Chapter 24 #2
Our flight back to Richland was at four o’clock so once I got back to the hotel, I needed to freshen up, change, and pack.
I planned to meet the rest of the models downstairs in the lobby at one o’clock so we could make it to the airport by two.
Even though it was only twelve thirty, they were eating at the small café, sending me messages, rushing me.
The last message I got from them told me that if I didn’t come down in the next thirty minutes, they were going to come and get me.
That was fifteen minutes ago.
I was pulling my suitcase and weekender bag to the door when I stopped to check myself out in the mirror.
I nodded at my look. The red Bowen jumpsuit with the belted waist fit me well.
Instead of black heels, I opted for the black-and-white sneakers Russ had designed and given to me six weeks ago.
Paired with a lightweight black jacket and my white-gold jewelry, I looked cute and comfortable.
Not wanting to waste professional hair and makeup, I opened the curtains to let as much natural light in as possible.
Using my portable tripod, I took some great shots of me to post on social media.
I was taking my last few shots when there was a knock at the door. All I could do was laugh because they meant they were coming to get me.
Swinging the door open, I said, “I’m coming—Russ!” My eyes widened and I looked back and forth down the hall and then pulled him inside. “What are you doing here?”
“I couldn’t let you leave without a proper goodbye,” he said as the door closed behind him. “And I couldn’t wait until tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow—?” I started to question what he meant but his mouth covered mine, sucking the words, thoughts, and breath from me.
Backing me into the wall, he gripped my hips and trapped me with his body.
Not that there was anywhere else I wanted to be.
“Seeing you and not being able to touch you is always hard. But sleeping two floors down from you has been killing me,” he whispered between kisses. “If things weren’t so busy, I don’t know if I would’ve been able to be keep my distance.”
Breaking out of the kiss, I stared up into his eyes. “It’s hard being professional around you off the clock,” I admitted. “During the day, I was fine. You were Mr. Russell Long, CEO. But as soon as I got in bed, I wanted Russ… my man.”
A soft groan emanated from him. “Call me your man again.”
I smiled against his lips. “My man.”
We devoured each other, kissing with the passion we’d repressed all weekend. My hands grabbed at his shirt, pulling him closer, wanting to feel more of him. We moaned into each other’s mouths.
When he pulled out of the kiss, his hands ran from my hips, up my sides, over my breasts, and around my neck. He searched my eyes before he spoke.
“My lawyer sent the paperwork to my email this morning,” he told me, his thumbs stroking my jaw. “I’m not trying to keep how I feel about you a secret anymore.”
My heart thumped in my chest. “And how do you feel about me?” I asked breathily.
“I love you,” he said just before his mouth covered mine again.
It was the first time he’d verbalized it and his words sent shockwaves directly to my core.
His soft lips and electric touch created a sensation that coursed through my entire body.
As our kiss intensified, I felt the genuine emotion behind his words.
Shivers ran up and down my spine when his tongue teasingly met mine, repeating the sentiments.
“I love you, too,” I confessed, putting words to the feelings that had been simmering beneath the surface.
My confession was so soft that I didn’t know if he had heard it. I wasn’t even sure I’d said it aloud or just thought it over and over again.
But when he pulled out of the kiss and stared into my eyes, I knew he’d heard me.
I knew he’d felt it.
I knew he was it.
Still holding his gaze, I tilted my head up to connect our lips again. As soon as they met, my eyes closed inadvertently, and I let out a soft whimper.
My pussy throbbed as his erection pushed against my soft belly. I wanted him in such a carnal way. Everything I felt for him and every emotion he conjured from me created an intense desire that twisted my gut so forcefully that I moaned into his mouth.
Lost in the moment, I was completely consumed by him. Reaching for his zipper, I gripped the solid girth of his dick. Running my hand over the length of it as it remained trapped under cotton.
But the firm knock against the door startled us apart.
“Nina!” Gabby called from the other side of the door.
“You need help in there?” Jonah asked.
Another round of knocks rained down on the door.
“Ninaaaaa!” Gabby called in a singsong tone.
Wide-eyed and frantic, Russ backed away from me and grabbed his dick. There was no mistaking that dick print in those pants. I pressed my nipples, hoping to flatten them out some.
“I’m finishing up a call. I’ll be right down,” I answered finally.
My heart was racing. My stomach churned with nerves, but I couldn’t deny the thrill of it excited me.
“Are you sure? Open the door so we can have proof of life,” Jonah joked.
“Are you talking to your boyfriend?” Gabby asked.
Russ and I looked at each other. The look on his face was sweet but I’m sure I looked horrified. The whole situation was so comical that I almost laughed out loud.
“I am. Give me five minutes and I’ll meet you downstairs,” I repeated.
Russ pulled out his phone from his pocket. His thumb moved quickly over the screen.
“Oh shit. Lori said Boss Man wants to meet us downstairs in the lobby,” Jonah announced. “This is your last chance for baggage help.”
“See you down there,” I called out.
“You’ve been raving about your boyfriend all weekend. Don’t let boo-lovin’ on the phone get you fired,” Gabby yelped.
My cheeks flushed instantly. “Five minutes!” I yelled.
He cocked his head to the side. “You be talking about me?” he asked in a quiet, teasing tone. “Because according to them”—he jutted his thumb toward the closed door before reaching for me—“you talk a lot about this boyfriend of yours.”
Giggling, I playfully slapped at his arm. “You play too much. We almost got caught!”
“Yeah.” He shook his head, taking a step back. “That’s why Wednesday can’t come fast enough.”
Glancing at his dick print, I licked my lips. “Speaking of can’t come fast enough… I don’t want to get caught, but something about the thrill of it made me want you more…” I admitted, ignoring the throbbing between my thighs. “So you should back up some more.”
He snickered. “Yeah, because I gotta calm down before I go down there.”
“It’s a good thing they can’t see that my panties are soaking wet,” I said with a wink.
Crossing the room, I grabbed my phone and tripod and packed them in my weekender bag. I spun around, looking to see if I left anything. When satisfied that I had all my stuff, I looked up at him.
“What?” I walked his way, stopping right in front of him.
He cupped my cheek, bringing his face to mine. “I’m a lucky man.”
“I agree.”
He chuckled before kissing me. “Let’s go.”
“Wait! We can’t go down together!”
“My elevator would’ve had to stop on your floor if we left at the same time.” He untucked his shirt to mask his bulge and then grabbed my suitcase handle. “And I’m not letting you carry all this by yourself unnecessarily.”
I was going to argue, but that luggage was heavy, so I relented.
We better not get caught.
I stuck my head out the door first to make sure no one was around and then the two of us hustled down the hall.
“I feel like we look obvious,” I told him as the elevator opened to the first floor.
The models were standing to the side, waiting. I immediately went to stand with them, so it didn’t look like we were together.
After an enthusiastic greeting, Russ looked around the group and smiled.
“This was a very successful weekend and a lot of that is thanks to you. I appreciate the hard work and dedication. You represent RLF well. All of you in your own way, you bring something special to the team and I appreciate that. I just wanted to personally say thank you.”
“Can I ask you a question?” Jacqueline wondered, causing the rest of us to groan.
My eyebrows shot up. You never know what the fuck she’s about to say.
“I was asking a bunch of different designers this question and I realized I didn’t know your answer,” Jacqueline started. “What inspires your creativity right now? First thing that comes to mind.”
“My fantasy,” he answered automatically with a quick glance to me.
My heart thumped in my chest.
Clearing his throat, he pulled his phone out of his pocket.
“And what exactly do you mean by fantasy?” she pried.
“I’ll tell you what I told the press. Your fantasy is where you escape to be your happiest, freest, truest self. It’s where you find your greatest purpose and your deepest love.” He smirked. “At least, that’s proven true for me. Have a safe flight. I’ll see you Wednesday.”
We all said goodbye and before he left, Taisha called out to him.
“I like your shoes!”
As soon as she said it, I realized what shoes he had on. A pit in my stomach developed.
“Thank you. I like yours, too,” he returned.
She grinned, sticking out her attention-grabbing blue sneakers that she’d paired with her white romper. “Thanks!”
“Those are cute,” Gabby told her as we went outside to wait for the rideshare van to pick us up.
As we climbed into the van, Taisha and I went last.
As we waited our turn, she turned to me. “I like your whole outfit. You’re a vibe.” Looking me up and down, her eyes lingered on my shoes and then she met my gaze. “Your airport outfits have been eating.”
“Thank you.”
“Is your man picking you up from the airport this time?” she wondered.
“My best friend is picking me up,” I replied as we climbed in the van.
She gave me a sly smile. “Okay, girl.”
The pit in my stomach grew.
She fucking knows.