Page 32 of Lawsuit and Leather

“I’m still waiting.” I answered, sounding pathetic.

“How do you know he likes you then?”

“I don’t know. Sometimes I think so, but…” I was stuck, but Alejandro didn’t wait. He bent over, and his strong hand cradled my chin. My breath hitched, with his first true touch, an example of something I knew nothing about, especially with Parker.

“Stand up.” He commanded, his gruff voice radiated in my ears. My hesitation was met with his assertion, “Do as you’re told.” He ordered with all the promise and certainty of a loaded gun, dangerous and ready to pop. I felt uneasy, almost sick and joyed at once. I lifted from my position, coaxed by the strength of his impatient hand that touched my chin. He raised me to the creased brow of his smoldered expression. I was closer than I had ever been before, even while measuring, the space between us only big enough for a whisper.

“Like this?” I asked, making sure I understood. Every delicious, toned muscle was flexed for my eyes, designed to suck me into his world.

“Just like that.” He confirmed, the fangs of his pearly white teeth appeared with confidence. “Tell me, Gemma,” he whispered, “does he look at you like this?” Alejandro tilted my chin, guiding me to his gaze. My body grew weak, hypnotized even, as his forehead leaned against mine. His scent seeped into my skin, consumed in the subtle sweetness of cherry flavored breath. Every cell in my body exploded, rocked by the throbbing rush of blood that quivered in my veins. For this moment, encapsulated within his hands, I was entombed with warm euphoria.

“Well?” He pulled me in closer, his hips pressed tightly against me, overwhelming every risen hair on my body.

“Well?” I responded, my brain in a fog.

“Does he look at you like that?” He asked, peeking down, reaching for my hand. I dropped the measuring tape as he lifted it up.

“Well, he isn’t a movie star, so no.” It was the best I could say, and my words fell like dribble.

“Star or not, if he doesn’t make you feel like you’re his whole world, then your answer will always be no.” His attention lowered to the silver butterfly around my finger. I bit my lip as he noticed, assessing the reaction it caused. “Is this from him?”

“Yes…” I moaned, helpless to the enjoyment he got from watching me squirm.

“Of course he doesn't fuck you. He thinks you're a butterfly, he thinks you're fragile. But I don’t. You’re a good girl, but good girls are meant to be broken.” He purred so softly, his meaning unclear. Did he break hearts or break innocence? I felt the truth both in my chest and between my legs. “He wouldn’t know what to do with you, anyways… not like me that is. When I fuck, it's to make you scream.” Alejandro let go of my hand, resuming his position to be measured.

His words made my hands tremble, surged with a strange adrenaline as I got closer, pulling the tape around his neck. I was still rattled by that moment, by the sense that he could fuck me so hard that I’d undoubtedly scream. It swirled in my stomach, something I begged the universe for, but with Parker, yet here it was, mocked so clearly with Alejandro; or was it Alex Rivers who fed the line? It was hard to know who that man was, the actor, or the person. It had been built into my mind already, Alex was not to be trusted; he was a wild, womanizing, bad-boy. But maybe there were two sides, one for the papers, the other for me, behind closed doors.

“And you?” I asked, ignoring the clear effect his words had between my legs. “You owe me a secret.”

His eyes shifted, almost pretending to search his mind for what was already on his lips. “Hmmm,” he hummed. “The secret is I’m no longer hiring you as my stylist.”

I scrunched my face, shooting a panicked glance. Was this all a trick to lure me in, to get me closer to him? I felt defensive, once again snapping into reality.

“Then why am I here?” The tape slipped out of my loose grip. Alejandro stepped closer and tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear, delighted in my mystified state.

“I’m going to make the world see you, Gemma. You’re not going to style me; you’re going to design for me.” He stepped back toward the table for his glass of water. The unexpected assignment left me speechless, but more so than that, terrified at the prospect that my dream could actually come true. I refuted without wanting to.

“Styling and designing are totally different, Alejandro.” I shook my head.

“I’m aware.” He took a sip from his glass, “I saw your portfolio, I know what you’re capable of.” He arched his eyebrow, “This isn’t charity, this is an expectation. This is your dream, isn’t it?”

“Yes, of course, but…”

“But nothing. I want you to do as you’re told. You have two months.” He shot a look that dared me to protest, but rather than suffering the consequence, I looked away.

“A suit, I’m assuming?” I asked quickly, flipping the pages of my notebook. “What style would you…” Alejandro cut me off.

“I’m not interested in that question.” He walked closer, “These are your choices.” He appeared over me as the bright city lights glistened behind him, confirming what I knew was true; he was the king of this castle. “You said it yourself. I’m a sexy celebrity, now show me what that looks like.”

“By design?” I reminded myself of the words he used the day of the shoot. He wanted to see how I saw him, and that idea still continued.

Alejandro walked me to the elevator, pressing the sleek silver button on his panel. The door slid open, dinging in the air as my queue to exit. I stepped inside, but as I turned around, I noticed that Alejandro leaned against the opening, blocking the automated doors with his cherry scented body. He stared at me, just as he had in the past, just as he had moments ago with my chin in his hand.

“What is it?” I wiped my lip, self-conscious something was wrong.

“I lied to you earlier. About New York. I wasn't enjoying myself, but now I am. It’s different now. You did so good today.” He exhaled a gentle praise, affirming my job.

“Then why are you staring?” I asked again, with complete hesitancy.

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