London Bound: New Adult Romance (Chase Brothers) by Nana Malone Read Free Book Online Page A

what you’re thinking of for your first assignment.”
    Abbie detailed her plan to photograph the architecture of London and how she hoped to get that gritty urban feel that somehow still managed to convey joy. He listened intently before speaking.
    “It’s a decent plan. But honestly, I want to push you outside of your comfort zone. I don’t want you to take pretty pictures of landscapes. Your portfolio was a little light on portraits. Maybe you can try some this week.”
    Abbie forced her breathing to even out. Portraits. Absolutely her weakest kind of photos. “I uh—”
    “Hold that thought.” He stood and strode to the bookshelf. Xander pulled out a dusty hardcover and handed it to her. Then he got on his hands and knees and searched the lower shelves before finding what he was looking for. “And this.”
    His fingertips brushed hers, and she jumped. He immediately withdrew his hand and sat on the edge of his desk, giving her plenty of room. Great. Now he thought she was nuts.
    “I don’t understand.”
    Xander studied her carefully. “You’re here to learn, right? And to push your boundaries?”
    Abbie nodded.
    “Then try something new. Have a look through those two books. Jonathan Frazier is one of my favorite photographers. The first one is a book of his landscapes. The other is of his portraits. Next meeting, tell me which ones moved you the most.” He glanced at the clock. “It looks like our time is up for today.”
    Wow, an hour had gone by that quickly? “Sure. I can do that.” She thanked him and picked up her bag to leave.
    He stopped her in the doorway. “Abbie.” His voice was low as he leaned forward. “You can’t photograph honestly when you’re shuttered from the world. You’ll have to open yourself and show your vulnerability to hit your true potential.”
    Abbie tipped her chin up. “I can do that.” At least she could try. Landscapes had always been easy for her, but if he wanted to push her, then fine. She’d get some portraits done. Even as she waved goodbye, her brain was already formulating a plan for the kinds of portraits she might be able to do.
    Checking her watch again, she hurried out of the media building to meet Ilani for lunch. She’d already hit up most of the campus spots for a potential job before her meeting with Xander. Hopefully, something would come up in the next couple of days.
    Her friend arrived mere seconds after she did. “So how did your meeting go with Mr. I’d-consider-a threesome-for-you Chase?”
    Abbie barked out a laugh as she and Ilani grabbed a seat at the campus café. “Seriously, Ilani?”
    The blonde shrugged. “I’m not into girls, but if that man asked me, I’d say hell yes, whatever you want. Come on, he’s certainly worth the shag.”
    “You’re ridiculous. Have you had your meeting with him yet?”
    Ilani shook her head. “Mine’s this afternoon.”
    Abbie eyed her friend. Ilani had gone for a short corduroy skirt and low-cut fitted sweater. “I see you dressed to impress.”
    Ilani beamed. “Well, you have to put your best assets on display and see what happens. I mean, he might have said he’s not interested, but I know for a fact he’s slept with a student before.”
    Intrigued, Abbie leaned forward. “Really? Who?”
    Ilani glanced around surreptitiously. “She was a year ahead of me and in his undergraduate class. Rumor is, she made him an offer he couldn’t refuse.”
    “So what happened with her?”
    Ilani shrugged. “Well Xander is notorious. Maybe she couldn’t keep up.”
    “Uh huh.”
    “Okay, fine, she caught him with some model on a shoot and went ballistic on him.”
    “Explain ballistic.”
    “Well, rumor is that their little tryst was all about woman on top. She allegedly grabbed the model by the hair and yanked her clean off Xander, then well, threatened him with bodily harm if you know what I mean.” Ilani waggled her eyebrows. “She went completely mental. Screaming and shouting that she