Newly Exposed

by Meghan Quinn

  Clearing my throat, I pulled away and said, “Um, you done with that contract?”

  Adam heled the contract out to me and said, “All done. Pretty sure I just signed my life away.”

  “Maybe not your life, but definitely your body. Time to take some pictures for your profile.”

  I stood up and walked toward the ivy lined wall while taking a deep breath to gather my thoughts and settle my raging nerves. With one look from those beautiful eyes, he had me forgetting all my rules and testing the waters of what it would be like to give in to a Teeg Model…again. This was so not good.

  Chapter Five

  Adam

  I was thinking cheesedick things, but that’s what Solo did to me. She smelled like a fucking field of flowers on a warm summer day, total cheesedick…but fuck if it wasn’t true.

  After I left the studio once I was done showing off my body at the casting, I tried to keep Solo from running into my mind, but unfortunately, all I did was crave her more. And coming in to sign my contract, knowing she was going to be here, was the brightest part of my day. After seeing my mom in the hospital all day, fighting for her life, I needed the easy conversation and repartee that Solo and I had.

  When I walked into the studio, my attention was immediately drawn to Solo. I briefly took a gander at the freak show being conducted on the side with some guy’s erect dick, but was instantly drawn back to Solo. Her long brown hair fell over her shoulders and was settled under a grey sock hat that looked pretty damn cute on her. She was wearing a plain white V-neck T-shirt and a pair of black skinny jeans. I don’t know why, but the simple outfit had me itching to get closer to her.

  What really drove me to the brink today was the small lip ring that she was playing with, something I didn’t notice when I first met her. I either didn’t notice it, or she wasn’t wearing it. Either way, I was totally digging it and was mesmerized by the way her tongue flicked across it and played with it when she was nervous.

  Her entire body nervously shook when I was around, and I took that as a good sign. I wasn’t really in the market for a girlfriend, but after meeting Solo and talking to her briefly, I knew that I wouldn’t mind having her in my life. Actually, it was more like I needed her in my life. She was a breath of fresh air, and I wanted to know more about her.

  “Are you going to get up?” she asked, slightly annoyed, as she stood in front of a wall of ivy.

  I took a deep breath and walked over to her, while eying her up and down. Yeah, she had a killer body, and what made her even more desirable was she didn’t even know it. She was drop dead gorgeous.

  “Have you always had that lip ring?” I asked, while standing in front of the wall.

  “Yeah, but I don’t always wear it,” she replied, while taking pictures.

  I held my hand up and said, “Uh, do you want me smiling or anything?”

  “No, just stand there and look at me. We don’t need to know what your smile looks like, we need to see your natural self.”

  “Okay,” I answered while trying not to fidget. Not smiling for a camera only made me feel like a convict.

  She snapped away and checked the photo each time she took one. Having someone take pictures of me, just standing in place and not even smiling, was probably one of the most awkward moments of my life, but I had to get used to it because after the contract I just signed, it seemed like I was going to be doing a lot of standing around while cameras flashed.

  “Okay, let’s go file everything and then we can go off to the house.”

  “Can I see?” I asked, before she walked away. She was on a mission tonight, and I hoped the mission wasn’t to get rid of me as quickly as possible.

  “See what?”

  “The pictures?”

  She quirked her eyebrow at me and her mouth twitched to the side. “Are you really that vain that you need to see your test pictures?”

  “No, but I wanted to make sure you did me justice. I can’t have you making me look fat.”

  A bubble of laughter burst out of her mouth as she walked up to me and pinched my stomach.

  “There is no fat there. As much as I hate to admit it, your body is killer. It’s hard to make you look bad.”

  I acted shocked and held my heart. “My God, was that a compliment? From the one and only Solo? I think I can die a happy man now.”

  She shook her head at me and walked away while muttering, “God, I hate models.”

  I followed behind her; we stopped back at her desk and she handed me a pink key with my name on it.

  Looking back up at her and the smirk that crossed her face, I asked, “Pink?”

  “All the guys have pink keys; it’s one of the small things I have control over.”

  “I take it the guys get on your nerves.”

  “You have no idea, but you will soon find out. One of their favorite games is to see how much they can flirt with me, drop sexual innuendos, and make me uncomfortable by waltzing around practically naked. Oh, and don’t forget the constant hitting on me, asking me out, and showing up in my bedroom, as if I want them there.”

  My entire body tensed up at Solo’s news about the guys I would be rooming with. There was no way in hell I would be able to stop myself from punching someone’s balls off if they wound up in Solo’s bed, waiting for her. Nope, I would not be okay with that. Not that I had any sort of claim on Solo, but I didn’t want anyone fucking with her.

  “Seems like I’ll have to have a sit down with these men, tell them to leave the girl I have my eye on alone.”

  Solo tensed up and then looked up at me with those deep brown eyes of hers. “Have your eye on? I swear, sometimes you’re like a twelve year-old with the need to play light saber wars, or you’re an eighty year old man using phrases like ‘have your eye on.’ I don’t know what to do with you.”

  “Go out on a date with me?” I held my breath, knowing what her answer was going to be, but still holding out hope.

  “Ahh, and let the flirting begin,” she said, while walking out toward the parking lot.

  I didn’t like being clumped with those other douche bags, so I chased after her.

  “I’m being genuine, Solo. I would love to get to know you better.”

  She reached a little Honda Civic two-door and grabbed the handle while looking back at me. “Follow me and don’t get lost.” I was about to ask her out again when she held up her hand to stop me. “Adam, as much as I like you and think you’re pretty bad ass with your terrible Yoda voice and love for Mahjong, you’re a model now; you belong to Teeg Model Management, and that means you’re no longer available to me. We can be friends, but that’s it. You’re untouchable now.”

  And that was fucking that. She sure knew how to put a man in his place.

  ***

  We drove through the Hollywood Hills for what seemed like an eternity until we reached the top of a road that turned into a massive driveway flanked by palm trees and was blocked off by a gate. Solo punched in a couple of numbers and drove forward, while I followed closely behind her.

  In the distance, a beige stucco mansion came into view with a fountain in the middle of the circular driveway. Off to the left of the mansion was a smaller home that I assumed was where Solo lived, because she parked right in front of it.

  I parked close to her and we both got out of our cars at the same time.

  “Wow, this place is incredible,” I admitted, while I tried to take it all in.

  “Only the best for Teeg models; come with me. The guys are out on some different photo shoots today, so I can show you around without them disturbing us with their idiocies.”

  Glad to be alone with Solo for a while longer, I followed her up to the front of the house. She opened the door and led me into the entryway. Talk about grandiose. The house was ridiculous. There were pictures of who I could only assume were past and present Teeg Models, scattering the deep blue walls. Rich wood tones of the floor blended with the black molding that outlined the house, providing a mod
ern feel. The house was definitely something I wasn’t used to, but I wasn’t going to be mad about it.

  “Upstairs are all the rooms; we’ll get to yours in a second. The main level houses the kitchen, the living area, and of course the gym, which is obnoxiously large. Outside is the pool area and obviously the backyard…”

  “What’s that small house?” I asked, as I looked out the open sliding glass door that was an entire wall of the house.

  “That’s off limits,” Solo said, as she headed toward the stairs.

  “Well, now that you say it’s off limits, I just have to see what’s in there,” I said, as I started walking out to the back. The pitter patter of Solo’s Converse coming up behind me and grabbing my arm made me smile.

  “You can’t go out there,” she stated.

  “And, why is that?” I turned around and looked down at her small frame and beautiful brown eyes.

  “That’s my place. I live there with Nolly, and no models are allowed in there.”

  A smile spread across my face as I saw the seriousness in her eyes.

  “You’re adorable when you get all serious.”

  “Don’t say things like that.”

  “Like what?” I asked, while grabbing one of her belt loops and bringing her in closer. I watched her throat muscles contract as she swallowed hard from our proximity.

  “Like…you know…compliments.”

  “I can’t compliment you and how adorable you are?” I gripped another one of her belt loops and closed in on her. Her chest barely pressed against mine and her arms dangled to her sides. She was resisting me, and doing a terrible job at it, because from the way she looked at me with lustful eyes, she had me thinking she was trying incredibly hard to keep her distance.

  Reaching up and gripping her face with my hand, I rubbed her cheek with my thumb and said, “Where’s my room, muffin?”

  She pulled away and raised her eyebrow at me. “Muffin?”

  “Don’t act like you don’t like it.”

  “I don’t.” She tapped my chest and said, “Call me that again, and don’t come crying to me when my foot is stuck between your balls.”

  “Wouldn’t be the worst thing ever,” I wiggled my eyebrows.

  Rolling her eyes, she walked upstairs and I followed her.

  “There are five other guys living here with you: Gunner, Scout, Nikko, Ty, and Levi. They’re all pretty cool, and I’m sure you won’t have a hard time getting to know them. I’m not going to lie, they can be awfully full of themselves and get into some mirror wars…”

  “Mirror wars?” I asked, as we rounded a corner and came to a stop in front of a yellow door.

  “You’ll find out,” a smile peeked past that strong façade of hers. “This is your room.” Before she opened the door, she said, “There will be random room checks to make sure you keep it tidy…the way you first found it. You will be required to make your bed every morning, keep your clothes organized by color, and never leave a drop of toothpaste in the sink; that is a cardinal sin. No television, no phone, no women, and no masturbating. You’re only allowed to sleep and meditate in your room.”

  My mouth was dragging on the floor as I listened to all the restrictions. If you weren’t allowed to masturbate in your room, then where were you allowed to whack off?

  “No food, and you are to keep your door open at all times, even when you’re sleeping,” she continued. “Sometimes, you will be required to sleep with the other guys; this is to instill male bonding…”

  “Hold the fuck up,” I held my hand up and tried to grasp what she was saying. I was about to revoke my contract when she bent over, held her stomach, and laughed so hard I thought she was going to pee her pants. She leaned into the door that supported her and continued to laugh while pointing at me.

  “Oh, my God, that was priceless,” she said in between laughter. “Jesus, that was too good. You should have seen your face, as if you were in a horror flick or something.” She acted out my face and threw her hands up in horror. “No masturbation,” she made fun of me. “Like we give a crap what you do in your room.”

  I just let her laugh as I took in how cute she was and how her damn laugh made my balls tighten. What the hell was that about?

  “You think you’re so funny,” I said, with my hands on my hips.

  She wiped her eyes and nodded her head. “Oh, I know I’m funny. I’m pretty sure your heart fell out of your chest when I said no masturbation.”

  I crossed my arms over my chest and noticed the way she stared at my chest, taking in my muscles. Point…me.

  “I take offense that you think my life revolves around beating my own meat.”

  “Eww,” she stood up, “Don’t call it that.”

  My eyebrows shot up. “I didn’t think you were a prude,” I poked her stomach and she swatted at my hand.

  “I’m not a prude, I just don’t like the term ‘beating meat’,” she shivered and made a gagging motion.

  “Okay, Webster…”

  “Webster?” she interrupted me.

  “You know…Webster’s Dictionary.”

  “God, you’re lame.”

  “You like it,” I poked her again as she swatted at me. “What would you call it then? Are you that old school that you can’t think of something better than masturbating?”

  “No, I can.”

  “Okay, lay it on me…muffin.”

  Her brow creased from the pet name I was really starting to like for her.

  “Don’t call me that.”

  “Answer the question,” I countered.

  “You really want to know?”

  “Yes, I do.” I stood tall and waited for her answer.

  “Fine, I prefer to say…grooming the Wookie,” she said with a straight face.

  I paused for a moment as I let her term soak in. “Holy shit, I’m in love,” I said, right before I laughed out loud and threw my head back.

  “The benefits of having two gay dads, they teach you some rather…enjoyable terms.”

  “I need to meet these men,” I said.

  “No need to wait; here I am!” a deep voice came from behind me.

  “Why aren’t you in Laguna right now?” Solo scolded, as her easygoing attitude dropped and professional Solo stepped in.

  I turned to see a guy with dark hair, blue eyes, and tattoos scattering his body. He was a little shorter than me, most likely six foot, and he had only a pair of trunks on.

  “Finished early, mama, something very uncommon for me,” he licked his lips and looked Solo up and down. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up at the blatant flirting the man was doing with Solo. In a matter of seconds, I could see why she was constantly annoyed by the men who she dealt with on a daily basis.

  “You actually were able to finish an ocean shoot without crying for hours about the water temperature and shrinkage? I’m impressed, Scout.”

  “You know I have sensitive skin,” he said with a smile, and then looked at me. “You must be Axel,” he held his hand out to me.

  “Uh, no, I’m Adam,” I shook his hand while sizing him up.

  “No, it’s Axel,” Solo said, while leaning forward.

  “Excuse me?” I asked, while letting go of Scout’s hand and looking over my shoulder at Solo.

  “Yeah, I was going to get to that. Axel is your new name.”

  “Axel? Really? Isn’t that a little…cheesy?”

  “Cheesy? Dude, Axel is such a bad ass name. I would totally own that.”

  Axel? I really didn’t think it fit me, but whatever. As long as I got paid, I guess I would deal with whatever was thrown my way.

  “So, what was your name then, before you got here?” I asked Scout.

  “What do you mean?” he asked.

  “Were you Scotty beforehand?”

  “No, my name is Scout, dickhead.” Scout tossed his thumb toward me and looked at Solo as if to say, “this guy.”

  “Be nice, Scout, he’s a newbie,” Solo defended me, a
s she placed her hand on my arm. What I wouldn’t give for her to slip her hand down and entwine her fingers with mine.

  “I can see that,” he replied, as his hands went to my face. “Look at this baby face; you’re just a kid, aren’t you?”

  “I’m twenty,” I said, knowing full-well that I might be young physically, but mentally, I was older than anyone in this house.

  “Really? I would have guessed sixteen.”

  “Oh, shut up,” Solo said, as she pushed Scout away.

  “I’m kidding,” he laughed. “Welcome to the house, man. I’m probably going to be the coolest guy you meet here, because honestly, I could give two nut sacks about what goes in my body. Blessed with a fast metabolism,” Scout said, as he patted his six pack. “Lucky fuck, I guess. I’m right next door, so if you need anything, let me know. Let’s do some shots tonight.”

  “Didn’t you hear him, Scout? He’s twenty…”

  “Yeah, like you’ve never had a drink?”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Solo said with a smile that spoke a story, a story that I wanted to hear.

  “Yeah, okay. This girl can swallow a twelve pack in the matter of an hour and then belch you a lullaby. Sexiest thing I’ve ever seen.”

  I turned to eye Solo, whose face was now beet red.

  “Get out of here, Scout; I need to finish this tour, and you’re prolonging the time I have to spend in this house.”

  Scout elbowed me and said, “If I didn’t catch her checking out my dick on occasion, I would swear she was a lesbian by the way she acts like she’s about to catch on fire every time she steps into the house.”

  “That would be hot,” I joked, while looking at a now fuming Solo.

  “That’s what I’m saying!” Scout replied. “She and Nolly made out one night, and it was…”

  Solo stood on her tippy toes and covered Scout’s mouth with her hand. “Either leave now, or I’m scheduling you with Heather for your next five shoots.”