Free Don’t Call Me Sweetheart by Jeanette Ward Page B

had
intended to skip out on before the day had turned into such a fiasco. Now there
was no way she could go through with the plan considering what had passed
between her and Christian. She couldn’t imagine a more humiliating situation.
    “Why, because he might kiss you again?”
    Whitney mentally shushed the naughty voice that had sprung
unbidden out of nowhere. Aloud to Tess she replied, “Of course not. I never
planned to anyway.” Her answer came just a little too quickly for Tess to
believe she actually meant it.
    “Okay. I suppose if you can’t make it and we know I never
have a free evening, we could probably talk Charisse into filling in for you at
the last minute. It looked as if she liked Christian well enough.”
    Correction. It looked as if she wanted to devour Christian
piece by piece. Whitney had visions of the petite blonde flung across Christian’s
lap as they made their way about the city. With no one to give them directions,
she was certain the worldly model would improvise on a few new moves for
Christian’s pleasure.
    But wouldn’t that be preferable to putting herself through
the ordeal of appearing with him herself? What if she lost control again? As
much as she hated to, she had to admit there was a possibility she might if he
turned those dark eyes her direction.
    No, No, No, Whitney rationalized to herself emphatically. The
chances of that happening were nonexistent since he would have left his act
behind him at the studio. He wouldn’t be giving her any encouragement.
    As if you really needed it.
    If for no other reason than to prove to herself and that
aggravating little voice, that she could ignore Christian if she choose to,
Whitney made her decision. She would go. She had nothing to lose by going, as
long as she didn’t have to touch Christian. And she didn’t really want him to
think she was afraid of him, did she? This would be her chance to try to convince
him that she too had only been acting. That’s all.
    But what about that look she had intercepted as she left? The
question brought the memory of black eyes flashing with intensity crashing
headlong into all her logically laid plans. A shiver sliced its way up her
spine.
    “I wouldn’t want to inconvenience her. Really.” Whitney
answered Tess’ dare at last, twisting a coppery curl around her finger, hoping
she didn’t sound as transparent as she felt. She paused to swallow a little of
her coffee, then added, “I guess it wouldn’t be that much of an imposition to
show him around, that is if you think he still wants to go?”
    “I bet he’s banking on it,” Tess answered cryptically,
sending them both into a fit of laughter.
    The rest of the afternoon passed pleasantly and before she
knew it, Whitney found herself back in the studio waiting for Christian to
finish changing his clothes after the others had left. As she sat and stared
once again at the door of his dressing room, trying not to image what was
happening behind those closed doors, she had second thoughts about her rash
decision. And third thoughts. And…

Chapter Five
     
    “Looks like we’ve been deserted,” Christian observed as he
stepped from the dressing room, his deep resounding voice reminding Whitney
that she shouldn’t be there. With him. Alone. The rest of the crew had left
nearly half an hour ago, with Tess and Jag following close behind. The studio
was silent except for the sound of quiet laughter echoing from an out-of-sight
office. It wasn’t fair to have a dream come true at the same time a nightmare
was preparing to unfold.
    Hungry. That’s what she was. And the thought of food sounded
good too. Maybe, Whitney thought, she should ask Christian if he would like to
go eat. He read her mind.
    “All that hard work has left me famished,” Christian said
lightly, trying to dispel any anxiety Whitney might be feeling. She was feeling
a lot. “I bet you are too, hanging around here all afternoon. Let’s see if we
can find a quiet