Page 63 of Hot Nights in Morocco
“Absolutely,” I say, laughing at the look of outrage on her face. “Jake can make a movie about it.”
That’s when it hits me. I’m going to miss Rachel. I’m going to miss everyone here, even the lechy camera department.
“You’re staring very intently at your cocktail,” she says, elbowing me gently. It’s as if she can sense my sudden melancholy “What’s it telling you? Are lemon pips a good omen or a bad?”
“Oh, definitely good,” I say, forcing a smile back to my lips.
“Except when they get stuck in your teeth. What else has mystic mojito got to say for herself, then?”
“Something about a tall, dark, and handsome producer, I can imagine,” drawls a voice, and Jake reappears next to me clutching two beers. “Do you mind if I borrow Charlie for a moment?”
“Not at all,” says Rachel, grinning at me. “I need a refill, anyway.”
“Here, have mine,” he says, handing her the beers.
Ensnaring me with the ghost of a wink, he takes my arm and leads me away to the other side of the courtyard.
“You’re very arrogant,” I say pointedly.
“And you’re exquisite,” he murmurs.
Oh, my.That tension is ricocheting between us again.
“Cassie’s on the warpath,” I tell him. “She’s looking for you, apparently.”
“She can look all she wants, but she’ll never find me.”
Have I?“Rachel says she has a story that she wants to leak to the press.”
“How thoughtful of her.” He doesn’t look quite so genial anymore. “Doing her bit for the movie’s PR, is she?”
“Could it be about us?”
He shakes his head. “I doubt it. Cassie has bigger fish to fry, or rather pan griddle with a slice of lemon. She doesn’t do empty calories, remember?”
I start grinning, despite myself. Jake doesn’t seem bothered by Cassie’s revelations. Perhaps I should do the same.
“I like it when you smile,” he muses suddenly. “It’s like you’ve run out of smart words to hide behind, and all that’s left is you.”
The ground falls away beneath my feet.
“And that dress isfartoo sexy for this wrap party,” he adds, trailing his gaze downward again. “The things I could do to you in it.”
“So you keep saying,” I mutter, yanking myself together. “By all means, go ahead. But I’m keeping my heels on.”
His eyes narrow to dark, enticing slits. “Are you trying to give me a heart attack? Okay, let’s liven this party up, shall we? Tell me exactly what you want me to do to you tonight. Tell meexactlywhat you’d like.”
“Now?” I’m shocked. It’s tricky enough to inhale clean air in this courtyard, let alone exhale my filthiest fantasies.
“Yes, now,” he says, savoring my discomfort like it’s a 2009 Chateau Latour.
“Fine. I’ll play your sordid little game.” I knock back the rest of my drink in one hit and glance about. Our closest neighbors are a couple of set designers necking like it’s going out of style.
“Well?” He’s tugging at my inhibitions like they’re my lingerie.
“I’m imagining us both naked,” I blurt out.
Jake tuts and shakes his head in disappointment. It’s a tepid attempt at talking dirty and we both know it. “Come on, you can do better than that. What would really make you wet?” He’s almost feral in his lust for me now.
