Closer

My sister is using the pout tactic. It’s damn near impossible to resist her when she pulls that out.

“No, it’s not that. Gosh, Rebecca, you know I love everything you make,” Ava says, trying to soften the blow.

“Then what’s the problem? Is it money? I’ll pay you double what I was going to pay these models.”

“Triple,” I say, and Rebecca nods.

Ava bites her lip and looks between the two of us. “But I don’t know anything about modeling.” She tries again to find an excuse.

“Between the photographer and me, we’ll take care of everything. All you have to do is show up and look fabulous.” Rebecca reaches out and takes her hands. “I would be forever in your debt if you did this for me. You have been my biggest cheerleader and I can’t think of a more perfect representative of the new line than you.”

“I don’t know,” Ava says, and I can see she’s on the fence. She wants to do this, but her doubt about if she can is holding her back.

“Pretty please?” Rebecca begs, seeing her resolve weakening.

“Okay,” Ava whispers, biting her plump lower lip.

Rebecca lets out a sound that only dogs can hear as she wraps up Ava and bounces with excitement.

“Perfect,” I say, standing up and putting my hands in my pockets. “I’ll send someone over to your place tomorrow to get you ready.” I already hate that I won’t see her again until then. That’s hours away. I’m not good at waiting for something I want. Never have been.

“Ready for what?” Ava asks, looking over Rebecca’s shoulder at me, her big eyes widening even more. Fuck, she’s beautiful. I want to grab her and pull her into me.

“For the gala, of course. We’ll need the new face of Beautifully Bare to be there tomorrow night. As my date, of course.”

I smile widely, giving her a big toothy grin. I want her to know I have her locked in my sights, and there’s no getting away when I want something. Ever.

Rebecca lets Ava go and runs off as she talks a million miles an hour about set designs and makeup artists. I go over to Ava and stand in front of her.

“You sneaky bastard,” she says as she glares at me.

“I’ll tell you a secret,” I say, leaning down close to her. So close that she can feel my breath against her neck. “I always get what I want. And I’ve never wanted anything more in my life.”

I brush my lips against the shell of her ear and then take a step back, forcing myself to not go any further.

“Tomorrow,” I say, as both a promise and a warning. Then I turn and walk out the door.

Five

Ava

“I thought you said tomorrow?” I ask Lucas as he pushes off the sleek SUV he’s leaning against.

He’s got that cocky smile that has been driving me crazy. Though who could really blame me? Every model around can’t keep their eyes off him. But I did notice that he didn’t give them so much as a glance. Even though he was there to assess the models. I can’t wrap my head around him.

“I was never great at waiting for what I want.”

“Or do you not like being told no? I bet you’re not used to it.” I don’t wait for a response as I walk right past him. And god help me, I breathe deep as I pass, hoping to catch his scent. I’m losing my mind because of him. On one hand I wanted to smack him today, and on the other I fell a little more for him. What is wrong with me?

He falls into step beside me as I walk. “You’re right, I’m not used to being told no,” he admits with a shrug.

“I’m guessing it’s even more shocking coming from a woman,” I add with a shake of my head.

I walk faster because I’m already late. I have no idea how I forgot about my weekly happy hour with Benny. We’ve been doing it since our sophomore year of college. We like to call it happy hour, but in reality neither of us is great at holding our liquor, so we just meet at a coffee shop and get buzzed on espresso. We learned that lesson the hard way the night we met at our first college party. Since then, we’ve been best friends and skipping parties for coffee houses.

“I’m not talking about other women. I’m only talking about you.” He runs a hand through his hair and looks frustrated. It somehow makes him even more attractive. I’m getting a glimpse of his vulnerable side, which I’m guessing no one sees.

“Well, you got what you wanted. I’m going out with you tomorrow, so if you don’t mind I have somewhere to be,” I tell him.

“I’m sure Benjamin won’t mind if I tag along.”