Page 13 of Dirty Shots

Chapter Five

Anya

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Anya emerged from the subway, squinting against the bright midday sunlight. She was meeting a family friend for lunch, and was already running late. Clutching her purse to her side, she hurried across the street to the café where she was supposed to be joining him.

Justin was already waiting for her outside, and he bent and kissed her on the cheek. “Anya, looking more grown up than ever.”

She rolled her eyes. “I’ve been a grown up for a few years now, Justin. Are you going to comment on how I’ve grown every time we see each other?”

He grinned. “Absolutely. It’s the payoff I get from being your big brother’s best friend.”

“So how long are you in New York for?”

“Only two days.”

She had the feeling the only reason Justin wanted to meet her was because her brother, or possibly father, had asked him to check up on her. She didn’t like the feeling that her family was making sure she was behaving herself, and resented Justin for acting like their spy. She’d tried to put him off, claiming she was busy, but she knew if she didn’t meet him it would only make her parents suspicious. They’d immediately think she’d become an alcoholic or a druggy overnight, or had had her face pierced or head-to-toe tattoos done. If she didn’t see Justin, they would end up thinking they needed to investigate themselves, and that was the last thing she wanted.

“Look, Justin, I only have about a half hour, so I’ve only got time for coffee and a quick sandwich, okay?”

He shrugged. “Fine with me. I just wanted to catch up and make sure you were safe all alone in this big old city.”

Yep. Checking up on me.

If only they knew the truth.

The previous evening with Eric Rutherford had been like nothing she’d ever experienced before. How was it possible for a man to bind her up, naked, with rope, and not lay a single finger on her? She knew he was a professional, but apparently he also had the self-control of a monk. She’d been so turned on, practically panting and on the verge of orgasm, with the rope pressing against her clit, and he hadn’t so much as touched her.

Perhaps he was gay, or was already in a relationship with someone he hadn’t mentioned.

Or perhaps he simply didn’t find her attractive.

Yet he’d told her he thought she was beautiful, and he certainly didn’t give the impression of being gay.

They headed into the café and ordered. Anya ate quickly, answering all of Justin’s questions with questions of her own. Luckily, Justin had always enjoyed talking about himself, so it was easy to get him rambling on about his own life. As soon as she’d wolfed down her sandwich and slurped her coffee, she signaled for the check.

“I’ll get it,” he said. “My treat.”

Yeah, right. I bet my parents have already paid. But she kept her mouth shut and thanked him instead. She wanted to get out of there so she could have the rest of the afternoon to get an essay finished in order to have time to go to Eric’s apartment later. Her mind kept going to the possibilities of what he would have waiting for her, and she had to hide the little thrill of excitement that raced through her at the thought.

Justin paid and they left the café together. He held out his arm to her to slip her hand through. She’d known him almost her whole life, and thought of him more as an older brother than anything else, so to slip her arm though his felt natural.

“Let me walk you back to campus,” he said.

“No need. I’ll get the subway. It’s only across the street.”

“Ah, okay. I’ll walk you to the subway, then.”

Anya laughed. “All thirty steps.”

Suddenly, her eyes clocked someone walking toward them and her heart leapt in her chest. She’d recognize his dark hair and long, determined stride anywhere. But the moment he noticed her, his stride faltered.

Eric Rutherford.

She remembered Justin at her side, and panic filled her. What could she say to him to stop him mentioning her modeling in front of Justin? Would Justin recognize Eric from the numerous interviews he gave, and question how Anya knew him?

Justin must have noticed the change in her body language, in the slowing of her step and tension in her body, because he glanced down at her curiously and then back up to Eric.

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