Chanel

I wasn’t really one to brag, but I think I rocked that photo shoot. Kobe was like my lucky charm. Every time he gave me a taste or touch beforehand, I seemed to do really well. I felt confident, invincible. I could feel the envy pouring out of the other model’s pores.

And I could feel the regret seeping out of Riley’s.

Fucker.

This didn’t happen overnight. I trained for this. Sacrificed so much of my time and sleep to get things right. I’d bled in bad high heels and cried because I didn’t land a certain gig.

But doing it all paid off for me.

Nicole found an earlier flight to California for us after the shoot, so two hours after I finished, Kobe and I were boarding another plane. I wasn’t quite sure how to feel about him.

The sex was great, but it seemed to be just that to him. He said I was his, but did he mean me or just my body? I wasn’t kidding about what I said to him—he was confusing as hell and I hated being confused.

He was like a jigsaw puzzle and with each passing day, I was trying to piece him together and figure him out.

We didn’t talk much on the flight. Not even when we landed and got into the back of one of Dad’s limos.

I think Kobe was nervous. He fidgeted more. Looked at me less. He seemed bothered. When the driver parked and we got out in front of Dad’s mansion on the beach, I caught a glimpse of that worry.

Kobe was so distracted that he didn’t come for my door, so the driver had to. And when I got out and looked at Kobe, he was still standing by the passenger door, staring ahead at the house.

The driver got our bags out of the trunk and started for the house, but I waited, standing beside Kobe.

“He won’t know,” I said softly, as a cool breeze drifted by and played with the loose tendrils of my hair.

“That’s not what I’m worried about,” he murmured.

“Then what is it?”

“I’m worried about myself, and how hard it will be to keep my damn hands off you for two days.”

I bit down on a smile, pulling my eyes from his before he could catch my gaze. “Don’t say shit like that. It only confuses me. You say you don’t want more out of this, yet words like those are a sure way to make a girl like me fall hard.”

I walked away before he could say anything else. Eventually, he followed, and as soon as we got inside, I felt the dread sink in, landing in the pit of my belly like a brick.

I was happy to be here for Mom’s charity, but at the same time, I wasn’t so sure how I was going to be able to hold back either. Kobe amounted to a good time. He took my mind off life with the simplicity of his touch and the way he looked at me, like I was the sexiest woman he’d ever laid eyes on.

Dad was a pain in the ass and so was Nicole, and dealing with them for the next two days was going to require a bit of stress release. If I couldn’t be wrapped up around Kobe, then I guess drinking was going to have to do the trick.

“Hello?” My voice echoed as I walked down the corridor. I heard voices murmuring a short distance away so I kept going. When I stepped around the corner, I saw Dad and Nicole murmuring to each other. Her hand was on his shoulder and he was smiling at her.

Even after three years, it was still strange to see them together.

I put on an artificial smile as they turned to look at me.

“Oh, there she is!” Dad sang, taking several steps ahead and opening his arms wide. “My baby girl. We were waiting for you to get here.” I walked into his arms, hugging him tight. Dad had smelled the same since I could remember. It was like he’d never changed his cologne. Nicole did have him touch up on his look though. He had a nicer, more modern haircut.

“It’s been weeks since I last saw you, honey. Been good?” Dad asked.

I nodded as he hugged me tighter. “Yep. All good, Dad. I promise.”

Nicole stood a few steps away, smiling at us. “How was your flight?” she asked when he finally let me go.

“It was okay. Nothing new.” I walked to the island bar, grabbing the bottle of wine, and pouring some into the empty glass. As I filled it halfway, Kobe stepped into the kitchen.

“Oh, well, if it isn’t Mr. Kobe Ward!” Dad’s voice boomed.

“Nice seeing you again, sir,” Kobe responded formally, extending his arm and offering his hand. Dad shook it firmly, giving Kobe a sweep over with his eyes.

“Been treating my little Chanel okay? Keeping a close eye?” Dad probed, and I felt a lump form in my throat. I dislodged the lump by taking a full gulp of the white wine.

“Yes sir,” Kobe answered.

“She’s a handful, right? Glad you were there when Matthew Hall showed up.” Dad sighed his relief.

“Of course, sir. Didn’t let her out of my sight.” After he said that, he glanced at me before turning toward Nicole and offering his hand. “Miss Evans,” he greeted formally.

“Nice seeing you again, Kobe.”

Ugh. This was too damn awkward. I walked around the counter, needing escape. “I’m going to go upstairs and take a shower,” I announced. I needed to get out of that kitchen, away from Dad and the man I was secretly fucking behind his back.

“Okay. We’ll be having dinner soon so don’t make any plans to go out,” Dad said. “Kobe, why don’t you join us for dinner? I’m sure you’ve had a long trip and could use a good meal.”

Oh, great. Just fucking great.

Now he was going to be eating with us? Why? Why couldn’t Dad just send Kobe to a room and let him go about his business, like he did with the other guards? Kobe’s reputation obviously scored him more brownie points with Dad.

Plus, I was sure the whole Matthew Hall thing that happened the other night, (that I knew Dad wouldn’t bring up with me because he considered me his fragile, precious flower) also scored Kobe some points on the winning side.

This weekend was about to get really fucking interesting.