“But isn’t that what it’s like to model?”
Oops.
“Um, kind of. Luckily, I don’t do a lot of runway work.”
“I guess it’s different if it’s just you and the photographer, huh? Although, I could get over it if I had legs like yours.”
Ridley raised an eyebrow. “Considering how Trent looks at you, I'd say you're doing just fine. I only wish someone would look at me like that.”
“Well, you can stop wishing. Someone does look at you like that.” Marie stared at her until Ridley laughed.
“Stop. It’s not like that. Jackson and I are, well, we’re nothing actually. He’s amazing and I like him a lot but I don’t have any illusions about where this is going. He doesn’t want a long-term thing and I’m just passing through, anyway.”
“You don’t really think someone followed you here, do you?” Mara asked. Ridley had told her a little about the accident. There was something about Mara that made her extremely easy to talk to. Which was dangerous, in more ways than one.
“I don’t think so. The police are investigating, so the best thing I can do is stay out of the way and try to move on with my life. I’m sure that’s the real reason Jackson asked me to this event. I think he just wanted to take my mind off things.”
"Uh huh. Well, I’m glad he did because this gives you the perfect excuse to flaunt it in front of him a little. I’ve got five that says he swallows his tongue when he sees you wearing your glamour gear." Mara held out her hand.
“It’s not like he hasn’t seen me dressed up before, so I doubt he’ll be blown away. I'm sure he'll do what every other guy does. Stare at the boobs, stare at the legs and then once the blood goes back to his brain, he'll be over it. No big deal."
The other woman still held her hand out until Ridley shook it reluctantly. “This is ridiculous but it’s your money.”
Mara dug around in the black tote bag she’d brought and pulled out a pair of slinky black sandals. “He's not going to know what hit him.”
* * * * *
IT TOOK SEVERAL trips for her, Mara, and Matt to haul all the stuff she’d brought up to her room. She’d made a good call by asking for Raina’s help. It would have been ridiculous to go out and buy dressy clothes, shoes and handbags when Raina practically had a department store in her closet.
I hope Raina really doesn’t mind that I took all this stuff. Rather than waste time sorting through it all she’d figured it was easier to take a bunch with her. She could decide what she wanted to wear later.
Raina won’t mind you borrowing it. Especially since it’s for a cause she supports.
Ridley snorted, remembering her sister’s words. No, Raina definitely wouldn’t have any problem with her taking so much if it meant she was seducing Jackson. This was what her scheming sister had been hoping for the entire time!
“Okay, I think that’s the last of it.” Matt bounded down the stairs. “I thought Mara had a lot of crap. Girls are crazy. How many pairs of shoes does one person need?”
“Well, I figured it was better just to bring a bunch. You know, just in case.”
“In case of what? A shoe emergency?” Matt stepped back when she swiped at him. “Okay, okay. I know better than to question female logic. If you don’t need anything else, I have to meet Nick. He’s taking me to look at condos.”
“I’m pretty sure I’ve got it all.” She leaned out the open front door and waved at Mara. “Thanks again. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
She watched as they walked across the lawn and then stopped next to a car pulling in. Nick got out and exchanged a handshake with Matt before continuing toward the house.
Great. Just what I need right now.
Nick had hated her practically on sight. The last thing she needed was to see him while she was still all dolled up in her “Raina-wear”. He’d probably make fun of her or, better yet, accuse her of trying to seduce his brother. Although she had no defense against that claim if he did. She was definitely trying to seduce his brother. An evil grin pulled the edges of her lips as he walked up.
“So you’re dating my brother now? And you’re what? Moving in?” Nick charged up the steps and grabbed her by the arm.
“Hey, what are you doing?” Ridley tried to yank her arm from his grip but he tightened his hold until it almost hurt.
“I’m taking you in the house. You and I are going to have a talk.”
* * * * *
NICK HAD TRIED to stay out of it, he really had. He was on guard and Elliott was still searching for information. He’d thought they could be alert enough on Jackson’s behalf.
But when he’d driven up to his brother’s house and heard that Jackson was taking Raina on a date, the control he thought he’d mastered snapped.
He grabbed her by the arm, ignoring her gasp of outrage. She was a master at playing it up, pretending to feel things she really didn’t. No one knew that better than he did, yet he still relaxed his grip a bit as he dragged her across the threshold and into the house.
“I knew you were a bitch, but I didn’t think even you were that cold.”
He advanced on her, walking forward until she was backed up against the wall. She was tall for a woman but she still had to look up to meet his eyes. He stilled, surprised at the sheen of tears in her eyes. Raina didn’t cry. Ever. The impact was almost enough to make him back down.