Chasing Beautiful (Chasing Series #1) Read online

My shoes clicked loudly against the hardwood floors as I walked.

  My eyes scanned the room. The first thing I noticed was black. There were a lot of black drapes; they lined the room. The second thing I noticed was his equipment. There were a lot of scattered props. Black chaise lounge, black covered bed, huge mirrors, metal working table with a lot of strategically placed work-man tools, and an all-black Harley Davidson Hot Rod sat in the middle of the room.

  I dauntingly stared at the bike. Am I going to be on that thing? Or the guy named Troy?

  “Like it? It’s such a sexy bike. I pulled some strings to get a loaner. It’s going to be fabulous! Troy’s here somewhere,” Chad looked around and called out to him.

  A man emerged from another black curtain draping on the other side of the room. He was dressed in a low-rise, all black Armani micro-modal trunk. Holy Shit! My eyes landed on his bulging section and grazed over muscled thighs and up towards his torso. Whoa, was that an eight pack? I’ve never seen one up close. He had the bad boy, dark hair going on. A little long, brushing over his jaw, unruly but it gave him more appeal and a little edge. Dark hair, chocolate eyes and a sexy grin as he saw me check him out from head to toe.

  Chad cleared his throat as I looked away embarrassed. Crap.

  “Troy Scott, meet Sienna Richards. Sienna, this is Troy.” Chad introduced us jovially.

  “Hello, Sienna. Finally! I get to meet you. Chad’s been talking about you,” The hot hunk said with a dark, deep voice in his British accent.

  “Great to meet you too! I hope Chad spoke kindly of me. He can get carried away sometimes,” I said with enthusiasm. He’s hot, alright! But my man is even sexier and hotter, tenfold.

  So, stop staring at his body hmmm?

  “Enough with the pleasantries and let’s get down to business, shall we?” Chad’s business voice echoed in the room. Okay, here goes.

  Chad directed me behind the drapes where Troy came out of, and gave me a silk-ruffled bikini panty, a small black silk robe, and four-inch black suede boots that sat two inches above my knees (fuck-me boots he said) to change into. He immediately applied heavy black eyeliner, false eyelashes and cherry red lipstick.

  Troy was leaning against a table when I came out. I didn’t even look at him because I was a little apprehensive about my lack of clothing. He’s a model; I’m sure these things don’t bother him. But to a novice like me, it’s nerve-racking.

  “Okay, Sienna. I want to get a few shots with you first. Can you stand in front of the mirror, cup your tits and take off your robe, please?” Chad already had his camera hanging on his neck and he had several strobes, umbrellas and reflectors all ready.

  Holy, Shit! Calm your nerves, Sienna. Just have fun and don’t think.

  Music played in the background, Teardrop by Massive Attack. The beat certainly made it more sensuous. I walked over to the huge mirrors against the wall. My reflection stared back at me.

  Yup! I look like an over-sexed confident woman. Just pretend you are for today. Own it. I can do that, right?

  Chad asked me to turn around as I slowly slipped off my robe. He toyed with my long hair and asked me to open my legs a little wider while cupping my breasts. Click. Click. Click. “Stare back in the mirror and stick your tongue out over your upper lip. You look hot, Sienna.” Click. Click.

  His next shot had me lying on my stomach with my legs crisscrossed. “Lift your butt a little higher.” Click. Click. “Beautiful. Now look at me. I want you to look into the camera with ‘I want you’ eyes,” click. “That’s perfect love.” Click. “Bite your bottom lip. And look at me through your lashes. Think lustful thoughts. Give me that provocative face. Perfect!” Click. Click. Click. “Tilt your head to the right.” Click. Click.

  “Troy, you’re on! Get on Sienna’s back!” Oh. My. God. Breathe, woman!

  I heard him approach. Dear, me. “Sienna, lift your butt again and pull your hair to one side. Troy, please get on top of her. Put one hand on her waist, the other on the bed to hold yourself, and smell her neck.” He simply said, “okay” like it was no big deal. I was sure it was to him.

  The bed dipped and I suddenly felt the warmth of his muscled body over mine. His covered penis was pressed on my ass as he gently placed his face on my neck. Dear, God! I feel hot all-over.

  “Sexual perfection.” Click. Click. His breath was hot on my neck and it took a lot of power in me not to shiver. “Kay, now nibble her ear lobe.” Um, hell! This is hell.

  The minute his tongue captured my lobe, I let out a soft moan. FUCK! “Beautiful guys! Open your mouth a little wider, Sienna. Troy, hold her waist tighter like you can’t wait to have her. You’re seducing her into submission and will fuck her mindless!” Click. Click. Click.

  “Change positions. Get on the chaise lounge. Troy sit comfortably and Sienna go straddle him and take off the boots please.” I guess I will just have to get over Troy seeing my boobs then. I walked over to where Troy sat, hoping that he’d be chipper so that it wouldn’t have to be so awkward, but nope, he was unsmiling as I stopped opposite of him. Tucking my legs slowly on his hips and straddling him, he gave a deep groan. I didn’t dare peek at him. “Troy, kiss her neck and push your chest to her tits. Sienna, look straight at the camera and grab his shoulder.” Wow. This is intense. I’m going to strangle, Chad. Fuck! Blake won’t be happy about this.

  Click. Click. Chad went behind me and took a few more pictures. “Sienna I want you to lift your butt a little and plump down on Troy, will you? Wrap your hands on his neck and look at me, love. Make the other men jealous.” Click. Click. “Perfect. Troy, grab her ass with both hands.” Click. Click. Click. He took a few more in different angles before he ended the session.

  “Thank you Troy, Sienna. I’ll see you both Sunday at four?”

  “Yeah, sounds good.” Troy replied as he smiled at me. Now he smiles, after the shoot.

  I wanted to cover my boobs, but it was pointless. He had an up close and personal introduction to my lady lumps. I gave him a non-committal smile. He escaped to go change as Chad handed me the black robe. I immediately slipped it on my barely-clad body.

  “Thank you, baby love! I knew it was a bit hard for you to do this. But you were fantastic! Behind the lens, you looked like you’ve done it for years. If I were straight, I’d already have a hard-on just by looking at you.”

  I laughed. “It was a bit hard, but I’m doing this for you. You owe me big time!”

  “Yeah, yeah. Now, go change! So we can have dinner.” I waited until Troy came out before I went to change back into my own clothing and I didn’t even bother to take the make-up off. It sort of fitted perfectly with my all black get-up.

  Chad and Troy were chatting like they were old buddies. I ignored them as I fished for my phone inside my purse, but no messages from Blake. Does he plan to ignore me forever?

  Chad invited him to join us for dinner, but he declined because he has an early shoot tomorrow. “Bye, Sienna. You were great!” I reddened. “Thank you! You were too!” I mumbled. I can’t talk about it without getting shy and agitated. Ha!

  I followed Chad to his loft upstairs. He was making chicken pesto and I pulled out a bottle of white wine.

  “Chad, what’s up with the soft porn shoot?” Glaring as I poured us both wine. He chuckled and shook his head. “Baby love, it was hot! Troy was so turned on! And you were too.” Cocking up a brow, he confirmed. “We all heard the moan.” No, shit.

  “Uh, duh? The man was sucking and nipping on my ear! Any woman would’ve reacted the same way. Throw a nun in there and she’d have the same reaction!” I tried to justify myself.

  Sipping half of his glass in one gulp, “I guess it helped a lot that he’s got a marvelous body to boot ey?” Chad sighed dreamily, thoughts wandering about Troy, I was sure. He’s hopeless.

  “Well, I suppose his body’s pretty great! He does have that bad boy thing going on” …and not to mention his nice ass? I chuckled softly.

  “Guess it’s not that big of a
deal since you’ve surrounded yourself with hot men lately hmmm? There’s Kyle, there’s Troy, and our god of sexiness, Blake. Must be nice, baby love!” He motioned for me to give him the pepper grinder and I placed it next to him.

  “Kyle’s a part of my past and we’re working on our friendship. I hope working with him will help it recover, you know? As for Blake, he’s still too intense for me, but I want him.”

  While he was making the sauce, he asked me about Blake. I told him the story starting from the moment we got back to his apartment that Saturday night. “I knew it! Blake’s face said it all. Can you believe it? Blake is your boyfriend! How can you get all the luck, Sienna? I feel faint every time I see him smile. How do you stand it? He’s such an eye candy! I wish he had an identical gay twin!” pouting as he fanned his cheeks. It was true; we both drool over, Blake! Who wouldn’t? He’s just uber fucking yummy!

  I went over to hug him and promised that I’d dish out all the delicious details to keep him at bay. He bounced like a five-year old.

  I sat back on the chair, feeling a bit down, “It’s great and all but he hasn’t contacted me for a whole day now. I’m worried. What if he found someone else? He wouldn’t have to look too hard.”

  “Do you blame him? He has the right to be jealous. Kyle wants you back and he feels threatened. After all, Kyle’s your first. But he wouldn’t dump you like that, Love. It’s Blake we’re talking about. You’re precious to him, even as a friend. Now that you guys are dating—you mean more to him. If it worries you that much, why don’t you call him? He’s probably waiting for you.”

  “I could call him tonight, I guess.” I conceded.

  “Splendid! Now, that’s settled. Tell me, did he tell you he loves you yet?” his question caught me off guard so the wine went the wrong way and I was coughing mildly. Uh, what the fuck?

  “Shut it, Chad! It’s too early to be talking about love. This is about having fun and enjoying my youth! It was just lust not love, big difference there, Sherlock.”

  Was I in love with Blake? That’s a little extreme. We barely just started. Love is not on the agenda.

  “Open your eyes, young lady! Have you seen how Kyle and Blake look at you? Their faces mirror each other. Fine, let’s agree that Blake might not be there yet, but he’s sure as hell making the trip to ‘I Love Sienna Island’ a little quicker. Trust me—I studied the guy’s reaction that night, baby love. They’re going to fight over you. Kyle was the love of your life. Blake is the present lover in your life.” Chad looked at me thoughtfully. “The million dollar question is, if push comes to shove, who would you choose?”

  I didn’t answer him as he continued to make the pasta because I didn’t have one. I went to the living room and stared out the window. Kyle doesn’t know about Blake, yet. Once he finds out, I know he’ll be devastated. Will he fight for me? If he does, are you willing to hurt him?

  I shuddered.

  I love Kyle—I always have. I mean who wouldn’t? He was my life before. Do I love Blake? No—not that way—although, my body has its own mind when he’s around. With Blake, I feel something—different. He evokes something profound within me. This is the intense part that I get scared about. He’s too much and Kyle is familiar.

  It was past eight-thirty when I got back to my apartment and I was extremely exhausted. But I wouldn’t go to bed until I spoke to Blake.

  The photo shoot was interesting to say the least. I rehashed everything in my head as I showered and brushed my teeth. I’m sure when Sunday comes around, it won’t be so awkward.

  Dressed in my pastel pink, silk slip, I sat on my bed and dialed Blake. After a few rings, he picked up. Thank you, Jesus!

  “Sienna” Blake breathed out my name. Hearing his voice made my insides twist.

  “Blake—you haven’t been texting or calling. Are you still mad?” My voice, low and calm. My fingers twirled with strands of my hair. Don’t be, I’m going crazy here.

  “I was giving you time to cool-off, poppet. Have you missed me?”

  Smiling like an idiot, “I miss you. I miss you terribly. Are you still planning to visit this weekend?”

  “I can’t come out this weekend, poppet. I’m sorry. My schedule’s chaotic. But hopefully next week, if I can manage.”

  Letting out a disappointed sigh. “Alright, promise to let me know when you know it’s definite?”

  “I promise, poppet.” I could hear him smiling. I could picture him with that beautiful smile as he spoke on his cell.

  He ended up talking about the galas and other parties he had attended for work. He asked me about the photo shoot with Chad. I gave him a cut-out subtle version and convinced him that he had to wait for the exhibition. After an hour of talking, we decided to call it a night.

  I twisted and turned on my bed, sleep eluded me. Thoughts of Blake, his voice, his smell lingered through my mind.

  My body ached for him.

  My hand slowly went south as I relieved myself, thinking about the man who hounded my thoughts endlessly from the moment he kissed me.

  Twenty-Seven

  Since I don’t have classes on Friday, I slept in longer today. Somewhere in my foggy mind I thought I heard Lucy buzz someone in. I guess she’s having friends over.

  My mind started to drift back to slumberland when someone knocked.

  “Yeah?” I croakily called out, still not moving from my position.

  “Morning, love! Sorry to be a bugger, but you have a delivery—a few of them, actually.”

  A delivery? I haven’t ordered anything online lately.

  I dragged myself out of bed to check where they had come from. There were three enormous lime-colored crystal vases with two dozen of my favorite oriental lilies in each one. I took the card that was attached to the first and opened it: I want you. My face glowed and beamed. I took the second card: I miss you. The third one said: I worship you.

  I’m definitely charmed.

  There was another knock on the door and Lucy opened it straight away. The delivery men stood there with a gigantic box of pastries that had the world-renowned Pierre Hermé label. Two of the men went past us and went directly to the living room with the box in their hands. I didn’t see the man standing in the back of the other men, so I jumped out of my skin when he greeted us.

  “I apologize. I didn’t mean to frighten you. But I’m looking for Ms. Sienna Richards?” a tall, lithe blonde with clear blue eyes asked Lucy and I.

  Um, who is this man, again? He never said.

  “Um, that would be me. Who are you? Sorry, you didn’t introduce yourself.” Giving him a confused looked.

  “I’m Luke Scott. I work for Knightly Industries as Blake Knightly IV’s assistant. I was ordered by Mr. Knightly to come here.”

  Interesting.

  The delivery men started to dissipate and exited one by one, but Luke Scott stayed. He was smiling with a twinkle in his eye. Hmm…

  “I think the room is ready. Let’s all go and see.”

  Luce and I shared a “what-the-fuck-is-going-on” look as we followed Blake’s assistant to the living room.

  The coffee table was transformed into a French pastry wonderland. Different flavors of authentic macaron were neatly organized in a towering pastry stand. Another tower was made of cream puffs, éclairs, napoleon, small Parisian cakes, fruit gateau, and pan au chocolat to name a few. There were three silver platters of assorted chocolates, a bucket of champagne chilling in a silver bucket next to the coffee table and a coffee pot.

  My eyes greedily roamed the contents as my stomach growled.

  Right on cue Blake.

  “Enjoy, ladies. Also, Ms. Richards, I was ordered to give you this,” he took a small soft-leather box out of his breast pocket.

  “Uh, thanks. Um, why don’t you join us, Luke?”

  “The company jet is waiting for me in Gatwick actually. I have to get back to Marbella as soon as possible. There was a lot of traffic in Paris, so I’m running late. There’s an important
meeting set for three this afternoon and it’s already quarter to twelve. But thank you, Ms. Richards. I’ll let my boss know how delighted you are. I didn’t realize how romantic he could be,” he said with a wink.

  “Wait—did you just say you flew to Paris? To buy pastries, that’s it?”

  Goodness gracious.

  “Yes, that was what Mr. Knightly ordered. But I really must get going. Have a good day ladies.” He promptly left without much ado, leaving Luce and I staring at each other.

  A shrieking laugh came from Lucy, obviously as excited as I was. “Sienna—what the hell have you done to poor Blake? He’s obviously smitten. I knew it! It took longer than expected but Toby predicted that Blake had his eyes set on you. I’m happy that he’s making you happy.”

  “You could say that, I guess. It’s just in the early days but I do like him a lot.” Okay, I was a bit embarrassed that I didn’t tell her myself first.

  “No wonder women clamor for him. Look at this! He had his assistant jetting off to Paris to fetch a few boxes of freshly baked pastries for his beloved. Oh, Sienna! It shows how much you mean to him when he goes to such lengths. Isn’t that romantic?” she said dreamily.

  It’s more than romantic. It’s downright disarming me. If this is his intent—then he’s doing a stupendous job!

  Luce and I sat as we poured each other drinks, champagne for her and coffee for me. We savored each pastry and compared which one was the best. It was an orgasmic dessert heaven.

  “How I wish Toby would do something like this for me. I mean, not in the same scale of grandeur—the man doesn’t own private jets—but just as sweet and romantic.” Did I hear a tinge of sadness? I might just be imagining things. They’re crazy for each other.

  I took a sip of my coffee, eyeing her warily. “Toby loves you and he has his own way of showing it. Everything okay with you guys?”

  She let out a sigh and limply sat back with angst written all over her face. “It’s rather been off for the last week. Something’s wrong, but he’s not telling me. I’ll give him a few more days to tell—if not, then I’ll have to find another way.” Uh, oh.