Intimate (15 page)

Jake stopped and stared directly at her, the camera hanging from his hand as if he'd forgotten he held it. “The price is you ignore me when I act like a jerk, or a dork, or any other kind of idiot.” He knelt, putting himself at eye level with her.

“Honest truth? The sex was so good it scared the crap out of me. I didn't behave well and I'm sorry. I looked at you and for a minute I wanted more, and I know you don't want that and I can't do that. Not for a long time, and I panicked. Then I took it out on you. I won't do that again.”

“Good.” She smiled at him, knowing she'd just been given a rare gift—a truly heartfelt and honest apology—but she wasn't about to rub it in. “Now that that's settled, I think I do want the platinum package. And we're running out of daylight.”

“Yes, ma'am.” He saluted, and they went back to work. But Kaz couldn't stop thinking about what Jake had said. That after they'd made love, he'd wanted more.

No wonder he'd panicked. Thank goodness he didn't know she'd started thinking the same damned thing.

 

CHAPTER 9

“The sun goes down awfully fast, doesn't it?” Kaz watched the shadows deepen and finally merge with the hilltops on the eastern side of the valley as Jake drove back into town.

“It does.” Jake glanced her way and smiled. “I'm anxious to see how the photos look when I can load them on my laptop. The contrasts in those last few shots could be really interesting.”

“We still on for more pictures in town tonight?” She was exhausted, whether from the long day, the emotional highs and lows and in-betweens, or just the fact she'd had to be “on” all day, posing, holding position, changing position, changing jewelry.

Watching Jake and wondering what he was thinking.

“No. I think we've done enough for one day.” This time his sexy smile left no doubt what he was thinking about. “Did you bring a swimsuit?”

She shook her head. “No. Too tired to swim, anyway. I'm beat.”

“I was thinking of the spa. A perfect little pool … all those jets of hot water? Bet your muscles would whimper in ecstasy. They serve you wine while you're turning pruny.”

“That's mean. Teasing me with a vision of heaven.”

“We'll get you a suit.”

She groaned.

“Picture a black bikini—doesn't have to be all that brief, but enough to show the navel ring and tattoo. Steam rising behind you. If the lighting is right, it would be spectacular.”

“You said no working.” She pouted.

He merely shrugged. “It's the visual I've got. Not to shoot—it's how I see things.”

“Okay. I've got a black bra and panty set that would work—I've gone swimming in them before and no one knew I wasn't wearing a swimsuit.” She gave him a very tired smile, so glad they were back to the more relaxed connection they'd started the day with.

“Crap.” Laughing, he said, “I'll know.”

“Good. I'll wear it then.”

They stopped at a little market on the way into town where Jake said he'd eaten the best deli food in his life. Everything smelled so good that Kaz was embarrassed when they checked out.

“You just spent a fortune on takeout. Wasn't that a bit much?”

He merely laughed and opened the door to the SUV for her. “You won't say that once you taste it. Besides, part of the bill was a bottle of good pinot.”

“I noticed.”

But he was right, and they were both scraping the bottom of the containers an hour later, sharing tastes, once again comfortable together. Kaz changed into her black bikini panties and matching bra, and the set really did look like a swimsuit. Sort of. It certainly showed off the butterfly tat to perfection. Jake asked her to wear the diamonds, “just in case.” Ears, nose, navel. They were gorgeous—flashy without looking tacky. She liked them. A lot.

“You sure you don't want the nipple rings? They're just under a full carat each.”

“You said no pictures, but I notice you have your camera bag. Fine, but we are not photographing nipple anything in public.”

He winked. “Killjoy.”

“Damn right.” She tried to look ferocious, but after such a good meal, sharing a bottle of wine and a lot of laughter, it was hard to be ferocious about anything.

The spa was next to the pool, and there was no one around other than a young man in a hotel uniform at a station near the door. Jake stopped to speak with him while Kaz walked over to where steam floated above a bubbling pool. She left her robe on a nearby chair and got into the water. Slowly. It was deliciously hot.

Jake knelt beside the edge, and she tilted her head back to see him. Blinking lazily, she smiled and said, “You're even pretty upside down.”

“Thank you. I think.” He nodded toward the young man he'd spoken with. “Josh will be here all evening unless we ask him to go. Do you mind if I take a couple of minutes to walk across the parking lot to the grocery store?”

“What do you need?”

He kissed her nose. “Condoms in a little larger size. Lola's boyfriend was, um … not as generously endowed.”

“I see. And you're assuming you're going to get lucky tonight?”

“I hope so. If I promise not to act like a jerk?”

“Then you just might. I'll be here.”

He set the rest of the bottle of wine and two plastic cups on the deck beside her. “Ten minutes. Behave.”

“What trouble can I possibly get into in ten minutes?”

He was laughing when he left. Kaz merely smiled and let her body go limp. This was the perfect way to end a long day. A long, confusing, hopefully productive day. Her eyes drifted shut.

“Kaz? Hey, Kazanov. What the hell are you doing here?”

“Wha…?” Blinking, she stared at the man kneeling beside the tub. Not Jake, that's for sure, though he was every bit as handsome. He was one of the models she knew from Top End. “Marty? Hi. I'm on a job. What are you doing here?”

“Same as you.” He stripped down to a pair of very skimpy trunks that left absolutely nothing to the imagination and stepped into the tub. “Tim's here, too, and a new kid the general hired this morning. Hey, Tim, look who I found! Steve, this is Kaz Kazanov. She works at Top End, too.”

“Hi, Steve.” Awake now, Kaz smiled at a very young, very handsome young man. He looked about eighteen, Asian with dark eyes and coal-black hair tipped with magenta highlights. She knew the agency didn't send anyone under twenty-one out on overnight jobs, so he had to be at least that old, but he was almost too cute to be a grown-up. His smile was shy, but she figured after a little time around Tim and Marty, the shyness wouldn't last.

A third man joined the group, fair where Marty was dark, but even larger, more muscular. Definitely sexy. “Hey, Tim. I haven't seen you in ages. How've you been?”

“Busy. Been taking some business classes and they've cut into my work time. What job are you on? Lola didn't say anything about you being out of town.” He got into the tub and leaned over for a kiss.

Kaz kissed him, and got another from Marty. “You only get a handshake, Steve.” She laughed. “I never kiss on the first meeting.” But she flashed on Jake, and what they'd done their very first day. All her feminine muscles clenched in reaction.

Steve sighed as he got into the small spa between Marty and Tim. “I guess I'll survive.”

Laughing, Kaz leaned back against the smooth side of the spa and turned to Tim. “You didn't hear about the job I'm on because it's not through the agency. The general fired me. One of the clients had trouble with my, um … attitude.”

“Fired?” Marty gaped at her. “That bastard fired you?”

“He did.” And she proceeded to tell them the whole story, though she carefully left out the more intimate details. That was between her and Jake and was no one else's business.

*   *   *

Jake walked back from the drugstore, went up to the room, and dropped off the box of condoms. He checked his phone. Other than a couple of texts from Marc that he'd already answered, there wasn't anything new.

Even so, he took a quick look out the window with absolutely no idea who to look for.

Sticking the phone in his camera bag, he headed back to the spa.

He heard laughter as he rounded the enclosure to the pool area. He'd been gone longer than he'd planned—almost twenty minutes—but he certainly hadn't expected Kaz to be having a party when he returned.

Especially not a party with three buff-looking men. One of them sat awfully close to her. He had his arms stretched out along the rim of the small pool, one behind the guy next to him on his left, the other too damned close to Kaz's shoulders, which shouldn't have bugged Jake.

But it did. He stopped in the shadows, fingers curling into fists as he watched Kaz laughing and talking with three strange men as if she'd known them forever. Just the way he'd felt with her—as if they'd known each other forever. Was she like this with every man she met? Damn. He shouldn't have to remind himself that she worked for him, that they were friends, not in love. No reason for him to be jealous, right?

But she'd said she expected an exclusive relationship while they were sleeping together. What was going on in that hot little pool of water didn't look exclusive from where he was standing.

He took a deep breath, got his unexpected emotions under control, and walked across the deck. Kaz looked up and smiled. “There you are. I thought you got lost.”

He paused beside the pool and tossed his towel onto the chair beside his camera bag. “No. I didn't get lost.”

She frowned, and then her mouth spread in a wide smile. “Jacob Lowell, I want you to meet Marty Reynosa, Tim Milbank, and Steve.” She laughed. “Sorry, Steve, I don't know your last name.”

“It's Chen. Steve Chen.”

“Gotcha. Steve Chen. They're all models at Top End. I was just telling them about the general's meltdown yesterday.”

Models. They were friends from work. The sense of relief sweeping over him didn't make any more sense than the jealousy. He'd rather not think about that. He got into the spa, and Marty moved aside to give Jake his spot next to Kaz. “It's nice to meet you guys. You here on a job?”

“Yeah.” Marty shook his hand. “An online touring company that caters to gay travelers is doing a full spread on the Sonoma wine country—print and film. We fit the demographic, so it's perfect for the three of us. Fletcher Arnold is directing.” He glanced at Kaz. “Kaz was just telling us about your shoot. We've all seen your work. I'm definitely a fan.”

Tim interrupted. “And she's been showing off the bling. Gorgeous stuff. That's something that would appeal to a lot of our crowd. If you think about doing any ads with guys, we know a few models with piercings.”

Kaz laughed out loud. Jake found himself smiling in response. “What's so funny?”

“I'm trying to picture you photographing some guy's Prince Albert. Brain won't go there.”

“You've lost me. Why am I almost afraid to ask?”

“Because you're an intelligent man,” Marty said. “A Prince Albert is penile piercing, as in drilling holes in the privates for the purpose of adornment.”

Jake grimaced and then laughed. “You're right. My brain won't go there. Ouch.”

“Thank you,” Marty said, but it was obvious he was trying not to laugh. “Not my idea of a good time, either.” He lay back in the hot water. “This, however, is.”

An hour later, after much laughter and some great stories at Kaz's expense, with their skin wrinkled and pruny and not a single picture taken, Jake was ready to call it a night. Kaz had fallen asleep with her head against his chest while the four guys talked.

Jake had thoroughly enjoyed himself, sitting in the spa with an arm wrapped around Kaz. The three models were intelligent and well-read, and they'd found a surprising number of common interests.

Not what he'd expected when he first saw Kaz surrounded by three strange men.

He helped her out of the water, put her robe on her as if he were dealing with a three-year-old, and looped his camera bag over his shoulder. “I think I need to take my model upstairs,” he said. Then he swung her easily into his arms, surprised at how light she felt. How perfectly she fit against his chest.

“Crap,” Marty said, looking at the camera bag. “You were planning to do shots down here. Why didn't you say something? We could have cleared out of the spa for you.”

“Not really. Kaz threatened me. She's off the clock, but it's hard to go anywhere without it. I think it's my security blanket.” Then he glanced at the woman in his arms. She was out like a light. “Besides, I've had a really good time tonight. It was great to meet you. And I promise to let you know if we need any Prince Albert pictures.”

He grinned at Marty and then crossed his eyes. The guys all laughed. “I'm sorry,” Jake said, biting back a laugh. “I can't even say that without wanting to cross my legs.”

Steve, quite seriously, added, “Well, it's supposed to enhance sexual pleasure.”

“I'll have to take your word for it. G'night, guys.” But as he carried Kaz into the hotel and up in the elevator, Jake couldn't help thinking of that tiny silver ring between Kaz's thighs. And what she'd said happened when the two of them made love.

Had sex. This was nowhere near love.

He really did have issues. But tonight, he also had Kaz.

*   *   *

It was the sound of Jake unlocking the door that jolted Kaz awake. She was in his arms, and Jake was carrying her into their room. He sat her on the bed and she blinked at him, frowning as she gazed around the room and then down at her wet panties and bra.

“Did I fall asleep?”

He knelt in front of her. “That you did. Here, let's get these.”

He grabbed the waist of her panties, and she lifted her hips so he could slide them off. She released the front catch of her bra, and Jake helped her tug the straps over her shoulders.