Daphne Kemp gave her best friend a look that she hoped conveyed how ridiculous Faith was to suggest such a thing. "You can't be serious."

"Read it again." She pushed the piece of paper closer to Daphne. "I printed this off Lynch's website this morning. This is perfect for you."

Daphne pushed aside her empty plate and picked up the paper. She quickly perused it, only because her friend wanted her to, not because she would ever consider doing something so insane.

"What do you think?" Faith asked.

"I think you're crazy for even bringing this to show me."

Faith's eager expression faded. "Why? You've worked your butt off since Len left you. You can use the extra money."

"Faith--"

"You'll be modeling for Gerard Lynch." Her eyes sparkled with excitement. "Gerard Lynch! Ohmigod, he's only the best photographer in the world."

Daphne understood getting excited and silly about a musician or someone famous from television or the movies, but a photographer? "How do you know so much about him?"

Faith rolled her eyes, as if she couldn't believe Daphne would ask such a stupid question. "Don't you ever read anything but computer magazines? Gerard Lynch has photographs hanging in almost every gallery in Europe and a bunch in the U.S. He doesn't simply take pictures, Daph. He creates masterpieces."

Picking up the paper again, Daphne read the information more slowly. There wasn't a specific payment amount listed, only that the models would be generously paid. Generous sounded really good. She had been working extra hours for almost a year to pay off the outrageous bills her lousy ex-husband had run up on her credit cards before he disappeared. Faith was right. Any extra money would be greatly appreciated.

"There's no guarantee he'll pick me. There will probably be hundreds of women applying for the job."

"And men. He's photographing both sexes for his new book."

"Why isn't he using professional models?"

"Gerard Lynch never used professional models. He photographs real people."

Real people. With all their bumps and bulges and flaws. Daphne tried to take care of herself. She ate chocolate only twice a week. Okay, sometimes five times a week. Despite trying to work regular exercise into her routine, her thirty-eight-year-old body wasn't nearly as shapely as ten or fifteen years ago.

Gravity was not a woman's friend.

"Wouldn't he rather have young people pose?"

"Since when is thirty-eight old? Besides, he photographs all ages." Her gaze passed over Daphne's hair. "You're gorgeous, Daph. You have all that long, natural blonde hair and green eyes that make guys drool, plus a body that any woman would want. He'll take one look at you and whip out his checkbook." Faith reached across the table and squeezed Daphne's hand. "Go for the interview. Maybe he won't pick you, but you won't know unless you try."

Daphne swirled the melting ice cubes in her tea with her straw. "He's really good?"

"Excellent. I have a couple of his books I can show you. The latest one is all black and white photography." Leaning forward, Faith rested her folded arms on the table. "There's one of a guy taken from the back. Half his body is in shadow and half in light. He's standing on his tiptoes, his arms outstretched. All those delicious muscles are bulging." She shivered. "Yummy."

Part of what Faith said sent a zing of apprehension through Daphne's body. "How much of him did you see?"

"All of him. He was nude."

That cinched her decision right there. "I'm not taking off my clothes for someone I don't even know."

"He's a professional, Daph, just like a doctor. He's seen all different shapes and sizes of bodies. Besides, you won't be completely naked. Look at the description on that paper. You'll either wear lingerie or be tastefully covered."

"What does 'tastefully covered' mean?"

"You know. A bit of your butt will be exposed, or the side of a breast. Maybe a hint of pubic hair. Like that. He's an artist, not a guy who takes dirty pictures. His photographs are...sensual. Alluring. Hot without being obscene."

Sensual and alluring sounded really good. But Daphne didn't know if she could do it. She'd never modeled, never even fantasized about it. She doubted if there was a woman in the world who didn't have issues about some part of her body. Faith said Daphne had a nice body, but Faith was her friend and completely biased.

Len had made a fool out of her. She didn't want to do that to herself.

The words "generously paid" jumped out at her. It would be so nice to get some of the financial burden off her shoulders. She could pay off one of the credit cards with a few hundred dollars.

"All he can do is say no, right?"

Faith smiled. "Absolutely. But he won't. He'll snap you up in a second."

* * * * *

Gerard Lynch blew out a deep breath. He'd lost track of how many prospective people had been interviewed to model for him. He left the interview process up to his assistant Dale, but he watched the proceedings on his computer from the sitting area in his hotel suite where he'd set up his office. He'd found the men he wanted, but still needed one more woman.

He'd given himself two weeks, assuming that would be all the time he'd need to find the people he wanted to pose for him. Dozens had already filed through the doors of his suite. Out of all the hundreds of thousands of people in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, he should be able to find twenty people who possessed the qualities he wanted for his new book.

It had nothing to do with looks or sex appeal or body shape. After ten years of experience he knew, simply by looking at someone, if they had the type of image he wanted to convey in his photographs. The woman talking to Dale now absolutely did not have the image.

He pressed a key on the keyboard. Dale would see the small red flash on his computer screen, the signal to wrap up the interview and thank the woman for her time.

Last one of the day. Thank God.

The brunette smiled, but Gerard could tell it was forced. She was obviously disappointed that Dale hadn't picked her to model. She was lovely, no doubt about it. Lovely wasn't enough.

If he'd met her under different circumstances, he'd ask her out, maybe invite her to spend the night with him. It had been a long time since he'd held a woman close to him, tasted her lips, caressed her skin. He'd been too wrapped up in his work to date, much less make love. And if he was honest with himself, he hadn't met a woman in a long time who interested him enough to want to see her more than a few minutes.

"One more, Gerard," Dale said over the computer's speaker.

"What? I thought the brunette was the last one."

"I had a gal call and ask if she could come in tonight instead of tomorrow. She'll be here about six."

Gerard looked at the clock on the computer. Fifteen minutes until six. He was tired and hungry and his eyes burned. He wanted to have a glass of wine, order a steak from room service, and fall into bed. Eight full hours of sleep would be nice for a change. Maybe even nine.

"Do you want me to call her back and cancel?" Dale asked.

"No. She's already on her way. We'll wrap it up after her interview."

He couldn't have the steak or his bed yet, but he could have a glass of wine. Gerard left his office and went into the kitchen. He opened a bottle of merlot and splashed a generous amount in a glass. The smooth liquid flowed over his tongue and down his throat.

Nirvana.

Gerard returned to his room. He opened the file on his computer of the men and women he'd already chosen for his project. Dale had snapped a digital picture of everyone who had passed the interview and uploaded it for Gerard to view. Gerard would feature each person in individual photos, yet would also group two or more together for specific poses.

After he finished in Dallas, he would travel to Houston and repeat the process before moving farther east. He planned to have at least five hundred photographs in the book. It would be his most ambitious book to date.

He took another sip of wine as he examined the pictures on his screen. The people ranged in age from nineteen to eighty-five. He hoped he'd find someone at least one hundred in the cities he visited. He wanted that to be the last photograph in the book.

"Hi," he heard a feminine voice say over the computer's speaker.

"Come in," Dale said. "You're right on time."

Gerard pressed a key to activate the camera focused on Dale's desk where he held the interviews. A woman with flowing blonde hair settled into the chair in front of Dale's desk.

Gerard's heart began a thick thumping in his chest.

A series of keystrokes and the camera zoomed in on her oval face. He couldn't tell the exact color of her eyes, but they were either green or hazel. Long eyelashes darkened with mascara. A light dusting of blush on her cheekbones. Shapely lips covered with glossy coral.

He moved the camera angle lower. Full breasts filled out the front of her green T-shirt. He could see a hint of cleavage in the round neckline.

"I'm Daphne Kemp."

Daphne. A lovely name for a lovely woman.

"Welcome, Ms. Kemp. I'm Dale Gibson, Mr. Lynch's assistant. I have a few questions to ask you."

"Of course."

Her voice wrapped around his cock and squeezed. A burgeoning erection made Gerard shift in his chair. He tried to move the camera lower to see more of her body. Dale's desk was in the way.

"Damn it," he muttered.

It didn't matter that he couldn't see more of her. He wanted to photograph Daphne Kemp for his book.

He pressed the key that would flash a green light on Dale's computer screen. Dale stopped in mid sentence and glanced at the camera, a shocked look on his face. Gerard had never approved someone so quickly, so wasn't surprised at his assistant's disbelief.

Dale stumbled over his words a moment before he spoke again. "Mr. Lynch is working on a new book and wishes to employ twenty people in this area to pose for him."

Gerard didn't wait to hear any more of Dale's memorized spiel. He rose and walked out of his bedroom.

He stepped into the corner of the living room that Dale used as a reception area. "No, I never have," Daphne said, "but I'm willing to work hard and learn."

"That's all I ask," Gerard said.

Daphne's body jerked and she whipped her head toward him, her eyes wide.

Green. Her beautiful eyes were a sparkling green, almost the same color as the first grass of spring.

"I apologize. I didn't mean to frighten you."

"No, that's fine."

Gerard switched his attention to Dale. "I know you have a dinner date tonight. I'll take care of the lady."

Dale blinked. Gerard narrowed his eyes slightly, indicating Dale should go along with whatever Gerard said. His assistant came through for him, as usual. "Oh right. Dinner date. I almost forgot." He smiled at Daphne. "A pleasure, Ms. Kemp. See you tomorrow, Gerard."

Daphne nodded her head at Dale before looking back at Gerard. He slipped into the chair his assistant just vacated. "I'm Gerard Lynch."

"Daphne Kemp."

"Do you have any modeling experience, Daphne?"

"None. I was telling Dale that when you came in."

"I don't want people with modeling experience. I want real people in my photographs."

"Aren't you afraid they'll...mess up?"

Gerard chuckled. He liked Daphne Kemp's honesty. "No. I'm a patient man, Daphne. I'm willing to work with someone until I get the exact picture I want."

Her lips curved up in a small smile. "I guess the French accept helps with the women, huh?"

This time Gerard laughed out loud. "I've lived in the United States for fifteen years. My accent isn't as pronounced as it used to be."

"It's very charming."

Silence fell between them, but it wasn't uncomfortable for Gerard. He wouldn't mind simply sitting with Daphne, as long as he could continue to look at her.

"Will you pose for me, Daphne?"

She bit her bottom lip. Gerard almost groaned. He imagined her teeth nipping at his skin as she moved down his chest, his stomach...

"I'm a bit apprehensive about it."

"I understand that. It's normal to be nervous about something you've never done. We won't be alone, if that concerns you. Dale will be here, and Krissy Bell. She's in charge of hair and makeup."

He could tell by her guarded expression that the idea of modeling still concerned her. "Is there something in particular that worries you?"

"I'm worried I won't be...right for you."

She had no idea exactly how right she was for him. "I promise you, you'll be fine." He shifted in his chair, resting his ankle on the opposite knee. "I'll tell you now that I may have you pose with another person. I often take photos of two or more people together. In your case, I would have you pose with another man. There could be a little bit of...intimate touching. All very tasteful, of course. Would that bother you?"

"I suppose not."

"If it would be uncomfortable, tell me now and I'll take your photos by yourself."

"No, it's fine. I'll... I'm sure it will be fine." She lowered her gaze a moment before looking back at him. "I don't want to sound greedy, but the article on your website used the phrase generously paid. How generous is that?"

"It isn't greedy to wonder how much you'll earn. I pay two-fifty per hour."

Her eyes widened in obvious amazement. "Two hundred and fifty dollars per hour?"

Gerard nodded. "Sometimes an hour is all that's needed, depending on the photo I want. Sometimes I need more time than that. There have been occasions when I got the shot I wanted in only twenty minutes. I always pay for a full hour. A person gives up his or her time to pose for me. They should be fairly compensated for that. Plus I make sure all the models get a copy of the book when it's published."

"Mr. Lynch, I--"

"Gerard, please."

She gave him that small smile again. "Okay, Gerard. If you're willing to take a chance on me, I'm willing to try."

"Excellent." He pushed a clipboard and pen across the desk to her. "If you'll fill this out, Dale will contact you about the shooting schedule. I assume the weekends would work better for you?"

"Actually, I'm flexible. I'm a software designer and work out of my home."

He watched her fill in her name, address, telephone number, and sign the release form. Her hair fell over one shoulder and covered her breast. He imagined pushing her hair aside, cradling her breast in his hand while he sucked on her nipple. He'd move his other hand over her body, savoring her silky skin before dipping between her thighs to touch creamy flesh.

Gerard never got involved with the women who posed for him. One-night stands had never been his style, and that's all he could offer a woman now. His profession took him from city to city, leaving little time for dating, much less a relationship. He had a lovely house in the Florida Keys, but barely lived in it. It had been at least six months since he'd been home.

Daphne laid the clipboard back on the desk. "Okay. I guess I'm ready when you are."

I'm ready now, Gerard thought as blood surged through his veins to pool in his cock. Being close to Daphne would definitely pay havoc with his vow never to get involved with a model.

He was thirty years old, not a teenager. Just because she affected him more strongly than a woman had in a long time didn't mean he had to act on it.

"Do you have any questions?"

"Probably dozens, but I can't think of them now."

"You can ask them as we work."

"Okay."

"Dale will contact you in the next few days." He stood and rounded the desk as she stood. "I'm looking forward to working with you, Daphne."

She graced him with a full smile. "I'm looking forward to working with you too."

a