Newly Exposed (26 page)

“You owe me more kisses,” he said quietly.

“I don’t owe you anything,” I said with a smirk.
 

“Solo, meet me in my office with Axel,” Zia called out, as she charged back to her office.
 

“Shit, she seems mad,” Adam said with concern. “Do you think the pictures didn’t come out okay? I can’t lose this job, Solo.”

My heart beat hard for him from the worry that was etched all over his face. I placed my hand on his chest and rubbed it to soothe the tension that was gathering fast.
 

“Nothing is wrong; she’s always like that. Your photo shoot went great. I know she wants to look over the photos, so let’s go see them,” I said, while rubbing my hands together.
 

“You’re such a horn dog,” he smiled.
 

“I am not!”

He walked off toward Zia’s office, and I chased after him. I pinched his ass, which made him grab it and eye me with shock. Without giving him a chance to retaliate, I ran off to Zia’s office.
 

When I arrived, she was sitting at her desk, looking at her computer with her glasses on and thoroughly examining whatever was on the screen. My heart sank as I thought about what she was so entranced with; it could only be one thing: Adam.

Adam walked in after me and closed the door. Zia looked up at us and told us to sit down. She took her glasses off and folded her hands in front of her. Why did I feel like I was about to hear something I really didn’t want to hear?
 

Zia licked her lips and looked straight at Adam. “You’re my new main man. I had my doubts when Meryl picked you, but she has proven to have good taste.”
 

Turning her computer screen toward us, Zia revealed a picture from Adam’s erotic photo shoot.

The picture was beyond carnal to look at, as water cascaded down Adam’s chest in black and white. His hair was slicked back and his head was pressed against the rock with a look of pure pleasure gracing his face. One of his hands was pressed behind him and the other was pulling down on his briefs, riding dangerously low. But what really gathered my attention was his erection that was pushed to the side and rode the same line as his waistband. The water-soaked briefs clung to every inch of him, revealing that perfect cock of his that I’ve grown to love in a short amount of time.
 

Oh my fuck!

I could feel my pussy start to throb just from the sight of the picture and knowing what those hands of his could do, what the real length of his cock could amount to, and what that slick skin felt like to touch, to have hover over you. My body heated from my thoughts and I could feel my heart start to hammer in my chest at the thought of every woman out there seeing the same thing I was seeing. It was almost too much to handle while sitting in front of my boss, but I acted like a professional, swallowed the saliva that was building up in my mouth, and smiled.
 

“Wow, amazing picture, Zia.”

“Thank you,” she said with pride. “I couldn’t be happier, and neither could the company who requested this photo shoot. They want more, and I want to shoot more. Are you up for it?”

Adam looked shell-shocked as he took in his picture. He ran his hand through his hair, and he said, “Don’t you think it’s a little revealing?”

I wanted to kiss him, to thank him for seeing the same thing I did. He wasn’t giddy over how hot he looked or how amazing his abs reflected through the water, no, he was concerned about showing too much. I knew he was different.

“That’s the point of an erotic shoot, Axel.” I cringed from Zia using Adam’s “model” name; it was so not him. “You signed up for this.”

“I know, I know. I guess I just wasn’t prepared to see my penis on display right away.”

“Well, get used to it because the ladies love it.”

“What are you talking about?” both Adam and I said in unison.
 

Smiling, Zia turned the computer back toward her and clicked around. “I took the initiative of loading a picture of Adam on a testing website, to see what everyone thought, and let’s just say he’s had multiple marriage proposals.”

My body tensed as I started to get upset. “I thought I was in charge of all social media,” I said like a brat.
 

“You are, Solo. This is different, something photographers use to help each other out. I wanted to get their opinion. Looks like we have found ourselves a gem. Now, how are we doing on Facebook and Instagram? Have you been posting pictures?”

“Well, I took one picture…”

“One?” Zia asked sternly and then looked at me. “Solo, I need you to make sure that he is posting at least every other day. We need to keep him relevant. He’s a fresh face that we need everyone to see. People look forward to seeing pictures of our models.”

“I’m sorry, Zia. I’ll be sure to schedule selfie taking time into his schedule.”

“Don’t blame her,” Adam stepped in, like the sweet man that he was. “It’s my fault. I’ll work harder. I’m just new at this, and taking pictures of myself is harder than I thought. I’m not really good at being into myself, I guess.”

“Well, get into it, Axel. Your career is about to take off, and I need you on board. Got it?”

“Yes,” Adam said meekly.

“Good. Now, Solo, I need you to clear his schedule; I need a lot of studio time with him. I have some book covers I need to take pictures for and some upcoming calendar shoots. Axel would be perfect for them, especially that baseball series. The author wants to revamp her covers, and I think the set of abs on Axel will be downright sexy on the cover.”

“I’ll get right on it. He only has workouts scheduled for now, which we can easily work around.”

“Thank you. I was thinking about taking Axel to Vegas as well for some appearances with me, you know, show him off a bit. Can you look into some flights?”

I gulped, big time, because I knew what Vegas trips with Zia turned into; they were drunken fuck parties. The guys would always come home and talk about how wasted they got and then what kind of sexual fantasies Zia fulfilled. She was a good businesswoman and an amazing photographer, but a slut when it came to men.
 

“I can do that,” I responded, avoiding eye contact with everyone and typing in my phone. “Any particular time?”

“Nothing right now; I still want to develop his brand, but in the next month or so would be good. Look up different appearances and events that are happening; you’re always good at planning these outings.” She turned her attention to Adam and smiled devilishly at him. “I hope you’re ready for the whirlwind your life is about to become, Axel. Every woman with a beating heart is going to want you as theirs.”

That was exactly what I was afraid of.
 

Like the good guy Adam was, he just nodded his head and got up from his seat. I finished typing in my phone, making notes for myself, and then followed behind him.
 

“Oh, Solo,” Zia called out, causing me to turn to face her. “Make sure he’s posting his selfies; we really need to capitalize on that and make him the profile picture on our Facebook page. I want to make sure everyone knows who Axel James is.”

“Got it,” I said with a fake smile, and then walked out of the office.
 

That entire meeting reminded me exactly why I didn’t date models, especially Teeg Models, because Zia only cared about two things, herself and her business. If she knew Adam and I were a couple, I highly doubt she would back off her sexy glances and innuendos. It was who she was.
 

With a deflated heart, I walked back to my desk and started getting to work, changing profile pictures and cover photos, and letting every woman out there see the man that I’d claimed as mine. It was gut wrenching, having to put his photo out there, a photo that should be personal between him and me, but there was nothing I could do about it. He was a Teeg model now.
 

As I was looking through the photos Zia sent me for possible covers, I felt him come up behind me. His hands rested on my shoulders and his head bent down to my ear, to talk to me intimately.
 

“What time will you be home tonight?”

“Probably six tonight.”

“Can I make you dinner?” he kissed the side of my cheek, making me sigh.
 

“Adam…”

“Don’t,” he whispered in my ear. “Please don’t let that meeting get to you, Solo. What goes on with my professional life does not affect what we have between us. Don’t give up because of a speed bump.”

He was right; I had to be stronger. I was actually stronger than I was acting; I’d just lost my strength along the way. I had to trust in the fact that Adam cared for me, that he liked me, and that he was sweet; he wouldn’t hurt me.
 

“I’m sorry,” I shook my head. “It was just a little much for me back there. I’ll get better.”

He kissed my temple and spoke softly. “I have no clue what any of this promoting stuff is, and frankly, I don’t care. What I care about is getting paid and spending time with you. Anything else that comes along is not important to me, even Zia.”

Hearing her name come from his lips was a little bitter to hear, but I had to remember what he said. She didn’t matter to him.
 

“But, she’s so beautiful,” I added, testing the waters.
 

“She’s a bitch with a power complex, who just so happens to be good at taking pictures. She is bile on a gas station floor compared to you, muffin.”

“Gross,” I laughed.
 

“It’s true. Now, tell me what you want for dinner.”

Thankful for his change of subject, I thought about it for a second and said, “Spaghetti?”

He cringed and patted his stomach, “Your gluten-filled eating habits are going to give me love handles.”

Laughing, I said, “Oh, my God, you’re just as bad as the other guys. There is gluten free pasta in the pantry.”

“Oh, okay. Have to keep my figure, you know.”

“I know,” rolling my eyes, I went back to my computer. “See you around six…Axel.”

Chapter Twenty One

Adam

“You’re burning the sauce,” Scout shouted, as he jumped off the counter and started stirring the pot of sauce that was on the stove.
 

“No, I’m not!” I pushed him to the side and assessed the sauce myself. It was a little crusty on the bottom, but I chalked it up to adding a smoky flavor. “It’s fine.”

“I’m so not eating this crap.”

“Good,” I responded, taking the half-burnt sauce off the stove and then draining the noodles. “Because you weren’t invited to dinner.”

“Who is?” Scout asked, wiggling his eyebrows.
 

“You know who is.” I grabbed two plates and put out generous portions of gluten free pasta, steamed spinach, and topped it off with “smoky” sauce. I took a piece of basil and decorated the top of each plate, feeling slightly proud of myself.
 

“Looks like shit, man,” Scout patted me on the back.
 

“What? I think it looks…” I examined the plates a little closer and realized that maybe it wasn’t the most gourmet-looking meal, but Solo would appreciate it; she was cool like that. “Well, it will taste good.”

Laughing, Scout grabbed a steak from the fridge and started rubbing spices on it. “Saw your new picture on my newsfeed today.” Scout playfully whacked my crotch as he walked by and said, “Who knew you were packing, man?”

I buckled from his “love tap” and eyed him. “Didn’t know you were into men,” I joked.
 

He shrugged his shoulders. “As long as there is enough love for everyone, who cares what kind of pleasure I get?”

I stopped in my tracks and turned to look at him. “Are you bi?” I asked with a quizzical eyebrow, not that it mattered to me.

“No,” Scout laughed out loud. “But God, the look on your face just now was priceless.”

“You’re a dick.” I placed the plates at the table and then folded two napkins to set next to them along with silverware. I grabbed two glasses from the cupboard and filled them with water; soda was against my diet restrictions, but what I wouldn’t give for a Mountain Dew right now.
 

“Do we have any flowers?” I asked, looking around for a centerpiece.
 

“What is this? Fucking Lady and the Tramp?” Ty asked, as he walked in and took in the dinner for two. Big mistake on my part putting dinner in the kitchen nook.
 

I was about to grab the plates and move them, so I wouldn’t have to deal with Ty, when Solo came walking in. She stopped when she took in the dinner and a big smile spread across her face.
 

“Something smells burnt,” Nikko said, as he walked in behind Solo along with Gunner. Great, all we needed was Levi, and we would be one big fucking family.
 

“What are you doing here?” Ty asked Solo, who was looking at me with a big grin. The room fell silent as all eyes fell to Solo and me.
 

Solo wrapped her hand around my neck, pulled me down for a kiss, and pressed her lips against mine…in front of everyone. My heart beat rapidly against my chest from the statement she was making, with her bold actions. She was letting everyone know that she was mine, and she didn’t care who knew about it.