Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 78521 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78521 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Ever.
Not on my watch.
If she and I are going to have a relationship, the only person who sees her in such baring attire will be me. Only me. Not the whole of social media.
“Why? Everything was covered, and I looked good. Heather says they sold out of bustiers after that post.”
I scoff. “I’m sure they did. You will not post any more photographs wearing a bustier.”
“How about a thong?” she says sarcastically.
A dark growl hums from my chest as I glare at her. “Your body is for my eyes only.”
My cock twitches. Fuck.
“I need the work,” she says.
I soften then.
I understand her more than she knows, as I come from less than she does. Work is important. Making your own way is important. It was important to me—still is—and it’s important to her, and she deserves my respect.
But she’s still not wearing a thong in an Instagram post. Not until the thirty-fifth of never, if even then.
I cup her cheek and push her hair behind her ear. She’s wearing the earrings, and they adorn her pretty little ears just as I knew they would.
“I knew you’d look gorgeous in those rubies.”
She sighs softly. She’s melting, and I’m melting with her.
But back on the subject…
“How much are they offering you?”
“I don’t know yet. You interrupted our conversation.”
“Very well.” I take her hand. “Let’s go back and see what Ms. Thomas has to offer.”
Chapter Ten
Heather stands when we arrive at the table. “I took the liberty of having a place setting added for you, Mr. Black.”
The place she added is between her and Skye at the two top. It’s a tight fit, but we’ll make do.
“Please call me Braden.”
“Oh, fabulous. And I’m Heather.”
I nod. “Please sit down.”
Heather sits, and I push her chair in for her. I do the same for Skye.
“Our drinks will be here any minute,” Heather says.
“Heather,” I say, “I understand you’re interested in contracting Skye for some social media posts.”
“Yes, definitely. We’re very excited about getting Skye on board.”
“Very good.” I clear my throat. “What are you prepared to offer her?”
Skye opens her mouth, but nothing comes out. I take that to mean she’s okay with me questioning Heather, though knowing Skye, I could very well be wrong.
“We’re not as big a company as Susanne Cosmetics,” Heather says, “but I’ve been authorized to begin with a series of three posts for a payment of two thousand dollars.”
“That’s a good start,” I say. “What products are you looking to promote?”
“I already told Skye that we’re interested in having her model some of our garments as well as selected products from our intimate toy line.”
I keep my facial expression neutral, although inside I’m ready to seethe. “I see. So you’re asking Skye to pose in her underwear wearing handcuffs?”
Skye’s eyes go wide. “Braden!”
“We all know what kind of garments Crystal’s sells,” I say. “We also know what kind of toys they sell.”
“Braden,” Heather intervenes, “I assure you that everything will be done very tastefully.”
“I’m sure it will, since Skye will be in charge of the photography.”
“Actually…corporate would like us to bring in a professional photographer.”
Major mistake, Heather. Skye will not be on board with that.
“Skye is a professional photographer,” I say.
“Yes, I’m sure she is, but you see, we’re not looking for selfies so much as professional images.”
“I’m an Instagram influencer,” Skye says. “I take my own pictures. Photography is what got me into this business. I assure you I’m very capable of taking more than just selfies.”
“With all due respect, Skye,” Heather says, “everyone here at this table knows how you got into this business.”
Again, I keep my expression neutral, but rage is welling inside me. This Heather is insinuating that Skye only got her foot in the door because she’s dating me. There’s truth to that, but Skye is a talent in her own right, and I’ll make sure Heather knows it. I open my mouth to say as much, but my Skye beats me to it.
And I’m damned proud.
“What exactly are you implying?” Skye asks adamantly.
Heather, who now looks like the spawn of hell, says, “You’re a beautiful woman, and you know the business because you worked for Addison Ames. Now you’re dating Boston’s most eligible bachelor. Do you think anyone would care what you have to say if you weren’t Braden Black’s girlfriend?”
Skye’s lips turn downward, and I want to come to her rescue. How dare this woman make Skye feel so insignificant?
“I assure you,” I say, “Skye is an intelligent woman and knows what she’s doing. She will be successful at any endeavor, with me or without me.”
“Honestly,” Heather says, now smiling, “the why doesn’t matter. We want to work with you, Skye.”
“Then I take my own photographs.”
“And she doesn’t pose with any toys or in any undergarments,” I add, “including bustiers and corsets.”
Skye goes rigid at my statement, but I’m serious. Sure, in the end, it’s her decision, not mine, but we’re together now, and I will make my opinion known. She’d sure make her opinion known if someone wanted me to model in GQ in nothing but a G-string and handcuffs.