Page 10 of Silk Shadow

CHAPTER 5

"Wait here," Viper ordered as they approached the hotel room.

Izzy shot Emily an annoyed glance, but both women complied while he conducted a thorough search of the suite.

The flight had been excruciating, not that he’d even noticed. Izzy had tried to concentrate on the upcoming schedule with Emily, but every time she felt the heat from his rock-hard thigh or a nudge from his marble forearm, she’d tensed up. Eventually, Emily had asked if she was all right. She’d made some excuse about being on edge because of the letters. Now she'd had enough, and all she wanted to do was get changed and relax by the pool.

"Okay, it's clear."

"Thank you." She marched past him into the room. Emily followed, batting her eyelashes.

"Feel free to search mine too," she said coquettishly.

To Izzy’s surprise, the corners of his mouth lifted. "It's not part of my job description, ma'am."

"Pity," Emily murmured.

Izzy shot her a warning glance.

"You take the second bedroom, ma'am," Viper told her just as she'd sat down on the bed and kicked off her shoes.

She sighed. "Why?"

"So, if anyone comes looking for you, they have to go through me first."

It was true, the suite consisted of two adjoining rooms and a small lounge with a balcony overlooking a palmed courtyard with a swimming pool and terrace.

Izzy nodded, pushed herself off the bed, and with Emily following, padded through to the adjoining room. Viper followed, wheeling her suitcases through. He set them down in the center of the room. “I’ll be next door if you need me.”

"Holy crap," muttered Emily, closing the door after him. "He takes his job seriously, doesn't he?"

"I suppose he has to,” she allowed. The guy was ex-military, and growing up with an uncle like Pat, she was familiar with that kind of stoic demeanor and uncompromising discipline. It was a thing with them. In a way, she found it reassuring, but in other ways she wished he’d be more human. Crack a joke or make a sarcastic comment. Anything to show he wasn’t just a well-trained robot.

What did she care if he was?

To distract herself, Izzy began unpacking her makeup. "What's the agenda for tomorrow?"

"Weren't you listening to a word I said on the plane?" Emily swiped at her tablet. "The crew is arriving at six to set up. Oh, that includes your hair and makeup, by the way. The models are arriving at eight and hopefully, we can get rolling by nine."

"What's the location?" she asked.

"Max wants to shoot them on the beach. Early morning and late afternoon light is best. There's a semi-secluded bay around the corner that won't be too busy. We'll set up there. I was thinking of getting all the beach shots out of the way on Day 1, with a two-hour break for lunch when the sun is at its hottest. We can do the catalog shots by the hotel pool and in the landscaped gardens over the next two days."

"Sounds good. Make sure the hotel knows the crew can eat and drink here. Put it on my tab."

"Right. Clint is flying in later tonight, so you won't have him this evening, but that's not a train wreck. You're pretty good at doing your own hair now and we won’t take any promo shots until tomorrow."

“Good, I want an evening to settle in. I'm thinking, a light dinner at the hotel and then maybe a little stroll around town, just to get the lay of the land. What do you think?"

Emily grinned. "Sounds perfect."

"Right now, however, I'm going for a swim. Did you see that pool as we walked in?" She was dying to wash away the tension of the flight and stretch out her achy muscles.

"Divine. I'll meet you there."

Emily left and Izzy changed into one of her swimsuits. She chose a black one with high sides and a plunging neckline. It made her legs look even longer and emphasized her ample breasts. It was one of her favorites of the entire collection. Very Bond-girl.

She didn't bother with a sarong. One of her mottos was to be proud of what you've got. That's what she tried to portray on her Instagram feed. Don't hide your body away, flaunt it. Everyone is beautiful in their own way. She opened the door to the adjoining room and found Viper standing in his underwear.

---