Chapter 19
CHAPTER
NINETEEN
HARPER
I blink once. Then twice. Did I read that correctly? No. Certainly not. I tilt my head in confusion.
JB: Can’t tonight. I have plans with my muse. Later this week?
Muse? Is that what I am to him? He’s using me for inspiration. All his flirting was to get reactions so he can create a character. My stomach sinks when that realization hits me. I feel foolish because I fell for his charm. Now my defenses are up, and I remind myself to keep my heart under lock and key.
It’s fine. Really. Totally my fault for having expectations. He warned me more than once things aren’t as they appear. His pursuit of me included. Damn. It stings, but I’ll work through it. Turnabout is fair play. No reason I can’t use Julian for character inspiration too. After all, Gavin is a charming playboy who needs to change his ways if he’s going to get his girl.
You know what? This is good. I needed this reminder of what’s important here, and that’s the book we’re writing. If he needs a muse, I’ll be his muse because his success is my success. With that resolved, I look at my clock. Crap. I need to hurry to get everything done before he gets here. Tonight, he’ll meet the “fuck around and find out” side of Charlotte Jackson.
I zip up my boot when I hear Zac and the boys come home. Perfect. I want to get the most bang for my buck with this makeover. I went for shock value. Julian wants a muse for Charlotte, then I’ll give him one.
Luckily, if you want a new look, then New York is the place to make it happen. After a few brief hours, I don’t even recognize myself. I needed a little me time, and this afternoon checked that box.
The new outfit is tasteful but hella sexy and not my typical conservative look. But I’ll own it because I’m pretending to be Charlotte. I convince myself it’s a costume in my real-life drama. I’m playing the part.
My white bodysuit is low cut in both the front and back. The blousy sleeves and pleated front, with their delicate fabric, subtly soften the harshness of the overall design. The black leather miniskirt is a little shorter than I’m used to, but the thigh-high boots give me the confidence to pull it off. When the makeup artist saw my clothes, she understood the assignment. I feel like a Taylor Swift lyric come to life with my perfectly drawn cat eye. I’m ready to slay. At least I hope so. My blonde tresses are down in sexy, fuck-me waves. He wants a muse, I’ll give him a muse. A confident, kick-ass version of Charlotte Jackson stares back at me from the mirror.
I touch up my ruby red lips and tuck the lip stain into my studded clutch. I’m ready to take the stage. There’s a commotion in the den, and I hear a light knock on my door.
“Hey, Harper, it’s Connor.” He sounds timid and afraid, and I can’t help but smile at the thought of this big hockey player afraid of bothering me. “Um, Julian Decker is here, and he and Burnsy are, well, you might want to come out here and… I dunno. I thought I’d come and let you know.” His voice trails off as if he’s questioning his actions.
I open the door, and he gasps and clutches his pearls. I reach up and pat him on the cheek. He really is adorable. “Thanks, Jetsy. I’ve got it from here.” With a little wink, I walk past him, as he stays frozen in place. My heels click on the hardwood floor, a cadence for my grand entrance. Unfortunately, no one is paying attention to me except Jetsy. Zac and Julian are standing near the door in some kind of standoff. With arms crossed, they stare at each other in utter silence. It’s ridiculous. I’m about to end this male posturing by resetting the game.
Mac sees me, does a double take, drops his game controller, and his mouth falls open. Harvard catches his reaction, looks at me, and does the same thing. The voice from the TV says, “game over.” I can barely contain my pleasure. Yes. Yes, it is. It’s the perfect soundtrack for my entrance. I walk up to the two men locked in a pissing contest and act badass as I struggle to contain my grin.
There’s absolute silence in the apartment, adding to the tension. Even Noodle is in his bed.
I kiss Zac lightly on his cheek, leaving a perfect set of lips. After all, he started the goodbye kisses.
Zac and Julian disengage their stares at one another and finally notice I’ve entered the chat. “Don’t wait up,” I say to Zac. Without a pause, I glance at Julian and say, “Let’s go.” I’m out the open door before either of them reacts. I’m halfway to the elevator before Julian joins me. He doesn’t say a word as he pushes the button, giving me a quick glance but focusing his attention on the doors. He can’t even look at me, and I’m confused about how to interpret that. I worry I’ve taken this too far, but I’m committed now. I can’t overthink this. It’s go time. No regrets.
The elevator arrives quickly, and we step in, and he pushes the button to the lobby. He finally turns to look at me, and his eyes drink me in from head to toe and back again. He practically makes me come from his eye fuck. A quick lick of his lips betrays his nervousness. His eyes are a mixture of lust and panic. He might be short circuiting, and I can’t hide my smirk. I’m doing my best to stay in character here. Whoops.
“Is this okay? I forgot to ask where we’re going.” I tuck my hair behind my ear, playing innocent and coy. He goes through several emotions in a few seconds, and if I wasn’t in character, I’d double over laughing. His Adam’s apple bobs, and he licks his lips again.
“If I didn’t know better, Mr. Decker, I’d say you’re at a loss for words,” I tease.
He finally finds the ability to speak. “To be sure, it’s a first.”
We step out of the elevator, and he walks me to the front door, where Kat is waiting by the car. She sees me and gives an appreciative grin.
“Good evening, Ms. Cartwright.” I’m thrilled she’s with me on this adventure. She’s abiding by the universal mantra: Chicks before dicks.
“Hi Kat. Great to see you again.” She opens the door, and Julian gets in and slides over. He extends his hand to me, and Kat wiggles her eyebrows at me as she holds back her laughter.
Once we’re secured in the car, she pulls away from the curb. “Where are we going for dinner? I’m famished.” I’m doing my best to act like everything is normal, like I do this every day.
Julian shakes his head a little, like he’s clearing an etch-a-sketch, trying to reset the page. I thought I’d shock him, but this reaction is even better than I could have imagined. An afternoon well spent, for sure.
“There’s this French restaurant you might like, but if you’re in the mood for something else…” He trails off and looks away. Kat catches his eye in the rearview mirror and laughs.
“There’s that new place in SoHo Madelyn Reynolds was telling you about,” she suggests.
“Madelyn Reynolds?” I turn, giving him my full attention and cleavage. Although my cleavage will never compare to the Hollywood starlet who apparently gives him restaurant recommendations. Another reminder of the circle he runs in. Insecurity rears its head, but then I remember the character I’m playing and push it down.
“Um, that’s a great idea, Kat. Why don’t you call ahead and take us there?” Julian pushes a button, and a partition goes up between us and Kat.
He clears his throat and looks at me again, clearly rattled. It’s the first time I’ve seen his confident, charming, cheerful personality crack, and I feel guilty. I drop my character a little, feeling the weight of his hand in mine, as genuine concern washes over me. I wonder if I’ve broken him.
“Hey, you okay? If you don’t want to do this, I can go home.” I want to give him an out. Or a chance to tell me his secret.
His hand squeezes mine. “No, I’m sorry, Harper. I’ve had an out-of-body experience. But I’m back, I promise.” And like that, Julian’s eyes lock on mine, and his charming smile fills his face. “You look incredible, by the way. I should have told you that. I mean, you always look incredible, but this? This is hot.”
Even with my tough persona, I feel the heat rise in my cheeks. “Thanks. Can I be honest with you?”
His eyes lock on mine. “Always.” He takes my other hand, and his thumb slowly brushes the top.
“Zac doesn’t trust you. Why is that?”
He takes a moment before he answers, his thumb continuing its path across my skin. That simple touch is turning me on. I focus on keeping my walls up. This is his chance to tell me I’m his muse and nothing more.