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CHAPTER10
AUTUMN
“Mmm,”I moan sleepily, my hand pressed hard between my legs as I arch my back and imagine how incredible Simon looked and sounded yesterday, “Simon...”
A mixture of guilt and pleasure snakes up my spine as a groan escapes my softly parted lips.
I shouldn’t be doing this, but I need to release some of the sexual tension he’s stirred up inside me. With one kiss and some sweet words, I’m completely under his spell.
It’s only a few days in, and here I am fantasizing about Simon when I’m supposed to be focusing on winning. Get yourself together, girl!
But the image of Simon looking powerful in his underwear and the sound of his sexy French accent in my ear is too much to bear, and I feel the fire building in my core as I rub myself with soft circular motions. I’m almost there, and I bite my lip as one tiny last reminder to myself to be quiet because I’ve already learned how thin these old walls are from hearing the neighbors arguing. “Mmm, uhm...”
I’m just a heartbeat away when my phone buzzes beside me. I let out a startled shriek, which probably sounds entirely too sexual, and in trying to grab my phone, I somehow miss and roll out of the bed and onto the floor with a solidthump!
Shit. The neighbors are going to think I’m doing some freaky shit over here. They probably think I came so hard I passed out. Is that even possible?
I bet Simon could make me come that hard.
I shake my head, rattling sensical thoughts to the forefront and shuttering my horny thoughts into a corner. Looking at the screen of my phone, I see that it’s Nora buzzing in with a FaceTime and I’m struck by a sense of panic.
Oh my God, it’s like she knows, from way across the Atlantic Ocean, that I’m blowing it by turning into a horndog.
“Shit!” I hiss, grabbing my robe and throwing it on. I’ve been so busy, I haven’t texted her since arriving, and I know she’s excited for me. Hell, she’s the reason I’m here, and then I’m just ignoring her like a bad Tinder date.
“Nora!” I answer, my voice too high-pitched and tight to be natural. On my screen, I notice my hair, which is fluffed up like red cotton candy. Making a useless attempt to smooth it down, I chirp, “I’m so happy to see you.”
“Hey, baby girl! How are—” Nora freezes, eyes scanning. “Uh, am I interrupting something?”
“What?” I squawk, pulling my robe tighter on my chest. “No, of course not. I was asleep. Time difference, you know.” I laugh, sounding a bit like a drunk hyena. I have no idea what time it is in New York. Hell, I only know that the sun is just starting to peek over the horizon behind the buildings out my tiny window.
“Oh! Sorry, I did check and figured you’d be up to start your day. I’m wrapping up here, late night, you know, but wanted to hear how things are going.”
Nora works all hours of the day and night, so I’m not surprised that she’s burning the midnight oil back home. And with our being able to work whenever and wherever we’d like to meet the fashion show deadline, I spent hours sketching last night with fabric samples spread out all over my bed. I finger one of the riskier selections I’ve fallen in love with, a pale pink polka-dot fabric. It could go a bit juvenile, but I have plans for it.
“Things are amazing! We officially started yesterday morning...” I tell her all about this week’s theme, the supply room, Jeanette, and the dress I made yesterday seemingly all in one breath. It’s exciting to relay everything to someone who understands how a room full of fabric can spark so many ideas that your brain can’t even hold them all at once.
“And then, there was a missing fashion director for a photoshoot, so I got the opportunity to dress Simon for aVogue Italiaspread!” It’s complete bragging, but I know she’ll be happy for me. Nora is the type to celebrate others’ victories, not begrudge them or be jealous.
And she is, her face lighting up. “Whoa, that’s amazing! How’d you feel about the outfits and photos?”
“Surprisingly good. It was more comfortable than I thought it’d be. Simon’s easy to work with.”
“You mean, Simon Corbin?” Nora questions. “ThatSimon?”
I swallow, trying to decide whether I should say anything about my dinner tonight. Nora’s a friend, and I trust her to give me good advice, but I also feel like this isn’t something I should share with anyone.
I’ve been quiet too long, and Nora can read my face. “Autumn, is Simon Corbin in your bed right now?”
“What?” I shriek. “And no! Keep your voice down!” I look around my apartment, afraid the neighbors heard Nora’s outburst. I spin my phone, showing her my empty bed, and then flash it back to my face.
“But, uhm... I am having dinner with him tonight.” I cringe in anticipation of what she’s going to say and rush to add, “Just to go over the photos from the shoot.”
Nora looks down her nose at me, not believing that for a second. “You don’t even believe that yourself, so don’t expect me to. Autumn, he’sSimon Corbin, for goodness’ sake!” she says, aghast. “Issue one, you’re competing at House Corbin. Two, he’s a model. A French model at that. And three, he’s Jacqueline Corbin’s nephew. I mean, couldn’t you tour the Eiffel Tower, find a cute guy who only speaks French, and get swept away for a night of raunchy sex without exchanging names? That would be better thanSimon Corbin.”
“Could you quit saying his name like that! You’re gonna give me a heart attack and I’m already worried about this.”
Nora laughs, but suddenly, her face goes slack. She disappears from the screen, and I hear her burp loudly. A second later, the sounds of splattering come through the phone and I’m glad I can’t see that. She retches, panting heavily.
