“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.
Véronique darted out after him, without another word, bellowing for Natalii.
“So, we’re going to a party?” Maddie fiddled with the hair-colour canister.
“So it seems.” Elena sounded distracted.
Maddie looked up to see those clear, blue eyes lingering, once more, on her bare back.
“I’ll let you get changed,” Elena continued, her voice huskier than usual. “See you at the…monkeys.”
“The monkeys?” Maddie tried not to laugh. Because that was definitely not a thing she’d ever expected Elena to utter in her lifetime.
“Véronique informs me there will be monkeys at the afterparty. Didn’t you know?”
“Oh.” Well that explained the zoo van. “The monkeys it is.”
CHAPTER 28
Just Business
