Ample Delights (13 page)

Terrah turned to look at Nick as Ginny giggled. Her stomach did that weird flip she was now accustomed to feeling around him. Her eyes ran over his muscled body, to settle on the unmistakable bulge of his cock barely concealed by the material of his toga.

“Can you imagine all
that
being for you?” Ginny bit into a carrot stick with a wistful look. “Jocelyn’s so lucky.”

Irritation almost prompted Terrah to say she didn’t have to imagine it, but she bit her tongue and tried to ignore the hateful green-eyed monster whispering in her ear as she stared at Jocelyn’s hand, which had risen even higher on Nick’s thigh. The heightened colour on the model’s cheeks had nothing to do with Terrah’s makeup job.

“And that’s a wrap, people, thank you.”

A round of applause broke out when Aidan handed his camera to one assistant and took the mimosa offered to him by another. He lifted his glass and a cheer went up as the models finally relaxed. Someone turned up the radio, blasting local music, and the noise level increased.

Terrah watched Nick help Jocelyn up from the sand before forcing herself to focus on loading up her makeup. She was hungry and tired. Sleep hadn’t come easy last night. It felt like she had tossed and turned the whole time, thinking about Nick. She was going to pack up, get back to her room and read on her balcony with a mimosa of her own.

“Are you going to Aidan’s luau later?” Ginny asked, still chomping on carrot sticks. “It’s gonna be wild!”

“I don’t know.” Terrah closed the lid on her case. She knew how
wild
Aidan’s parties could get.

“Well, hopefully I’ll see you tonight. Enjoy the rest of your time on the island.”

“Thanks, Ginny—you, too.”

The production assistant smiled at her as she stuffed the bag of carrots back into her shoulder bag. She pulled out a box of cigarettes and walked away as Terrah’s phone rang.

“Hello?”

“You broke your cardinal rule, eh?”

“Hey, Audrey.” Terrah plugged one ear to hear her sister chuckling. “Don’t laugh.”

“What? That text was funny. So which rule are you talking about? You know you have more than one.”

Terrah laughed. “I’m talking about the only one I
haven’t
broken.”

“Ummm… Yeah, I still don’t know which one you’re talking about.”

“I went out with one of the models I work with.”

“Really? Which one? Don’t tell me it’s that dark chocolate hottie from Jamaica. Ooh, la la!”

“No, not him, and it isn’t
who
that matters, but
what
am I going to do now that does.”

“You’re leaving out some serious details in this story.”

“Audrey, I don’t have time to share details.”

“Okay, I’ll fill them in. You went out with this gorgeous mystery model, had sex—really good sex, which is so unlike you—and now you’re a-
dick
-ted to something you’re afraid you can’t really have because he’s a famous model. How’d I do?”

Terrah closed her eyes and exhaled.

“Hello?”

“I’m here.” Terrah opened her eyes and noticed Nick and the other models were gone.

“Is this guy a womanising jerk?”

“No…I don’t think so.”

“Was it a one-night stand?”

“One
afternoon,
remember?”

“Well, did he push you outta bed the moment he came?”

Terrah laughed. “No, he didn’t, Audrey. I went back to my room.”

“Did it seem like he wanted you to stay?”

Terrah thought about Nick kissing her feet as he helped her put on her shoes and smiled. “He asked me to, but I turned him down.”

“Well, I think you should stop overthinking, get off the phone and see what happens next.”

“See what happens next…”

Terrah watched the production crew begin to dismantle the Greek columns. Little by little, they dragged the foliage away, eventually leaving the beach clear.

“You never know what could happen if you’re open to all the possibilities.”

“Since when did you become so optimistic?” Terrah teased, waving to Michelle, who she’d barely had a chance to say two words to during the entire shoot.

Audrey squealed. “Since Derek proposed!”

“Wait—what? He proposed?” Terrah dropped her case on the sand. “You let me go on and on about nothing with this kinda news to share?”

“It happened last night—he totally surprised me. Can you believe it?” Audrey’s voice wobbled.

“Oh, I’m so happy for you guys. Congratulations!”

“Go on and say it…”

“Say what?”

“It was about time.”

Terrah grinned as Audrey blew her nose. She could picture the happy tears falling down her sister’s face. “Everything happens when it’s supposed to happen.”

Audrey giggled. “Now who sounds optimistic?”

“Hey, your good news has inspired me.”

“Good! I love you.”

“Love you back.”

Terrah ended the call, staring out at the ocean in a daze. Her little sister was getting married. Audrey had found the right man who wanted to take their committed relationship to the ultimate level. Terrah was happy Audrey’s life was coming together, but wished she had some clear direction in her own when it came to love. She couldn’t even figure out how to handle a hot island fling.

“Another beautiful job done here today, Terrah.”

Terrah whipped around to see Michelle smiling at her. The art director handed her the second mimosa in her hand.

“I loved doing this shoot.” Terrah reached for the drink and took a sip. “Mmm…thanks for this, too.”

“You’re welcome. I do believe this is the best mimosa I’ve ever had.”

“It’s delicious.” Terrah reached for her case and followed Michelle back through the sand towards the main road, where the rest of the crew was still loading up.

Where is Nick?

“I wondered about the chemistry translating on film with the models today, but Jocelyn and Nick really cranked up the heat.”

“I’m sure Aidan got some super-sexy shots.”

“Oh, he did.” Michelle cleared her throat. “Those three were whisked away to shower and change before the promotional luncheon for the ad campaign. I just hope they stay long enough to satisfy the cologne ad execs that flew in some top-notch investors to wine, dine and impress.”

Terrah set her glass on a table alongside Michelle’s, mentally pushing back her disappointment. She wouldn’t be seeing Nick anytime soon
.

Michelle stifled a yawn. “I just want to take a nap. My flight leaves in about nine hours. I need to get back for another client.”

“Oh, wow, you deserve a nap.”

“I’m going to sleep on the plane. We better hurry or we’re going to miss the shuttle taking us back to the hotel,” Michelle said, picking up the pace towards the shuttle bus. Music was blasting from the vehicle almost as loudly as the rambunctious laughter.

The last thing Terrah wanted to do was get on that bus.

“Terrah!”

She turned her head to see Aidan approaching with more mimosas in both hands, all smiles now that the shoot was over. He looked like an island local, dressed in cut-off jeans and a light blue Hawaiian shirt.

“Share a toast with me, ladies?”

Michelle beamed at the invitation as she shook her head. “I’d love to, but I’ve gotta get back. Aidan, it was a pleasure working with you today.”

“Likewise.”

Photographer and art director exchanged a light hug before Michelle turned to her.

“I’m sure I’ll be talking to you next week.
Aloha
.”

“
Aloha
,” Terrah and Aidan echoed, watching the art director board the shuttle.

Terrah pushed her shades up into her hair as Aidan focused his full attention on her.

“What about you? Are you ready to go back, or can I persuade you to have a toast with me in celebration of another fantastic shoot?”

“It’s a long walk back to the hotel from here.”

Aidan grinned. “I’ve got a car that’ll get you there without breaking a sweat.”

She didn’t have any other plans and, at the very least, sharing a toast with Aidan would allow her to skip out on the crowded shuttle ride.

Why not?

Terrah took the mimosa from his hand. “To what shall we toast?”

“To beauty.”

The shuttle bus with the rest of the crew pulled off as she lifted her glass.

“To beauty.”

Aidan reached up, touched her fingers grasping the glass, stopping her from bringing it to her lips.

“To
your
beauty.”

“Oh, wow, thank you.” Terrah smiled brightly at Aidan’s revised toast, ignoring the flirtatious smile on his lips as she pulled her hand from his and took a sip from her glass.

“I’m glad you decided to join me for a drink. Now, why don’t you join me for dinner tonight?” Aidan glanced at his watch. “You
did
promise me a dinner date.”

“What about the party you’re throwing this evening?”

Aidan tilted his head back with a chuckle. “Right. I made those plans on a whim, but I’d happily change them to spend the evening with you.”

“I think a lot of people would be disappointed.”

“I don’t care.”

Terrah knew he’d cancel the luau in a flash if she gave him the green light. She averted her eyes from his handsome face, drawing a line in the sand with her toe.

“Aidan…”

“Don’t say it. I can read the no in your eyes.”

She met his gaze again. “I’m always open to dinner with friends.”

“Ouch.” Aidan downed the contents of his glass. “You’ve just dashed all my hopes of sweeping you off your feet all over again in a whirlwind romance.”

Terrah laughed. “I’m sorry.”

“Sure, you are,” Aidan said, chuckling with her.

“Seriously, Aidan, I’m really glad I got to work with you again.”

Aidan waved his hand. “You’re talented as hell. I hope to use you again in the future.”

“Anytime,” Terrah said, pleased by his words. She dropped her gaze to the blowing sand around her toes as Aidan stared at her. “I look forward to the creative challenge.”

“You know…you’re even sexier now than you were when we first met.”

Terrah flushed under his intense stare. “Why, thank you, Aidan.”

Aidan laughed. “And a whole lot more confident. I can see that in your work and in you.”

“Experience will give that to you. I’ve been lucky to snag the right jobs and make the right contacts.”

“Your career is just getting started. I know you are going to go far in this business.” Aidan glanced at his watch. “Well, if we can’t do dinner, let me take you to lunch.”

“Um…”

“I insist. C’mon, it’s only lunch.”

He held out his hand with a devilish grin.

“Okay, lunch it is.” Terrah took his hand and they started walking up the few steps leading up out of the sand to the road, where a fancy sports car convertible awaited them. Aidan opened the door, and she dusted her feet before sliding into the leather seat with an inward sigh.

“You are going to love this restaurant.”

Aidan closed her door, running around to his own as she slipped on her sandals. He was obviously very pleased she’d agreed to lunch. He was always happy when things went his way. Terrah exhaled, wondering how Nick was enjoying the luncheon as Aidan got into the car.

Was he thinking about her as much as she was thinking about him?

“Today’s shoot went even better than I imagined. I love it when I can easily get the pictures I want with the models.”

Terrah stared out at the ocean as Aidan started chatting about all the sexy shots he’d captured, especially between Nick and Jocelyn. He was content to talk shop now that he knew where he stood with her romantically. Terrah nodded at something he’d said, her mind a million miles away. She wished she were already back at the hotel.

Terrah glanced at Aidan animatedly moving his free hand as he talked, oblivious to her lacklustre responses. He was still the same charming, talented, self-absorbed man she remembered. The salty wind rushing through the convertible drowned out his voice as she stifled a yawn.

I should’ve got on the damn shuttle.

Chapter Thirteen

“After you,” Aidan said, holding the door open for her.

“Thank you.”

They walked into the upscale restaurant and tempting scents wafted over Terrah.

“Mr Marks, your table is this way.”

Terrah returned the waiter’s warm smile and ignored the irritation she felt when Aidan placed his hand on the small of her back. She gritted her teeth as he guided them after their waiter through the crowded restaurant and focused instead on the beauty of the space they were about to dine in. Huge, leafy green plants created secluded areas, a pianist played familiar tunes and open patio doors brought in warm breezes off the ocean. The place was filled with patrons enjoying themselves.

“They have coconut lobster skewers here that will make you never want to leave this island.”

“I bet.”

Terrah looked away from Aidan as they continued to walk through the restaurant, distracted by the noise of a large group visible through the open patio doors…and faltered in her steps.

There were Nick and Jocelyn.

Terrah stared at him with his arm around her waist. Jocelyn was laughing and batting her eyes as they both chatted with the ad execs surrounding them, obviously having a great time.

“What’s wrong?” Aidan asked as he turned his head to see what she was looking at. “Oh, I forgot to tell you the promotion luncheon was also going on here. We don’t have to go over and say hi if you don’t want to.”

Terrah couldn’t answer Aidan. She was too busy watching Jocelyn place a kiss on Nick’s cheek. From where she was standing, it looked like Nick was enjoying every minute of the blonde’s attention. Terrah’s blood roared in her ears as she studied the two of them. Her rational mind considered the possibility that it was all a publicity stunt, but her irrational side was kicking up some major dust in her head.

Lying, womanising pretty bo—

“Terrah?”

Blinking, Terrah saw Aidan and the waiter patiently waiting for her to say something.