Lizzy Ford (14 page)

“Absolutely not,” she said firmly. “Definitely not interested in …"
you.
He was the sexiest man she’d ever seen. The way he looked at her made her whole body feel warm. “… whatever. Just here for the job. Do you even know the names of these girls?”

“Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thurs-.”

“I get the point!”

He was assessing her again, amused by her anger. Jessi tried not to look away, unwilling to back down. Too much was riding on that necklace for her to give any sign she was there for any other reason.

The doorbell rang, saving her. She squeezed by him, desperate to leave the tension of the bedroom.

“You’re a shitty liar,” he said as she hurried down the hallway.

“You’re an asshole!”

He laughed.

Temper, Jessi!
she berated herself, aware of what happened if she pissed him off.

She breathed a sigh of relief as she reached the door, ready for a distraction after the intense interaction with Xander. She peered through the peephole to make sure it wasn’t the woman she’d barely gotten rid of earlier. Four people stood outside the door: a leggy brunette, a photographer armed with a huge camera and two others. She opened the door.

“Ingrid? I’m Toni,” the sexy brunette posing outside the door said.

“I’m Jessi.”

“Great. This is my photographer Laurencio and assistant Gerry. That’s … Laurencio’s assistant,” Toni said. “Where is he? Is he ready?” She was already pushing her way in.

“As ready as he’ll ever be,” Jessi answered.

Toni walked into the apartment like it was a catwalk, pausing every few feet to primp and pose. Jessi watched her, blown away by the perfect beauty and her small entourage. Her assistant, Gerry, looked like a college athlete with a huge, bright grin, blond hair and friendly hazel eyes. Laurencio was dark and brooding, his camera bag over one shoulder while the camera was out and ready. His assistant was slender and handsome, the only other besides Gerry to smile.

Jessi closed the door behind them. The four who looked ready for a modeling shoot. Toni flicked her hair over her shoulder.

“Let me … find him. Go ahead and make yourselves at home down here,” Jessi said, indicating the formal living room.

She skirted the group, feeling underdressed and frumpy in her faded wrap, jersey-knit dress. She wore it because she was too upset to wash out the pile of jeans when she got home last night. Self-conscious, she went to the bedroom, where Xander was. Before she could order him downstairs as she intended, he spoke.  

“You’ve got small fingers. Put this on.” He held out a black cord with a red gem.

Chapter Six

Did he know somehow why she was there? Is that why he dangled it before her? Jessi almost cursed. She entered the dark, sensual bedroom once again and accepted the necklace with the rough, round red ruby at its center.

“Interesting,” Xander said. “You’re still standing.”

“What?”

“You don’t notice anything strange about it?”

She turned it over in her hands. Black metalwork held the gem in place. In the dim light of his bedroom, she was able to make out a small symbol on the metal: a moon in two separate phases, full and crescent. The ruby glowed faintly, as if there was a light at its center.

“No, it’s beautiful,” she murmured, managing to hide her frustration at holding what she came for. “Family heirloom?”

“Something like that.”

She rolled her eyes at the vague answer then stretched up on her tiptoes to wrap the chain around his neck. He was tall enough that the movement caused her body to rest against his, however briefly. He steadied her with his hands on her hips. She almost dropped the necklace at his touch. The heat of his large hands burned through her thin dress, and warmth bloomed within her. He smelled like the room: dark, smoky and slightly sweet.

Definitely five years since any man touched her.

Jessi fumbled with the lobster clasp on the black cord necklace, completely shaken by his size and heat.

“Today would be nice.” Xander’s low voice, with its naturally husky edge, made her flush. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you’re enjoying this.”

She focused hard on the clasp, her senses filling with him. “I assure you I’m not. I have the feeling you can do this yourself.”

“Yeah.” He pulled her closer, until her hips rested against his.

“You are a piece of work!” Her breath caught at the direct contact of their bodies and the effect it had on hers.

“Does it bother you?”

“You want me to say yes, don’t you?”

By his smile, he did.

“Done,” she mumbled and stepped away quickly. “Your court awaits you.”

“After you.”

“No, really. You go.” She was too rattled to deal with anyone. She needed five minutes to herself to cool down. Maybe a cold shower or two.

“You’re not leaving my sight.”

Frazzled, she went. He slapped her on her ass as she passed him, infuriating her.

“You know that’s sexual harassment?” she snapped. “If you want me to quit, keep it up.”

“You won’t quit.” His reply was far calmer than she felt.

He was right, but she wasn’t about to admit it. The man who didn’t seem to know what to do with her yesterday was toying with her today. She didn’t like it at all, not when there was so much at stake. She needed to grab that necklace and leave. Fast.

He trailed her down the stairs and into the formal living area. Toni’s face lit up, and she thrust out her chest in a way that made Jessi want to laugh in embarrassment on the oblivious model’s behalf. Jessi stepped aside to let Xander deal with the gorgeous woman, hoping Toni made him as uncomfortable as he did her upstairs.

Within seconds, the woman was hanging off of Xander’s arm, throwing herself at him.

“I knew you were big, but I didn’t know you were this big,” she said with a sugared laugh.

Jessi rolled her eyes. Xander caught the movement. She turned away fast.

“Laurencio, start taking pics,” Toni ordered. “You care to pose with me, Xander? Maybe that oh-so-sexy vampire thing you do with your assistant at the end of every show?”

This guy has his own show?
Jessi made a mental note to look up who exactly Xander was. She didn’t dare turn around, not certain she’d be able to witness Toni throwing herself at Xander without laughing at him. The awkward silence behind her was soon filled by the clicking of Laurencio’s camera.

“Ingrid, I’m Gerry,” the hazel-eyed man said, holding out his hand.

“I’m Jessi. Ingrid is on vacation,” she said. She was at once lost in his bright smile. “Do you all want coffee or anything?”

“I’d love some. In fact, I’ll help you. Toni’s got her hands full,” he said in a lowered voice and winked.

Jessi led him up the stairs to the kitchen, not caring what Xander said about staying where he could see her. She soon heard Toni’s high-pitched laugh as the woman started the interview with Xander. His low, quiet responses were the opposite of Toni’s annoying whinny.

“How can you stand that?” Jessi asked Gerry.

“She pays well and has connections.” He pulled open the refrigerator and retrieved the creamer.

“At least you’re honest about it.”

“And you? How do you put up with  …
him
?” Gerry glanced at her. “I thought it was all fake, for the show. Does he wear those red contacts all the time?”

“Looks that way. I don’t even know what show he’s on,” she admitted.

“He’s on two. It started with
Secrets of a Vampire
, which is some soap opera show about a family of vampires. He has a cooking show, too.”

“Cooking?” She laughed. “He can’t even make coffee.”

“From what I read, the cooking show was an accident. He was a guest on a show, and the ratings were so high, they nudged out the original host and put him in there.”

“Figures,” Jessi muttered. “So far, he’s an absolute jackass.”

Gerry grimaced. “A lot of these sudden celebrities are. Toni’s dad is Antonio Porter.
The
Antonio Porter. She’s done nothing but ride his coattails.”

“Wow. He was one of my favorite action heroes growing up,” Jessi said. She crossed to the railing of the loft area overlooking the formal living room with its two-story hearth. “She’s totally sitting in Xander’s lap.”

“All she talked about earlier was nailing him. She collects men like this.”

“Seriously?”

“Oh, yeah. Every photo shoot, this happens.” Gerry joined her, watching the four below.

“Xander can keep up with her,” she said. “He sleeps with a different woman every night.”

“I’m so jealous.”

“Really?” she asked, considering. “I mean, he’s got an incredible body, but … Oh, you’re talking about sleeping with a different woman every night.”

He winked. “I see where your mind is.”

“He offered to make me Ms. Tuesday.”

“And you said …” There was an odd edge in Gerry’s voice.

She studied him, noticing the sharpness of his gaze for the first time. He was taking in everything around him with eyes that were never still. Almost like Xander did. Or the goon Jonny sent after her. Or Jonny.

“I told him to go to hell,” she said. “Do you …” How did she ask what she wanted? If he was some sort of vampire freak? “…know him?”

“We’ve crossed paths. I know him well enough to think he didn’t take your rejection well.” Gerry’s smile was guarded.

“He laughed,” she said with a shrug. “He’s almost always an ass. I don’t want anything to do with him.”

“I thought women were drawn to jackasses. I keep telling myself that’s my problem. I’m too nice,” he said.

Jessi started to laugh then realized the handsome man was serious.

“Gerry, bring me something to drink,” Toni called.

They looked down to find all four of those on the lower level staring up.

Jessi ducked back from the railing and retrieved a cup of coffee. She placed it on a tray with the creamer and sugars then handed it to Gerry.

“Coffee, Jessi,” Xander echoed.

“We’re fresh out of everything, Xander,” she replied.

Gerry winked. “You’re messing with a tiger. Just be careful with him.”

“I’ve met scarier animals.”

Gerry appeared interested in her words, until Toni whinnied at him again. He left.

Jessi made her own cup of coffee and went to the railing. She watched him walk into the room, appreciative of his athletic frame. Xander glanced up at her then followed her gaze. He seemed amused, but she had no idea why. Gerry catered to Toni, whose chest was thrust even farther out than before.

Xander stood and disappeared from Jessi’s view while Toni fussed. Toni was lecturing Gerry on how she took her coffee. Jessi’s attention was on Gerry, who was smiling politely while his jaw ticked. She wanted to commiserate with the horse’s assistant, who seemed as awkward in his role as Jessi felt in hers.

She didn’t notice Xander approach. He reached the railing and leaned beside her. Jessi was caught in his strange spell for a moment. He handed the iPad to her.

The calendar was completely blank.

“Really?” she demanded quietly enough that those in the nearby living area couldn’t hear. “That’s so juvenile!”

“Coffee.” He handed her his mug.

She snatched it and went to the kitchen, still rattled by their earlier interaction.

“I’m guessing Toni is Monday, which is why you offered me the Tuesday slot?” she grumbled.

“My calendar fills up quickly. I can’t guarantee I’ll have time for you the rest of the week.”

“Alas. I think I’ve got plans,” she replied with an exaggerated sigh. She poured him coffee.

“Not with a man.”

Jessi glared at him. “I’m not a model, like your women, but I don’t have a problem getting a date, if I want to. Some men want more than looks.”

“Right.” He was amused. “Who is it?”

“Gerry.”

He crossed his arms, and his gaze darkened.

“He said you don’t deal with rejection well,” she said sweetly. “Does that bother you?” She had him off guard again, the way he was yesterday and the way she’d been all morning so far. “By the way, Xander, you can get your own damn coffee.”

She moved to the sink and dumped his out. Mirroring his pose, she crossed her arms and leaned back against the counter.

“Maybe we can stop toying with each other now?” she asked in a tone she used with her cousins.

He entered the kitchen, stopping too close for her comfort. Jessi gazed up at him, goose-bumps forming on her arms as she recalled what she’d felt with his hands on her hips earlier. Unlike her cousins, he knew when she was bluffing.

“We just have to survive the week, and I’m out of your hair,” she added nervously, trying not to inch away.

“You started this.”

“I did?” she asked, surprised.

“Fine if you don’t want to be Tuesday. But don’t fuck with my coffee.”

He reached past her, his heat and scent stirring her senses once more. He was watching her closely, and she willed her body not to respond to him as it had earlier. She was too aware of that body, of the open offer to sleep with him. How incredible would he be? The dazed woman Jessi led out of his bed in the morning had murmured about what he did. Jessi tried not to listen but wasn’t able to shake the vision of the dreamy look on the woman’s face as she relived the night.

He took her mug of coffee but remained in her space.

“You’ve got a nice ass,” Xander said. “Real women have something back there to grab.”

“You’re like a junior high jock trapped in a Redwood tree,” she replied and planted her hands in the middle of his chest to push him away. He didn’t move.

“It was a compliment. It’s clear Toni makes you uncomfortable about yourself.”

“Telling me I have a nice ass is supposed to make me feel better?”

“I’ll do better. I’ll show you. You want Monday? I’ll move Toni to Tuesday,” he said, a glow in his gaze.

“Hell no!”

Xander turned his head to the side. “Gerry, off limits.”

“Got it,” Gerry replied promptly from somewhere behind Xander.

Satisfied, Xander winked. His eerie red eyes swept over her again before he slid away, out of the kitchen.