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A brisk knock sounded, and I laughed to myself for thinking she’d be tentative. Opening the door, I stepped back quickly to allow her space to enter.
Fresh from the shower herself, the enticing scent of her bodywash teased my senses. Her hair, wet and scraped back from her face into a twist, left her beautiful face completely open to my gaze. Without make-up, she was just as lovely. Perhaps even more so.
My eyes briefly locked onto her cornflower blue ones before I tore them away.
She was too good for me but there was only so much a man could take.
“Have a seat at the table,” I directed briskly, ignoring the flash of surprise and the widening of her eyes at my tone. “My laptop is connected to the television. I’ll take you through what I’ve got so far.”
She settled somewhat warily as I took the seat opposite her. “Okay. Let me cue up the first day for you-”
“What is happening?”
Sitting back, I crossed my arms over my chest and prepared myself to meet her gaze.
A polite knock followed by the announcement of, “Room service”, bought me time and served as a delicious distraction.
“I hope you don’t mind, but I haven’t had a chance to eat yet. I thought we could eat together while we have our business meeting.”
“Business meeting.” Her eyes flicked from the food to the television back to the food and then to mine.
I stared back at her steadily. Watching the confusion flicker over her face pained me. If I could have, I would have told her I was right there with her. But for her sake, as well as mine, it was far better to keep this on professional ground.
So maybe you shouldn’t watch her dance?
I passed her a plate and utensils, then grabbed a water bottle and twisted off the cap for her.
Her generous mouth quirked up and she hummed.
“What?” I challenged.
She shrugged and smiled into my eyes. “Nothing. You’re quite a conundrum.”
That smile warmed me in a way I imagine it felt to have a pillow pressed over your face. I dragged my eyes away only to look back to seek a second hit, but her attention had turned to the charcuterie board.
Fuck me. What was happening?
I grabbed a plate for myself and began the slide show.
Hope readily offered both praise and admiration. She did not hesitate to outline what she liked as well as those she felt missed the mark. Her concerns lessened with the pictures from day two. Gratified to know I’d read her correctly during the shoot, I relaxed back in my chair and watched her as she took in today’s shots with a small smile playing about her lips.
And then her mouth dropped open.
My head snapped around to look at the television.
“Go back,” she demanded.
My fingers flew to my keyboard to stop the slideshow and find out what caused that reaction.
“Do not take it out,” she added sharply.
I looked up at her impassively. Meeting her curious gaze, I knew and feared I was well and truly caught. My mind flipped through my mental rolodex, and I hoped the evidence was not overly damning.
“Go back,” she demanded again, ignoring me to lean forward in her seat, eyes trained on the tv screen.
My finger found the arrow key. I blanked my face as I backed up three pictures to the one that escaped my purge.
She stood beside Eloise who barely made it into the frame. The wind had wreaked havoc with wardrobe all day and Hope was no exception. Looking up at Eloise, her mouth open and laughing, she held her skirt down around her bent knees while the wind tossed her hair around her face.
