Yes, indeed, Yvette had been right about needing those tissues!
Her stomach took another crazy tumble as Drake leaned down and whispered in her ear, “I like your scent.”
“I’m not wearing perfume.”
His grin was a devilish one. He could smell her arousal?
Shana tripped over her own two feet, but the man beside her caught her and kept her upright as he lifted her off the ground so she could regain her footing.
Lifted her off the ground!
His movements had been so fast she’d barely registered them in her mind as he’d untangled himself from her and placed his hands on her waist to upright her. Then he’d simply twined her hand around his arm again and they were off. As if the misstep had never happened.
She stared up at him as they moved farther into the work area set up backstage. He hadn’t missed a single step when he’d helped her, nor had he visibly expended the least bit of physical effort when he’d briefly hauled her up. Granted, she wasn’t the size of a dump truck, but she had a good forty or so pounds on Jane and she was at least six or seven inches taller at five-ten. Well, an even six feet in her heels.
While her mind reeled at Drake’s virility and the way he made her feel as delicate as Jane looked, he said, “Careful there. The floor gets slippery from the fresh body paint.”
How kind of him to help her save face.
But her face flushed anyway, because she’d all but forgotten they were supposed to be on a tour. She’d tuned out the models in various stages of undress as they came and went. She’d pushed all of her interview questions to the back of her head. In fact, she was tongue-tied all over again.
Not that it mattered. Jane dove into a dissertation about the murals that would be on display in less than half an hour.
She said, “The artists sketch out their scenes so the models know the exact placement beforehand. Behind these curtains,” she paused as she gestured toward the workstations made private by the addition of full-length drapes attached to metal rods suspended from the open rafters and comprising individual, rectangular structures, “the models relax and enjoy champagne and music while they’re painted. For their safety, Drake typically doesn’t allow anyone back here who’s not directly associated with one of the murals. For their privacy, he doesn’t allow security to view the footage inside the stages before or after the murals ‘go live’. We videotape from every angle, of course, but only Drake has access to the footage, should something go wrong. We’ve never encountered any problems, though.”
She leaned in close as her hand rested on the small of Shana’s back. A whisper of a touch that was surprisingly titillating.
Jane added in a self-deprecating, yet teasing voice, “I tried to sneak a peek once and got my hand slapped.”
Shana couldn’t help but laugh. “I’m sure the temptation is difficult to resist. There’s a certain curiosity factor related to what goes on back here.”
“See?” she said as her gaze snapped to Drake. “I told you it was perfectly normal to want to see how some of these people get it on. Especially with the more creative murals.” Her eyes fell on Shana again and she winked. “Nothing wrong with a little curiosity. It’s healthy.”
“That’s probably not something you should admit to our guest, love,” Drake said. “She might tell on us.”
“Ah, according to Jane,” Shana jumped into the conversation, “there’s nothing to tell. You won’t let her have any fun.”
She smiled up at the handsome devil next to her. Where the flirtation in her voice had come from, she had no idea. She’d never heard such a sultry sound fall from her lips. Nor had she ever put together a provocative statement with such ease.
If she’d had something to drink earlier, she might think she’d been served some sort of miracle cure that actually made her come across somewhat lighthearted and composed.
Not one to push her luck, she returned her attention to the fine art of walking without stumbling in front of her hosts again.
But Drake’s head bent to hers once more and he said in his deep, sexy tone, “I suppose I could break the rules this one time. The models sign a waiver acknowledging they’re being videotaped.”
A very wicked thrill shot down her spine so fast, Shana nearly missed a step again. Even with her concentrated effort.
“You really believe all of the models succumb to primal mating instincts because they’re naked and the opportunity presents itself?”
He grinned down at her, making her feel as though she’d actually posed a relevant question. Surprise, surprise.