Page 36 of Earl
*****
“Good Christ!” Barry the photographer was almost salivating as he stared through the lens of his high-tech camera. “This is pure gold man. Pure undiluted gold.” He was almost dancing around.
“You make the perfect couple in terms of pairing. And wearing just the top of this silk PJ top that barely covers your thighs, Cathy, is pure genius.” You even managed to make this guy look good.” He flicked a hand towards Justin who was lounging in a chaise after the shoot.
It had been a very long day with the producer shaking his head over the scenery, the lighting, the palm trees, the wind, everything, until he had finally settled on an ideal spot in the shade of an Everglades palm.
The outfit, black silk with a touch of bold red and green, was her own design and had taken the market by storm. The lightweight material was sexy without being overtly indecent and was unisex.
The bottom was altered to fit Justin’s long supple legs and was baggy around his thighs. The top had been made for plus sized women and settled on Cathy’s generous curves like a second skin.
They were positioned so that Justin was lounging against the trunk of the tree, shirtless, his supple bronzed golden-brown skin shown to advantage against the spectacular backdrop. Cathy was lying half on his lap, her head tilted slightly towards him, her thick dark brown hair streaming on his lap.
A soft seductive smile curved her lips. He was looking down at her, with a slightly amused tilt to his beautiful lips indicating that he knew secrets about her that he would rather not reveal.
“Darling, anything, and anyone can make me look good. I am a natural.” Golden-brown eyes twinkling, he sprang off the chair and hauled Cathy up against him, smacking her on the lips. “Are we done?”
“Yes. Good job everyone.” The producer clapped his hands gleefully. “We pick this up again in the morning. Go and enjoy the beautiful island.”
“What do you say, darling? Swimming or clubbing?”
“Clubbing.”
“You read my mind.”
*****
Coco Bonga was hopping, and the mindless noise of the crowd was exactly what she needed to get her mind off her troubles.
She had been checking her phone periodically for any sign that he had even texted her, but he remained silent. She had been in Mexico for two days now and not even a phone call. It hurts, shefelt the pain of his rejection searing through her heart, but she was going to have to find a way to get him out of her heart.
It was déjà vu all over again. She had chosen the wrong guy. Byron had called and said that he missed her and couldn’t wait for her to get back.
“It is strange that I am missing you so much. Your effervescent personality is like a balm to my soul.”
She had chided him over his sentimentality.
“Laugh all you want, Cathy, but I really like you. Do you mind if I call you later?”
“I am going to a club and might not be back until very late. Then I have to be up early in the morning for another shoot.”
“Text me then.”
She could not help wishing it was Earl. What was it about him that appealed to her so much? She wondered. How can she be in love with a man she had never met? Was it the sound of his voice? It had to be.
“None of that.” She jumped at the sound of Justin’s voice in her ear.
“What?”
“You are brooding, darling and here we are in this incredibly lively and colorful scenery. There are men all around and I have personally seen some of them eyeing you with lustful eyes.” His own eyes wandered over her voluptuous curves in admiration.
She was wearing one of her designs, a metallic gold romper with flared legs. Her hair was loose and tumbling down her back. He found himself wishing and not for the first time, that he was straight.
“I could vacate the villa and let you have some time with Mario over there.” He jerked his head towards a buff looking Mexican, with thick black hair and an eager look on his attractive face.
“You know his name?”
“No!” Justin grinned at her. “They are all Mario’s to me.”