Model Behavior Page 10

“Oh. It’s a friend of mine from Galveston.”

  “Oh. What’s she want?”

  “We went to dinner a couple of times, Ronnie.”

  “Okay. So now she wants to see you again?”

  “Yeah. Something like that.”

  “It’s okay,” Ronnie said. “We both have pasts. Even if yours isn’t as colorful as mine. Just tell her you’re with me now and can’t see her anymore.”

  “Yeah. I’ll do that.”

  Lana sent the text. She felt bad for Danielle, but she wouldn’t have been honest if she hadn’t told her about Ronnie.

  “You okay?” Ronnie said.

  “Yeah. Fine.”

  “Okay. Thanks for doing that. Hopefully, she won’t go all Whitney on us.”

  “Oh, I doubt it. We’d only had a couple of dates.”

  “Good.” Ronnie checked her watch. “I need to get a move on. You want to join me in the shower?”

  “I’d love to.”

  Ronnie’s shower was large enough for two. It even had two showerheads. It was luxurious to say the least. Lana dropped her kimono and stepped inside. Ronnie joined her soon after. She took the bath sponge from Lana and lathered it up. She washed every inch of her, paying special attention to between her legs. After she’d rinsed her off, she dropped to her knees and pleased her. Lana cried out and dug her fingers into Ronnie’s shoulders to keep from falling over from the force of the climax.

  Lana squeezed the shower gel into her hand and used her hands to massage and wash Ronnie. She slipped them between her legs and rubbed her clit until Ronnie screamed her name.

  They got out of the shower and toweled off.

  Lana watched as Ronnie got dressed and gelled her hair.

  “You’re so damned fine,” Lana said.

  “Thank you. You’re not too shabby yourself.”

  “Gee. Thanks.”

  “You know I’m teasing. I think you’re drop-dead gorgeous.”

  “That’s better.” Lana laughed.

  Ronnie kissed her.

  “Okay. I need to go. I’ll be home early. I’ve only got this one shoot today.”

  “Sounds good. Have a good day.”

  “You, too.”

  And then she was gone, leaving Lana alone to contemplate her day. She went into the bathroom and did her makeup and her hair, then called Madeline to see if they could do lunch. Madeline said she could meet her at the bistro at one. Lana had another cup of coffee, cleaned up the kitchen, and it was time to meet Madeline.

  She was sitting at a small table when Madeline walked in. She stood and kissed Madeline on each cheek.

  “How are you?” Madeline asked. “How is everything with Ronnie?”

  “Overall, things are really good.”

  “Overall? So, what’s not good?”

  “Some model she slept with won’t leave us alone.”

  “Oh, no. Well, that’s not good. But is it really surprising?”

  “I think so. Ronnie said they both agreed to having fun. There was no mention of commitment.”

  “Well, obviously this model thought there was. Lana, are you being careful? Are you sure she’s really committed to you? I’d hate to see you get hurt.”

  “But we spend every spare minute together. She wouldn’t have time to be with anybody else. Trust me.”

  “Madeline!” someone called as they approached the table.

  Lana turned to see Whitney headed their way.

  “Hello, Whitney,” Madeline said. “What are you doing here?”

  “I went by the office and they said you were here. I wanted to talk to you.”

  It was then she looked at Lana, really looked at her, and the recognition showed in her eyes.

  “Oh, it’s you,” she said.

  “You’ve met?” Madeline said.

  Lana got up, threw some cash on the table, and murmured an excuse about having to be somewhere. She sat in her car, shaking. She hated that Whitney woman. With every ounce of her being. She undermined all the faith Lana had in Ronnie. Why couldn’t she simply disappear out of their lives?

  She knew Ronnie had to work with Whitney. Unless Madeline could assign her to other studios. Maybe Lana could ask her to do that. Whitney was probably looking for Madeline to get more work with Ronnie. Lana hoped not.

  When Lana felt she was under control, she headed to the mall. She needed some retail therapy and knew just what to buy. She pulled into the mall and walked to Victoria’s Secret. She shopped until she was feeling much better, then took her goodies and went home.

  She carefully unpacked her bags and loaded up a spare drawer at the bottom of Ronnie’s dresser. Then she took another shower and dressed in a pair of blue satin boxers and a matching camisole. She put her new blue satin bathrobe over her outfit and settled in to paint her nails while she waited for Ronnie to get home.

  Lana heard her truck in the driveway and got up to stand by the door. When Ronnie opened it, she pulled her to her for a warm embrace. Ronnie’s hand moved up and down her side.

  “I like this,” Ronnie said. “It feels nice.”

  “Thanks. I bought it especially for you.”

  “Well, thank you.”

  Ronnie pulled her close and kissed her.

  “Mm. It’s so good to be home.”

  “How was your day?” Lana took her hand and led her to the couch.

  “It was great.”

  “Did you see Whitney?”

  “Surprisingly, no.”

  “I did.”

  “You did? Where?”

  Lana told her about having lunch with Madeline.

  “What did she want?” Ronnie said.

  “I don’t know. As soon as she recognized me I left.”

  “I’m sorry, baby. I wish I could protect you from her.”

  “I don’t think she’s going to hurt me.”

  “I know. But I’d like to make sure your paths never cross.”

  “Unfortunately,” Lana said. “That’s not possible based on the business we’re in. Especially now that I know she uses Madeline, too.”

  “So how was the rest of your day?”

  “It was great. I went shopping, which always helps my mood.”

  “So, is this new?” Ronnie tugged on Lana’s belt.

  “Yes, it is.”

  “Mm. And what’s under this?” Ronnie opened Lana’s robe and gazed longingly at her outfit.

  “I like this outfit so much,” Ronnie said, “that I think I want to take it off of you right now.”

  “You do, huh?” Lana smiled.

  “Indeed.”

  Ronnie eased the robe off Lana, then lifted her camisole. She bent to take a nipple gently in her mouth. The feeling of her hot breath on her nipple made Lana shiver. Ronnie tenderly sucked and nipped at it, and Lana felt the contact directly in her nerve center between her legs. She wanted Ronnie to take her shorts off and please her, but Ronnie didn’t seem to be in any hurry.

  Lana tangled her hands in Ronnie’s short hair, holding on for dear life as Ronnie switched to her other nipple and teased her some more. Lana eased back on the couch, aching with need.

  Ronnie slid her hand down her body and under the waist of her shorts. Lana braced for contact, but none came. Ronnie brought her hand back up and cupped the breast she was suckling.

  “Please, Ronnie,” Lana begged.

  “So soon?” Ronnie said.

  “Yes. I need you.”

  Ronnie went back to sucking a nipple, but slipped her hand under Lana’s shorts.

  “You’re so wet for me,” Ronnie said.

  “Of course I am.”

  Ronnie slid her fingers inside.

  “More,” Lana said.

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes. I need more.”

  Ronnie slipped another finger inside, and Lana felt more full than she ever had. She moved against Ronnie, making sure all her favorite spots were hit. She slid her own hand between her legs and, while Ronnie continued to thrust in and ou
t, she rubbed her own clit. The combination was out of this world, and she clamped hard around Ronnie as she had the hardest orgasm of her life.

  “Damn,” she said after she’d caught her breath. “That was amazing.”

  “Mm. I’m glad you enjoyed it. Now if you would just loosen your grip on my fingers I’ll come out.”

  “Sorry.”

  “Don’t be. It’s actually hot.”

  Lana finally relaxed enough for Ronnie to pull out. She eased Lana’s camisole back down and kissed her.

  “You drive me crazy, you know that?” Ronnie said.

  “Likewise, I’m sure. Are you ready for your turn?”

  “I’m fine for now. Actually, I’m starving. I didn’t have lunch today.”

  They heated up the leftover pizza and ate at the kitchen table. Lana poured them wine which they sipped with dinner.

  “You have the best wine,” Lana said. “Where did you learn so much about it?”

  “Actually, my ex was really into wine. So, I learned from her.”

  “Ah. So there is an ex in your past. You haven’t always been the womanizer you have the reputation for.”

  “No. Once upon a time I was in a relationship. Her name was Constance. You remind me a lot of her, actually. Except I hope you’re not the type to come home one day and announce you’re in love with someone else.”

  Lana placed her hand over Ronnie’s.

  “I’m so sorry. No wonder you turned into a player. It was all to protect your heart.”

  “Yes, it was. But now I have someone to share my heart with again. And that’s a good thing.”

  “It’s a wonderful thing.”

  Ronnie leaned over and kissed Lana and felt her heart swell. She was falling hard and really hoped Lana wouldn’t hurt her.

  Lana stood and offered Ronnie her hand. Ronnie took it and followed Lana to the bedroom.

  “You know, you don’t need to worry about me,” Lana said as she unbuttoned Ronnie’s shirt. “I’m not going to hurt you.”

  She pushed it off her shoulders and lifted her undershirt over her head.

  “Never.” Lana kissed her neck.

  She unbuttoned Ronnie’s jeans, and Ronnie stepped out of them, pulling her boxers with them. She lay back on the bed and Lana climbed on top of her. She kissed her passionately on her mouth, then nibbled down her neck before sucking on a nipple. Ronnie ran her hands through her hair.

  “That’s it, baby,” she said. “Show me that you care.”

  Lana kissed lower until she was between her legs. Ronnie spread her legs wide to let Lana have at her. Lana buried her tongue inside Ronnie, and Ronnie arched her hips, urging her deeper. Lana continued to lick and suck on her as she ran her fingertips over Ronnie’s clit, and Ronnie felt her world shatter into a million tiny pieces.

  When she had finally recovered from her orgasm, she pulled Lana up next to her. It was early, but they dozed.

  Ronnie woke up to a pounding on her front door.

  “What’s going on?” Lana said.

  “I don’t know. You stay here.”

  Ronnie pulled on some shorts and a T-shirt and crossed the living room as the doorbell rang.

  “Hold your horses!”

  She opened the door and there stood Whitney, wearing a long, red overcoat.

  “What are you doing here? How did you find out where I lived?”

  “Does that matter? What’s important is that I’m here. Won’t you invite me in?”

  “No. I won’t. Good-bye.”

  Before she could close the door, Whitney had side stepped inside and was in her entry hall. Lana came around the corner and stopped in her tracks.

  “What’s she doing here?” Whitney said.

  “She’s my girlfriend,” Ronnie said. “She’s always here.”

  Whitney looked Lana up and down, then untied the belt of her overcoat and let it fall to the floor. She was wearing nothing underneath it.

  “This is what a real woman looks like,” she said.

  She took Ronnie’s hand, but Ronnie quickly pulled away.

  “Don’t touch me,” she said.

  “But you know you want me. Look at me. Tell me you’re going to deny yourself. Send your little friend home and we’ll have a great time.”

  “My girlfriend isn’t going anywhere. You, however, are leaving right now.”

  Ronnie picked up her overcoat and handed it to her.

  “You don’t really want me to leave. I know this. Let’s go to your room where we can talk in private.”

  Ronnie looked over at Lana.

  “Call the police, baby. They’ll make her leave.”

  “Hold on. Don’t get so pushy. I just thought we could have fun,” Whitney said.

  “Well, we can’t. Not today. Not tomorrow. Not ever. Do you understand?”

  “You’ll come around,” Whitney said. She put on her overcoat and stood looking from Ronnie to Lana and back. “I’ll catch you when she’s not around and I know you’ll give in.”

  “Get out,” Ronnie said.

  Whitney left, and Ronnie locked and bolted the front door. She crossed over to Lana and pulled her close.

  “I’m so sorry about her,” Ronnie said.

  “She scares me. Not that I don’t think you can handle her, but I worry she’s going to try to do something to me.”

  “I’ll keep you safe, baby. You’ve got to believe me.”

  They went back to bed but sleep eluded Ronnie. She held Lana until she heard soft snores coming from her and knew she was asleep. But she was wide awake. She needed to get rid of Whitney and soon. How had she found out where she lived? She must have followed her home. The idea creeped her out. Everything about Whitney creeped her out. How was she going to keep her promise to Lana? To keep her safe? Was Whitney really dangerous?

  Ronnie finally fell into a restless sleep. She woke up at seven and dragged her butt out of bed to make coffee before getting into the shower. She was lathering her hair when she heard the door of the shower open and close.

  “Hey, baby,” Ronnie said.

  “Hey, gorgeous. I thought you might need some help.”

  “Oh, you did, did you?”

  “Yep.”

  Lana lathered her hands and slid one between Ronnie’s legs.

  “I want to make sure you’re good and clean here,” she said.

  “Oh, baby. You make me feel so good.”

  “Good. Now relax and let the feelings wash over you.”

  Ronnie had no choice. Her whole body was alive. Every nerve ending tingled as Lana pressed their bodies together and she teased Ronnie’s clit.

  “Oh, yeah, baby. That’s it,” Ronnie said as she closed her eyes and focused all her attention on Lana’s fingers. She was close, so very close. “Just a little more. There. That’s it.”

  Ronnie sank back against the wall to keep from falling as the powerful climax took her breath away. When she was back to reality, she dropped to her knees and pleased Lana with her mouth and fingers and was rewarded when Lana cried out and dug her fingernails into Ronnie’s shoulders as she fought to maintain her balance.

  They quickly rinsed, dried, and dressed, then went to the kitchen for coffee.

  “So, what does your day look like?” Lana asked.

  “My first shoot is with Christine again. She was the one who was late the other day. I hope she doesn’t make a habit out of that. And then it’s your turn.”

  “Should I come early and bring lunch?”

  “That would be great.”

  Ronnie kissed her good-bye and headed off to work.

  Chapter Eleven

  Christine was late. Ronnie had the shoot all set up and was drinking her second cup of coffee when Christine came waltzing in, full of excuses.

  “Save it,” Ronnie said. “I have a schedule to keep. If you and your agency want me to keep shooting you, you’d better start being on time. I mean it.”

  Ronnie was mostly worried that the shoot would run late and
cut into her time with Lana.

  “Now go get changed.”

  Ronnie finished her coffee while she waited. As soon as Christine was out of her dressing room, Ronnie had her on the set, giving directions and taking shot after shot. After a few minutes, Ronnie was still frustrated.

  “Are you even trying?” she said.

  “Yes. I really am. I’m sorry. Let’s try again.”

  “Fine.”

  They took it from the top, and Christine finally relaxed into following Ronnie’s instructions. Ronnie was good, and she knew it. She just needed the stupid models to have faith in her. She didn’t really want to work with Christine again. But she pushed her hard for a couple of hours and, satisfied, Ronnie let her go back to the dressing room.

  Ronnie looked over the pictures she’d gotten. Perfect. She was sure the magazine paying for the spread would be pleased. She downloaded her pictures onto her computer and sent them off.

  Happy with that shoot, and knowing she only had one more shoot that day, Ronnie relaxed with a cup of coffee and waited for Lana to get there.

  Ronnie heard loud voices in the hallway and went out to see what was going on. There were Whitney and Lana in a shouting match. Shit.

  “What the hell is going on out here?”

  “I brought you lunch.” Whitney was wearing the same overcoat as the previous night, and Ronnie was pretty certain there was nothing under it again. “And she says she brought you lunch and I should just go. I think we should see whose lunch you like better.”

  “I choose hers,” Ronnie said. “Now beat it, Whitney.”

  “But you don’t even know what I brought you.”

  “It doesn’t matter. I planned to have lunch with Lana, and I’m going to. Now leave or I’ll call security.”

  “You’re no fun anymore,” Whitney said.

  “Whitney. Get out of here. I mean it.”

  Whitney left, and Lana and Ronnie walked back inside the studio. They set up lunch at the kitchen table and said good-bye to the rest of the crew who all left the building for lunch.

  “I’m so sorry about Whitney,” Ronnie said.

  “It’s not your fault. The woman has a screw loose.”

  “Obviously. If only I’d known that before I slept with her.”

  “You couldn’t have known, Ronnie. Now relax and eat your lunch.”

  “You look very gorgeous today, by the way.”