Their Divine Doctor(Divine Creek Ranch 9)(36)
Emma thought about that for a moment and knew she could do with a full makeover. It didn’t have to mean getting rid of who she was, but she definitely needed help in the style and poise department. “Whole hog,” she replied decisively.
“All right. I have connections that can help.” Grace slipped her phone out and started dialing.
Oh, shit! What have I gotten myself into?
* * * *
The next day after work, Emma checked the clock in her phone as she pulled up in front of the white house set back amongst thick shade trees in the older residential neighborhood.
Rachel and Grace had suggested Emma visit their friend Camilla O’Neal, who was an assistant manager at The Dancing Pony. Prior to taking that job, she had worked her way through college as an exotic dancer at a club in Morehead.
Camilla didn’t broadcast that part of her life far and wide, but she did offer private striptease and pole-dancing lessons to interested women.
“You can do this, Emma Guthrie. If you can skinny-dip and have outdoor-in-broad-daylight sex, you can certainly handle shaking your booty a little.”
She stepped from her vehicle, checking her bag to make sure she had all the things she’d been asked to bring. Trying to imagine herself moving like a stripper, she somehow managed to trip over her feet as she walked up the shady sidewalk to the front porch. Who in the hell am I kidding? Heat stole over her cheeks, but she took the last few steps with determination.
The doorbell echoed inside the house, and a few seconds later a gorgeous, petite strawberry blonde answered the door. She had to be at least nine or ten inches shorter than Emma. Soft music played in the house as Camilla held open the screen door for her.
“Hi, Emma. I’m Camilla. Don’t look so worried. I’ll have you gyrating and grinding in no time.” She had a twinkle in her eye and an easy smile that helped put Emma at ease as she stepped into the living room.
Emma said, “Gosh, I hope so because I’m as clumsy as I can be.” Please don’t let me break my ankles wearing the hooker heels in my bag.
Camilla giggled and replied, “No more talk like that. You just have to find your rhythm, that’s all. You’ve probably been trying to fit into somebody else’s idea of what is sexy. It’s time to find out what works for you. I’m glad you wore something comfy and easy to take off.”
Emma’s eyebrows shot up at that comment, and Camilla giggled playfully. “What? That’s part of it. You want to learn how to get out of your clothing in a way that has your men’s jaws hanging open and them begging for more, right?” she asked encouragingly, like the only answer to such a question was “Yes!”
She pictured Gage with his intense green eyes riveted on her, ready to pounce, and Duke’s sensual gray gaze as he watched her peel off each layer. A little seed of confidence began to grow inside of her. “Yes, I do!”
Camilla beckoned her and said, “Then come on back to my studio and we’ll get started.”
* * * *
Late September…
Duke stood at the living room window watching the activity below. “There they go again, Gage. What do you suppose is going on downstairs?” Duke asked as he observed Summer Heston, Maya Warner, Rachel Wolf, and Camilla O’Neal carry another round of full black trash bags to the back of Rachel’s SUV.
Their apartment complex was built on the outskirts of Divine. A pecan tree orchard was located on one side, an open pasture was on the other side, and across the road was a field used for growing hay. Parked on that side of the street was a faded, blue van. It had been there when he’d seen the girls take out the first load of bags.
“She just moved in,” Gage said as he looked over Duke’s shoulder. “What could she be clearing out already? Was that blue van there earlier?”
“Yes. I don’t recognize it. Someone was looking at the vacancy in the other building. Maybe it belongs to them.”
Emma had been tied up for a couple of weeks working on a special project and had promised that she would be ready for their big evening out, which wasn’t until that weekend. They had asked her in advance so she’d have time in case she wanted to shop for a nice outfit.
“I think she’s planning something,” Duke said. “She sounded bubbly on the phone earlier.”
“I miss her.”
“I do, too. Want to hit up Jelani and Marcario? They’re back in Toronto for a couple of weeks before leaving for the Congo.”
Gage sighed. “Cool. I guess. For some reason Call of Duty doesn’t appeal to me lately.”
Duke stepped away from the window. “I know. Me too.”