Ample Delights (24 page)

“That’s crazy. I’m not a model.”

Nick reached out and twirled one of her curls. “Well, they think you’ve got the look they need to sell this new line.”

“For curvy women.”

She tugged on his T-shirt as ad images for Rogue Jeans ran through her head. Models were usually shot wearing the jeans and little else, and all of them were about as far away from her body type as they could get.

Could she really commit to this?

“Yep.” Nick’s smile faded as he stared at her. “I take it you’re not as thrilled as I am?”

Terrah sighed. “I don’t know. I mean, honestly, the thought of stepping in front of the camera scares me.”

“You’d be doing the shoot with me…and Jocelyn.”

Chapter Twenty-Two

“Jocelyn!”

“I know. The marketing director for Rogue Jeans is convinced the three of us together will create the best stir for the ad campaign. It hasn’t been confirmed yet whether she’s going to do it or not.”

“Count me out, for sure.”

“Don’t let her be the deciding factor, Terrah. Remember, they want you to showcase this line, not her.” Nick cocked his head to the side. “Besides, if you’re not there they’ll pick someone else to pose beside me”—he dropped the towel cinched around his waist, and Terrah’s eyes fell down over his muscled torso to his semi-erect cock—“and I only want
you
to do this with me.”

“Ooh…you’re really trying to distract me from the fact that I’d be in front of the camera…being compared beside Jocelyn. Or that I’d be agreeing to let my picture—”

“
Our
pictures.”

“Our pictures be taken and shared in magazines across the world.”

Nick stepped up to her and rubbed her shoulders. “The pictures would be fantastic. Think of how the publicity could benefit your work. You know the adage, ‘There’s no such thing as—‘”

“Bad publicity… Yeah, I know, but I’m not so sure that’s true.”

“Well, you’ve got the rest of this week to think about it before my agent needs an answer. How does an omelette sound for breakfast?” Nick glanced at the clock on the nightstand. “Make that brunch.”

“An omelette sounds good.”

“Great. I’ll chop the veggies if you crack the eggs.”

Terrah grinned. “Deal.”

“Do you need a pair of bottoms? I know you’re once again lacking a change of clothes, although I prefer you dressed like that.” He pointed at her legs and his T-shirt, which barely covered her nakedness.

“Give me some bottoms.”

“And the lady decides to play it safe.” He gave her a disappointed look as he opened his drawer and threw her a pair of soft cotton, drawstring pants. “I’ll start setting up in the kitchen.”

“Okay.”

Terrah pulled on the pants in a daze as Nick exited the room. All she could think about was standing under those hot lights, trying to smile as she was asked to pose over and over again beside Nick and Jocelyn. It could be the ultimate opportunity professionally, and a major disaster personally.

At least she would be forced to face and conquer her demons once and for all by saying yes to the photo shoot, and truly showing the world what she’d been telling herself for years about her body. She was voluptuous and sexy and damn proud of every curve.

Terrah exhaled as she walked out of the bedroom and headed towards the kitchen.

Should she do it, or decide to play it safe once again?

* * * *

“Omigoodness, Rogue Jeans wants you to model their stuff! Are you freakin’ kidding me?”

“No, I’m serious. Nick was chosen as their new model for the year and they asked his agent whether I’d be interested in modelling their new line, for us curvy girls.”

“That’s so cool, sis! I’m so happy for you!”

“Wait, there’s more.”

“More?”

“Jocelyn would be doing the shoot with us. They want to play on the hype of the three of us in the media.”

“That should be interesting.”

“And awkward. After everything that’s happened I can’t imagine how it would be to do a shoot with her and Nick. Audrey, I’m not sure I’m going to do this.”

“What? I understand your reservations about doing this with Jocelyn, but this is an incredible opportunity and you’d rock the hell out of those jeans. I love those print ads. I can’t believe you’re even hesitating to do this. Do it and show that skinny heifer how jeans are supposed to be worn!”

Terrah giggled as she doodled on the magazine beneath her pen. “That’s just it. Have you seen the chicks in those ads? They’re half-naked and skinny as hell.”

“And they don’t want skinny, do they?”

“Yeah, but what if I have to get half-naked?”

“Look, don’t obsess over the details. You should do this. I know you’ll look amazing in whatever they want you to wear.”

“Really? You’re not just saying that because you’re my sister?”

“Terrah, don’t make me get on a plane so I can come over there and kick your butt. Of course I’m not just telling you that because I’m your sister. If your ass wouldn’t look right in those jeans, I’d tell you. You’ll look fabulous.”

Terrah laughed. “Don’t fly over here. It’s just that… Well, you know I struggled with being self-conscious about my body.”

“Yeah, I know, but that was in the past. Not now.”

“I thought I’d put this behind me, but that stuff in the media did mess with my inner cheerleader.”

“Rah, rah, rah!”

“I’m serious!”

“I know, I get it, I just couldn’t resist.”

Terrah smiled against the phone. “I know. Anyways, once I do this, everything about my body will be scrutinised and compared to Jocelyn’s. You know it will be. I don’t know if I can deal with that—my weight and body up for discussion by anybody and everybody.”

“I understand. But, tell me the truth. Is there any part of you that wants to do this?”

Terrah thought about all those years she’d struggled with her self-image. She imagined herself doing the shoot, pulling it off and helping another young girl with the same inner battles to feel good about her body. In an instant, her answer became crystal clear.

She had to do this. Not just for herself, but for curvy girls everywhere.

“Terrah?”

“Yes! Yes, there is.”

“Then you should totally do this.”

“You’re right, and you know what?”

“What?”

“I’m going to do it!”

Terrah squealed along with her sister on the other end of the line, the excitement of her decision and what she was about to do finally registering.

“I’m about to hang up with you and make the call with my decision.”

“Good. I’m about to hang up the phone and book a ticket to the Big Apple.”

“You’re going to come here?”

“I know you don’t think I’m going to miss this photo shoot with you and your gorgeous boyfriend. How is he, by the way?”

“Fine.”

“Yes, he is! Besides that.”

“Nick is great.” Terrah chuckled as she stared at a picture of her and Nick on the fridge. The two of them had pretended to be tourists in New York, enjoying the sights and sounds of the city when he’d been in town for two weeks straight. ”I can’t remember the last time a man made me smile so much.”

“Well, that’s good, because you’re going to need that smile for that photo shoot.”

Butterflies fluttered in Terrah’s stomach when she thought about what she was getting ready to agree to do.

“Yeah, you’re right.”

“Well, get off the phone and tell Nick you’re going to do it.”

“I am!”

“I promise I’ll be there, so let me know the date.”

“I will.”

“I can’t wait to see you. Don’t forget to call me back when you have details. Love you.”

“Love you back.”

Terrah hung up the phone and dialled Nick’s number with a huge grin on her face. He answered on the first ring.

“Hey, I miss you.”

“We just spent two weeks together,” she teased.

“It wasn’t enough.”

“Well, you’ll get to spend some more time with me during our photo shoot together for Rogue Jeans.”

“You’re going to do it?”

“Yup! Your agent didn’t say they changed their minds, did he?”

“No, they still want you—and so do I.”

“Ditto.” Terrah blushed as the husky timbre of his voice stirred her blood. She craved him, too. The onset of her monthly had prevented them from having sex the day after their hot interlude in the shower. She’d been more disappointed than Nick, who’d been unconcerned by it. He’d even pampered her with back massages and lots of chocolate treats. They hadn’t been able to have sex for a week and it hadn’t mattered, once again proving how perfect they were together in and out of the bedroom.

“I keep thinking of us together in the shower, remembering how wet and hot your pussy was around my bare cock.”

“Nick!”

“Hey, I’m struggling here. I’m so hard for you.”

“Don’t tease me,” Terrah moaned into the phone, imagining every delicious inch of his cock.

“I’m not joking. I need you…like right now.”

“And I wish you could have me right now. How are things in Cali?”

“Rainy. All I can think about is getting into bed with you and whiling the hours away.”

“Stop torturing me!”

“Are you wet?”

“Extremely.”

“So, I could push my dick in with one thrust?”

“I said stop torturing me.”

Nick chuckled. “Okay, I’ll stop torturing you about how wet you are for me. I’ll stop torturing you about how much you’ve been craving my cock.”

“Nick!”

Terrah smiled against the phone as Nick laughed. God, she loved the sound of it.

“I’m going to tell my agent the news. He’ll want to talk to you.”

“Okay. Do you know when this shoot is going to happen?”

“I’m not sure of the exact date, but I’ll find out later today. Terrah?”

“Hmm?”

“I’m really glad you decided to do this.”

“Me, too.”

“I can’t wait to hold you in my arms again.”

“And what else?”

“I’ll show you in person in two days.”

“Until later.” Terrah laughed as she hung up the phone. She stared at the calendar on her fridge and sighed.

Two days was too long.

Her already damp panties became soaked as an image of Nick gripping her hips and taking her in the shower filled her head. The feel of his bare cock had been burned into her erotic memory bank. She couldn’t wait to be with him again, and, when they were, she’d tell him ‘no barriers’. She didn’t want anything between them…not even those three little words. Whether he felt the same way about her no longer mattered.

No more barriers.

Not physically or emotionally.

She was finally ready to bare it all.

* * * *

Audrey clapped her hands as Terrah came out of the dressing room. “You look fabulous…just like I knew you would. And, see, you’re not half-naked.”

“I feel like it.”

“You should wear your hair like that more often—it suits you.”

“Mm-hmm… You know this isn’t all my hair?”

Audrey reached out and touched Terrah’s low, ultra-long ponytail, and the strands brushed along Terrah’s waist. Terrah glanced down and tugged on the demi-cut scarlet bra she was wearing. She felt exposed, a tiny bit scandalous and a whole lot of sexy. Nick was going to love her outfit. Terrah admired the rhinestones sewn into the fabric, which sparkled beneath the lights in the hallway.

“The bra could have been a little bigger.”

Audrey shook her head. “It’s doing what it needs to do, trust me. The belt accentuates your small waist and those jeans… Girl, your ass looks amazing! I’ve just become Rogue Jeans’ number one fan.”

Terrah giggled. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

“I told you I wouldn’t miss this.”

Terrah hugged her sister as a rush of excitement and happiness soared through her.

“Have you seen Nick yet?”

Terrah shook her head. “No, not since we got here.”

They hadn’t had any time together in three days. He’d flown in from California late last night and they’d barely spoken to one another before they’d both been carted off for their wardrobe changes.

“What about Blondie?”

“I overheard someone complaining about her arriving late.”

Audrey rolled her eyes as she fiddled with her phone. “There’s a video of Nick fielding questions from reporters in California yesterday. Did you see it?”

Her sister turned up the volume on her cell and Terrah could hear Nick’s voice.

“I try my best not to watch—”

“Shh! Listen, they asked about you.” Audrey moved close to her, holding her phone up so they could both see Nick being bombarded with questions as he exited a building.

‘Is it true you’re doing a photo shoot with Terrah Bryant and Jocelyn Tyler for Rogue Jeans?’

‘Yes, I am.’

Nick kept walking down the stairs and the reporters followed him.

‘There’s been speculation that you paid for Jocelyn to have an abortion. What can you tell us?’

Terrah stared at the video of Nick, seeing the flash of anger in his eyes as he coolly eyed the tabloid reporter who’d been brazen enough to ask the question.

‘No comment.’

‘Okay. What’s your relationship status with Terrah Bryant?’

Nick flashed the sexy grin that always turned Terrah on
.
‘No comment.’

‘Can we get your picture?’

Nick paused for a moment and a myriad of camera flashes popped in his face.

‘What would you say to the people within the modelling industry who feel you’re making a statement that could potentially hurt your career by dating a full-figured woman?’

Nick gave the reporter a wry grin.

‘I’m not worried about my career.’

Terrah looked away from Audrey’s phone as the video came to an end.

“I wished he’d said more there”—Audrey slipped the device back into her purse—“to make that reporter look like the dumbass he was for asking that question.”

Terrah didn’t respond. She wished he’d said more, too. He’d neither confirmed nor denied their relationship. She wanted to believe it was just for their privacy, but a part of her wondered if that was his only concern.