Entangled (A Tryst Novel) by Alex Rosa Read Free Book Online Page A

was whisked away into this predicament, but I do note his hard, bare chest on display in all its glory above his own fitted pair of navy jeans. I even admire his handsomely bare feet.
    “Where’s Marielle?” Blake asks, his tone calmer than I’d expect, and I wish he’d yank my arm hard, and take me home, angry at the situation, but instead he seems open to the scenario unfolding before him.
    “Marielle did not show, and look how lucky we ended up being, because you brought your lovely girlfriend.”
    “She isn’t a model, Gio. She’s a premed student.”
    Gio shoots me an inquisitive look before turning back to Blake. “She’s even more perfect than Marielle. She might be what the campaign needs; edgy and out of the norm. And to be honest, I’d like to use her again.”
    Again?   I haven’t even agreed to doing
this
photo shoot. Also, what annoys me more than the situation is the fact that it’s starting to feel like these men are bartering a deal with my body when I’m standing right here.
    Blake chews the inside of his cheek as if thinking it over. “Why?”
    Gio smiles wickedly. “She’s your lover, isn’t she? You of all people should be able to understand her beauty. Not to mention her lovely back, and those dimples above her ass.”
    The nerve!
    The moment Blake tilts his head in such a way as if to say
I can’t deny that
, I interrupt, angry and exasperated. I’m frustrated, and now I want to annoy them both.
    “Excuse me! I don’t know how things work around here, but I will not be talked about like a piece of meat. I make my own decisions, thank you very much.” I’m finding that in Blake’s presence, and even Gio’s, I no longer shy away from showing my body as I jab Gio in the shoulder. “If you want me to work, how much were you going to pay   Marielle?”
    Gio grins, as if he’s already won. “C’mon,
bella
, what does that matter?”
    I smile sweetly, which only eggs on the corners of his lips. “Because I want you to pay me what you were going to give her.”
    Blake tries to butt in, as if to save me from some sort embarrassment, but Gio cuts him off.
    “Done! With only one more requirement.”
    His words silence me, and I’m waiting for the punch line. I worry in this dirty world of LA that it’ll require something belittling, and I can’t fathom what models might have to go through. However, my gut tells me that Gio isn’t like that.
    “Let me photograph you.”
    “I thought that’s what we’ve already agreed on with this photo shoot?” I shrug.
    “No, I mean, I want a private photo shoot. I’d like to get some test shots.”
    My indignant tone is back as I stomp my right foot. “What? No!”
    Blake is still shell-shocked, silently watching me argue with this man.
    Gio grunts in a very ungentlemanly way, which at least gives me a glimpse of what I know is his young age. “Skyler, please. You’re being very difficult. I need you. Is that enough for you?”
    Blake’s mouth opens, showing his discomfort, but he shuts it, and I swear he’s almost smiling.
    “Need me?” I squawk. I’m uncomfortable now, and decide to switch gears. “How much?”
    “How much?” Gio repeats, confused.
    “Yeah?”
    “Ten thousand dollars.”
    I choke on my oncoming words, and both men chuckle a bit. I almost want to protest that it’s too much, but of course I don’t.
 
"What about these other photos? What would they be like?”
    Confidently he responds, “Fully clothed, of course. But this photo shoot first, and then we’ll discuss the details of the other later.”
    “Fine. One other photo shoot and that’s it!” I don’t know what I’m talking or arguing about. This all feels like foreign currency;  
modeling, photo shoots . . . what? Cue head spin.
    As if Blake weren’t standing right there, Gio raises his free hand to my face. His fingers slide down the length of my jaw during my potential tantrum, like he’s catering to a child. “But it won’t change