Wild Thing (20 page)

“Toni and James put together the schedule. I didn’t have much to do with it. The crew has been trained on the rafts. We took a float trip down to my cabin on their first day here. Since my sister, Karma, joined the team, James and Toni thought it would be a good idea to get some pictures of her shooting the Shotgun and Sunbeam Dam Class IV rapids.”

“That wasn’t on my list of scheduled shoots.”

“True, but since Karma is an experienced River Runners guide, they thought we could do what you had planned and add more white-water shots. Karma’s up for it, and from what James said she’s a natural model.”

Bianca turned up her perfect patrician nose. “We’ll just see about that.”

She didn’t look enthused, but after last night, Hunter had a feeling there wasn’t much anyone could do to improve her mood.

Trapper had been silent through the whole exchange, which was unusual for him. He watched her unnoticed from under the brim of his hat. “I don’t know about you, but I’m going to get some breakfast. Bianca, would you join me?”

Bianca aimed that cover girl smile she always used on him, and Hunter thanked God Trapper willingly put himself in her line of fire. Hunter wasn’t sure if Trap was taking one for the team, or if His Honor was looking for Bianca to fill one of his seventy-two-hour relationship slots. Hunter didn’t really care to know Trapper’s motivation, but he didn’t hold back a relieved smile. If there was one man who could give Bianca a run for her millions, it was Trapper. He hoped.

“I do have something to discuss with Hunter, but I suppose it can wait.” She slid her sunglasses on and ran both hands through her hair, starting at the base of her scalp and tossing it over one shoulder, posing before pumping up the wattage on her smile. “Breakfast sounds good. I’d love to.” She slid her hand through Trapper’s offered arm.

Trapper nodded at Hunter as he walked her toward the lodge.

Waving her fingers, Bianca shot a grin over her shoulder. “I’ll see you later.”

Damn, he sure hoped his big brother wouldn’t get them all in a heap of trouble.

***

Trapper walked Bianca to the restaurant at the inn and held the chair for her. She hadn’t said a word on the walk over, and he wasn’t about to start the conversation. He learned a long time ago that the less you say, the more you learn. Right now, Trapper was on a mission to learn as much about Bianca Ferrari as humanly possible.

She sat in the chair he held, crossed her uncommonly long, gorgeous legs, and sat so straight he wondered if she’d gone to a finishing school or had studied ballet.

He removed his hat and laid it on the seat next to his as Bianca examined him with the same intensity he’d directed toward her.

Jamie, the server, approached the table. “Coffee?”

Trapper shook his head, holding up his travel mug. Bianca, not knowing any better, turned her cup over. “Thanks.”

Trapper waited until the server poured Bianca’s coffee and left them to their menus. “You might not want to drink that.”

“Why?”

“The inn’s a pretty nice place as long as you bring your own coffee or don’t mind drinking dishwater.”

She bravely took a sip, and from the looks of it, fought the urge to spit it back into her cup. He had to smile at the face she made. He’d bet there were no photos of her wearing that expression on any magazine ads or posters.

“You bring your own coffee?”

He held up his cup. “I sure do. I’d be happy to share if you’re interested.”

“In coffee?”

“That’s what I’m talking about. What were you talking about?”

“We can start with coffee I suppose, and see where we go from there.”

Her face was blank. He’d always been great at reading people, but for the life of him he couldn’t figure out what was going on in that mind of hers. She let nothing show. He looked over the menu and set it aside.

“Any other warnings you want to issue?”

“About what?”

“I don’t know—the food, the people? I’ve already heard about Hunter and Toni. From the sound of it, they’ve been going hot and heavy since she met him. I have to tell you. I never would have thought those two would be at all compatible.”

“Why’s that?”

“Toni is afraid of the wild, and Wild Thing is Hunter’s middle name.”

“People grow. Toni’s obviously conquered her fear. And there is a lot you don’t know about Hunter. He doesn’t open up to many people, especially not clients.”

“We spent a week together less than a month ago, and no matter what you might think, I’m hardly a typical client.”

“Your personal fantasies aside, Hunter never mixes business with pleasure. You’re the client—that puts you in the ‘do not touch’ category in his book.”

“And Toni’s not?”

He just smiled. “She’s not the client. She works for the client, so she falls into the ‘tread carefully’ category. Obviously, Hunter thought Toni was worth the risk.”

“I guess time will tell.”

“So, are you going to tell me why you felt the need to fly all the way out here to check on a shoot that, for all intents and purposes, is going like clockwork?”

“Action Models is my business. This shoot is for one of my largest clients, and in this position, Toni is untried. Sure she’s done a few shoots in the city, but when it comes to her personal handicaps, I felt it would be better for me to take over.”

“I might have bought it if you hadn’t snuck into what you thought was Hunter’s cabin. Since you did, you’re gonna have to come up with a better one than that, sweetheart.”

“I’m not your sweetheart, and I don’t have to explain anything to you.”

“I don’t suppose you do. But as Hunter’s brother and legal advisor, I think it only fair to warn you that nowhere in your contract with River Runners does it give you the right to anything other than a guide service.”

“What are you? A fishing guide and a lawyer?”

Trapper sat back and smiled. “Yes, ma’am, and a judge too.”

Bianca laughed, and for the first time he saw the woman behind the mask. “Sure you are. On what planet?”

“The planet earth. The State of Idaho specifically.” He pulled out his wallet, removed his card, and handed it to her.

“Judge Trapper Kincaid, Fourth Judicial District Court of the State of Idaho.” She looked at the card and then scratched at the embossed state seal before returning her gaze to him. “If you’re a judge then what are you doing working as a River Runner?”

“Just taking a vacation and helping out my little brother.”

“Some vacation.”

“I think so. It’s been a lot of fun escorting a bunch of beautiful women around the wilderness. You can’t beat the scenery—not to mention the beauty of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area.”

“Do you do this often?”

“Take beautiful women out to breakfast? As often as I can. Between my courtroom gig, helping out River Runners on special occasions, and taking time off to ski, my docket’s pretty full. What about you?”

Storm clouds brewed in her eyes.

“Oh, that’s right. You like the less traditional approach. I think you would have had Fisher if you hadn’t called him by his twin’s name. They’re a little sensitive when it comes to that. The two of them were almost indistinguishable when they were younger. They hated when people confused one for the other, well, except when they’d switched places, which they did often. But back to you. I assume you’re usually more successful than you were last night. Was this just a one off or something you do regularly?”

Bianca took the coffee cup in front of her and tossed the contents right in his face, wiped her hands on the napkin, and left.

Good thing the coffee there was not only bad, but lukewarm.

Chapter 16

“Your brother’s a pig.”

Hunter tossed aside a life vest and looked into Bianca’s angry eyes. “I take it breakfast with Trapper didn’t go well.” He smiled when he saw Trapper walk by, his once white T-shirt stained light brown and plastered to his chest.

“What makes you think that?”

“Just a feeling. I’m told his brand of charm grows on you.”

“That’s doubtful, but I didn’t come all this way to talk to Judge Trapper Kincaid. I have a proposition for you.”

Hunter leaned against the back of his Land Cruiser. “If it’s anything like the one you had for me or Fisher last night, I’m afraid I’m going to have to decline.”

Bianca looked away, and if he wasn’t mistaken, she blushed. “It’s not.” She squared her shoulders and continued. “This is business, and although I had hoped we could mix business with pleasure, it’s certainly not a condition of the deal.”

“What kind of deal?” Hunter locked the truck before grabbing his gear and throwing it over his shoulder.

“The kind that will take your plans to expand that little camp of yours and make them a reality.”

“River Runners Camp?”

“Yes. You mentioned it when we scheduled this shoot. Remember you sandwiched our shoot between the weeks you had the camp operating? I researched what you’ve done with the camp, and I contacted your friend Pat in LA—the rest is history. Come on.” She took his arm and led him toward the cabins.

Hunter was more than a little skeptical. He didn’t think Bianca was a bad person, just egocentric and maybe a little on the narcissistic side, which was probably typical among supermodels… or ex-supermodels in Bianca’s case.

“I merely saw an opportunity for both of us to profit. Why do you think I skipped the first half of this shoot? I wanted to see if there was any corporate interest before I approached you.”

“Interest in what?”

“A way to make us both fabulously wealthy and still satisfy your more altruistic tendencies. Come. I have the plans in my cabin.” When Hunter hesitated she stopped. “Problem?”

“No.” Bianca was his client, and they had business to discuss. The fact that it happened in her cabin shouldn’t make any difference. He hoped.

She unlocked the door and tossed her bag on the couch. “Make yourself at home.”

That was something Hunter was not going to do. He left the door open, only closing the screen door behind him, and stood in front of it as she dug through what looked like the world’s largest designer purse. When she pulled out a laptop, he figured it must be a briefcase.

Bianca slid a file folder out of the bag and shuffled through papers. “When I flew back to New York last month, I started thinking about all the amazing work you do with those kids at your camp. I knew there had to be a way you and I could work together to our benefit as well as the camp.”

“Bianca, the only ones who should benefit are the kids. That’s what River Runners Camp is all about.”

“That’s where you’re wrong. Sure, it will help the kids, but there’s no reason we shouldn’t profit from it too. And by going in on it with KidSports, the company I’ve contacted, we’ll all come out ahead. You see, KidSports wants to proudly sponsor River Runners Camp, generously fund it, and supply all the clothes and any equipment you’ll need. Action Models will work on the marketing campaign that will feature the kids and all the good work you do at the camp, giving it fabulous, free exposure. It’s a win-win situation for all those involved. You, me, the camp, and KidSports.”

“And the kids. Bianca, this is all about the kids.” Still, he got more than a little queasy at the thought of the kids having to cute it up as models.

“Sure, sure.” She waved her bejeweled hand. “That’s a given. KidSports is very interested. They do have some conditions though, and I’m sure you will too. I’ve drawn up a deal memo with everything we’ve discussed so far. Nothing is set in stone. I just wanted to make sure there was a high degree of interest on their part before I approached you with the idea.”

She handed him a pile of papers. He paged through information about KidSports—a company he had done business with for several years since he carried their merchandise in his store.

He looked from the sheaf of papers to Bianca, who bounced in front of him with her perfect C-cup breasts jiggling.

Turning to the next section titled “Deal Memo,” he scanned the page. The initial investment amount made him almost swallow his tongue. With that kind of money, he’d be able to complete all three phases of his River Runners ten-year plan.

He’d have the money to build the cabins, a dining hall, and a kitchen. He’d be able to hire several child psychologists and social workers instead of using volunteers the way he had in the past. He could house kids year-round, whenever they were out of school, which would give River Runners more time with each camper. A week or two once or twice a year wasn’t enough to make a lasting impact on the kids. With KidSports funding, that wouldn’t be a problem.

Hunters mind spun. He swallowed hard and tried not to get his hopes up too high. “I’m going to need to take some time and look at this more closely, but I have to tell you, Bianca, I really like what I see so far. Thank you.”

She threw herself against him, wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed him. He stepped back, almost hitting the screen door behind him. “Bianca.”

She loosened her grip but didn’t let him go. “Oh Hunter. This is going to be just perfect—you and I working together. You’ll have the camp you always dreamed of. I’ll have the contract for the KidSports catalogue. All those kids will get what they need, and we’ll all be paid very well.”

He wasn’t sure how to disengage himself from her without looking like an ungrateful ass. So she kissed him on the lips, but it was just a kiss, and it wasn’t like he kissed her back.

“Bianca,” He stepped back, thankful the screen door was on a spring and not a latch. “This is a lot to take in. Let me go and read this. Do me a favor. Don’t say anything about this to anyone until we talk again, okay?”

She looked a little disappointed, not to mention confused. “Okay, but we’ll talk soon, right?”

Hunter backed away. “Yes. I just need a little time to look this over.” He turned and walked toward his and Toni’s cabin.

When he unlocked the door, he was glad Toni wasn’t there. He had to figure out what to tell her. He dug out the dating book he’d been reading while he scanned the deal memo. Maybe the book would have some advice on how women handle situations such as this.

The KidSports contract would be for five years, which meant he’d be dealing not only with KidSports, but with Bianca for the duration. And if it went well, it could be renewed. They’d like to use the kids from the camp for part of the catalogue, but that was only if the parents or guardians agreed.

His biggest concern was how Toni would handle it, and how he’d handle working with Bianca. Not that he’d have a problem, but if Bianca did, it could make the next five years of his life a living hell. Shit. He sat on the bed, thumbing through the book, looking for answers, and just coming up with more questions. He tossed the book aside and picked up the memo, making notes in the margin. There was liability associated with using child models if the camp kids weren’t the models and paying the camp kids if they were. He wracked his brain trying to come up with a way to make it all work.

He saw the time and cursed again. He was late for the damn meeting. He tossed the book and the memo into his duffel bag, kicked it under the bed, grabbed his gear, and ran for the lodge.

***

Toni felt much better after having spoken to James. Everything he said was true. Her relationship with Hunter was a nonissue. She had done a great job—in spite of her fear. The shoot had gone smoothly. Toni had a detailed plan for the rest of the shoots and knew she could handle whatever Bianca threw her way.

She grabbed her schedule and walked to Bianca’s cabin, thinking she’d take a few minutes before the meeting to bring Bianca up to speed on the few changes she’d made to the day’s shoot.

Toni turned the corner and recognized Hunter’s back through the screened door. All those warm, mushy feelings enveloped her, and she realized that maybe Hunter was right. If she gave it a little time, she might just get used to this whole love thing.

The warm, mushy feelings turned into cold, wet concrete in her stomach the moment Bianca threw herself at Hunter. Toni watched in disbelief as Bianca wrapped her tentacles around Hunter’s neck. He did nothing to avoid it. Toni expected Bianca to make a play for Hunter. What shocked her was the way he caught Bianca and kissed her for Toni and all the world to see.

Toni had heard people say that their lovers had cut their hearts out; she thought they were speaking metaphorically. When Hunter kissed Bianca, Toni felt physical pain. It was as if someone had stabbed her. She stumbled around the side of the cabin, leaned against the wall to keep from falling, and waited for the pain to abate—it didn’t. Before he left she’d heard Hunter ask Bianca not to say anything until after they’d met again.

She wasn’t sure how long she stood there trying to come to grips with what she saw and heard. No matter how many times she went over it in her head, nothing made sense. Why would Hunter tell her he loved her if he wanted Bianca? Why had he bothered with her at all?

There had to be a reasonable explanation for what had happened. Maybe Bianca kissed Hunter, and he didn’t know how to get out of it. Maybe Toni had misinterpreted the whole thing—she didn’t think so, but it wasn’t out of the realm of possibility. Heck, Bianca wanted Hunter. After last night that was obvious, but Hunter claimed it was one-sided. At the very least, he deserved the chance to explain. He’d asked her to give him the benefit of the doubt, and she would. She took a deep breath, trying to calm down and not overreact. It still didn’t make sense, but maybe if she just trusted in him, he’d tell her what was going on.

Numbly, Toni crossed what she liked to think of as the courtyard and went into the lodge. The screen door slammed shut behind her on its spring. She carried her clipboard to the meeting room and sat in the same chair she’d always used before she pulled out the day’s schedule, taking out a copy for James.

“There you are.”

Toni looked up and saw Bianca walking toward her. She stood, and that familiar feeling of fading away filled her. She looked down at her shorts, wool socks, and hiking boots, reached for the D-ring on her collar, and remembered that she hadn’t worn it. Bianca, in her khaki shorts and see-through top, seemed to glow.

“I’ve been looking all over for you.” She set her purse down and sat in James’s chair. “Since I’m back now and ready to take over, you need to get back to the office. I’m sure you’ll be happy to get back to the city. I know how hard this shoot has been for you, but James said you’ve done an incredible job.”

Toni tried to erase the vision that repeated on the mental screen in her mind of Bianca kissing Hunter. She took a deep breath. She had to be professional. “Thanks, but it really was a team effort.”

Bianca waved her response away. “I appreciate you pinch-hitting for me, Toni. I have scheduled meetings for you next week and have a new project I need you to work on.” She handed Toni a file. “You can get a flight out of Hailey to Salt Lake with connections to Kennedy. Just put it on the corporate account. Your work here is done.”

“But I still have a few shoots to do. I’ve planned them all—” She pulled out her folder with the information about the remaining shoots. She’d been looking forward to them.

Bianca smiled. “Good. Then I’ll just need your notes.”

“My notes?”

Bianca nudged her and took the file, paging through it. “Your notes have made you invaluable. I don’t know what I’d do without them. You’ve always got a plan.”

Toni nodded. “Yeah, that’s me, the one with the plan.” She just wished she knew what to do now. She couldn’t believe it herself, but she wasn’t ready to leave. She nodded as she mentally cursed that stupid poster she’d had hanging on her bedroom door growing up, the one with the seagull that said: “If you love something, set it free; if it comes back it’s yours, if it doesn’t, it never was.” Her mother had bought it for her after husband number three pulled a disappearing act. It seemed she and her mother had one thing in common; no one was ever theirs—not the job, and maybe not Hunter. She put the rest of her things together and got up. “Okay. I need to say good-bye to a few people. If I don’t get out today, I’ll catch the first flight in the morning.”

Bianca pulled her long blond hair into a ponytail and threw it over her shoulder. “That’s fine. If I don’t see you before you leave, have a nice trip. And Toni, you really did a great job out here. I’m impressed.”

“Thank you.” Toni looked at Bianca who practically shimmered, casting Toni and everything around her in a big shadow. Toni hadn’t been out of that shadow long, but she missed the light that Bianca seemed to steal from anyone in her presence. It wasn’t as if Toni thought Bianca stole it on purpose—men maybe, but not the light. Some people just naturally attract it. Bianca was one of those people, and Toni wasn’t.

***

Hunter slipped into the back of the meeting room and leaned against the wall next to Trapper and Fisher. “Where’s Toni?”

Fisher shrugged. “She didn’t look so good when we saw her walking up to the lodge while we were checking equipment. We just got here too. Where have you been?”

“I got held up. Maybe I should go check on her.”

Bianca chose that moment to look his way. “Oh fabulous, Hunter. Why don’t you come up and take everyone through your plans for the day.”

Hunter stuffed his hands in his pockets and rocked back on his heels. “Toni has the plans. She’s the one keeping everyone and everything on schedule.”

“Yes, but she’s not here. James, I’m sure you can fill us in.”

James went to the front of the room and looked over the notes lying on the table and then summarized the day’s schedule for the group.

The tortured look on James’s face only added to the bad feeling Hunter had. As soon as an opportunity presented itself, he slipped out of the meeting.