“This is for perfume guys. I want passion, desire. Nicco, pull her in closer for me.”
He tightens his grip around my waist, sealing my body against his. Candi wants desire? Yup, desire is definitely what’s pulsing through me right now. I could swear I hear a growl under his breath.
“I’m here.” A female voice announces, shattering the moment.
We look over at the devastatingly gorgeous woman who entered the studio.
“Gigi, finally.” I know Candi’s doing her best to stifle her frustration and be professional.
Nicco still has his arm around me and he turns my face to meet his. “You did great. Thank you again for your help. I know you didn’t want to.”
“I, well.” I lift my hand from his chest and step back, causing him to loosen his grip. “Candi’s my best friend and, she needed my help, so…”
“Still, I want to thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” I tuck my hair behind my ear and walk into the area behind the lights.
A flurry of activity ensues and Gigi comes out of the dressing area in a different white jumpsuit than mine, filling it extraordinarily well. Her body has curves in all the right places, her flawless olive skin is perfectly tanned, and her facial features are exquisite. She’s sheer perfection and drips sexiness.
Sauntering over to me, she introduces herself. “Hello, I’m Giovanna. Thank you for stepping in to help with lighting while I was delayed,” she says, stroking her long dark hair and looking at Nicco.
I guess I’m supposed to call her Giovanna and not Gigi. “I’m Destiny. You’re welcome.” Standing next to her, I feel like a curveless toothpick wearing a potato sack.
“Okay, let’s do this.” With her camera in her hand, Candi motions for Giovanna to sit in the chair where I was sitting minutes ago, gazing into the most seductive eyes I’ve ever seen.
Hiding in the shadows behind the light fixtures, I watch Nicco and Giovanna entangle themselves while Candi snaps her camera. The most absurd twinge of jealousy snarls inside me. They’ll probably have sex tonight.
After about ten minutes, I can’t watch anymore. I quietly sneak off to Candi’s office and snuggle into her plush, oversized, fuchsia chair. Closing my eyes, I let my mind return to the steamy moments I shared with Nicco. Inspiration smashes into me out of nowhere and I quickly grab a notepad and pen from Candi’s desk. I’m scribbling so fast to keep up with the scenes racing through my head.
Several hours later, I hear clapping and Candi’s voice shout, “That’s a wrap!” Within seconds, she’s in her office.
“Okay birthday girl, get up, it’s time to celebrate.” She holds out her hand, which I grab, and yanks me out of the cozy chair. “Whatcha writing there?” She eyes the notepad and gets her purse. “Did inspiration hit?”
I nod vigorously and know I’m smiling like a kid.
“That’s great. I know you’ve been in a slump.” Though the words sting, she’s not wrong and I know she says them with sympathy.
“Yeah, it felt so good. A bunch of scenes came rushing at me and I wrote them down as fast as I could.”
“Des, that’s so great.” Her eyes sparkle with delight.
“Hey, whatwasthat back there?”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, what the hell were you doing to me? Having us all — you know.” I twist my arms and legs around each other and bug my eyes out.
“What? That’s my job. That’s what I do. Besides, I know you’re hot for him and have been fantasizing about him ever since you saw that movie. I just gave you the experience of a lifetime.” She shrugs her shoulders up and down a few times, playfully teasing me.
“Um, yeah, you sure did. And why didn’t you tell me he was the one you were photographing today?” I park my hands on my hips.
“I don’t know. I just didn’t think of it.” She loops her purse onto her shoulder. “Come on, let’s go. They’re probably waiting for us.”
I drop my hands to my sides. “Who’s probably waiting for us?”
“I invited Nicco, Gigi, and the crew to join us. You don’t mind, do you?”
My entire body tightens. “You meanhe’scoming?”
“Do you not want me to come?” From behind me, Nicco’s deep, raspy voice climbs the length of my spine, startling me.
Shit.I turn to see him standing in the doorway of Candi’s office. “Yes, yes of course I do.”No, no I really don’t.
“They’ll give us a ride, then we only have to Uber back to your house later.”
“Great.” I grit my teeth behind my smile as I rip out the pages from Candi’s notepad and tuck them in my purse.
