Page 51 of Brought By the Storm

Chapter Sixteen

Carrington

Once Stefan and Mateo arrived at Eric’s house, Mateo hung back with Eric in the kitchen and Stefan joined me in Eric’s living room.

“Has Mateo been asking more questions about us? Has he asked why we’re still staying here whilst my mother is going home?” I asked.

“So far, he still believes we’re models. I told him that you and I are staying behind because we have a shot at a modeling gig in New York City this week, and your mother played along that she had to get back home to deal with some family issues. He was polite enough not to ask her for details.”

I smirked. “Well, I’m not surprised he believes you’re a model. I don’t think he’s paying much attention if he thinks I am. I mean, I have a bottom tooth that’s crooked, crinkles around my eyes when I smile, and I can’t control this hair.”

Stefan looked at me funny. “Since when have those things bothered you? You’ve never mentioned them before. Trust me, you’re model material.”

I smiled, thinking about my photo shoot with Eric. “Well, Eric seems to think so.”

Stefan studied me. “Your time with him hasn’t lessened your infatuation with him, has it?”

My smile broadened. “No. He’s wonderful.”

My friend looked shocked. “Carrington, what is happening with you? I’ve never seen you this giddy over a woman, let alone over a person whose gender you’ve never been interested in.”

I ran a hand through my hair. “I don’t know! I thought the more I became intimate with him, the more I might pull back. It’s been just the opposite.”

Stefan’s eyes bugged out. “Just how intimate have you been with him?”

I realized I had offered more than I had planned and I felt my face flush. “Stefan, he’s very shy. Don’t say anything to him or to Mateo about it.”

“How intimate?” Stefan pressed.

“I’m not answering that,” I snapped. “I’ll just say intimate enough to know that I have no reservations about sex with him. I like him very much, and I enjoy being with him.”

Stefan ran a hand across his face. “Carrington, you are risking your career.”

“I’m willing to take the chance,” I argued. “I never wanted to be president. I want him.”

“You don’t even know him!” Stefan countered.

“That’s not true. We’ve gotten to know each other well these last couple of days. I trust him. Christ. I let him photograph me in…compromising positions.”

Stefan’s face turned ashen. “Are you out of your fucking mind?”

I refrained from reprimanding him for speaking that way to the president. I knew what I was saying was shocking and concerning. “I told you that I trust him. He told me he’s going to delete the photos.”

“What? The photos are still in his possession?”

“Relax,” I shushed him. “The photos are on his camera downstairs in his studio. It isn’t like they’re hanging on a wall in New York City. He’s going to delete them. I’ll remind him right now. Oh, except I told him he could keep the ones of me clothed…and the one where I’m shirtless.”

“Shirtless! My God, how revealing are the other ones?”

I couldn’t help but grin. “Don’t ask.”

“Carrington, this isn’t something to trivialize. You’re playing with fire,” he warned.

“Stefan, have you paid him any attention? Eric is the sweetest and kindest person I’ve ever met. He wouldn’t hurt me. I don’t think he’s capable of hurting me. If anything, he tries too hard to please me. To please everyone. I’m not worried.”

My friend shook his head. “I’m not going to change your mind on this, am I?”

I pursed my lips. “Why would you want to? I haven’t been this happy in a long time.”