Talking Dirty With the Player Page 3

  Caleb’s grin was revoltingly self-satisfied, as if he knew exactly how discomforted she was by him. “Hmmm. I think that was a bit too nice. Less sprinkles and more smiles.”

  “Caleb, I swear to God—”

  “Okay, okay. Keep your hair on, sweetheart.” He turned them in time to the music, narrowly avoiding another couple. “So, did Joseph tell you about the Save a Life charity?”

  “I know he’s their spokesman.”

  “Yeah, well, we’ve been tossing around an idea for a fundraiser for them.”

  “The calendar?” She tried to keep the sarcasm out of her voice, she really did.

  “Yes, the calendar.” The look on Caleb’s face told her how unsuccessful she’d been. “And no, not a pornographic version, whatever you’re thinking. It’s supposed to feature people who are successful. People who have had major disadvantages to overcome.”

  Against her will, a flicker of interest stirred. Actually, that sounded almost…thoughtful. Not like Caleb at all. “And it’s a sexy calendar, right?”

  He lifted a brow. “You’ve got a real problem with that, haven’t you?”

  “So? It’s just not very original.”

  “Sex sells, babycakes. Don’t knock it till you try it.”

  This time nothing was going to stop the tide of red that insisted on washing over her neck and face, and she turned her head, glancing away over the rest of the ballroom so she wouldn’t have to look at him, praying hard he wouldn’t notice. Damn, now was not the time to be getting all weirdly sensitive about her sex life—or rather, her lack of it.

  “Hmmm, Jude,” he murmured, “you’ve become rather pink. Any particular reason?”

  His breath brushed her neck near her ear and physical awareness poured over her. Of the way he held her, the sensual heat of his body up against hers. The lean power of him. The scent of his aftershave…

  That one night in his arms, his hands on her, touching her gently. Stroking her. It had felt so good, so right. He’d been careful with her. Tender. As if he’d been as amazed by the rightness of it as she had…

  Abruptly Judith pulled out of his arms like a cat off a hot stove-top. “No, no reason at all,” she said, her voice breathy. “Look, why don’t you flick me a text with the details. I’ll think about it and get back to you. Perhaps we could meet up at some point to discuss.” She was babbling like a loon but she couldn’t seem to stop herself. “Okay? Yes? Great.”

  Caleb was staring at her in surprise. “Jude? What’s the matter?”

  The other people on the dance floor continued to move around them in time to the music, some turning to look curiously at them.

  “Nothing. I’m fine.” Her hands were moving on her dress, touching her hair, smoothing, controlling. “Everything’s okay. Just have to go do some…uh, wedding photography stuff. Text me, okay?”

  “Jude?”

  What the hell was she doing? She was over this. Years and years over this. Over him.

  Right?

  Right?

  “It’s fine, Caleb.” She began to back away. “I just…um…have to get some pics of the laser thing. I’ll talk to you later.”

  He opened his mouth to say something, but already she was turning, walking quickly through the crowd. Getting away from him. Because she wouldn’t allow herself to be drawn in a second time.

  Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice…

  There would be no twice. Not if she could help it.

  Chapter Two

  Mike, Caleb’s agent, was saying something important, and Caleb knew he should be listening, but he couldn’t seem to concentrate. He was too busy thinking about Judith Ashton.

  It had been a couple of days since Christie and Joseph’s wedding, where she’d left him standing like a fool in the middle of the dance floor. And he still couldn’t stop thinking about it.

  He couldn’t get that blush of hers out of his head. Or the way she’d jerked herself out of his arms as if he’d burned her. Perhaps he should have felt satisfied about that because it certainly proved that she wasn’t as unaffected by him as she liked to pretend. Except that he’d really have preferred her to hold on tighter.

  Mike was still talking. Something about his contract with the club Caleb was currently playing for. Caleb tried to look like he was interested even as his mind kept insisting on circling around Jude.

  She was probably busy, but now another day had passed since he’d texted her the details about the calendar and again there was nothing from her. Surely it didn’t take that long to decide whether or not to shoot a few pictures?

  He needed to hassle her about it although part of him wanted her to contact him. Clearly he was going to have to get over that, though. The proposal needed to be sent to the charity by the end of the week, and if she continued to ignore him, he was going to have to get tough.

  “Are you listening to me, Caleb?” Mike sounded pissed off. Unsurprising, considering Caleb had been gazing out the window for the past few minutes and not paying attention.

  With an effort, Caleb tried not to think about the past, forcing his attention back to the present. “Sorry. Got my head full of this fundraising thing.”

  Mike, long and lanky, dressed in a startlingly blue suit and red tie, looked pained. “Mate, I got to tell you, the fundraising thing is not what you should be thinking about right now. I want to know what your plans are when the Blues contract comes to an end after this season.”

  “Isn’t that your job?”

  Mike leaned forward and steepled his hands. “How can I put this delicately? You’re thirty-one. You’re not getting any younger and you’ve already got a couple of injuries under your belt. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if next season there’ll only be a couple of clubs after your sorry ass.”

  Caleb tried to ignore the burst of impatience that went through him. “That’s next season. I’ve got too many other things on my plate to worry about that now.”

  “You’re seriously telling me you’re not thinking about what you’re going to do after your playing career is over?”

  Caleb cursed under his breath. He didn’t like the words “career” and “over”. Logically he knew he had at most one season left before retirement, but the thought of not playing, of not having rugby in his life, was too much to think about right now. He just didn’t have time. Maybe later, when the Save a Life fundraiser was good to go.

  “I’ve got plans, Mike,” he said. “Don’t you worry.”

  “Plans, huh?” His agent narrowed his gaze. “You sharing these plans with me anytime?”

  Sure, when he’d thought of something. Which he would. Soon. Pushing himself off the couch, he gave his agent a grin. “Nope. That’s on a need-to-know basis only.”

  “And I need to know.” The other man’s gaze narrowed even more. “You haven’t got any, have you?”

  Dammit. Mike knew him too well. “Oh, don’t you worry your pretty little head about it. I’ve got it covered. All you need to worry about is the next sponsorship deal.”

  Mike folded his arms, a “do not screw with me” expression on his face. “You know there’s a bird that sticks its head in the sand, right? Thinks no one can see it?”

  “I’m an eagle, Mike. Not an ostrich.” Caleb paused by the desk, flew his hand through the air. “I’m gonna soar.”

  The other man snorted. “You’re going to crash and burn if you’re not careful, mate.”

  “Why? Worried about your pay check, huh?”

  A scowl appeared on Mike’s face. “You know that’s not how it is. I’m your friend.”

  He was. And a good friend at that. Caleb sobered. “Yeah, I know. Look, don’t worry, okay? Whatever I do, I’m always going to need an agent. And I’ve got lots of money invested.” Or rather money that Luke had invested for him. He wasn’t going to be poor, even when his rugby career ended. “I’m not going to starve and neither will you.”

  “That’s not what I’m worried about. A man needs more than just a s
hitload of cash, Caleb.”

  Like he didn’t know that already. Rugby was all he was good at. All he knew. That and looking good for the media. And when those were gone, what else would he have? Whatever it was, he wanted more than just the crappy “Abs of Steele” tag the press had lumbered him with. What “more” was a question he just didn’t want to think about quite yet, however.

  “I’ve had a couple of feelers from one of the sports cable channels in Australia,” Mike said after a moment. “They’re interested in you as a commentator. It could be a great move, lots of exposure, even the possibility of your own sports show. What do you think?”

  Caleb’s phone vibrated in his pocket. Pulling it out, he glanced down at the screen.

  I have some time to discuss things @ 3 today.

  Judith. Finally. Though, shit, she hadn’t given him a lot of notice.

  “Yeah, yeah,” he said absently to Mike at the same time as he texted an irritable reply. “Sounds great.”

  No can do. Have a media session. Thanks for plenty of notice though.

  It wasn’t strictly a lie. He had an interview scheduled at one that probably wouldn’t take all that long. Still, he wasn’t going to rearrange his entire day just to suit her.

  “So you want me to investigate?” Mike asked.

  Caleb’s phone vibrated again as her reply came through.

  I’ve been busy. I’ve only got 9 tomorrow morning. Or the day after.

  No apology. And tomorrow or the day after would be too late.

  How about now? Because that’s the only time I’ve got, darling.

  “For Christ’s sake, who are you texting?” Mike asked, exasperated.

  “A colleague.” Caleb didn’t look at the other man, his gaze still on his phone.

  A long-ish moment passed before she responded.

  Fine. But I only have 10 minutes.

  Caleb grinned. He could almost hear the long-suffering tones in her text. Unable to resist the urge, he sent her back a kissy face just to annoy her.

  “A colleague? Yeah, right. Text your girlfriends later. We’re in a meeting.”

  “Hang on a sec.” Caleb watched as Judith’s response came back.

  Nice, Caleb. Very witty.

  Oh yeah, and now with the sarcasm. Which meant he’d gotten to her. Excellent.

  A burst of anticipation shot through him as he texted back a reply, shamelessly giving in to the impulse to get to her more.

  Plenty more wit where that came from, babycakes. Wait and see.

  There was only a small pause before she answered.

  Goodie. Can’t wait. Not.

  Yep, he’d definitely gotten to her all right. And if that wasn’t a challenge, he didn’t know what was.

  Putting his phone back in his pocket, he grinned at his annoyed looking agent. “TV, huh?”

  “That’s what I said.”

  “With the possibility of my own show?”

  “So you were listening, then.”

  “Of course.” Maybe this was the answer. Maybe this was the “more” he’d been looking for. A chance to stick with the sport he loved, show the world he wasn’t just a dumb lug chasing a ball up and down a field. “Yeah, investigate, Mike. Sounds like my kind of deal. By the way, you know I’m going to nominate you for agent of the year, right?”

  He felt good. Better than he had for a long time. And with Judith Ashton clearly in his sights, this day could only get better.

  …

  Damn Caleb Steele. He was coming now, which left her with no time for any preparation.

  “Bugger,” Judith muttered under her breath, stuffing her phone back into the pocket of her black skinny pants.

  Grace, Judith’s photographic assistant, receptionist, and everything else in-between, raised a pierced eyebrow. “Something up, Jude?”

  “Nothing. Just a meeting I’d forgotten about.”

  Correction: a meeting you’ve been putting off.

  Judith let out a sharp breath, annoyed with herself. Because yes, she had been putting off getting back to Caleb. Mainly due to her totally over-the-top physical reaction to him at Christie and Joseph’s wedding. She’d gotten over her pathetic crush on him years ago but apparently her body was still keen on reliving all those “happy” memories. Ugh.

  “What meeting?” Grace had a puzzled look on her face. “There’s nothing in your calendar?”

  “Just a meeting with a friend. Not more than ten minutes with any luck.” Bloody better not be any longer.

  “Okay, well, do you need me for it? I’ve got to get to therapy.”

  God forbid Grace should be late for therapy. “Sure. Go ahead.” Judith waved absently at her, head still full of wretched Caleb Steele.

  Damn. It had been years since the day he’d ditched her and she’d forgiven him for it. Kind of. So why was she getting all wound up about him now? It didn’t make any sense.

  As the door shut after Grace, Judith gazed around the waiting room with its white walls and white painted wooden floor, the walls displaying the best of her work.

  A certain measure of calm descended. Good thing he was coming to her studio, where she felt most comfortable. The one place in the world where she had absolute control over every single thing. Where she was in command and in charge. Where no one let her down or messed her around or made her wait. Where she called the shots.

  Okay, so he’d been high handed and insistent about coming to see her now, though she had to admit, he had a right considering she hadn’t contacted him till just today. And yes, his usual arrogance had set her back up, as had that ridiculous kissy face in his text.

  But she could handle it. She could handle him. He was as familiar to her as her own brother, and with the same annoying tendencies.

  Yes, think brother. That should contain any further silly physical reactions to him.

  Feeling much cooler and in-charge, Judith fussed around in her office for ten minutes while she waited, organizing schedules and reviewing client photos. Then, far, far too quickly for her liking, she heard the little bell that Grace kept on the reception desk ring.

  Her stomach gave an odd flutter and she ignored it. Reflexively smoothing her hair and adjusting her tunic, Judith made her way out to the waiting room.

  Only to have her stupid, thoughtless heartbeat accelerate at the sight of the man lounging casually against the reception desk.

  Caleb.

  With a pair of well-fitting jeans low on his lean hips, and a black T-shirt exposing, tanned forearms, he looked unbelievably…

  Sexy is the word you’re looking for, perhaps?

  As she stood there, gaping at him, he turned and glanced in her direction, dark eyes holding hers. And a peculiar electric shock moved over her skin while a painfully familiar feeling of breathlessness locked her throat.

  No, you idiot. Breathe. Remember what a complete fool you made of yourself last time around?

  “Hi there, darling,” Caleb drawled, that maddening, teasing smile playing around his sensual mouth. “Back in black, I see. I think I preferred you in green.”

  With an effort, Judith pulled herself together. “Isn’t it lucky I don’t dress to please you?”

  A frown creased his forehead. “Your shirt’s uneven.”

  “It’s called asymmetric. A little thing called fashion. You wouldn’t know anything about it.”

  “Asymmetric, huh? I suppose you paid good money for an uneven shirt?”

  “It’s a tunic. And it’s Zambesi.”

  “Zambesi, the Nile, some river, whatever. It’s still uneven and I still preferred you in green.”

  Judith ignored the casual dismissal of one of New Zealand’s premier design houses and a tunic that had cost at least five hundred dollars. Instead she looked pointedly at her watch. “Well, as much fun as talking about clothes with you is, shall we talk about the reason you’re actually here? I have clients this afternoon and don’t have all day.”

  His smile became lazy. “Ooooh I love it when
you get all bossy and professional. It’s quite sexy.”

  Oh boy, he was pushing it. Seriously pushing it. Judith raised an eyebrow. “I’m not one of your girlfriends, Caleb, so quit it with the charm. And like I said, I don’t have all day.”

  “If you think I’m being charming then I’ll take that as a compliment.” He straightened. Strange how he seemed to take up most of the room, not to mention a good portion of the air. She almost felt like taking a step back from him, just so she could breathe.

  “So,” he said, “where do you normally do this?”

  “Do? Do what?”

  “The photos.”

  Judith blinked, taken aback. “What? Now? I haven’t even decided if I’m going to take them yet.”

  Caleb folded his arms over his chest, a gesture that aggravatingly seemed to draw her attention to his biceps and the curl of a Maori tribal tattoo that licked around the right one. “Well, then make a decision.”

  “I can’t just—”

  “Why not?” He glanced at his watch. “You said you had ten minutes so I guess you’d better make up your mind quickly.”

  Judith realized she was gaping and closed her mouth with a snap. Damn the man. He’d always been impatient, just like Joseph, and just like Joseph he was also downright bloody demanding. It wasn’t just a matter of flicking off a few snaps, after all. Talking with the client about what they wanted was an important part of her job and that had to be factored in.

  “I know this is hard for you to believe, Caleb, but I do have a lot of other clients and a very full schedule. There are lots of other things I have to factor in. I can’t decide just like that.”

  “What other things?”

  “For a start I have to talk to you about what you want for the calendar—”

  “It’s not difficult. Sexy. That’s what I want.” He looked past her, down the hallway that led to the studio. “Is the studio through here? Come on, I’ll show you what I’m thinking.”

  Before she could reply, he neatly side-stepped her and was halfway down the corridor before she could move.

  Cursing, she had no choice but to go after him.

  The studio itself was still set up from the last shoot, with a clean white backdrop and the black velvet chaise lounge sitting in front of it. Caleb stopped in the middle of the room, surveying it with a look of approval. “Nice, Jude. This is perfect.”