Until now.
His hands slide down my body, and I can feel myself melting into him. I’ve neverenjoyeda kiss like this before. My mind is always running a million miles a second, calculating my next move, and how to use my sexuality like a weapon. But this kiss feels different. Romeo’s hands on my hips, his lips moving against mine, his tongue in my mouth–it all feels so delectable that it should be illegal. Maybe it is. I can feel myself arching into him, and for the first time, I feel real intense arousal.
I’m wet. Wet for this man that I’m supposed to fuck over.It’s the most cosmic irony I could have imagined. He’s clearly experienced, knows what he’s doing just as much as I do, and from the way I respond to him, and the way he clearly responds to me based on the thick hardness I can feel rubbing against my thigh even through the layers of fabric, sex between us would be fucking explosive.
I shouldn’t fuck him.But I already know what the higher-ups would say; if I need to fuck him to get what I’ve come here for, then that’s what I should do. I just don’t trust myself to leave it at that. To not crave this pleasure that’s already shooting through me like electric sparks. To just fuck and leave.
I don’t even know what I’m thinking. The flashing of the camera brings me back as Romeo’s lips trail down my neck, the silence of the room deafening as I bite back a moan. He seems to know where the most pleasurable spots to kiss and touch are, even ones I didn’t know of. The soft skin behind my ear, the corner of my jaw, the hollow of my collarbone–every brush of his lips and flick of his tongue sends a jolt straight down to my pussy, until I feel breathless.
I’m digging my nails into his muscular shoulders and back without even realizing it as he brushes my hair off of my shoulder, kissing me there, and I bite back another moan of pleasure as I arch my back. It feels so fuckinggood, and the pulse between my thighs echoes through my body, begging for more.
This man is so much more dangerous than I was warned about–to me, specifically.
My heart is beating so loudly I’m sure he can hear it. His hands find my waist again through the layers of fabric swallowing me, and his lips find mine. I kiss him back eagerly, trailing my nails down the back of his neck with my stomach fluttering with need. My skin is prickling, chilled, and I can feel him pulling my hips into his, the hard ridge of him.Fuck, he’s huge.
I’ve neverwantedto fuck someone like this. It’s always been a job. And that’s precisely why I should avoid fucking Romeo San Giovanni at all costs if I can, because mixing business with pleasure in my line of work is always the worst possible idea.
I’m lost in the kiss when he pulls back suddenly as if he’s realized something. Or maybe he’s been told? I think I’m deaf, still slightly out of myself when he removes himself from me, stepping a few feet away. The feeling of his lips still lingers on mine like a first-degree burn. I touch them instinctually to make sure I’m not actually on fire.
The photographer has been saying something, but I’m just now realizing what it is. I think it’s Romeo that makes me realize we are done with our photos, but someone else is now stepping up to us. A string bean of a man with dark black hair, thick eyelashes, and lips that could model without the rest of his face— though it’s actually not too bad of a face. Hands cupped, eyes beaming with shock and a smile to couple with it that tells me he’s pleasantly surprised.
“You two.” He points, and Romeo stops walking, flocking back to my side as the man motions for him. He outstretches his hand to us after Romeo is shoulder-to-shoulder with me.
“I’m Artie Summers.” We both shake his hand in response.
“Romeo.” Romeo beams back with so much charm that I think any girl’s knees would buckle if he looked at them this way. Artie turns his head to me because I haven’t said my name yet, and honestly, I think I forget it. Lyla? Lana? Ly—
“Lydia,” Romeo says for me, and Artie appears amused by him speaking on my behalf.
“Lydia,” Artie repeats with a smile and nods. “I'm Miu Miu’s head creative director, and I was watching you two just now, and it gave me the most brilliant idea. Lydia and Romeo, on behalf of Miu Miu, I want to extend an offer to you that I hope you’ll consider.” I feel Romeo glance at me in silent anticipation before Artie continues.
“I would like you two to be the opener for our Paris fashion week show in four weeks—“ Romeo takes a breath to speak, but Artie continues. “There will be some acting involved, so you’ll be spending every weekend in training at a mansion with the other models. This will be a unique show, and the chemistry between you two will be the center focus. So, what do you say?” His head toggles between us, and I let out a breath of disbelief. This is the absolute perfect cover to consistently see him. I’ll have the San Giovanni’s wrapped around my finger by the end of the month. In fact, I’ll have everything I’ve ever wanted by the end of the month.
“Yes.” We answer in unison, which makes Artie laugh.
“I know you’ll be spectacular.” He grins and turns to walk away.
“I’ll be sending an email over to both of your agents with further details. And don’t forget to exchange numbers.” He wags a finger back at us, turning his head slightly, but continuing to walk.
I don’t feel my body move, but I know it does because all of a sudden, we are back outside, walking straight to the dressing trailer to change back into our clothes. We’re both silent as we enter the trailer, our assigned help gravitating towards us as we step inside.
“This is crazy,” Romeo says from behind the changing curtain. My makeup artist is helping me get out of my clothes in the main entry, but I don’t care who sees me. It will be to my benefit if Romeo glances at my half-naked body anyway.
“Yeah.” I try to sound enthusiastic, like I’ve been waiting for this break all my life. I guess I have been, just not in the way he thinks. He steps out of his changing station, his clothes from earlier back on. A blue sweater that makes the green in his eyes pop, and perfectly fitted slacks. His hair looks tousled about from changing, and I can smell his cologne more strongly on him now. A spicy warm scent with musky amber, leather, and possibly citrus.
I force myself not to inhale more deeply as he walks past me. His sharp green eyes trail my body as I fiddle with the tie on a wrap dress that was given to me in a trunk after I was dropped off at my Airbnb earlier this morning. I fight the urge to smile about the fact that I’ve clearly piqued his interest. My assistant returns from hanging up the outfit I was wearing and inserts herself into the situation to give me a hand. I let out a laugh as she figures out the tie situation and wraps the tie around my waist a few times before fastening a bow at my left hip.
“Thank you.” I nod, and she smiles genuinely.
“Not a problem.” She turns around to clean up the messy makeup station beside us, and Romeo takes this as his cue to come over to me.
“So, about this number exchange.” I bite my lower lip to draw attention to them. Anything I can do to be seductive. It works because I see the little inhale through his nose as he reaches to scratch the back of his head. I know this is a nervous movement. Either that, or he’s playing the game right back to me. Making himself appear more vulnerable to attract me.
“Here.” He grins and hands me his phone. I take it and quickly put in my number. Type my name as Kira before freaking out and quickly deleting it. He doesn’t seem to notice my frantic movements as he watches me intently like he’s ready to have sex with me here and now. I retype my fake name Lydia Royce and save it, call myself, so I can feel the buzzing in the pocket of my dress, and then hang up.
“Here you go,” I say sweetly, handing him his phone back. His fingers graze mine as he takes it this time, and I think we both feel the current that runs through us like we are simply links in an electric fence. I pull back in shock before I remember this is what I want and try to appear more relaxed. He must see this struggle because he lets out a laugh.
“What?” I grin.