to think that Harper Hamilton—a powerful, accomplished attorney who’d probably bedded women in the hundreds— would remember her after all these years.
“What’s up? I’m Nelson. Harper’s younger, devastatingly handsome brother.”
Tearing her gaze away from Harper, she smiled at the aspiring actor with the piercing eyes and movie-star good looks. “It’s great to finally meet you,” she said, shaking the hand he offered. “I’m sorry you couldn’t join us for the shoot, but I understand you were out of town.”
He nodded his smooth, bald head. “I really wanted to be there, but I had an audition for a commercial with Eva Mendes, and I couldn’t pass up an opportunity to meet my favorite actress.”
“And a woman you’ve had a giant crush on for years,” Harper added, clapping his brother on the shoulder. “He watched Hitch so many times the DVD broke!”
The brothers laughed.
“Harper told me you’re an up-and-coming writer for Eminence magazine, but he never mentioned how beautiful you are.”
Nelson flashed his trademark grin, the one Harper had seen him use to get out of parking tickets and score tables at the best restaurants in town. “I didn’t tell you she was stunning because I didn’t want you to embarrass me. You know how you get when you see a drop-dead gorgeous woman!”
Azure’s heartbeat wailed in her ears like a siren. Me? Drop-dead gorgeous? Harper couldn’t be serious. He had to be playing, kidding around. Thanks to her aesthetician, she now had great skin and lush, shiny hair, but no one had ever showered her with compliments before. And more shocking still, Harper and Nelson were wearing matching smiles and staring at her intently. What was it with these Hamilton men? she wondered, fighting the urge to squeal like a schoolgirl. Why did they all have to be suave, good-looking and charming?
“I bet you used to model,” Nelson said smoothly. “Am I right?”
No, but not for lack of trying. Azure shivered as bitter memories from her childhood resurfaced. If her mother, a former beauty queen, had had her way, she would have been a toddler in a tiara. But beauty pageants were for thin, pretty girls, and Azure had been neither. At least that was what pageant organizers repeatedly told her. Now, her younger sister, Eden, was another story. She was born to rip the runway, and from the time she could walk, she was doing just that. “No runways in my past,” she replied with a nervous laugh. “I love fashion, but I was born to be a writer. It’s all I’ve ever dreamed of doing.”
Harper wore a pensive expression on his face. “That’s too bad. With your look, and that million-dollar smile, you could have had a long and prosperous career.”
“I agree,” Nelson tossed in, whipping out his BlackBerry as it rang. He put it to his ear. “I better take this. It’s my agent.”
* * *
A grin overwhelmed Harper’s mouth as he watched his kid brother exit the court. Now he finally had Azure all to himself. While they stood there, openly staring at each other, Harper allowed his eyes to do what his hands were itching to: roam over her delectable, five-foot-nine-inch frame. Her sleek black midlength bob complemented her oval face, and the side bangs that grazed her left cheek gave her a mysterious allure. Azure Ellison had lips made for kissing, hips made for squeezing and a seriously sexy vibe going on.
Casting his gaze downward, he continued his slow, thorough appraisal. Her loose-fitting workout gear hid her fit and fabulous figure, but Harper still remembered how nicely she’d filled out that black-belted-suit she’d worn to last month’s photo shoot. All afternoon he’d hoped she’d ditch the stuffy blazer, but no such luck. Azure Ellison could just as easily be a model for Eminence magazine, and if he ever saw her striking face on the cover, he’d buy stocks in the tabloid.
Harper spotted three gangly teens leaning against the front window. They stood there, their eyes as big as saucers, jabbing each other with their elbows. Was that how he looked right now? Dazed, awed and googly-eyed? Harper hoped not. When it came to the ladies, he wasn’t as confident as his cousin Jake. His ego had taken a hit when he’d caught his ex-girlfriend cheating, and Harper was only now starting to feel like his old self. Watching the trio shamelessly ogle Azure made him feel a mixture of pride and jealousy. An odd reaction considering she wasn’t his woman, or even a close friend.
“I was hoping we could talk.”
“Sure,” he said, giving her his undivided attention, “I could spare a few minutes now.”
“Not here. I’d prefer we speak in private.”
“Are you in need of legal counsel, Ms. Ellison? Because if you are I’m your man.”
* * *
I wish you were. Azure knew Harper was teasing, but a part of her—a big part—wished he wasn’t. Lean and well built, the thirty-one-year-old attorney was an imposing figure with long, muscular limbs and a firm, hard butt she’d spent the past ten minutes drooling over. “I’m not in trouble with the law, but if I ever need an attorney, I’ll be sure to give you a call.”
He blessed her with a wide, disarming smile.
“Are you free tonight?”
“It depends on what this is pertaining to.”
“I’m doing a follow-up piece on the interview I did last month.” The lie slid smoothly off her lips. It should. She’d rehearsed it on the drive over to Premier Fitness, and again while she was working up a sweat on the elliptical machine. “I would love to sit down with you and discuss it further. Why don’t we meet later for cocktails? I can tell you all about it then.”
Harper raised an eyebrow. Three weeks ago, Azure had sat down with his family for an in-depth interview, one that had lasted for several hours. No way she was writing a second piece about the Hamilton clan. Only Brad and Angelina got that kind of coverage. “I’m afraid you’re going to have to give me a little more information about this new story, Ms. Ellison.”
Azure parted her lips, but nothing came out. Not a single word. Then she remembered the conversation in the staff room that morning and invented another, more compelling tale. “The whole city’s buzzing with the news of your cousin’s
surprise engagement, and I thought it would be great to add some quotes and anecdotes about the darling couple to the piece I originally wrote. You’re the first person who came to mind, so here I am.”
His face hardened like stone. “I’m sorry, Ms. Ellison, but I have nothing to offer. I was just as shocked as everyone else when Jake proposed. But, if you’d like, I can arrange for you to meet with my aunt Jeannette, because she had to know something....”
Azure watched Harper closely, and all but fainted when he licked his full, thick lips. She admired the famed attorney from the top of his brown close-cropped hair to the bottom of his sneaker-clad feet. His skin looked as smooth as whipped peanut butter, he had a strong chiseled jaw and a pair of powerful, muscular legs. Azure longed to run her hands down his arms, wished she could touch and massage his athletic physique. Damn, and he smelled good, too. Like a rough and tough alpha male. One who could show her a thing or two in the bedroom. Or the kitchen. Or any other room he wanted to have her in.
At the thought, goose bumps prickled her flesh. Azure blinked, forced her gaze away from Harper’s sexy mouth. No more lusting. It was time to refocus, to get back
