by Meghan Quinn
“Just Scout?” I asked hesitantly. I liked Scout. It was really Ty and Gunner that I couldn’t take. The others were alright. I didn’t talk to Nikko much, and Levi, well, he was all about business, so it was hard to get to know him.
“Yes, just Scout.”
“I don’t know…”
“You’re going,” Adam decided for me.
“Can I go home and change beforehand? I feel gross after rubbing oil over models all day.”
Adam sat up and said, “You were rubbing oil all over guys today?”
I smiled at the jealousy that was sprouting from his eyes.
“No, I rubbed oil over girl models today.”
“Damn, that’s hot.”
“Ugh, pig.”
Adam gripped my thigh and said, “You can’t possibly mean that.”
“Get out of here,” I laughed, just as Zia and Bruce walked in. Adam and I stood up at the same time and greeted them.
“Solo, thank you for being here,” Zia addressed me, “and Bruce, this is our newest model, Aiden.”
“It’s Adam, actually,” Adam corrected Zia, who didn’t seem too pleased. “Well, Axel, if you’re using my model name.”
Zia laughed and looked over at Bruce, who was a big guy with a tattooed face; he was damn near intimidating. Good luck, Adam. “You can’t ever get them right; they’re so disposable, you know?”
Bruce laughed along with her and then looked Adam up and down.
“Is he a virgin?”
“What? No!” Adam said defensively.
“A tattoo virgin,” I pulled on Adam’s shirt to clue him in.
“Oh, then yes,” his face reddened from embarrassment.
“Don’t worry; we all know you have sex. No need to get all huffy about it,” Zia said, as she walked over to a table.
Adam tensed at Zia’s bitchy side and while we walked over to the table, I pulled on his hand and smiled up at him to ease his tension. I didn’t know why he needed money, but after seeing him receive his bonus, I knew he needed this job, so I planned on helping him keep it by calming the rage boiling inside of him from Zia’s bitchiness. She really wasn’t that bad; you just had to be accepted into her inner circle first. Mean Girls bullshit, but that was how she worked. She’s been screwed before, so she only lets people in who she trusts.
Once we were all seated and water bottles were handed out, Bruce pulled out a drawing book and said, “So, what do you want to see painted on this guy?”
“I was thinking some kind of bare-chested woman, on the side of his arm,” Zia said, motioning down her arm.
Bare chested woman? Who got tattoos like that?
“Maybe give her an alien feel,” Zia added.
“Oh, fuck no,” Adam spouted out. I gripped his thigh in warning.
“Do you have something better in mind, Mr. Eloquent?” Zia asked, sneering at him.
“I do,” Adam said, as he pulled out a piece of paper and unfolded it. “I really liked the tribal work you guys had on my Facebook cover photo, so I’d like that to be incorporated with this…that’s if I have to get a tattoo.”
He opened up a photo of an army emblem and my heart sank. The dog tags and now this; he must have lost someone, it was the only explanation.
Bruce took the paper and started nodding his head as his hand ran across the paper, drawing out an idea.
Adam’s face lit up from what Bruce was creating, and I had to admit, the art was beautiful and on Adam, it would be damn hot.
“Can you take off your shirt?” Bruce asked, trying to get an idea of the canvas he would be working with.
“Sure.”
Adam took off his hat, showing off his rumpled hair that made my heart melt, and then pulled his shirt over his head. Bruce examined Adam’s body, while waving his pencil in the air.
“Arm or ribs?” Bruce asked.
“Both,” Zia said.
While at the same time, Adam said, “Arm.”
They stared at each other, and that was when I stepped in. “Zia, maybe start with the arm and then see if you want more after that.”
Zia placed a pen in her mouth as she examined Adam, who started to wilt under her scrutiny. Poor guy, I was going to have to teach him how to hold his own around Zia. She could be very intimidating and rude at times, he just needed to learn how to work her.
“Fine. Draw up the sketches, Bruce. I have a couple of practice sets I want to use him in this week, and then we can schedule his tattoo if we want to continue forward. I want to see if I can make that baby face work without scratching him up with tattoos just yet.”
“Sure thing.”
With that, Zia and Bruce took off, leaving Adam and me alone.
“She has some fucking nerve,” Adam said with anger, as he pulled his shirt back over his head.
“Yeah, and she signs your paycheck, so it would be in your best interest to try to get along. There are not many people she takes backlash from and I really think you pressed your luck tonight.”
“Just because you’re famous doesn’t mean you get to be an ass.”
“I understand that,” I touched his chest to calm him down. “But she has her reasons.”
Adam’s breath steadied as he looked down at me with those turquoise eyes. He noticeably grew calmer from my touch. I ignored the fact that I was able to have such an effect on him.
“Thank you for being here. I think I would have lost my shit if you weren’t. You really do ease the tension that builds up in me, Solo.”
“Of course,” I said awkwardly. “Now, let me get changed; I actually have some spare clothes here, and then we can go eat because I’m kind of starving and I don’t think I can drive all the way home without gnawing my arm off.”
“I’ll be waiting, muffin,” Adam said, as he sat back down on the couch that we started out on.
I’ve never showered and changed so quickly in my life. My hair stayed dry, but I washed everything else and then changed into a long green chevron striped skirt and a white tank top. I put a brown braided headband in my hair and put on a pair of Nolly’s gladiator sandals. I slung my purse over my shoulder and I walked out to meet Adam. It wasn’t my best showing, since my hair was piled on top of my head, but I still felt cute.
When I entered the room, he stood at attention and took me in, as his eyes roamed up and down my body. His perusal was invigorating. It wasn’t very often that I had an incredibly sexy and attractive man giving me the once-over and appreciating every last bit of me…well, who was actually genuine with his intentions.
As I came up to him, he bit his bottom lip and I asked, “Are you ready to go?”
“No,” he stood still, still looking me up and down.
“Stop,” I laughed, pushing him to the side.
“What? You can’t just walk out here looking like that and think I’m just going to leave you alone. Solo, you have to know that you’re so fucking beautiful…because you are. You seriously are so damn gorgeous.”
I felt the minute my face turned bright red because my entire body heated up from his statement.
“Thank you,” I said, accepting his compliment.
“And that’s why I like you, right there. You accept my compliment and don’t put yourself down. You’re something special, Solo.”
Adam grabbed my hand and laced his fingers with mine. For some odd reason, I allowed it, just until we got outside, I told myself.
When we hit the parking lot, I looked around but only saw my car. “Where’s your car?” I pulled my hand away and grabbed my keys from my purse, not missing the disappointment from our disconnect on Adam’s face.
“I had Scout drop me off.”
My head shot up to his. “You had him drive you here? What if I decided not to go out to dinner with you?”
“It was a chance I was willing to take,” he smiled.
“God, you think you’re so clever, don’t you?” I said, storming off to my car.
“I like to think so,” he said, ch
asing after me in the parking lot. When he caught up to me, he pinned me against my car and lifted my chin so I had to look him in the eyes. “Admit it, you’re excited about spending more time with me.”
“I will not,” a small twitch of a smile betrayed my lips, and of course he caught it.
“Ah-hah! Yes, you are,” he pointed at my mouth.
“Get in the car or I’m leaving without you.”
“Anything you say, muffin.”
I wasn’t very good at staying mad at the man. He was a charmer, and not in a fake kind of way. He liked to make people laugh and smile with his quick wit and occasional corniness, which I found endearing. I found myself not growing irritated with his assumptions about me, but more excited that he knew me so well.
“Where to?” I huffed out, as I turned on the car and put on my seat belt.
“Rodrigo’s. They have the best fish tacos in town.”
“Mmm, I love fish tacos,” I said, as I started driving.
“Really? I didn’t think you floated…”
“End that sentence and find yourself alone with Zia on your next consultation.”
“Yikes, noted.” Silence fell between us while I drove the streets of LA.
Sensing the need for some noise, Adam leaned over and turned on the radio. The music harmonization of the Backstreet Boys filtered through the speakers. In seconds, Adam started bobbing his head and singing “I Want it That Way,” while tapping his shorts and moving his shoulders with the beat.
A snort, an actual snort popped out of my nose from watching him jam out to the Backstreet Boys, and actually have rhythm while doing so. I wondered what it would feel like to dance with him, to have him sing into my ear and glide me across the dance floor. I shook my head of the thoughts; I was being beyond ridiculous.
His attention was brought toward me as he said, “I’m sorry, do you have something against the Backstreet Boys?”
I shook my head and held in my laugh.
He poked my side and it was like he deflated me, because I let out a cackle that was trying to stay in.
“What? Do you not like my singing?”
“I think you should stick with modeling.”
“Well, I never in my life,” Adam feigned shock. “Let me guess, you’re a Timberlake fan?”
“Who isn’t?” I asked, pulling into the restaurant parking lot.
“You’re right about that. The man is a dancing orgasm up on stage. I’m a guy and even I can admit when I see something good, and that Timberlake,” Adam waved his finger in the air, “He’s a winner.”
I laughed and shook my head. “Good to know. Shall I write Justin’s people and possibly hook up a little date for you two?”
“Oh, my God, can you?” Adam squealed, making me cover my ears.
“A guy should not be able to reach those decibels; it shocks me that you can.” I looked around on the floor and then scanned his crotch. “You sure there are balls in there?”
He smiled at me and started to unbuckle his pants. “Want to check?”
“God, no!” My face grew bright red.
“Don’t be getting shy on me now, muffin.”
“I’m not and don’t call me that!” I got out of the car and locked up, not waiting for Adam. He would be able to catch up to me, no problem.
His strong arm wrapped around my shoulders as he brought me into his side. He leaned down and pressed his mouth against my ear, sending chills through my body.
“I have a question for you.”
“If it’s will you go out with me, I’m pretty sure you know that answer.”
“That’s not it, but I when I ask you that one again, I know your answer will be different.”
I ignored him and walked into the restaurant as he held the door open for me. I told the lady our party size and gave her my fake name, because everyone always gave me that, “Is that really your name” look. I got so sick of it, I started using Leia; it was easier.
“Leia?” Adam asked, as he cornered me in the waiting room, pinning me against the wall. To any onlookers, we would have looked like intimate lovers, but I knew that wasn’t true. Instead, we were two people trying to be friends who had an immense attraction for each other.
“It’s easier for people to understand.”
“I like Solo,” he confessed, as his thumb ran the line of my jaw. My chest heaved from his proximity and the masculine smell coming off of him; it was intoxicating.
“What was your question?” I asked, trying to change the conversation to something more neutral.
He backed off, just a little, but not too much, so his arm still brushed up against mine, sending chills over my skin. I reveled in the feeling, even though I was trying to push him away; I still loved the feeling of having him next to me. Yup, I was that girl.
“Would you rather,” he looked around and leaned into my ear as his hands pressed against the wall behind me. “Give Darth Vader a blow job or have your arm sliced off by a light saber?”
I looked into his eyes that were smiling and I shook my head.
“Ridiculous question, no contest, BJ for the dark side.”
“Traitor,” Adam smiled down at me, as his hand met my hip and slowly started to rub circles on the little expanse of exposed skin on my stomach.
I couldn’t breathe; I couldn’t move; his slow circles on my hip and the way he was looking at me with that dimple shining brightly had me paralyzed, unable to move. I wanted him, so damn bad. He was slowly working his way into my system and there was no way in hell I would be able to flush him out, even if I tried.
Taking deep breaths, I moved my hand to his chest to gather some space, but all it did was remind me of what was under his shirt. It was no use; I couldn’t deny him what he wanted, what I wanted. My strong veneer faded in seconds once Adam popped up in my life and started talking all Jedi on me. God, I was pathetic.
Adam chanced a glance outside and said, “Full moon tonight, Solo, will you sit outside on the pool deck with me and look at the stars?”
“That’s no moon; that’s a space station,” I said, quoting one of my favorite Star Wars quotes.
A giant grin spread across Adam’s face, making me melt right into a puddle.
His grip on my hip grew stronger as he leaned down to my ear and said in his husky voice, “God, I love it when you talk nerdy to me.”
My belly flipped and I had the urgent need to kiss him, like I was going to combust if I didn’t get a little taste of his lips. My head tilted up and I looked at him through my lashes. He was just so handsome with his unruly hair, which I personally liked, but knew it was going to have to be cut. He was going to change soon, and I would do anything, anything to keep him the way he was, because right now, in his khakis and polo with his backwards hat, he was perfect to me. Nothing about him was out of place. He was just so damn perfect.
“Hey, guys,” Scout said from behind us, breaking the intimate bubble that had surfaced over Adam and me.
Adam’s eyes squeezed together, as if he was pained, and then he pulled away from me.
“Scout, it’s about damn time,” he said, breaking the tension-filled atmosphere that surrounded Adam and me, leaving me feeling empty and disappointed.
“Traffic, she’s a real bitch.”
“Party is all here,” Adam signaled to the hostess, who eyed Adam up and down and nodded her head for us to follow her.
Without hesitation, Adam turned around, grabbed my hand and entwined his fingers with mine, and guided me through the restaurant. Before we got to the table, he pulled me in and whispered, “Aircraft gazing tonight? You and me?”
His hopeful look did me in. There was no way I could deny him anything. I nodded my head, which produced that panty melting smile of his.
I was so sunk, and the funny thing was, I was looking forward to drowning in Adam.
Chapter Thirteen
Adam
“Urrrrhhhmmmm, these tacos are the fucking tits!” Scout moaned, as he held up
his taco like it was a prized possession.
“They really are,” I responded, as I licked my fingers. “I could probably have ten more, but apparently, I have to watch my figure now,” I patted my stomach.
“They’re alright,” Solo said, taking her last bite.
Both Scout and I whipped our heads around to look at her as if she was sprouting male sex
organs from her ears.
“Are you kidding me? Please tell me you are. These tacos,” Scout pointed his finger at his empty plate, “Are what makes sitting in traffic bearable. They are the boss of all tacos. They are the cream of the damn taco crop. They…they are the loves of my life!”
“Too much passion,” I patted Scout’s shoulder, who nodded his head in agreement. “But the tacos appreciate it.”
“You two are ridiculous,” Solo said, as she put her napkin on her plate. “I will admit, though, these margaritas have been amazing. If I wanted to make bad decisions, I would have one more.”
She eyed me over her drink, and I couldn’t help but feel her eyes perusing my body. I hoped she wasn’t referring to me as a bad decision because in my opinion, I thought I was a pretty good decision, downright best decision she would ever make.
Our little dinner wasn’t the intimate setting I wanted with Solo. She and Scout kept talking about different fitness models and their cheesy signature poses or the latest selfie gone wrong that they saw on Facebook. I wasn’t too sure they would miss me if I left, but instead of being a little bitch about it, I tried to soak in as much information as possible and spent the rest of the time staring at the soft contours of Solo’s beautiful face.
After we paid, we walked out to the parking lot, where Solo was twirling her keys in her hand.
“Riding with me?” Scout asked, as he walked over to his Land Rover. The man was doing very well for himself in the modeling world, and it showed.
“I’m actually going to drive Solo’s car, since she dabbled in some booze.”
“You’re a good man,” Scout said sarcastically, as he hopped in his car. “See you back at the house.”
Once Scout drove off, I turned toward Solo and held out my hand for her keys. Her arms were crossed over her chest giving me that “what the hell do you think you’re doing” look.