[4 Seasons 01] Seducing Summer Read Online Free PDF Page B

the
first catalogue. The pages were made of board and slotted into clear plastic sleeves
that clipped into the folder so she could add or replace items as necessary.
Each page featured a large picture by the same photographer who’d taken the
shots on the wall.
    Gene stood shoulder to shoulder with her, a
few inches taller than her in her heels. As they leaned forward, his aftershave
wound around her like a ribbon—something with sandalwood and a touch of citrus,
making her mouth water.
    “This is the Four Seasons swimwear.” Trying
to concentrate, she began to leaf through the photos of models in bikinis and
costumes, taken on the quay by the Te Papa museum. “Rowan’s aim was to design
swimwear that women with more generous body shapes can feel comfortable in
while still feeling sexy. For example, our bikini tops have more material in
the cups so the wearer doesn’t have to worry that she’ll turn to the side and
pop out.”
    “Very thoughtful.”
    “We think so. We do offer the traditional
tiny bottoms, but we concentrate on the hip- or waist-high bottoms, often
matched with tankini tops, as well as one-pieces. Rowan’s very clever at
designing patterns that draw the eye away from the bits we don’t want to be
seen. Many women don’t mind having a larger bust, but they’re uncomfortable
about showing their midriffs, so our designs are based around disguising that
area by having fancy tucks or folds of the material between the boobs, dark-colored
panels down the sides or across the tummy, and bright colors in strategic
places.”
    He lifted a hand, and for a brief moment
she thought he was going to cup her cheek. He just touched her earlobe, though,
and to her surprise, produced a two-dollar coin as if he’d pulled it from the
shell of her ear.
    She laughed. “Magic tricks?”
    “The theory of misdirection. It’s what the
swimwear does.” He smiled and pocketed the coin.
    Her earlobe tingled where he’d brushed it,
sending a ripple through her entire body. He’d obviously shaved that morning, she
thought. An image flashed through her mind of him standing in front of a
bathroom mirror wearing only a towel, tipping his head back as he ran a razor
across his cheek.
    Ooh.
    Blinking away the haze of lust that
threatened to overwhelm her, she pushed the swimwear to one side and opened the
lingerie catalogue. “Yes, you’re right. Misdirection is the key for swimwear. Underwear
is slightly different, as generally it’s not made for others to see. It serves
two basic purposes—to support the figure and make one’s outer clothes look
good, and to make the woman feel sexy, both for herself and her partner. Quite
often, she’ll buy two separate sets of lingerie—comfortable, well-fitting bras
and panties to wear every day, and prettier lingerie to wear for special
occasions. Rowan wanted to design a range that fulfilled both purposes—that was
both practical and sexy.” She gestured at the model on the page, who wore an
underwired bra with full cups, a wide back, and generous straps, that was
nevertheless pretty with its intricate lace and embroidery.
    Callie had shown the catalogues to various
men over the past few years, from the occasional salesman to partners of women
who visited the office. Nearly all of them had cracked jokes to cover their
discomfort, while the gazes of a few had lingered longer than was necessary as
they ogled the models.
    Gene turned the pages at the right pace,
though, without making lewd remarks or suggestive comments. “How is the range
priced? Compared to other brands?”
    Wow, this guy was pure class. Callie wanted
to hug him, but just managed to restrain herself. “High-end rather than cheap,
but competitive compared to some of the more well-known brands. A price that
says quality without being expensive. We did a lot of surveying of women and
discovered that underwear—especially bras—is something most are willing to
spend money on, if it’s comfortable and makes them