Ample Delights (2 page)

Since then he’d become one of the most critically acclaimed photographers in the business, jet-setting all over the world, working with the most promising models. Whether he remembered Terrah or not, landing her current job with him was a huge accomplishment. Just adding his name to her list of clients was going to open even more doors for her in the future.

She’d been in the business eight years, and it hadn’t been an easy road to get to the level she was now. The constant rejections, criticisms and the effort needed to continually prove she was the best at her craft had forced her to grow a thick skin. She took pride in every modelling gig she acquired, maintained her cool in the craziest and most stressful environments and had earned a solid professional reputation.

Her line of work required self-confidence, stamina and the patience of Job. The hours were ridiculously long, the clients could be just as outrageous, and being around beautiful, stick-thin models day in and day out tested one’s insecurities daily. But Terrah knew the modelling world inside and out. She saw the models refusing to eat anything but rabbit food, and those were the
sane
diets. The standards for models became more demanding every year, and many stressed over staying on top by being the thinnest. Terrah had witnessed the meltdowns of fatigued models and knew how isolating being in the business could be for many of the girls.

Most people didn’t have a clue about all the insanity behind the perfect pictures presented to the mass media. Modelling could be a cut-throat, sometimes
ugly
business, but Terrah respected the process and the people involved.

“
You
did an amazing job! I love the colours you used.”

Terrah turned to Ginny, a production assistant she’d worked with before, and smiled. “Thanks. I think the colours I chose complement Jocelyn’s dress perfectly.”

Ginny nodded, staring at the models. “She looks incredible and I
love
that gown. I’d have to eat nothing but celery sticks for six months to make that swathe of material look good.”

Terrah watched Ginny bite into a celery stick. She hated celery. Even the smell of it bothered her.

“Want some?”

Ginny offered her a plastic baggie filled with the one vegetable Terrah couldn’t stomach.

“No, thanks.”

“What does that chick eat? She’s so freakin’ thin.”

Terrah shrugged. She’d learned to be comfortable with her own body, which wasn’t always easy, especially being a size twelve around single digit-wearing females. Her voluptuous curves stood out all the time on set, in a sea of skinny models.

But skinny didn’t mean happy
.

She couldn’t count how many times she’d listened to a size zero waif lamenting about her body. Body image reigned supreme in the lives of the women and men she helped look even more flawless, and Terrah often wondered if the price of perfection was too high. She understood perfection didn’t exist, and yet it was her job to help make damn sure it appeared to.

“God, he’s hot,” Ginny said wistfully as she continued to munch. She looked at Terrah when she didn’t respond. “Don’t you think Nick Tasso is hot?”

“Like fire.”

Ginny snickered as Terrah stared ahead.

Nick commanded the camera. He knew exactly which way to angle his face and body. Terrah stared at Jocelyn and Nick posing. Both of them looked flawless, happy—in love, even, despite what she’d seen transpire between them earlier—as Aidan captured their every move on film. Anyone looking at the supermodels now would believe in the magic of romance. For a fleeting moment, Terrah wished she were still a believer.

* * * *

Nick gritted his teeth as Jocelyn continued to whine. He wanted to keep things civil between them, but she was trying his patience. The photo shoot was over and he was ready to get out from underneath the bright lights.

“I’d hoped you’d call me when you got back to New York.”

“I thought we both agreed that night was just that.
One
night.”

“We did agree, but… I…”

Usually the perfect picture of confidence, Jocelyn now seemed unsure of herself as she fumbled with her words.

“I thought maybe we could have dinner together?”

“Jocelyn, that’s not a good idea.”

Nick took one look at the disappointment in Jocelyn’s eyes and regretted sleeping with her all over again. An evening out with her and some other models over a month ago had led to drinks, a serious lapse in judgement and the flirtatious blonde ending up in his hotel room.

“Why? What’s wrong with having dinner with a friend?”

She was pushing it with the whole ‘friend’ thing. They worked together well, but they were far from what Nick called friends. The thought of eating with Jocelyn…correction—of
him
eating while she picked over her food—was totally unappealing. They had nothing to talk about besides modelling and he didn’t want to talk shop over a meal. As far as he was concerned they had nothing in common and not an ounce of real chemistry. Even their brief sexual encounter, at least for Nick, had been boring.

Jocelyn just wasn’t his type. When he held a woman in his arms he wanted to feel more than bones. He was drawn to women with hourglass figures…full breasts, small waists, hips he could grip and juicy, spankable asses…like the sexy makeup artist with the smooth cocoa skin and the luscious curves.

Terrah.

He’d heard one of the guys on the production crew say her name.

“Nick?”

“What was that?”

He took off his tux jacket as he focused his attention back on Jocelyn.

“What do you think?”

“Think about…?”

“Dinner?”

“Dinner’s not going to work for me.”

Jocelyn blinked as she frowned, obviously surprised by his response.

“Look, I’m jet-lagged and I’m ready to get out of this tux.”

“Sure, okay.” Jocelyn averted her eyes from his.

“Great. Are we good?”

She flicked him one of her cool stares and nodded. “Of course. I’m sure I’ll see you around. Goodnight.”

“‘Night,” Nick said as Jocelyn walked past him. He blew out a breath before he exited the stage to change.

That
had been awkward as hell.

He scanned the studio for Terrah and spotted her in the back by the makeup chair. She stood out, looking vibrant and sexy in the yellow dress she was wearing. The lemon chiffon hue complemented her gorgeous brown skin. An Empire-style bodice accentuated her full breasts while also highlighting her small waistline and the womanly curve of her hips.

Terrah was his type, all day and all night long.

He wanted to put his hands all over her body. Nick’s gaze fell on her strappy sandals and he scoped the shapely line of her legs as she bent over to pick up a makeup sponge off the floor. His cock stirred at the sight of her rounded bottom outlined in the dress. The seductive sway and rhythm of her hips and ass mesmerised him as she started to walk towards the door.

Nick picked up his pace.

No way was he letting her leave the building without asking her out first.

Chapter Two

Terrah waved goodbye to Ginny and sighed as she walked towards the door. She was tired and…

Sexually frustrated.

There. Admitting it was half the problem.

Seeking a solution that didn’t involve batteries was a whole other ball game.

Why was finding a sensual, romantic, attractive, intelligent man so hard? In her dating experience, they had one or two of those qualities, but not the whole enchilada.

Her last relationship had lasted almost two years, but she’d known that special
something
had been missing. She wanted to feel that spark…that excitement she always fantasised about.

Did such passion and romance exist in real life?

Terrah thought about Nick and Jocelyn posing in front of the elaborate city backdrop, the perfect picture of romance. They’d made a striking couple together. The photos Aidan had taken had been smokin’ hot…some of the sexiest she’d seen in a while.

Nick Tasso was the ultimate sexual fantasy.

Terrah wondered if he actually lived up to what he portrayed. She straightened her back and pushed her wayward thoughts out of her mind. It was time for lunch, dinner… When had she last eaten? She couldn’t wait to take off her heels, pour a nice glass of red and dig into a hot plate of leftover lasagne. After a warm shower, she’d spend a little time with her insatiable lover.

So what if he was made of silicone? He always got the job done.

“Terrah, wait!”

Damn it.

Terrah halted in her tracks, turning to see Michelle rushing toward her.

“I’m glad I caught you before you left. You did another fabulous job today with Jocelyn’s makeup.”

Terrah smiled. “Thanks. It’s never hard to help Jocelyn look amazing.”

“She looked incredible. One would never guess she could be such a brat. I told you this before, but I appreciate how you work around whatever ‘tude you’re faced with.” Michelle touched her arm. “I’ve got some exciting news!”

“Do tell.”

“Aidan Marks would like to use
you
for his upcoming photo shoot in
Hawaii
!”

Terrah blinked in surprise. “Really?”

“Really—he wants to talk with you.”

Terrah looked over the art director’s shoulder to find Aidan’s eyes on her. He smiled at her…the kind of smile that told her he remembered exactly who she was, after all.

“Okay.”

Michelle frowned. “Okay? I thought you’d be jumping for joy. This is huge. Aidan Marks personally asked me if you’d like to be the makeup artist for this project!”

“This
is
huge.” Terrah laughed. “I’m just shocked. Trust me, I’m
very
excited.”

“It is exciting! I wanted to be the one to tell you, since
I’ll
be the art director for the shoot.”

“Congratulations.”

Michelle grinned, lifting her vibrating cell phone. “To you, too. I’ll call you tomorrow with all the details.”

“Sounds good.”

Terrah resisted the urge to let out a whoop of joy as the art director walked away. She took a deep breath instead and made her way over to where Aidan was talking. It looked like she would be indulging in
two
glasses of wine to celebrate Michelle’s news tonight. In fact, she would call her girls and see if they wanted to join her in a special toast, but first she wanted to personally thank Aidan.

The studio had cleared out a little, but there was still a lot of activity going on around her and Aidan stood in the centre of it all. He was an attractive man in his own right, commanding attention with his loud voice and charismatic personality. Long, ebony dreads brushed against his broad shoulders in stark contrast to the yellow button-down shirt he was wearing. Dark jeans and dress shoes gave him a casual yet classy air.

Terrah approached him, refusing to acknowledge the butterflies scattering in her stomach as his attention shifted to her.

“Terrah”—Aidan embraced her with a broad smile—“it’s been a long time.”

“It has…almost five years.” She pulled away, noticing he still wore the same cologne.

“You look even more beautiful than I remember.”

“Thank you.” She grinned as his gaze swept over her. “You’ve made quite a career for yourself, Aidan.”

“I guess all the hard work is finally paying off. I wondered if it ever would.” Aidan took a sip of water from the bottle in his hand. “I think it’s paying off for you, as well. I’ve heard your name in ever-widening circles.”

Terrah laughed “Well, I wanted to thank you for the invitation to work with you in Hawaii.”

“Of course.” Aidan’s gaze fell to her lips. “I always thought you did fantastic work. I can’t wait to see what you do on the Big Island.”

“I won’t disappoint you.”

Aidan nodded. “I know you won’t. I wouldn’t have asked for you if I thought you would. So, you won’t feel awkward working with me…given our history?”

Heat flamed her cheeks at the mention of their past. “Aidan, that was years ago… Over and forgotten.”

“Forgotten?”

Aidan lifted an eyebrow in her direction.

“Forgotten,” Terrah repeated. She could see the challenge in Aidan’s eyes as his gaze ran over her dress.

“Well,
I
remember every detail.”

Stunned, Terrah opened her mouth to respond just as Michelle joined them.

“Aidan, do you still want to discuss the specifics for our upcoming shoot?”

Aidan tore his eyes off Terrah to look at Michelle. “Yes, let’s do that now. See you soon, Terrah.” He flashed her a meaningful glance. “I’m glad our paths crossed again.”

Terrah avoided Michelle’s gaze as the photographer leant forward to kiss her on the cheek.

“Let’s have dinner together,” Aidan whispered in her ear.

He winked at her as he strode off with Michelle, who flicked her a quizzical look.

Dinner with Aidan?

They’d shared some fun times together, but that had been a long time ago. She wasn’t interested in striking anything romantic up with him again. Aidan loved Aidan. There was no chance of any of his relationships being about anything other than sex. And she certainly wasn’t looking to jump back into bed with him, even though he’d been a good lover. He probably had no idea how much he’d helped her figure out what to look out for in pseudo-relationships.

Terrah sighed.

She’d have to think of a tactful way to get out of going to dinner with Aidan. She knew turning down the world-famous photographer would not go over well. Terrah groaned as she glanced around the practically deserted set. Her gaze unconsciously sought out Nick Tasso. He and Jocelyn were no longer standing by the backdrop. Only a few members of the production and lighting crew remained.

Terrah started walking towards the exit to the studio. She’d worry about Aidan’s intentions behind his dinner invitation later. Right now, it was time to go home and celebrate.