Page 5 of Daddy's Obsession
“I…” I start to give him the standard response but stop myself. Instead I tell him the truth. “When I first started it was exciting.”
“And now?” he pushes.
“I’m tired.”
“Why do you keep doing it if you’re not happy?”
I turn the chair so I’m facing the mirror. I take in my reflection and ask myself the same thing. Why do I keep doing something I have come to hate? I’m an adult and can choose a different career. I certainly don’t need the money, I’ve made more than enough. Bridgette made sure of that. Not that she did it to make sure I was taken care of; it was purely selfish on her part because she gets a cut as my manager. Not to mention the notoriety of having a supermodel for a daughter.
“It’s all I know. I’m good at it.” I shrug. “What else would I do?”
“Whatever you want. You’re beautiful and smart. You can do whatever makes you happy.”
What would I do if I stopped? I think about the camera buried at the bottom of my suitcase filled with pictures of the places I’ve been, and I know what I would do if I weren’t a model. I would be a photographer. I would capture pictures of the world. But can I really do that? Move from in front of the lens to behind it…
A knock at the door pulls me from my thoughts. Gage opens it and takes a familiar square box from the man standing there. The scent of melted cheese and rich tomato sauce fills the room and my stomach lets out an angry growl. Gage opens the box and holds it out to me. Sausage and black olives, my favorite.
“How did you know?” I ask, incredulous. He shifts on his feet, obviously discomfited with my question. Interesting.
“I read an interview.” He rubs the back of his neck and I find his discomfort endearing.
I look at the pizza longingly. “I can’t eat that. It’s not on my diet.”
“Diet? If you were any thinner, you’d blow away in a stiff breeze. Eat.” He pushes the box further under my nose in emphasis.
Licking my lips, I reach for the smallest piece. If my stepmother could see me now she’d have a coronary. I take a bite and moan as the flavors explode on my tongue. Gage’s eyes grow heated at the sound and I blush.
“Good?”
“So, so good.” I take another bite, then another. Before I know it, I’m licking my fingers clean.
“Eat another,” Gage says, his voice rough.
I chew my bottom lip, considering. I’ve already broken the rules, what’s one more piece? What’s that saying? In for a penny, in for a pound? I grab another slice and devour it as well.
“More?”
I rub my full stomach, knowing any more will just make me sick. “No, I’m full. It was delicious. Totally worth the dressing down I’m going to get from my stepmother later.”
Gage gets a stormy expression on his face at the mention of Bridgette. “You can eat whatever you want. And no more skipping meals. I won’t have you making yourself sick.”
A warm feeling spreads in my chest at his declaration. It’s almost as sweet as him claiming me as his. It makes me feel taken care of, something I haven’t felt since my brother joined the army.
4
Gage
After the photoshoot wraps up,Jet pulls out a bag with a famous designer’s name printed on it. He gives me a cautious look as he pulls lingerie out of a second bag. Estella thanks him and asks him to leave so she can dress.
She drops her robe and wiggles out of the one-piece swimsuit that was her last wardrobe change. It’s even more scandalous than the bikinis she’s been wearing all day. It’s nothing more than straps and two triangles that barely cover the tips of her breasts. When she pulled it off the hanger I about lost my damn mind. My cock was instantly hard and aching in my pants. I was ready to drag her out of here and have my wicked way with her.
I watch as she slowly puts the scraps of black lace on. She blushes when she notices me staring. I hate the dress that she pulls on, hiding her delectable body from me. She turns so her back is to me; the dress is open, showing off the elegant sweep of her back.
“Zip me?”
I grip the tiny zipper and slowly pull it up, letting the backs of my fingers trail up her spine just ahead of the zipper. Her skin is so damn soft and inviting. The temptation to pull the zipper right back down and kiss every inch of skin I just covered is enormous, but Estella has a charity gala tonight and even though she’s exhausted, she refuses to miss it. Once she’s zipped, I press a heated kiss to the side of her neck and grip her hip, holding her to me for a brief moment. The tightness in my groin becomes nearly unbearable at the pleased little sound she makes.
For the hundredth time today, a knock at the door interrupts us. Jet peeks his head around the door, then pushes fully inside when he sees Estella is dressed. He makes a clucking noise and begins messing with her already perfect hair. They are quietly discussing whether to leave it down or put it up.