Page 8 of Strut

“Really?” Heat climbed my cheeks and I shrugged. “Maybe.” I knew the possibility was there. I wasn’t stupid. But to hear someone say it out loud sent a ripple of hope through my belly that I couldn’t afford. “But I’m not assuming anything. You know how this business goes.”

He gave a sympathetic nod. “I do. And I’m not shooting the campaign, so I have zero say in who they choose. But Icantell you they’re gonna be impressed with what I’ll be showing them. Come take a look.”

I donned my crumpled T-shirt and followed him to his laptop to look at the raw images. I stared, blinking like an idiot, becauseholy shit. Even I could see they were good. Like really, really good. I still did a double-take every time I saw this shit, trying to equate that confident, sexy guy in the image staring back at me with who I actually was. It was a mindfuck every time.

Kelvin lowered his voice and leaned in. “You have something special, Alec. And I’m not just saying that because I like you, which you already know.” He propped his butt on the table, putting his back to Terence and Hank. “If you’re smart and use your head, keep focused on where you want to be, and ignore the sucking crap this business can throw your way, you have the goods to go far.”

I swallowed hard, blinking back the brimming well of gratitude I felt for his encouragement in an industry that was notoriously short of it. “Thank you. That means a lot.”

He smiled. “You’ve got that rare kiss of genetic gold, Alec. You’reboyfriend handsome.Men and women both want to date you, and that gives you longevity in this business and the media. You know as well as I do that on-trend doesn’t last. Waifish will pass. Fiendishly muscular will pass. Three years at most. But boyfriend handsome is the gift that keeps on giving.”

I thought of Tim and fought back a wince even though I knew it was true.

“A career of ten to fifteen years or longer isn’t out of the question if you’re patient and smart about it. You remind me a little of Oliver Cheshire.”

“What?” My eyes sprang wide at the famous name and I gave a wry smile. “Well, I wouldn’t mind his income, that’s for sure.”

Kelvin snorted. “I remember him saying somewhere that he made very little money his first five years, so keep that in mind.”

I pulled a face. “He also started a lot younger than me. Sixteen or something, wasn’t it? He was a big name already by the time he was my age. I’ll be lucky to take a few hundred dollars home from this shoot.”

Kelvin shot me a sympathetic look. “I get that it’s hard, unfair even, especially compared to equivalent female models. But that’s the nature of the game when men have much fewer dedicated fashion outlets and magazines. And starting young isn’t always an advantage. It’s all about the look, and you have it. We’re not curing cancer here, Alec. We’re just taking photos. Anyway, well done. I’d work with you again, any time. Just thought you should know.”

I couldn’t contain my smile. “I really appreciate that. Thank you.”

“Have you got your billing form?”

I handed him the agency form detailing the hours I’d worked, and he signed it with barely a glance. Then I shook his hand. “I also enjoyed the last two days. It’s been a privilege to work with you.” I was about to turn away when an eerily familiar voice stopped me in my tracks.

“Hey, Vinnie.”

I blinked hard, instantly transported back a year, the thought of the man who owned that voice sending a rush of blood to my cheeks. Oh, hell fucking no. I couldn’t be so unlucky.

Kelvin’s gaze immediately shifted over my right shoulder and his mouth tipped into a smile. “That’s Kelvin to you, asshole.”

I turned to find my worst fears realised. A stunning man with wicked brown eyes and a thick evening scruff headed our way at a languid walk. His carriage was loose and relaxed, his expression all rakish mischief and charm, and I drew a sharp breath as my heart ticked up and I fought the all-too-familiar urge to lick him like a popsicle.

Holy fucking fuck.

Hunter Donovan.

Hank and Terence glanced over from the far corner where they were packing their bags, and Terence ran his gaze over the newcomer with obvious appreciation and a degree of familiarity that stirred something uncomfortable in my chest. Even straight-as-a-die Hank gave a smile, and I swallowed a huff of humour. Not like I could blame either of them. There was a lot to appreciate about Hunter Donovan.

With his eyes firmly fixed on Kelvin, Hunter laughed. “Monica told me you were shooting up here today. I’ve been stuck in a meeting downstairs since lunch.” His gaze finally flicked sideways to me and his expression froze in shock.

Yep. Guess who, arsehole?I held my breath, watching as a wealth of emotions I couldn’t quite name flickered in those brown eyes.

“Alec?” Hunter’s warm, soft tone caught me off guard. It held a note of incredulity and pleasure as his mouth finally tipped into a huge smile like he was actually really happy to see me. “Alec! Itisyou. Holy shit.” Hunter dropped his satchel and took two huge steps to envelop me in a crushing bear hug. It pretty much killed that annoying devil-may-care cool rating he worked so hard to maintain.

Okay, so maybe I hadn’t gotten over my pissy attack with him quite yet. Or my crush, as evidenced by the stirring in my groin at the feel of him against me.Fuck.“Ah, Hunter?” I croaked, heat blazing in my cheeks as I stared over his shoulder to where Terence stood watching with a deep scowl on his face. “Maybe let me breathe?”

“Shit, sorry.” Hunter released me and stepped back but kept his hands on my shoulders. “It’s justsogood to see you.” He stared for a long minute and then his gaze slowly tracked down my body, his beautiful brown eyes glittering with something that looked suspiciously like heat. A lot of heat.

Then it hit me that I was still only wearing my tight black boxers and a T-shirt, which normally wouldn’t have fazed me a scrap, but under Hunter’s penetrating gaze, I may as well have been fucking naked.

I stepped free of his hold and yanked down the hem of my T-shirt to better hide my junk. A smirk tugged at that pretty mouth and, oh boy, I was suddenly reminded of the heady temptation that was Hunter Donovan.

“You over here for work?” I asked, aiming for nonchalant whilst giving the reluctant T-shirt a more determined tug.

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