Page 5 of Tell Me Something

“I don’t smoke,” I said directly, looking at Josh. I didn’t care who he was or how appealing he looked. I wanted to make it clear that this was not an option.

“Fine, leave it burning for a couple shots then,” he relented.

I was mollified and Bart took the first few pictures.

“Good, now put your legs up on the other chair there, relax back as if you’ve come here a million times and hold the cigarette up in your right hand. You’re not smoking it, but if you could appear like you are for a shot or two?”

I picked up the offending cigarette and heard Josh laugh as he started toward me.

“No, hold it like this.”

As much as the idea of holding a cigarette was offensive to me, his nearness was making it worth it.

“Good,” he commented, going back as Bart snapped a couple more.

Standing above his camera, Bart paused. “That’s great, Haylee. Take a break and go on over to the bar. I need a moment to think of what I want to do there.”

Sighing, I went over to the bar and lay down fully, flat on the polished surface. Looking up at the ceiling, I enjoyed the small rest. But then I smoothed down the dress and propped myself up on my elbows to steal a glance over at Josh, who was simply staring at me. The intensity of his gaze robbed the air from my lungs until his voice broke the trance.

“Stay there, Haylee. Look toward me. Now raise your legs up and cross them,” he encouraged. Obviously happy with my accidental pose, he directed Bart to take some pictures.

“Excellent.” After a few more shots, they called a wrap.

All of the tension left my body as I hopped down and returned with Trisha to get back to myself.

MY FACE WAS FRESHLY SCRUBBED with minimal makeup when I came out from the dressing room back to the rooftop, where the hotel staff was busy rearranging everything back to normal. It was a relief to be rid of the false eyelashes and heavy cosmetics and back in my business attire. While everyone was busy, I found Bart packing up his equipment.

“So, did it go all right?” I asked.

The older man smiled kindly and took my hands. “It went beautifully, bella. Here’s my card. If ever you want to model again, you call me, okay?” He beamed, kissing both my cheeks while I blushed at the unexpected compliment.

Bracing myself, I watched Warren stalk over. He was all business.

“Okay, Haylee, dress up is over. Go get Legal on the phone to see if they have the necessary documents drawn up so I can get this Katrina mess behind us.”

Giving him a curt nod and Bart a small wave, I acknowledged it was time for me to get back to reality.

While I was finishing up the call with the general counsel’s assistant, I saw Warren give Bart an annoyed look. I knew instantly that they were in some sort of discussion that was not going my boss’s way. Not a good sign when they walked towards me.

“The general counsel said he can meet with you at ten o’clock on Monday, Mr. Carlyle. He has the contract in hand—” I started after hanging up the phone.

“To use your photos, we need your signature,” Warren interrupted. “It’s just a formality since you were posing instead of Katrina. Call Legal back, get the release drawn up, and get it signed before you leave the office tonight.”

It had been a long day, and I’d been hoping to catch a cab home from here, but it was evident that I’d have to make my way back Downtown to the office after all. “Certainly, I’ll call them right back.”

Josh walked up, once again with those eyes on me. “I want to thank you for stepping in today, Haylee. Did Warren talk about your fee?”

Shifting uncomfortably, I looked at my boss, who was obviously caught off guard.

He attempted to answer, only to have Josh hold up his hand to stop him. Josh glanced back at me with an intense expression.

“Uh, we hadn’t discussed it yet, but he did mention the release. I’ll make sure I have that signed by the end of the day, Mr. Singer.” I looked between them, unaware of what was causing the tension.

Josh gave me a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “I think forty thousand is fair, don’t you, Warren?”

My jaw almost dropped open.

Warren lips pursed. “Yes, yes, of course I was about to bring that up. Please make sure Tom includes that fee in your release package. That is all.” He effectively dismissed me.