“Here you go.” A cup and saucer was placed in front of her, and she immediately lifted it and took a tentative sip. It burned her tongue, but whether it was nerves about the importance of the campaign, or the man sitting opposite her, she needed to do something with her hands.
A couple of other men drifted into the room, stopping to talk to Zara and shaking her hand before coming up to her.
They were both tall, and their shirts stretched tightly across their shoulders. Now, these two she could see as bodyguards.
“Hi, I’m Andy Grimshaw, good to meet you. This is Reed Bolton.” He pointed to the man next to him, who nodded at her.
“Hi, Indigo Elara. Good to meet you both.” She smiled, wanting them to know she wasn’t a diva that some models were. Each job was an honor for her to do.
Would this encourage the computer man to follow in his colleague’s footsteps and introduce himself to her and Zara?
He didn’t make a move, and Indigo rolled her eyes. This guy lived in his own little computer world where nothing existed but a keyboard and a screen.
Reed and Andy gave her another nod and headed to the credenza, where the tempting array of pastries sat. Indigo had seen them when she’d walked in but had resisted the urge to taste them.
Some days she indulged herself, but as she had a big campaign coming up, she kept her diet clean. It helped with giving her the energy for the long days of standing in one position for hours on end while people fussed with her hair and makeup, and for the photographer who waited for the right moment to get the perfect photo. Nine times out of ten it was worth the pain when she saw the final result. The other time was when the photographer was so annoying to work with, that every shot was painful to look at.
Other people bustled in. Was the whole company coming for this meeting? It seemed a bit excessive in her mind. She figured that she’d be meeting with Steve Power, the owner of the business, along with Jeffrey Courteux, and the security specialist who would be joining them on the shoot.
Indigo pushed her chair back and stood as a couple walked in. Jeffrey Courteux had arrived with a gorgeous woman on his arm. From always looking at the gossip sites to make sure her name was firmly off the people-to-avoid lists, she knew the woman was Greta, his wife.
Greta immediately walked over to her. “Hi Indigo, I’m Greta Courteux, it’s a pleasure to meet you, and I’m so excited that you’re going to be the face of Jeff’s newest collection. Everything is going to look spectacular on you.”
“Thank you. It’s lovely meeting you too. I’m very excited to work with Jeffrey, and I can’t wait to see the collection. I’ll do everything I can to make the pieces shine in the photos.”
“I have no doubt you will.” Jeffrey joined the conversation, once again sliding his arm around his wife, as if he didn’t want her far from his side. It wasn’t done in a controlling matter, because Greta didn’t stiffen when he came up to her, if anything, she melted into his hold and her expression softened.
Right in front of her was an example of what true loved looked like. A shot of envy passed through Indigo. The secret part of her soul she kept locked away, longed for this type of connection with a man. To be treasured and adored for who she was, not because she was invited to the right parties or her face graced numerous television commercials and posters in stores around the country and world.
Maybe when she stepped away and her life slowed down, she would find that special person and she could let that secret part out and love as fiercely as she wanted to be loved.
Until then, she would keep doing what she was doing and be the best ambassador for the companies that employed her.
“Shall we get started?”
While she’d been lost in her mind, another man had entered the room. He was older than the others she’d met, and he had an air about him that commanded respect. This must be Steve Power, the owner.
Indigo smiled at Jeffrey and Greta, before taking her seat again, wiping her hands surreptitiously on the fabric of the pale-yellow linen sheath dress she wore. She didn’t normally get nervous at meetings, but in the last few seconds, butterflies had fluttered to life in her belly, and she had no idea why.
She looked up and was immediately trapped by the bright blue eyes of computer guy. He’d taken his glasses off, and it changed everything about him. She’d been completely mistakenin thinking he was too nerdy to know how to protect anyone. He looked anything but useless. He looked lethal and capable.
Indigo’s mouth dried, and she suddenly wished he would look back at his computer and not at her.
Chapter
Two
Ishould’ve kept my focus on my computer.
The thought drifted through Wilt Thurston’s mind as Indigo looked up at him, and their gazes connected.
He’d been conscious of her from the moment she’d walked into the conference room. The air seemed to thicken and the faint scent of roses permeated the room.
Wilt had allowed himself one quick glance in her direction before he returned his focus to his laptop. Even when she sat opposite him, as if taunting him to acknowledge her presence, he’d steadfastly ignored her.
He was aware he was being rude, but he didn’t want this job, even though it came with perks of traveling around Western Australia while the various photoshoots took place. Her obvious need to be fawned over annoyed him. Why else would she choose to sit where she sat if she hadn’t wanted to draw his attention toward her?
Over the years, they’d been tasked with providing security to some of the world’s top models and stars. Some were great to work with, others wanted attention everywhere they went.
