Damn.
Time to go home. Past time. Stretch out, he demanded, forcing himself to get back to cool and distant. He looked through the lens. God, she was beautiful-the setup, the location, the outfitEverything was just right.
He knew within two minutes hed already gotten all the film he needed, but he shot a little bit longer, if only to keep her there sprawled out for his eyes only.
Her nipples were hard. Was she coldor excited? With Amber hed had a shot at guessing, but with Emma, he had no idea. Hed teased her with his comments-remember this and remember that-hoping to startle her out of this ridiculous ruse. But in the end, hed teased himself, for Emma hadnt caved.
She did seem to be having trouble breathing and still looked a little wild-eyed, as if uncertain about what he would ask her to remember next.
It made him want to tell her Amber had come to his room for wild sex after every photo shoot.
When he finally set the camera down, she crossed her arms over her body. Is that it?
When he nodded, she sat up, still hugging herself. Can I have my robe?
He wanted to tell her to walk over and get it, exposing her hot little ass, but even he wasnt that big of a jerk. He tossed it to her.
When he had his camera in its case and she was completely covered again, he looked at her. Shed done everything hed asked, including things he shouldnt have asked, and still a part of him wanted to push her.
Good shoot.
With a nod, she started walking, presumably back to the hotel room shed taken under her sisters name. He waited until shed brushed past him before he took her arm, holding her back. Amber.
Y-yes?
Hed been going to tell her theyd never really kissed, that he knew who she was, but she looked so sweet, so damn unexpectedly sweet, that he got mad all over again.
Walk away, said a little voice. You dont care. Youre one shoot closer to done. Just walk away.
Rafe?
Nothing. He let her go, and turned away.
Night.
Night.
By the time he got back to the hotel, she was nowhere to be seen. Just as well.
And when he checked out early and caught a late flight back to Los Angeles, he figured hed never see her again.
Also, just as well.
EMMA WORKED THE ENTIRE NEXT WEEK around the clock. Shed figured it would be hard to forget Kauai and all that had happened there, but her writing distracted her.
Her writing always did. She nearly forgot to eat and sleep when she buried herself. Well, she nearly forgot to sleep, anyway, because, quite honestly, there was little that could make her forget to eat.
Not even one tall, dark and mouthwatering photographer with a voice that made her pulse leap and a touch that had nearly kicked her heart right out of her chest.
He hadnt a clue, of course. Which made it worse, somehow. Was she that deprived of a mans touch that his professional one could send her skittering toward orgasm?
Yes, she had to admit, she was that deprived and it had been self-inflicted. Her work was her life and shed always told herself it was all she needed.
Still was, she assured herself.
And yet, if it had truly been just work for him, why had he wanted that kiss? Her heart leaped again, as she remembered how warm and firm and yummy his mouth had felt on hers.
Nope, she wasnt going to go there, wasnt going to think about him and what the weekend had done to her. How hed gotten her into the smallest thong on the planet, how she might or might not have blown her cover.
Was it possible hed guessed the truth?
She had no idea.
But if she thought about it too much, the suspense would kill her, so she didnt think about it. Besides, what did it matter? She wasnt going to see him again.
The week went fast. When she wasnt at the studio making daily last-minute changes on the script for the network Powers-that-be, or in story meetings and staff meetings, she was at home, in her little house in the hills of Laurel Canyon, fingers pounding out page after page on her laptop, ignoring everything and everyone around her.
She had quite the new theme going for her storylines and it excited her so much that she spent most of her time at the keyboard alternating between grinning like an idiot and fanning her hot face as the pages flew out of her.
Apparently Kauai, and everything that had happened, had inspired her.
Ironic that she could thank Amber for helping her for once, however unintentionally. Shed definitely shaken up all the main characters on her show, putting more steamy sex into one weeks worth of stories than shed put in all year. Her head writer was going to love it. The viewers were going to love it.
Shed even proposed introducing a new main character, a tall, dark and gorgeous photographer who had a voice of silk and a way with his hands-
The phone ringing at her side had her jumping a little and she laughed at herself when she picked it up, assuming it would be someone from the studio to yell, cajole or plead-
Hey, sis.
Amber, Emma said in surprise. Boy do I have a lot to say to you.
Really? I heard Kauai was a big hit. She sounded like she was amused.
She was always amused. Amber had that gift, she could find the humor in anything, even when life handed her a bowl of sour grapes, which it had often enough.
I got word that those shots you took in my place are going to be the best of the bunch so far.
Not a thank-you, not a great job, but then, Amber wasnt known for her gratitude. I wish youd been more forthcoming with the details of the shoot. Emma thought of that filmy white wrap and how many people probably had looked at those shots so far, including Rafe, and felt her face heat.
If Id been more forthcoming, Amber said, you wouldnt have covered for me, and I needed you.
You always need me.
Oh, Emma. You have no idea what Im going through.
Of course not, because I dont have a life.
I didnt mean it like that.
Look Emma pinched the bridge of her nose. All Im saying is, you could have told me Id have to put on a skimpy little nothing.
It was a modeling job. Every modeling job is a skimpy little nothing.
For Amber, maybe, but pointing that out would just cause a fight, and frankly, Emma didnt have the energy to spare. The fact was, Amber counted on her because Emma always came through, always took care of everything, and this time, shed done just that. So she sighed and forced a smile.
Hows your trip?
Perfect. Ricardo is a dreamboat. We went skydiving today, and tomorrow were going snorkeling. He just loves it when I put on my bikini and snorkel. But speaking of my trip Amber paused.
Not good. Amber was up to something, which never worked out well for Emma. You know what? I dont mean to cut this short, but Im in the middle of a scene She clicked her fingers over the keyboard as if typing. So, Ive really got to run-
Youre always in the middle of a scene. In fact, Amber said on a laugh, you work way too hard, sweet sister of mine. Way too hard.
Something Amber had never bothered to notice before. Emma went on full alert.
And you know what else? You never take time for yourself. You spend all of your time at your computer or at the studio with some ungrateful executive yelling at you. Thats just not right, Em, you know it isnt.
True, but at the moment, she couldnt concentrate on anything except why her sister suddenly had taken notice of her work habits.
Thats why I wanted to give you the Kauai job, Amber said. So that you could have some time away-
Whoa. Emma leaned back in her chair. Lets review the facts. I went to Kauai for you. Okay? Because you called me in tears over this new guy, this new The One guy you couldnt stand to lose. You said your career counted on this job and you couldnt back out, but if you didnt go to the Caribbean with Ricardo, you were going to lose him. So I caved, I went to Kauai and posed for those pictures to help you. Not for time off, because I didnt actually take time off. I brought my computer-
You didnt! Amber laughed. What am I saying? Of course you did. What are you working on for the soap right now? Something good? A murder, or some pivotal character realizing hes bisexual-No, I know! A housewife has an epiphany-she hates her kids and her husband, right? Amber laughed again. You know what I think? You should just have everyone get into one big sex-fest. A big orgy. Thatll take care of all the ratings concerns Ive been reading about in Soap Digest-
Were doing just fine, Emma said defensively. That report was biased because they like ABCs shows better.
I just think hot sex would help, thats all. Shake the show up a little. You should try it.
Well, funny you should say that Emma entwined the phone cord in her fingers. Because in Kauai I came to the same conclusion.
What was it, the exotic location or the fabulous cabana boys?
Your photographer.
A combination, she said safely, and put Rafe Delacantro right out of her mind.
Amber put him right back in it. And the photographer and his assistant, Ill bet. Neither of them are exactly dogs, are they? Oh man, when I first laid eyes on Rafe, I swear he made my hormones stand up and beg. She laughed. And Stone isnt a slouch in the looks department, either, for all that hes gay.
What?
Amber sighed. I know, such a waste. But one night at a party, I came on to him and he declined.
That doesnt make him gay, Amber.
Of course it does.
Emma sighed.
So about my trip
What about it? Emmas wariness was back.
I was wondering how you felt about Joshua Tree National Park.
Huh?
Joshua Tree. The desert just east of you?
I know where it is, I was just trying to figure out why youre asking me how I feel about it.
Yeah, see, I thought maybe youd want to go. Maybe experience the great outdoors a little more, and while you were there-
Amber-
-you could maybe just pose for a few more pictures in my place. Tomorrow. Theyre shooting April there.
Oh, no-
It wont affect your work, Amber said quickly. Its just Saturday. One day.
Amber, I cant be you again. She thought a bit desperately of filmy white costumes and being in front of the camera when she hated being in front of the camera, not to mention the strange and inexplicable yearning she couldnt seem to handle when she was-
Rafe will be taking the pictures-
Hes going to figure it out, Amber.
No, he wont. Look, people see what they want to see. And when they look at me, they see a beautiful, but slightly empty brunette whos good at one thing and one thing only-posing for pictures. You could do that blindfolded. You could, Emma. You have so much more talent than anything Ive ever had.