Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 33572 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 168(@200wpm)___ 134(@250wpm)___ 112(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33572 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 168(@200wpm)___ 134(@250wpm)___ 112(@300wpm)
I push the curvy girl away, rougher than I’d have preferred but needing distance, air, and to regain control.
She’s not ready for me. She wants answers, even if her body’s saying yes.
“It’s too soon, sweetheart,” I growl, hating each word.
“You think? After what happened last time?” Posey sasses back. “I don’t think so.” Then she nestles into my arms again, her lips seeking mine, and I don’t fight it. Instead, I grip her curves to my hard chest, finally allowing myself to lose my hands in her fiery mane, feel the length of her body against me, let some of my control slip.
For the first time in my life, someone’s challenging me and I’m not sure if it’s a fight I’ll win.
Even crazier, I’m not sure I want to win.
And with that strange admission, our mouths continue to dance together, full of longing, lust, and something far more dangerous. Somehow, this girl has a hold on me and yet she’s not mine. I’m grooming her to be shared by the men of Mirago … and my gut twists at the knowledge.
9
Posey
It’s the day of the pageant, and I’m backstage with the other contestants. The waiting area is a cacophony of voices. Women are giggling. A few are chattering excitedly in small groups. Quite a few girls are doing some last-minute primp, helping each other with their hair while adjusting their bikinis.
I smile as I watch the fun unfold, feeling a little sad that our days together are coming to a close because the other girls are nice. They’re welcoming even, and although we’re competitors it’s a friendly competition. There’s no backstabbing or sabotage or anything like that.
Not to mention my days with Trek are about to be over.
The kiss we had shared was pure fire. I’ve never been kissed like that. Hell, I’ve never done anything like the things I’ve done with Trek.
Still, he didn’t go any further, even though my body was singing under his caresses. Yet I was happy that we stopped there because we haven’t established that Trek is only seeing me. Of course he’s not, the voice in my head warns. He’s probably pleasuring half the girls in this competition.
My heart sinks at the knowledge. Trek and I aren’t exclusive. Why would we be? He’s in a position of power, and likely, he’s getting it on with four or five other women in this very waiting room. The knowledge depresses me, and takes the wind out of my sails. My heart opens like a void that will never be filled.
I’ve tried to maintain a level head about it all. There’s more at stake than my ego, like the promise of a new job and a six figure prize. But still, I hate knowing that Trek’s probably hooking up with three or four other ladies. It makes my skin crawl, and it makes me want to sit down and cry.
Even worse, the knowledge affects me. I snapped at Dr. Smiley earlier today—not that I feel bad about that exactly—and he might fire me for my impertinence. Then, I’ll be out of a job and broke. Great, just great.
“I’m so excited and so freaking nervous at once,” Kelly chirps, appearing suddenly at my side. “It’s weird, right?”
“No, it’s not weird,” I respond. “It’s normal.” I spin around and am genuinely stunned by how pretty my friend looks in a sky-blue bikini decorated with glitzy, but tasteful, sequins. Her blonde hair is piled up around her face and her eyes pop. “Wow, you look amazing!”
“You too, Pose. You look gorgeous!” Kelly counters with an easy giggle.
I shake my head even as she wheels me around to face one of the many floor length mirrors in the waiting room. To be honest, I barely recognize myself. I’ve been so confused about Trek that I haven’t focused much on my appearance. But now, the bikini-clad woman in front of me has my full attention.
My long red locks are piled up in a similar fashion to Kelly’s, although the stylist left a few down to frame my face. The lotion they rubbed all over my body has some kind of glitter in it, because my skin glimmers in the soft lighting.
And the swimsuit…
I turn my body side to side, taking in the stunning detail of the salmon pink fabric on my body: the tiny pink pearls that line the edges of the bra and cup my breasts. The shining pink sequins that provide just enough glam to make the whole bikini dance in the lights. How the color brightens my creamy skin and how the two-piece manages to hug every single curve without over-exposing me.
“Wow,” I say softly, feeling as sexy and seductive.
“You should definitely keep the bikini after the competition’s over,” Kelly says knowingly, her face full of admiration.
“I think we have to. This one was tailored to my measurements,” I say, still staring at my reflection.