Chapter 7
CHAPTER SEVEN
Karen
God, I was nervous!
This was my step into the big time. If I could pull this off, I’d have no worries whatsoever. With this as a regular gig, I could get out of that poke-hole apartment and get something bigger and better.
It had taken an age to get out of the apartment today.
Holly, my roommate, questioned me repeatedly and wouldn’t rest until I’d told her who I was photographing today.
All she knew before today was that it was a celebrity and she’d seen him in an advertisement.
If I said it was for the new Hugo Boss ad, she would’ve guessed immediately.
I wanted to keep her guessing, though. It was fun.
I unlocked my battered old Chevy, tugged open the door and slipped inside, my camera and purse landed on the passenger seat next to me, and I started the engine. Once out of the parking garage, I pulled into the morning traffic and headed for the Hollywood Hills.
As I drove towards the mansion that is the home of Roman Dean and his new wife, I came to the automatic gates, where his security detail guarded the front.
Gently easing my foot on the brake, I smiled as I wound my window down.
“Hey. I’m Karen Duncan. I’m the photographer for today’s shoot.
” He nodded my way and spoke into his radio, mentioning my name.
He pulled the device away from his mouth and nodded.
“Go through, Ms Duncan.” His face didn’t change; I guessed it was the whole poker face part of the job.
“Thank you.” I crawled slowly up the long driveway.
There were some cars dotted at the front of the house, expensive cars.
Right then, I decided to park my car in a corner, this old thing would look even worse against those.
Talk about flashy, I’m sure they didn’t want my crappy car to show them up. It’d stand out like a sore thumb.
With all my gear in hand, I headed for the front door.
I placed my stuff by my feet, lifted the door knocker and banged it twice on the door.
My toe tapped on the ground, as I waited, but I wasn’t sure I’d even been heard.
I’d been waiting for at least five minutes, not knowing whether I should knock again.
I bit the bullet and reached up again, knocking harder this time. I waited, but still nothing.
I took my cell from the back pocket of my jeans, tapped the screen of my iPhone and glanced down at the time.
It was almost eleven already. I should’ve been in there by now and set up.
If someone didn’t answer soon, they’d think I was late.
Awesome. My first big shoot, and I couldn’t get anyone to let me in.
I stood firmer and knocked again. Frustration at not being heard had me sighing, and I turned my back to the door.
I wondered if there was another way in. I made my way around to the side of the house, there was a gate, but it was locked with a code.
There was no way I was getting through that or even over it.
It was about ten feet high. Even so, I tried the handle anyway, but just as I thought, it was locked.
The front door it is, then. I knocked again, if no one came this time, I’d just have to give in.
All I wanted was a break. I sighed again, I was about ready to turn around and go back to my car with my tail tucked between my legs. My head hung as I gazed down at the ground, then I heard the creak of the door.
“Who are you?” My head lifted at the deep voice and, if I’m not mistaken, British accent. Slowly, I turned around, my gaze scanned his torso, not that I meant to, but his bare chest was right in my eye line. “Well?”
“Um, sorry,” My eyes reluctantly wandered from his lightly tanned, lean torso and up to his eyes, not without pausing at the sexy scruff around his face, though.
A slight smirk was set on his lips, and his blue eyes regarded me closely, probably curious as to why some poor-looking blonde was knocking on the door.
I knew this wasn’t Roman Dean, but who it was, I had no damn idea.
“My name’s Karen, I’m a freelance photographer, I’m here for the shoot,” I answered a little breathless and stuttering like an idiot.
I wiped my palms on the best pair of jeans I have and thrust my hand towards him.
“You’re the photographer?” He replied with a scowl. His deep-set eyes were dark blue, I’d never seen anyone with eyes like his. They were something of complete beauty.
“Yep.” I squeaked, very unprofessionally…
“Wait here.” I held my breath. In the space of a minute, I’d pretty much devoured his body with my eyes and had forgotten how to speak.
I watched his retreating back, the leanness of his frame as it led to his slim hips.
He went toward the back of the house while I waited just like he said, suddenly remembering that I had to breathe again.
No one had ever taken my breath away like that.
Ten minutes past eleven. Fuck. I’m definitely not getting in here, and if I did, I wouldn’t be asked again, that was a sure fact.
Pushing my hands into my pockets, I sighed, wondering if I should’ve just left. I’m late, and the guy at the door didn’t look that chuffed to see me.
At that, the same guy strode back toward me, only this time another guy in a suit was trailing him. “We’ve just got to check your bags.” He folded his arms across his chest, his biceps bunching as he did.
“What?” I must’ve missed what he said, I was too busy admiring his handsome face, cheeky smirk and his mildly formed abs.
The corner of his lips perked up, “Check your bags. We can’t let any old riff raff in?
” He winked. I think I’m gonna die, right here on the spot.
And oh my God, that accent. I passed my bags over; the other guy checked inside and passed them back with a polite nod.
Without a jacket on and only one of my more decent tees on, a body search wasn’t needed.
“Thank you.” I said quietly as they handed my bags back to me. The other guy signalled with his hand for me to step inside and closed the door behind me.
“Follow me, Miss…”
“Duncan. Karen Duncan.” He smiled at me tightly and went to walk on, but the other guy spoke again and stopped me in my tracks.
“The way you said that was like, Bond. James Bond.” he chuckled. I chewed on my cheek but shook my head. My lips pressed together as I tried to hide my amusement. But his voice, man, it did things to me. I had to get away.
“Jesus, Gav.” The other guy said rather grumpily and carried on walking, “Miss Duncan, it’s just this way.
” I turned my back on the hot guy I now knew as Gav and followed behind the other one closely.
I didn’t want to get lost and be found wandering around a huge house with security at every door.
Before I slipped through the doorway, I looked back.
The hot guy, Gav, was pulling on a button-down, but as he looked up, I found his eyes on me.
My skin prickled with heat, it tingled like pins and needles.
Fuck, I’d never had an instant attraction like this to anyone before.
His eyes burned a hole into the back of my head.
I wasn’t sure if it was because he didn’t know who I was or what.
But he was so intense. I’m not good with first impressions, and I’ve never been the best judge of character.
Holly had always told me that. I kept the smile small on my lips before I turned my head back and followed the other guy through.
As I was led through the house and onto the back patio, I saw quite a few people scattered about.
There were a couple of other photographers over the back, a few black suited, large guys and two women talking to another woman.
I knew Roman was doing interviews today but my research ran dead, and couldn’t find out who it was.
I decided I didn’t care. I was here, and I’d got the best job.
This place is huge and so beautiful, I thought as I looked around.
I’d never even been to the Hollywood Hills before, let alone inside one of the mansions.
As my gaze circled the sights around me at all the people scattered around the place, I was in awe.
The guy in the black suit stayed by my side, though.
Then I heard the loud clicking of stilettos, and they were getting closer.
I brought my gaze back to the front and smiled nervously at the red-haired woman as she approached us.
Her face was pretty but stern, and if I was honest, from the way she charged over here, I found her a bit intimidating for her size.
She looked at all the bags in my hand and narrowed her eyes, “Please tell me you’re the bloody freelance photographer, because right now,” she tapped the face of her expensive watch, “she’s twenty minutes late.”
“I am, but…”
“Karen?” she questioned, her eyes narrowed more as she directed her fierce gaze at me and waited, not so patiently.
“Yes, but I wasn’t late,” I quickly exclaimed as softly as I could. “I was stuck outside the front door...” My voice trailed off as I tried to explain my reasons.
“Stuck?” she repeated. She looked around her at the guy behind her.
“Yeahhh.” There went that squeak again. Jesus, get a grip, woman. “I knocked like three times, but nobody heard me.” I dragged my lip into my mouth and squeezed my fingers around the handle of my camera bag. She sounded so much sweeter on the other end of the phone.
“Three times?” Her eyes then widened, and her nostrils flared. I thought steam was going billow from them next. She then turned her angry gaze on the guy that towered over me.
“Where’s Gav?” I sneaked a glance to my right and saw this other suited guy’s hands go up in front of him and shrugged.
She huffed loudly, “Why can’t anyone round here do a job right?
” she growled. “RHYS!” she bawled across the patio.
He turned his head. What the fuck was it with these guys?
She crooked a finger at him - just like that, he started across the patio.
“I’m Nikki. Roman’s assistant.” I shook her hand firmly, I hoped to claw back a bit of dignity. “We spoke on the phone.” She smiled through gritted teeth. I could tell she was trying to hide her impatience, though.
“Karen Duncan. Pleased to meet you.” I smiled tightly, “I am sorry I didn’t get in here in time.”
Her gaze softened a tad, “It’s fine, it’s not your fault. We hire morons.”
“I should fit right in here then…” Nikki's gaze softened as she smirked back, they say there’s a time and a place for humour, but her eyes closed and her head shook, a sliver of a snigger fell from her lips, I shrugged and smiled anyway, it seemed I’d just broken the ice.
“What’s up?” The even bigger guy asked, his chin lifted as he switched his gaze between us all.
“Where’s Gav.” Nikki asked as she whirled around and looked up at him.
“I thought he was watching the gate?”
“Fuck’s sake. One job and he can’t even do that.” Nikki’s lips pursed as she stepped up to him, her head fell back on her shoulders and braced her hands on her hips. “No. One sec?”
“Who let you in?” I was about to tell her a shirtless guy who also went by the name of Gav, but then a dark-haired woman rushed up to us.
“Are you Karen?” I’m sure this was Roman’s wife.
“Yes.” I kept my reply short.
“I’m Paisley Dean.” I went to push my hand out to shake, but she moved in and hugged me instead, taking me completely by surprise. “I’ve got her from here, Nik.”
“Good, because I’m going to murder Gavin.” Nikki replied as Paisley hooked her arm through mine and led me toward the journalist she was talking to.
“Don’t mind Nik, she’s actually very nice but she gives the guys what for. Including Roman.” I smirked at her as she tugged me along. “He might be my husband, but he totally deserves her wrath most days.”
I’m so glad I decided not to go home. Turning my head, I smiled. This could be a good day, after all.