AllFreeNovel
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Susan leads the way into the resort, guiding us into the restaurant where catering has prepared a buffet. I seize a plate the moment I enter and grab several pieces of fish and chicken followed by mashed potatoes. I run several hours a day and weightlift, so counting calories isn’t something I’m concerned with. Not to mention, I haven’t eaten all day. I’m allowed to splurge after such an intense photoshoot. I’ve probably sweat out at least five pounds, if not more.
Rachel is more sensible with her dining choices—sticking to a salad with grilled chicken. Seth goes for the crispy fried chicken. I will definitely be stealing that off his plate later. We sit together at a small table in the back corner.
“Hey!” Seth shouts the moment he sets his plate down, watching in horror as I grab a strip of his chicken and plop it seductively in my mouth.
My eyes roll to the back of my head, enjoying the crispy, salty goodness with a groan. “Amazing,” I mumble while chewing.
“Yeah, I know,” Seth says angrily. “Which is why I got it for me. ME!”
I chuckle and drop myself in the seat across from him. “Sharing is caring.”
Seth scowls. “No, it’s not! Staying the fuck away from my food is caring.”
I slide my hand toward his plate, going in for a second. He grabs his fork and threatens to stab it into my hand. Before he can, I take his wrist and pull him toward me, brushing my lips against it. His eyes widen briefly before looking around, his face completely red with embarrassment.
“Alex,” he whispers shakily.
“May I sit with you?” I hear Susan say.
I turn toward her, my eyes widening as I meet her shrewd gaze. She hovers above us, carrying a tray with a healthy salad and a pudding.
I wrench away from Seth and clear my throat while Rachel says, “Of course you can.”
Susan takes the seat across from Rachel. She doesn’t say anything about my lips brushing Seth’s wrist or how flirtatious we were being. I know she saw. Either she doesn’t care, or she plans on using this against me later. Seth digs into his food, stuffing it into his mouth so he doesn’t have to pay attention to me or Susan.
I’m just about to do the same, until Susan says, “You did quite well out there, Rachel. I was impressed.”
“Really?” Rachel asks, sounding surprised. “Or are you just saying that?”
Susan nods. “Really, really.” Her gaze slides to me. “I actually think Alex photographs better when you’re around. There’s an intensity in his gaze. I’m sure you could feel it.”
I stifle a groan. That was just me being horny.
Rachel chuckles. “I don’t know about that. I do think Alex is quite talented.”
“That he is,” Susan says while bobbing her head.
I hate how they’re talking about me like I’m not even there, but I’m too hungry and horny to really want to partake in the conversation.
“We may be sending him to Europe again in the summer.”
My eyes widen at that. “Really?” I breathe.
Susan hasn’t discussed with me what they will have me do during the summer months. She’s informed me about projects each season, but I fear that I am still being punished for Chicago. Part of me worries I will forever be punished for Chicago.
“I’m wondering if you would like to join him,” Susan continues. “You could bring your daughter. We would be happy to pay for your room and board.”
“What?” Rachel breathes.
“Huh?” Seth says, blinking rapidly while he looks between me and Seth.
Poor Seth. Maria is his little girl. I would hate for him to be far away from her for so long, but I don’t want to stand in Rachel’s way. This must be hard for him to hear.
“Oh, I don’t think that would be possible,” Rachel says while glancing in Seth’s direction. “I have my family and my art here. I wouldn’t want to pick everything up and—”
“It would only be for a few weeks. A month at most.”
Rachel grimaces. “I still don’t think—”
