Behind His Lens(63)

“We’ll talk about it later,” he answers simply as his eyes flutter open, revealing stormy blue irises.

“Some of the models are getting together after the shoot…” I trail off, not sure why I’m even announcing those plans to him— maybe so he won’t have to feel bad if he wants to cancel on me now?

His jaw clenches. “Is that what you’d like to do?”

“Um, I’d rather go swimming,” I offer, toeing the line of honesty.

“You can go swimming with them,” he answers pointedly, and I can tell he’s annoyed.

Damn him. Damn him for always making me reveal my cards when I just want to hide behind the veil of his desires. I like when he demands and orders. Being near him makes me feel vulnerable, like I’m playing on empty train tracks, but telling him my true feelings is like leaping off a platform toward an oncoming engine.

“I’d like to go to where you were exploring yesterday, if you’re still up for it?” That’s the best I can do; I can give him the truth, but I have to give him an out to cover my bases.

He eyes me as if he can see through the cracks in my facade and then unpeels a knowing smile. “I’ll come find you after the shoot wraps.”

My face lights up, publishing my excitement to the world, but I don’t care. “I’ll grab some food for us since it’ll probably be close to dinner time.”

“Sounds good. I’ll eat anything you’d like, just make sure you keep that suit on, Charley,” he commands, fleetingly sweeping his gaze down my body. His blue eyes gleam in the Hawaiian sun.

“I’ll see what I can do,” I quip, winking playfully, glad that the old Jude finally revealed himself once again.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Charley

“I didn’t expect him to ask his two friends to join, but it was too late by then! So I just went with the flow.” Victoria eyes scan across to each of us and then she grins wildly. “Let’s just say that every girl should experience that once in her life.” She waggles her eyebrows and all the girls erupt in laughter.

“Ah! You’re insane,” Bella laughs next to me.

“Hey, when in Rome.” She shrugs playfully and takes a sip of her martini.

“You were in Brazil!” Bella shouts, eliciting another round of laughs.

Bella dragged me down to the hotel bar earlier so I could hangout with the girls while I waited for Jude. He texted me when the shoot wrapped a few minutes ago, but he wanted to head to his room to shower, so I told him he could find me at the bar. After my part of the shoot was over, I cleaned up and threw on a pair of short, faded jean cutoffs and a slinky blue tank top. Yes, of course I left the white bikini on.

I wasn’t sure where to get our dinner, but when I called the concierge, the hotel offered to bring a picnic up for me. I was nervous about ordering since I have no knowledge of what Jude prefers, but hopefully he’ll be too hungry to care. At least the hotel tucked our food into a small cooler. That way I could hide it in my bohemian bag so none of the girls would ask about it.

As soon as I finished packing the cooler up and sliding on my strappy sandals, Bella knocked on my door.

“Have you ever been to Brazil, Charley?” Victoria asks, drawing me back to the present. She tips back her martini until it’s bone dry and I watch her bite the olives off the toothpick as I shake my head.

“No, but it’s definitely on my bucket list. Especially after that story,” I joke.

She smiles wide and cheers, “Yes! I bet you’ll get to go sooner than you think. Especially after your cover. You’ll get booked for all sorts of jobs around the world.”

I nod, soaking in her words, “I might actually try to lay low for a while.”

My declaration causes frantic stirring around the table. “What?”— “Why?”— “To build your mysterious vibe?”— “That’s crazy!”

I shake my head, twisting the cocktail napkin in my hand. “Just for personal reasons.”

“But there are girls who would kill to be in your position, Charley,” Victoria presses.

Would they? Have I?

I don’t know how the conversation became directed at my career decisions, but I’m starting to wonder if I shouldn’t have come with Bella. Thankfully, she notices my discomfort.

“Victoria! Tell us another one of your stories. Maybe about Vespa Boy? Didn’t you guys sneak into the Eiffel Tower after it closed?” And just like that, the tables back to laughing and the attention is no longer on me. I recline back in my chair and try to immerse myself in Victoria’s story. But a moment later, I feel the energy in the bar change. It’s as if every free electron in my body is being drawn to a positive force. I don’t even have to turn; I know Jude walked into the bar, and my instincts are confirmed when his scent wraps around me like an intoxicating wave. It’s fresh and completely male.