Page 162 of Plus Size Player

I nodded, swallowing hard. “Yes.”

He licked his lips. “Good. You’re up.”

I stepped out and there was a bright spotlight on me. The audience was submerged in darkness. The runway was lined with lights, so I knew exactly where I needed to go. I heard the “oohs” and “aahs” in the crowd and the clicks and flashes of the cameras as I made my way down. I stopped at the end of the runway, shifted my weight from one foot to the other, posed, and then made my way back. I kept my face at ease until I made it offstage and behind the curtain.

The music changed and all forty of us strutted out to do our final walk to a standing ovation. As I was about to step offstage and through the curtain, the back of Russ’s hand grazed mine and sent a jolt of electricity up my arm. It was a slight touch, yet it reverberated through me. I kept it together and tried not to react. I just kept going, following the other models.

He took his bow and then quickly caught up to me as I tiptoed down the steps in the heels from hell.

“That looked good,” he complimented us, clapping his hands together. “I couldn’t have asked for anything better than that.”

“Let’s fucking go!” one of the male models yelled out, causing him to laugh.

It was a joyous mood as we changed and wrapped things up. All of the models were ushered out, some of them rushing off to their next show. I wanted to hang around and congratulate Russ, but I didn’t want to draw any attention to us. He was speaking to the press, and I had no reason to hang around, so I sent him a text and took a taxi back to the hotel.

Nina: I’m so incredibly proud of you. I can’t wait to watch the show in full online. But being in it, I was able to see your greatness, your artistry, your creativity, and your business acumen on display. It was sexy as hell. And it was also inspiring. You inspire me.

Our flight back to Richland was at four o’clock so once I got back to the hotel, I needed to freshen up, change, and pack. I planned to meet the rest of the models downstairs in the lobby at one o’clock so we could make it to the airport by two. Even though it was only twelve thirty, they were eating at the small café, sending me messages, rushing me. The last message I got from them told me that if I didn’t come down in the next thirty minutes, they were going to come and get me.

That was fifteen minutes ago.

I was pulling my suitcase and weekender bag to the door when I stopped to check myself out in the mirror. I nodded at my look. The red Bowen jumpsuit with the belted waist fit me well. Instead of black heels, I opted for the black-and-white sneakers Russ had designed and given to me six weeks ago. Paired with a lightweight black jacket and my white-gold jewelry, I looked cute and comfortable. Not wanting to waste professional hair and makeup, I openedthe curtains to let as much natural light in as possible. Using my portable tripod, I took some great shots of me to post on social media.

I was taking my last few shots when there was a knock at the door. All I could do was laugh because theymeantthey were coming to get me.

Swinging the door open, I said, “I’m coming—Russ!” My eyes widened and I looked back and forth down the hall and then pulled him inside. “What are you doing here?”

“I couldn’t let you leave without a proper goodbye,” he said as the door closed behind him. “And I couldn’t wait until tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow—?” I started to question what he meant but his mouth covered mine, sucking the words, thoughts, and breath from me.

Backing me into the wall, he gripped my hips and trapped me with his body.

Not that there was anywhere else I wanted to be.

“Seeing you and not being able to touch you is always hard. But sleeping two floors down from you has been killing me,” he whispered between kisses. “If things weren’t so busy, I don’t know if I would’ve been able to be keep my distance.”

Breaking out of the kiss, I stared up into his eyes. “It’s hard being professional around you off the clock,” I admitted. “During the day, I was fine. You were Mr. Russell Long, CEO. But as soon as I got in bed, I wanted Russ… my man.”

A soft groan emanated from him. “Call me your man again.”

I smiled against his lips. “My man.”

We devoured each other, kissing with the passion we’d repressed all weekend. My hands grabbed at his shirt, pulling him closer, wanting to feel more of him. We moaned into each other’s mouths.

When he pulled out of the kiss, his hands ran from my hips, up my sides, over my breasts, and around my neck. He searched my eyes before he spoke.

“My lawyer sent the paperwork to my email this morning,” he told me, his thumbs stroking my jaw. “I’m not trying to keep how I feel about you a secret anymore.”

My heart thumped in my chest. “And how do you feel about me?” I asked breathily.

“I love you,” he said just before his mouth covered mine again.

It was the first time he’d verbalized it and his words sent shockwaves directly to my core. His soft lips and electric touch created a sensation that coursed through my entire body. As our kiss intensified, I felt the genuine emotion behind his words. Shivers ran up and down my spine when his tongue teasingly met mine, repeating the sentiments.

“I love you, too,” I confessed, putting words to the feelings that had been simmering beneath the surface.

My confession was so soft that I didn’t know if he had heard it. I wasn’t even sure I’d said it aloud or just thought it over and over again.

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