Jeanie truly didn’t know what she had done, but from the moment Xander Fitzgerald had walked through the door of the Café Cinématique, her life had changed. Not just because he’d taken a photograph of her and she had won the competition. It was more. Now she was walking with her head held a little higher and her shoulders straighter. Her cheeks almost ached from the perpetual smile she couldn’t wipe off her face. Her eyes sparkled back at her from the mirror and her mind had stopped saying, “Keep your head down low and your mouth closed and you won’t get hurt.” Now it was saying, “Get out there and give it a go, you never know where it might lead.”
She shook back her new hair in the breeze, unable to resist a little skip in her step, and glanced across at Xander. With his non-designer stubble and a soft battered jacket smelling of leather and creaking a tiny bit every time he moved, he appeared every bit the famous photographer.
He draped his arm around her shoulder and gave her a friendly hug, holding his point-and-shoot camera out in front of them both with his spare hand, taking happy snaps.
The way his long fingers handled the camera made her lean closer, aching for his touch. Together they peered at the screen, laughing and groaning at the slightly out of focus images of their distorted faces framed by the steel girders of the Harbour Bridge.
“This might sound funny,” Jeanie said, “but I am looking forward to tomorrow. I haven’t had a day on the beach for ages. Will it be sunny enough to go swimming?”
“I’m hoping it won’t be too cold — the last thing I need is a model with goose bumps — but we have to start early in the morning because of the light.”
“What about makeup and clothes? Do I have to bring anything or wear anything special?” She plucked at her shirt, wishing she had thought to wear something a little more sophisticated, maybe the orange dress she had bought with Norma.
“No, just the kind of thing you are wearing today and something warm in case it gets windy or cold. The crew will have everything you need.”
The crew. The hullabaloo and confusion of the shoot at the café flashed into her mind. “It’s not going to be like it was at the café, is it? Not so many people?”
“No, just you and me and Jaz, a makeup artist, a hair girl, a dresser, and four or five crew to help me move the equipment.”
At the mention of each person, she held up a finger and very deliberately counted them, hoping he got the point. “Not many? Just around ten or so. It sounds like quite a lot to me.”
“You’ll be fine, don’t worry about it.”
Gazing across at him, she realized she wasn’t worrying. “I can’t wait, actually.” Especially if it meant more days spent in his company. “Suddenly, everything seems different. I feel different. I think it is being in Sydney away from Oldbridge. No one knows who I am. I can be the person I want to be, not the person everyone expects me to be.”
“I’m quite happy with you just the way you are. Don’t change too much!”
Jeanie’s tummy performed some sort of back flip as he stared down at her, the corner of his mouth tugged up in a half grin. “Well I need to change my attitude about having my photograph taken.”
Xander’s grin disappeared replaced by a concerned frown. “Are you going to tell me why you hate having your photograph taken so much? You’re very photogenic.”
Sighing loudly, Jeanie hugged her arms to her body, despite the sunshine a cool chill ran over her skin. Why spoil such a beautiful day by talking about events she’d rather forget?
“Jeanie?” he asked placing a warm hand on her shoulder. Xander wasn’t going to let her get away without an answer.
“I don’t think I’m photogenic. It’s just that you seem to be very good at taking photographs. It’s what you do. The last time I had my photograph taken was at school. I was bigger than everyone else. Not only fatter but … ” she tried to ignore the blush lighting her cheeks. “More developed. There was a boy called Billy. He always looked at me, made me feel uncomfortable. They sat me in the middle in the front row. He said I looked like the fat in the sandwich.” There she said it. It sounded so foolish now but it had hurt, especially when everyone else had laughed. “I decided that it was easier and safer to stay in the background, that way no-one noticed me.” And that’s what she had done until the day she had fallen for Billy’s lies.
Xander slipped his arm over her shoulder and pulled her against him. She didn’t resist. She didn’t want to resist, in fact she’d be more than happy to stay there for quite a long time, but after a quick squeeze, he let her go.
“Forget it. I’m sorry if I dredged up old memories. Let’s think about the future. We’ve got a very early start tomorrow. It might be a good idea if you put a call into reception and ask them to wake you. The morning light’s better and I want to have the beach to ourselves. I’ll pick you up at around five-thirty in the lobby.”
“Five-thirty?”
“Yes. You’re a working girl now, you know. It’s not all passionfruit and poetry anymore.”
“I must ring Gran and make sure she got home okay.”
“That reminds me.” He ground to a halt and caught hold of her arm, spinning her around until they were face to face. She tipped her head up and their gazes locked. He sparkled in the sunlight, his lopsided grin deepening the creases around his eyes.
“Yes?” Her stomach fluttered.
“I’ve got a present for you.”
“A present?” She bounced on her toes, trying to read the expression on his face.
He reached into the pocket of his jacket. “It’s not a present — more a necessity.” He handed the neat white iPhone to her. “I thought it would make it a lot easier and you could ring Norma and keep in touch so she wouldn’t worry.”
“Oh, Xander, thank you. But I don’t know … ” Her stomach sank; already she had spent a chunk of the prize money and she so badly wanted to put as much as she could into the café account.
“I’ll show you how to use it. It’s not difficult.”
“No, it’s not that. It’s just it’s a very expensive present and I don’t know if I can accept it.” Goodness gracious it was probably worth more than a week’s takings in the café. She sank down onto the seawall, fingering the smooth plastic of the case. Such a thoughtful idea but just because she was in Sydney, living the high life, didn’t mean she could take gifts from this man.
“Rubbish. It’s a necessity and I wanted to give it to you.”
He sat down next to her, his arm warm and friendly across her shoulders and the soft leather jacket creaking slightly, enveloping her in his warm sandalwood scent.
“Come on, let’s give Norma a call, make sure she got home okay and tell her she can now contact you any time she wants. She’ll like that.”
Jeanie sighed and blinked back the tears his unexpected thoughtfulness brought to her eyes. “If you’re sure you can afford it, then thank you. It would be lovely to ring Gran.” His hand brushed against hers as he ran his finger over the touch screen.
“What’s the number?”
She paused while he keyed in the number and she took the phone, tucking her hair back as she held it close against her ear. A thrill of excitement curled through her and a bubble of laughter rose to her lips.
“I feel as though I’m in a commercial or something … Hi, Gran. It’s me.”
“Darling, where are you?”
“I’m with Xander, we’re sitting opposite the Opera House and I’m ringing you on my new phone.”
“New phone?”
“Yes. Xander got me a mobile phone so we can stay in touch. Have you got a pen? I’ll give you the number.”
“Just a minute I’ll be back in a second. So exciting. Lovely, darling, lovely.”
“Xander, I don’t know … oh, sorry.” She pulled her hand away from his, surprised to find she had been clutching on to him, and the breath she didn’t realize she was holding whooshed out between her lips. When had she grabbed his hand? His grin almost split his face. He must think she was an absolute idiot.
“Darling, I’m ready.”
“Oh, sorry, Gran. Hang on.” Xander raised an eyebrow in question and she repeated the number.
“Have you got it, Gran?”
“There we are. Now tell me your news quickly because we don’t want the battery to run out.”
Xander’s chuckle wrapped around her and she realized he could hear the conversation. She relaxed and moved the phone slightly away from her ear grimacing at her own foolishness.
“Gran, I don’t think the battery will run out just yet. Was your trip all right and is everything okay at home? You must promise to call me if there is a problem.”
“Darling, I’m fine and everything is just perfect. You have a lovely time and make sure you eat properly. Bye, sweetheart. Take care. I love you.”
“Bye, Gran. I’ll call you tomorrow.” Jeanie cradled the phone in her hands, feeling for a moment the distance between Sydney and her life at home.
Xander bent his head and peered at her.
Wiping the threatening tear from her eyes, she said, “She’s fine — oh, you know — you could hear, sorry, I forgot.”
He was holding her hand again and squeezing it ever so gently. “Come on, let’s find something to eat. We can’t have Norma worrying about your sugar levels.”
Somehow her hand seemed to be welded to his and he stood up and pulled her to her feet, leading her down the steps to the very posh bar with huge white umbrellas and high stools.
“Have you ever had sushi?”
“No, but I’m sure I’ll love it.” On the next table, tiny little rolls of rice, like an inspired version of Gran’s Swiss rolls, lay in perfect patterns on a long white plate. So many new things. A trickle of laughter escaped her lips. “You must think I am an absolute fool. That I know nothing.”
They ate the sushi sitting in the spring sunshine, the gentle breeze from the water blowing the occasional strand of hair across her face. Drinking wine, talking, talking freely and easily about everything and nothing as if it was something they did every day of the week.
“I thought you had a meeting,” she said.
“I did. I missed it.” He looked as if he couldn’t care less. “Jaz will deal with it.”
Xander rested his elbows on the glass tabletop and cupped his chin in his hands. His eyes were so dark in the sunlight, she couldn’t tell where the navy blue color ended and his pupils began. Their intense stare filled her with bubbles of excitement.
“And to answer your question from earlier, no, I don’t think you’re a fool at all. I think you are a beautiful and highly intelligent, caring woman who is, I hope, enjoying lots of new experiences.”
Her heart gave a little hitch as it worked its way toward her throat and she blessed the fact she was sitting down because she was certain if she hadn’t been her knees wouldn’t have supported her. She opened her mouth to respond and then closed it again. She had no idea what to say.
Come to think of it, she had no idea at all how she had found herself in this surreal situation. What on earth was this delicious man doing wasting his time with someone like her?
• • •
By the time night had fallen, Jeanie had changed into one of the dresses Jaz had left at the hotel for her, and Xander was guiding her to a table next to a huge plate glass window. A panorama of the Sydney night skyline spread out before them, but try as she might it was impossible to focus on anything other than the warmth of his hand on her bare skin of her back.
The silky skirt of the backless halter necked dress swirled around her knees leaving a trail of tingles every time it touched her bare legs. The scent of his aftershave mingled with the aroma of the plush restaurant and mixed with the muted conversations of the other diners cocooning her like a cashmere wrap.
“You look amazing. It’s a shame to waste such a beautiful dress on a photo shoot.” A shiver whispered down her spine at the husky tone of his voice then he stepped back and allowed the waiter to seat her.
“It is a beautiful dress.” She ran her hand down from her neck over the silky material of the halter neck and she saw his eyes darkened. “Jaz must have worked so hard to get all these clothes together so quickly.” Perhaps she should thank Jaz tomorrow, but what would she say? What did you say to someone who gave you the opportunity to feel like a real woman? A woman who was not ashamed of the way she looked. She sat up a little straighter, reveling in the attention Xander was paying her. No more hiding in the shadows, not if he was there to hold her hand, to make her feel beautiful.
“Let’s not talk about Jaz or work. I want to talk about you. I want to know all there is to know about Jeanie Baker,” he said, leaning over the table, his body language screaming his interest. His dark lounge suit sat on his broad shoulders as though it had been made for him and the brilliant white of his shirt glowed in the subdued lighting.
“There’s not a lot to tell, really,” she whispered. His piercing scrutiny super sensitized every inch of her skin. It prickled and tingled and she could feel the warm heat pooling between her legs.
“I don’t believe that. At the risk of using the worst pick-up line in history, what is a girl like you doing tucked away in a country café? What are your dreams? What do you want to do with your life?”
Jeanie cleared her throat and stared at him. It might be the worst pick-up line in history but she’d only ever heard it in a movie. No one had ever said it to her before. Was he serious? Did he really want to know all about her boring little life? She took a deep breath, trying to get some more air into her lungs and still the incessant singing in her ears. “I went to live with Gran when I started school because my parents were always travelling and, well … ” She shrugged her bare shoulders. “That’s about it. I’ve been with Gran ever since.”
“And where are your parents now?”
“I’m not sure.” She relaxed a little, enjoying the confusion on his face.
He straightened his back and leaned into the chair, his expressive eyebrows disappearing underneath the thick fall of his hair. “They work for a charity, a bit like Médecins Sans Frontières. My father is an engineer and my mother a teacher. We usually hear from them around Christmas time — a card saying where they are and their plans for the next year. Last we heard they were in Angola.”
“Don’t you miss them?”
“No, not really. I hardly remember them.” He stared at her expectantly. It was becoming too difficult; she turned in her chair and gazed at the waiter hovering in the background, praying he would come and take their order and give her a bit of a breathing space. Xander’s intense interest was beginning to confuse her. She needed the opportunity to get control of her emotions. And get control of her body. The prickles and tingles had subsided, but now she was hot one minute and covered in goose bumps the next. She had no idea what was going on. The thin material of the dress did little to hide her nipples and she just couldn’t seem to sit still. Picking at the hem of her skirt, she hoped he hadn’t noticed her reactions and plastered a smile on her face as the waiter approached and saved her.
Xander reached over and took her other hand, which was lying, she’d hoped nonchalantly, on the table. When he squeezed it gently his hand was warm and comforting.
“What would you like to eat?”
“Eat?” She’d done nothing but eat since she came to Sydney. “Just something light.” She moved her hand from his and ran her finger down the menu, willing the blush on her face to settle. “The scallops, please.”
“Is that all?”
She couldn’t imagine eating anything because of the tight knot forming in her stomach. She’d be lucky to be able to swallow the scallops if he didn’t stop staring at her. The deep blue of his eyes reminded her of midnight skies and his mouth — she couldn’t keep her attention away from his strong, full lips. He pursed them in concentration every time he looked at her, just the same way he did when he adjusted the focus on his camera. “Yes, thank you.”
“I’ll have the steak, please. Medium rare and a green salad, no vegetables.”
Resting her chin in the palm of her hand, she gazed across the table at him, watching the spark of amusement in his eyes. “Are you laughing at me?”
“No, I’m not laughing at you. I’m wondering what you are thinking.”
Oh, terrific!
She was going to sound like a sixteen-year-old schoolgirl if she told him.
I’m thinking you have eyes as dark as a moonless night and when you purse your lips I was wondering what it would be like to kiss you.
“I was wondering about you. How you got into photography. Was it a childhood passion?”
Passion. Not so good but the rest wasn’t bad.
“Ah, my turn, is it now. What’s a disreputable old man like me doing behind a camera?”
She fanned her face, trying to dispel the wave of heat suffusing her body.
“No, that wasn’t what I meant.”
He reached for her hand again and she dropped it back into her lap. “I know it wasn’t. I’m sorry, I was teasing you.” His face broke into a wide grin, his straight white teeth slashing the tanned skin of his face. “I studied Environmental Science at Sydney University and after the first year, I got tired of working as a waiter to pay my way, so I started taking photographs. Weddings and graduations, family gatherings and things like that.”
“So when did it become a business?”
“By the time I left University, I had quite a lot of work but I was simply hopeless at the organization and that’s where Jaz came into the equation. She’s a bit rough sometimes, but she’s good at organizing me and keeping me on the straight and narrow.”
Jeanie wasn’t sure how she got through the rest of the meal but his low, melodious voice recounting stories of photographic trips and people she had only read about in magazines lulled her and when he raised a finger and called for the bill a pang of sadness rocked her — the evening was over.
The taxi ride back to the hotel was all but silent. His hand rested warm and comfortable over hers on the seat between them and her mind was quiet and relaxed, bathed in a sense of peace and rightness.
The concierge opened the door and she stepped out of the taxi, shivering as the cool air played on the bare skin of her shoulders. Xander slid his hand around her waist and they walked through the sliding glass doors into the stillness of the hotel foyer.
“Would you like to have a nightcap? The piano bar is still open.”
She avoided meeting his intense gaze; suddenly shy, a wave of almost panic rocked her as she realized she wasn’t quite sure what would happen next. “Thank you but no. I’m tired. But I’ve had a lovely evening.”
“We’ve got a very early start tomorrow morning. The car will pick you up at five-thirty.”
His lip pursed in what she initially thought was an apology and then she wondered if he was going to kiss her. Her stomach did a little back flip.
“Have you got your keycard?”
She patted her evening bag and nodded. His hand, still warm against her back, tightened and he pulled her closer. Her muscles tensed and she almost pulled away but the comfort of his arm seemed so right. Without thinking, she tilted her head up and his lips brushed hers. Her mouth opened in surprise and his tongue traced the inside of her mouth with a touch as gentle as butterfly wings. Suddenly she found herself straining against him, standing on tiptoes, exploring the taste of his mouth. A wave of pure bliss swept through her, turning her limbs to jelly, and she subsided into a pleasure-induced haze.
When they finally drew apart, Xander’s arms were wrapped tightly around her, holding her up. She held her breath for a moment and then let it out very slowly and carefully. “I’m sorry,” she said.
“Sorry? Why are you sorry? I’m not.” His eyes twinkled down at her and he tipped her closer and lowered his head. She slid her hands to his chest, fingers splayed, and pushed gently.
“I kissed you.” She ran her tongue over her swollen lips, his lingering taste making her nipples peak.
Xander nodded and cupped her face with his large hands, caressing her cheeks with his fingers. “And I liked it.” His voice had turned husky and his hypnotic eyes darkened as they swept over her face.
She stepped back, regretting the loss of his touch, and whispered, “Goodnight,” knowing she had to leave but every bone in her body screaming in disappointment.
As she stepped away from him, her legs wobbled slightly in the high-heeled shoes and when she walked toward the lifts, she could feel his gaze on her back following her every move as though he could see beneath her flimsy dress to her heated skin and pulsing nerves.
When she reached the lifts she turned. He raised his fingers to his lips and kissed them, then lifted his hand in a small wave and turned away.
With one hand placed over her throbbing heart, Jeanie leaned against the cool marble walls for support and pressed the button for the lift, stifling the bubbles of excitement in her throat. She couldn’t wait for tomorrow.