Dark Frame by Iris Blaire Read Free Book Online Page A

Delilah whispers to me. “I don’t know why, but I feel like I’m in trouble.”
    “ I know what you mean,” I answer.
    “ When you said we were going national, I didn’t think they’d be taking over like this.”
    I didn’t either, did I? Maybe I didn’t care to even think about it. The money was so good that I subconsciously knew if they took over, it wouldn’t matter. Now, looking at my models and how petrified they all seem, not thinking about it was a mistake.
    How can I fix this?
    I lower my head and close my eyes, thinking quickly. Pulling a small notebook from my pocket and the pen from behind my ear, I write each sample model’s name on a separate sheet of paper. Then, starting with Delilah, I give them each a theme, and write, no matter what the photographer tells you, stick to this . I hand Delilah the stack and mutter, “Pass them down.”
    She finds hers and passes the stack. She reads the paper, arches her eyebrow, and looks at me. “For real?” she says. “What’s the point?”
    “ I know what’s good for EPE,” I whisper, nodding to the associate ushering the first female model into the room. “They don’t.”
    “ I got you,” says Adam. He must have overheard me. I should probably whisper softer considering A.J’s cronies are sitting right in front of me.
    “ Miss McCulley, would you be so kind as to select a sample model for this young lady?”
    Wow, first time I’ve been asked to do anything. It’s actually a bit shocking.
    The girl is very slight in frame with no ass or boobs. She almost looks like she’s twelve. Knowing Amora Acquisitions, they’ll probably want to hire her. My mind is twisting perversely. Adam is our tallest, broadest guy. I’m thinking the juxtaposition will make for a great photo. Plus, I gave him hunter with his prey for the theme.
    “ All right, big guy. Go get ‘em.”
    “ Sweet.” Adam jumps to his feet and Delilah rolls her eyes, brushing red curls off her shoulders.
    The girl is beautiful and doe-eyed and looks absolutely petrified. She fits Adam’s theme perfectly, which is kind of disgusting. She might even be shivering. When she sees Adam, she looks like she’s about to cry, which is funny considering how gorgeous Adam is.
    The photographer, a tall, skinny, white, and incredibly city-chic-cliché looking guy, cocks his head to the side and says in a tenor voice, “Okay, I want you two to pose like both of you are made of the most delectable dessert and you want to eat each other up.”
    I—without even attempting to hide my actions—slap my hand to my forehead.
    Miguel, my model on the end, busts up laughing, and the Amora assistant in front of him shoots him a dirty look. Ella in the middle mutters, “Why don’t they just pose normally—like they want to fuck each other,” and that leaves all of my models in hysterics. I can’t help but crack a smile.
    Dwain turns in his seat and barks, “Get them under control.” I shrug in response. This is way too much fun.
    Adam catches my eye and winks at me. The girl crawls onto the bed and he follows her. As the photographer is finding his position, Adam slinks his arms around her waist and whispers something into her ear.
    Whatever he says, it works. When the photographer begins, she crawls away and he grasps her foot, pulling her back to him. Her body glides against the satin sheets and he pins her hips to the mattress.
    “ Less aggressive, boy,” Dwain says.
    Boy? He didn’t even take the time to learn my models’ names?
    Adam doesn’t act like Dwain’s command fazes him at all. The way he arches his back makes him look like a cat, his hands stiff and clawed around the model’s hips. She twists her body around and it’s a beautiful shot that the photographer isn’t taking advantage of.
    “ Fucking idiot,” I whisper, and Delilah nudges me in the arm.
    The Amora Acquisitions team write furiously on their iPads. None of them look very enthused. Adam wraps his arms around the