Читать книгу Unexpected Destinies - Constance Ruth Clark - Страница 10
ОглавлениеChapter 6
Nick tapped his pen impatiently on his knee as he waited for Steve to pick up. The members of the team he’d put together to find the “Model Killer” were all off on different assignments but he’d definitely hit the jackpot. He hadn’t expected to be invited, however reluctantly the invitation had been given, to one of the biggest shows for models in New York City, but he was pleased. First of all it was a great way to really get to know what type of people surrounded models and second he’d have another chance to see Jayne and maybe get her to warm up to him a little.
He smiled as he thought about Jayne’s reaction to his invitation. She’d been so mad that he’d seen her in that lingerie set, she hadn’t been able to hide it. By the time she’d turned around after making a point of showing off her backside, he’d managed to get his reaction under control. It was a good thing Faye had been distracted by her entrance too, or she’d have seen his jaw drop.
So much for being unaffected.
All this time he’d thought he was over her but one look at that curvy bottom in the thong she’d been wearing he’d realized he hadn’t. He was still a little hurt that she hadn’t believed him all those years ago. It was obvious from the way she had reacted to him she still hadn’t forgiven him.
Her loss.
“Hey man, what’s up?” Steve’s voice interrupted his thoughts.
“Steve, I need your help with some interviews,” Nick grinned as he thought about his partner’s reaction when he found out who they were interviewing.
* * * *
“Ten minutes everyone.” Jayne glanced up at the sound of the show’s director’s booming voice over the chaos in the holding area where the girls were getting ready for the show.
“Hey.” Her heart stopped at the sound of his voice and then started racing wildly. Taking a deep breath she turned and flashed a big smile his way.
“Hi Nick.”
She clenched her jaw to keep her smile in place when he looked appreciatively at her costume. Well, what there was of it. A rich purple skimpy thong and push up bra certainly enhanced what she had.
Nick cleared his throat and seemed to make a point of making eye contact.
Guess my ‘pig’ comment yesterday hit home.
“Jayne, you look…ahem…fantastic.”
Was that a blush? Genuine amusement made her laugh at his attempts to appear unaffected by her attire.
“Thanks.” Jayne decided he was trying to be professional and the least she could do was do the same. “I still have to have my wings attached.”
“Wings?”
“Yeah, you know, the Vanessa’s Closet Fairies?”
“Ah, right.” Nick nodded as if he understood what she was talking about.
“Haven’t you ever watched a fashion show before, Detective?”
“Afraid not.”
Jayne laughed at his expression as he tried to avoid looking at anyone below the neck. Models were running around in all stages of undress and considering that this was a lingerie show when they were dressed, they weren’t wearing much.
“Nick.” They both turned as a stocky older man who wore his good looks like comfortable old clothes, approached them with a big grin on his face.
“Jayne, this is my partner, Steve.” Nick introduced Steve as he stopped in front of them. Steve had no problem checking her out and eyed her with appreciation.
“Hi ya, Jayne,” he said with a grin. “So you’re the model friend of Nick’s little sister, hun?”
Was that the story he was telling?
“Apparently,” she said dryly.
“Jayne, your wings.” She turned to find her assistant and another man holding a giant pair of white wings covered with feathers. She knew from experience the harness was going to pinch, but they would look fantastic.
“If you boys will excuse me.” She lifted her arms so Shelley and her helper could attach the wings to her arms.
This was the reason she’d worked out like a she-devil for the past three months. She grunted as the weight of the wings settled on her shoulders.
“Damn, that has to be at least forty pounds,” Steve sounded impressed.
“Wanna try it on?” Jayne offered what she hoped was a saucy grin. She watched Nick out of the corner of her eye to see if he was impressed with her flirting. Nope.
“It looks better on you, sugar than it ever would on me,” Steve grinned back. “Besides I doubt I could get that harness get up over my big ass shoulders.”
“I love big muscles on men,” Jayne batted her eyes, laying it on thick.
“Steve, did you have any luck interviewing the other models around here?” Nick cut in, looking annoyed.
“Uh…yeah, yeah I did,” Steve didn’t stop grinning at Jayne. “Good stuff, should really help a lot in our investigation.”
“So did I.” Apparently Nick was going to pretend she and Steve weren’t flirting. Maybe he knew his partner wasn’t really her type.
“Hey Nick!”
Charlene, a hot redhead who Jayne knew was recently single, came up behind him and tapped his shoulder.
“Oh, hey,” he turned toward her with a smile and Jayne’s jaw clenched. “You look amazing.”
Charlene twirled around in front of him, showing off her hot little black and gold costume complete with gold heels and wings.
“What do ya think?” she asked, looking at him from underneath her eyelashes.
“You’ll knock ‘em dead out there,” Nick said. “Thanks for helping me earlier, by the way.”
“Anything for you, Nick,” Charlene blew him a kiss as she minced away.
“Relax doll, he’s not into her,” Jayne startled at the whisper in her ear from behind and turned to see Steve grinning at her.
“It wouldn’t matter to me if he was,” she snapped. “I knew coming here to ‘interview’ girls was just an excuse to meet chicks.”
“For me maybe, but Nick? Nah.” Steve shook his head.
Jayne watched as Nick chatted with a few more of the girls. He was easily one of the best looking men there, even if he wasn’t a model. Something about his rugged looks were far more appealing to women than the polished look of the male models. He seemed completely unaware of the effect he had on them even though they flocked around him like bees to honey.
“Whatever.” Jayne decided she’d enough of watching him make a fool out of himself, and turned away.
“What have you got against Nick?” Steve was staring at her like she was an idiot.
“I just know what a pig he is, that’s all.”
“Wow, lady, you may be beautiful, but you’ve got a serious chip on your shoulder.” Steve shook his head and backed off.
Jayne turned her back on them and focused on getting ready for the show. Shelley stepped up behind her to help her adjust her wings.
“Seriously Jayne, what’s with you?” she said softly, her voice difficult to hear amid the chaos. “I’ve never seen you act like that before.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Jayne denied, upset to think that her feelings about Nick were that obvious.
“Places everyone!”
The chaos intensified as the models lined up, ready to go out and strut the catwalk.
“I’ll see you later.” She turned from her place in line when she felt a touch on her shoulder.
“Aren’t you going to watch the show?” Jayne’s heart was pumping from the adrenaline rush she always got just before a big show. “You have front row tickets.”
“Oh I’m going to use them.” Nick grinned. “I just wanted to say thank you now, in case I don’t get a chance to see you later.”
“I’m sure someone here will love to see you later.” She couldn’t believe she’d just been so rude, but years of almost hating him for the pain she’d gone through when she’d found him naked underneath her former best friend found a way to the surface. She ignored the confusion in his eyes and the hurt that followed as he understood her meaning.
“Bye Jayne.” His tone was considerably harder and he turned abruptly and walked off.
As she stomped the runway, flashing her smile and personality with the best of them, Jayne told herself she didn’t care. But during the entire show she looked for Nick everywhere. When she finally saw him, he was with another girl, smiling and obviously having a great time. He hadn’t changed at all.