Free Again by Diana Murdock Page A

muscles.  Definitely not a difficult subject to look at through the lens, she thought.
    He was roguishly handsome, even more so than Eryn remembered from the party.  He was definitely not a suit man.  Outdoors was his element, among the water, the cliffs, and the sun.
    She couldn’t deny he was attractive and that he had a certain amount of charisma, but there was also something about him that bothered her, something she couldn’t quite put her finger on.   His smile was smooth and persuasive, his eyes cool and calculating with a hint of malice.   With his good looks and endless charm, though, she had no doubt he could seduce a woman into instant submission if given the chance.
    “Oh, I think you’ll like what I got.”  Eryn turned and began packing up her flashes and stands.  “You’re a natural.”
    “You just bring out the best in me.”  He was suddenly behind her, giving her little room to move between him and her camera case. 
    Startled, she turned quickly and lost her footing in the soft sand.   She cursed softly, struggling to maintain her balance.
    He caught her around her waist.  “Gotcha.”
    For the longest moment they stood inches apart, his hands firmly on her hips, holding her steady.  She felt the smoldering heat from his eyes as they traveled down the length of her neck, pausing when he spotted her wildly beating pulse in the soft hollow of her throat.  A satisfied smile played upon his mouth.  Suddenly, she did feel like the prey.   Oh, he was good.
    “Yes.  I think I definitely need to hire you again,” he murmured.  “Maybe a family portrait.”
    So, he is married after all, she thought with relief.  Eryn gently grasped his wrists and took his hands off of her while carefully stepping sideways.   Somebody had to keep this professional.   She guessed that would be her.
    “Sure.   Anytime.  How many children to you have?”
    “One, if you can count my dog as a kid.”  His eyes crinkled at the corners as he gave her a knee-weakening grin.
    She wondered if he practiced that or if it came naturally.   That smile probably got him everything he wanted.
    “Sometimes that’s all a couple needs,” Eryn said.   “A dog, I mean.”
    “Couple?  No, it’s just me and Duke, living the bachelor life.”
    “So you’re not married?”  She realized that came out with a little too much enthusiasm.
    “Why, are you interested?” he teased.
    “No,” she said quickly, not wanting him to get the wrong impression.  “I have a friend.  She was at the party last night.”
    “I’m pretty sure I checked out all the women there.  You were by far the most attractive.”
    He’s relentless, she thought, shaking her head.   She squatted down to put her lenses in the case and then snapped the case closed.  Standing up, she faced him.  “And very married.”
    “That doesn’t make you any less attractive to me.”  His attention drifted over her shoulder to something behind her.  “Hey, Bryce.  Here to watch your wife in action?”  He winked at her.
    Eryn spun around, feeling a cold sweat pop out of every pore on her body.   She should have known Bryce couldn’t stay away, but his timing could not have been worse.
    Tension throbbed in Bryce’s clenched jaw.   “How’s it going, Troy?”
    Troy turned and walked to his gear.  “You’ve got quite a wife there, Bryce.  She’s a real professional.”  He stuffed the ropes and other gear into his bags and slung them over his shoulder.   “Call me when you have those ready,” he said to Eryn. “I’d like to look them over with you.”
    He’s tormenting Bryce on purpose, Eryn thought, flashing Troy a warning glare.   She could almost hear Bryce’s muscles tighten up.
    “Take it easy, man.”  Troy slapped Bryce’s shoulder as he turned to leave.
    Bryce managed to muster a grunting noise as they watched him walk to his truck and sling his bags into the back of it.
    “I don’t like him.”  There was