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“Do you model?” Cara asked me.
“Excuse me?”
“You would make a perfect cover model for one of my books,” she exclaimed. “Rafe, lovey, do you have your camera with you?”
“Since I am a photographer by trade, yes.”
“Don’t you think Kiernan would make a splendid cover model? I’ve got a new series about mountain men coming out next year and he’d be perfect. Do you think you could take some photos?”
“Ah—” I glanced at Rafe, panicked.
“Cara, Kiernan is part of Alex’s security team. He’s not a model. And it’s Christmas Eve, that means no work.”
“But he’s so photogenic. It wouldn’t take any time at all.”
“I’ve got this,” Rafe replied as he thankfully steered her away.
“You sure you don’t want your picture taken?” Charlie looked up at me with a smirk. “You would make a gorgeous model.”
“The only person I’m modeling for is you.”
CHAPTER18
CHARLIE
CHRISTMAS DAY
Iwoke Kiernan up for a change.
We were back in our cabin, in that tiny bunk.
We had time for morning kisses and mutual handjobs. Then we collapsed on the mattress, sticky and sweaty but oh so good.
“Happy Christmas,” Kiernan whispered.
“Happy Christmas,” I returned and leaned up for another kiss.
But we didn’t have the luxury of more play time. Our phones began to buzz with notifications. Alarms, text messages, social media notifications.
We got up, showered, and changed.
Kiernan video-called his mum and brother, and I did the same with my family. At one point we both said hi to each other’s relatives. It wasn’t a formal intro, but then, we hadn’t talked about what was going to happen when Kiernan’s time on board was done, and where our relationship was going to go next.
I assumed Kiernan hadn’t told his mum about us, since he introduced me as his friend.
Me? I’d texted my brother, Travis, a few days ago and told him what was going on. Then, after our call today, he texted me again.
Based in Tampa, Trav was a race car driver, and at twenty-seven, he was one of the best in the state. Now he was making a name for himself on a national level, and I couldn’t be prouder. Even though I was the older sibling, that didn’t mean I was always wiser. I still looked to him as a sounding board.
Trav was brutally honest, and never shy with an opinion about anything.
Our last text message exchange was the most we’d talked in the past month. With his racing schedule and my travels, it was difficult. And he had a girlfriend that traveled the circuit as his PR rep, so he was always busy.
But, as always, our back and forth gave me the kind of confidence I’d been lacking for a bit.
Travis: So, you really like Kiernan? He seems like a great guy.
He’s turned out to be my best friend. And more.
