“That bitch!” I breathed out.
“What?” Kendra paused in the rant I wasn't listening to, to come look at me.
“I quit my job with the she-dragon.” I pointed to the screen. “I told her I’d work out my two weeks—longer if she needed an extra week or so to get somebody in—but she just emailed me back and told me I was fired in the subject line. She didn’t even bother to add anything in the text of the email.”
“Why did you quit?” Kendra's eyes narrowed.
“Because I’m getting paid better with Flynn and this way I won’t have to cram it all in early in the morning or make up excuses in the evening when I could be with Edward.” I shrugged.
“So you’ll just lie about what you do for a living?”
Guilt twisted in me, but I shoved it down. “Kendra—”
“This isn’t like you!” she shouted. “You’re making up stories and hiding things from the guy you’re supposed to be in love with. What gives, Gabriella?”
“It’s a better paying job and it makes me happy.” I snapped my laptop shut and stood up, glaring at her. I was really getting tired of her questioning my decisions when I'd never done anything but be supportive of hers, no matter how bad they'd been. “My boss has done everything but shit on me ever since I started working for her. She’s taken ideas that were mine and pawned them off as her own. She makes fun of me, the way I talk, the way I dress. I hate it there but I couldn’t find anything else. Now I have. It pays better and it’s fun. What’s so wrong with that?”
“Two things.” Kendra held up a hand and ticked off a finger as she listed her reasons, her eyes flashing. “Again…you’re lying to your fiancé, that’s one. And the second thing? It’s Flynn. He already used you once. Why are you setting yourself up to be hurt by him again?”
“I’m not!”
Somebody slammed something against the floor below us and we heard a distant shout. “Shut up already!”
Sucking in a breath, I forced myself to be quieter. “He was perfectly behaved during the last shoot. This is business, Kendra. Just business.”
“You sure about that?” She arched an eyebrow.
“Yeah.” I crossed my arms. “Hell, the way you’re acting, I’d almost think you’re pissed off that he asked me to be his model instead of you.”
She sneered. “Not even close. But fine…fuck it. I won’t be worried that my best friend is going to screw up her life.”
She strode past me into the kitchen.
I had to fight tears as she clanged her way through making coffee.
Yeah, I decided. Maybe Kendra was right. Fuck it.
***
“Come on, Tennessee. I need you to flirt with the camera a little more. Pretend I’m Edward or something.” Flynn’s voice was brusque.
I tried not to think about it as I concentrated on relaxing my spine and letting Cody ease me back into what felt like a ridiculously awkward position. His hand rested high on my hip, almost cupping my butt, but not quite. His other arm was around my spine, steadying me. I closed my eyes and let my head fall back.
Flirt with the camera…
I imagined the dark head bent over my breasts didn’t belong to a gay man who had no sexual interest in me whatsoever, but that it was lighter hair...
Pretend…
“That’s it.”
I heard the whine of the camera, heard Flynn moving around, while in my mind’s eye, I was imagining something else entirely.
Tension slammed into me because the fantasy shifted on its own—and it wasn’t Edward taking center stage in my daydream.
“Okay, take a break,” Flynn called out just as I started to wobble.
“You okay there?” Cody asked softly as he brought me back to stand flat on my feet.
“Yeah.” I managed a weak smile. “This has just been…intense.”
“You get used to it.” He gave me a playful tug on my hair and then gestured to his brother. “Of course, it would help if somebody would yank the stick out of his ass.”
“Bite me, Cody,” Flynn said, his gaze focused on the camera. Studying the images, I knew.
Cody just shook his head and looked back at me. “So have you started looking for a dress? You said that you're talking dates and everything. Looking at next summer? Spring?”
“I don’t know.” Trying to keep my voice casual, I shrugged. I honestly didn’t know if I could handle this tension for that long. I'd thought I wanted to slow it down, but the more I considered it, the more it freaked me out. Months of panicking over a wedding? Over six hundred guests...
“You and Edward are going to get a wedding planner, right?”
I sighed, not wanting to admit how much that bothered me. I'd always imagined planning my own wedding. Going over things with my mother, with Kendra... “Yeah.”
Cody kissed my forehead. “Trust me. You’ll be glad. You’ll need the planner to run interference with my mother and let me look at the people you’re considering. I know some people in that area. I might be able to tell which people to avoid. There are some who’ll just bend over to kiss Mom’s ass, and you'll want someone to back you.”
“Okay, if you’re done talking weddings…” Flynn said sourly. “How about you grab some water and then help me get the backdrop into position, Cody?”
Cody mouthed, He needs to take out that stick.
I coughed to cover up my laugh.
***
I got a text from Edward a little after one. Guiltily, I realized it wasn’t the first one. I quickly replied.
Got caught up with work. Sorry!
Flynn passed by my shoulder just as Edward’s response came through and I heard him snort. “Would you mind your own business?”
“Sure thing, Tennessee. Make sure he knows the big bad city hasn’t eaten you alive without him at your side.” He gave me a look of mock concern. “You wouldn’t want him calling in the National Guard.”
I flipped him off and then looked back at the text.
It’s okay. I was just worried. Is it your new job that you’re working on? Have you heard back from your boss about your resignation?
I told him that I had, and that she’d fired me.
His response was pithy enough to make me smile.
Call me when you’re done working for the day. We can get some dinner on the way home.
I told him I’d call him and let it go at that. I still wasn't sure how I felt about him referring to his place as home.
Then I turned back to watch Flynn and Cody wrestle the mattress into position under a different set of lights. Had Kendra been right? Should I just tell Edward what I was doing? Logically, I knew the answer, but I also knew he wouldn’t be happy. But I needed to pay my own way in life. I had to.
I knew he couldn’t understand that though. I doubted I could get him to understand the thrill I got standing in front of the camera either. I was just barely starting to understand it myself, although I had an idea just why this appealed to me so much.
I felt seen.
I’d always just been lost. I came from a big family and looking back now, I knew it was just in my head that I felt less important than my older siblings and not quite as loved as my younger ones. My parents loved all of us and I knew that. But this attention fed that part of me that had gone unnoticed as the quiet, middle child…the one who never got in trouble, the one who’d just never really been noticed. I knew it wasn’t just Flynn’s attention because when he’d told me that the client had loved my pictures, it had been one of the biggest thrills of my life.
And I didn’t want to give that up.
But I knew Edward wouldn’t understand, and I was afraid I’d give it up because I loved him.
***
“Not bad, Tennessee.”
That tone of his voice was almost normal and I looked up at him hesitantly as I zipped up the duffel bag I’d brought with me. It had a spare change of clothes in it and toiletries in case I needed to shower. Modeling was hot, sweaty work
, something I was slowly coming to realize.
“Thanks,” I said softly.
He jerked a shoulder in a shrug, glancing casually down the hall where Cody was still in the bathroom before turning back to me, a bit of a sneer in his words. “Edward bought you some nice apartment in Manhattan yet? Get you out of that hovel you live in?”
“My place isn’t a hovel,” I snapped. The words stung. I’d thought…
What had I thought?
Sucking in a breath, I faced him, drawing my shoulders back. We didn’t have the nicest history, no, but I hadn’t realized he’d be like his mother. I didn’t think he would look at me and see a gold digger.
“I’m not with your brother because I want anything from him,” I said with as much patience as I could muster. “No, he hasn’t gotten me a new apartment. I don’t want him to. I’m not after his money.”
“Didn’t think you were,” Flynn said as he came a little closer, peering at me like he’d never seen me before, studying me.
I had the feeling he was trying to figure me out, but I couldn’t understand what was so confusing.
“See, the thing is, Tennessee, Edward can’t appreciate you for who you are.” Flynn spoke as if what he was saying was nothing complicated. Simply news that I should already know. “He’ll put you in a bubble if you let him, and he’ll do it because he loves you and he thinks that he’s doing what’s right by protecting you, taking care of you. He doesn’t think his princess belongs in some rent-controlled apartment. She ought to be in a penthouse out near Central Park.”
I looked away, refusing to admit he might be right.
His warmth reached out to tease me and I looked at him. I hadn't realized he’d closed even more of the distance between us. Now, with a faint smile on his lips, he leaned in.
“I don’t look at you and see a princess, Tennessee. You're a warrior, a hell of a woman. Why would any man ever want to stifle you?”
He turned then and walked out, leaving me alone and even more confused than ever.
I sagged back against the wall, clutching my duffel bag to my chest. What had I gotten myself into?
Pure Lust Vol. 3
Chapter 1
It’s official. I’m in the seventh circle of hell.
I’d gotten rid of the boss who was possibly the devil’s daughter, only to have her replaced by her evil twin…a wedding planner who breathed fire.
The worst part was, it didn’t have to be this way.
In my purse, I had the list of names Cody had given me and I’d already called three of them, one of which I’d all but fallen in love with. She was the sweetest lady ever and her Mississippi drawl had left me sort of homesick and longing to go back home and see my family.
But this morning, I’d been jerked out of a sound sleep by the buzzer.
It was Charles, Claire’s personal driver and when I’d managed to stumble downstairs, it was to find my soon-to-be mother-in-law waiting with a prim, prissy piece of work by the name of Estelle Chastain, the only wedding planner worth working with.
At least according to Claire.
I hadn’t had any coffee. That was the only reason I could think of to explain why I’d let them sweep me into the car and off to the offices of Magnifique. Estelle Chastain was the owner, she’d informed me, and she normally didn’t work with brides directly, but of course, for the Bouvier family, she’d make any exception.
Gag.
I sighed, feeling spiteful and disrespectful. I guessed I was supposed to feel honored. Instead, I was wishing I’d beaten Claire to the punch and called Ashley Evans of Mississippi and hired her without actually going out to meet her like I'd planned. Claire would've been pissed, but I doubted she would've forced me to cancel since the Bouvier reputation would've been on the line.
“Now this…”
Estelle and Claire bent their heads over the computer, talking in hushed tones as they gazed at something on the screen. Neither one of them even pretended to pay attention to me. Why should they? I was only the bride. Now my lack of caffeine was doing something other than making me groggy. I was starting to get annoyed.
“What do you think, Claire?”
“It’s lovely. Doable on our time frame?”
Estelle looked at me over the laptop, a look of polite disapproval in her eyes. “Three months is cutting it short.” Then she looked at Claire with a simpering smile. “But I’m not called the miracle worker for nothing.”
“Excuse me.”
They looked at me with barely veiled distaste.
“It is my wedding,” I said softly. “Don’t you think I should see whatever it is that’s 'doable' in three months?”
It was July now. Edward and I had decided we wanted to get married in October and since that was a short timeframe, he’d suggested we get married at his parents' estate. We could have it outdoors and planned to have tents in case of bad weather. That meant one problem was solved—finding a venue on short notice. Now we just had to get caterers and a band and a dress…oh, hell…
I felt queasy just thinking about, but it was what Edward had wanted.
Claire’s mouth tightened at the corners, but Estelle gave me a pleasant smile that didn't reach her eyes. “Of course, dear.”
I pushed back from the desk and went around the long, conference styled table. There was a flutter in my stomach that could have been anticipation. It quickly turned to dread as I saw the color scheme and mock-ups of bridesmaids dresses. “No.” I shook my head. “That’s…so not me.”
Claire waved a hand dismissively. “This will be a more elegant event than what I’m sure you’re used to, Gabriella. Just let us handle the details—”
“I don’t want you to handle the details.” Closing my hands into fists, I fought to keep my voice level. “It’s my wedding. I want my mother and I to have a say in it.”
Estelle closed the laptop and stood. “I think I’ll get us all some coffee.” She gave Claire a sympathetic look before leaving.
Once the door closed, Claire's icy blue eyes narrowed slightly. “Tell me, Gabriella. Just how do you propose to pay for a wedding of this magnitude? Do you or your parents have the money to afford it?”
That dread was now growing, spreading through me like a river of ice. Clenching my hands into fists, I inclined my head. “No.” The word was like gravel coming out of my throat.
Edward and I had already talked about that. Since a majority of the guests would be friends of the family and other important people in the Bouvier social circle, he didn't feel right about asking my parents to pay for it.
I tried not to read too much into the implication that my parents couldn't possibly afford the sort of wedding we needed to have. I'd known that agreeing to let him pay for it would mean having to put up with Claire, but I'd been foolish enough to think I'd still actually have some say in things.
“Well, then, perhaps you should follow my advice and let Estelle and I handle things? I am footing the bill, after all.”
Estelle returned a moment later—without coffee.
I saw why when a cart was rolled in by a woman in neat black uniform, complete with a white apron. I wanted to roll my eyes, but settled for going back around the table, dropping down into the chair and pulling out my phone. Since my input wasn't going to be needed, I saw no point in paying attention to any of it. I shot Cody off a text, desperately needing to vent.
I’m not sure who is getting married here. Me…or your mother.
He responded within seconds.
I got a feeling I’m not going to like where that comment came from, honey.
I told him, keeping it short and sweet.
His response was equally so.
&#(@#^
I smothered a laugh, knowing neither of the women at the end of the table would appreciate the humor.
Are you censoring yourself?
As I waited for his response, I glanced up to see Estelle and Claire accepting cups of coffee from the lady in the neat black dre
ss. She glanced my way, but I shook my head. I wanted coffee, but I didn't want to do anything that remotely resembled cooperation.
My phone buzzed.
I couldn’t cram enough ugly words into one text so I went with that. Gabs, just tell her to back off.
“Do you have a particular color scheme you’d like, Gabriella?” Estelle asked.
For a second, I was so surprised I’d been asked anything that I could only stare at her.
Claire didn’t look pleased at all as she gave her opinion. “I think we should go with the black and white theme. It’s timeless, classic, elegant.”
“It’s boring,” I said. I closed the text and opened the gallery on my phone, pulling up some pictures I’d downloaded when I'd thought my opinion might matter. “Actually, I kind of wanted to go with plum, orange and gold.”
Claire’s eyes widened. “You’re joking.”
“No.” Lifting my chin, I rose and pushed my phone over toward them.
Claire didn’t even look, but Estelle took the phone and she studied it for a moment. To my surprise, a small smile curved her lips and she nodded as she looked from the phone to me and then back again.
“This would go well with your coloring. That auburn hair, deep brown eyes.” She nodded again, her expression thoughtful. “Give me a moment.” She tapped the keys on her computer, doing whatever it was she did with her program.
Claire was still frowning when Estelle said her name, but then she looked at the screen. The frown didn’t go away completely, but she sighed, some of the tension draining from her shoulders. “Those colors are so…garish.”
“No,” Estelle contradicted, making me want to stand up and cheer.
Okay, maybe she wasn't as bad as I'd first thought.
She continued, “They are simply brighter than you would typically use, but they suit Gabriella. We’ll work the color scheme to suit the setting and the style of the wedding, however, as this is a fall wedding, I think this could be very appealing.” She glanced at me. “Are you buying a white dress? Pure white or are you thinking ecru, ivory…?”
Pure Lust: The Complete Series Box Set Page 18