“Uh, no. When do you need me?”
He wanted to say right now. His dick agreed but he didn’t say it. “Tomorrow. What time can you do it?”
“I’m free after three.”
“Can you make it a three thirty?” he said. He had his fingers crossed.
“Yes, I can.”
“Great. I’m looking forward to it,” he said.
“Yes, I guess I am, too.”
“How have you been, Ellyn?”
“I’m okay.”
“Good weekend?”
She sighed. “Nothing out of the ordinary.”
“That’s a shame. I would have asked you to dinner, but I didn’t want to be in your face about this decision.”
She laughed. “But you will do it now?”
He laughed. “I’m giving you an extra incentive, Ellyn. Besides, I’d like to see you.”
Silence.
“That’s very sweet, Colton.”
“Then I’ll see you tomorrow.”
CHAPTER 6
Ellyn entered the building, then looked on the directory for Colton’s office. She rode the elevator to the correct floor. The doors opened and in front of Ellyn was a smiling receptionist.
“Welcome.”
“Hello. I’m Ellyn Johnson. I’m here to see Colton Hamilton.”
The receptionist picked up the phone. “Mr. Hamilton is waiting for you. Let me call him to see if he is coming out to escort you.”
Escort her? What was he? A bodyguard.
The woman spoke into the phone, and then hung up. “Mr. Hamilton will be right out. Can I get you some coffee?”
“No, I’m fine.”
“Water?”
“No, really, I’m fine.”
Colton appeared from a door to the receptionist’s right. He had a smile on his face so Ellyn could not help smiling back. He was a handsome man. His suit had clearly been made for him. The gray in it brought out his fierce blue eyes even more.
“Carla, I’ll be downstairs in the studio. Marcia knows how to get in touch with me but I don’t want to be disturbed.”
“Sure, Mr. Hamilton.”
Colton put a hand on Ellyn’s lower back. “Let’s go one floor down.”
“Okay.”
She had no idea what they were doing, but he led her to what looked like a more professional version of the Sears Portrait Studio. Lights were set up at one end with lots of white umbrellas. Several cameras were on tripods and a man in black seemed to be adjusting them.
“What is this?”
“This is our studio. I wanted to have one of our photographers take your picture.”
Ellyn wasn’t sure what to think of all this. A sprightly redhead bounced up to her. “You must be Ellyn,” she said. “I’m Zoe.”
“Zoe will be outfitting you for the shoot,” Colton said.
She glanced around the studio, which was a hive of activity. She wasn’t going to be alone with Colton. That was good. Nor was she going to be naked, this was legitimate.
“Okay,” she said then followed Zoe into a dressing room.
“I’m used to dealing with models who know that they are just the body for the clothing. They aren’t self-conscious or anything. That said I realize you probably don’t feel that way. If I cross a line or make you uncomfortable, tell me. Mr. Hamilton wants this to be a positive experience for you.”
“Fair enough.”
“Now, sit tight and I’ll be back with your outfits.”
“There’s more than one?”
“Well, just shirts. You are doing close up work and now seeing you and those eyes, I understand what he means. You have such a great face. Beautiful and interesting, without being weird.”
Ellyn nodded, not sure what that meant but guessing it was all a compliment. Her head spun a little. Zoe came back with a rolling rack of clothing. How many pictures were they going to take? She only had a few hours. She’d mention it to Colton.
“We aren’t going to do any makeup yet,” Zoe said. “We want your raw face then we’ll work on accentuating your assets.”
“Okay.”
She wasn’t sure what was expected of her. Zoe handed her the first shirt. “I’ll be outside. Come out when you’re in it.”
Zoe left. Ellyn put on the shirt. It was an amazing blue. She’d buy something like this if she had the money. She glanced in the mirror and she saw that the color brought out her eyes. She left the dressing room. Zoe led her to a stool at one side of the studio. White sheets were draped over everything but the stool.
“Sit,” Zoe commanded.
Ellyn obeyed then Zoe plucked at the blouse a few times, and walked away. A man with a camera approached her.
“This is Jean,” Colton said from behind the other man. “He’s going to take some pictures of you like this. Don’t worry, this isn’t a test other than for how well you photograph, not how well you model.”
Ellyn nodded, her ears buzzing from nerves. She swallowed.
“I’ll tell you what to do, don’t be nervous. I don’t bite,” the photographer said.
Ellyn was not used to this much attention focused on her. Could she get used to it? “Okay.” That was about all she’d said since she arrived. She must sound so intelligent.
“Look at me. Don’t look at the camera. Look at my forehead,” Jean said.
Ellyn tried to look at his face as if she weren’t looking at his face.
“Relax your face.”
She did so, hoping he was getting what he wanted.
The photographer stopped then showed the camera to Colton. “We’re getting some great stuff and this is without makeup or props.”
“She’s got natural talent,” Colton said.
Ellyn didn’t like them talking as if she was not there. Was this normal? Colton smiled at her.
“You’re doing a great job, Ellyn,” Colton said.
She smiled.
“Keep that,” Jean said, then snapped a few photos. Then he showed the screen to Colton. “Where did you find her?”
“At one of Doug’s parties.”
The photographer nodded as if this made perfect sense to him.
“But Ellyn didn’t approach me. She had no idea who I was.”
The photographer just laughed.
***
Colton watched Jean work as Ellyn smiled, didn’t smile or whatever Jean said to do. She was excellent at taking direction. That blue blouse made her even sexier than he could have imagined. Then she had to go change.
“You need a break? I can get some water or coffee,” Colton said. He stood inches from her, his hand on her arm. He liked touching her soft skin.
“Water would be great.”
“You’ll go to makeup next. Not too much,” he said.
“Okay.”
“Go get changed. Zoe will tell you what’s next. I’ll call upstairs for someone to bring water down.”
“Thanks.”
“You okay?” He studied her. She was clearly overwhelmed, her eyes a little glazed.
“I’m okay. It’s not like anything I’ve ever done. Kind of exciting,” she said.
He smiled, then squeezed her arm. “I hope it’s good.”
She nodded. He watched her go back to the dressing room.
“You’re on thin ice,” Jean said.
Colton walked over to the phone. “What do you mean?”
“You’re clearly attracted to her and I think she returns it. What happened to not mixing business with pleasure?”
“It’s that obvious what I feel?”
He dialed the receptionist and told her to send someone down with bottles of water. He hung up.
“The heat off of you two is going to melt the camera. I’d love to take pictures of you guys together.”
Colton shook his head. “I’m a businessman, not a model.”
“It will be in her portfolio, not yours. I won’t capture you straight on. No one will know it’s you.”
“If you think it w
ill help her book jobs, I’ll do it,” Colton said.
“Yes, I think it will. The steam will come off the pictures.”
Colton grimaced, but he was willing to do whatever was necessary to make Ellyn successful.
A half an hour later, Ellyn returned. She had makeup on that made her eyes pop out of her face. Nothing odd. Very subtle, but what it did to her face was amazing.
“Wow. Your eyes stand out even more.” Colton cleared his throat. “Jean would like some picture with me in them. If I’d known he wanted this I would have hired a male model but you’re stuck with me.”
“I might be more comfortable with you.”
“That works.” He turned to Jean. “Suit jacket on or off?”
“Let’s start with it on.” Jean moved the stool. “Both of you stand in the middle. Colton, turn your back to me. Ellyn, you face me, but partially turn to him.”
Colton stood with his back to the camera. Ellyn was in front of him, but off to the side a little.
“Ellyn, your man has just come home from the office and you have one thing on your mind.”
Colton looked down at her but she just laughed. “Okay.”
“I’m not sure about this,” he whispered to her.
“It’ll be okay. I feel safe here with you,” she said.
Her statement warmed him. She felt safe. Not intimidated at all. He could be that way. He wanted her to sign with his agency, but he also wanted her, in his life, in his bed. Maybe even in his heart? The idea scared him and not much frightened him.
He was deep in thought with Ellyn’s hands on his suit jacket when he realized Jean had been snapping pictures. He’d been staring into her eyes. She’d been looking back at him with the tiniest of smiles on her face.
“Hold his jacket as if you’re going to take it off his shoulder.”
Ellyn put her hand under his jacket and skimmed it up his chest to his shoulder, shifting it off of him slightly. Her hand ignited fires up his body and it took all of his self-control not to kiss her. His throat went dry. Her hand rested on him, his jacket about to come off. Her gaze never left his. God, she was sexy like this.
“Let’s lose the jacket,” Jean said.
Colton took off his jacket, folded it neatly and placing it on a nearby table. He went back to the position he’d been in. Ellyn put her hands on his tie, loosening it.
Jean snapped pictures. “That’s great.”
She eased the tie all the way open, then she began to unbutton the top button of his shirt. How he wanted her to be doing that to him in real life. His dick came alive but she wasn’t pressed up against him or she might notice. His mouth felt like the Sahara Desert. Her gaze glanced over his shoulder at the camera.
“Lean into her, Colton.”
He moved his face as if he was going to kiss her. Her lips opened slightly. Damn. If there wasn’t anyone in the room, he’d kiss her. He’d kiss her as he’d never kissed another woman.
“This is priceless,” Jean said. Then he stopped taking pictures. “I think I have some good stuff here for her portfolio.”
Ellyn didn’t step away. Colton didn’t want her to move her hands. Well, maybe a little.
“I’m done, guys,” Jean said.
*
Ellyn vaguely heard the photographer say he was done. Her gaze remained on Colton with his half undone tie and fierce gaze. The man could not look sexier than he did at the moment. Not one to fall for anyone easily, her reaction to him was odd; her body’s reaction to him even stranger. It hummed with the anticipation of him kissing her. She wanted him to kiss her. His gaze darkened with passion.
Was this all a ruse to get her in bed? She had no reason not to trust him. He hadn’t touched her inappropriately. In fact, he wasn’t touching her. Her hands still rested on him, as if glued there. She didn’t want to take them off. Instead, she wanted to run her hands under that buttoned shirt to feel what were clearly the hard planes of his muscles. He was a large man but he didn’t intimidate her.
Instead, he made her feel safe. Whatever the situation, he could handle it. What would it feel like to be made so secure by someone like him? She’d never thought about physical or emotional security. She’d only thought about financial security. Colton was the whole package. She bit her lip.
In her peripheral vision, she saw the photographer leave. Was Zoe still around? She hadn’t even worn half of the outfits on that rack and they were done? Ellyn swallowed as Colton brought his face close to hers, his eyes falling close. He was going to kiss her. She closed her eyes and he brushed her lips with his.
She wanted more, so she fisted his shirt into her hands and brought him closer. Other than his lips, he still wasn’t touching her. Her hands remained at his sides. He let her be in charge. Ellyn never had a man do that. She was used to those that mauled her at the first chance. Colton’s behavior made him even hotter. Now she wanted him to put his hands on her.
She deepened the kiss. His tongue peeked out of his mouth. She opened her lips to receive him, her blood pounding in her head. His tongue explored her lips, but went no further. In need of a breath, she pulled away from him slightly. She opened her eyes to look at him. His tie was askew from her hands, but every hair was in place and she resisted the urge to mess it up. Would it be messed up after sex? Whoa. That was a leap. They were just kissing.
“Wow,” he said. His voice came out raspy. He was just as affected by the kiss as she was. Good. He didn’t step away, but he now put a hand on her arm. “That was really nice, Ellyn.”
“That was nice.”
It had been a long time since she’d kissed a man. Never in her life had she been kissed that expertly. His lips could be registered as a weapon because they almost killed her.
And then, her phone rang. It was in her purse on the other side of the studio. She didn’t want to break the contact, but it might be about Derek. “I have to get that.”
“You’re holding onto me,” he said with a twinkle in his eyes.
She let go and hurried to her phone. Shalia. Damn.
“Hello?”
“Ellyn. It’s Derek. He’s running a really high fever. He’s just sitting on the couch. I’ve given him something, but it doesn’t seem to be working. He also says his ears hurt.”
“Okay. It’ll take me an hour or so to get home.”
“Okay. I’ll keep him as comfortable as possible.”
Colton crossed the room while redoing his tie. He stood in front of her, concern etched into his brow.
“If you can get him into a bath, do it. That might take the edge off of the fever.”
“Fever?” Colton said.
She could no longer hide her son. Hopefully, it would not affect his contract. She was willing to sign with his company. It would bring a better life for her and Derek. It had to. Ellyn disconnected and wouldn’t make eye contact with Colton. She had lied to him.
“Who has a fever?”
She took a deep breath and let hit out noisily. “My son.”
“You have a son. That must be tough to juggle with school.”
That’s his reaction? It must be tough to juggle with school? “I’m not in school. I lied to you.”
He took a step back. She’d screwed this up already. “What do you do then?”
“I’m a waitress.”
His face screwed up. “Why did you lie?”
“Because, oh, I don’t even know now,” Ellyn said. She brushed past him. “Let me get this blouse off so I can get home.”
He grabbed her arm and she braced for his anger. “Keep the blouse. It looks so good on you. Get your things and we’ll get my driver to take you home. You’ll get there faster.”
She looked up at him. Was he for real? “You aren’t mad?”
“No, Ellyn. I’m not.” He shrugged. “It doesn’t change anything.”
She sighed. Okay, maybe she could handle this. She grabbed her purse and her coat. He helped her with it, then he pulled out his phone.
***
Colton remained surprised by the turn of events but he wasn’t mad at her. She had a good reason for telling him a story. He’d find that out later.
“I need my driver.”
“He’ll be around in ten minutes, Mr. Hamilton,” the receptionist said.
“Thanks.”
Colton led her to the elevator. She was clearly flustered, her movements jerky.
“How will I ever repay you, Colton?” Ellyn said.
“There’s no need. Let’s just get you home to your sick son.”
“You’re coming with me?”
“Of course.”
She looked around the elevator as if expecting something to jump out at her. “Uh, well, I’d rather just go myself. Your driver knows the way.”
“Let me help, Ellyn. I don’t mind. I want to do this.”
“What can you do? He probably needs to go to the hospital,” she said. Worry carved lines in her face. He wanted to smooth out those lines. He wanted to make it all better for her, make it all go away. He could do that by being with her or by hiring her. Could he do both? He didn’t know.
The elevator door opened onto the lobby. Ellyn rushed out with Colton behind her.
“It’s chilly out. Wait inside, Ellyn,” he said.
She nodded. “I’m just worried.”
“Can’t Shalia take him to the hospital?”
“She can’t drive and I can’t ask her to take my sick kid on the bus.”
He put his hands on her arms then rubbed. “It’ll be okay.”
“I hope so, but you don’t really know.”
“No, I don’t really know, but I can do my best to make it happen,” he said.
She looked up at him. “I can wait by myself if you have work to do.”
He shook his head. “I’m going with you.”
“I’d rather you didn’t.”
“Why?”
She bit her lip. “Uh, I’d just rather you didn’t.”
“Once you sign the contract, I’m going to know your address, Ellyn. You’re signing the contract right?”
“Yes, I am, Colton. I’m going to sign the contract,” she said.
He wanted to jump for joy. “Good, that can wait until we get your son fixed up.”
How To Marry A Billionaire: A BWWM Billionaire Romance Page 6