Risqué. One of the top womens periodicals in the country, it touted everything from sexual adventure to health and fashion. Huge doe eyes framed by a silky sweep of russet hair caught his attention. There was something in those carefully made-up eyes, a vulnerability, that tugged at him. Rather than dwelling on it, Nick ignored the glossy images and went straight for the text.
Ms. Madison, dont you feel modern fiction leaves quite a bit to be desired?
Oh, no. There is so much fabulous writing in the bookstores today. New authors are to todays reader what Brontë was to her readers. Inspired, entertaining, talented.
Brontë could be termed romance?
Definitely. But the other genres hold just as true.
What about oh, say, erotica or suspense?
If those are your cup of tea, one of the best authors to read is Nick Angel. Hes done a commendable job of combining both eroticism and suspense. You cant read his books without having a physical reaction. Definitely a pulse raiser.
Nick grinned. He wondered how often hed raised her pulse.
Then as a literary expert, you recommend Nick Angel?
If you want a commitment-free read, definitely.
Nick frowned.
Commitment-free?
Well, his books are great, but not the kind you become emotionally invested in. The sex, while some of the hottest out there, is always distanced. There is very little empathy or reader involvement. Its like watching a fast-paced television program. A lot of impact in a short amount of space, but not enough depth to make the reader care much about the characters. Its similar to well-done pornography. Hot and sexy, yesIll be the first to say it totally draws you in for the sexual payoff. But thats all it is. Sex for the sake of titillation. Its too bad Angel is afraid of emotion. If he brought in some depth, his books would be amazing.
Afraid? Nick sneered. Who was afraid? Just because opening the door to emotions was the equivalent to being shoved into a pit of flesh-eating piranha
She compared my work to porn? he asked, not wanting to think about the other irritatingif blatantly untrueaccusation. It wasnt the first time someone had made the comparison to porn. But it was the first time itd bothered him. It was probably those big brown eyes of hers.
Thats the part everyone latched on to. Garys narrow fingers tapped a rhythm on the stack of contracts. Nick scanned the mans face. Angular, almost scholarly, the gray-haired agent looked like a wise monk. He had the heart of a shark and the industry knowledge of a wizard. It was thanks to him that Nick was where he was, career-wise. The guy knew his business.
He also barbequed a mean steak, kept Nicks mother off his back and had pulled Nick out of the nightmarish hell that had been his life after his wife had publicly humiliated him during their divorce. Nick owed him. Even more important, he trusted him.
Look, I know you avoid emotions. And you have good reason, given your past, Gary said in a carefully measured tone. Nick just glared. He didnt want to talk about Angelina. The woman had lured him in, then ripped his life apart. Even after finding out about her affair, hed been willing to work things out. She hadnt, though, as shed proved when shed hit the interview circuit to share with the world the deep, dark secrets of their marriage. And more to the point, their sex life. Thanks to her, his sales had skyrocketed in equal measure to his ego deflating. Her point, he was sure, since shed snagged a tidy share of his royalties. Thatd been all Nick had needed to assure him that giving in to emotion was a one-way ticket to being screwed over.
I dont avoid anything, he denied adamantly. I just think this publicity stunt is a bunch of bullshit.
Nick, just consider it. You know, give Savage a love interest. Make your editor happy. Appease some female fans. Head this off before it gets any bigger.
My character is already established, Gary. Ive already done eight books. Its obvious hes not an emotional kind of guy. He works, the stories work. You cant just go in, midseries, and rewrite his entire history and motivation. Id lose my core readership.
I think you need to consider some changes, then. Even if they arent to the main character. Maybe a subplot?
Nick tamped down the angry panic clutching at his gut. To write a character, he had to get into his head. The last thing he needed was to delve into an emotional pit.
He glanced at the folder, flipping through the stack of newspaper clippings. Instead of a picture next to her byline, this Delaney Madison had a book graphic. Odd. Most women he knew craved attention like they craved air. It was a necessity. Maybe it was a ploy to play up the makeover fame.
Give me a chance to take care of this, he said, getting to his feet. Looming over his agents desk from his six-two height, Nick rolled the folder and stuck it the back pocket of his jeans.
What are you going to do?
Nick headed for the door. His hand on the knob, he glanced back. Im going to teach Ms. Madison to think twice before she messes with me. By the time Im through with her, shell publicly admit the way I do sex is just perfect.
YOU KNOW, YOU SHOULD TRY a different shade of eye shadow, Delaney mused, her chin resting on her hand as she stared across the restaurant table at Mindy. Maybe something in a gray instead of brown. I think itd bring out your eyes more.
Her glass of iced tea halfway to her mouth, Mindy stared, shock clear in her brown-shadowed eyes. Then she burst into laughter.
Youre loving this, arent you?
Actually, I am, Delaney confirmed, lifting her own glass to toast her friend.
This was the makeover results, of course.
She glanced at her reflection in the restaurants plateglass window. Even blunted in that poor excuse for a mirror, the change was still amazing. Her once wild carrot hair flowed in a smooth, russet bob, swinging a few inches above her shoulders. Cheekbones she hadnt realized she owned accented eyes made huge and mysterious by the wonders of cosmetics.
Shed actually won! Sure, shed figured her essay on The Inner Risqué Woman would give her an edge. But after that first round, the entire contest had depended on chance. But thanks to a combination of her essay, her obvious need of a makeover and some awesome luck, here she was. All made over.
Right after the drawing at the beginning of April, theyd done the makeover in segments, briefly interviewing her and running a before photo in the May issue of Risqué. Then for their June issue, theyd spent two weeks showing her the ins and outs of doing her makeup and how to actually style her hair to look the same as theyd done. And best of all, she mused as she ran a finger over the buttery leather strap of her purse, was her new wardrobe.
The shock of winning Risqués contest was starting to pass, but the shock of her own transformation was still fresh.
I had no idea something as superfluous as makeup and fancy clothes could be so, well
Sexy? Mindy finished, grinning like a proud fairy godmother.
Delaney started to deny it. Shed never in her life aspired to be sexy. Oh, sure, she might have wished to be like the women Nick Angel wrote about. The kind that had a body worthy of using as an international weapon. But thatd always seemed as impossible as having tea with Frodo in Middle Earth. But now
Ladies, your salads will be right out. More tea?
The women glanced up. Delaneys cheeks heated when she realized the waiters attention was totally focused on her. Or, more specially, on her gel-bra enhanced cleavage. Again. This restaurant was a block from the college, and the guy had waited on Delaney at least a dozen times in the past. Hed never stared before. Maybe he was trying to figure out where shed bought the new boobs?
Delaney squirmed while Mindy shooed him off.
Yeah, maybe Im feeling a little sexy, Delaney admitted when he was gone. But its a weird feeling. Uncomfortable. Like wearing a Halloween costume or pretending to be someone Im not.
Mindy shook her head so hard her kewpie-doll curls shook loose. Oh, no, this is totally you. Youre a beautiful woman, Ive told you that before. Now you have to admit it yourself because its staring you in the face.
As long as it gets me that promotion, Delaney muttered, waving her hand in dismissal. Not realizing he was there, she knocked her salad out of the waiters hand as he tried to set it in front of her. He fumbled to catch it but half still ended up on the floor. With a dirty look he left, probably to get a broom. Apparently new boobs werent enough to excuse clumsiness. Delaney glared at Mindy, who didnt bother to hide her snicker. I told you, Im not used to this.
Mindy tilted her chin as if to say watch, and then gave the waiter two tables away a warm smile. He scurried right over. Could you be a sweetie and take that salad back for a fresh one. And the sun is shining right through onto our table here, can you pull the shades down just a smidge, please?
Delaney watched, awed as always, as Mindy wrapped the guy around her finger with a sweet smile and little flutter of her lashes. With a big grin to them both, he stepped over the spilled lunch and hurried to do Mindys bidding, tugging the shade down on his way.
Instant obedience, Delaney breathed. Always. How do you do that? I thought maybe it was just a girly thing. But Im wearing girly stuff now, all the way to my pastel panties, and I cant get that kind of attention.
Youd better figure it out, Mindy warned with a little frown. You know the makeover is only part of what you need to get the promotion. Belkin cant claim hes hiring on looks, even if he is. Hes going to use the argument that he needs a charismatic, commanding assistant.
Delaneys jaw clenched. No. Shed gone through so much already, spent a month having her face and body analyzed like a freakish puzzle. Shed almost blown her anonymity when shed slipped up in her after interview and told the Risqué people she was a book reviewer. The discussion turned to hot authors and next thing she knew, shed opened her big mouth and critiqued Nick Angels books. Since shed entered the contest using her pseudonym, shed been worried her face attached to it would blow her cover. But Risqué wasnt typical reading material for Rosewoods students or faculty. Heck, it wasnt even sold in bookstores or newsstands anywhere in the Santa Rosa area. It might be false confidence, but she figured her reviewing secret was safe.
She wanted that promotion. It was more than a job now. It was a symbol of her worth. To herself, to the college and to her father.
You know, Mindy said, picking at her nails like she always did when she was nervous, I might have a suggestion thatd help you with that.
What? Delaney asked slowly, eying the fingernails. As long as they stayed away from Mindys mouth, the idea probably wasnt too crazy. Its when she started nibbling on those things that Delaney really worried.
My brother is the station manager at the local TV station. He mentioned last week their morning show is thinking of expanding their summer programming to include a critics corner. Delaneys stomach tightened when Mindy raised her hand to her mouth, pressing her thumbnail to her lip. When I mentioned your name, Mike said hed wait to post the job until I talked to you.
Me?
Theyre looking for someone with a good handle on literature to do book reviews, discussions, that kind of thing, Mindy finished in a rush, the words falling around the fingernail she was now diligently chewing. Its right up your alley. You do reviews already, love to read, and itd be a great way to learn to become visible.
A TV show? She couldnt help it, she started laughing. Youre joking, right? Me, on TV?
She hyperventilated at the idea of having her drivers license picture taken. Why on earth would she want to be on TV?
Shed make a complete ass of herself.
Its a great idea, Mindy argued.
No, its a crazy idea. What if someone saw me? Im trying to hide that Im a reviewer, remember?
Its a San Francisco station, we dont even get it up here, Mindy assured her. Besides, its a morning show, on the air during school hours. Whod see it?
My father?
Does he even own a TV?
No, but that wasnt the point.
Ahem.
Both women turned startled glances to the tall, angular man standing by their table glaring at the mess the waiter had yet to clear. He turned his glare to Delaney. His eyes widened briefly, then narrowed with consideration.
Delaney grimaced. Professor Belkin. Then she glanced past him and felt herself turn pale. Her father. Shed been avoiding him, easy enough now that the spring semester was over. This wasnt how shed intended to tell him about the makeover.
She forced a smile on her suddenly stiff lips, but he didnt respond. He didnt even look at her, so engrossed was he in his discussion with a physics professor. Two feet away, and she was invisible to her own father. As usual.
Ms. Adams, Professor. Perhaps they can bring you a bib, Belkin said, his tone stiff and annoyed as he stepped over the scattered croutons.
He was obviously not impressed with her makeover, and even less with her dining skills. Delaney wanted to pick up a tomato and throw it at his departing head. Bet that would get his attention. Itd blow her ever-narrowing shot at the promotion, too. So she choked back her temper with a deep breath.
TV? she asked Mindy, blinking away the frustrated tears as she watched her father depart.
Keep using your pseudonym, Mindy advised. Let Delaney Madison become the woman youve always wanted to be. Imagine the shock value when you waltz into the hiring meeting and wow them all with your newly acquired charisma and command of the room.
The woman shed always wanted to be? Her ultimate fantasy was to be a woman like the kind she loved to read about. Sexy, powerful, confident. The kind who could handle the most arrogant snobs and the hottest guys with the same panache.
Delaney knew there were a million reasons why TV was a crazy idea. But this was to improve her chances of getting the promotion. Shed thought the makeup would be enough, that itd make her stand out. Obviously she needed a little more than a costume. She needed to learn to command attention. So shed do TV and become Delaney Madison. Super Reviewer. Savvy, sexy and commanding.
Nobody was ruining this for her. No way, no how.
SEX IS SECONDARY, Delaney insisted to Sean Logan, host of the morning show Wake Up California. Despite the fact that she was almost hyperventilating with nerves, she managed a quick smile and strong, assured tone. Nothing like a good literary argument to put her at ease. After three weeks of her weekly fifteen-minute segment on Critics Corner, she still hadnt gotten past the terror of being on camera.