Awakened (Intimate Relations) by Kate Douglas Page A

anyone but Rico was here. Your vicious watchdog, by the way, didn’t even wake up when we walked in. Our flight got delayed, and then Kaz remembered a scarf she left here yesterday that she wanted to take.”
    It was hard to picture Kaz as the stunning model gracing the latest cover of Vanity Fair , not when she was standing here in the kitchen in worn yoga pants and a long-sleeved tee, but she was gorgeous even when she wasn’t wearing make-up and half a million dollars in jewels. Marc slipped an arm around her waist and kissed her cheek. At six-two, she had him by a good inch in height, but she was a perfect match for Jake, who was taller than just about everyone. “So, did you find it?”
    With a sheepish look, she held up a beautiful hand-dyed scarf in shades of blues and greens. “I remembered hanging it on the back of the chair. Jake bought it for our first shoot.”
    “That’s the one Jake used in the photos for the Intimate debut.” He’d never forget the way that scarf had looked, artfully draped around Kaz’s amazing body, showcasing the jewelry designs that were now adding to his fortune. The exquisite photographs Jake had taken during their week in wine country had pushed his newest company into a phenomenally successful launch.
    Jake and Kaz had also launched a romance that was every bit as beautiful.
    Jake slipped his arm around Kaz’s waist and hugged her close. “I actually bought it for Kaz. I wanted her to think it was merely a prop to set off your jewelry designs.” He kissed her. “It was all about seducing the sexy model.”
    Kaz rolled her eyes. “I was so easy.”
    “You still are, darlin’. It’s part of your charm.” Jake ducked when she took a swing at him.
    They were all laughing when Mandy walked into the kitchen in her ratty old bathrobe. Marc turned and held his hand out. She took it. He pulled her close and, without thinking, kissed her. “Morning, sleepyhead.”
    She groaned and leaned close. Marc raised his head and caught both Kaz and Jake staring at them. “Um…”
    Mandy shook her head. “S’okay, Marc. I’m not about to try and hide anything from Kaz. She’s got roomie radar like you wouldn’t believe.”
    Except Jake was the one laughing. “You mean you finally did it? Hallelujah! Ya know, when Ben first showed up, he asked me if you were gay. I swore you weren’t, but man, after so many weeks and no action, I was beginning to wonder if I’d missed something important.”
    Marc merely shrugged. “I didn’t want to rush Mandy.” He pulled her into his embrace, wrapped both arms around her waist and tucked her back against his chest. “She’s much too important.”
    “You’re darned right she is.” Kaz planted her hands on her hips and stared at Marc, but there was a definite twinkle in her eyes. “So you’d better treat her right. Lola’s not here to protect her and I won’t be either. Mandy, you be careful while I’m gone. You know the rules. Always use protection, don’t let him boss you around, and don’t forget a single detail so we can drag them out of you over margaritas.”
    Marc kissed the top of Mandy’s head, though his mind was spinning over the protection issue, which had, for the moment at least, totally eclipsed his other problem. He and Mandy really needed to talk. “Hopefully, Kaz, the details will be good ones.”
    *   *   *
    Jake and Kaz left with hugs, good wishes for their trip, and a lot of congratulations in return. Mandy felt like she deserved an Academy Award for her performance, or at least an Emmy. She closed the door, leaned against it, and exhaled in relief. When she raised her head, Marc was staring at her, his face a study in conflicted emotions.
    She held out her arms. He stepped into her embrace and she hung on for dear life, but at least this morning she had an idea.
    Marc nuzzled the top her head, snagging strands of hair in the bristles on his unshaven cheek. She rarely saw him with anything more than a