Craving Connor - Loving Bad Series (Sample of Published Book)

Chapter 2 - Part 2

I glanced down at my watch. I had to start getting ready, otherwise I would be late. The agency that represented me liked their models to be professional, which included showing up on time.

After a quick shower and brushing my teeth, I got dressed. When I reached for my phone on the table beside my bed, something on the table caught my eyes and I reached out to pick up the business card Connor had given me.

My fingers brushed over the details on it. His offer was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. But I couldn't risk upsetting Daniel. I wasn't well known enough in the industry to withstand the damage Daniel could do to my reputation.

The reminder that Connor's offer came with a hidden agenda forced my fingers to curl around the card and crumple it up. I straightened up and threw it in a nearby trashcan. I had gotten rid of all physical evidence of Connor in my life, but it took me longer to be rid of him in my thoughts.

I couldn't stop thinking about the blond-haired man who made me feel more than I wanted to. Even while I worked I kept thinking about the strange way my stomach fluttered when he'd set those deep green eyes on me.

Trying to keep my thoughts at bay, I fixed the intense look on my face with the seductive eyes that I had practiced for hours in the mirror when I had first started modeling. My first job had been a disaster. No matter how much the photographer had issued instructions I had been unable to give him the 'right' look. That day I promised myself I would never allow that to happen again. And I had spent hours practicing to ensure I got it right the next time. It had worked. I knew the exact tilt that would deepen the sensual line of my lips as I stared intensely at the lens of the camera. Click. Click.

"That's it," Kevin, the photographer, murmured as he moved closer. He was engrossed in the image I portrayed.

I wore only a deep red lace bra and matching panties. It was only enough to cover my essentials but I made sure not to portray how uncomfortable I felt.

Being naked was a part of modeling and the sooner you got used to it the better. There were no dressing rooms at the runway shows when you had to change from one outfit into another. Most seasoned models didn't even bat an eyelid when they had to strip down to get another outfit on.

I was getting there. I reminded myself that allowing anyone to see my full body without a stitch of clothing on didn't reveal anything about my hopes and dreams, or more importantly my past.

Even though I was skinny I had hang-ups about my body like everyone else. My ears were really small and I always felt like my feet were two sizes too big. I was a little shorter than most models as well. It didn't help me with my insecurity that I had no idea what I was doing and I always felt like a fraud.

Don't, I admonished myself. You belong here just as much as the next girl.

"Widen your smile," Kevin ordered. His stare on me was all business. He was eccentric but good at his job.

I followed his instruction, ensuring none of my features trembled with the anxiety I was smothering inside.

There were a few people watching the shoot but I blocked them out so I wouldn't stoke the nervousness over possibly messing up. The makeup lady, Vanessa, stood nearby in case I needed a touch-up, and Randal, the hairdresser, was also on standby in case he was needed.

Vanessa had covered my bruises without even batting an eyelid or asking me how I'd gotten them. She hadn't said anything when she'd covered the slight bruising on my arms. On the tip of my tongue had been the excuse that I had bumped into something and I would build the lie up with the fact that I considered myself clumsy.

"Put your hands on your hips." Click. Click.

I felt his eyes before I saw him. The movement of static across my skin hairs made me peer past the photographer still intently working away with his camera. I spotted the familiar face that had been tormenting my thoughts. Connor Price.

I moved my attention back to the photographer, trying to block out the unwanted visitor and wondering why he was here. My pulse quickened and it made it more difficult to concentrate.

What was he doing at my photoshoot? Was he stalking me? His presence here couldn't be a coincidence. Why wouldn't he leave me alone? It wasn't like I could stop what I was doing and confront him in a room full of professionals. So I bit my tongue and continued working the camera while I felt the brooding gaze of Connor studying me, making me feel like I was naked.

He had an aura of power that commanded attention so keeping him in the background of my line of vision took more willpower than I'd anticipated.

Memories of Daniel's aggressive response to Connor's attention replayed in my thoughts as I tried to ignore the heat that seemed to spread across my skin. He was getting under my skin.

Click. Kevin continued to work, clicking away at his camera while he directed me.

If I didn't get Connor to back off, who knew what trouble his interference in my life would cause. Just remembering Daniel's anger from the night before was enough of a warning as to what I would be in for if he discovered Connor had attended a photoshoot. Even if I had nothing to do with it I would still pay for it.

I was used to doing photoshoots only dressed in skimpy underwear, but with Connor Price watching, I was very aware of the red lacy lingerie I wore.

Don't let him mess with your head, I told myself. I wasn't going to allow him to rattle me. This was business and I wouldn't let him to shake my composure.

Keeping my focus on the subtle pout and seductive eyes directed at the camera was a lot more difficult while being watched by someone who made me very aware of the prickle of awareness of his maleness. He had a clean-shaven jaw, broad shoulders, and he was muscular but lean. I stopped myself. What the hell was I doing?

I couldn't wait for Kevin to signal the end of the session so I could find out why Connor was here. The way he watched me left me with little doubt that he was here for me. He didn't know that his presence would spell trouble for me with Daniel. I had to get rid of him and stop him from interfering in my life.

My eyes connected with his for a fraction of a second and I felt a shock of an electric current zap through me. It made me falter for just a moment before I recovered.

He was more casually dressed than the tux he had worn the night before. He wore a suit but no tie and his shirt was unbuttoned.

"That's it," Kevin said with a smile. His voice was lost as I continued to stare at Connor.

His dark eyelashes curtained his beautiful eyes and I felt like I was melting into them.

"That's a wrap," Kevin announced abruptly, pulling my attention away from Connor.

Finally. Now I could find out why Connor was here.

Could he know that I was lying about my identity? I didn't know him well enough to be able to read him. Or was he here to get me to take the job he had offered me?

I gave Kevin a forced smile as he began to put his camera away.

My attention flickered back to Connor, who had straightened up and walked over to the photographer.

"Mr. Price," Kevin said, greeting him with a slight inclination of his head. His hands stayed occupied with his equipment.

"Mr. Parson." The sound of his voice prickled my skin.

So, they knew each other. I frowned as I watched the interaction.

"She's amazing," Kevin complimented.

Despite the presence of someone I was trying to avoid, I blushed under the praise of a world-renowned photographer.

"She is," Connor confirmed, studying me with a strange look. It was difficult to decipher what he was thinking.

I didn't take his words at face value. He had an agenda and it would be naive of me to believe anything he said.