“I’m the woman who started the Brazen line.” Another smile and I can’t help but be impressed. Once the stylist and makeup artist are done, she turns to fully face me. “When I saw your advert while I was in London, I told my marketing team I needed you to launch my men’s line.”
“Well, I’m grateful for the opportunity.”
“I’m just thankful we got you to fly all the way over here to walk around in …” She glances at my crotch, blushes, and then smiles. “Those.”
“They’re … comfortable,” I admit. “Not my first choice, but they’re not bad at all.”
“You fill them out very well, on both sides.” She laughs easily. She doesn’t seem like the giggly fangirl type, and I’m thankful for that. But then again, she is a businesswoman, someone who’s creating a career for herself.
“Colton,” Blythe calls to me, catching my attention, but it’s not her who steals my gaze — it’s the woman beside her. They head toward us, and I can’t help allowing my appreciative stare to trail from Violet’s long, dark hair to her feet hidden in a pair of running shoes.
She looks innocent and seductive all in one.
I didn’t think she would come, but seeing here makes me smile. When she glances at me, I see the defiance in her gaze.
“Clarissa, my boss, needed me on site to get a feel of the shot and the brand.” Ah, there it is. She’s not here for me; she’s here for work. Dedication. Even though she doesn’t like me very much, which I don’t understand why she came because her boss asked her to.
Disappointment wreaks havoc within my chest, but I tamper it down and nod. “Great,” I acknowledge, faking a smile, and I wonder if she knows it’s a lie. If she even realizes I wanted her here for me, not for her job. “I hope you enjoy it.”
Turning away, I go to the set, ignoring the fact that I can feel her eyes on me. I’ve never had such an intense reaction to a woman before. It’s almost visceral.
“Pretty girl,” Courtney states as she joins me. She doesn’t drape herself over me, which I’m glad about. It’s the last thing I need when I have Violet right there, watching my every move.
“She is.”
“Don’t act like you don’t like her,” she challenges. “I saw the way you looked at her, how your expression lit up when she walked in.”
“Doesn’t matter,” I declare, meeting her inquisitive gaze. “She’s not interested in me. I’m too … destructive for her.”
“Are you?” Once again, she offers up a challenge I can’t shy away from. I’ve always believed I was bad news for a romantic. Those girls who believe in princes and fairy tales only get their hearts broken by guys like me, the bad boy.
“I’m a bachelor, the heartbreaker,” I inform my new boss, for lack of a better word. She doesn’t respond, so I continue. “She knows my reputation, and she’s already refused to give me a chance. Even though I don’t want to give up, seeing her here, not for me or because I invited her, but for her job, confirms that she won’t allow me to show her another side to me.”
“And is there another side?” Courtney asks, genuinely curious. Before I can answer, I grow silent, considering her question. Is there? I don’t know because I never once thought to look. “I thought so,” she affirms as if she can read my mind, and she’s responding to my negative thought.
“It doesn’t matter.”
“Look,” she sighs, “If I’m going to work with you, I want to know that you can be honest with yourself, and with me. I’m not sure why I’m telling you this, but if I were her, I’d want you to prove yourself. It will be the only way I’ll ever be able to trust a guy I know is a player.”
“What if I break her heart?”
She smiles, slowly shaking her head before meeting my gaze. “Doesn’t all life come with risks?”
8
Violet
Watching Colton work, changing from briefs to boxers to tight pants while another woman drapes herself over him, affects me more than I expected it would. It happened on Saturday night, and it’s happening again right this very moment. And I don’t know how to deal with it. I don’t know if I should run a mile or agree to his date.
Even though I can’t tear my eyes away from the poses, I notice how professional he is. He doesn’t lean in too close. Even with an intimate shoot like this, Colton remains almost aloof. He grins when he needs to, he even laughs when the photographer says something funny, but he never inches his hand down too low.
It’s unnerving when you’re torn between emotions. Especially for someone in the public eye. I never once imagined I would have to consider agreeing to a date with a famous face like his, but here I am. His eyes catch mine now and then, but even though I notice the glint of mischief in those pools, I attempt acting as if I have no clue he’s even looking at me.