Best Fake Day (11 page)

She knew he had business to attend to, after all, that was why they were there, but a frown pulled in her newly plucked brow as she cast a glance at the clock.
Where is he?

Her camera had seen lots of action today and the landscape and scenery in Montepulciano kept her delightedly occupied as she pleasantly passed the hours away until it was time for her spa treatments. So now she was well fed after dining in her room and her skin still tingled from being plucked and waxed to within an inch of her life.

Her now soft hands, tipped with manicured nails, smoothed down the satin dressing gown she wore. Craning her head, she peeked at her toes as she arched her foot. Even they were looking pretty, with a delicate pink varnish shining on each buffed toe. Her body was ready, and her mind was more than ready. Especially as she had purchased more than one set of underwear from Rosa.

The underwear she’d bought to wear under her wedding dress was delicate and romantic but definitely sexy. The underwear she wore now, as she strained her eardrums for any sign of movement next door, was pure blatant sex. With each movement, each breath, the combination of silk and lace seemed to rasp over every sensitized needy area.

He wanted her, that was certain, but did he want her or simply needed sex? But she was willing to give him what he wanted, because she wanted it too. She needed to know if all of her yearnings for Jack had been justified. If he was an itch that would go away with the most intimate of scratches? All the yearnings she’d ever had over the years could finally be put to bed—in a spectacular way. And then they could go their separate ways and she could move on. Because he would never be Mr. Forever.

She sighed as she allowed her heavy eyelids to close. It wouldn’t hurt to rest them for just a moment. She stifled another yawn, thinking how crazy long this night was going to be.

* * * *

It was well after midnight when Jack finally reached his hotel room. He closed the door quietly behind him, knowing Izzy was in the bridal suite next to his room. There was no way he wanted to disturb her, for he knew if she opened her door he would be heading straight through it.

He’d stayed away for as long as possible. The business meeting had gone well and it seemed that the plans for the restaurant in Florence were going to be approved. He hoped to stray away from the nightclub life and wanted to now explore the hospitality trade of restaurants and hotels, but more than just a purchase he wanted to renovate. He’d studied architecture but when modeling became the means to an end he’d put his passions aside for financial gain. Yes, modeling and nightclubs had got him to where he was now and with huge financial success, but if reuniting with Izzy had taught him anything it was that sometimes one had to fight for his passions.

Except for the Izzy one.

Which was why he was in avoidance mode. He felt a pang of guilt. He had literally deserted her, though he knew she had plenty to keep her occupied. It was over an hour’s journey to the traditional Italian town of Montepulciano. It was a town rich in history with an abundance of lush greenery. Not only was it a stunning area, perfect for a fake wedding, but it was far quieter than Florence. He’d been here many times during his modeling days and knew if they were dressed and ready by dawn they would have privacy to get the photographs they needed.

He’d left a message for Izzy at the hotel telling her that he would be late and she was to explore the area if she wished and dine without him. Although the hotel was traditional on the outside it had its own beauty spa so he’d booked Izzy in for some treatments and for her hair and makeup to be done in the morning.

And now he was back to thinking of Izzy again.

He dropped back onto the bed, spread out his legs and yanked his shirt tails out from his trousers. His breath came out slow and steady until he felt the burn of his lungs emptiness. Why the hell hadn’t he booked his room further away?

It was gonna be a long night.

* * * *

Izzy heaved a fortifying breath as panic clutched at her insides.
I can do this, right?
It was just playing dress-up with an extremely handsome guy who heated her blood to boiling. Simple.

Wearing a dress that made her feel fantastic helped—if only in a small way.

She’d awoken to the cool breeze of the morning air buffering through the open balcony door and the awakening ray of the sun’s first light against her cheek. Disappointment cut through when she realized she’d fallen asleep, but that pang was soon overwhelmed by a stronger sense of relief. Yesterday, and indeed the erotic visions last night, had been nothing but the taunt of her dreams. If she had tried to seduce Jack his refusal would have made today too much to bear.

The repeated knock on the door sent the flurry of butterflies playing trapeze in her tummy scattering through her body, to her limbs, making her legs wobble as she took tentative steps and her hands tremble as she reached out to grip the door handle.

She felt ridiculously nervous but also an undercurrent of excitement bubbled to the surface, lifting her lips. The remnants of last night’s teasing dream added a rosy hue to the slant of her cheekbones that the self-inflicted chill of the shower hadn’t managed to disperse. The day may be fake, but her feelings were undeniably real.

Her breath released in a small puff as she caught sight of the vision she thought her mind had prepared for. She hadn’t. Not near enough. Her lips parted, her tongue jamming in her throat. He was the most stunning man she had ever seen. The black suit he wore fitted him with the perfection, hugged each muscle and sinew like a lover’s caress. His short, dark hair was neat but the glossy strands still invited touch. The faint shadow of his jaw added a ruggedness that kicked his masculinity up a notch more than Izzy thought possible.

But it was his expression that undid her resolve. Undoing her mental restraint faster than a stripper’s Velcro pants.

Every cell in her body shouted her desire.

The bodice of her dress suddenly seemed too tight as his eyes took on a silvery quality as his gaze swept over her completely unabashed. His lips curved in a smile that was as equally welcoming as it was wicked. A fire lit in her belly. Her breasts strained wantonly against her bodice. The sheer lace panel above the satin sweetheart bodice did little to conceal her from his probing gaze.

His gaze dipped lower, her ribcage tightening with the intake of her breath as he took in her narrow waist and moved on to the curve of her hips where the skirt of her dress flared out and fell in soft layers of chiffon like a waterfall’s end. She shifted her ivory satin-heeled feet as his intensity became too much and the urge to arch herself against him like a starving cat overwhelmed her.

But his eyes said he wouldn’t mind. Of course he wouldn’t. After all, this wasn’t the real Izzy. Treehouse Teen Izzy had been replaced by a pretender.

“You look beautiful, Bella,” he said, his tone husky.

Emotion squeezed her heart. It had been so long since he’d called her Bella.

He stepped into the room, his long legs eating up the distance, to collect her equipment which he threw effortlessly over his shoulder. She turned as she heard his hiss of indrawn breath.

Lying on the bed was the black lace underwear she’d worn last night. Her cheeks infused with color and warmth.

A long, tanned finger reached out to lift one silk strap. She swallowed.

“Were you wearing this last night?” he asked softly.

“Y-Yes, I was feeling very...hot.” Not quite a lie, she reasoned, omitting her explanation of the type of heat she was feeling last night. And right now.

“Hmm, last night was...hot,” he agreed. The corner of his mouth twitched as he allowed the silk to slip from his fingers.

Jack walked back to her side. “Shall we?” he invited with a smile and the offer of his arm.

Izzy returned the smile and slipped her arm through his. “Yes.”

Moments later, Izzy was giggling as he wove through narrow streets in the rented Ferrari. Jack drove the same way as he did everything...with command at his fingertips. She’d shrieked with delight as they sneaked out from the back of the hotel and through the doors where the car was waiting. Jack loaded the back with her equipment and revealed her beautiful bouquet. It was small, yet elegant and tasteful, with ivory roses interlaced with delicate wild flowers. It smelled divine but not as divine as Jack. That scent would never be replicated.

Slowing down, Jack weaved into an alleyway and stopped the car.

“You’ve gone to so much trouble, Jack.”

He shrugged, eyes fixed forward. “It’s worth it to see the look on your face. I wanted it to be right this time.”

It was definitely right. So right it was wrong. But if he wanted her to enjoy it she wouldn’t disappoint.

Jack stepped out of the car then came around to her side. He opened her door and held out his right hand. She took it with a grateful smile that faltered as a shot of electricity seemed to radiate from his palm to hers. Their gazes met. He’d felt it too.

The layers of her dress all now safely out of the confines of the sleek sports car, Jack waited with his hip resting on the bonnet and his arms folded while Izzy checked over her equipment. The courtyard setting was around the corner, Jack had explained, so Izzy was preparing her equipment so they were virtually ready as soon as they reached the background setting.

Although it was still very early in the morning the smell of baked bread permeated the air from the nearby bakeries. It reminded her that she hadn’t eaten breakfast because of nerves invading her stomach. Now she was much more relaxed, and the surrounding sights and sounds easily invaded her senses. If she wasn’t already drooling over Jack the scent of food would be luring her.

Smiling although his brows furrowed, Jack gave a small laugh as Izzy pointed her camera in his direction and clicked the image of him against the vivid red car. It suited his dark coloring perfectly. The surprise addition of his killer smile would make the image a keeper in her personal photo album. It would be fantastic in her portfolio, but this one was for her eyes only.

“Do you realize how much I used to get paid for a shoot like this?” he admonished with a grin. “Are you taking advantage of me, Izzy?”

“I’d say we’re taking advantage of each other. I’m wearing a wedding dress for your benefit, Jack. I have to have
some
perks,” she teased.

And after this shoot if any of the images were suitable and Jack’s precious deal was signed on the dotted line, she was hoping to use some of them in her portfolio. Bookings this year were limited because of her travels the previous year and the unexpected house repairs and debt. It was important to add to the bookings she already had to build up her client base again. Satisfied wedding clients often booked their children’s or family portraits afterward so it was important to showcase her talents.

Izzy’s eyes widened and a smile spread over her face as Jack led her into the square of the courtyard. Right in the center was a fountain, light making the water shimmer like diamonds as the sun continued to spread its golden glow. The sound of bubbling water intermingled with the increase of her pulse. It was a beautiful setting and perfect for photography at this time of day. The courtyard was shady and sheltered from streaks of light that caused shadow-lined faces. The morning light was delicate and muted. The aged wooden doors of the church would be the perfect background.

Excitement bubbled over. This was her passion. Imagining a frame around possibilities and making them beautiful. There was no greater gift than sharing the beauty of what one saw with others, capturing a split-second moment and turning it into a treasured memory.

As Izzy secured one tripod together on the cobbles before attaching her prized Canon camera, Jack did the same with the second. Each camera had a remote timer connected to it and was set to take continual images at intermittent intervals. One would be focused at close-up range and the other more superior camera would be set at distance. She instructed Jack to stand at the church doors as she used her light meter to set the camera’s exposure level. The other distance camera was set to take panoramic shots that would encase most of the courtyard. Izzy adjusted the settings on the remote timers. One had been set at long exposure time and the other short. Hopefully nothing would be missed.

She always preferred natural rather than staged shots, they seemed to provide the heart to a story she was capturing. All they had to do was pretend they were happy newlyweds. Easy peasy.

Setting the timers to start, she picked up her skirts and rushed over to Jack with her laughter rushing out in breathy pants as he handed her the bouquet.

His lips curved into a grin. “You’re the expert, so I’m in your capable hands. So, boss, what shall we do?” he asked, the hint of suggestion not going unmissed.

As she tilted her head to meet his gaze her smile lifted her cheeks. She considered her response. Well, he
was
asking.

“Let’s play,” she said with a grin.

* * * *

Oh, he’d play all right. He’d been hoping for this type of invitation since he’d set eyes on her this morning. No, before that he admitted to himself. He was feeling more than playful now as he’d watched the enthusiasm for her craft shine through her movements, the brightness of her eyes. If this setting were to be a jigsaw then she was the vital piece. Her delight at the surroundings was palpable and he wanted to absorb it more than he wanted his next breath.

Her glossy, caramel hair was loosely pinned at her nape in artful disarray of twists and tiny plaits, with strategically freed strands drawing attention to her small straight nose and delicate features. He took advantage of the exposed slender column of her neck and slid his hand over the soft skin of her nape until his fingers cupped her neck and picked up the wild beat of her pulse under his thumb. Or was that his?

“I’m not waiting for you to ask this time,” he rasped as he lowered his head, her surprised voluminous eyes widening further.