Camera Shy

by Lauren Gallagher

  He zipped the lenses into the camera bag and hoped she really meant it, that she really was comfortable with his camera, that she really did want him to shoot her like that.

  Because, holy hell, he wanted to shoot her like that.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  The next morning, before she drove to the airport, Simone walked Cecily up the front steps to Gregory's house. When the door opened, Cecily squealed with delight and hugged Gregory's wife, Jessica, before running into the house to find her father. Jessica watched over her shoulder as Cecily disappeared down the hallway. Simone gritted her teeth at the loving, maternal smile on Gregory's new wife's face. That's my daughter, girl, she thought. Not that I'm God's gift to parenting, but don't you dare take my little girl from me. She couldn't remember the last time her daughter had been so excited to see her.

  "Gregory should be down in a minute," Jessica said. She stood aside and gestured for Simone to come in.

  As she walked past, Simone couldn't help but notice the subtle swell beneath Jessica's blouse. Bitter jealousy stung her tongue. She quickly swallowed it and forced a smile. It wasn't as if she had any reason to be jealous; she was the one who'd pushed Gregory away in the first place. What business was it of hers if he and his new wife were expecting?

  "Simone." Gregory's curt voice caused her to turn her head. He stepped into the foyer, his expression stiff and blank.

  "Gregory," she said with a nod.

  Jessica's eyes flicked back and forth between them. Simone pretended not to see the way her hand absently rested on her barely-noticeable belly. Jessica looked at Gregory. "I'll leave you two alone." She started to leave the foyer, pausing to exchange a quick kiss with her husband.

  Simone watched her leave. "When is she due?"

  Gregory blinked. "January."

  "Congratulations." The word was sour on her tongue.

  Gregory watched her. "I will still be able to take Cecily even when the baby comes." He shifted his weight. "In fact, I would like her to be here during that time. So

  she doesn't feel like we're pushing her away to make room for the new baby, or that we love her any less."

  We? Jealousy flared within her at the thought of Jessica loving her daughter. Or worse, Cecily loving Jessica, maybe more than she loved her? Christ, Simone, stop it, you're being petty.

  "Simone?"

  Simone nodded. "Of course. Certainly. I don't see why not." I wonder how much time I can spend with Jason then. As soon as that thought went through her mind, she cringed inwardly, hoping Gregory didn't notice. Mother of the Year, here I come. She took a breath. "Does she know about the baby?"

  Gregory nodded. "She does. I told her a few weeks ago." But you couldn't tell me. Stop it, Simone! You're divorced, for crying out loud! She cleared her throat. "She didn't say anything to me about it." Gregory shrugged. "She's been through a lot, Simone. She probably doesn't want to be in the middle of any of this anymore."

  Smart kid. Pity her mom is such a petty idiot. "You're probably right."

  "I think she's worried about you."

  Simone's heart quickened. "Why?"

  Gregory rolled his eyes. "Come on, Simone, she's not stupid. She's heard about everything—the tabloids, the divorce, all of that. And now—" He paused. Simone bristled. "Now what?"

  "What's going on? With you?"

  "What do you mean?"

  "Something's changed. Everything has changed. Your attitude, everything, it's changed."

  "Is that good or bad?"

  Gregory shifted his weight again. "You tell me." He raised an eyebrow. "Are you dating again?"

  Not that it's any of your business, and not that I want Cecily to know yet, because I don't know what I'm doing, or where this is going, or—

  "Simone?" He furrowed his brow. "What's wrong with you? You keep zoning out."

  "I'm fine."

  "You're not." He paused, raising an accusing eyebrow. "You're not getting into . .

  . ?"

  Simone caught the implication of his words and narrowed her eyes. "Jesus, Gregory, I'm not doing any kind of drugs."

  "Good," he said.

  He looked relieved, which set her teeth on edge. Christ, was she that much of a mess that people expected her to be into drugs now? She sighed. Come to think of it, yeah, I am that messed up.

  "I'm not doing drugs," she said again. Unless you count a man named Jason Connor as a drug. In that case, send me to rehab, because I'm hooked. Gregory cocked his head. "What is going on then?" She rubbed her forehead. "Look, it's complicated."

  Gregory laughed bitterly. "I've heard that before."

  "Don't start," she growled. "What I do in my personal life is—"

  "All over the media, sooner or later." Anger flashed in his eyes. "I'm not trying to pry into your personal life, Simone; I'm not interested in any gossip fodder or anything of the sort. But we have a daughter, and we both have a responsibility to her. I don't want her being blindsided when her mother's latest misdeeds wind up all over the tabloids again."

  Simone's face burned. "It's not going to happen this time."

  "I've heard that before."

  Stung, Simone looked away. "Look, I'm not trying to blindside her with anything. If nothing else I . . . ."

  He waited. "You what?"

  She sighed. "There isn't anything to tell her right now, because I don't even know what's going on."

  "Simone—"

  She raised a hand defensively. "Gregory, I swear, I'm doing things differently now. I just—I'm just trying to sort it all out in my head before I start getting her involved."

  "She's involved in everything, Simone. That's called parenting."

  "I know. I know. Listen, just give me some time, and I will tell her what's going on. But I want to be a bit surer I know what's going on."

  "What is going on?"

  Simone bit her lip. How much did she really want him to know? She avoided his eyes. "Look, I'm trying to keep it quiet, but I trust you." She took a breath. "I met someone . . . ."

  "Is it serious?"

  Is it? Her mouth went dry. Why didn't she have an answer? Of course it wasn't serious. It was just sex. Wasn't it? She wetted her lips. "I, I don't know." He raised an eyebrow again. "What do you mean you don't know?"

  "It's—it's too soon. I'm not sure where things are going yet. We've barely spent any time together yet." But I'm still going to pose naked for him this weekend, because apparently I am as insane as everyone thinks.

  Gregory's face hardened. "Figure it out. Soon. Before the tabloids catch wind of it and tell your daughter for you."

  "That's not going to happen. Not this time."

  He said nothing, but his expression said, I've heard that before. She looked away, shame rising in her throat like bile. How many times had she sworn that now would be different? That she'd stop cheating, stop drinking, stop giving the press a reason to smear her picture all over the tabloids? Why should he believe her now?

  "Gregory," she whispered. She looked in his eyes. "I promise. It's not going to happen overnight, but as soon as I figure it all out, she'll know. As will you." She swallowed. "I just don't want to rush it."

  He regarded her for a long moment. Then he nodded. "Okay, I believe you." His tone added an unspoken "barely" to the end of his statement. She started toward the door. "I'll pick her up on Friday."

  "Will you be in town this week?"

  No, I'll be in Canada posing nude for a man who can make me damn near orgasm just by looking at me—

  "Simone?" He eyed her. "You're blushing."

  She gulped. If her cheeks weren't red when he said that, they certainly were now.

  "I'll be out of town for a few days."

  The raised eyebrow asked dozens of questions, but she quickly looked away and cleared her throat.

  He opened the door for her, and as she stepped out into the blazing California sun, he said, "Take care of yourself, Simone."

  "I will."

  "And I don't mean
that just because I'm worried about Cecily." His expression softened. "I don't want to see you get hurt again."

  A lump rose in her throat. For all the pain she'd put him through, for all she'd done, he still cared. "I'll be fine," she finally whispered.

  "Okay," he said, just before closing the door. "I believe you."

  Chapter Thirty

  When Simone arrived in Victoria, rain fell from the sky in great, blowing sheets. She headed up the highway toward Tofino, eager to get there as soon as possible but not daring to speed on the slippery road. The miles couldn't fly by fast enough.

  Just like every time before, Jason was on her mind more and more with every mile as she drove up the deserted highway. By the time she was within an hour of Tofino, she was so turned on her silk panties were soaked through. With a sly grin, she decided to give Jason a little surprise.

  She pulled off the road on a straight, deserted stretch of highway and threw the car into park.

  A half second later, she tossed her panties on the passenger seat beside her, smoothed her skirt, and pulled back onto the road.

  After an eternity in the pouring rain, her headlights skimmed past the Welcome to Tofino sign. The highway ended and she hit the main road through town. Her heart raced. He was close. So close. In spite of the lowered speed limit, she couldn't help but press harder on the accelerator. So close.

  She took the turn off the main road onto the dirt road that led toward his driveway. In her urgency, she took the turn sharper and faster than she intended and the car fishtailed. A jolt of adrenaline shot through her. She got the car under control and slowed, but the pounding in her heart and the tingling below urged her to step on it.

  When she skidded into the driveway, before she'd even stopped, his front door flew open. Jason ran down the steps as she fumbled with her seatbelt. As soon as she stepped out of the car, he pulled her into his arms. They kissed with an intense hunger, breathing and consuming each other in the pouring rain as if they hadn't seen each other in years. If she'd wanted him a moment ago, now she needed him. He pushed her up against the car and engulfed her, his kisses like moist fire. Her clothes were soaked through, the pouring rain cold on her skin, but his body was so hot against hers, she barely noticed.

  His fingers sizzled against her skin as he slid her rain-saturated skirt up to her hips. She shivered as the cool night air and icy rain hit her legs, but she didn't care.

  His hand moved between her thighs. His eyebrows arched in surprise and he inhaled sharply when he found nothing between his hand and the hot wetness he sought. She flashed him a devilish grin and he devoured it.

  His tongue slipped between her lips just as his fingers slid into her. His palm pressed deliciously against her clit and the flames within her roared into an inferno of pleasure. It didn't take him long to send her over the edge. The pounding rain swallowed her moans as she trembled between the cold of the car and the heat of his body. When at last she could breathe, she took in a long, deep breath just before he covered her mouth with a hungry kiss.

  Jason broke the kiss and licked his lip, their mouths so close his tongue brushed her lip as he did. "I need you now." His voice was a low growl, his words as shaky as her knees. "Right here, right now."

  They struggled with his clothes, quickly unbuckling his belt and working the zipper of his jeans, both cursing under their breath as clothing refused to cooperate. Jason persuaded his shaking hands to maneuver a condom on. Once it was in place, he lifted her feet off the ground, pulling her legs around his waist. She hooked her ankles behind him and held onto his soaked shirt as he pushed into her. He groaned as she enveloped him. Her entire body still shook with the aftershocks of her orgasm, and spasmed with indescribable pleasure as he drove himself deeper into her against the side of the car.

  He came quickly and he came hard, letting loose a primal growl that turned into a helpless moan. Trembling, he closed his eyes and rested his forehead against hers, rain dripping down the sides of his face. For a long moment, they were still, breathless, shaking, the floodlights in the driveway casting a shimmery glow to the steam that rose off their hot, rain-soaked bodies.

  Then he looked into her eyes. He pushed a strand of wet hair out of her face and kissed her. As he pulled away, she shivered, this time from the cold, and her teeth chattered.

  "Maybe we should do something about these wet clothes," he said, so softly she barely heard him above the rain.

  He eased her back to her feet. She pulled her skirt back into place and he zipped his jeans. Then, he took her hand and they hurried into the house and out of the rain. Once inside, they both peeled off their saturated clothes and stepped into the hot shower. He held her tight and kissed her tenderly while the water warmed their shivering bodies.

  Stroking her wet hair, he said, "I'm so glad you're here."

  "You and me both."

  Cupping the small of her back, he held her close as he kissed her. Then he paused and looked at her. "What changed your mind? About the photos?" She avoided his eyes. "I'm, I'm not totally sure. I guess I—" She wetted her lips.

  "Maybe it's stupid, given how long we've known each other, but, I trust you."

  "I'm glad you do." He smiled and kissed her. "I promise, if anything about it makes you uncomfortable, just say the word and we'll stop." She nodded. "I will."

  He pulled her closer and kissed her. "I was thinking we could do the shoot tomorrow morning, if you're up for it." He glanced at the heavy raindrops that beat against the window. "Assuming the weather cooperates." Simone's eyes widened. "You mean we're doing the shoot— outside?" He laughed and kissed a drop of water from the tip of her nose. "That was the plan." Then he hesitated. "Assuming you're okay with that . . . ?"

  "Yes, sure, it's fine," she said. "It just wasn't . . . what I expected. " He smiled. "I know the perfect place."

  She nudged him with her hips and grinned. "I know a perfect place for us right now."

  He groaned and pushed back. "You're incorrigible." He laughed against her lips.

  "You say that like it's a bad thing."

  "Not at all." He kissed her as he reached behind her to turn off the shower. "Not a bad thing at all."

  Chapter Thirty-One

  The next morning, the rain had stopped, but grey clouds still covered the sky. Simone looked out the window and frowned. "It doesn't look like the sun is going to come out anytime soon."

  Jason shrugged and slung his camera bag onto his shoulder. "Overcast is perfect. The clouds soften the shadows."

  "Are you sure?" Of course he's sure, you idiot, he's a professional.

  "Trust me. It's perfect."

  They got into his Jeep and drove into town. He parked beside the marina.

  "Where are we going?" Simone asked, stepping out of the Jeep and following him onto the dock.

  "You'll see," he said over his shoulder. At the far end of the dock, he leaned into a small boat and set his camera bag down. He offered her his hand. "Ladies first." She smiled and took it nervously, stepping aboard. Jason untied the lines and tossed them over the edge before following her in. He fired up the engine and steered them away from the pier.

  She chewed her lip and gripped the side for dear life. He stood behind the wheel, rocking effortlessly with the motion of the waves.

  "You all right?" he asked over the loud engine.

  "I will be as soon as I'm on dry land."

  "Seasick?"

  "Not yet."

  His face tightened with concern. "You sure you're okay?"

  "I'll be fine. I'm just—I'm not used to being out on the water."

  "You'll get your sea legs pretty quickly. Just don't forget to breathe."

  He was right; as they wove between the scattered islands and inlets, she gradually adjusted to the rocking and bouncing. Before long, she was admiring the breathtaking scenery: tree-blanketed mountains, rocky coastlines, the occasional bald eagle soaring overhead.

  "Look in the water," he said.

  She l
eaned on the edge of the boat and looked down. The water was shallower than she expected, the bottom perhaps three or four feet down. A flash of silver caught her eye as salmon swam past. Amidst the vegetation on the bottom, a huge Dungeness crab skittered along.

  "Is this where you and your brother caught that crab?" she asked with a laugh.

  "With the net?" He laughed. He shook his head and gestured over his shoulder.

  "Different inlet."

  They rounded a bend and Simone looked ahead. Instantly, she knew where they were going.

  The boat was headed straight for a small, crescent-shaped island. "That's the island from the picture on your wall, isn't it?"

  He nodded. "My favorite place in the world." He gave her a grin and her heart fluttered.

  He cut the engines and grabbed an oar from beside the wheel. As the boat drifted closer to the island, he used the oar to nudge it past a couple of rocks to a stump that stuck out horizontally. He looped a line over it and tied them off securely.

  "Here we are," he said with a grin. Putting his camera bag on his back, he jumped out of the boat, landing with the grace of a cat, then turned and extended his hand. Delighted to be back on terra firma, she wandered along the short coastline as he put his camera together and snapped a few test shots. The beach looked rocky in the pictures, but up close, it was sandy and smooth.

  "Ready?" He stood with his camera in his hand, an eyebrow raised slightly. She smiled, hoping he couldn't see how nervous she was. "Of course." He watched her for a moment. "Just unbutton the first couple of buttons. Slowly."