by Erin R Flynn
“I can give you a quick trim, but your boyfriend’s pouting at the idea of cutting off your sexy locks,” Ayesha teased me.
“I do love your hair,” Darby confirmed.
“You better learn to take care of a mane in winter then,” I grumbled, smiling when he did.
Once they declared me ready, I went behind a changing screen and put on the first outfit I’d seen with the right underthings Ayesha had picked out. I checked myself in the mirror and couldn’t deny I looked hot. My bright red curls were full and wild, a few pinned up out of my face and to give them volume but the rest down and the makeup flawless without being too much.
Katrina wasn’t taking any chances with just Izzy’s level of talent and had a professional someone waiting for us outside. There were a ton of lights set up since the sun was setting… And a lot of attention since we were doing it on the side of the dorm that faced the quad as that was the pretty side. Great.
“Okay, let’s get the white blanket so she doesn’t freeze,” the guy told someone.
“Will the snow ruin the boots?” I asked the others, shrugging when they shook their heads. “It’s fine, I can sit in the snow for a few minutes.” I smiled when the guy didn’t hide his shock well. “I’m not a real model. I’d be more demanding if I had to do it all the time but it’s just for this.”
“Keep telling yourself that,” Katrina muttered under her breath.
Bitch. She might not be wrong though, but whatever.
He had me sit in the snow with my legs tucked under me, showing how short the dress was but how awesome it went with the jacket. I just stared at him then as if asking what to do. “Be natural, darling. Smile and be natural.”
I snorted. “I have resting bitch face and I might punch you if you talk to me. Try again.”
“Tamsin!” a sweet voice called out. Darfin waved from the little cart the hobgoblin kids were pulled in the others trying to get my attention as well.
I instantly smiled and waved back, quickly writing the rune for ice and making snowballs appear for them. I laughed as they tried to hit me, not even close but squealing in joy as they tried.
“Perfect, hit it,” the photographer said, catching our fun—or my side of it—from several angles. “Got it. Darling, you were glorious. Just a quick change and we’re almost there.”
I got my next surprise when I came back and Darby, Hudson, and Lucca were in the spot I’d just been in. “What else did I miss?”
“Darby is your suitor,” Irma answered. “The Vogels helped with the co-op and sanctuary, and Lucca is the bear who was guarding you during your runs.”
“Did everyone know it was him and I thought it was Mason?” I blurted, wincing when several people gave me shocked looks.
“You asshole,” Hudson growled at Lucca.
“Not now,” Lucca muttered.
“Some men’s clothes were made for them and the shoot,” Irma continued, giving me a look that said it was more than that.
Whatever. My good mood was ruined again. I tried to stand on the end of them by Darby, but no one was having any of that. Sean was my hero and played our song we were dancing to over the weekend from his phone, which made the kids get their groove on.
I wrote the rune for ice and made myself an ice seat that got taller since I was shorter than them. I crossed my legs and smirked down at two of them, being eye level with Hudson’s seven feet then. It showed off the black dress was longer—just under my knees—and had a nice slit. I pulled the cowl collar up to cover I was laughing at them as I also made it snow heavier.
“Are these new, agra?” Darby asked as he teased my black ankle boots.
“I have no idea,” I admitted.
“No, I altered what she had,” Natalie called over. “Darby, turn and move your leg over his shoulder, Tamsin. Make it cute.”
“I can’t believe you agreed to do this, my prickly pear,” I muttered.
“Right, because anyone says no to Irma or the hobgoblins. Elasha informed me a good boyfriend would do it before I even answered.”
“Nice,” I chuckled, ducking my head and kissing his cheek. I heard the camera click as I sat back up, my hair draped all over him.
When it was time to change again, I changed the ice chair into a slide and kissed Darby. He raised an eyebrow at me, knowing I was up to something.
“Maybe I’ll let you catch me on that if you help the kids play while I change.”
“Anything to get you to smile, agra,” he murmured as he snuck another kiss.
Well, that won me over.
Except there was no way I was going on an ice slide in the next outfit. It was a dark gray sweater with a cowl neck and those matching gray boots again… And a tiny black skirt. And I meant tiny. It barely covered my ass. Yeah, I wasn’t sliding on anything. Hell, I walked out there with my hand covering my ass just in case.
“Irma,” I growled when I saw her.
“Oh, well, yes, that one is a bit too short,” she chuckled.
“Is it though?” Lucca argued.
“Can I give it an extra inch?” Natalie checked, smiling when Irma agreed on Liluth’s behalf. “I think they meant a sexy short but forgot you’re still taller for a woman.”
“And in heels, which hobgoblins don’t wear,” I forgave. “Something they need to remember.” I glanced at Darby and cleared my throat. This time he was in a fitted black and gray sweater jacket over a white collared button-up shirt tucked into his normal boot-cut jeans… And it was a good look for him. Really good look. “He gets to keep the clothes, right?”
His eyes flashed shock before he smirked at me. “Like what you see?”
“I think every woman would like what I’m seeing,” I teased him, saying what I did when I saw him naked the first time. “But yeah, that look works for you.” I tilted my head and studied him. “Natalie, can you flip it? Make it gray and black and the gray of his eyes? We’re doing this one without his glasses.”
“Yeah, you shouldn’t be a designer my ass,” Natalie muttered as she came over and fixed it.
“Hey, I know what looks good, that doesn’t mean I can draw or design shit,” I defended.
“The others?” she pushed.
I glanced at Hudson and Lucca and had to swallow. Damn. Just dayumn. That was a good look for all three of them. “Same. Change it to match their eyes and black as the accent color. They should have some sort of belts on to draw attention to how slim their hips are.”
“We can get that,” one of the assistants offered.
“Wait, no, scratch that, I want them kneeling,” I muttered. I took Darby’s hand and moved him with me to the middle. “One knee, please.” I bit back a smile when his eyes flashed shock. Did he think I was going to ask him to propose?
Right, yeah, I screamed commitment like that.
He did and I sat on his other thigh. It didn’t help the skirt, but his arm moved the right way to block me some. I didn’t mind showing skin, but people would tear me a new one about being a slut if my ass was showing. Hudson moved to one knee next to me and his leg was blocking some of my thigh as well. Lucca went to the other side of Darby and we all looked at the photographer.
“Yeah, that’s hot, darlings,” he praised. “Each of you touch her and it’s winning.”
Oh boy. Okay, I crossed my legs towards Hudson so Darby was blocking my exposed thigh more and Hudson put his hand on my arm as our legs touched. I leaned my head into Darby’s and Lucca grabbed a handful of hair as if debating he was going to braid it.
That seemed to work, and pictures were taken as a group before he had several of just Darby and me. And that was it. Show over.
Thank fuck.
We headed right to the cafeteria since we didn’t have much time left for dinner. I was glad Izzy thought to grab my bag because she swiped in my ID as we went inside. Darby handed his ID over but was more focused with his other hand.
That was mostly on my ass.
“Really?”
“
Just making sure the skirt stays down, agra,” he murmured as he took his ID back.
“The outfit working for you?”
“Wondering what’s under it and your sexy hair down is mostly,” he admitted. “And I don’t think I’m the only one.” He looked past me and at first I thought he meant Hudson and Lucca but then I glanced at the cafeteria and realized we had a lot of eyes. Mostly male attention.
Except one of the men I was regularly sleeping with. Craftsman was engrossed in a conversation with Campbell, White, and Pillay, Campbell leaning into him so much she was practically on his lap.
Okay, now I was just pissed. I didn’t expect him to sit up like a puppy and notice when I walked in the room, but he also didn’t even acknowledge he’d missed our Latin tutoring session last night… For another meeting with Campbell. I didn’t know if anyone else was there because her thoughts all that mattered was him and her and the chance to spend time together talking about magic that they loved.
Bonding as witch and warlock.
And it hurt.
“Let’s get out of here,” I muttered to Darby. “I’ve had enough with the attention and I’m going to get more of it being the model.”
He searched my eyes. “You really hate it, don’t you?” He kissed my forehead when I nodded. “They’re just jealous you’re so beautiful.”
“I’ve spent my entire life that attention doesn’t bring anything good and this place hasn’t changed that.” I went to ask him to go again but winced. “We already swiped in. Sorry.”
“It’s fine, we’ll bring you dinner to the room,” Mel said. “How hungry are you?”
“Stressed out and upset high levels,” I answered.
“Got it. I know what you like too, Darby. You take care of her.”
“Sorry you have to,” I muttered.
“Hey, you’re recovering and we all get that,” Mel comforted. “You’re doing well, Tams. No one worth anything is down on you besides you, okay?”
I nodded and thanked her, taking Darby’s hand and heading right back out. I kept walking when a guy in line slapped my ass in the short skirt, but Darby stopped and shoved him.
“Then she shouldn’t wear skirts like that,” the guy snickered.
My eyes went wide when Lucca threw a side punch and clocked the guy. “Oh, you didn’t want to get punched? You shouldn’t say stupid shit like that and smack girls’ asses.” The guy snarled and moved into Lucca’s space, but the bear just snickered. “Yeah, try it. Please, really, I’d love to see you piss blood.”
“We got him,” Ray said from behind me. “He’s a wolf and the next time he shifts I think he’s going to need an education on how wolves treat women. All women. A shifter is used to nudity and a naked woman isn’t an invitation. He was raised that way so he can take that bullshit human excuse and choke on it.”
“I really like you guys.”
“We like you too, kid,” he replied, giving me a wink. “We could all smell how much you hated being the model and the attention, but you did it to help the hobgoblins. You’re a sweetheart that deserves respect, not some guy treating you like a slut because of the length of your skirt.”
I held out my fist to him and he bumped it, improving my mood greatly, especially as he said that loudly. Not just I didn’t deserve shit, but I hated the attention. Too many people assumed I did shit for attention. No, I did it because it was the right thing to do or could help. I hated the attention. Hopefully some in the cafeteria actually listened to him.
Hopefully.
18
The next day at lunch was when the advice I took from Zack and Marshall came together. One of the guards wheeled over a cart of deliveries to Craftsman in the cafeteria to be delivered when I’d specified. And I’d made sure I was close enough to have a good seat for the show, flipping on my telepathy while acting like I was completely engrossed in what I was reading.
“Did you piss off Vale again?” Nelson asked Craftsman.
I mentally swallowed a wince. I’d forgotten I’d done this once before.
Whoops.
“No, I’ve not even spoken to her in…” Craftsman trailed off and frowned, realizing he didn’t know how to finish that. “Shit, when was the last time I spoke to her?” Hopefully he grasped how bad it was he couldn’t answer that when we were together. “Oh shit, we had a study date Monday. I completely forgot. I blew her off. Oh fuck, oh fuck, oh shite, she’s going to kill me.”
“Not from Vale,” the guard cut in. “The smoking hot woman who dropped it off said she didn’t want to interrupt your day, but she’s expecting a picture later, especially if you want another date on the books with her after you ghosted her. Dude, you’re an idiot to have ghosted that woman.”
“I forgot,” Craftsman grumbled. “I got caught up in work Monday and forgot. Shite.” He wiped his hands and went over to the cart. “Picture of what?”
The guard shrugged. “She didn’t say. I figured it was self-explanatory. I was too busy drooling.”
“Who the bloody hell delivered this stuff? It has to be from Tamsin.”
It was, but I’d have to give Claudia a pat on the back later for whatever intern or junior associate she’d had play the role of sexy, nameless girlfriend for me.
“Chop, chop, let’s see what trouble you’re in now,” Nelson taunted.
Craftsman rolled his eyes and took the envelope from the guard. “‘For all the late nights working too hard when the kiddies drive you to drink.’” He tucked the note away and opened the smaller wooden shipping crate after the guard handed him a crowbar. He passed that back and the lid, frowning as he pushed aside packing material. “What the bloody fuck?”
“Oh shit, I’m hanging out in your office from now on,” Nelson chuckled as he reached into the crate. “Who are you dating, Julian? This is Glenfiddich ‘Rare Collection’ fifty-year-old single malt scotch.” He held it up for Craftsman to see. “You can’t find these for under thirty grand for a first release.”
“Then be careful with it, mate,” Craftsman grumbled, snagging it back. He pulled up his pant legs and squatted down, checking out another bottle in the crate. “I don’t know what any of these are. I mean, I know Macallan is the best. I made a comment that I thought I had to turn in my papers that said I was British with my lack of knowledge of whiskey and spirits.”
“Apparently she’s willing to help educate your palate,” Edelman chuckled as he moved next to them and started examining bottles. “The cheapest in here is a couple of grand. The most expensive is more than you make in a year. Who are you dating?”
“A damn goddess apparently,” Craftsman muttered.
“I didn’t realize you were seeing anyone, Julian,” Campbell said, her voice miffed.
He glanced back at her. “You didn’t ask. It sort of started before the school year but I wasn’t sure what we were.”
“Clearly you’ve been missing signs and she’s smacking you upside the head,” the guard drawled, gesturing to the other boxes.
“Clearly,” Craftsman agreed as he moved onto the next one. He snickered as he opened the next one. “Oh good lord.” He pulled the basket out of the box and set it on the table. “It’s a gourmet beer and snacks basket.” He glanced at the guard. “The rest?”
The guard just shrugged with a smirk, handing over another envelope. “I peeked and you’re sharing that with us. Do you know how hard it was to keep a bunch of wolves from devouring a huge sausage and game meat basket?”
“Wait, that’s not this,” Nelson argued.
The guard just nodded to the other big box.
“Bloody fuck, love,” Craftsman chuckled, snatching the envelope from the guard. He burst out laughing. “It’s a beer club. Three cases a month—one US, one International, and one rare. For a year. Un-fucking-real.”
“Open the last one,” the guard pushed, his tongue about hanging out of his mouth.
“Yes, I’ll share,” Craftsman promised as he went over to the last box. He went to li
ft it up and jerked funny under the weight, his eyes going wide.
“Yeah, it’s heavy,” the guard chuckled, handing over a cutting knife.
Craftsman took it and opened the box. He closed his eyes and pulled the flap back so the others could see. “It’s not a gift basket or box—the whole fucking box is stuffed with every kind of snack cheese and meat imaginable. I’m set for any late nights grading or doing research for at least a year.”
“There’s something else,” Edelman muttered, reaching for a large padded envelope that was between the boxes. “Is this the last?”
“Yup, that’s it,” the guard confirmed. “Not sure how that’s going to top the rest but maybe you should have opened that first.”
Craftsman didn’t respond, just taking the envelope and opening it. He looked inside and smiled brightly. He set it on the table and took off his tie before his dress shirt, shocking everyone around him. Then he took the T-shirt from the envelope and slid it on over his undershirt.
He pulled his phone out of his pocket and tossed it at the guard. “Can you take a picture for me, mate?”
“Oh, that explains it,” the guard said before bursting out laughing.
“Nice, really, nice,” Nelson chuckled. “I gotta meet this woman.”
“No, you stay away from her,” Craftsman growled. “Why do you think I didn’t tell you about her?”
“She’s my type. I like spunky,” Nelson teased.
“She is at that,” Craftsman agreed, modeling his T-shirt for the guard to take the picture.
“You’re evil,” Mel breathed in my ear.
Maybe. Personally, I thought Zack and Marshall were right that it was time I marked my territory. And that was exactly what that T-shirt did. It was white with black writing that said, “Territory Marked” and had several lipstick marks on it.
I was curious as to their reaction to my message.
“There’s something else in the envelope,” Nelson muttered as he reached for it.
“Oh shit,” I hissed under my breath as he got to it before Craftsman.