HAPTER 6
Ellyn entered the building, then looked on the directory for Colton’s office. She rode the elevator to the correct floor. The doors opened and in front of Ellyn was a smiling receptionist.
“Welcome.”
“Hello. I’m Ellyn Johnson. I’m here to see Colton Hamilton.”
The receptionist picked up the phone. “Mr. Hamilton is waiting for you. Let me call him to see if he is coming out to escort you.”
Escort her? What was he? A bodyguard.
The woman spoke into the phone, and then hung up. “Mr. Hamilton will be right out. Can I get you some coffee?”
“No, I’m fine.”
“Water?”
“No, really, I’m fine.”
Colton appeared from a door to the receptionist’s right. He had a smile on his face so Ellyn could not help smiling back. He was a handsome man. His suit had clearly been made for him. The gray in it brought out his fierce blue eyes even more.
“Carla, I’ll be downstairs in the studio. Marcia knows how to get in touch with me but I don’t want to be disturbed.”
“Sure, Mr. Hamilton.”
Colton put a hand on Ellyn’s lower back. “Let’s go one floor down.”
“Okay.”
She had no idea what they were doing, but he led her to what looked like a more professional version of the Sears Portrait Studio. Lights were set up at one end with lots of white umbrellas. Several cameras were on tripods and a man in black seemed to be adjusting them.
“What is this?”
“This is our studio. I wanted to have one of our photographers take your picture.”
Ellyn wasn’t sure what to think of all this. A sprightly redhead bounced up to her. “You must be Ellyn,” she said. “I’m Zoe.”
“Zoe will be outfitting you for the shoot,” Colton said.
She glanced around the studio, which was a hive of activity. She wasn’t going to be alone with Colton. That was good. Nor was she going to be naked, this was legitimate.
“Okay,” she said then followed Zoe into a dressing room.
“I’m used to dealing with models who know that they are just the body for the clothing. They aren’t self-conscious or anything. That said I realize you probably don’t feel that way. If I cross a line or make you uncomfortable, tell me. Mr. Hamilton wants this to be a positive experience for you.”
“Fair enough.”
“Now, sit tight and I’ll be back with your outfits.”
“There’s more than one?”
“Well, just shirts. You are doing close up work and now seeing you and those eyes, I understand what he means. You have such a great face. Beautiful and interesting, without being weird.”
Ellyn nodded, not sure what that meant but guessing it was all a compliment. Her head spun a little. Zoe came back with a rolling rack of clothing. How many pictures were they going to take? She only had a few hours. She’d mention it to Colton.
“We aren’t going to do any makeup yet,” Zoe said. “We want your raw face then we’ll work on accentuating your assets.”
“Okay.”
She wasn’t sure what was expected of her. Zoe handed her the first shirt. “I’ll be outside. Come out when you’re in it.”
Zoe left. Ellyn put on the shirt. It was an amazing blue. She’d buy something like this if she had the money. She glanced in the mirror and she saw that the color brought out her eyes. She left the dressing room. Zoe led her to a stool at one side of the studio. White sheets were draped over everything but the stool.
“Sit,” Zoe commanded.
Ellyn obeyed then Zoe plucked at the blouse a few times, and walked away. A man with a camera approached her.
“This is Jean,” Colton said from behind the other man. “He’s going to take some pictures of you like this. Don’t worry, this isn’t a test other than for how well you photograph, not how well you model.”
Ellyn nodded, her ears buzzing from nerves. She swallowed.
“I’ll tell you what to do, don’t be nervous. I don’t bite,” the photographer said.
Ellyn was not used to this much attention focused on her. Could she get used to it? “Okay.” That was about all she’d said since she arrived. She must sound so intelligent.
“Look at me. Don’t look at the camera. Look at my forehead,” Jean said.
Ellyn tried to look at his face as if she weren’t looking at his face.
“Relax your face.”
She did so, hoping he was getting what he wanted.
The photographer stopped then showed the camera to Colton. “We’re getting some great stuff and this is without makeup or props.”
“She’s got natural talent,” Colton said.
Ellyn didn’t like them talking as if she was not there. Was this normal? Colton smiled at her.
“You’re doing a great job, Ellyn,” Colton said.
She smiled.
“Keep that,” Jean said, then snapped a few photos. Then he showed the screen to Colton. “Where did you find her?”
“At one of Doug’s parties.”
The photographer nodded as if this made perfect sense to him.
“But Ellyn didn’t approach me. She had no idea who I was.”
The photographer just laughed.
***
Colton watched Jean work as Ellyn smiled, didn’t smile or whatever Jean said to do. She was excellent at taking direction. That blue blouse made her even sexier than he could have imagined. Then she had to go change.
“You need a break? I can get some water or coffee,” Colton said. He stood inches from her, his hand on her arm. He liked touching her soft skin.
“Water would be great.”
“You’ll go to makeup next. Not too much,” he said.
“Okay.”
“Go get changed. Zoe will tell you what’s next. I’ll call upstairs for someone to bring water down.”
“Thanks.”
“You okay?” He studied her. She was clearly overwhelmed, her eyes a little glazed.
“I’m okay. It’s not like anything I’ve ever done. Kind of exciting,” she said.
He smiled, then squeezed her arm. “I hope it’s good.”
She nodded. He watched her go back to the dressing room.
“You’re on thin ice,” Jean said.
Colton walked over to the phone. “What do you mean?”
“You’re clearly attracted to her and I think she returns it. What happened to not mixing business with pleasure?”
“It’s that obvious what I feel?”
He dialed the receptionist and told her to send someone down with bottles of water. He hung up.
“The heat off of you two is going to melt the camera. I’d love to take pictures of you guys together.”
Colton shook his head. “I’m a businessman, not a model.”
“It will be in her portfolio, not yours. I won’t capture you straight on. No one will know it’s you.”
“If you think it will help her book jobs, I’ll do it,” Colton said.
“Yes, I think it will. The steam will come off the pictures.”
Colton grimaced, but he was willing to do whatever was necessary to make Ellyn successful.
A half an hour later, Ellyn returned. She had makeup on that made her eyes pop out of her face. Nothing odd. Very subtle, but what it did to her face was amazing.
“Wow. Your eyes stand out even more.” Colton cleared his throat. “Jean would like some picture with me in them. If I’d known he wanted this I would have hired a male model but you’re stuck with me.”
“I might be more comfortable with you.”
“That works.” He turned to Jean. “Suit jacket on or off?”
“Let’s start with it on.” Jean moved the stool. “Both of you stand in the middle. Colton, turn your back to me. Ellyn, you face me, but partially turn to him.”
Colton stood with his back to the camera. Ellyn was in front of him, but off to the side a little.
“Ellyn, your man has just come home from the office and you have one thing on your mind.”
Colton looked down at her but she just laughed. “Okay.”
“I’m not sure about this,” he whispered to her.
“It’ll be okay. I feel safe here with you,” she said.
Her statement warmed him. She felt safe. Not intimidated at all. He could be that way. He wanted her to sign with his agency, but he also wanted her, in his life, in his bed. Maybe even in his heart? The idea scared him and not much frightened him.
He was deep in thought with Ellyn’s hands on his suit jacket when he realized Jean had been snapping pictures. He’d been staring into her eyes. She’d been looking back at him with the tiniest of smiles on her face.
“Hold his jacket as if you’re going to take it off his shoulder.”
Ellyn put her hand under his jacket and skimmed it up his chest to his shoulder, shifting it off of him slightly. Her hand ignited fires up his body and it took all of his self-control not to kiss her. His throat went dry. Her hand rested on him, his jacket about to come off. Her gaze never left his. God, she was sexy like this.
“Let’s lose the jacket,” Jean said.
Colton took off his jacket, folded it neatly and placing it on a nearby table. He went back to the position he’d been in. Ellyn put her hands on his tie, loosening it.
Jean snapped pictures. “That’s great.”
She eased the tie all the way open, then she began to unbutton the top button of his shirt. How he wanted her to be doing that to him in real life. His dick came alive but she wasn’t pressed up against him or she might notice. His mouth felt like the Sahara Desert. Her gaze glanced over his shoulder at the camera.
“Lean into her, Colton.”
He moved his face as if he was going to kiss her. Her lips opened slightly. Damn. If there wasn’t anyone in the room, he’d kiss her. He’d kiss her as he’d never kissed another woman.
“This is priceless,” Jean said. Then he stopped taking pictures. “I think I have some good stuff here for her portfolio.”
Ellyn didn’t step away. Colton didn’t want her to move her hands. Well, maybe a little.
“I’m done, guys,” Jean said.
*
Ellyn vaguely heard the photographer say he was done. Her gaze remained on Colton with his half undone tie and fierce gaze. The man could not look sexier than he did at the moment. Not one to fall for anyone easily, her reaction to him was odd; her body’s reaction to him even stranger. It hummed with the anticipation of him kissing her. She wanted him to kiss her. His gaze darkened with passion.
Was this all a ruse to get her in bed? She had no reason not to trust him. He hadn’t touched her inappropriately. In fact, he wasn’t touching her. Her hands still rested on him, as if glued there. She didn’t want to take them off. Instead, she wanted to run her hands under that buttoned shirt to feel what were clearly the hard planes of his muscles. He was a large man but he didn’t intimidate her.
Instead, he made her feel safe. Whatever the situation, he could handle it. What would it feel like to be made so secure by someone like him? She’d never thought about physical or emotional security. She’d only thought about financial security. Colton was the whole package. She bit her lip.
In her peripheral vision, she saw the photographer leave. Was Zoe still around? She hadn’t even worn half of the outfits on that rack and they were done? Ellyn swallowed as Colton brought his face close to hers, his eyes falling close. He was going to kiss her. She closed her eyes and he brushed her lips with his.
She wanted more, so she fisted his shirt into her hands and brought him closer. Other than his lips, he still wasn’t touching her. Her hands remained at his sides. He let her be in charge. Ellyn never had a man do that. She was used to those that mauled her at the first chance. Colton’s behavior made him even hotter. Now she wanted him to put his hands on her.
She deepened the kiss. His tongue peeked out of his mouth. She opened her lips to receive him, her blood pounding in her head. His tongue explored her lips, but went no further. In need of a breath, she pulled away from him slightly. She opened her eyes to look at him. His tie was askew from her hands, but every hair was in place and she resisted the urge to mess it up. Would it be messed up after sex? Whoa. That was a leap. They were just kissing.
“Wow,” he said. His voice came out raspy. He was just as affected by the kiss as she was. Good. He didn’t step away, but he now put a hand on her arm. “That was really nice, Ellyn.”
“That was nice.”
It had been a long time since she’d kissed a man. Never in her life had she been kissed that expertly. His lips could be registered as a weapon because they almost killed her.
And then, her phone rang. It was in her purse on the other side of the studio. She didn’t want to break the contact, but it might be about Derek. “I have to get that.”
“You’re holding onto me,” he said with a twinkle in his eyes.
She let go and hurried to her phone. Shalia. Damn.
“Hello?”
“Ellyn. It’s Derek. He’s running a really high fever. He’s just sitting on the couch. I’ve given him something, but it doesn’t seem to be working. He also says his ears hurt.”
“Okay. It’ll take me an hour or so to get home.”
“Okay. I’ll keep him as comfortable as possible.”
Colton crossed the room while redoing his tie. He stood in front of her, concern etched into his brow.
“If you can get him into a bath, do it. That might take the edge off of the fever.”
“Fever?” Colton said.
She could no longer hide her son. Hopefully, it would not affect his contract. She was willing to sign with his company. It would bring a better life for her and Derek. It had to. Ellyn disconnected and wouldn’t make eye contact with Colton. She had lied to him.
“Who has a fever?”
She took a deep breath and let hit out noisily. “My son.”
“You have a son. That must be tough to juggle with school.”
That’s his reaction? It must be tough to juggle with school? “I’m not in school. I lied to you.”
He took a step back. She’d screwed this up already. “What do you do then?”
“I’m a waitress.”
His face screwed up. “Why did you lie?”
“Because, oh, I don’t even know now,” Ellyn said. She brushed past him. “Let me get this blouse off so I can get home.”
He grabbed her arm and she braced for his anger. “Keep the blouse. It looks so good on you. Get your things and we’ll get my driver to take you home. You’ll get there faster.”
She looked up at him. Was he for real? “You aren’t mad?”
“No, Ellyn. I’m not.” He shrugged. “It doesn’t change anything.”
She sighed. Okay, maybe she could handle this. She grabbed her purse and her coat. He helped her with it, then he pulled out his phone.
***
Colton remained surprised by the turn of events but he wasn’t mad at her. She had a good reason for telling him a story. He’d find that out later.
“I need my driver.”
“He’ll be around in ten minutes, Mr. Hamilton,” the receptionist said.
“Thanks.”
Colton led her to the elevator. She was clearly flustered, her movements jerky.
“How will I ever repay you, Colton?” Ellyn said.
“There’s no need. Let’s just get you home to your sick son.”
“You’re coming with me?”
“Of course.”
She looked around the elevator as if expecting something to jump out at her. “Uh, well, I’d rather just go myself. Your driver knows the way.”
“Let me help, Ellyn. I don’t mind. I want to do this.”
“What can you do? He probably needs to go to the hospital,” she said. Worry carved lines in her face. He wanted to smooth out those lines. He wanted to make it all better for her, make it all go away. He could do that by being with her or by hiring her. Could he do both? He didn’t know.
The elevator door opened onto the lobby. Ellyn rushed out with Colton behind her.
“It’s chilly out. Wait inside, Ellyn,” he said.
She nodded. “I’m just worried.”
“Can’t Shalia take him to the hospital?”
“She can’t drive and I can’t ask her to take my sick kid on the bus.”
He put his hands on her arms then rubbed. “It’ll be okay.”
“I hope so, but you don’t really know.”
“No, I don’t really know, but I can do my best to make it happen,” he said.
She looked up at him. “I can wait by myself if you have work to do.”
He shook his head. “I’m going with you.”
“I’d rather you didn’t.”
“Why?”
She bit her lip. “Uh, I’d just rather you didn’t.”
“Once you sign the contract, I’m going to know your address, Ellyn. You’re signing the contract right?”
“Yes, I am, Colton. I’m going to sign the contract,” she said.
He wanted to jump for joy. “Good, that can wait until we get your son fixed up.”
“There is no ‘we’ Colton. This is all on me.”
“Where is his father?”
She smiled sardonically. “That’s a whole other story.”
“Okay, enough revelations for today. The driver will be here any minute.”
Ellyn paced and he wished he could take her into his arms. He wanted to protect her from things like this. He wanted her to know she wasn’t alone. Being a benevolent employer, he did his best to help his employees when they were in trouble. She wasn’t his yet, but that didn’t matter. He had a heart and a wallet to back it up.
His phone rang. Marcia. “Hello.”
“Boss, did you sign those papers?”
“I did that yesterday and didn’t give them back to you. They are on my desk.”
“You coming back to the office?”
“I don’t think so. Feel free to leave early if you want,” he said.
“I’ve got a half hour of work then I’ll leave,” she said.
He disconnected. Ellyn was still pacing. Finally, the driver arrived. Colton ushered Ellyn into the back of the vehicle.
“Let’s take Miss Johnson home, Paul.”
His driver looked from Ellyn back to Colton. “Is that okay, Miss?”
So his driver was more concerned about Ellyn? How chivalrous of him.
“It’s fine, Paul,” she said then stared out the window.
She clearly didn’t want him to come. She fidgeted and looked out the window during the whole trip. The traffic in midtown was especially hairy. At one point Paul said, “I’m trying me best to get us out of here, but I think there are some roads closed.”
“I appreciate all of your efforts, Paul,” Ellyn said.
She drummed her fingers on her leg. Colton took a hold of that hand with his. “We’ll get there.”
She nodded then continued looking out the window.
“I mean it, Ellyn. We’ll sort it out. I’m here to help,” Colton said.
She smiled, but she didn’t look as if she believed him. He wished she could see into his heart. She’d understand that she was part of his company now and that was akin to being part of his family. He wouldn’t let her down.
“I’m guessing others have let you down,” he said. “I’m not going to.”
“It’s okay, Colton. I’m used to it.”
His heart broke as his anger rose. Not anger at her but anger at those men who had let her down in the past. He had so much work to make up for them. He was more than willing to restore her faith in men and humanity in general, whatever it took. Finally, they were heading out of Manhattan. Then, he knew why she hadn’t wanted him to know where she lived. They were heading for the Bronx. If he could tell, not the nicest part either. All of her misgivings about him fell into place. He’d bet she was a single mother raised by a single mother.
Well, at least she as going to sign his contract and get herself out of this hole.
“You sure you want to see this?” she said.
“I don’t care where you live, Ellyn. I only care about your future,” he said. “And I can offer you a much better one than your past.”
*
Ellyn cringed as Paul pulled up to her apartment building. She saw it through Colton’s eyes and it looked even more dilapidated. This was why she hid it from him.
“Just drop me by the front door, Paul,” Ellyn said.
The sooner this car was out of the neighborhood, the safer Colton would be.
“Circle the block or something, Paul. I’m getting out with Miss Johnson. We may need you.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m here to help,” he said. “Please don’t be too proud to accept it.”
She was too proud. And independent. He was just helping her. He wasn’t doing anything wrong. Derek would benefit, she had to remember that. She sighed, “Okay.”
Colton followed her out and up the rickety steps to her third floor apartment. To his credit, he wasn’t out of breath when they reached her place. Ellyn opened the door to find Derek curled in a ball on the couch. Shalia looked wide-eyed at her.
“He hasn’t moved and he refused to take a bath,” she said.
She gasped when she saw Colton.
“I’ll take it from here, Shalia. Thanks for calling me,” Ellyn said.
Shalia grabbed her purse then left. Ellyn sat down next to her son. She stroked his head. He was on fire.
“Come on, Derek. We need to get you into the tub.”
“No,” he said, his voice weaker than she ever heard it.
“Let’s get him to the doctor’s,” Colton said.
“I don’t have a doctor. We use the emergency room,” Ellyn said.
He had no idea. He couldn’t. He had money and health insurance.
“Then we’ll take him to the hospital,” Colton said. “Get his coat.”
He squatted down in front of Derek.
“Derek, this is Mr. Hamilton,” Ellyn said. She wasn’t sure what to call him.
“I’m going to be your mother’s boss in a way. Right now, I need you to get your coat on and let me carry you outside. Would that be okay?” Colton said.
He didn’t touch her son, he just looked at him. Derek glanced at her then back to Colton. He then nodded. Ellyn helped him with his jacket. Colton then lifted the boy as if he were precious cargo and carried him out of the apartment.
“I’m sure he can walk,” Ellyn said.
“He’s very warm, so I doubt it,” Colton said. “He’s pretty light. Don’t worry about it.”
But she did worry about it. She worried that Derek might latch onto this male who could be a father figure. He so desperately needed one. How long would Colton be in her life? Until she wasn’t useful to his company? She would still sign the contract, but she knew she’d have to put away a lot of money for that eventual day when she couldn’t model anymore. Because of Derek, she had to think like that. She had to plan for the worst-case scenario. That was a big part of being a parent. You had to be prepared.
Derek had his head on Colton’s shoulder as they walked down the steps. His eyes were closed and Ellyn hadn’t seen him this lethargic, ever. He was really sick. She had no idea how she was going to pay for this visit but she’d figure it out eventually. The hospital would take payments. She’d just paid off their last visit.
Colton stopped on the last step. “It’s okay, Ellyn. Don’t worry.”
She smiled at him, but there was no mirth behind it. Colton stepped out onto the sidewalk and his driver was at the end of the block. He stopped the car and hopped out to open the door for his boss. Colton slid into the car, settling Derek next to him. Ellyn climbed in with her son between them.
“Thank you,” she said.
He reached across and squeezed her hand. “I haven’t done anything yet.”
Derek was snuggled up against Colton. Ellyn kept her hand on his side as Paul took them to the hospital. He then dropped them off at the emergency department. Colton carried Derek in and his help warmed Ellyn’s heart. She couldn’t carry her son anymore. She didn’t know how she would have gotten him here without Colton’s help.
“You have your insurance card?” the receptionist asked.
Of course, that was the first thing they worried about. Were they getting paid?
“No, I don’t have insurance.”
The receptionist frowned as if she’d just eaten a pickle. “Have a seat. Someone will see you in a few minutes.”
Colton put Derek down on a chair. “I’ll be right back.”
Ellyn watched as he strode to the desk. He pulled out his wallet. She couldn’t leave Derek there but she didn’t want Colton to pay for this. Damn. He handed the woman his credit card. She handed it back to him a few minutes later. A part of Ellyn was humiliated by the transaction. She couldn’t even pay for her son’s medical care. How awful a mother was she? Colton came back, but didn’t comment on what he did.
“You didn’t have to do that,” she said.
“Do what?”
“Give her your credit card.”
“Yes, I did. You can pay me back when you’re working.” He waved a hand. “It’s nothing.”
***
Colton had hoped she hadn’t seen what he did. He knew that Derek would go to the bottom of the list because he didn’t have insurance. He’d be seen, but it could be hours. It was only money, but he figured he could feel that way because he had it, a lot of it. Ellyn would eventually, when her career took off.
“You’re still going to sign me?”
He turned to her. “Of course. Nothing’s changed, Ellyn.” He brushed a hair from her face. “I still want you. Professionally and personally.”
She blinked but her gaze didn’t leave his. “Really? I lied to you.”
“You were embarrassed.”
She sat back in the chair, her arms crossed. “Well, if I’m coming clean, here goes. Shalia and I snuck into Doug’s party.”
Colton laughed. It came out deep and full. “Really? How?”
“We stole glasses from the kitchen then filled them with ginger ale to mimic champagne. We told the guy at the door that we’d stepped out for a cigarette and got lost. Our dates had our invites.”
“I’ll have to warn Doug about that.”
Her eyes widened. “You will?”
“I won’t let on how I know.”
She put a hand on her mouth. “I won’t be able to look him in the eye.”
“Where’d you get the dress?”
Ellyn looked away with a frown. Guess she wasn’t ready to reveal everything. “I stole it from someone who stole it,” she said.
He laughed again. “Maybe that’s not funny to you but it is to me.” He put a hand on her chin and brought her face around to look at him. “You don’t have to do that anymore. You’re going to be big and make lots of money.” He shrugged. “Besides, I’ll buy you your next dress.”
“I can’t ask that of you.”
“I can’t get a present for my girlfriend.” He’d said it out loud. He was making a stand.
“Girlfriend? I thought you didn’t mix business with pleasure?” she said.
She was right. He didn’t usually. “I know, but I’m making an exception. If you’ll have me, Ellyn.”
“Uh. You’re sure?”
“Yes, I’m sure. You make it sound like an odd idea,” Colton said.
“We come from different backgrounds. We have so little in common.”
“Movies. We both love movies. And television,” he said.
He hadn’t thought he would need to convince her so much. Most women just fell into his arms. He was making the right choice, he didn’t want a sycophant, he wanted a partner. Ellyn would be that. They’d be a power couple when she hit it big.
“Doesn’t that seem flimsy?”
He closed his eyes for a moment. She was not going to make this easy was she? “Ellyn, I really like you. I really want to be with you. Just please believe me.”
She blinked. “Uh, okay.”
“Okay? Don’t sound so excited.”
“It’s all coming out of the blue.”
“Were you not in the same photo shoot that I was? Didn’t we share a kiss that melted everything around us?”
She pressed her lips together. He’d bet she was remembering that kiss. There was something here and he was not going to let her go. He wanted to know what could happen. They could be good for each other. Ellyn remained quiet. Had he imagined their attraction?
“What do you say, Ellyn, you going to give me a chance? I want to prove to you that all men are not dogs.”
She shook her head. Was she actually going to turn him down? Was Colton Hamilton III not going to get the girl? What universe were they living in? This just didn’t happen.
“You leaving me hanging, Ellyn. Please answer me. Can we give this a go?”
She took a deep breath and brought herself straighter in her chair. “You’re a great guy, Colton.”
That didn’t start out well at all. He wanted to cross his fingers but that seemed childish at the moment. “But?” His heart beat in his chest as he waited for the rest. What reservations could she have? What misgivings did he have to convince her weren’t real? This was going to kill him. He’d wanted her the moment he’d seen her. Was she going to dash his hopes?
Derek stirred but didn’t wake up. He put a hand on the boy’s shoulder to comfort him. He knew this boy was part of the package but he remained undaunted by that fact. Colton held his breath, willing her to give him the answer he wanted.
Finally, she turned to him. Her face had a stricken look on it as her lips formed a frown.
“Colton, I’m thinking that I don’t want to mix business with pleasure. So no, I can’t be your girlfriend.”