‘We’re not done.We haven’t even set up your drone yet.’Julian danced around the long grasses, obviously trying to not get dirty.
‘Not gonna happen, slick.These eggs need to be squirrelled away before the temperature changes too much.’
‘Can I come?’She’d beg if she had to.
Stone regarded her for a moment with a look that was positively hypnotic.She couldn’t look away, until he slid on his sunglasses.‘Cameras are prohibited in those places.’
‘I’ll put them away.’
‘You’ll be keeping them out and doing what I paid you to do, Romy Radford.’Julian shoved his face right in front of her camera and scolded her like she was a child.‘Remember who I am.I am the director.And youwilltape my footage for this film or I’ll—’
‘Oi!’Stone ripped off his sunglasses.‘Careful, mate, you keep raising your voice like that at the lady and you’ll leave me with no choice but to raise mine.And I’m no opera singer, so I can guarantee you it will get ugly.’
Romy’s heart was hit with a flaming shot of heat over this guy—protectingher!
‘Are you threatening me?’Julian blinked fast.
‘I’m telling you to watch your tone, fancy pants.’
‘I’m no fancy pants.’Brushing down his shirt.
‘You’re no ray of sunshine, either.’Stone narrowed his eyes at Julian.‘Lemme guess, you’ve come out here, expecting her—’
‘Romy.’
‘Rrr-ooo-mee.’Stone let her name seductively roll over his tongue as if he was tasting each syllable.‘You came out here to film a documentary on crocodiles, when you haven’t even spent ten minutes researching them?’
Julian lifted his chin, amplifying his pompous attitude.‘It’s none of your business what I do with this film.’
‘Actually, I’d like to know.’As her job, Romy needed to know the details.
Julian’s glare was horrific, as he dabbed at his sweaty moustache that looked like a caterpillar had keeled over and fried in the sun.
‘You asked me to film the process of collecting crocodile eggs.That’s an extremely specific area, when there is so much more to these amazing creatures and this unique environment.’She waved her arm at the epic scenery that surrounded them.‘What is your angle for this documentary?’
‘It’d have to be unique because filmmakers have been coming out here for decades.’Stone leaned his strong shoulder against the helicopter’s shell.‘Sorry, mate, but I don’t see you winning no film critics award for what you lot filmed today.No offence to you, Romy.’Stone even tipped his cap at her, all slow and deliberate, yet loaded with natural born charm—the kind that came with flirty trouble on its heels.
She had to give him a goofy smile.‘None taken.’
Yet, Stone was right.She’d barely scratched the shiny surface of what they could film about these creatures.
‘So best we go, or your skin will start to look like strawberry jam on white toast when the mozzies are done with you two.’
‘Let’s go, Julian.’She started unclipping herself from the gimbal.
‘No.I want you to—’
‘Our pilot is getting ready to leave.And I’ll film the ride back.I’m sure we can convince Stone to take the scenic route.’She was still hoping to talk her way into getting a tour of that hatchery too.‘We can always come back.’
‘Not with this cowboy.’
‘I think they’re all like that, Julian.Think about it.They practically wrestle with these dangerous creatures as their day job, so they’d have to be part crazy.’
Julian sighed, sliding his hands into his pristinely pressed slacks.‘Very well.We’ll go back, and I’ll review your footage to see if I need more.’
‘I’ll review it first, thank you.’She held her camera close to her chest.
‘Why?’
