Chapter 1
Tia Alexander looked at her booking schedule for the next week. Her eyes widened as she looked at the name written in pen for two days.
“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me. Shirley!” she yelled to her personal assistant.
“Yeah boss?” Shirley asked walking into Tia’s office. “What’s up?”
“Are you kidding me?” Tia asked.
“Kidding about what?”
“My schedule for next week. Do you know who’s name is written on this schedule?”
“Yeah, Zayn Malik. Singer, a fine piece of ass, part of the biggest boy band in the world. What’s the big deal?”
“The big deal?” Tia asked. Exasperated.
She threw her calendar down on the desk and turned to look outside of the huge windows of her office.
“Tia. Is something wrong?”
“No Shirl, nothing’s wrong. He and I dated for a while and things didn’t end very well.”
“Oh.” Shirley said quietly. “I’m sorry.”
“Not half as sorry as I am.”
“Do you want me to call and cancel?”
“No. I’ll have to face him sooner or later. Might as well be sooner.” Tia sighed.
She had lost her heart to Zayn. And she had lost it hard.
“Their agent wanted the best and apparently he suggested you.”
Tia turned to look at Shirley. “Are you kidding me?”
“No, I’m not Are you going to be okay with this?”
“I’ll have to be. I’m a professional, aren’t I?” she said with a weak smile.
“Uh huh. Sure you are.”
The next couple of days passed faster than Tia had wanted them to. She was very anxious and nervous the whole week. Snapping at her staff for no reason. Everyone was on edge.
The day of the shoot arrived. Tia couldn’t even count how many cups of coffee she’d had. If it would’ve been liquor, she would’ve been passed out by the time he arrived.
She had told Shirley that she only wanted her there with her during the shoot. She had too many young interns in the office that had wanted to stay and assist their boss.
She firmly put that to a stop. Much to the disappointment of the interns.
Tia sat in her office watching the clock. The shoot was scheduled to begin at three in the afternoon. It was now four-thirty.
“Do you want me to call him?” Shirley asked.
“No, you can go home. I’m sure something came up. I’ll call myself.” She said, not turning around in her chair.
“Tia, are you sure?”
“I’m sure. Besides. Don’t you have a date tonight?” she asked, Turning to look at her friend. Shirley smiled at her.
“Yeah I do.”
“Well, get out of here. Besides. The studio is all set up. But I doubt he’s going to show today anymore. I think I’ll head out myself soon.”
“Okay. Have a good weekend Tia.”
“You too. Call me and tell me about your date.” Shirley hurried out of Tia’s office.
Tia sat in her office for a little while longer. Finally she picked up her briefcase and pulled on her raincoat.
A summer storm had started up a short time ago. As she walked past the studio she leaned against the doorframe. Their agent wanted something sexy. Sensual.
Tia and her assistants had draped the studio in rich red fabric.
Candles. And a red velvet fainting couch. Not that he would need a fainting couch.
She glanced over at the wardrobe rack. Filled with different black jeans and a variety of shirts in white, red and black. And of course, leather jackets.
She sighed loudly. She was disappointed, but at the same time relieved. She flipped the switch to turn off the lights in the studio. And her breath caught in her throat as she turned around.
“I’m so sorry I’m late Tia. Forgive me?” Zayn asked.
Tia could hardly breathe. Her heart began to race.
He stood in front of her. Dripping wet from the rain. He ran a hand through his wet hair. Tia had to bite her lip to keep from moaning out loud. He just oozed sexuality.
“No, I’m tired and I’m going home.” She moved to walk past him but he gently grabbed her arm.
“Tia, please. I’m truly sorry.” The feel of his hand on her was driving her insane.
“Zayn, I sent my staff home because I was expecting you hours ago. You didn’t call! Nothing! And yet you want me to stay and take your picture?”
“Please?” he said. His eyes twinkling at her. He knew what he was doing to her.
They both knew it
“You’re goddamn lucky I have everything set up!” she said to him in a very angry voice.
She turned away from him and stormed into the studio. She flipped switches and the room flooded with light.
Outside the storm raged on.
Tia wondered how much of a storm would rage inside of the room.
