She lifted her shoulder in a shrug, and her head tilted towards it, half a smirk on her lips. “Well, I’m guessing it’s about some work.”
“Yeah? Whatever gave you that idea?” Her eyes searched mine as I bit back my smirk, I tried to establish if she thought I was taking the piss or not, or if she thought I was deadly serious. Why else would she be here after all.
“Well, the fact that Nikki said she would call about work.” And there you have it. She didn’t understand my sarcasm. I tried to hide my smirk, and lifted my bottle back to my lips, “Are you screwing with me?” Her eyes narrowed with her question.
I stepped closer, swallowed the water in my mouth and nodded slowly. “I’m taking the piss. I’m sorry, you were just too easy.”
“Well,” she reached her hands around her and slid them into her back pockets, her chest puffed out with the action. “Easy isn’t something I’ve been called before.” Her teeth grazed her lip as she smiled around it.
“You should know,” I whispered as I bent slightly to her height, “I pride myself on being easy.”
Her eyebrow cocked as she released her lip, “Did your mother never tell you that you’d get a reputation that way?”
“No.” I whispered back. “I got it anyway.” A smirk pulled at my mouth as her pretty eyes widened.
“Okay,” her voice was all breathy, “so I better get um…” she sighed, “...going.”
“Just this way.” I smiled confidently. She was putty in my hands as she followed closely down the long hallway. It was as we ventured through the kitchen that I remembered my manners, “Coffee?”
“Please, yeah.” I moved to the coffee pot, grabbed a cup and poured her coffee.
“Milk and sugar?”
“No, thank you.” Without anything else having to be added to it, I passed it over and smiled.
“Enjoy.” I led her through the archway and into the back room where Nikki and Gav were working. I swung my arm out and pointed her in the right direction, announcing her arrival like some fucking butler. “Your photographer, sir.” I bowed to him, when my head lifted, Roman was watching me with his lips pursed.
“Funny fucker.” Roman added as he shook his head. “Ignore him and take a seat.” She glanced briefly at me as a smirk played on her lips and pulled out a chair at the dining table.
As I smiled back, Nikki lifted her head and caught me, her eyes flamed like fire.
“Hey guys.” Karen greeted them both, and I left them to their meeting and went back onto the patio.
I’d been sitting out here for the last hour. The peace was deafening. I guessed I wasn’t that comfortable with my own company all the time. I’d get used to it, though; I’d have to since I was getting my own place now. And like some kind of siren’s call, my phone rang, breaking the silence. The unknown numberhad me frowning. I deliberated on whether to answer it or not, there was a time I didn’t answer anything that wasn’t saved in my contacts. I huffed,sack up, dude,in for a penny and all that… I swiped across my screen, “Hello.” I said as I held it up to my ear.
“Hi Mr Wright, this is Amber from the letting agents. It’s just a courtesy call to let you know the keys for the property are ready for you to collect.”
“Sweet,” I sat up straight, “thanks. I’ll be in this morning.”
Pushing myself out of the chair, I pocketed my phone again, and walked back through the house to get my car keys. I took them from the bowl in the kitchen and started back the other way.
“You seem to be in a rush.” I turned to look over my shoulder and grinned at Karen. “Yeah, gotta pop out.”
“Anywhere interesting?” She asked from behind. I waited for her to catch up with me, and we walked back to the front door together.
“I guess so...” Why did I feel like she was trying to get into my head? Her eyes searched mine every time I peered into them. But what a place to get lost in. “Erm, just gotta pick up some keys.”
“Oh.” I held the door open for her and I walked her across the drive to her car.
“So, all your business sorted?” I asked as I leaned against her door, folding my arms across my chest.
“It is. Roman told me about the casino job.”
“Yeah, it’ll be good. I take it you’ll be doing the official photographs.” I asked.
“Yep. I jumped at the chance. I’ve never been to a casino.”
“You live in L.A. and you’ve never been to a casino?” I scoffed. Has this woman been living under a rock, I mused to myself.
