Chapter 49
CHAPTER FORTY-NINE
“Well, he’s hotter in real life.” Nikki flipped her freshly blown-out blonde hair and propped her shoulder against the wall next to Vanessa’s chair, where a makeup artist was applying her eyeliner.
Jordan stood at a distance in full bodyguard mode. He was allowed backstage while she was getting ready but would have to leave when the show started. In the meantime, he was prime eye candy for the models passing through makeup.
“Has he cracked a smile yet?” Vanessa asked, careful not to move her lips too much, lest she disrupt the makeup artist.
The look for the Cassidy Moore show was smoky and dramatic. All the models would be sporting the same sultry, defined look.
“Nope.” She giggled, then dipped her head and whispered so only Vanessa could hear. “I wonder what he looks like when he fucks.”
Vanessa thought back to an hour ago. The crease between his brows, the parting of his lips when he came, the intangible grunts, then his final, heavy sigh after release.
She was still slick between her legs, and was secretly thrilled that she’d feel what they’d done as she walked in front of hundreds of people.
She was saved from answering her friend by the flash of a camera. For one heart-stopping moment, she jolted, and out of the corner of her eye, she saw Jordan catch the movement. He took a step toward her, but she shook her head.
“Don’t move,” the makeup artist said sternly.
“Sorry,” Vanessa mumbled.
Thankfully, Jordan stayed where he was, but her heart raced in her chest.
Backstage at a major fashion show was organized chaos. People were everywhere. Models, stylists, makeup artists, designers, photographers, media. All crammed into one confined space.
Part of her was as used to it as being at a family dinner at her mother’s house. But the part still shaken by her stalker was struggling to adjust.
“Ladies,” the familiar voice bled through the noise. “Look at you two gorgeous bitches.” Landon appeared next to Nikki.
His coppery hair was shaggier than when Vanessa had last seen him, but his eyes still sparkled with good humor behind his thick-framed glasses.
“Landon? I didn’t know you’d be here,” Nikki exclaimed as they air kissed.
“Neither did I. A photographer got sick, and I’m the replacement.” He leaned in and kissed the space beside Vanessa’s cheek. “Good to see you back in the saddle, V. How does it feel?”
With a loud exhale that sounded both annoyed and exasperated, the makeup artist stood back.
“You’re finished,” she announced. “Move there for your bronzer.” She pointed to the chair beside hers, then turned to Nikki.
“You’re next, but for the love of God, can we keep the chatter to a minimum?
The show starts in forty-five, and I still have five models to get through. ”
Landon raised his palms in surrender. “Okay, okay, I’m out.” He lifted the camera around his neck. “One quick shot of these two beauties and you won’t see me again.”
Nikki leaned against Vanessa’s shoulder as the camera flashed, and maybe it was because this was Landon, or maybe it was the excitement starting to take over, but this time she didn’t flinch at all.