The Millionaire’s Ultimate Catch Page 13

  “Let’s go find him before he loses us or his way.” Naomi followed the path that she saw Lorenzo head down.

  The foliage wasn’t friendly, with large, protruding tree trunks and thick, mossy underbrush that was slippery.

  “Lorenzo?”

  “Over here.”

  Naomi turned toward the sound of his voice. She and Martha climbed over huge boulders and stood looking down at a serene paradise. A small river snaked through the land adding its own decorative power. Too bad the sounds of the environment weren’t going to be recorded. The thrilling tweets of the birds, along with the lazy winding fall of the water against the rocks and general calls of the wild would fit an audio track for outdoor listening pleasure.

  Lorenzo snapped several photos with and without her. Martha stepped in to provide her input. Together they managed to get samples of satisfactory shots. More important, she enjoyed every painstaking minute of the process.

  “Tomorrow, you may not be smiling at the end,” Martha warned as they made their way back to the house.

  “She’s not kidding. I’ll be very exact. My crew will probably want to toss me off a cliff. You may want to quit.”

  “I’m a big girl. I don’t tend to buckle under pressure.”

  “Cool. That’s what I like to hear.”

  They blasted the radio and sang at the top of their voices. Naomi couldn’t believe how her life had changed in a short space of time. Playing Superwoman certainly had its rewards.

  Zack waited on the porch rocking in one of the many chairs. Dinner was done. The crew had eaten and headed back to their quarters. Now he waited for Naomi. He would finally have her to himself. They could have a candlelit dinner before he scooped her into his arms.

  He heard the van before it turned into the driveway. The music blared, but the sounds of their voices contributing to the din made him smile. Judging from their smiles, he suspected that they had a successful first day of test shooting.

  “I’m starved,” Naomi exclaimed. She ran up to him and kissed him squarely on the mouth.

  Heaven help him. Thank goodness for her sake there were witnesses to any acts of seduction.

  “Something smells fantastic.”

  “Help yourself. Your other crew members took their food and left.”

  “Why are you chasing them away?” Naomi whispered.

  “Only two options exist.”

  “A slow seduction without curious eyes. Or a public spectacle.”

  “I would test you, but I don’t trust you not to try and make a point. So I’m going for choice A.”

  Obviously, Lorenzo and Martha got the hint. They packed their plates with hot dogs, roasted corn on the cob and baked beans. With a cheery goodbye, they left.

  “I’ll lock up.” He headed for the front door.

  “I’ll clean up. Doesn’t look like much, since they used paper products.”

  Zack locked the doors and windows and then turned on the security alarm.

  “Are you sure you’re only trying to keep out the burglars?” She sashayed up to him. “Maybe you’re trying to keep me in.”

  “There are other ways to have you stay put.” He walked up behind her at the sink and twisted the blind closed.

  She arched her back against him, swinging her hips from side to side against his pelvis. He trailed a finger up her spine, enjoying the twitches of her body.

  His hands worked the muscles near her shoulder radiating outward to her arms. He loved touching her skin. Gently he laid his forehead against the back of her head, inhaling her smooth scent.

  She turned suddenly. Zack placed two small kisses on her chest.

  “Let’s head upstairs.” She moaned as his lips brushed her nipple.

  He lifted her against his chest. She wrapped her arms around his neck. With little effort, he mounted the stairs and headed upstairs to the master suite. He knew she hadn’t seen the rooms.

  Tonight only one room mattered.

  He placed her gently onto the bed but didn’t release her until he kissed her squarely on the mouth.

  “Do you want to see some of the lingerie?”

  “I won’t refuse, although I hold no promises that you’ll be wearing it for any length of time.”

  “Go away.” She waved him away. “I want it to be a surprise.”

  Zack took the wait time to clean up.

  “Ready.”

  He entered the room, now bathed in muted light. Naomi sat against the pillows in a soft beige silk lingerie with delicate lacing. Her skin glowed, the muscular, toned legs drawn up where she sat. She’d fluffed her hair into a wild mane framing her slender face. Lip gloss turned her mouth into a sexy pout.

  Zack took his time walking to the bed. He could have launched himself like a kid playing Superman to land on the bed next to Naomi. Instead he slowly unbuttoned his shirt and tossed it aside.

  She crawled on her knees toward him. That wicked smile made him want to melt.

  “I want to do that.” She brushed his hand aside from his pants. She kissed his stomach, smiling wickedly when the muscles crunched as his breath hitched. He balled his hands into fists to keep from grabbing her head.

  Her hands unfastened his pants and then unzipped the opening. Complete with a giggle, she bit her bottom lip while her hand slipped into his pants and cupped him.

  He was already aroused. Her personal attention solidified his commitment to the moment. When she eased her hand into his underwear, he jerked back.

  “Shh.” She attempted to soothe him but was having the opposite effect.

  His hands could no longer stay at his sides. He grabbed her arms to hold her still. He couldn’t take one more stroke against his arousal. He couldn’t survive her tongue addressing his stomach.

  “So you like what you see?” Naomi looked up at him.

  Zack released her arms. He took a step back, not too much because he didn’t want the air to cool the warmth that they generated between them.

  “You’ll be posing in this?”

  “Yep. Something along these lines.” She raised up on her knees. Her fingers slid the edges of the lingerie up her legs. The movement was slow, deliberate, teasing.

  Her quadriceps flexed and relaxed as she moved.

  The hemline continued its ascent until the apex between her legs made a bold presentation. He reached for her, but she scooted back, providing him with a broader view of the final treasure.

  She smiled, teasing him with her tongue brushing over her top lip. He rested his knee on the edge of the bed, trying to keep up with her game.

  On her back, she pulled up the hem to her hip.

  “Think you’re up to satisfying me?”

  “You’re kidding, right?” She had no idea what a dangerous game she played with him.

  Naomi straddled her legs open, drawing up one on top of the other. “I’m pretty hungry tonight. I’m just trying to make sure that you can take care of fulfilling any seconds.”

  Zack saw the flickers of desire radiate in Naomi’s face. Her body looked ripe for the plucking, and he was straining against his willpower as he watched her stroke the tender flesh between her legs.

  He grabbed her ankles and pulled her toward him. At the last minute, he flipped her over, enjoying the sight of her round buttocks facing him. He stroked the length of her legs, massaging her behind as she whimpered. Now it was his turn to stroke and cajole her body to respond for him.

  He kissed her bud, flicking her essence with his tongue. She cried out softly in the pillow. He stroked her gently, creating his own rhythm to stir her passion.

  Her moist state excited him further. But he wasn’t done taking her near the peak. His fingers took charge, slipping in to play with that mysterious spot that heightened her pleasure to epic levels.

  Her cries grew more intense and she rocked back and forth under his ministrations. He felt her tighten against his touch.

  Gently he turned her over and slid the lingerie completely off. Her breasts, pert a
nd aroused, cushioned his face. While he took her nipple into his mouth, he entered between her legs with a powerful thrust. She moaned and hooked her legs around his hips.

  Zack grabbed the sheets and continued thrusting in perfect match with Naomi’s grinding movements. He buried his head against her long neck. Her entire body had the power to arouse him.

  Her hands slid along his back. Her legs tightened around his hips. He sensed the proximity of her climax. Together they jumped headlong, tumbling and rolling through the waves of desire. Each wave roared in, growing stronger and more fierce.

  “I love you, Zack,” Naomi softly said.

  His eyes shot open. The release burst from him meeting hers halfway. The intensity brought difficulty, seeing, hearing and even breathing. His heart pounded in his head.

  Had he imagined it all?

  Chapter Twelve

  Zack looked over the top of the newspaper to spy. Naomi ate a small breakfast as she read through paperwork. All appeared normal. She’d kissed him when she came down to eat. Patted his behind with a devilish grin and grabbed a strip of bacon to munch on until everything was done cooking.

  Did his mind want to hear her utter those three words? Was it all one-sided on his part to play the role of a lovesick puppy?

  “Are you all set?” he asked, still trying to read her body language.

  “Yep. You are going to come this time.”

  “Sure. I don’t want to miss it.”

  “Plus I want your input.”

  “I don’t think the photographer wants me butting into his world. I wouldn’t appreciate it if the roles were reversed.”

  “You’ve got a point.” She set down her pen. “But since when did I play by the rules?” She stretched and yawned. “Chop-chop, get dressed.”

  Zack looked down at the T-shirt and pajama bottoms. The woman had him in a daze. Now he’d have to hurry.

  “Here come the rest of the crew.”

  “You go with them. I’ll catch up to you.”

  “No, I’ll wait.”

  “Remember what I said about butting into other people’s business. This is Lorenzo’s deal.”

  “Okay.” She opened the back door for the crew, who piled into the kitchen. Naomi exclaimed when the breeze blew in, “It’s freezing out there.”

  “Temperature’s plummeted.” Lorenzo didn’t mince words.

  “And you want me to go sit on a rock and look like I’m one with nature?”

  “Yep.”

  Zack tried to hide his chuckle but failed miserably. “I’ll go get dressed and catch up with you.”

  “You’d better.” Naomi made a face at him.

  Zack headed upstairs for a quick shower. He did want to be on the shoot with Naomi. She’d shared her world with him with no hesitation. Knowing how hard she had to push to get him to open up, he felt guilty at the double standard.

  After a quick, hot shower, he dressed in a turtleneck and jeans and his boots. He’d felt the blast of cold air when he was sitting at the table. Considering how long they would be outdoors, he’d better insulate.

  He’d have to fight the urge to scold the photographer for keeping Naomi in the cold. She wasn’t the first model to deal with the elements for the perfect shot. But unlike other models, she was his woman. He felt the need to protect.

  Shortly the sound of the car pulling out of the driveway announced their departure. The house was eerily quiet. He did like having the boisterous company. Friends did matter. Family was important.

  He was ready to leave. Now he couldn’t find the car keys. All the usual places didn’t reveal anything. Maybe Naomi took them by mistake. He kept hunting, ending at the table.

  Naomi’s papers were still there spread out like a fan. He glanced at them as he patted around them for his keys. The papers were a copy of the insurance forms from a woman who made Naomi the beneficiary. The million-dollar policy had a paper clip attached to the top of the page. Next to the paperwork, a handwritten note was set aside.

  He didn’t read the note but couldn’t help wondering who the woman was. Naomi’s past was fuzzy. As he tried to recall what he knew, the only person who stood out prominently was her grandmother. He’d only heard about her ailing grandfather. But really no one else had gotten a mention by her.

  Maybe she didn’t want to share that part of her. How could he complain?

  He continued looking for his keys. He put on his coat to search on the porch. The minute he swung the coat over his shoulders, he heard the telltale jingle. He looped the key ring around his finger and then locked the house.

  “About time,” Naomi mumbled when Zack stepped out of the SUV. She shivered beneath the heavy down coat. The covering didn’t help. Cold was cold. The little space heater in the van no longer warmed her cold fingers and toes. Many of the shots were unusable because she clenched her jaw to keep from chattering.

  “How’s it going?”

  “I think we’re going to have to take to the indoors and hope that the temperature goes up a bit tomorrow.”

  “And if it doesn’t?” Naomi knew they had only planned to stay for two days.

  Lorenzo didn’t respond. The tip of his nose took on a pink hue. His cheeks were red. Even he shivered and he was covered from head to toe.

  Martha stepped into her view. “I need to touch up your makeup.”

  Naomi shrugged. She hadn’t done anything to wear off the thick layer of base.

  “You’ve got to think about something that warms you. Pick a place that represents paradise. The sun is beaming. The sand is hot under your feet. You want the sun to bathe your limbs. And you’re preening under the warmth. You want all your admirers to look at your long, graceful physique. You want them to desire you and soak you up like a tall glass of water for a thirsty man. You’re beautiful. You’re gorgeous. You’re sexy as hell.” She dabbed the lipstick brush in the palette and painted her lips. She looked over her shoulder. “Sensual, tasteful, provocative. Make Zack hot for you.” Martha snapped the compact shut. “Okay, Lorenzo, she’s ready.”

  “Damn, you’re good.” Naomi had begun to believe everything Martha said. Her cheeks even warmed at the thought of arousing Zack. Sure enough, the thought had banished the reality of the cool climate.

  Lorenzo nodded to his sister and moved the camera into place. He shouted a few directions to his crew. They moved around for the next round of shots.

  Naomi opened the coat and stepped out. She was ready. She kept Martha’s words in the forefront of her thoughts. As she moved into position, she found Zack standing behind Lorenzo. He was true to his word that he wouldn’t intrude on the other man’s space.

  She didn’t need him to intrude. Instead, she focused on his face, but not today when he looked pensive and preoccupied. She wanted the face of the man who touched her with the knowledge of how to please her. She sought the face of the man who could be romantic and tentative to assertive and intoxicating to her system. The man who made her last reserve crumble to admit her love in a strangled whisper.

  Naomi followed Lorenzo’s directions to curve her back, lower her jaw, relax her elbow, elongate her fingers, now arch her back, straighten her leg, no, the other leg.

  “Relax!” Lorenzo shouted. His camera hung from around his neck as though it had also quit with her latest performance.

  Naomi’s eyebrow shot up. She was trying her best. What did he want? She already felt like a rag doll.

  “Are you going to work me over again?” she said to Martha, who fussed with her hair.

  “You were doing fine and then suddenly you tensed up. Go back to the happy thoughts. Whatever you segued to isn’t going to win you any points with Lorenzo.”

  “I’m about to have a fit with your brother.”

  “I would say go for it, but from experience, I’d have to say that you’d lose the fight. He’s known to throw a B-fit, if you know what I mean.”

  “Well, from one B to another, let him bring it on.” Naomi marched toward the van. She
needed to sit in front of the heater. Lorenzo would have to wait.

  Lorenzo apparently wasn’t having it. He shouted more instructions to his crew. They madly scrambled toward the van with her.

  Lorenzo kept snapping. Nodding, pleased with whatever was happening. Naomi didn’t care, she sat in the driver’s seat and turned on the heat to full blast. She leaned back and closed her eyes imagining her entire body thawing.

  The whir of the camera sounded in her ear. She slowly opened eyes to see Lorenzo inches away from her cheek, the camera closing in even more.

  “Open your mouth slightly. Lick your lips so they’re moist.”

  She complied. The man was relentless.

  “Stare straight ahead.”

  Zack stood in front of the SUV grinning. His shoulders shook with his full-out laugh.

  Naomi fastened on that mouth and imagined biting on his lip before diving her tongue into his mouth. She wanted to erase that grin and make him groan under her control.

  “Yes, that’s the look I want.”

  Naomi blocked out Lorenzo.

  Zack in his black turtleneck with black jeans and black boots with his coat opened looked unforgettably sexy. She wanted to jump his bones right there in the van minus the crew. She broadcast her thoughts with all the telepathic powers she could muster.

  His smile grew smaller. His eyes narrowed. She saw him shift his stance. His nerves must have unsettled him. He nibbled at his lip and finally folded his arms across his chest, as if in effort to remain still.

  Naomi let a small smile curl and linger on her lips.

  “Okay, turn slightly.”

  She responded, not wanting to tear her gaze from Zack.

  “Cool. We got our shot.” Lorenzo straightened up. His characteristic lopsided grin was back in place. “Tomorrow we’ll go for some indoor shots. You were fantastic today.”

  All the bustle around her as the equipment was packed and loaded into the van nipped at the bubble she’d created between Zack and her. She saw him talking with Lorenzo, looking completely unaffected by all her hot thoughts. Well, at least it had been nice for her.