Page 16 of Most Likely to Score
“Meow,” he says, brandishing his hands as claws. His huge hands. My mind flickers briefly to how those hands would look wrapped around my waist. They’reso big, they’d cover me, hold me, dig into my hips. A ribbon of heat unfurls in my body, and I can feel my cheeks flush.
“You okay? You just thinking about me and all the pussycats?” he asks with a wink.
God, I’m thinking about him making me purr, and it’s filthy. It’s wanton. The way my body reacts to him is dangerous.
I need to keep my head in the game. “I am. I have some great shots planned. We’ll do them all in the Bay Area to support local rescues. It shouldn’t take up too much time. Probably a week or ten days, and it would end shortly before training camp begins.”
“Sounds perfect. I only have one stipulation.”
My heart sags. There’s always a catch. “Sure. What is it?”
“We need to take one of the pictures at the Miami Humane Society.”
“That’s in Florida,” I say, after a beat.
“It is?” he asks in mock surprise.
“Jones,” I chide.
“I had no idea where it was located. Are you sure it’s in Florida?”
“Ha ha.”
“Where is Florida? Is that all the way on the other side of the country?”
I sigh playfully and then hold up my hands in surrender. “Why do you want to—?” Then I remember. “Cletus is a hurricane dog.”
Last year, Jones helped one of the local rescues thathad taken in animals evacuated from shelters during the big hurricane. He’d donated time then adopted a dog.
“It would mean a lot to me if we could support the shelter where he’s from. I love adoption.”
I smile. Iknowwe’re not talking about the same type of adoption, but still, I say, “From one adoptee to another, I completely understand. Though China is a little further away than Miami.”
“Just a bit,” he says. “But I’m glad you’re here.”
“Me too,” I say, since California is home. I don’t know much about the city of Jingzhou where I was born, and that’s okay with me. My white American parents adopted me when I was nine months old, so I’ve been raised as a California woman. But with an appreciation for her Chinese roots—something my parents tried to instill in me by staying connected with other families who had adopted children from China. They went to lots of events and get-togethers with other adoptive parents, so I got to know other adopted kids, and many of their parents often tried to bring some cultural traditions into the home.
Maybe that’s similar to the appreciation Jones has for his Irish roots? That even though he’s told me he hasn’t spent time there, he tried to connect to it when he can. Perhaps.
Then, Jones smiles, that same winning grin he flashed in the studio.
Of course, this also means I’ll be traveling with Jones. Across the country. Alone.
And I’m not sure my libido will be able to take it.
The top floor of Nordstrom in Union Square is packed. The sleek black chairs are filled with sharp-dressed women in pretty blouses, trendy skirts, and hip slacks. Some men are here, too, their form-fitting button-downs and designer jeans making it clear they’re visiting to buy for racks in their stores.
My friend Katie grabs two seats reserved for her in the second row from the front. She’s a buyer for a chain of upscale boutiques, and she snags invites to all the private shows put on for those inside the industry. Since I have a long-standing love affair with clothes, I’m the lucky duck who accompanies her from time to time.
“I’m dying to see the new Angel Sanjay line,” Katie whispers as she tucks her blond curls behind her ears. Her fair complexion is glowy, and her blue eyes are mischievous by nature. I’ve known Katie since college. She’s from Texas, but moved to California in high school, so her Texas twang is all gone. “He has the best work clothes that make you look hot, but not risqué.”
“Always a plus with work clothes,” I say, tucking my purse under the chair. “Plus, we’re going shopping after this, right?”
Katie rolls her eyes. “Obviously.”
“I’m dying to get a new outfit. Because . . . new outfit.”
She waves away that nonsense. “There is never a need to justify the purchase of a new outfit.”
