When he left, Fatima came to the doorway and shook her head. “I know,” Ana confided. “If I’ve caught him in a lie, he’ll work doubly hard to keep me from catching him in the next one.”
“Or the following dozen,” Fatima emphasized.
Ana bit into another cookie. “I like the hazelnut flavor.”
“I don’t care what flavor Alejandro is—just be careful not to take too large a bite.”
Knowing she already had, Ana felt her cheeks fill with a bright blush.
Chapter Nineteen
Alejandro disliked Lucien Lamoreaux the instant he set eyes on him. Ana had called the Frenchman that morning to let him know she wouldn’t need his chauffeur, but the designer’s eyes widened as they came through the door.
“It’s Mr. Vasquez, isn’t it? How wonderful that you could come with Ana. The most provocative poses come to mind. Would you mind joining her in a few shots?”
“It’s Alejandro, and that depends on how provocative you care to get,” he replied with as charming a smile as he could fake. “Ana told me she wouldn’t mind if I came along if I promised to stay out of the way.”
Lucien offered his hand and looked Alejandro up and down. “The suit’s handsome on you. Maybe we could have you dancing, and we’ll focus on Ana’s shoe. There’s a new rack of clothing for you, my dear. Choose whatever you like, and Nanette will help you.”
The photographer came forward. “Pierre Duvernay. Ana is the most photogenic model I’ve ever worked with, and you look as though you might be equally good in front of a camera.”
“As long as I’m here,” Alejandro responded with a careless shrug. “Just tell me where to stand.”
Lucien opened a shoebox and removed a gold lace shoe. “Shall we do Cinderella? Your arm would hide Ana’s cast.”
“Fine, as long as I don’t have to wear tights.”
Lucien and Pierre laughed, and the designer assured him he wouldn’t need a wardrobe change. Alejandro was grateful for the relaxed mood, but he found it difficult to stand close to Lucien. Miguel Aragon had been significantly older than Ana, and not having grown up with a father, she might be drawn to older men. Lucien’s blue eyes and graying hair were a handsome combination, and Frenchmen were known for their charm. He silently cursed himself for being jealous, but if Ana weren’t so suspicious of Lucien, the designer might pose some real competition. The baby held Ana to him, but he shouldn’t have to rely on a child to keep her faithful.
When Ana appeared in a red ruffled gown, Pierre placed her in a gold occasional chair upholstered in silver brocade. “Turn toward me and, Mr. Vasquez, Alejandro, if you’ll kneel and hold the shoe. It’s the shoe we want to feature.”
Ana pulled the ruffled hem of her gown over her cast. “Wait a minute. Alejandro needs a touch of makeup so his skin won’t shine.”
“You’re right,” Pierre replied. “Nanette, give him a light dusting.”
Alejandro followed the makeup artist into Lucien’s bedroom and immediately noticed the Mapplethorpe photos. He sat down as directed but flinched at the first brush of powder. He raised his hands to his nose. “Sorry, I have to sneeze.”
Nanette stepped back until he’d finished. “Your dark, dangerous look sells cologne and whiskey. You should let my husband do your portfolio.”
“Thank you, but this is the only day I’ll model.”
“What a shame. There, you look fine now.”
Alejandro followed her into the living room. “I love the Mapplethorpe prints. He knew how to make a calla lily look erotic, and he did amazing nudes.”
“Indeed he did,” Lucien replied. “Now let’s try again. How does he look to you, Ana?”
She smiled at Alejandro. “Very fine, as always. How much of us will be in the ad? Just the shoe, or both of us?”
“Both of you look too good not to use. Give me your best smile, and Alejandro, you have a fine profile and should concentrate on her foot and ignore the camera.”
Alejandro gazed up at Ana. “You should have warned me I might have to pose.”
She raised a finger to her lips. “Hush.”
He slid the shoe on her foot more than a dozen times before Pierre and Lucien were satisfied. “Now stand together as though you were dancing. Do you want another shoe, Lucien?”
“No, let’s use the gold again and switch for the next pose.”