Aphrodite's Passion (13 page)

He took her hand, and Tracy gasped with surprise. Part of her wanted to say no. After the way he’d treated her, Leon Palmer wasn’t exactly high on her list. But at the same time, he was being so conciliatory...

“Please.” He squeezed her fingers.

“I don’t know.”

“I really feel I need to make it up to you. Please.”

Her shoulders sagged and she capitulated. “I guess that would be okay.”

In an elegant gesture, he raised her hand to his lips and kissed the tips of her fingers. Tracy tried not to melt. “I’ll pick you up at eight,” he said, and Tracy could only nod, wondering if she’d done the right thing.

When he walked away, she twisted around, wondering if anyone had witnessed their encounter. It was then that she saw the tall, dark Adonis standing on the far side of the soundstage, his face hidden by the shadows. But he wasn’t hidden enough that she couldn’t feel the way his eyes were watching her, or see the firm set of his jaw as he frowned.

His shape was somehow familiar, but she couldn’t place it. Still, something about this man called to her. Something mysterious and provocative. Her stomach fluttered. Part of her wanted to cross the darkened soundstage and speak to him. To ask why he was watching her. Why he was frowning.

She took a step closer before the realization of her own boldness stopped her cold. And that’s when he shifted, the light catching the angular planes of his chiseled features, and she realized where she’d seen him before.

Yesterday’s mysterious stranger.

What on earth was he doing watching her from the shadows? She bit her lip, trying to decide if she should approach him, ask him that very thing. But the reality was, she didn’t know this man at all.

It had been an odd, confusing day, and her mind was all a muddle. Best to leave now and sort it all out later. Or not sort it out.

Frankly, she wasn’t entirely sure the day was sort-out-able.

She’s wearing the belt
! Elmer squeaked.
And that guy was being a complete dunderhead. It works! It really works
!

Hale clenched his fists at his sides. Elmer was right—that Leon Palmer fellow had practically fallen all over Tracy. Not that Hale minded seeing the little worm manipulated; under normal circumstances, Hale would be perfectly content to see Leon put under a spell for the rest of his life. But these weren’t normal circumstances at all. If Leon was fawning all over Tracy, that meant that she must actually be attracted to the guy. Which was crazy. Couldn’t Tracy see that the man wasn’t sincere, belt or not? This Leon fellow didn’t really care about her. Even more, from what Hale could tell, he was a bumbling idiot. How could Tracy just have agreed to go out with him?

Because she wanted him. She
desired
him. And the belt had given her what she wanted. Hale wondered what else she’d want before the day was through. As Zephron had explained, the belt worked on both a sensual and a non-sensual level. She might
want
Leon, but she might also simply want better service at the dry cleaners. Or a better job. Or who knows what.

Still, at the moment, Hale couldn’t be concerned with that. No, Leon was the problem. Tracy had actually smiled at Leon, and Hale’s stomach had done flip-flops. Anger, frustration,
jealousy
? He didn’t know, and he didn’t care. All he knew was that the realization that Tracy actually liked this mortal cretin irritated him. He shoved the emotion away. He didn’t care about Tracy’s love interests. Of course he didn’t.

Who Tracy liked, who Tracy dated, who Tracy made love with had absolutely no bearing on his life. None. Zip. Nada. She could do whatever she wanted. With whomever she wanted. Even annoying cretins like Leon Palmer.

Except it
was
his business. The truth was a blow he didn’t expect. If his ancestor’s magic girdle had anything to do with who Tracy dated and who Tracy slept with, then it very much was his concern.

Oddly, that fact cheered him; he now had a reason to care if Tracy liked Leon Palmer. And if he had anything to say about it, he intended to make sure that Tracy never fell for the bastard.

Yo! Hale my man! You wanna say something to your little buddy? Like why we’re still standing here when the girl’s gone?

At that, Hale blinked. Sure enough, while he’d been thinking about her love life, Tracy had slipped out the soundstage door. He rushed forward, desperate not to lose sight of her, then forced himself to stop. He’d never stumbled over himself to get to a woman ... and he didn’t intend to start now. No matter how much the woman in question was beginning to get under his skin. And no matter the importance of the belt she was wearing.

Slowly and calmly, he headed toward the door.

So where are we going?

“Her trailer.” As it was, they should have been there long before. Hale had called his agent the previous night and explained that Elmer had a lead on a gig, and so Hale would be ferret-sitting instead of modeling for a while. Not one to miss an opportunity, Marty had immediately signed Elmer, then called Paws In Production and made all the necessary arrangements. All Hale had to do was show up with Elmer and sit on the sidelines and watch.

He grimaced. Frankly, he wasn’t really a sidelines kind of guy. But in this case, it was a great cover. While Elmer was taking Hollywood—or at least Studio City—by storm, Hale could be working his mission. Working Tracy, that is.

Besides, the closer he got to the girl, the sooner he could seduce her out of the belt....

Every time you seduce a woman, I get the short end of the stick
, Elmer said, as if he could read Hale’s mind. The ferret sighed.
You disappear with some female and I end up stuck in some hotel room, or holed up with Zoë and Taylor. And they don’t even get HBO
. Another sigh.
I hope you realize how much I sacrifice for you. A television show is the least I deserve. The
least,
I tell you
!

Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Elmer’s glare. He rolled his shoulder, causing the ferret to wobble.

Watch it, there!

“Me? You’re the one complaining about my mission. Zephron would be ashamed.”

Superheroing by seduction
? the ferret teased.
I don’t know. Doesn‘t sound very chivalrous. Let’s see. Your sister has super senses. So does that mean you have a super shl
—

“Watch it.” Hale tried to keep a stern face, but had trouble not laughing. “I’m just doing my job.”

Tracy wanted a seduction. He’d give her a seduction. For the good of the mission, he’d give her the decadent fling of a lifetime. They’d connect, all right. But on a sensual level. Just sex. Nothing more. As Hale knew, sex could be damn persuasive. But there’d be no long talks where they really got to know each other. No lazy picnics on the beach. No way. Not with Tracy. Not with anyone.

At the end of the day, she’d have her fling and Hale would have the belt. Then he’d go far, far away, and forget he ever saw this mortal woman who somehow managed to tie his stomach in knots with just her smile.

“At any rate,” Hale said, trying to shift his thoughts from the way Tracy’s face glowed when she smiled. “Last night, you were perfectly keen on the seduction plan.”

Elmer sighed, apparently sensing defeat.
In theory, sure. But like I said, every time you decide to seduce some mortal cupcake, I end up stuck in a hotel room for hours watching bad television
.

“You like bad television.” So much that it was scary. “And if I move in with her, too, you’ll have a whole suite of rooms.”

You’ll forget to feed me. In case you don’t remember, I have trouble operating can openers. And it’s not like this girl’s house will have room service....

Well, Elmer had a point. Hale had to admit he did tend to get tunnel vision whenever he went after a female. He just liked to focus all his attention on the particular woman of the hour. Nothing wrong with that, was there?

Besides, this is my chance to be a star! Let’s concentrate on me for a moment, shall we? And could you put a little spring in your step? I’d like to get there before they hire another ferret.

Hale fought a grin, but walked a bit faster. “You’re not here to be a star,” he pointed out. “You’re here on a mission. Not to get your name on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.”

Harrumph.

Other than the tiny snort, Elmer kept quiet. Hale wasn’t sure if the ferret had come to his senses or if he was just mentally mapping out his coming career. At the moment, it didn’t matter; whatever his motivation, the little guy was keeping quiet.

They turned a corner and the Paws In Production trailer came into view. Tracy was right there, right in front of him. And even though she wasn’t smiling that killer smile, his stomach was reacting.

Damn
. No way could he be more than just sexually attracted to this mortal. No way at all.

Firm, athletic legs filled out jeans that were slightly damp and covered with dog hair. In one hand she held a hose, and in the other a squirming, lathered dog. The dog wasn’t as articulate as Elmer, but to Hale’s ear, its displeasure at being soaped up was loud and clear.

Tracy could tell, too. Even without speaking Dog. She was straddling the poor thing, mumbling to it about keeping still, one hand holding down the canine’s rump as the other tried to work up a good lather.

She tries to do that to me, and we’re outta here
, Elmer chittered.
Not that I’m against a vigorous massage, mind you. I just prefer one without the bubbles
.

Hale bit back a chuckle. To his way of thinking, Elmer was crazy. Being bathed by Tracy Tannin sounded like a little slice of heaven.

The dog jerked free, then shook vigorously, drenching Tracy in a shower of suds. She jumped back, still holding onto the dog’s leash, and Hale could see the stream of bubbles that festooned her forehead, as if she’d used a soapy hand to wipe her hair from her eyes.

All in all, she was a mess. Hale thought she looked completely adorable.

As he approached, Tracy looked up, her perfect green eyes bright and curious.

He could tell the instant she recognized him, because her mouth formed a little O and her eyes registered pure delight.

“You,” she said. Her gaze shifted to his shoulder and Elmer, and her head cocked slightly.

After a moment, a slow smile spread across her face. With each infinitesimal increase in the expression, a band around Hale’s heart burst. Just being the recipient of this glowing welcome was like winning a prize, and Hale found himself wondering how he could bottle the warm, happy moment and keep it forever.

With a quick shake of his head, he banished such foolish thoughts. Ridiculous. He was here on a mission. The fact that he was attracted to this mortal would help make her seduction easier, that’s all. He certainly didn’t need to lose himself to sentimentality.

“I don’t believe it. You’re the guy from the other day.”

“Guilty,” he said.

“And you’re the ferret guy, too?”

She wiped a hand on her jeans and took a small step toward him, keeping her other hand on her dog’s leash. “Mel left a message that someone was coming to audition, but I never expected it was
you.”
She shook her head. “Talk about a small world.”

“I’m just considering myself lucky to see you again.” He closed his fingers around hers. Despite all the work she surely did with her hands, her skin was warm and soft. He wondered if the rest of her was just as caressable. He intended to find out.

A tiny V appeared above her nose as her brow furrowed. She was still looking at him, still holding his hand.

He scowled, uncomfortable under her assessment, and strangely fearful that upon this second, closer inspection she would somehow find him lacking. “Problem?”

Immediately she dropped his hand and backed away, her eyes wide. “No. Not at all. Sorry.” The crease in her forehead reappeared. “It’s just that... I thought you looked so familiar the other day. And you still do. Only I can’t place it. You almost look like... I mean, I think I’ve seen ...” She took a deep breath. “This may sound silly, but are you—”

“Hale!”

At the new voice, Tracy’s mouth fell open and she took a step backward, almost stumbling over her soapy dog as she looked from Hale to some spot over his shoulder, then back again.

Hale turned to look behind him. A tall, thin man with graying hair and a slight limp was making his way toward the trailer. As soon as he got there, he slapped Hale heartily on the back, almost dislodging Elmer, who squeaked in protest:

Watch it, buddy. Ferret hitching a ride here.

“Good to see you. So glad you’re here. I’m Burke Cunningham. I produce
Mrs. Dolittle
and direct most of the episodes.” He turned to Tracy, his face lighting up. “And this little gal here helps us a lot in that department. Couldn’t do it without her, could we, Trace?”

She looked mildly bewildered. “Uh, no, sir.”

“Excellent! Excellent, my dear.” He wrapped his arm around Tracy’s shoulders and gave her a fatherly squeeze. “Wonderful girl,” he said, looking at Hale. “Pleasure to work with. The utmost professional.”

Tracy’s brow furrowed, but she didn’t say anything— even though Burke still had her shoulders in a lock and she looked decidedly uncomfortable.

The producer flashed a Hollywood smile Hale’s way. “I’m so glad the ferret belongs to you.” He rubbed his hands together. “I have a little proposition for you,” he added. Hale swallowed, wondering what was coming.

“You really are Hale?” Tracy asked, worming her way out from under Burke’s arm. “As in the cover-model Hale?
You‘re
the ferret guy?”

“One and the same,” he admitted, the fact that she knew who he was thrilling him more than it should.

“I’m hoping Hale will join us for a few weeks,” Burke said. “Celebrity guest appearances.” He rubbed his hands together. “Could be quite a ratings boost.”

Oh, no you don’t
! Elmer squeaked.

“Guest appearance?” Hale asked at exactly the same time. Elmer would never speak to him again if he stole the ferret’s limelight.