by Lynn Patrick
“I mean we can try different expressions, different shots if you like. You’ll have to tell me a little about yourself.” Rafe’s eyes raked her intently. “Maybe I’ll get some ideas for poses that will reveal the real you.”
“What would you like to know?” she asked suspiciously, wondering if this was where he got personal.
“Ah, ha! Your eyes are lighting up with interest.” He peered into the camera. “Now turn a little to the left. That’s good.” The shutter clicked. “Try smiling dreamily. Tilt your chin up. Good. How long have you been one of Santa’s helpers? Do you play the role every year?”
That was it? Having thought he was about to delve into her love life or something, Melissa heaved a sigh of relief and said, “This is my first time.”
“How did you get the job?”
“I found out about it through a friend and applied.”
“Is helping Santa your usual kind of work?”
“Of course. I’m a holiday specialist. I plan to dress up as an Easter egg with legs in the spring.” Melissa smirked. Unused to being sarcastic, she found it hard to carry off with a straight face.
“I suppose you’ll be a firecracker by summer.”
“Probably.”
Watching the photographer adjust some lights on metal stands, Melissa admired the way the beige cableknit sweater he wore with neat brown pants hugged his compact form. Thinking about clothing made her remember to ask him about her costume.
“I didn’t know whether or not you wanted to photograph me in my costume, so I brought it. I can take these things off if you want.” She regretted the words as soon as they were out of her mouth.
Continuing to work with the lights, Rafe had a wicked gleam in his eye. “Feel free to take off any clothes you want to.”
Melissa had known this was going to happen! “If you think I’m going to take off my—”
“Since these are only test shots, it doesn’t matter what you wear.” He took a good look at her and shrugged. “What you’ve got on is fine.”
Even though she was relieved he didn’t expect her to undress, Melissa wished he appreciated the trouble she’d gone to with her appearance this morning. Did he think she was wearing any old outfit? She’d searched through her closet at least three times before settling on a pale blue sweater and a full cotton skirt worn over some lacy, beribboned antique petticoats. Teaming the garments with high-heeled, lace-up boots, Melissa had thought she looked quite romantic. But perhaps Rafe preferred a more sophisticated look for a woman. She clenched her jaw. She shouldn’t even wonder what Rafe would like in a woman. What did she care?
“So, you’re a sugarplum fairy. I thought you were into teeth.”
“Santa Claus wouldn’t have a tooth fairy for a helper, would he?” Melissa asked primly, glad he’d returned to a safe topic.
“No, I suppose not. Tilt your chin down. Why did you pick New York for your dramatic debut? Does your family live here or have you been going to school?”
How old did he think she was? “I haven’t been in school for a long time—at least, not as a student.” At his questioning look, she explained. “I was only joking about being a holiday specialist. I’m a teacher. Last year I taught a sixth-grade class in the public school system.”
“Really? You must have graduated a couple of years ago then. I wouldn’t call that such a long time.”
Rafe examined the lens of the camera. His casual attitude made Melissa think he didn’t believe her.
“I graduated from college six years ago,” she insisted, wondering why she felt compelled to make him believe what she said. “Before I came to New York, I taught second grade for four years in a small town near Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Since I didn’t have much tenure, I was laid off when enrollment went down. That’s when I came to New York to get a job.”
“Hmm.”
Melissa crossed her legs and raised her chin slightly. “I’m twenty-eight years old, you know.”
He stared at her. “Oh, come on.”
“Do you want to see my driver’s license?”
“Twenty-eight? Seriously?” Rafe’s scoffing expression changed. Suddenly, he seemed really interested in whatever she had to say. “Why aren’t you teaching now? Did you give it all up for the toy department?”
“No. The job didn’t work out.” Melissa wasn’t about to explain that she’d felt overwhelmed by kids who were larger than she was and intimidated by some of their hardened, inner-city personalities. “Now I have a part-time job with the library system in the reading enrichment program. I tell small children stories to get them interested in reading. I’ve also applied to some private schools for teaching positions.”
Rafe moved to her side and put his hands on her shoulders. “Keep them straight.” Then he slipped his hands around her waist. “But turn your lower body this way.” Melissa was trying to catch her breath from the effects of his warm fingers when he asked, “So if you’re really a twenty-eight-year-old teacher, where did this crazy sugarplum fairy job come from?”
“Until I get an appropriate fulltime position, I pick up part-time work in addition to the reading program.”
“Really?” Rafe cupped her face and tilted it toward the light. “This pose should be flattering.”
Their noses were scant inches apart. Was he thinking about making a pass? Feeling uncomfortable and defensive, Melissa pulled back. Talking about her job problems had brought up bad memories. Now he was making her edgy with his physical manipulations.
“Do you have to stand so close?”
“I’m just trying to do my job. Is your hair color natural?”
“Do you interrogate all your subjects like this?”
“Interrogate? No, I always try to establish rapport. With the really small ones, I have to make faces or do other silly things to get them interested.”
“That sounds weird.”
“It isn’t weird. They like it.”
“What kind of strange small women do you photograph?”
“Women?” Rafe had a puzzled look on his face.
“Your models,” she insisted.
“I don’t usually photograph women. I specialize in children.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.” Rafe’s questioning frown turned into an expression of amused enlightenment as he finally caught the drift of her meaning. A wide grin split his face. “Hey, what kind of work do you think I do? Sorry to disappoint you, but the only nudes I do are babies on bearskin rugs. Want to see my portfolio?”
A giggle started low in her throat. Then Rafe snorted. Soon they were both laughing uproariously.
Rafe shook his head at Melissa’s assumption. He could hardly believe she’d thought he was a girlie magazine photographer. Was that why she’d been so cool with him? Because she’d disapproved? No doubt she had assumed he’d wanted her to take off her clothes, Rafe thought, remembering he’d told her to feel free…He hadn’t been able to stop himself from teasing her, not since the moment he’d kissed her.
“I guess the way I’ve been acting made you think I was some kind of—”
“Pushy playboy,” Melissa finished for him.
“And here I am a devoted and fairly conservative father, a homebody who mainly photographs kids. Sorry if I gave you the wrong impression.”
“That’s okay. I made a few silly assumptions all by myself.”
The sincere expression in her incredible blue eyes sent his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed convulsively. Her pretty mouth curved into a luscious smile and Rafe felt his heart beat a little faster. He’d been giving himself a hard time for being attracted to someone so young, and discovering she was only four years younger than he was was a relief. For the moment, however, he’d better concentrate on his work.
“Well, now that that’s cleared up, why don’t we try some action shots? Can you walk back and forth between those marks on the floor?”
“Sure.”
Gazing through the camera, he took in her
delicate features, the soft sweep of hair that looked gold in the bright light. Her small breasts were outlined by her soft sweater, and as she walked her hips swung gracefully beneath the layers of petticoats and skirt. Melissa turned and smiled at the camera’s lens. Was she giving him the expression again? His body reacting to it, Rafe groped for a safe topic of conversation.
“So you’re a teacher, huh? We both have something in common, working with children and all.”
“Yes, and you have two beautiful children yourself.”
“Aren’t they great? They’re the best part of my marriage—my ex-marriage, that is. I’m divorced. My wife lives in California now.” But he didn’t want to talk about Nicole. “Okay, why don’t we do some close-ups now? Sit down again.”
As Rafe switched to a portrait lens, Melissa repeated, “Your wife lives in California?”
“My ex-wife. I don’t have a wife at the moment. Not that I wouldn’t like one, but it’s hard to find a woman who’ll accept a ready-made family.” Trying to distract her from asking questions about his disastrous marriage, he jokingly said, “Guess I should put an ad in the paper or something.”
“Do you think it would work?”
“Probably not. I need a miracle.”
After turning a spotlight directly on her, he moved nearer to adjust her pose. Her eyelashes fluttered as, with one gentle hand, he turned her face toward the light. Her clear skin was as soft as silk and he could see the pulse beating in her throat. Rafe was pleased she didn’t try to move away, though her eyes were wide, staring at him. Standing so close, watching her pink lips part as she inhaled, he wanted to cover them with his own. Would she resist?
But any ideas he had were vanquished by the sound of the front door being slammed open.
“Daddy!” Gretta ran across the studio and jumped into his arms. Then the little girl noticed Melissa. “The tooth fairy! How come you’re here? I didn’t lose another tooth yet.”
“I can get rid of one for you, Sis,” said Hank, pretending to threaten her as he held up a fist. When he received a stern look from Rafe, he amended, “Aw, I’m just kidding, Dad. I wouldn’t hurt her.”
“How come you don’t have your wings on?” Gretta demanded, running over to Melissa and clutching one of her hands. She reached down to brush at the small girl’s bangs.
“They’re too heavy to wear every day.”
“And what are you doing here with Daddy?”
“Uncle Hux wanted me to take some pictures of her,” Rafe explained, grabbing Gretta and tossing her up and down so she squealed with delight. “Before I get back to work and you go upstairs with your grandmother, tell me how school was today.”
“We played a pretend game!” Gretta told him excitedly. “We had pretend prizes and stuff and I won! Then we practiced coloring and writing A,B,C. Then I made a phone call.”
“To whom?” Rafe frowned as he knelt beside his daughter, holding her loosely within his arms.
“To Mommy,” said Gretta. “She said everything was better and we’re gonna see her longer this time. We’re gonna have some neat Christmas and it’s gonna last for lots of days!”
“Don’t worry, Dad. She only called from a play phone,” Hank explained. “They have a bunch of those plastic ones in the first-grade rooms.”
Putting his arms around both kids, Rafe led them back toward the entryway and talked to Hank. “I’m not worrying. It’s just that I like to be there when you call your mother. I appreciate your keeping an eye on your little sister, son. It makes me proud you’re so responsible. How’d everything go with you?”
“Okay. I’m going to put my geography lesson on my computer.”
“Will that help?”
“It’ll make it more fun. When are you going to get through in here, Dad?” Unsmiling, Hank glanced over his shoulder at Melissa. The look he gave her was significant, almost a glare, and she had a momentary feeling of uneasiness. Was the boy still resentful over the attention afforded his sister the other night?
“I’ll be done in time for dinner. In the meantime, why don’t you keep your grandmother company? Later, I want to hear more about your schoolwork. Louise!” Rafe yelled as he entered the front hallway.
“Gran brought us home from school and she sweared at a taxi driver!” Gretta babbled loudly.
“I did not swear!” Melissa heard Louise say as the front door opened again, although she couldn’t see the older woman from where she was sitting. “I said ‘insane beast.’ Those are not swear words, Gretta.”
Rafe was laughing when he returned. “Aren’t they something? I suppose as a father I’m prejudiced, but I often think I’ve got the smartest, cutest kids in the world.”
“They’re definitely smart and cute,” Melissa agreed. As she made the statement, Rafe beamed with pride.
“I’m going to send them to Harvard,” he stated seriously. “Or Princeton or NYU or wherever they want to go. I’ll send them to the moon if they want to be astronauts. I’m going to get the best for my kids.”
“I’m sure most parents feel that way.”
“Yeah, parents. But there should be two of them. My kids have only one…who can be fully responsible, anyway. They deserve a little extra in other areas.” Rafe sighed. “I hope Nicole can take them for the entire two weeks this Christmas. Otherwise, they’ll be disappointed like they were last summer when they had to come home early. But I shouldn’t complain about all my problems. Wouldn’t want to bend your ear.”
“Bending is good for my ears. It hones down the points.” When Rafe looked at her curiously, Melissa laughed in silvery tones. “I’m a fairy, remember? We all have little pointed ears.”
“Let’s see.” He moved toward her, the expression on his face communicating much more than curiosity. Warmed by his dark liquid gaze, fascinated by the curve of his sensual lips, Melissa caught her breath, wondering just what Rafe intended to examine. Would they recapture the mood they’d started before Gretta’s arrival? How disappointing to be interrupted by a childish shout.
“Daddy!” Gretta ran across the studio again. “Come and see the stuff I drew! You come too!” She pointed at Melissa.
“Sweetheart,” Rafe said patiently. “We’re working. Go back upstairs. I told you I’d talk to you at dinner. Okay?”
Gretta stamped her foot. “No! I want you to look now!”
“Well, all right. But why don’t you bring your drawings down here and show us?”
Gretta seemed to consider, then whirled around. “I’m bringing them! I’m bringing them!” she singsonged, skipping out of the studio.
“Sorry for the interruption. We can be quick and finish these shots.” He went to work rapidly, having Melissa turn from side to side. They were almost through when Gretta came back.
“Look, Daddy.” The little girl presented Rafe with some colorfully scribbled sheets.
“Nice.”
“These are very pretty, Gretta,” Melissa said when she examined the drawings.
“This is Daddy. This is Mommy. This is a dog. And this,” offered Gretta dramatically, waving a paper, “is a big dragon with no teeth!”
As both Rafe and Melissa laughed, Hank walked in. “I thought we were supposed to wait for dinner to talk to you, Dad. How come Gretta’s down here?”
“She got impatient.”
“Well, if you have time for her, how about coming upstairs with me? You said you’d help me install a new computer program. Or maybe we can play some computer games. I never get to see you very much.”
“Yeah, I know. I’m almost finished here.”
“Do you suppose we could go out later and look at video recorders? We really need another one, Dad, a machine that can be set for programs at different times on different channels. The other kids at school all have their own.” For the first time Hank looked directly at Melissa, giving her a lopsided grin that was a cute version of his father’s. She smiled back. “I bet she’d like to see some movies with us. Can we buy another one, Dad?�
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Listening to Hank’s friendly but demanding tone, Melissa saw that Rafe could have a problem with his children. Although they were definitely nice, they were also spoiled. Could he have been indulging them because of his divorce? She remembered what Louise had said about her grandchildren having had a difficult time. Well, it wasn’t any of her business. She had enough to think about after discovering Rafe had more sides to him than her initial impression. Although she still thought him forward, she’d seen he was also humorous, intelligent, and good with his children. She’d probably interpreted his teasing remarks as being more than they were.
Observing Rafe helping Gretta pick up the drawings she’d dropped on the floor, Melissa asked, “Are we through? I can go home if you’ve got other things to do.”
“I probably have enough shots.”
“We can drive her home and go look at video recorders,” suggested Hank.
Melissa went to the hall closet to get her coat. Putting it on and taking out her garment bag, she readied herself to leave.
“Just a moment,” Rafe told her from the doorway of the studio, then glanced toward Louise as she suddenly hurried down the stairs.
“Gretta! Hank! Your father is busy now. Come back upstairs. Honestly, I get on the phone for a moment and they disappear.”
“Dad’s going to take me to look at VCRs,” Hank insisted stubbornly.
Placing one arm around his son, Rafe said, “I think it would be better if we went some other time, Hank. Why don’t you go upstairs with your grandmother? I’ll be up later, like I said.”
“Aw, Dad.”
“Come on, Gretta,” chirped Louise. “I’ll bake you some cookies.”
“I want cake!”
“We’ll make some cupcakes then.”
“She’s not going to eat her dinner, Louise,” Rafe complained.
The older woman sighed. “You know she won’t eat any vegetables or meat anyway. I’ve been giving her cherry-flavored vitamins along with peanut butter for protein.”
Rafe shook his head resignedly. “Kids!”
Herding the children up the front stairway, Louise turned to say, “Oh, Rafe, Mr. Feld called and canceled. He wants to make another appointment in a week.”