Romancing the Runway

Kennedy blushed. He looked beautiful, too, not to mention sexy. His khaki Loro Piana shorts looked good on his powerful physique. The silk Emporio Armani T-shirt was chocolate. The casual brown leather sandals completed his outfit. As he was freshly shaven, she had a strong urge to laze her hand down the side of his face.

As Xavier reclaimed a gentle hold on Kennedy’s hand, he introduced her to Jonathan. “This is Kennedy Bassett, the lady I’ve been raving about. Kennedy, this is my best friend, Jonathan. I’m assuming you two ladies have already introduced yourselves.”

“We have,” Janine said. “We actually got straight into the topic of fashion.”

Happy the two women had already had a pleasant exchange, Xavier laughed. “I guess that means you guys have already found something in common.”

“I’m sure by evening’s end we’ll find we have lots more in common,” Janine said.

“All of us probably have a lot in common,” Xavier stated. “The food is done. If you guys are ready to eat, I can put the meal on the table.” He was proud of the amazing job he’d done with the gold and white place settings. A professional couldn’t have done any better.

After everyone voiced their desires to eat right away, each guest offered to help Xavier bring the dishes out to the deck. Glad for the extra help, he had everyone follow him into the kitchen to grab hold of something.

Inside the kitchen, Xavier guided Kennedy over to the stove, where he pulled down the upper oven to expose his masterpiece. “Beef Wellington,” he sang out, “prepared especially for my new friend. Think I can get a proper thank-you?”

Kennedy was stunned by the beautifully browned roast. It looked cooked to perfection. “Depends on what you consider proper.” Kennedy eyed him curiously.

He stuck his cheek near her lips. “Do you need more of a hint?”

She kissed his cheek, allowing her lips to linger there for a short spell. “Thank you. I can’t wait to taste the fruits of your labor. But can I let you in on something?”

He raised an eyebrow. “What’s that?”

She threw her head back and let her laughter trill. “Never in my wildest dreams did I expect you to follow through on my request. Now that you have, I’m going to do my best to do the meal justice. Maybe I can even take home some leftovers.”

He winked at her. “Anything your little heart desires.”

“Anything, X?”

“Anything! You heard me. Just let me know what it is you want. I’ll deliver.”

For starters, you. She hoped taking him home with her was on a future menu.

Now that all the food Xavier had prepared earlier was laid out, he ushered Kennedy over to the oval-shaped glass table and pulled out one of the six wrought-iron chairs. Before taking his own seat, he waited for Janine and Jonathan to claim theirs. Xavier then asked Jonathan to pass the blessing. His friend seemed proud to do the honors. Kennedy liked that everyone was familiar with prayer, loved the fact that no one seemed to have a problem giving God His props.

Around the table near complete silence lasted a few minutes, as everyone enjoyed the fabulous meal. Kennedy was so pleased by what he’d done for her. No one had ever cooked her beef Wellington, nor had she ever asked it of anyone.

Kennedy was just being facetious when she’d told Xavier what she’d wanted him to prepare for her. He’d said his father had taught him how to cook this particular entrée—plus many others. He had surely taught his son well. The delicious cut of beef was tender and moist and the pastry puff it had been baked in was flaky and buttery. Kennedy had never eaten food this delectable—and she’d graced a lot of first-class eateries, dining at some of the finest catered events all over the world.

Along with the beef and mushrooms, Xavier had sautéed asparagus and brown rice. The initial sight of the food had caused Kennedy’s mouth to water.

The crisp salad greens lying beneath the cherry tomatoes and thin slices of cucumbers, sprayed with an Italian-blend dressing, was a perfect complement to the wonderful meal. Xavier’s plate held double portions of everything, except the rice, which he had a bowlful of. He had told Kennedy he was a rice lover, loving it any way it was cooked. Xavier had never had a problem with his weight despite his voracious appetite.

The host reared his chair back slightly. “How is everything, Kennedy?”

“It is the best meal I’ve eaten. Don’t you see this huge smile on my face?”

“I get the point. Thanks.” Xavier grinned, grateful for the compliment. He looked to Jonathan and Janine for their opinions. Their thoughts were similar to Kennedy’s.

Conversation flowed smoothly as the two couples savored a fine French wine. Kennedy learned that Janine was a fashion writer who wrote for a host of fashion magazines and Web sites. She also had a Web site and blog where her readers could write in and give their opinions on her stories. Janine spent a good bit of her work schedule making rounds at popular fashion venues.

As the wife of an interior designer, Janine was there for him, always willing to help out in his business ventures. Many of his wealthier clients were referrals from his bride of four years. He was a fabulous-looking guy who doted on his wife. Kennedy thought they made a lovely couple. Happiness was written all over their glowing faces.

Everyone had finished with their meals, but Xavier noticed that Kennedy was still working on hers. She was a very slow eater. She had informed him of that at Café Blue. She believed eating slow was necessary for proper digestion. Very much into a healthy diet, she also drank plenty of water and got lots of exercise. It wasn’t unusual for her to linger over her meal thirty minutes or more. She wasn’t a fanatic about controlling her weight, but she did take seriously everything to do with her health and diet.

“Besides your exciting career, what do you do for fun?” Janine asked Kennedy.

“Dancing is my favorite. I include it in my daily exercise routine. I also try to go out dancing at least once or twice a week for fun. Besides, I love to play tennis, the piano and read.”

She went out dancing with her girlfriends, Martina Sellers and Bianca Wise, when they were available to hang out. The three women frequented some of the most popular dance clubs around the Los Angeles and Hollywood areas.

To once again make sure Xavier had no doubts about how great the food was, Kennedy rolled her eyes up to the ceiling. “This food is soooo good. If you’ll agree, I’d love for you to help me prepare the meal for my upcoming dinner party next week. That is, if you’re free to join my guests and me. What do you say?”

Certain that he’d heard her correctly, yet baffled by her request, Xavier widened his eyes. “You’re putting me on, right?”

“Of course not! I’m serious. There’ll only be six or so of us, total,” Kennedy said.

Xavier hunched his broad shoulders. “What’d you have in mind to serve?”

“I’ll leave that up to you. After this meal, I definitely trust your judgment.”

“Oh, no, I’m not going out like that. If I agree to help cook, you plan the meal.”

“We have a few days to decide the menu.” Kennedy turned to look at Janine and Jonathan. “I’d feel honored if you’d both come. The group I hang out with is a lot of fun. But I have to warn you, they’re lively and very much into playing practical jokes.”

“We’d love to come,” Janine said, readily accepting the invite for her and Jonathan. Sighing hard, she stretched her arms high above her head. “Can’t believe how tired I am. This has been an extremely busy week for me.”

Kennedy understood. She was fatigued. Her feet ached, and she planned to soak them once she got back home. But being with Xavier was exhilarating.

Suddenly, Kennedy realized she didn’t want to miss out on one moment of their time together, nor did she want to be distracted by any one thing or another. She couldn’t sleep in late tomorrow, since she had an early-morning assignment, but this evening she wanted every moment she spent with Xavier to be memorable.

“Why don’t you guys go on into the media room and relax while I clear the table? It’ll only take me a few minutes to get it all done,” Xavier remarked.

Janine got to her feet. “Can’t believe you went there. You know how we roll. We always do the cleanup bit together. This evening is no exception.”

Jonathan stood up and then kissed his wife gently on the mouth. “Maybe our boy is putting on airs for Kennedy.” Everyone laughed. “Let’s knock out the cleanup so we can all sit down, relax and listen to some good music,” Jonathan suggested.

“Count me in,” Kennedy remarked. “We can get everything done in a flash.”

Arguing with his friends wouldn’t do a bit of good, Xavier knew. He’d been there and had done that enough times to know better. After getting to his feet, he began to clear the table. “Let’s do this.” He flashed Kennedy a brilliant smile, but all he really wanted to do was lean into her and give her a sweet kiss. He felt like letting go with a low growl, satisfying his desire to act naughty with her.

Smiling back at him sensuously, Kennedy’s gaze locked on to Xavier’s luscious mouth. Keep smiling at me like that, and you’ll get yourself into a heap of trouble. Playfully, she swatted his arm, though she would’ve rather popped him on his sexy backside. Bring it on, big boy, she taunted mentally, gathering up the wineglasses.

Finished with the kitchen duties, the foursome quickly made their way to the lavish media room, furnished with fine Italian leather sofas and several different kinds of chairs designed for comfort. The chocolate-and-gold-veined marble fireplace and beautiful hand-carved mantel were the first items to catch Kennedy’s eye. The plush white rug laid out only inches away from the hearth was exquisite. Instantly, her mind conjured up images of their bodies entwined, watching the flames of a roaring fire.

While Xavier’s guests took seats, he turned on the CD player he kept stacked with the latest in releases. Big on Mariah Carey and Mary J. Blige, he usually kept at least two discs of each artist on the playlist. He’d learned from Kennedy that she was an Usher and Beyoncé fan. Once she’d accepted his dinner invitation, he had made sure to include a couple of her favorite discs for her listening pleasure.

Jonathan and Janine had a quiet conversation going on between them, one that Kennedy and Xavier weren’t privy to. With the other couple completely into each other, it allowed the host to fully concentrate on entertaining his date.

Xavier extended his arm across the back of the sofa where he and Kennedy were seated. “How was your day?”

“Really busy, but all my days are that way, especially lately. I keep telling myself I’m going to set aside some me-time, but I never seem to do it. You know the type of life we high-fashion models lead. If we’re not into one thing, we’re into something else. There’s always that last-minute call to help someone out because of an unexpected cancelation. I’d love to take a vacation where I can just lie out on the beach and soak up the rays. I love to read, but I don’t seem to have much time for that anymore, either.”

Xavier nodded. “I know exactly what you’re talking about. But only you can make the difference in how you pace your lifestyle.”

She looked perplexed. “What do you mean?”

Xavier went on to explain to her that everything to do with a person’s life was about choices. He kept a list of the things he wanted to accomplish and he had it in order of importance. As jobs came in, he weighed out each one, deciding to do only those he thought he’d really enjoy or benefit from. He did the same with charitable events.

A newcomer to the profession thought they had to do everything they were asked. As models became seasoned veterans, he told Kennedy they could begin to choose only jobs that held their interest. In fact, they had to learn to choose wisely or face burnout.

Xavier wrapped a tendril of her hair around his finger. “Why take on something you might not enjoy? Favors are just that, favors. You don’t have to say yes to everything you’re asked to take on. If it’s something you really don’t want to do, say no.”

She eyed him with open curiosity. “Is it really that simple?”

“It’s only as simple or as complicated as we make it. We’re in a position to make choices. Of course we have to fulfill our contract obligations. But it’s normally the noncontractual stuff that steals our free time away. It’s great to give support to charities, but we have to limit ourselves to how many events we take on in a given period.”

She laid her forefinger against her temple. “Never thought of it that way.”

“Then I suggest you start,” Xavier said matter-of-factly, smiling softly.

She smiled back. “I think you’re right. I often find myself agreeing to do way more things than I have time for. It’s hard to turn down people. Tomorrow I’ll start working on my list. Thanks for the great advice, Xavier. You’ve really opened my eyes.”

More nervous than he’d ever been around any woman, Xavier sucked in a deep breath, just before kissing Kennedy’s forehead. When she didn’t object to that bit of intimacy, he dusted her lips with a soft kiss. She smelled so good, so sweet, and the delicate scent of her nearly drove him wild with desire. As Kennedy laid her head against Xavier’s shoulder, no one was more surprised than him, surprised and definitely pleased.

Kennedy truly felt safe with Xavier. Was it because his friends were in the room? She didn’t think so. She didn’t like fast-moving and fast-talking men. He didn’t seem to be either type. So far, he seemed for real, truly down to earth. Xavier could’ve asked out any woman in the world, but he’d chosen her. Not once, but twice. Perhaps he’d thought about her as much as she’d reflected on him. Desiring a moment to ponder what might be happening between them, she closed her eyes. Tranquillity washed over her.

Kennedy awakened to glowing candlelight in an otherwise darkened room. She was sprawled out on the leather sofa, and a lightweight blanket had been thrown over her. She looked around the room for a wall clock but couldn’t find one. The dial on her watch was too small for her to see without light. Then she spotted the time on the cable box.

3:00 a.m.

Panic rapidly arose within her. What in the world had happened? The obvious couldn’t be overlooked. She’d fallen asleep. Not only had she gone out like a light, she’d done so at the expense of Xavier and his guests. How rude was that? What a first impression she must’ve made on Janine and Jonathan, not to mention her host!

Kennedy had no idea how she was to live down this idiotic act, sure that Xavier was furious with her. The blanket only proved he didn’t want her to catch her death. It also showed how considerate he was to her compared to how inconsiderate she’d shown herself to be. This is awful, she thought, moving aside the cover and sitting up. As she looked down at her feet, she noticed her sandals had been removed. Then she saw the shoes situated next to the coffee table.

How to get out of Xavier’s home without waking him was Kennedy’s next thought. Surely he had an alarm system…and it was probably activated. She racked her brain for a solution to her dilemma, but came up totally empty.

The urgency to use the bathroom hit her suddenly. She knew there was a guest bathroom in the hallway, but she’d have to turn on a light. That was risky since it might wake her host. Since she didn’t have a choice in the matter, she reached for the switch.

Trying her best to be quiet as possible, Kennedy tiptoed from the room and stepped out into the hallway. Halfway to her destination she ran into something solid, which scared the daylights out of her, causing her to scream bloody murder.

Strong arms instantly went about her, steadying her on her feet, making sure she didn’t fall. “It’s okay. It’s just me,” Xavier whispered, his tone gentle and soothing.

Xavier flicked on a switch and soft lighting suddenly flooded the hallway.

Kennedy looked thoroughly embarrassed. “I’m so sorry for falling asleep on you and your guests like that. Please forgive me.” She sounded as if she was about to cry. She’d never done anything so asinine in her adult life—and she felt downright stupid.

As Xavier gave Kennedy a warm hug, he chuckled. “Don’t be so hard on yourself. You were obviously tired. That’s all there was to it. My friends definitely understood. They work every bit as hard as we do. Janine was worn-out, too.”

“Hold that thought,” she said. Kennedy was unable to stand still another second, not without dire consequences. “I’ll be right back.” With that said, she had to run the few steps to the bathroom just to make it in time.

Xavier laughed inwardly. No one was more surprised than him that Kennedy had fallen asleep on him. At first, it had bothered him, simply because he’d thought she might’ve been bored out of her mind. After he’d gone over the numerous things she’d told him she’d accomplished that week, he’d understood it all had to do with sheer fatigue. And he’d also fed her a huge meal, one big enough to make anyone sleepy.

Janine had also shared with Xavier how tired she felt, which had resulted in her and Jonathan’s leaving much earlier than normal. His friends hadn’t blamed his date one iota for falling asleep. They had told him he should feel lucky she felt comfortable and safe enough with him to fall asleep in his home. Actually, Janine had seen it as a good omen.

After splashing cold water on her face, Kennedy used one of the fancy guest towels to dry her skin off. She didn’t know what she’d say to Xavier, but she knew she had to hurry up and get back out there and face him. Stalling for time wouldn’t help matters any. And disappearing into thin air wasn’t an option.

Combing her fingers through her hair was the last thing Kennedy did to try and look more presentable. Before stepping back into the hallway, she said a silent prayer. Much to her joy, he wasn’t standing out there waiting to escort her back to where she’d left her purse and sandals. Upon spotting Xavier seated in one of the leather recliners, she smiled weakly, wishing she could’ve mustered up a more convincing one.

Xavier sat up straight in the chair. “I’d like to fix you a cup of coffee. It might help you stay awake if you’re thinking of driving home.”

She shook her head in the negative. “That’s not necessary. I can make it home okay. I think I’m wide-awake now.”

“Think? That doesn’t sound very convincing to me.” He looked over at the cable box to check the time. “Look, it’s darn near four in the morning. Please accept one of my guest rooms for the next couple of hours or so. You can leave at the crack of dawn if you want to.”

“I probably should leave now.”

“Why? Are you afraid to stay here alone with me?”

“Of course not! Don’t be silly. Is there a reason for me to be afraid?”

“Not a single one. You’re perfectly safe here with me. I wouldn’t harm a single hair on your beautiful head. You can trust me with your life.”

“That sounds promising.” Kennedy looked down at her sandals. Then she glanced at the clock again. “I don’t know. Maybe I should stay at least until the sun comes up.” Her garage had a door leading right into the house, but she thought about what elements might be out there to witness her driving around alone at this hour.

“Leaving at sunrise is the best and safest option. Don’t you think so?”

“You win. But I’ll just stretch back out here on the sofa and use the blanket you covered me with. I don’t want to mess up fresh bed linens for a couple hours.”

“Nonsense. A bed is more comfortable than any leather couch, no matter how soft it is. Come on. Let me show you where you can lie down until you’re ready to leave.”

Kennedy knew when she was in a losing battle. And she was too tired to continue haggling over something Xavier was obviously right about. “The bed it is. Thank you.”

The bedroom was lovely and cozy. The comforter on the queen bed was a field of flowers done in white, yellow and lavender. It made her feel as if she was in the middle of a spring day. The white wicker furniture looked new. Three oil paintings, all of them seascapes, graced oyster-white walls. The largest window overlooked the pool and patio, from where the mountain range was in full view. Recessed lighting was soft and glowing.

Kennedy loved the room, knew she’d be more than comfortable there. After she slipped out of her clothes, she put on the long sweatshirt Xavier had provided for her. As she lay there, the earlier vision of her and Xavier entwined suddenly sped into her mind.

The heat emanating from Kennedy’s body was no match for any fire burning hotly in a fireplace. As she thought about crashing into Xavier in the hallway, her heart began to pound hard. She looked over at the closed door, knowing his bedroom was right down the hall. The urge to get up and go slide into bed with him was overwhelming. Instead, she grabbed a pillow and shoved it between her knees and let the fantasies begin.

Chapter 3

Kennedy’s body had already flown through a flurry of poses. The executions were quick and done with keen precision. Dressed in a black flowing evening gown, long black gloves, her hair pinned up in a beautiful updo with flawless makeup, she was stunning.

Flirting openly with the camera was one of Kennedy’s favorite things to do.

“Run your tongue across your lips, Kennedy,” cameraman Danny George gently instructed the lead model. “That’s good. Now cross your arms up over your head. Hold it. Great!” The shutter went off in rapid succession. “That’s a wrap. We’re all through here. Thanks for always being so easy to work with. I wish all models were like you.”

“Models can be a little temperamental, including me. You’ve just been lucky not to get me on a bad day. For your sake, I hope you never do. Thanks, Danny. I appreciate how professionally you operate. Hope to see you again soon.”

“Take care, Kennedy. You’ll definitely see me again. Count on it.”

Kennedy rushed back into the dressing room to change into her street clothes. She sat down at the dressing table. Using lots of moisturizing cream, she stripped her face of all the heavy makeup. She then dabbed on a lighter base coat, dusting her face with powder and blush, which left her complexion with a more natural glow.

Xavier had invited her to lunch before she’d left his house earlier. She had happily agreed to meet him right after her shoot since she was often hyperactive after completing a job. Energy to burn. After locating her cell phone, she called his mobile to let him know she was through and could meet him within the hour. He had already picked out a restaurant near her home, one that she happened to be familiar with.

Xavier was already waiting in the parking lot of the Gray Whale. When Kennedy spotted his car, she parked right next to it. He immediately got of out of his automobile so he could open the door for her.

As Kennedy stepped out of her car, Xavier slid his hand down her arm and kissed her forehead. “Hello, there. How’d things go for you at work today?”

“Great.” Standing on her tiptoes, she kissed Xavier’s cheek and put her arm through his. “Have you ever worked with Danny George?”

“Many times. He’s the consummate professional. I like him a lot.”

“Me, too. He complimented me today on not being hard to work with. I hated to tell him he just hadn’t caught me on a bad day. But I decided to enlighten him.” They laughed.

Inside the restaurant Xavier stepped up to the podium and gave his name to the hostess. He hadn’t made reservations because he hadn’t been sure when Kenney would finish up her job. However, the place didn’t look too crowded and only a few people were waiting to be seated. After requesting a window table for two, he joined Kennedy.

Kennedy looked up at Xavier as he drew near. “Think we could sit at the bar until they call your name? I’m thirsty.”