Page 4 of Picture Perfect
I close my eyes and try to calm myself down. “It’s the model,” I say.
“Anastasia?” A look of genuine concern spreads over his face. He’s such a good person. So caring. So kind. So generous. “What’s happened? Is she okay?”
I pull up the news article on my phone and show him.
He covers his mouth with his hand. His eyes open wide. “What was she thinking?”
“I’ve already been in touch with the agency. They’re going to try and find a replacement. But it doesn’t look good.”
“Yes, anyone who is anyone is already booked up. It’s too late to find a replacement.” He turns and faces me. His eyes run up and down my body. I can practically see the light bulb appear above his head. “Although,” he says, “I think I might have an idea.”
“Why do I get the feeling I’m not going to like this?”
He takes me by the wrist and half drags me into the stairwell.
There are two people dry humping against the wall. The smell of cannabis is strong in the air. I’m pretty sure they’re the advertising executives who are meant to be overseeing this project.
“Out!”
Chase’s voice bellows and echoes on the cold, harsh concrete.
They separate as if struck by lightning and then slink back into the studio with guilty sneers on their impossibly young-looking faces.
My back is almost pressed against the wall. I don’t think Chase realizes how close he’s standing to me. I can practically feel the heat radiating off his body. All I want is to drag him closer and grind my sex against his hardness. But he’s my boss. I can’t lose another job. Not yet.
“So,” I squeak, “What’s your plan? Why have you brought me out here?”
He puts his hand on the wall next to my head. When he speaks, his lips are so close to my ear, they send a shiver of pleasure all the way through my body.
“I just want to make it clear, that this is just an idea. You don’t have to go through with it.”
“Go through with what?” I ask.
He looks me dead in the eyes. For a moment, it’s like the whole world stops spinning. A mental image flashes through my mind. It involves a lot of kissing and not many clothes.
“I want you to be the model,” he says.
I can’t help but let out a laugh. “You’re kidding, right? I don’t look anything like Anastasia, for a start. And I’ll never fit into the clothes!”
He places a finger on my lips. The words I was about to say dry up on my tongue. It’s the first time he’s touched me. I hope it’s not the last.
“You’re perfect, Hazel. You’re beautiful and curvy and sexy as hell. You’re a million times better than Anastasia. Will you do it? Will you let me take your photo?”
“Yes.” I can’t believe the words coming out of my mouth. I must be crazy. I’ve never been very confident about my body. I’m too large. To round. Too heavy. But there’s something about the way Chase looks at me that makes all my anxiety disappear. I feel like I’m the most beautiful woman in the world. “Okay,” I say. “I’ll do it. But on one condition…”
4
Chase
“Are you ready?”
Hazel peeks out from behind the curtain. She looks like a deer in headlights. So nervous. So out of her comfort zone. It’s going to be fun watching her come out of her shell right before my eyes.
“I was born ready,” I say.
She looks down at my body. “I thought we had an agreement?” she says.
“We do.”
