February (Calendar Girl #2) (11 page)

Then one of them came forward with the red paint. “No!” I pushed a hand out. “I told you, Alec. I needed to speak to you. About the money that appeared in my account yesterday?” I gritted my teeth and waited for him to look at me. He didn’t. Instead, he fussed with his camera, the lighting, yelled out commands until finally he answered me.

“
Oui
, I had it done yesterday,” he said absently while looking through the lens of his camera.

“Why?”

“Place your hand into your panties, close your eyes and pretend you’re having fun with yourself.”

“Excuse me?”

Alec sighed and his jaw clenched tight, the muscle at the corner beating a rapid tempo. “Pay attention, Mia. We have…”

“We have much to do, yeah I know,” I growled in response. “I’ve heard that a time or two before.”

His gaze flicked to mine like a bullet from a rifle, his eyes narrowing. “Then you know I am on a short deadline. The exhibit is in one week, there are two more paintings to be done. This one and one more I have yet to visualize. Now what is your problem? I sent the money, you received it,
oui
?”

“Yes, Alec, but…” I looked around. There were at least ten people hanging around, which was unusual for a racy photo day. He usually did those in private. “I want to talk to you alone.”

“And we will, once these photos are done.”

With a sigh of resignation I nodded and did what he said. Only the pictures weren’t working, which made him a bear to deal with. Eventually, he kicked the staff out.

“Today has been a waste,” he said, anger dripping from his lips. His long artist’s fingers went into his hair and he tugged at the tie that held the massive mane of hair back, allowing it to fall forward. Alec paced and mumbled in French.

“Well what did you expect? You want me to finger myself in front of a room full of people, not to mention while I’m pissed at you?”

He stopped pacing, his head jutting back, his hands going to his hips. Almost reminded me of a chick. A hot, manly chick, but the hands-on-hips thing was a total girl move.

“And what have you got to be mad about?” His tone was laced with piss and vinegar. It ruffled my feathers just enough to rekindle the fire that I’d kept banked for the last couple hours.

I leaned up and crossed my legs. “You paid me for sex, that’s the problem!”

He sucked in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “And you’re upset with this? Why?”

“I’m not you’re whore! That’s twice today a man has treated me like I was their fucking whore. I didn’t have sex with you because of the money! Jesus Christ, why are men so dense?!” I screamed into the open room. The sound echoed off the walls louder than I intended. He cringed.

“We had sex. Your contract states you are to receive twenty percent more for taking off your clothes, and/or having sex.”

Groaning, I stood up and walked right up to him. “I thought you were making love to me?” I spat.

“I did. We were. Unfortunately, the eyes of the law might not see it that way.”

“The eyes of the law see that as prostitution! The rule was one of those unwritten things you just do to skate the law with. Jeez.”

“Then unwrite it from your contract. Ms. Milan has the item as an add-on note. No, it isn’t written in the fine print, but your enforcer ensures you receive it. Plus, you did get naked many times for the art. The fee is owed to you for that alone. Now, you tell me how I should take that,
chèrie
? Hmm?

My shoulders slumped and my head fell down. Shit. It wasn’t his fault. He wasn’t doing anything wrong; he was following what he thought were the rules. It was official; I was an idiot.

At that point, he could have berated me, made me feel worse than I did, but he put his long, strong arms around me and held me while I wallowed in my own self-pity. It wasn’t the men that had me believing I was a whore. It was me. My own insecurities had crept up and wreaked havoc on my psyche.

“I’m sorry.”

“Shhh, it’s okay. I can imagine this is hard on you.”

Within the warmth of his arms I reasoned with myself. Told myself I knew what I was and what I wasn’t. No dollar bill, or misunderstanding, or even Millie would change that about me. I was a lot of things, a daughter, a sister, a friend, an actress of sorts, I was this man’s muse but I wasn’t a streetwalker, call girl, or a whore. A slut maybe, but
not
whore.

Comfortable with how I’d worked it out in my head, I kissed Alec with everything I had left in me. Once done, I leaned back, walked over to my spot on the floor and sprawled out. With a wicked gleam in my eyes I stuffed one of my hands into the space between my bra and breast. His tawny eyes twinkled against the bright lights as he watched me. I slid my other hand ever so slowly down my body. Alec scrambled up the ladder and grabbed his camera.

“Show me how selfish you can be with your sexy body,
ma jolie
.”

And I did. Closing my eyes I played my body as if he was touching me. Every move was made by his hands. Every sigh was for him, every moan swallowed by his lips.

My imagination did not fail to secure him the perfect picture.

Chapter 9

Hand-in-hand, Alec and I exited the warehouse. The sun shone bright, the wind blew against my hair, and the world opened up and greeted me. Hello world, I missed you.

“You realize this is the first time we’ve left the warehouse since I arrived, and I’m leaving in three days.”

Alec lifted my hand and placed a kiss on the top. “I didn’t, no,
ma jolie
. I’m sorry. I’ve been a terrible host.”

I laughed and swung his arm while we walked. “You had…”

“Much work to do,” we said in unison and then both chuckled.

“I am sorry
chèrie
. When I am focused, there is nothing but the work, food, sexual gratification and sleep.”

“The last of which you don’t get enough of,” I chastised. He didn’t. The man slept less than most insomniacs.

Holding his hand tighter, I turned to him. “So, where to?”

Alec had his hair back in his ever-present man bun. The sun made it look more red than brown and gold. Still incredible. He wore a thin, white, scooped necked thermal, and a pair of dark-wash jeans. A camera hung loosely around one shoulder. Alec Dubois was yummy. Manly, sexy, all that and a bag of the cheesiest potato chips. And I was the lucky girl that had his attention…for three more days.

“What do you want to do?” he asked.

I looked out over the Seattle streets and said the one thing any tourist would say. “Go to the Space Needle of course.”

He grinned. “Well that’s good. We have reservations there for dinner. For now, how about a surprise?”

“Sure.”

Alec hailed a cab and we were off. He gave a set of directions that meant nothing to me and I people-watched until our ride stopped. Alec paid the driver, got out and held the door for me. I stepped out and came to a standstill.

About twenty feet in front of me was a wooden sign with giant letters in a startling white that said “Zoo.” More specifically, “Woodland Park Zoo.”

“You’re taking me to the zoo?” I smiled wide.

“Why not? I haven’t been, and I’ve lived here for years.”

“No reason.” I lifted my hand and took his once more. “Let’s check out some animals.” I didn’t tell him that I’d never been to a zoo. Ever. That wasn’t a hot spot in Vegas and once my mother left, dad stopped doing family trips of any kind.

Turned out, I really enjoyed zoos. There was so much to see, hear, touch and explore.

“So far, what’s your favorite exhibit?” Alec asked while slinging an arm over my shoulder.

I shook my head. “So many to choose from. If I had to pick one I’d go with the Ocelots.”

“The feline?”

Nodding I continued. “I can relate to the female cat. They live a solitary life, they mate when they need to, care for their young, teach them how to hunt and then set them free.” Alec’s eyebrows narrowed into points, marring his beautiful brow. “Plus, they are beautiful. If I had to be an animal I’d pick that. They’re sexy as all get out!” I finished, trying to lighten the mood. “You?”

Alec twisted his lips. I’d hoped he wouldn’t dig for information about my reply. Now was not the time to open wounds. Now was the time for experiences, making lifelong memories, especially since I was leaving so soon.

“If I had to choose one, I’d go with the arctic fox.”

That seemed an odd choice. I would have taken him for a gazelle or something exotic sounding. “Okay, why?”

“Because they form lifetime monogamous relationships. I’ve always envied people who could do that. Now I see that a stunning creature like the fox does it and well…it just gives me hope.”

“Aw, Frenchie. You’re a softy underneath all that muscle,” I tapped his chest, reached up on tiptoe and kissed him. He wound his arms around my back and kissed me hard. That’s when I heard a click.

I looked over and noticed he’d pulled up his camera and took a selfie of us making out. “Cheesy. A selfie? You, an artist? Shocked!”

“How else was I going to capture this kiss forever in time?”

I thunked on his temple. “Use your noggin. Our time together, all there in your memory.”

“And now I have it captured on film.”

We spent the rest of the day roaming through the animal exhibits. I understood now what the attraction was. Families were everywhere roaming about. Made me miss Maddy. Had she ever been to a zoo? I made it a point right then to take her in the future. There were a lot of things that Maddy and I didn’t get to do growing up. I was going to rectify that. As soon as I got my dad off his loan shark “death row” and he was awake from his coma. Hell, maybe he’d want to go along. Doubtful, but it was possible.

***

Later that evening, the cab dropped us off at the entrance to the Space Needle. First stop was the observation deck. A three hundred and sixty degree view of what the natives called Emerald City. Couples and families dotted the walk. We found a little outcropping where we could easily see the sun setting over the landscape. Breathtakingly beautiful. I stood with my hands on the rails in front and just stared out at the glorious sight. A wave of clicking broke my concentration on the visual eye candy.

“What?” I grinned over at Alec. He came close, swept his hands into my hair and kissed me. It was a kiss to remember. Slow, soft and so warm it sent a current of desire zipping through my nervous system. He pulled away and set his forehead along mine.

“You are too precious. Too beautiful. Too much for any man to keep for himself. The man that does secure your love…forever…he will be
un homme très chanceux
.”

“What’s that mean?” I whispered against his lips then caressed his nose with mine.

His fingers dug into the wild strands of my hair, and he held me at the nape. His eyes were the color of golden bricks, the kind that should only exist in fairy tales. “It means, he will be a very lucky man. To have your love for all eternity will make him very rich.”

“Alec,” I shook my head then leaned into his chest, the safest place I could be right then.

“Oh
ma jolie
, how I will miss your love in my life.” He held me as tight as I was holding him. Possibly more. Even though I had a couple more days, this was the moment I’d remember through my entire life. The time where I realized that there were many different forms of love and it was okay to love those you give a piece of yourself to, even if they don’t deserve it. Alec, he definitely deserved it, and we’d always have this time.

We made art together, and we loved together, in our own way. And that is what would matter when I looked back on my life and the decisions I made in the past. As well as any I would make in the future. My time with Alec was special and I anticipated that as I continued on this journey, each client would add to the pattern of my life. 

“Come, let’s eat so we can go back home and I can ravish you for dessert!” He waggled his eyebrows then led me back to the elevator.

The dinner at the Skycity Restaurant was impressive to say the least. I’d had the jidori chicken that was coated with a scrumptious smoky mozzarella and bread pudding. It was to die for! Alec on the other hand had the prime tenderloin. It had a bacon fondue type cheese that made my knees tremble. Over dinner we’d shared bites of our food, and finally a bit about our lives before “Love on Canvas.” Alec was surprised I had been raised in the desert. He didn’t ask me about being an escort or why I chose the profession, and for that, I was grateful. He focused more on my fledgling acting career and my interest in motorcycles. In return, I found out he’d moved to the States when he was in his early twenties but visited France after every major exhibition. He’d be leaving for his country a few days after I moved onto my next client.

Connecting with Alec on a level outside of our physical attraction was nice. I could see being friends with him after I left, though nowhere near the type of friend I considered myself with Wes. My surfer guy was in a class all his own.

***

Today was the day. The Alec Dubois “Love on Canvas” exhibition. The warehouse loft had been completely transformed for a gallery event, at least that’s what I was told. I was a bit nervous to see what people’s impression of his art was going to be tonight, mostly because I was the ongoing theme in the pieces. Once finished, he had seven canvases in all on display. He said there was one past the six I knew about, but he wanted it to be a surprise. Working on the last one had taken up most of his attention the last couple days.

We needed that separation knowing that tomorrow I was getting on a plane headed for Vegas, a departure that would take me out of Alec’s life…possibly forever. No one knew what the future would bring, just that there was no stopping it.

Millie had sent over my plane tickets to Vegas and the one-way ticket to Chicago where Anthony Fasano would be picking me up personally. My time in Seattle was running out. Less than twenty-four hours and I’d be on a plane home. Gin and Maddy were picking me up and taking me straight to Dad. I needed to see my old man.