Talking Dirty With the Player(42)

Good things always were.

…

Judith checked the time on her phone. Caleb still had five minutes before he was officially late. Plenty of time for him to arrive.

She tried to ignore the weird mixture of excitement, anticipation, and fear that sat in her gut and looked around the restaurant instead. Down on Auckland’s waterfront, it was a popular spot with its views of the harbor and the busy port. It was also a regular celebrity hangout, the lunchtime crowds already dotted with a few famous faces.

It was very much Caleb’s kind of place. A place to be seen. Very Abs of Steele.

She shifted in her seat, uncomfortable with the thought. She and Caleb were supposed to be meeting to discuss scheduling the photo shoots, and when he’d suggested that they meet for lunch, she’d gone along with it.

More than gone along. You were excited.

Okay, yeah, she had been excited. And nervous. And afraid.

She hadn’t seen him since he’d left her studio a couple of days ago and at first she’d been good with that. She’d needed some space away from his distracting presence, some time to deal with what had happened between them. Still, she hadn’t been able to stop thinking about him. Or wanting him.

And then the flowers had arrived. Not the usual bouquet of roses but a slender crystal vase with a single magnolia bloom in it. The note with it had said:

Take all the time you need. I’m still here.

That had cracked her heart a little. Both because he’d remembered she’d always loved magnolias and because he’d listened to her need for some space. And also because it seemed to indicate that what they’d shared in her studio meant something to him.

A commotion near the door brought her head up from her contemplation of the view out the window. And then there he was, striding through the restaurant, all dark, sexy charisma and lean, athletic grace. Heads turned, as he threaded his way through the tables toward her. He didn’t look anywhere but at her.

A burst of excitement coursed through her and she realized she was clutching her napkin in a death grip.

For God’s sake, chill out.

But she couldn’t. Not when his dark eyes roved hungrily over her like a man about to lose his sight.

“I hope I’m not late,” he said as he sat down. “I had a meeting with the club but I bailed early so I could get here on time.”

“No, you’re not late.” God, she sounded as breathless as a teenage girl. How embarrassing. “In fact, you’re early.”

He grinned and her stupid heart did a neat little back flip. “I’m off to a good start then. You liked the flowers, huh?”

And now she was blushing like a fool. Wonderful. “Yes. They were beautiful.”

“Not quite as beautiful as you.”

“Okay, enough already.”

He laughed. “I know, I know. Keep it professional right? Did you get my email about the photo shoots?”

Professional, yes. That’s what this meeting was about. Still, she couldn’t help feeling a slight prick of disappointment that he could move so smoothly into it while she was sitting there feeling like a million ants were moving under her skin.

He was giving her time. Giving her space. Which she’d asked for. And that would be fine, if only her stupid libido wouldn’t keep leaping ahead of her emotions.

“Yes.” She picked up her phone and began scrolling through it to find the file he’d sent her with the schedule on it. “It looks great.”

“And you’re okay with going to each person’s location rather than doing it all in the studio?”

Slowly she put her phone down. This was the one thing she was still having trouble letting go. But then when Caleb had made her look at that shot she’d taken of him with the kid—really looked at it—she’d known he was right. Studio shots just didn’t have the same energy. Breaking out of the safety of her studio would be tough, but she’d do it. The success of the calendar depended on how good those shots were and she wouldn’t settle for anything less than great. “I think so.”

His grin changed, became a smile. “They’ll be great, Jude. Don’t doubt yourself. Because I don’t.”

Warmth uncurled inside her. Doubting anything was difficult when he smiled at her like that. “Okay,” she said, unable to stop herself from smiling in return. “I won’t.”

Maybe this wasn’t so bad. Maybe she could start to trust.

He was like this before, remember? Sweet and caring. And then he left you. Just like Mum.

Jude ignored the snide voice in her head. Ignored the small curl of doubt that dug a hole inside her heart and nestled right in.

She’d promised him another chance so that’s what he’d get.