“Thanks.”
He winked at her as he placed the phone back into her outstretched hand.
When Cami arrived at the television station, she rode up in the elevator by herself. She admired the ‘new her’ in the mirrors. The pencil grey skirt and red silk blouse she wore now had hung in her closet for the last eight months. The outfit cost more than her usual work clothes. She’d never taken them out to wear. It wasn’t that the outfit didn’t fit, it was that it was out of her ‘comfort zone.’ Until today, she wasn’t even sure why she’d bought it.
Cami touched her now silky blonde hair and then applied more red lipstick. Again, she touched her cheek. From the time of the car accident when she was five, she’d undergone multiple operations. She’d learned to live with the scars. She lived with it unless she was at a bar or on a date, then they were always at the front of her mind.
Today was today. And this body was hers on loan for a little longer. No scars.
Quiet and shy, she liked the fact that hardly anyone knew she worked there. She had a small office/storage room tucked away from the rest of the bustling staff. When she stepped off on her floor, it took a second for her to realize the two men waiting for the elevator were watching her as she walked past them and down the hall. The tall blond didn’t try to hide the fact that he was staring. He pivoted completely around to watch her and said in a low voice to the other man, “Who is that? Does she work here?”
Cami’s cheeks grew hot. This is what it feels like to be checked out. She tugged the hem of her blouse a little lower, looked down, and swore her boobs were bigger.
Now that she had her Cinderella body, what was she going to do with it?
The station’s new series would be airing sooner than she wanted, and Cami knew she was behind on the research. She couldn’t afford to take a day off. She should be searching through databases of information, but instead she just fidgeted. After she’d arranged all the pencils and paperclips by color, she gave up the battle of concentration. She decided to take a long lunch. Something else she never did.
Cami popped out around the corner from her building, and stopped in front of a lingerie store’s window. She’d never gone inside before. Like a little kid in a Dickens’ story slobbering over a plum pudding, she’d only ever looked longingly at the bras and panties through the window.
“Today’s the day,” she said under her breath. She opened the door and walked in.
“Can I help you?” the salesgirl asked brightly.
“I’m hoping you can help me find something…well, something I normally don’t wear.”
She expected the girl to laugh at her, but instead, the woman picked up a blue silky bra and matching panties set with black lace. “These just came in. Do you like them? I bought a pair myself and the crazy thing is, they’re sexy and comfortable.”
Fifteen minutes later, Cami headed back to the office swinging the black and white shopping bag between her fingers. She fished her phone out and saw that she still had twenty or so minutes from her long lunch. With no extra time to seek out another food choice, she decided to head to the station’s lunchroom and grab a salad.
She spotted her friend, Veronica, and sat across from her in the busy lunchroom. The room reminded her of the lunchrooms from school. Everyone had to share the spots or take their food back to their cubicles.
Veronica looked up. “Cami? Is that you? Wow, I haven’t seen you for a few weeks, but you look different.”
Cami smiled. “I know I do, but don’t get used to it.” She didn’t elaborate as she broke into the Caesar salad and poured on the dressing, croutons, and cheese.
“I heard that you’re working on the new series about the War of the Roses. Did you see the email this morning? The station hired a host. He’s an outsider,” Veronica said.
Cami didn’t reply at first as a man sat by them at the table. Finally, she said, “There aren’t really any insiders here. The station works with the best qualified people for the positions.”
Veronica scooted over a few inches to give the tall, broad-shouldered man more space. “Tell me about this series,” Veronica said. “Would it be something I’d watch?”
“I doubt it.” Cami laughed. “You’re not a history geek like me.”
“You’re right about that. I do like my trashy celebrity gossip. If your ‘War of the Roses’ doesn’t have Kanye or Kim, then ho-hum.” Veronica gave a stifled yawn and covered her mouth with the back of her hand.
“You’re missing out. No one will remember those two in ten years much less over five hundred. The War of the Roses story is an old-time soap opera. Richard the Third wanted the throne more than anything, so they say that he murdered his two young nephews.” She shrugged. “I’m not sure. I’m more from the side that he wasn’t guilty. They never found the boys’ bodies.”
The man next to Veronica stopped eating his sandwich. “Are you kidding me? He murdered those kids outright. His own family.”
Cami looked at him. “They never found the bodies.”
“Workmen found bodies of two young boys in the Tower of London.”
“They found the bodies in 1674. Who knows if they were the bodies of Edward the Fifth and young Richard of Shrewsbury? Back then, the sources were far from reliable. It could have been two of the grounds’ pet dogs.”
His blue eyes were still connected to hers. “They didn’t bury pets like that in those times.”
“I know. I was being sarcastic. The bodies were in wooden boxes. But, I’m just saying that it could have been anybody. They didn’t have CSI investigators and DNA hasn’t proven their identities yet.”
Veronica looked from Cami to the man across the table. “Since I have no idea what you two are talking about, I think it’s time for me to head back to work.” She cupped her hand with bright pink manicured nails and whispered, “Don’t be too hard on him, he’s kinda’ cute.”
Neither of them said anything to continue the conversation as Veronica walked off.
Cami sneaked a second glace in the man’s direction as he unscrewed the lid on his soda. Veronica was right, he was handsome. His dark blond hair was brushed back from his strong face and cobalt eyes, shone in the overhead lights. He was dressed a little formally in a suit and tie for the casual dining atmosphere. She didn’t remember ever seeing him around before today. Cami knew she didn’t get out much, but she would have remembered him.
She dropped her fork into the salad bowl and scrunched up her napkin. Swinging her legs around, she stood, dumped her garbage, and headed back down the hall.
Cami was halfway down the deserted hall heading back to the elevator when a deep voice called, “Hey, wait up!”
She turned to see the man stride toward her. She looked around and figured he was calling after someone else. He stopped a few feet away from her and stuck out his hand. “I think we got off to the wrong start. My name’s Lance. What’s yours?”
She pointed to her name badge. “Camille, but everyone calls me Cami.”
His hand felt warm and strong as his fingers wrapped around hers.
“How do you know so much about Richard the Third?”
She grinned up at him. “Those are well-known facts about the little princes.” She leaned closer and whispered, “You’re at a history channel TV station. They pay us to know facts.”
He returned her smile. “Do they now? Do you know a lot of facts?” There was definitely chemistry between her and Lance. Their energy made her want to take a step closer.
“Richard might never have risen to his position if his father and older brother hadn’t died in 1460. And then his brother named him the Duke of Gloucester. We could be here all afternoon, I have many more.”
“The Lightfield Museum is having a fundraising dinner tonight to open their new War of the Roses Diorama. Are you going?”
>
“I received an invite. I’m the lead in the research department, so I’ll be working on the show here at the station.”
“Me too.”
“You are?” she asked, surprised.
“I’m the new host of Spend an Hour with the Roses. I just flew in from Boston a few hours ago, met the brass and signed paperwork. I have to admit, I have no idea where anything is in the city. I’ve only been here once before. I was hoping that maybe you would go to the museum fundraiser with me.”
“Me? You want me to go? With you?” She sounded like a teenager.
“I sure haven’t met anyone else today who knows as much about anything on the subject. I thought I knew quite a bit about fifteenth century English history, but I think you know more―at least about Richard the Third. It would relieve a lot of my stress of spouting off something that wasn’t true. And, there wouldn’t be a chance of me getting lost on the way there if I had a beautiful local woman on my arm.” He looked at her mouth like he was fantasizing about kissing her. Cami wouldn’t mind it at all.
He thinks I’m beautiful? She paused, trying to swallow down her insecurity. “I don’t know.”
“Come on, don’t make me beg. We’ll work together once the show gets rolling and we can talk tonight about our ideas. I’ll even say that you’re right about your wrong notion of the little princes in the tower.” He grinned.
She only had a handful of hours left in this new sexy her. What was she going to do, go back to her place alone and eat Ben and Jerry’s? “I’d love to.”
He blew out a breath. “Thanks. That’s great.”
“I figure that since you said you’d just arrived, you have a rental car or no car at all, and I can guess you are at a hotel.” She reached into her purse for a pad of paper. “Why don’t you write down the name of the place, and I’ll pick you up.”
“Some great ‘date’ I am. I guess I have to put my chivalry on the back burner.” He chuckled as he took the paper and wrote down the address. “I do have a rental car, but it would make the most sense for you to drive. I’ll be lucky if I don’t get lost getting back to my hotel. I’m looking forward to the evening, Camille.”
She thought of her grandma when he called her by her full name. “It will be great to see the new Diorama.”
“That too…” He let his words trail as his gaze drifted again to her mouth. He lifted her hand and kissed it. Her stomach did a flip, and her head felt light. He thought chivalry was on the back burner. Man, did guys still kiss ladies hands? He did.
A few hours later, the new Camille didn’t even feel guilty leaving work early to get ready for her date.
Chapter Three
Cami was held up at work with a few last-minute emails. In order to get ready for the evening, she hit the door of her apartment running. Hopping on one foot, she pulled off her shoes and ran for the bathroom to turn on her curling iron. She swung her closet door open and stared inside.
“Where are the magic mice Cinderella had to whip her up the perfect outfit?” She glared at the list of non-choices that hung before her. All the clothes which were fine yesterday, didn’t seem right for her evening with Lance. He thinks I’m beautiful? She could have brains and beauty. Why limit the choices.
She looked back to the bed where she’d dropped the shopping bag from the lingerie store. She pulled out the silky blue bra, panties, and stocking set and cut off the tags. “I think I’ll start here.”
Cami slid into the set and then turned to admire herself in the mirror. The new lingerie made her feel sexy. But where to go from there? She bit her thumb, still lost on what to wear, when a light bulb went off in her head. She hurried into the spare room and drew out the dress which hung in the back of the closet. She unfolded the dry cleaner bag and stared at the beige and gold dress she’d worn to a wedding three years before.
She leaned over and shimmied into the form-fitting dress. She struggled with the zipper, finally got it to the top and walked back to her bedroom.
When she looked into the mirror, she could barely believe it was her. Had she really changed that much? She hadn’t really looked bad before, so what was so different? She couldn’t tell. Cami spent her last few minutes touching up her makeup and curling the tips of her hair.
When she arrived at Lance’s hotel room, she gently rapped on the door. When the door swung open, Cami couldn’t help but take a step back. Wearing black pants and a pleated dress shirt unbuttoned at the neck, Lance was a vison of sexiness. Forget her grandma’s locket and that wish. He was way better than anything she could have conjured up or wished for.
“Hi.” He motioned with his hand. “Come on in.”
“Hi.” Cami pulled at the hem of her dress wishing it was a bit longer as she walked into the hotel room.
“Wow…You look gorgeous.” He gave her a slow perusal, his eyes filled with appreciation. “Have a seat. I just have to put on my shoes.”
“Did you happen to have a tuxedo lying around the hotel room?”
“Hardly. They asked for a clothes measurement and then sent a driver over from the station with a rental. It was thoughtful of them since they knew I just flew in. They got pretty close on the fit. The sleeves are about an inch short, but since I’m tall, most clothes on me end up being short.” He sat on the edge of a chair and put on his shoes. Lifting his bow tie between his fingers, he asked, “Do you have any idea how this goes on? I haven’t had to wear too many of these in my life.”
They both stood and she took the tie in her hand. Placing it around his neck, her gaze dropped to where his pulse beat under the open collar. He smelled really good, like limes and a fresh shower.
“She walks in beauty like the night of cloudless climes and starry skies; And all that’s best of dark and bright meet in her aspect and her eyes.” Lance lifted his hand and brushed it down what once was her scared cheek.
“A Byron fan?”
“I guessed that you would know the quote. It kept popping into my mind earlier.” He smiled down at her. He chuckled, stepped back, and pointed to the tie still hanging untied around his neck. “Even though I would very much like to stay and explore more of the chemistry we seem to have, we’d best be going. I can’t be late to my first event to represent the station.”
Chapter Four
Lance restlessly bounced his foot from nerves as Cami maneuvered her small foreign car into a stall at a downtown parking garage. He jumped out and ran around to her side of the car to open her door. She looked pleasantly surprised by his manners and smiled as she took her evening bag and swung her long, shapely legs out of the car.
Cami hit the key lock on her car and headed to the elevator. “Wait a minute,” Lance said. He’d stopped by the rear bumper, hands shoved in his pockets.
She turned and watched, as he paced in a square next to her car. “You okay?” she asked, concern knitting her brows.
“I think so,” he lied. He was far from fine. Anxiety twisted his chest.
“Is it about the event tonight?”
“This is my first big break, at least in the television market.” He blew out the breath he’d been holding. “I’ve worked really hard to get to where I am. I have a Ph.D. in Early Modern European history. I put myself through school on student loans and worked evenings as a bartender.”
“Yes…and?” She took a step closer.
He shrugged. “I imagined myself being a college professor back in Boston. I’d be standing in front of a lecture hall with a bunch of history students, not in front of a bunch of television cameras. About three weeks ago, out of the blue, the dean of the college came and told me that he’d been approached by your television station to do a series. I was the first person who came to mind. All the other professors are...well, older. Much older. But, I was surprised that they didn’t pick one of the more distinguished professors.”
“Ahhh, I see. This event tonight, representing the television station instead of your college, is out of your safe zone?”
“It’s not even in the same stratosphere. When the college holds events it normally consists of a few alumni. The museum invested half a million dollars for this exhibit to tie in with the show. There’s a lot more on the line here. It will all be up to me if the whole thing is a success.”
“And me.” Cami laid her purse on the hood of her car and took his hands. He felt the tremor in his, as she held tight. “Who made short work of Richard’s reputation?”
He looked at her for a long moment, surprised by her odd question. “I like to refer to it as the Tudor propaganda machine. They insinuated he murdered his nephews to claim the throne. ”
“I thought you believed he was guilty.”
“Well…he probably was. Richard insisted the boys be given into his custody for protection. Within months, the boys disappeared and Richard ascended the throne.”
“There’s always been speculation surrounding their disappearance and Richard’s involvement. You know the answers to their questions.” She smiled.
“But, I keep asking myself, why me for this job? There are others more qualified.”
“I’ve worked at the channel for over a year now.” Cami looked up through long dark lashes. “I’ve been in meetings with the heads of the departments. Their reputation is built on having the correct facts. It’s the most important thing to them. They hired you because you know your stuff. I bet you know every fact ever presented about Richard the Third.”
“I do. I’m just really nervous.”
“I can see that.”
“Even though I know a lot about the era, it still helps to have your moral support and know that you’re in the room.”
Cinderella Body Club Boxed Set Page 2