Take My Dress Off by S. Gilmour Read Free Book Online Page B

for photo shoots or fittings. I became very aware of his knee pressing firmly against mine.
    “It’s really hot in here,” I whispered and aimed the vent toward my face.
    “It’s probably the champagne,” she smiled. “Or the dead guy lying on you.” She tucked her legs underneath her and nosed back into her magazine which in turn pushed Chaz closer to me. He exhaled and stretched his arm around the back seat. I brazenly leaned into his shoulder and rested my head in the curve of his neck. Delicious warmth spread all through my body and I got lost in his clean scent…
    “Wake up, lovebirds.”
    Donny roused me out of my peaceful slumber. I opened my eyes and squinted. We were in the city at a traffic light. “We’re almost there,” he said peering out of the window. Danielle had moved and was leaning cozily against him reading Flowers in the Attic for the millionth time, Donny’s arm dangling lazily from her shoulder. I tried to adjust my eyes to the light and focused on the leather bracelets that hung loosely from his wrists. They looked so comfortable together. I longed to have that with Dillon but it wasn’t meant to be. Would Chaz and I be this close one day?
    Chaz stirred, pulled back his arm from where it had been perfectly wrapped around me, and grimaced. “How long have I been out?” he asked as he rubbed his shoulder.
    “Like the whole trip,” said Danielle without raising her eyes from her book.
    I reluctantly pried myself from his side and sat up.
    “You okay?” he yawned, stretching his arms overhead. “Did I crush you?”
    I knew I was blushing and straightened, sitting taller in the seat. Donny curiously watching my every move like a Cheshire cat didn’t help either.
    “No, I’m fine,” I smiled. “That ride always gets to me, it’s so boring.” The limo turned into the Anaheim Convention Center and continued down a ramp to a tunnel where we were deposited at the rear entrance.
    “This is how the rock stars arrive, folks. V.I.P.” Donny slipped on his shades even though we weren’t outside. We exited the limo and the driver told us our bags were being taken to the hotel. Except for Chaz, we had all done this show last year so we knew the drill. We also knew the trouble we could get into. Those hair stylists knew how to party and let us have whatever we wanted. Last year Danielle and I were so hung over I almost puked on the stage. I had watched in horror as her long, dark curls fell around her (as she turned several shades of green) and Maddie grounded me for half the summer! We had to keep it low key this time or this would definitely be our last hair show and the money was really good.
    Donny led the way as we trekked down the hall to where Theresa was waiting for us. Theresa Ross was small in stature but she commanded a room with a single glance. She gave the appearance of being much taller than her five-foot-four inches due to her perfectly coiffed up-do. Her lips and nails were always coated in red and her friendly smile never matched the guarded look in her eyes. As usual she was dressed to kill. Her mahogany hair was twisted into a classic chignon and she wore a tight red and black snakeskin looking dress with sky high red heels.
    “Thanks for the limo, T.” Donny leaned down and hugged her tiny frame.
    “You think I sent that for you guys?” she laughed. “You can thank Nexus , they wanted to make sure you got here in one piece.” She scanned us over. “From the looks of you guys, I don’t know if it helped.”
    “Chaz you’re new so listen up and ask the others later if you have any questions.” She clasped her hands, her many diamond rings clinking together. “You guys know the drill,” she began. “You’ll meet up with the stylist that selected you from your headshot. They will show you pictures of the style they want to create and you will negotiate on what you’re willing to do. Remember, you have final say and if there’s any problem, you come find