I pulled my phone out and checked it. One text from Theo, reminding me of our gym date at ten. I groaned in annoyance. I’d forgotten about that. Granted, we’d moved the time back from seven to ten, but still. I just wanted to lay here and do nothing for a couple hours.
Except maybe daydream about last night.
Dragging myself out of bed, I took a shower and brushed my teeth, moving sluggishly through my morning routine. Throwing on some gym clothes, I glared at my phone when it told me I didn’t have enough time to make coffee or I’d be late. Theo was just going to have to take me au naturale this morning. Poor guy.
Peeking into Rue’s room and finding the bed empty, I sent her a quick text to make sure she was okay as I ran down the front steps. She texted me back as I buckled in.
Rue: Weird tattoo on his thigh — Popeye, really? — but he found my g-spot, so I’ll try to ignore it. I’ll be home later. I may let him find it again first.
I couldn’t help but laugh. Rue sure knew how to pick ’em. At least she’d remembered the rule and gone back to, well, wherever he was staying so she wouldn’t be haunted by spinach-eating sailors tonight.
I parked next to Theo’s beater at the gym and trudged inside with zero enthusiasm. He was already plodding away on an elliptical, so I grabbed the one next to him. I matched my pace to his, grateful that he was going more snail than rabbit this morning, and squinted over at him. He gave a tired nod, and I dipped my chin in return. Thank God he wasn’t feeling chatty.
Thirty minutes later, Theo called time. We both looked over at the weight area and back at each other.
“Nope. Not today.” I shook my head. “Not without caffeine in me.”
He looked relieved. “Krispy Kreme?”
“God, yes,” I agreed, desperate for some coffee and sugar.
Twenty minutes later, we were settled on the beach with a box of glazed nestled between us, and each of us clutching the largest coffee Krispy Kreme sold. Holding my coffee in one hand, I pried loose a doughnut with the other, taking a huge bite and closing my eyes in absolute bliss.
He polished off his own in record time and sipped his coffee. “You know, today’s workout won’t even burn off one of these bad boys.”
I shot him a devilish smile. “Last night’s will.”
Theo choked on his coffee. “You realize I saw you leave with West, right?”
I faltered for a moment and then shrugged. “And?”
“And I totally distracted Boone for you while you slipped out.”
I froze. “What did you say?”
“I didn’t say anything. Just that I hadn’t seen you in awhile and that you were probably still dancing.”
I twisted my lips. I didn’t want to lead Boone on, but I guess I wouldn’t have wanted it rubbed in his face that I had left with someone else. I nodded in thanks.
“Yeah, you’re welcome. Do you feel better at least? You’ve been uptight for the last two weeks.” Theo regarded me steadily.
I rolled my shoulders. The sugar and coffee were beginning to seep into my system, perking me up. And I did feel better. Looser. More relaxed. I tried to hide my smile. My voice was softer this time. “Yeah. I do.” Turning to Theo, I pinned him with an assessing look. “What about you? Did you have any luck last night?”
Theo’s eyes sparkled, and he turned to look back at the waves. He took a long, slow drag of coffee before he answered, gloating. “Yup. A redhead. A real redhead.” He held up his fist, and I bumped it.
“Wait. What do you mean, a real redhead? How do you—” I shut up when I figured out what he’d been implying. I shook my head, trying to rid my mind of the image. “So, you going to see her again?”
“Why? I’ve already had first, seconds, and thirds.”
I rolled my eyes. “Boys.” When I turned to scowl at him on behalf of womankind, he shoved a doughnut in my mouth and effectively silenced anything else I had to say.
Before I could finish chewing, Theo grabbed one last pastry and jumped up. “All right, I gotta get back to the gym for a client. I’ll see you Tuesday, usual time. Next time, we are not skipping weights. Be ready.” He pointed at me for emphasis.
“Wait! I can’t eat all these!” I gestured at the box still sitting next to me as he jogged away.
“Feed the gulls!” he suggested, halfway back to the boardwalk.
Uh, no. I was not giving those pesky creatures perfectly good doughnuts. After nibbling my way through one more and draining my coffee, I headed back to my Jeep, taking the box with me. If Rue didn’t want them, maybe I could look up recipes online. I’d heard there was a good bread pudding recipe that called for day old Krispy Kremes.
After dawdling at the cottage as long as I could, I headed out to Aubrey’s. This time, I’d dressed in head-to-toe black, trying to look the part of a professional photographer. My hair was twisted into a low bun, and I wore light makeup, a silky black top, and cigarette pants. Not real exciting, but then, I already knew today’s shoot was going to be all about Aubrey Perotti.
Her family’s old, plantation-style house with its large, white columns in the front didn’t faze me. The fact that Aubrey opened the door wearing only a short, silky robe over lingerie didn’t surprise me either. But the genuine smile of delight Aubrey greeted me with threw me for a loop. I’d expected her to be more cool, more calculating, the whole afternoon more of a business transaction.
“You came!” she exclaimed, reaching out to clasp both my hands in both of hers.
I raised my eyebrows. Of course I came. I’d been half-threatened, half-blackmailed about the consequences if I didn’t. I forced a smile back, unsure of how to react. Had I misjudged her the other day? “For you, of course I did.”
If she caught my slight sarcasm, she didn’t let on. Instead, she hurried me through the showpiece of a house and up to the third floor. By elevator. I tried not to be impressed, but damn it, who has an elevator in their beach house? Her room, well, her suite of rooms, was in a rounded part of the house, kind of like a lighthouse, or a turret. Aubrey literally lived like a freaking princess in a tower. Her bedroom was light and gauzy with antique furniture, authentic I was sure, and heavy moldings.
Aubrey drew me to a little alcove off to the side. “I’ve got some ideas. I mean, I’m sure you know what you’re doing and all, but I wanted to make sure we were on the same page.” She was as excited as a little girl playing dress up. I started to feel guilty for judging her so quickly.
She pulled up a Pinterest board she’d made, and I reviewed the photos. They were all sultry without crossing over into sleazy, and I got the feel for the general vibe she was going for. She’d done her eye makeup dark and dramatic, and her hair was in big, sexy, loose curls. She was styled perfectly for what I had in mind.
“We’ll shoot it so it’s all about the tease. For you, I’m thinking black and white. Make it more classic and sophisticated. High-end editorial style.” I saw her eyes light up at the end. Bingo! Nailed it. “Let me see what you were thinking of for clothes.”
Nine outfits were displayed in her dressing room. Yes, her dressing room. As in, a separate room from her closet with a settee and a big, round ottoman and even a little mini fridge, all done in pale Parisian pink and black. “You like?”
I looked over the ensembles with a critical eye. Classic men’s white dress shirt, yes. Oversized, chunky v-neck fisherman’s sweater, yes. The other choices all consisted of lace, satin, mesh, and feathers.
Feathers?
“There’s too much going on in some of these lingerie sets,” I said. “The focus needs to be on you. Your skin, your curves, and maybe even your hair, but not so much on the clothes. They’re more background. You’re the main attraction.”