Why Not Tonight?

2

One week later, Saturday, 12:00 p.m.

WITH THE SUNSHINE SENDING shimmering shafts of gold through the front window of Picture This, Adam stared at the contact sheets from his photo session with Mallory Altman and blew out a long, slow breath.

She looked…incredible. Soft and feminine. Wicked, yet somehow innocent. Tempting and enticing and aroused and so damn sexy he found himself shifting uncomfortably to relieve the strangulation occurring behind the fly of his jeans.

He supposed he shouldn’t be surprised by his reaction. Hey, show him a guy who wouldn’t be turned on by these pictures, and he’d show you a dead guy. He’d told her that her boyfriend was a lucky man, but what he should have said was her boyfriend was the luckiest damn guy in New York. And for a brief, magical time nine years ago, Adam had been that lucky guy.

Damn, seeing her again had felt like a punch in the heart. Stunned amazement followed by that mind-boggling rush of pleasure. The appointment book had read M. Allory-or at least that’s what he’d thought it said, as Nick’s handwriting was atrocious. One look at her, at her smile, at those brown eyes that had always reminded him of warm, melting chocolate, and the years had slipped away, inundating him with a flood of memories…memories that had haunted him all week and that threatened to take over now.

Forcibly pushing them aside, his gaze riveted on one particular photo of her. She was lying on her side on the bed, her dark hair spread across her shoulders in a disheveled fall of loose, shiny curls. With her head propped up on one hand, her other arm rested along the sinuous indent of her waist and the curve of her hip. One stocking-clad knee was bent, her moist lips slightly parted and her eyes stared directly into the camera. She looked like a succulent silk-clad morsel waiting to be plucked from an hors d’oeuvres platter. Actually, daring someone to pluck her from that platter.

A memory crystallized in his mind, of Mallory, lying in a similar position on top of his sleeping bag in the tent they’d pitched the weekend they’d gone camping upstate. Three glorious, lazy days spent almost exclusively in that tent, exploring each other, touching, talking, learning-each caress, each new bit of knowledge about her making him fall deeper in love. He could see her as if it were yesterday, her hair a dark, glossy tumble of curls. Wearing nothing but a playful, wicked grin. See anything you like? she’d asked in a smoky voice. He certainly had-and had delighted in showing her each and every thing.

He blinked away the lingering thought and again studied the photo. Her pose highlighted every gorgeous feminine curve and her eyes seemed to say I am everything you could ever want and I’ll make all your fantasies come true. Definitely words any man would love to hear. Words the man in her life had no doubt heard.

A surge of what felt suspiciously like jealousy washed through him and he shook his head. Damn, he was losing his mind. Jealous over some guy he’d never met. But maybe it wasn’t jealousy-maybe it was more like envy. Yeah, that’s all it was. Envy. What guy wouldn’t want a woman to go to the effort of taking sexy pictures for him? To look at him like he was the only man on earth and she wanted to gobble him up in one bite? The fact that she’d taken such sexy photos proved she still possessed the adventurous sense of fun he’d found so captivating. Whoever Mallory’s man was, he was one lucky bastard and Adam hoped the guy appreciated what he had. It was certainly something Adam wished he had.

That thought brought him up short and a frown yanked down his brows. What the hell was he thinking? He didn’t want that. A woman didn’t spend the time and money to have such intimate photos taken for a man unless they were in a relationship. Unless she had strong feelings for him. And relationships and strong feelings were the last things on Adam’s current three-months-in-Europe, bachelor agenda. Mallory had wreaked havoc on his travel plans once before. She was the sort of woman he suspected could also wreak havoc with a guy’s bachelor plans. Good thing she wasn’t available.

His gaze drifted back down to the contact sheets. He’d lost touch with Mallory five years ago, right after his life had taken such a dramatic turn due to his dad’s unexpected death. Hadn’t seen her since.

Well, he’d seen her again now. And damn, he’d liked everything he’d seen. And everything he’d seen had dredged up those memories he’d tried so hard to bury. But unfortunately those memories had haunted him constantly this past week.

He’d been stunned to learn she wasn’t married. During their brief chat last week, he’d made a comment about the photos being for her husband and she’d told him they were for her boyfriend-that her engagement had ended before the wedding had taken place.

Pulling his gaze away from the photos, he looked at his watch. Just past noon. Would she come into the studio today to pick up her proofs? He’d called her this morning-shaking his head as he recalled how his heart had pounded. An answering machine had clicked on after the third ring and a recorded voice had asked that he leave a message. After saying that her proofs were ready, he’d hung up, feeling ridiculously let down that he hadn’t had a chance to talk to her.

His thoughts were interrupted when the front door opened. Adam’s heart jumped only to settle back into place when Nick Daly walked into the studio. Friends since high school, Nick was the brother Adam had never had-yet in all those years, he’d never seen Nick look more bleary-eyed or rumpled.

“How is it possible for a guy to look so exhausted and so happy at the same time?” Adam asked with a grin.

“If you expect me to answer any complicated questions, you’ve lost your mind.”

He took in the colossal foam coffee cup clutched in Nick’s hand. “I didn’t know the Java Hut made to-go cups that big.”

“Trust me, there isn’t a container big enough for the caffeine hit I need,” Nick said with a tired smile. “I think I should just request an IV drip. Sorry to be so late.”

“No problem. That’s why I’m here-to hold down the fort for the proud new dad.”

A grin that could only be described as totally besotted curved Nick’s mouth. “Oh, man, Adam, I don’t think there’s ever been a more beautiful baby in the history of babies than Caroline.”

“Can’t argue with you there. I was the proudest honorary uncle at the nursery when I visited her at the hospital. But I bet your parents said the same thing about you when you were born.” He made a great show of looking Nick over. “Then again, maybe they didn’t.”

“Ha-ha. Tread carefully, my friend. You’re dealing with someone who’s had about seven hours of sleep in the last seven days. Caroline may be adorable and gorgeous, but whew, can that kid yell. Gotta tell ya, whoever made up that phrase ‘sleep like a baby’ clearly never spent any time with an actual baby because let me tell you-babies do not sleep. At least not for more than like twenty minutes at a time. And you know what? When the baby isn’t asleep, the parents aren’t asleep.” He stifled a yawn. “Things will be easier after Annie’s mom arrives the day after tomorrow to help out. Nothing like having a doting grandma on the premises. Annie and I’ll finally get some sleep and I can get back to work. And you’ll be off the hook.”

Adam dragged a hand through his hair. “Listen, I still feel bad about leaving-”

Nick held up his hand to cut off the words. “Do not feel bad. You’ve wanted to take this trip as long as I’ve known you. Hell, you even scheduled it so you’d be around for a few weeks after the baby was born. Who knew she’d decide to be two weeks late?” He shook his head and grinned. “Typical female. But don’t worry-uber-grandma is coming to the rescue.”

“How’s Annie doing?” Adam asked, wondering if she was as frazzled as her husband.

“Terrific. Same as me-thrilled, exhausted, totally in love with our daughter. Looking forward to her mom’s two-week visit.” He lifted the cup to his lips and took a long, deep swallow. “Maybe if I drink five more of these I’ll be able to stay awake till lunchtime.”

“It’s lunchtime now.”

Nick looked at his watch then shook his head. “Damn. How are today’s bookings? Saturday’s my busiest day.”

“Relax. Everything’s fine. I told you-I juggled things around so Kevin’s handling the Baxter wedding. He’s also doing the Anderson anniversary party for you tomorrow.”

“Yeah, I know you told me. My brain’s just not firing on all cylinders. Thanks for stepping in. I really appreciate it.”

“No problem. I may not be an experienced photographer, but organization is right up my alley.”

“You’ve known enough to keep me afloat till things calm down at home.”

“Yeah, and I work cheap, too.”

“Good. ’Cause with the extra money I’m going to have to pay Kevin, I can’t afford to pay you much. Do you know how much baby stuff costs? Major bucks, my friend. Which, by the way, Annie and I want to thank you for all the stuff you’ve bought Caroline. The clothes, books, dolls. They’re great. I never knew you liked to shop.”

“I never had the time-or an adorable princess to buy for. I can’t wait till she’s old enough for video games.”

Nick laughed. “I bet.” He approached the counter and nodded his chin at the proof sheets. “What’re those?”

“Contact sheets from some photos I took last week.” At Nick’s surprised look, Adam said, “I guess I should have told you, but it seemed like you had enough on your plate. Last week when Annie went into labor and you dashed out of here like your shorts were on fire, you told me to reschedule the day’s studio appointments-”

“I remember.”

“Well, I was able to reach everyone except two. So when the customers arrived, I took the pictures.”

Nick’s brows raised. “How’d you do?”

Adam slid the glossy proof sheets across the counter. “You tell me.”

Nick glanced at the proofs, then did a double take. “Ah, the boudoir pics that were scheduled. I was supposed to take them.”

“Can’t say I was real disappointed I had to pinch-hit for you, buddy.”

“Jeez, I guess not,” Nick said, sliding the proof sheets nearer.

“It was my intention to ask her to reschedule when she arrived, but I took one look at her and ‘wanna reschedule’ came out as ‘Adam Clayton, photographer, at your service.’”

“Can’t say I blame you.” Leaning closer, Nick carefully examined the photos. “I gotta say, these are really good.”

“Thanks. But look what I had to work with.”

“She’s beautiful,” Nick agreed. “Still, for a guy who spent all his time at the stock exchange, you’ve got a great eye for a photograph.”

“Even though it’s been a while, I still remember my way around a camera lens from high school.”

Nick grinned. “Yeah-how geeky were we? The president and vice president of the photography club.”

“Hey, it was a great way to meet girls.”

“Sure was.” Nick straightened. “Look, I know you’re looking to make a career change-you might want to consider coming on board. I want to expand the business, and if this is the type of work you can do without really even knowing what the hell you’re doing…well, I’m impressed.”

“Well, you might not be so impressed when you see the proofs of the other shots I took that day. After how great the first session went, I admit I was feeling pretty confident. So when Mrs. Wentworth showed up with her twins, I figured I’d take those pictures, as well.”

“And?”

Adam slid another manila envelope toward Nick. “Read ’em and weep.”

Nick slid the sheets from the envelope and winced when he saw the first one.

“I had a hell of a time,” Adam said, raking his hands through his hair. “Nothing was cooperating. Not the equipment, not Mrs. Wentworth, and least of all the twins. You think one baby makes a lot of noise? Try two. It’s deafening. Not to mention nerve-racking.”

“Welcome to my world.” Nick pointed to one print showing a pair of red-faced, teary-eyed, screaming one-year-olds. “They do not look happy.”

Adam glanced at the shot. “Yeah? Well, that’s the happiest they were the whole time. Listen, I’m looking for a low-pressure, non-stress job and with the Wentworth gig, I could practically feel my blood pressure rising.”

Nick shook his head. “These are awful, dude.”

“I agree. Clearly I’m only good at taking pictures of sexy women wearing lingerie.”

Nick grinned. “Well, if you’ve got to be good at something…”

Adam laughed. “Right.” He paused, then said, “Actually, she wasn’t just any woman. I know her. She used to live not five miles from here, and only a few blocks from my family.”

“Hell, I lived only a few blocks from your family.” He looked at the picture again. “Face isn’t ringing any bells. What’s her name?”

“Mallory Altman.”

Nick shook his head. “Not familiar, but you always had more girls than I could keep track of.”

“You and I had already graduated from high school when Mallory and her mom moved here from Chicago. I used to mow her lawn during the summer.”

“Man, you scored more chicks with that landscaping job. Helluva lot more than I did working in the photo lab.”

“Yeah, but that’s where you eventually found Annie and ended up with the real prize.”

“That I did.” He nodded toward the photos of Mallory. “So, anything ever happen between you two?”

He hesitated. He’d never told Nick about his love affair with Mallory. Nick had spent that summer traveling as part of a photography course. By the time he’d returned, Adam’s relationship with Mallory was over and he hadn’t wanted to talk about it. Even now he still felt reluctant to tell Nick about his past intimate relationship with Mallory. “We were good friends.”

Clearly Nick deduced everything he needed to know in Adam’s hesitation because he nodded knowingly. “Gotcha. So why’d you break up? Was she lousy in bed?”

God. No. She’d been…perfect. “The timing just wasn’t right.”

“How’s the timing now?”

“She had these taken for her boyfriend.”

“Bummer, dude.”

“Nah. She’s the past. I’m looking forward to the future. Besides, I’d categorize her as a ‘long-term’ sort of woman-and right now, my ‘long-term’ is three, maybe four hours.”

Nick turned toward the front picture window and cleared his throat. “Speak of the devil…here comes your lingerie-wearing friend now.”

Adam looked toward the glass door and his heart performed a crazy somersault at the sight of Mallory striding across the street. Dressed in a bright pink sleeveless top and a full ivory skirt dotted with splashes of matching pink that flirted just above her knees, and cream high heels, she looked lovely, cool, feminine, and…really, really tempting. Like an ice-cream cone on a hot day from which you wanted to take a nice long lick.

He’d just finished sliding her proofs back into the envelope when she entered the studio.

“Hi, Adam,” she said with a smile. “I got your message about the proofs.”

“Hi, Mallory.” After uttering those two words, his powers of speech seemed to go into a holding pattern and he found himself staring at her, uncharacteristically tongue-tied. She’d pulled back her dark glossy hair into a loose, attractive knot, which left her neck bare. Her big brown eyes were surrounded by thick dark lashes, and the same smattering of gilt freckles he recalled paraded across her nose.

Unfortunately thoughts of freckles had him picturing the trio of dots he knew formed a triangle beneath her left breast. And the single tiny spot that graced the curve of her right buttock. Gorgeous, enticing spots he’d explored with his fingers and lips, tasted with his tongue.

Shoving the distracting images aside, he concentrated on her mouth. Oh, yeah, like that’s less distracting, his inner voice snickered. Her lips were just as he recalled, too-full and moist and currently highlighted with some sort of luscious-looking pink gloss. He knew exactly how those delectable lips felt and tasted: soft, plump, smooth and delicious. Knew exactly how her tongue felt rubbing against his-

Nick’s loud, pointed throat clearing jerked him from his reverie. After he’d introduced her to Nick, Mallory said to him, “Congratulations on your new baby.”

“Thanks. Hey, want to see her picture?”

“Love to.” She grinned. “As a photographer, I bet you just happen to have one or two.”

“More like one or two thousand,” Adam said with a laugh as Nick reached for his wallet.

“Oh, she’s adorable,” Mallory said, looking at the image of Caroline.

“Nick’s going to be sweeping guys off the front porch,” Adam teased.

Nick shot him “the look.” “Since she can’t date until she’s thirty, I have some time to purchase my broom.”

“Spoken like a true father of a daughter,” Mallory said, chuckling. “I think all dads swear the same thing.”

“And how does it work out?” Nick asked.

“You probably don’t want to know.”

They all laughed, then Adam handed her the manila envelope containing her proofs. “Here you go.”

“Thanks. How’d they turn out?”

Incredible. Too incredible. I haven’t been able to erase them-or you-from my mind. “I think they’re great, if I may say so myself, but it’s what you think that matters.” He glanced at the clock. “Do you have time for that cup of coffee? Or maybe even lunch?”

She hesitated for several seconds then nodded. “I have about an hour before I have to meet my next client.”

Adam refused to acknowledge the relief and anticipation that surged through him at her acceptance of his invitation. “Great.” He turned to Nick. “Think you can stay awake for an hour?”

“Yeah. Maybe. Probably. Hell, I don’t know. As long as I don’t sit down or close my eyes there’s a chance.” He lifted his colossal cup and waggled it. “Bring me another of these and a sandwich, okay?”

“You bet.”

Nick smiled. “I’ll be in the darkroom. I happen to have a few more rolls of film of Caroline to develop.”

“Only a few?” Adam teased. He looked at Mallory and shook his head. “That child is only a week old and already she’s had more photographs taken of her than the president.”

“Wait till you have a kid,” Nick said. “We’ll see how many pictures you take.” He yawned. “And how much sleep you get.”

With a wave, Nick headed toward the darkroom and Adam escorted Mallory across the room. Holding the door for her, her shoulder lightly brushed against his chest as she crossed the threshold and he sucked in a sharp breath at the contact. Then he inwardly frowned. How the hell could such a nothing touch affect him so strongly?

Because it’s Mallory, his inner voice informed him, and he realized it was true. It had always been that way with her and clearly some things never changed.

He caught an elusive whiff of a deliciously feminine, floral fragrance, which sizzled a bolt of heat through him that had nothing to do with the ninety-degree weather.

He gritted his teeth. Damn, if a mere brush and a whiff affected him like this, what the hell would happen if she really touched him? If he really touched her?

Based on their past relationship, there wasn’t a doubt in his mind. Fireworks. Spontaneous combustion.

But thanks to his traveling bachelor plans and her relationship, that wasn’t in the cards. Which was for the best since Mallory didn’t even come close to fitting into his traveling-the-world, woman-in-every-port bachelor plans.

Still, in spite of his best efforts not to think them, he couldn’t stop the words that echoed through his mind:

Talk about lousy timing…