Picture Perfect Read online

  “Home it is. Just point me in the right direction. And I’ll drive slower this time.”

  “Why thank you. That would be delightful.”

  Hope directed him back the way they had come and had him drive past his home. Three houses away sat hers. He grabbed ahold of her arm as she prepared to get out of the car.

  “For old time’s sake, let me carry you to the door, okay?”

  “You must be exhausted from all of this, James. Why don’t you let me just take it from here? I’ll be fine now that I’m all sewn up like Frankenstein and have these handy-dandy crutches.” She got up and out of her seat and started to ease her way up the sidewalk. She turned and hoped that her smile conveyed the warm feelings she had for him. “Thanks for everything. You are one incredible person, rare in this day and age. Especially in your field, I’ve met so many guys that have no thought for others and wear facades everywhere they go. You, my dear, are as genuine as they come and I appreciate it greatly. Maybe I’ll see you around some time.” She gave him one last smile and opened the door, praying no one had ransacked the place. She hadn’t planned to be out this long and had left the house unlocked.

  “Hey, Hope!” She turned back around and leaned against the door jam. Raising an eyebrow at the wonderful man, she noted how hot and right he looked in his car. “I’ll see ya around the neighborhood.” He gave a broad grin and waved. She waved back and closed the door.

  Leaning up against the door, she heard his car pull away. Oh, my word, Mr. Perfect lives three doors down.

  Chapter Three

  Jamie drove right by his house. He didn’t mean to. Thoughts of Hope preoccupied his mind so that he wound up driving a full three blocks past. Turning around, he shook his head in embarrassment and thanked God he had no witnesses at his boyish display. When was the last time he’d been so taken by a woman? Not even with his first wife. This could be the first time he’d fallen this hard, this fast for a woman in his entire life.

  The events of the morning were all a huge blur, but he did his damnedest to remember each and every detail, in order, so he could savor the feelings that came along with them. When he first heard a voice from beyond his house, he thought he’d been dreaming. When he saw the shape of a woman collapse and roll down the dune, landing virtually at his back door, unconscious, instincts took over. He’d run over and checked out her vitals before gathering the mystery woman up in his arms.

  He’d gotten a good look at her and immediately fell smitten. Long, brunette-colored hair shone with red highlights as the morning sun touched a few strands. Her face reminded him of Liv Tyler in Lord of the Rings, with her ruby-red plump lips and slight overbite. Better still, she actually had meat on her bones! Most of the models he worked with, his hands could fit around their waists. Nothing to them but bones and air, and silicone boobs. This woman looked like a woman, blessed with all the luscious curves a real woman should have. And he could tell her breasts were of the all-natural persuasion. He would have stared at her all day long, returning to his caveman roots, were it not for the fact that she’d been injured and needed help. Plus, she had awakened and he had to be a good boy scout.

  When they spoke at last, he knew there was something special about this woman who’d literally rolled into his life. She had a great sense of humor and they were in the same business, basically. She had seen and worked on her share of romance photos to know what he does, and it didn’t seem to faze her at all. It didn’t bother the other women at first either, remember. Eventually, the bottom dropped out and the women turned all freaky on you. I bet she’s different. She just seems different, more down to earth, grounded.

  He had to see her again. Not tomorrow, not next week, but later today. It’s her birthday and she probably isn’t doing a thing due to her foot. He decided to bring “Birthday, Party of Two” to her house. He’d give her a few hours to rest, and surprise her. He felt fantastic! After successfully stopping at his house, he parked the car and raced inside to shower and change. He had fun plans to make, and prayed she would appreciate it, rather than think him some lunatic stalker.

  ***

  Birthday surprises waited by the door to be shuttled over to Hope’s house. Jamie combed his hair back and put it up in a ponytail. Well-worn jeans and a bowling shirt felt right for the event he had planned. His cell phone rang in his pants pocket. He took one look at the number and sighed. Brittany. Nope. Not dealing with her shit today. I’ll deal with her later. With a last look in the mirror, he took a deep steadying breath. New territory lay ahead of him. Nerves nearly getting the best of him? Never happened before today. Even on his wedding day he had seemed aloof. That had been Brenda’s day not his. That’d been the problem, always. He’d played a trophy in Brenda’s life. Back to present, Jamie-boy. Very different woman you’re about to woo.

  He walked out of his house to Hope’s, three doors down, arms piled high with goodies. He set the packages on the front porch, rang the bell, and waited. It took a few minutes, but he heard her scrambling around behind the door.

  “I’m coming! One minute!” Hope’s face peeked through the sidelight. At first he saw a frown on her face, but as recognition hit, her face brightened. That made him smile even larger for her when she managed to open the door.

  “Happy birthday, Hope.”

  “Wha….what is this all about?” She laughed and took a step back as he hoisted the packages back into his arms and walked into her house.

  “Where can I put these?”

  “Oh my.” She had both hands on her cheeks in utter amazement. “Um….put them on the dining room table over there, I guess.”

  He was so pleased he’d caught her off-guard and made her stammer. And even more pleased when he saw her grin from ear to ear, as he set things down. He took a quick look around and noticed the place decorated with posters of romance novel covers, presumably ones that she had done.

  “I didn’t expect to see you so soon. So you’ve come to ‘birthday ambush’ me and ply me with all manner of goodies? You are too good to be true!” Her cheeks reddened.

  “I hope you’re not expecting more company, because I only brought enough for you and me.”

  “No, no. I canceled my birthday shindig as soon as I got home. Not quite up for all the tumult right now. This…. This is perfect. Thank you.”

  “Now wait, you have no idea what I’ve brought, so why don’t you go put that foot up while I get things ready. You can decide later if I’m a total flake or right on the mark.”

  “I know one thing for sure.”

  “What’s that?”

  “You are a very caring person, and over the course of the day I’ve grown to like you…a lot.” She smiled, flicked her hair behind her shoulder, and batted her eyelashes that had moistened with unshed tears. His heart skipped a beat. She likes me. That’s good. That’s better than good. Slow and steady, my man.

  “Thank you, Hope. I guess you can tell that I’ve grown to like you a lot, too.” He reached out a hand to caress her cheek and rested it on her shoulder. Moments went by as he lost himself in the chocolate pools of her eyes. She leaned almost imperceptibly into his palm.

  “Well, I should go sit down. My foot is headed towards Throbsville.”

  “Of course, stupid me.” He watched her maneuver to the couch in the living room and frowned. He called out from the dining room, “Haven’t those pain pills kicked in yet?”

  “Oh, they’ve kicked in and left a while ago. I have to wait another hour before I can take any more.”

  “Let’s get started with your birthday fun. It’s sure to take your mind off of the pain.” First, he took out a cold pack for her foot. “Here, crush this while I get the other stuff out. It’ll get good and cold and help with the pain.” He’d walked over and handed it to her before continuing to unload the madness: a few movies, a hot air popper and popcorn, boxes of movie theatre candy, a bottle of wine and a bottle opener, two plastic cups, a bakery box, forks, paper plates and napkins with Happy Bi
rthday written in big letters, and a card.

  He heard giggling while he folded up the reusable grocery bags and set them aside. “What’s so funny?”

  “You are!” She laughed some more. “I can’t believe you went to all this trouble for me.”

  “No trouble at all. Just fun. Here.” He walked in with the popper, popcorn, candies, and movies. “Pick your movie. They’re all my favorites so whatever you pick is fine with me. Can you point me to a plug and where I can find a bowl so I can pop you the best popcorn of your life?”

  “Plug is right behind there.” She pointed to the end table. “And a big bowl is above the fridge, right side cabinet.” She picked up the bundle of movies as he walked out to the kitchen.

  Things were starting out so well, he couldn’t believe it. She hadn’t fallen all over him, gushing like an immature teenager, or gotten tongue-tied, or treated him like an object to be shown off. She treated him like a regular guy, as a normal woman should.

  “Oh, my God! You did not bring this movie over! And these, too!” Hope shouted and laughed hysterically.

  He walked back into the living room to find her slapping her thigh and keeling over onto a side pillow. “Which ones are you talking about?”

  She turned the movie cases around for him to see. “Ah, Young Frankenstein. A classic. And Kill Bill Volumes One and Two, a modern cult classic.” He nodded. “You either love Quentin Tarantino or you hate him. Me, he cracks me up.”

  “Me, too. I don’t know which to start with first. Help me out, James.” He put the bowl down, got the popcorn popping and sat down beside her. “By the way, should I call you James? I mean it sounds very formal, and you don’t seem like a formal kind of guy. Do you have a nickname?”

  “I introduced myself as James to you because I thought it sounded more serious and a name you could trust when you awoke from your unconsciousness. I use James for professional work and friends. My mom’s the only one who calls me Jamie.”

  “Jamie, hmm?” She sat back and stared intently at him. “Yes, I can see you more as a Jamie, actually. It has a playfulness to it that I sense in you.”

  “You may certainly call me by that if you want. Let’s try it on for size. Say my name.”

  “Jamie.” Her tone, very matter-of-factly. He cocked his head to the side and furrowed his brow.

  “Hmmm. Say it again.”

  “Jamie.” This time, her voice held a tenderness that tinged the edges.

  He leaned toward her, just a touch. Just enough to let her know she intrigued him. “I like the way you say that. Say it again.”

  “Jamie,” came out in a breathless sigh as she leaned in towards him so that their lips were but a touch away, and a question played in the sparkle of her eyes.

  “Hope,” he murmured and closed his own, moving through that last bit of space to press his lips against hers. They were warm, moist, supple, and tasted of berries.

  Gentle, trembling fingers touched his cheek. He raised his own to slide through her hair and cradle the nape of her neck while the other wrapped around her waist to pull her close. Her lips parted slightly, an invitation to explore. He accepted and teased her tongue with his. She moaned and he answered, losing himself in the pureness of this first kiss.

  An angry whirring sound broke through the magic, and Jamie felt something hit him lightly on his cheek. Reluctantly, he released his hold on Hope and turned toward the noise, only to be pelted in the face by a piece of popcorn.

  “Oh no,” Hope cried out. “We’re being attacked by an alien race of popcorn!”

  “Oh shit!” He laughed and quickly turned off the popper. Popped popcorn kernels were everywhere—on the coffee table, on the floor, on the couch around them. “I’m so sorry. I guess it’s time for a new popper. I’ll have this cleaned up in no time.” He started to get up.

  “Don’t be silly. Sit down.” She grabbed his arm and pulled him back down next to her. “We’ll take care of it later. Boy, your mother sure trained you well. Besides, I’m not hankering for popcorn right now anyway.”

  “Oh no? What are you hankering for?” He raised his eyebrows up and down a few times.

  “Those Sweet Tarts you brought and Kill Bill,” she responded sweetly. He frowned. “That is, right after another one of those kisses you brought over for me, too.” She winked at him, tugged on his shirt collar with both of her hands, and pulled him in close for a soul-searing, breath-taking, I’ve-died-and-gone-to-heaven kiss.

  For all intents and purposes, he felt he really did die and go to heaven. But what lurked in the background were negative thoughts. That it would only be a matter of time before reality crashed in and screwed it up. But for now…perfection…utter perfection.

  Chapter Four

  Afternoon waxed on to evening without notice. Candy had been eaten, movies vaguely watched, and lips sufficiently kissed, suckled, and deliciously bruised from several bouts of heavy petting. All in all, Hope’s birthday turned out to be one hell of a great party—for two.

  Jamie had yet another surprise for her. He’d turned the lights out. “Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday dear Hope. Happy birthday to you!” He walked over to her with a huge cupcake for two on a plate, a lit candle stuck in the middle. “Make a wish, sweet Hope.”

  She closed her eyes and didn’t have to think very hard. Let Jamie be the one. She blew out her candle. He leaned over and placed a gentle kiss on her lips. “I hope so, too.”

  “What?” Oh, my God. Did I say my wish aloud? I will just die!

  “Whatever you wished for, I hope it comes true for you.” He put the cupcake down and opened the bottle of merlot, pouring each of them a cup.

  “You are the sweetest man I’ve ever met.”

  “What can I say? You bring out the best in me. I’d like to make a toast.” He raised his plastic cup. “Here’s to you. May today’s best moments be the worst compared to the rest of your life.”

  “With you around, how could that not come true?” She clinked cups and took a sip of her wine. A phone buzzed. His.

  “Do you mind? I canceled all my appointments today, but who knows, somebody may have forgotten and is looking for me.”

  “No problem, go right ahead.” She watched as his sensual eyes turned stormy.

  “Son of a bitch,” he muttered under his breath as he read the text message, and snapped his phone closed.

  “What’s the matter?”

  He took a deep breath. “Better to get it out in the open right now. It’s frustrating and a hazard of my job, unfortunately. At times, I get a model working with me that gets a little….confused, and blurs the line between fantasy and reality.”

  “Uh huh. Let me guess. She thinks that the relationship you’re presenting to the camera is real. I know all about that.” She shook her head. “Was that one of them?”

  “Yeah. We’ve worked so well together for a few years now. I’ve tried to be nice about it. She stormed out of a photo shoot yesterday because I wouldn’t….you know, have sex with her. The way she stormed off, I figured she’d finished with me and that would be the end of that.”

  “No such luck?”

  “Nope. She’s been calling and texting, wanting to ‘make up’ after our ‘lover’s quarrel’. She said she forgives me. Can you believe that? She forgives me. I can’t begin to tell you how many times I’ve told this girl that it’s just business, nothing more. We’ve never dated. I never spent the night with her. Nothing. She’s just…argh! Damn this business sometimes.” He shook his head and leaned back against the couch, scrubbing his face with his hands.

  Hope patted his thigh with her hand. “I’m so sorry you have to go through this. I had a guy once, an author, fall in love with the lady I chose for his cover. He wouldn’t stop calling and emailing me for her number or address or anything I could give him. He couldn’t understand that I found that picture out of thousands of stock photos. And with the manipulations I performed on the computer, she became a beautifu
l alien. I think, if he were to ever meet her for real, he’d believe she’d look just like she did on his cover. Some people are crazy, is all. Forget about her. She’ll go away eventually.”

  “Can I tell you how relieved I am right now?” He collected her in his arms and snuggled down into the enveloping cushions of the sofa.

  “Why? What do you mean?” She rested her head on his chest, intoxicated by his warmth, the feel of his power around her, and the gentleness that shrouded it all.

  “You get it. That’s all. You get it.” He kissed the top of her head and nuzzled her hair.

  “Yeah, I do, Jamie.” She made circles on his stomach with her fingers.

  “Tell me about your covers here.”

  “Well, that one is my first cover.” She pointed to the poster nearest the front door. “And they go in order around the room. My favorite is the one with the angel in it. It took me forever to find just the right wings. But I love the way the graphics blend to tell a story, right on the cover. That’s what I strive for in each cover I do. If the story is appealing on the cover, the reader will want to read what’s inside.”

  “Exactly! That’s what I try to do in my photo shoots. I think about generic storylines or scenarios and play them out in my head and on camera, start to finish. You mentioned earlier that you lost your job. How are you feeling about it? I think I’d be pissed.”

  “At first, yeah I was. Until I had a chance to think about it objectively today, that is. I realized that I’m free pickings for everyone now. Before, one publisher had the rights to my work, and one publisher only. At the time, I thought great because it gave me a steady paycheck. But after all these years and all these covers, I have a reputation. I can contract out to anyone and everyone, on my terms.”

  “Now that’s a great attitude, and from the looks of those covers, I’d say you’re in a perfect position to skyrocket in this field. You really know how to put a cover together, lady. I wonder….”