Mode lMisbehavior

by Stephanie Williams; LaVerne Thompson

  She was about halfway through her meal—he’d pretty much scarfed his food down—before he spoke again. “So I’m assuming you’ve read Heather’s work?”

  “Yes.” And I can think of several scenes I would like to act out with you.

  “Good. Well this is a three book series about the same two characters who have a love/hate relationship. They’re both government-sanctioned assassins. In the first book, they meet and sparks fly. Neither knows the other is an assassin and they’ve both been ordered to target the same person. Eventually they figure it out and work together but they part, neither believing a relationship would work. The second book they have to work together and they take up their relationship right where they left off. Both in and out of the sheets they’re smokin,’ but there’s a traitor in their mist, and he gets shot believing she had something to do with it. She comes to hate him because he believes she’s a traitor and that she would harm him, so she leaves.”

  “It’s a fine line between love and hate.” She took a sip of tea, all the while watching TJ’s mouth move. It was something she could learn to love.

  He grinned, showing a dimple in the center of his chin. She bit her tongue so she wouldn’t groan.

  “Exactly. In the last book they have orders to kill each other, but he finds out she’s been set up all along. Meanwhile she’s trying to kill him. She follows orders. He doesn’t want to kill her, but has to get close enough to her to convince her of his remorse, and that he knows she was set up.”

  “And of course they have hot sex and make up in the end.” Damn! If the shower scene was the tamest of the covers, what’s the last one going to be like? Tina sweated at the thought.

  “Yep. This is erotica after all. And this shower scene is important. It’s the first time they come together in the book. They’d already met and she was attracted and suspicious of him. She snuck into his room while he was in the shower. After she searched it and figured out who he might be, she joins him in the shower.”

  “Wow. Not shy at all is she?”

  “No.” He smiled a wicked grin.

  “Well, I have a better idea now of the characters she wants portrayed. You have a very good grasp of the storyline, so I’m assuming you’ve read the books.”

  “I try to. I believe that’s one way to get a real feel for the character that I can bring to the cover shoot.”

  “I like that.” She imagined him in a black leather outfit, with an AK-47 in one hand and titanium blade in the other. Lordy!

  “Are you ready to try staging some poses?”

  “Yes. I think so.” Her body was certainly ready. Just thinking about the sex and the crazy adventures those two characters were on had her thinking of the two of them. She simply replaced them with her and TJ. She really needed to focus. “How much time do we have before company returns?”

  He glanced at his smart phone. “Steve. That’s the short guy and the director, said an hour, but the restaurant they’re going to is slow, so it’s more likely two. So we have about an hour left.” He got up and offered her his hand. “Shall we?”

  Tina placed her hand in his and felt the current racing back and forth between them. She looked into his eyes and had to blink, otherwise she’d be pulled into those storm pools.

  TJ led her to the shower stall. The water was turned off now. He stepped in first and turned toward her. Still holding one hand, he raised the other to place around her waist, drawing her closer to him. Not even a thread could be squeezed between them. She hadn’t realized until he stood in there with her how small the shower actually was. He was a big man. All she had to do was inhale and her chest brushed up against his.

  ****

  Those soft, luscious curves were pressed against him and all he could think about was getting her out of those clothes. He wanted her against him, this time skin to skin. This had nothing to do with the shoot. Tina. Only Tina. He must be out of his mind.

  Reluctantly, TJ released her to pull his t-shirt over his head and toss it through the still open door. He held his breath to see what she would do. Hoping, praying she wouldn’t run. When Tina raised her hands to pull off the shirt she wore, he almost went down on his knees in thanks because he was getting naked, and because of the way her bra cupped those full, succulent breast.

  TJ licked his lips, almost salivating. He couldn’t help it. He wanted a taste. Following instinct, he lowered his face until he was close enough to inhale her scent. “Mmm, you smell so good.”

  Tina didn’t say a word. He reached around her and unhooked the bra. It didn’t drop. Those delicious breasts kept it up. He grabbed the straps and pulled them down her arms, letting it fall at their feet. TJ raised one hand and gently, ever so gently and reverently, cupped one. Her body twitched, and he shot his gaze to hers. Tina’s eyes were wide open, her pupils fully dilated. She was aroused.

  The feeling was more than mutual.

  “Unzip me,” he groaned out.

  Without taking his gaze from hers, TJ flicked his thumb back and forth over her nipple.

  Tina reached down to unbutton his fly, but he stopped her hand before it reached the zipper. He was too aroused and needed to do this with care. First TJ stuck his hand inside the flap before allowing Tina to pull the zipper. When she realized he was going commando, the sound she made sucking air into her lungs was loud. TJ grinned.

  “Does...does that always happen?” Her gaze was riveted to his sex.

  “Depends.” With every second of her stare, he was getting harder.

  “On what?”

  “What do you think?” Tina’s gaze rose to meet his.

  “Oh.”

  “Oh yeah.” In truth it was rare for him to be this aroused during a shoot. Frankly, even what they were doing wasn’t normal. Usually the poses were specifically crafted. Not this time. He tugged his pants down and stepped back as much as he could in the confined space to finish pulling them off. He silently watched as she, too, got rid of her jeans. The only thing between them now was a little wisp of zebra stripped underwear. He’d let her keep that on—for now.

  “Touch me.” He didn’t recognize the huskiness in his own voice.

  Chapter Four

  What the hell was she doing? Common sense seemed to have gone down the drain. This was crazy. She’d just met the guy, yet here they were naked and touching each other. But, oh my, the feel of all that hard muscle was an experience Tina couldn’t live without. She was getting wet, but no water was running. This couldn’t go on, could it?

  Tina grabbed his arms and pulled him toward her while he rubbed his nose in her hair. Then abruptly he stopped, but she raised her hand to his chest, that fabulous chest and stroked it as it rose up and down, like his lungs just couldn’t get enough air.

  TJ’s hands covered hers. “Okay. Okay. See how well we work together.”

  “What?” She blinked. Work. This was all about work. Oh God! What must he think of her? She tugged her hands out of his and grabbed her clothes off the floor. She wanted to run back to the dressing room change and walk out of the place. But she wouldn’t. She couldn’t.

  Tina was a professional and she would act like one. She could do this. Even if it damned near killed her. Taking her time she straightened up and placed her hand on the lever to open the shower stall, the sound of his voice calling her name froze her.

  “What!” she said without turning around.

  “The only reason I stopped is because the rest of them will be back any minute. But this is damn sure not over between us.”

  His tone of his voice left no room for argument.

  “Yes, of course, you mean the shoot. I’ll be fine. Like you said, I just needed to become accustomed to you. Well, I am.” Tina hurried back to the bedroom she was using as a changing room, hearing the shower door close. She wasn’t fast enough. He came up behind her and placed his hand on her shoulder, stopping her as she reached the door.

  “No. This is not about the shoot and you know it.”

  S
he glanced at his hand, ready to react to his comment, but heard the suite door open and voices. “You’re right she said. It’s not over. I’ll be out in a moment and we can continue the shoot.”

  Without waiting for a reply, Tina walked into the room and slammed the door in his face. Sitting on the bench, she buried her face in her hands. “Oh shit, what have I done?”

  Nothing. She’d done nothing. She would pull herself together, go out there, and face them all. Somehow she’d do it. One thing Tina knew for certain, the shots would be good. Without analyzing it any longer, she took off her underwear and grabbed the robe from behind the door, putting it on. By the time she walked back into the main studio, TJ was already there. The shower was going and artificial steam was being blown into the shower area.

  An average height woman with steel gray hair approached her. She’d know that face anywhere. “Ms. Bare, I’m so sorry about earlier. I’m ready now.”

  “Good, good. I’m sorry about your sister, but you look enough alike that it will work. Besides, I saw the way TJ looked at you earlier, and I can see natural sparks flying. That will show up great on a cover.”

  The little gnome came over and took her hand. “Come on, come on, break’s over.”

  How rude.

  “Okay, TJ, get in the shower first.” Without batting an eyelash or looking her way, he dropped the robe and stepped right under the water, getting his hair wet. Because of the steam, she couldn’t really see his body, only that he was nude with one hell of a tight ass.

  “Okay, Ms. Thang,” the little man said. “Your turn.”

  Taking a deep breath for courage, she turned her back to the room of people, dropped her robe, and joined him.

  For the next six hours, Tina wasn’t sure she was human any more, feeling more like a prune, but she knew the photographer had gotten some fantastic shots. The chemistry between TJ and her was so strong. The currents connecting them were palpable. The camera sure as hell could pick that up.

  Someone called, “It’s a wrap!” and the water shut off for the last time. They’d turn it off every now and then so they didn’t prune and just use the steam. Tina exited the shower first and someone handed her a big fluffy towel. She wrapped herself in it and someone wrapped her hair in another one. She turned to thank them only to find TJ standing behind her.

  “Thank you,” she managed to get out.

  “You’re welcome,” he said. The click of a camera had them turning toward the photographer.

  “Can I get dressed now?” she asked.

  “Yes, I think I’ve got some pretty good shots today,” the photographer said looking into his camera.

  Tina changed and went back into the main room, only to find everyone huddled over a laptop. TJ wasn’t with them.

  Heather looked up and saw her. She moved aside and called over to her. “Take a look.”

  As the photographs flashed across the screen there was no doubt in her mind that the camera picked up the attraction between them. The erotic pictures leaped out at you. The passion, the desire, it was all there for everyone to see. They were the best work she’d ever done in her career.

  “I think this will be the cover shot though,” said the photographer pointing at the picture he’d just enlarged.

  “I agree,” Heather said.

  The little man said, “Too bad, we didn’t even need the water scene.”

  The shot they all stared at was the one where they’d stepped out of the shower. Tina had the towel wrapped around her body, and TJ had just wrapped the towel around her head. He wore a towel draped low on his hips. Tina gazed up at him over her shoulder. There was such want in his expression and an answering desire in her eyes. It was raw, electrifying. Her neurons were firing off to her pleasure centers just looking at them.

  “We’re smoking.” TJ’s voice came from behind her.

  “Yes, you are, but don’t you always.” The photographer winked at TJ and laughed. Obviously they knew each other well. Tina felt something unwelcome curl in her stomach. Did he look at all the models he posed with like that? Was it all just an act for him? After looking at those photographs, she wasn’t so sure what it had been for her.

  “If we’re done,” she managed to get out. “I’m heading out and will see you all tomorrow.”

  “That’s fine,” Heather said. “We’re taking a few shots in Central Park tomorrow.”

  “Not nude I hope?” she asked half jokingly.

  The photographer laughed. “Unfortunately, I won’t be able to get away with that again.”

  “What do you mean, again?” Tina asked. These people were not into clothes. She almost laughed at the irony of that, considering that was her profession.

  TJ came behind her and placed his hand on the small of her back. “He tried to do it once and almost got us all arrested.”

  It took everything in her not to lean back into his touch. Instead she leaned away from him and paid attention to when the photographer spoke.

  “It’s a long boring story. TJ can tell you about it. We won’t start shooting tomorrow as early so get some beauty sleep and be there around noon. Sami here will call you with the exact location where we’ll set up.”

  “Okay. I’ll see you all tomorrow then.”

  A chorus of byes rang out. It wasn’t until she opened the door and was pulling it closed that she realized TJ was right behind her again. “Are you leaving now, too?”

  “I told you this wasn’t over between us.”

  “It is as far as I’m concerned.” Did he have to stand so damn close? Her senses could only handle so much stimulation.

  “Listen, this business can be grueling. Let me take you to dinner. We can get to know each other more.”

  She hesitated to respond to his invitation and he continued to follow her to the elevator. Tina pushed the button while he waited for her answer. TJ was just trying to be thoughtful. She shouldn’t be angry with him because she misread the signs and her hormones acted as if they had a mind of their own. “Thanks, but I thought I would go home and get some rest. This was a bit tiring. I never realized what Gina went through on a shoot.”

  “Yeah. A lot of people just see the glamorous side of it and the finished product. They don’t realize what goes on behind the scene. I bet it’s the same for you.”

  The elevator arrived and they got on. TJ stepped a little closer to her. Tina’s nose caught a whiff of shower water, cologne and male. A wonderful combination if you were ready to rip ones clothes off, which was something she was trying to avoid at the moment.

  “Uh, yeah. People think I just put on expensive clothes and walk down a runway. They also think we get everything we model free.”

  The elevator stopped and they started toward the exit.

  “You don’t get those fancy gowns free?” TJ seemed genuinely shocked.

  “No, we don’t. Now don’t get me wrong, there are some models that have favor with a particular designer, but he or she usually models his or her clothing line and only their clothing line.”

  “Ah, I see.” TJ opened the door for her and they stepped outside. “You said you were going to go home. So you live here, in New York?”

  “Yep. I can just trot down the street a few blocks and I’m home.” A part of her hoped he wouldn’t get any ideas.

  “Really?”

  TJ grinned like he was getting an idea and she had a feeling she knew the subject matter.

  “Yes, really. I live with my sister.” Nipped that in the bud.

  “Well, in that case, come on, keep me company. Have dinner with me. Don’t let me go back to my hotel and eat alone.”

  Relentless rascal. “I don’t think that’s such a good idea,” she said still trying to resist.

  TJ took her gently by the elbow and began walking with her down the street. “What’s wrong with a harmless dinner with a co-worker. It’s early still. I know you said you were a bit tired. We can go someplace where we can both unwind.”

  He had a point and s
he was hungry. With all that posing, she burned off breakfast and they only had tuna salad during a quick lunch break. Besides, they would be in a public place. What could possibly happen?

  “Okay,” she finally agreed. “How about The Parisian?”

  “Oh, a French cuisine connoisseur?”

  “Something I picked up on my many travels.”

  TJ lowered his long lashes about halfway closed. “So you like a French pastry?”

  “Yes, we models do eat pastries,” she laughed.

  Once at the restaurant, Tina was able to relax a bit. They talked more about their professions and the misconceptions people had of them. Of course they also talked about the latest gossip. A lot of cover models and runway models crossed over in careers, so someone knew somebody somewhere. A lot of the stuff was juicy and pretty soon they were both grinning from ear to ear.

  “So what do you think about the shoot?” TJ asked, as he took a sip of Champagne.

  “It was interesting, to say the least.” What woman wouldn’t love standing naked with a hot looking guy with a crowd of people looking at you and taking pictures?

  “I meant to ask, how do you feel about modeling in the buff, now that we’ve practiced and got to know each other at least a little better?”

  Tina knew what he meant. He wasn’t fishing for what she thought about it professionally. She could tell by the way he looked at her and the tone of his voice. How did she feel posing with him in the buff? Horny! How else? Although she was paying close attention to the instructions the cameraman and the gnome directed at them, she was highly aware of the man she posed with.

  His skin felt like silk against hers—wet, slippery, and sensuous. The more he rubbed up against her, or pushed up against her, the wetter she got—and it wasn’t from the shower.

  She kept saying a silent prayer that TJ didn’t look down or touch the inside of her thighs. Her arousal was coming down faster than the beads of water. A time or two she felt his reciprocating hardness at her back. But that was just pure male instinct, close proximity to a female. Surely he didn’t really mean anything by it.