way to her chin. Her moans encouraged him to go higher until their lips were locked together and feeding off each other.
Their wine glasses rattled between them, and before Leo could grab them, they fell onto the rug with a thud. Wine spilled everywhere.
“Oh no!” Karen gasped. On her knees, she wiped at the liquid with her hands.
“Karen.”
“This is a new rug. A very expensive rug.”
“Towels?”
“In the bottom drawer beside the stove.”
Leo returned with a pile of towels and joined Karen in mopping up the mess.
“Thank goodness it wasn’t red wine.” His attempt at humor was met with a cold stare.
Leo sat back on his haunches and studied Karen as she mopped up the wine with a vengeance.
“So, what is a girl like you doing in a place like this?”
Karen stood, taking the wet towels with her. “Do you mean to ask why my place looks like I moved in and forgot to renovate?”
“You read my mind.” Raising himself up, he took the towels from her. “Laundry?”
“Upstairs. Follow me.”
Leo noticed the changes right away as he followed her to the back of the house and up the plush carpeted steps, which were framed with a beautiful wrought-iron railing, and down a brightly lit hallway. She slid open a glass sliding door to reveal a state-of-the-art matching washer and dryer set. The top level screamed modern decor and good taste. After tossing the towels inside, she mumbled for him to stay put and headed to another door at the end of the hallway. Curious now, he tagged along and pushed open the door she had left ajar.
The same vibe flowed into this room. Creamy walls were accented with pieces of faux art in all colors of the rainbow. A canopied queen-size bed was centered in the space, with a matching set of nightstands and an armoire. There was nothing girly in this room—only sophisticated, fashionable woman. Gauzy scarves were draped over a chair and an oval full-sized mirror. In the corner stood a seamstress’s dummy draped in black silk—a project underway?
“This is the Karen I remember.”
Karen spun around and squealed. “Get out!”
“Why? So you can shut me out even more?”
Running a hand through her hair made it look tousled and fresh-out-of-bed sexy. “Don’t take it personally. No one is allowed in here.”
“Meaning a possible roommate or a boyfriend?” His stomach constricted painfully at the thought.
“Yes.”
Yes, what? She has a boyfriend? He turned around to mentally squash the little green monster that had popped up out of nowhere.
“This isn’t my place,” she revealed.
“Considering the state of the main floor, I’d say that’s a relief.”
Karen’s mouth turned upward in a small grin. “I underestimated how hard it’d be to find something to rent. I was so in love with the thought of living in New York that I rushed here with no plans. I almost gave up and went back home. New York isn’t for the weak of heart.”
“No, it isn’t.” He stepped closer, wanting to touch her soft skin, but he didn’t. “You’re not weak.”
“I was desperate.”
“You didn’t do something…sell yourself…?”
“Of course not!” Karen stepped back, breaking the intimacy building between them.
“Then what?”
“A high school friend is putting me up during my internship.”
Must be some friend. “You lucked out. Space in the Big Apple is not so easy to come by.”
“Apparently a prior roommate had moved out, and the room was mine if I wanted it.”
“And what’s your roommate’s story? Why the lack of decor and upkeep downstairs?”
“Well…”
“And what exactly does your roommate do for a living?”
Karen’s cheeks flushed under his interrogation.
“My roommate runs a video game den.”
“A what?”
“A place where gamers come to hang out and play other serious gamers around the world.”
A deep ache sat in the pit of his stomach. “Your roommate isn’t your BFF from high school, is she?”
“Oh, quit running circles around the real issue, Leo. I’m living with a man, okay?”
It wasn’t okay. It was anything but okay. A man who probably figured she owed him because he was providing her with a place to live. Meanwhile, she had to put up with a house full of men who eyed her like candy. The Big Bang Theory popped into his head at that thought.
“Come live with me,” he blurted. Had he just said that?
Karen’s mouth dropped open. “Excuse me?”
Leo stepped in front of her and placed his hands on her shoulders. He couldn’t take back what he’d said now no matter how much his heart thundered in his chest and his stomach constricted in protest. “You deserve better than this odd living situation. And it worries me that your professional gamer friend can afford to renovate the upstairs like a home off HGTV.”
“Leo, don’t be ridiculous. You’re only here for a few more days. Besides, there’s nothing illegal going on here. I’m renting a room in my friend’s house. I’m barely here, and I really don’t care if the kitchen appliances don’t match or if the floor is laminate instead of hardwood.”
“Karen, please…”
“Or if my lawyer friend has a gaming hobby in his spare time.”
“Lawyer?” Leo couldn’t have heard correctly.
“Yes, a very successful lawyer, as a matter of fact.”
“And when your internship ends…”
“I will deal with that when it comes.”
“Karen—”
She stepped out of his grasp and gave a long sigh. “What did you come here to tell me, Leo?”
He’d almost forgotten. “I’ve come to invite you out tomorrow night.”
“Invite me out? Is there a party I don’t know about?”
“No. Supper—you and me. For Valentine’s Day.”
Her cheeks lit up and her eyes flashed. “No one else available? Natasha turn you down?”
“I didn’t ask Nat. I’m asking you.”
Karen marched past him and out the door. He followed her back downstairs, where she stood with the front door open. The brisk evening wind sent a chill right through him.
“You need to leave.”
“I’m not leaving.”
“What did you think? Poor little Karen has no date, so I may as well take her so she doesn’t cry herself to sleep?”
“No, of course not…”
Her eyes flashed with unleashed anger. “Just so you know, I already have a date. Someone who didn’t wait until the night before to ask me out of pity. Good-bye, Leo.”
Leo slipped his shoes on and walked back into the freezing winter night. The front door slammed shut behind him, and he winced at the sound as it vibrated in the cold air. Robert stood by the passenger door waiting to let him in with a “what have you done now?” look on his face. He really had no idea.