by Lewis, Anna
“Do you mind him going public about us?” Travis asked, dragging her back from her thoughts.
“No, I don’t think I do,” she replied, actually meaning it. “People are already involved enough and to be honest once they know the truth they might start to lose interest.”
She had no idea how true that statement was, but she had to hope. She had to hold onto something before she lost her mind completely…
***
Abbie stood nervously in the side lines with Travis, while they watched Rex step up to that podium. They had wanted to do it all together, but Rex and his publicist had wanted him to do it alone – after all, he was the one that the public were most interested in, so it made a lot of sense.
They gripped hands, nervous for how this was going to pan out, and watched intently as he started to speak.
“Thank you everyone for coming to hear my side of the story,” Rex said over the microphone in front of him. “I have lots to tell you.”
Abbie’s heart raced and her mouth ran dry with pure terror. This was so scary, the worst thing that she’d ever experienced in her entire life, and she had no idea how she was supposed to react to it. Travis was anxious too, frozen to the spot, but he was much better at disguising that – hiding it from his face – so Abbie couldn’t tell. She wanted to cling to him, hold on to him for dear life, but she couldn’t when there were so many people in the room; people that were undoubtedly going to stare at her as soon as the announcement was made. In fact, that thought was so powerful that she even slipped her hand away from his, not wanting anyone to see them touching. If Travis was upset, he didn’t show it on his face. He remained stoic and serious, focused only on what was happening in front of him.
Abbie had discussed it further with her mom, but she wasn’t sure how much she understood, and Rex had told his own family – to a very mixed reaction – so there was a lot riding on this. If the rest of the world could accept what they meant to one another, then their friends and family would come afterwards… surely?
“I would like to start by saying that I would appreciate it greatly if you would all keep an open mind.” He took a few deep breaths, finally looking nervous. “So you have all heard about my girlfriend – Abbie – and her supposed indiscretion.” The room buzzed for a moment before falling into a hushed silence. “Well she did nothing wrong. She is an amazing woman who I love very much…”
What? Love?
Abbie glanced up at Travis, but he didn’t look shocked at all. Her mind was reeling, but she tried to put that information in a box to deal with later.
“Abbie and I are in a polyamorous relationship with Travis Bunney, the man she was pictured kissing, and we are very happy…”
More was said, but Abbie didn’t get to hear it over the questions yelled from around the room. There was so much noise, but she could pick out a few, instantly overwhelming her.
How does that work?
What do your families think about this?
How will this work in the long term?
All of a sudden she felt dirty. She didn’t like all those people picking through her private life like it was public property, and she started to feel overwhelmed. Travis gripped tightly onto her, holding her upright, but she found herself falling anyway.
“We love you,” Travis whispered to her, pulling her from the room. “We both love you very much, and we can make this work no matter what.”
Love.
That was the only word she needed to get her through anything.
Chapter 12
It wasn’t easy. In fact, the three of them had to live through nearly a year of intense media interest, abuse and confrontation about their relationship. But somehow, with the help of each other, they made it through and came out of the other end of it stronger than ever. They were well and truly in love, and extremely solid. It seemed like their temporary relationship was becoming something permanent after all, which made Abbie very happy.
After the first few months of exhausting media scrutiny, which they all really hated, another celebrity got caught in a drug-addled orgy, and the attention and focus was taken off of the three of them. The respite allowed Abbie to see just how it was all worth it. Now that people had lost interest, she was able to see the relationship clearly, and she liked it. Their lives were much easier, and they’d finally gotten to a place where they were all really happy.
Even their families were starting to come to terms with them, including Rex’s mom who had decided to believe that true love was more important than anything else. They hadn't met her yet, but they felt like that time was coming and they were all prepared for it. They had already suffered one awkward dinner with Abbie’s family. She did not want a repeat experience.
Abbie lived in Rex’s home, and so did Travis these days – most of the time anyway. He kept his own home for when any of them needed space, which helped them to keep as strong as they were. It allowed them to take time out when needed, giving them the breathing space to grow.
But things were about to change all over again. The boys didn’t know it yet, but Abbie was sitting in the bathroom, waiting for that stick to reveal one line or two. They hadn't exactly planned to bring a baby into their situation, but they hadn't exactly been careful either. Abbie was happy though, she knew that if they were strong enough to go through all that they’d suffered, then they could do this too.
Of course, they wouldn’t know who the biological father was, but that didn’t matter. They were a solid family unit, and that amount of love would be enough to keep any child safe and happy.
The long three minutes that she spent waiting for the truth to reveal itself, she imagined how their future would look, and it was all really good. They would remain a solid unit, they would raise their child, and they would be happy forever more.
Tick, tick, tick…
Her eyes finally flickered down, watching the test reveal itself, and it was the news that she’d wanted all along. Two blue lines… positive.
They were having a baby!
“Travis!” She called out excitedly. “Rex! Come here, you’ll never guess what!”
She raced from the bathroom, too excited to wait for them to join her. She needed to tell them about their new future, and she needed to do it now.
THE END
The Man Of Bliss
Book 1: Temptation
Kyle Mercer rose quickly in the fashion game, making a name for himself. However, after a nasty divorce he becomes known for much more than just his clothing.
Ellie has worked hard to get where she is, fighting off a strict family and the fact that all the odds are against her. All she wants to do is become a model in the right way, working through the ranks, but things aren’t always as simple as they seem.
When Kyle and Ellie meet at a photo shoot, sparks fly, but are they better off keeping far away from one another, or will temptation draw them in?
Chapter 1 – Ellie
My heart thundered in my chest as I stood in line, waiting for my very first modeling audition ever. It felt all wrong, like I really didn’t belong, like my hair was wrong and my clothes didn’t fit right, but I didn’t allow any of that to show on my face. I kept my expression determined and stony. I got the sense that if any of these other girls could see how I was feeling, they would use that to get ahead of me. I knew the competition would be fierce, and that there was going to be some bitchiness. These girls were like vultures, just waiting for the chance to pick each other apart.
It had taken me a lot to get here. That was why I was a lot older than most of the other girls at twenty six years old. But I was proud of myself for finally working towards making my dreams come true.
I’d grown up in a very strict household, completely ruled by my father. My younger brother, my mother and I had been forced to succumb to his whims, to hide from his tempers, and to follow his rules. And unfortunately for me, he believed that women belonged in the kitchen, bearing children. He didn’t like it when
people started to pay too much attention to me, because of the way that I looked. He especially didn’t like it when I told him that I wanted to make a career out of my face, and that all I desired was to be a model. In fact, he got terribly angry when I mentioned it.
For me, growing up in such a tightly run household, the freedom of modeling seemed very glamorous. I spent my teenage years practicing poses in the mirror, working towards a goal that I was certain I could make my dad come around to. I felt like I had what it took. I knew it wouldn’t be easy, but I was determined to give it my best and succeed.
Unfortunately, my dad wouldn’t back down, however hard I pleaded with him. I cried to him, wept at his side, begged him to just give me a chance, but he flatly refused no matter what. In the end, under pressure from my mother too, I felt compelled to follow the path that he’d set out for me, and I became a seamstress. He said that would give me just some of the skills that I needed to become a good wife. I just used it as a way to make money, to build my own life. I worked hard.
Now I was here, in New York, and I was about to finally reap the benefits of my years of patience and hard work. All I needed to do was pull off this photo shoot, beat out these very glamorous, much more experienced models than me, and get my very first job. It would only take one for me to kick start my career. This was all that I needed.
I took in a few deep breaths, trying to calm down my racing heart, trying to get myself into the right frame of mind, but I just couldn’t do it. I couldn’t remember everything that I’d taught myself over the years, it was honestly as if my mind had gone completely blank.
And then the door to the studio burst open, and another one of the girls came flying from the room, tears streaming down her face.
“If you can’t stand the heat, get the fuck out of my kitchen,” the surly photographer growled behind her, fury on his expression. “I don’t need weaklings!”
I trembled at the scene. My heart pounded. Was I a weakling? Was I about to fall at the very first hurdle? I’d never imagined anything like this, when I first set my heart on being a model.
“Now, I need the next three girls in here. You need to get changed before you come through. Jazmyn Telford, Heidi Turner, and Ellie Wilkes.”
My skin went cold with fear. Oh God, oh no, there was no way that I could do this… but at the same time I had to. I hadn't come all this way just to quit now. I’d spent my entire life locked away in a bubble set for me by my father. Now it was the time to use my wings, to fly free, to finally be me.
I stepped into the dressing room, examining the leather outfit critically, wondering if it was going to fit my body at all. I knew that KM Styles was a fashion brand that was known for being out there, but this was something else. I knew that if I wanted to be a model, I would have to get used to wearing some crazy outfits from time to time, but I’d never worn anything like this. I couldn’t stop self-doubt from creeping in.
Just get dressed, I warned myself. You can worry about everything else after that.
I focused on the task. I tugged the clothes up my body. I felt the heat of embarrassment creeping in my skin, and hoped it would not show. I turned to glance at my reflection in the full length mirror behind me, I found a stranger looking back.
Gone was the shy girl in her skirt that was slightly too long, and her hair pinned back. In her place was a rock chick. I had a glimpse of cleavage showing under the best top. The leather trousers made my legs look really long, and made my butt look high and tight. It was strange to see myself dressed so far out of my comfort zone, but it was nice too. I had to admit I looked really good. Now I just had to find the right way to get these clothes to photograph well.
“Ellie Wilkes, will you hurry up?” a frustrated voice burst out behind me, shaking me from my thoughts as I tried my best to pose. “It’s your turn in a minute, and the boss won’t wait around forever. He’s in these pictures too, you know?
Everything took a different turn after that. Kyle Meyer was in the pictures? With me? He was a living legend in the fashion world, famous for his designs as well as for his crazy reputation. Determination took over me. I really needed this job. This was going to be major.
“I’m coming,” I replied, trying to keep the shakiness out of my voice. “I’m coming now.”
Here goes nothing…
Chapter 2 – Kyle
“Do you really think that it’s a good idea for me to be in these photographs?” I moaned to my business partner, Greg Fond. “I don’t feel like it’s working at all.”
“That’s because we haven’t found the right girl yet,” he insisted. “We need you in this photo shoot, it’ll grab so much attention. You are a celebrity in your own right now, and we need that boost.”
I guessed that we was right about one thing, I was pretty famous now, but it wasn’t always that way. Back when I was just starting out as a freshman at business school, I was just an ordinary guy. I’d always had a creative flair within me, but I didn’t have any idea about how to channel it. I met Greg at business school, and soon after the idea for the fashion line came. With his help, my career took on a very different path. I became a fashion designer.
Now I was more well-known and successful than all of them. The only problem was, a lot of my infamy didn’t come from my clothing. It came from my partying lifestyle, and the well-known women whom I was always photographed with.
I wasn’t always that way, but that side of me was something I needed to escape from. More and more these days that side of my life was embarrassing to me.
Greg was right. This photo shoot was the most cost effective way to get the business where it needed to be. I was just going to have to suck it up. This was why he was the brains behind the operation, and I was the visionary.
“Plus, that pretty face needs to be seen on camera, don’t you think?” he teased, shoving me playfully. “And all these girls are aware that we’re holding a massive party later, so that’s something to look forward to.”
“Yeah okay, you’re right… send the next girl in.”
Jazmyn was sexy as hell with her long dark hair and beautiful caramel skin, but almost as soon as she walked into the studio, I could see there wasn’t any chemistry between us. She didn’t do anything for me. She was making it very obvious that she wanted me, though, pouting, giggling like a cat, and licking her lips. I made a few jibes, a few sexual comments to try and fire the pair of us up because the photos really needed to be sexy. This new clothing line was all about sexual fantasy and desire, and I really needed that to come across clearly. If it didn’t, then the photographs wouldn’t be worth much. They certainly wouldn’t be worth having me in them, especially if we were playing off my reputation. Jazmyn was trying hard, but it was no good. I knew the photos would be no good.
Luckily, the grumpy photographer seemed to have chilled after having a cigarette. He sent off Jazmyn without making her weep, like the last one.
Then Heidi came in, with her bleached blonde hair and gum popping between her obviously collagen-filled lips. For a hook up, a one night stand, this girl was absolutely perfect, but I could already tell that she wouldn’t be right for the line. I needed the natural, bed head, mussed up sexy type of girl… not someone afraid to break a nail.
Still, I had to pose with her, so I got right to it.
“Will you be at my party later?” I hissed into her ear, to which she nodded and giggled like crazy. “I will have to make sure to find you there.” I knew for a fact that those plump lips would at least look good wrapped around my cock. If she couldn’t be my model, I at least wanted something from her. “I’ll be the one with the filthy glint in my eye…”
“Next!” Greg interrupted us quickly, probably sensing what I was saying. He rolled his eyes at me, but all I did was smirk back. “This one is Ellie Wilkes.”
As I spun around to see her entering the room, I felt everything within me shift. The sweet, shy looking red haired girl with a heart shaped face and bright green eyes loo
ked more phenomenal than she probably realized in my clothing. She had the exact right mixture of innocence and sensuality about her, which was what I’d wanted all along for this campaign.
This could be the one, I thought excitedly to myself. If I can just get her to come out of her shell, she might be the girl to front this clothing line. I just need to make it work.
Of course, if the chemistry wasn’t there, it would fall apart before it got started, but from the way she already had me intrigued I had a feeling that wouldn’t be the case. I didn’t normally care too much about women these days. That was an after effect of being ignored by every girl I ever liked until I got really rich, I suppose. Nowadays I only saw them for what I could get out of them. But there was something about this one that had me wanting to know more.
“Kyle Mercer,” I held my hand out for her to shake it, introducing myself far too formally. “It’s nice to meet you, Ellie Wilkes.”
As our skin connected, a fission of excitement burst through me, and a spark unlike anything I’d felt in a very long time. I had a feeling that this was going to be an extremely interesting selection of test shots, and I couldn’t wait to get started.
“H… hi, Mr. Mercer,” she answered tentatively, shyly not meeting my eye. “Erm… where do you need me to be?”
A smirk spread across my lips, but I didn’t speak the instant answer that came to my mind. I had a feeling that brashness wouldn’t work with this one. I didn’t want to put her off. I felt like she could be perfect for this shoot and for the company. I decided to put that first.
Anything else would have to come later on, once this was over.
Chapter 3 – Ellie
“Darling, you’ve been waiting for him all day and he’s just come home, come on, show me some of that,” said the photographer.
