“Sorry if I’m intruding,” Elena said, not sounding remotely apologetic. Her eyes found Maddie’s in the mirror.

“Did you enjoy the show?” Maddie asked, clasping her fidgeting fingers together.

“Very much,” came Elena’s soft, low reply. “Possibly Véronique’s finest offering in many years. And her best show ever,” Elena’s voice became a purr, “for a variety of reasons.”

“Really? Well, that’s good.” She tapered off, unsure what to say in the face of Elena’s intense stare. “How’s work?” she asked, before cursing herself for the lame small talk.

Elena cocked an eyebrow at the topic choice and took a step closer. “Incompetence surrounds me. So—it’s much the same.” Her fingers lifted to settle on the back of Maddie’s neck. “This gown looked exquisite on you,” she said, although she was only touching skin.

The fine hairs on Maddie’s neck snapped to attention.

A trailing touch, faint as it was, drifted slightly lower, down the bumps of her spine and stopped between her shoulder blades. “The designer had the bodice so perfectly constructed and balanced that only someone with measurements like yours could have worn the garment and done it any justice.”

The fingers at her back were placed exactly behind the bodice “measurements” at the front that Elena had just alluded to—a fact Maddie was only too well aware of. “Oh,” she whispered.

“Mm, yes.” Elena’s fingers did a small, careless twirl. “So how is it you were selected for this task? I seem to remember you telling me more than once that you’re a reporter and nothing else.”

“Ah,” Maddie said, relieved to have a safe topic to discuss. “Véronique couldn’t find any model in Sydney as big as me with no notice.” She glanced down and gave a self-deprecating laugh. “Even now, I’m not sure I’ve done this beautiful dress justice.”

Elena’s eyes bored into Maddie’s in the mirror. “You’re perfectly proportioned. Which is why you and this dress were meant to be. However, modelling and you…” Her lips twitched. “Well, let’s just say you may have to work on that neutral face.”

“My what?” Maddie lost her train of thought, as Elena’s gaze, yet again, detoured across her bare back before darting back up to meet her own.

“You smiled. At the end of the runway, you struck your pose and then beamed like the headlights on my Lexus.”

Maddie froze. She’d what? The memories flooded her of her walk and the heady rush of emotions and how great she’d felt and how she’d just… Oh. Oh! That’s what the gasps had been about? She’d made a fool of herself. The entire room had been laughing at her. She gave a soft, pitiful moan.

“I did not say I disapproved.”

Elena’s tone was gentle, but Maddie couldn’t meet her eyes. She’d had one damned job. And she couldn’t even walk thirty feet, turn, and walk back without messing up.

“In fact it was refreshing,” Elena continued. “I rather enjoyed the change from sour-faced, industry-standard models. I have no doubt Véronique is out there right now spinning it as some genius marketing ploy. Accessible fashion or some such thing.”

That was definitely the kindest interpretation anyone could put on it. “Why are you being so nice to me?” Maddie asked, feeling dazed.

“Actually, I was being truthful. In case it’s escaped your notice, this is the last day of my part of the truth bet.”

It is? Maddie mentally flipped through her calendar. While she’d only had to be honest for a day, Elena had agreed to a full week. And she was right with her sums. “Okay.” Maddie deflated again.

“You preferred the idea I was just being nice to you?” Elena regarded her with a curious expression.

“Maybe. I… Yes.”

“Well, we both know how out of character that would be.” She looked amused.

“I guess so. You’d never do nice, right?” Maddie left enough teasing in it so it would sound like a joke, but she wasn’t so sure of anything anymore. Her ground seemed to keep shifting around this woman.

“I’m glad we agree.” Elena tilted her head. “Look at you.” The backs of her fingers lifted to Maddie’s cheekbones. “The contours of your face have perfect symmetry. You could be an artist’s model. A muse to inspire and study.”

Maddie swallowed. “Is that what I am to you? Someone you like to study?”

“Yes.” Elena’s expression contained nothing but sincerity. “I do like to watch you.”

“I like looking at you too,” Maddie said, voice a whisper. “I’ve really missed you.”

“It’s only been a week.” The words were light, but Elena’s eyes were intense.

“A long one.” Maddie glanced at Elena’s sleek black dress. “You look stunning, by the way. I know that goes without saying—you always do. But I felt you watching me from the runway. You have this…presence.”

“Then perhaps you should see me first thing in the morning. Not quite so impressive.”

“I have seen you first thing in the morning,” Maddie said with a small smile. “Also in the middle of the night. Even with the worst pressures and the tightest deadline for my story, you’re always so focused. I’ve never met anyone like you. I think you’re an amazing woman.”

“Not everyone would share that view, I can assure you.” Elena straightened. “Speaking of your story, the Australasian Legends of Publishing ball is the first on our list that you’d accompany me to. It’s on the twentieth. See if you can find something to wear like this. The bodice really does suit your figure. I’ll send Perry your way to help fit you.”

Elena brushed the side of Maddie’s dress, only barely dusting her ribs, just a little too close to her breasts for Maddie not to hold her breath. She glanced at Elena, uncertain, and was struck yet again by how naked her roving gaze was. How it felt like stroking fingers, the way her eyes lingered. Wait, was Elena holding her breath too?

“Ahh! My remarquable, magnifique célébrité!” A high French voice cut through the room, and Elena and Maddie started as Véronique swept in.

A rapid wash of cool air accompanied Elena stepping back.

Véronique rushed to Maddie and kissed her on both cheeks, then gave her left cheek a final fond squeeze. Turning, she faced Elena with a chillier expression. “Madame Bartell?” It almost sounded like an accusation.

“Oui,” Elena replied, before rattling off an entire greeting in the designer’s native language. She sounded confident and fluent.

Maddie picked up something about the show being excellent. Or possibly something about monkeys?

Monkeys? Oh, the trapeze lady.

Véronique looked impressed in spite of herself. She responded in French, and Maddie let her thoughts drift, content to watch two powerhouse, fashion-focused women have a summit that was long overdue.

She fiddled with the hairpins on the counter in front of her. Read the brands of the hairsprays, marvelled at the vast array of make-up products. Her mind, though, was a dizzying blur. Her former boss had practically caressed her. Elena had slipped and skidded those long, sensual fingers all over Maddie’s skin and set it on fire. And the look on her face, the burning of her deep eyes, was hypnotic. Maddie would have given every cent she owned to know what Elena had been thinking. Was it desire? Or teasing? What did she want from her?

She froze when she heard the word amour. Trying not to be obvious, she glanced back to the mirror to find Elena looking a little surprised. And then her cool gaze slid over to Maddie’s.

Over Elena’s shoulder, Véronique smirked.

Maddie started to panic. What had the bloody woman told Elena? She shot the designer a part mutinous, part terrified glare, which made her laugh heartily.

“I think a celebration is in order, oui? You will come to the afterparty? Both of you?” Véronique’s gaze moved from Maddie to Elena and back again, and Maddie could see mischief brewing in those dancing eyes.

“Now, I will take this stunned silence as agreement, for who could say no to such an exclusive invitation? Mm?” Véronique asked. “An event the cafards have never before been invited to. So, of course, you are both thinking ‘Oui, Véronique! We will be there!’ And now…” She threw her head back dramatically and roared, “Pascal!”

Her assistant scurried in.

“I need cigarettes. And champagne. Because tonight…” She clapped a firm hand on both women’s shoulders, startling Elena so much Maddie felt her jump a little beside her. “We party!”

Pascal scuttled from the room in search of his boss’s requests.