Model Attraction (11 page)

“I'll wait.”

“So what do you think about all of this?” She waved her arms around at the space.

“I think it's cool, and I think you're absolutely amazing.” He kissed her lovingly. It was as if he hadn't just seen her hours earlier. He couldn't wait to get her alone.

“You say the sweetest things.”

Instead of responding, he kissed her again. With that gesture he wanted her to feel everything he felt for her without having to utter a word.

“Wow, you must be really happy to see me.” She smiled sweetly once he let her up for air. “Oh, and I want a repeat of that when we get out of here. I should be done soon and then I'm all yours.”

Austin watched her walk away. The gentle sway of her hips was hypnotic, soul stirring. This woman, this sweet, sexy, dazzling woman, was his. He felt so blessed that they'd been given a second chance, and every day he fell more and more in love with her. The strong feelings he still had for her didn't freak him out as much as they had weeks ago. In fact, the thought of having to leave her in a couple of days made him feel ill.

Austin stepped over to the industrial-size windows and stared down at the busy Manhattan traffic. After several business trips there in the past year, New York was starting to grow on him. The energy, the glamour, the endless amount of things to do—all of it was slowly seeping into his bones.

Now that Janna was back in his life, it was starting to look even more appealing. He'd never thought he could do a long-distance relationship. Actually, he'd never wanted to, but after spending those weeks in Atlanta with Janna, he couldn't bear the thought of letting her go. Not knowing how things would progress or if they could make this work, he had to try.

He turned from the window and watched as she posed for the camera. He wanted forever with her.

But did she want the same thing?
He hadn't asked, for fear of her thinking that he was moving too fast. The last thing he wanted to do was scare her off by discussing forever too soon.

Chapter 11

A
ustin sat in awe. It seemed as if his mouth hung open most of the evening whenever Janna strutted down the catwalk at the charity fashion show. Even after four months of dating and traveling to New York, experiencing life in her world, she was still able to surprise him.

She paraded to the end of the stage, her confidence shining through like a beacon in the night, commanding and holding the attention of everyone in attendance. She made a few twists and turns, showing off the intricate design of the garment she was wearing. His heart galloped when she struck a pose, smiled brightly and winked at him before turning and heading back. That's when his heart stopped completely. The serious dip in the back of the dress plunged to the top of her perfectly round ass, almost showing way more than he was comfortable with everyone seeing.

He stuck his finger between the collar of his shirt and neck, trying to loosen the suddenly tight fit. She had to know what effect the outfit would have on him. He didn't dare look around at any of the other men in attendance, sure that they'd had the same reaction.

Before he could recover from the previous outfit, she returned, wearing an equally provocative pantsuit. Though it covered a little more of her body, it was clear that she wasn't wearing underwear.

Maybe attending a fashion show after not seeing her for two weeks wasn't a good idea.

He sat in a constant state of arousal each time she stepped foot on the stage. He had arrived in New York a few hours ago, unable to get an earlier flight. They'd only had a few minutes to squeeze in a quickie before she had to leave for the fashion show. Even with that release, his body was wound tighter than an oil drum, and he couldn't wait to get her all to himself.

When all of the models stepped out on stage for the grand finale, the crowd erupted in applause. He was clapping and whistling louder than any one. Granted, the show was awesome, but he couldn't wait to get the hell out of there so that he could worship Janna's exquisite body.

After months of dating, everything was working better than he could have imagined. As he was a planner by nature, there wasn't a day that went by that he didn't think about their next steps. He wanted more, yet he hadn't figured out how they both could get what they wanted. But he would.

As agreed, Austin waited for Janna in the foyer of the elegant hotel, surrounded by people dressed as if they should have been in the show. The more Austin experienced Janna's world, the more he was convinced that she was doing exactly what she was meant to do.

“Hey, baby. I saw you clapping and whistling. I guess you liked the show.” She kissed him before giving him a chance to respond. This was probably her way of keeping him from saying anything about her skimpy outfits, and damn if her distraction wasn't working.

“I loved it,” he said when she ended the kiss.

“I knew you would.” She looped her arm through his. “We have to hurry. I want to stop home real quick before we head to the after-party.”

Twenty minutes later, Austin had to admit that he'd thought her reason for wanting to stop home was to finish where they left off earlier. In each other's arms. Instead, he was sitting in one of the upholstered chairs in her bedroom, waiting for her to finish changing into something more appropriate for the after-party.

He dropped the magazine he was sifting through and sat back, stretching his legs out in front of him. His eyes drifted closed. If she didn't hurry up, he would be out for the count. No sooner than the thought crossed his mind, he heard the bathroom door open.

“Well?”

His eyes grew large and he sat speechless.

The slim-fitting dress that stopped just above her knees had open, two-inch squares that started at the sides of her breasts and went down each side of her body. The sexy outfit, with the deep V in the front and the back, barely covered her assets and would definitely catch attention.

“Well?” she asked again, impatience in her voice. She twisted and turned again to give him another look, as if he hadn't already memorized every inch of the garment.

“I think I'm not letting you out of this apartment.”

Janna stopped moving and looked at him as if trying to determine if he was for real.

“You're not serious.”

“The hell if I'm not! You have fifty million dresses in that store you call a closet. I'm sure you can find something that's a little less...less,” he stuttered, “no, not less, but something with more material. A lot more. Every man with a pulse will be drooling over you in that dress.”

Janna strutted up to him, smiling. “Sometimes you drive me nuts with your overprotectiveness, or is it possessiveness? At any rate, you sure are cute when you're all riled up.”

He frowned, not appreciating the fact that she wasn't taking him seriously.

“Just think, with me in this dress, hanging all over you tonight, you'll be the envy of every man at the party.” She gave him a quick peck and ignored the low growl as she walked away to put the finishing touches on her look. “Oh, and by the way, I'm not wearing any underwear.”

* * *

The air was electrified with energy when they pulled up to the warehouse-like building, one of the hottest spots in the city. The nightclub often booked some of the world's most famous DJs, and no doubt Grand Master Rock-It had already started turning it up. Janna could hear the music all the way outside.

“Are you sure you're up for this?” she asked Austin when he helped her out of the vehicle. Limo after limo pulled up to the building, dropping off some of America's most famous people.

“About as ready as I'll ever be,” Austin grumbled, making a face that almost made her laugh out loud. He was such a trouper. The day had been a whirlwind and she had yet to welcome him back to her city the way she wanted to. A quiet evening at home would have been nice, but she had already committed to the charity fashion show and after-party. Besides, she was dying to wear her L.J. Owens original. It was a gift from the up-and-coming designer for agreeing to do the show at the last minute. Considering he was donating 40 percent of the proceeds to a charity that supported foster children, she couldn't refuse.

“Come on. Let's dance.”

Janna pulled a reluctant Austin to the middle of the floor as soon as they stepped into the establishment. He knew how to dance. It just wasn't something he necessarily enjoyed.

The moment they found a good spot, the music changed to a slow jam.

“Now this is what I'm talking about,” Austin said huskily and pulled her against his body. “I've been wanting to have you rubbed up against me since seeing you step out on that stage in that first outfit.”

Janna smiled up at him and looped her arms around his neck. She loved being close to him. She loved him. He had yet to say those three magic words, but his actions spoke just as loudly. Janna was pretty sure they felt the same about each other. She just wished he'd say it.

“God, you smell good.” Austin nuzzled her neck as they moved in perfect sync, as if they'd been dancing together forever.

“Thank you. And may I say, you're looking sexy as hell in your tux.”

“Sexy enough for you to want to go home right now and rip it off me?”

She threw her head back and laughed. “Yep, but we're not leaving yet. I will say, though, when I get you home, it's on.” She gave an exaggerated wink, eliciting a laugh from him.

Oh, yeah, she planned to have a real good time with him.

* * *

Austin felt as if he'd been gritting his teeth for the past hour as he escorted Janna around the multilevel nightclub. Every eye had been on them from the moment they stepped through the door. No, make that the moment Janna stepped through the door. He'd admit that she looked good—damn good—but having so much attention on them had him holding his breath most of the night.

They strolled past a wall with floor-to-ceiling mirrors and he groaned inwardly at their reflection. She was clearly trying to give him a heart attack by wearing the too-revealing, too-tight, too-damn-sexy dress. And to tell him she wasn't wearing any underwear was downright cruel. It was taking every bit of willpower he had not to pull her into the nearest broom closet and have his way with her.

Janna tugged on his arm and he leaned close in order to hear her over the music that seemed to get louder by the minute.

“Why don't we go up to the VIP lounge? It's not as crowded and we'll be able to hear each other without yelling over the music.”

“Sounds good. Lead the way.”

Austin had never been the type to react to seeing famous people, but the A-listers in attendance did make him take a second glance. Though it was childish, he couldn't wait to brag to his brother about not only seeing, but meeting, some of their favorite actors.

“Now, isn't this better?” Janna said when they arrived in the area that was less crowded and definitely not as noisy.

“Much.” He didn't bother asking her why she had just suggested it. He knew. Tonight she wanted to be seen. Supposedly the guy who designed her dress was the next big thing in fashion and her new favorite designer.

Though Austin had been taken aback by the dress she was wearing, he was tempted to commission the guy to make Janna a few more outfits. For his eyes only, of course.

“Do you want another glass of wine?” Austin asked, his hand at the small of her back, his mouth only inches from hers.

“That'll be nice, but someone should be walking around with...” Her voice trailed off and she stiffened next to him.

“What's wrong?” He squeezed her waist and then followed her gaze.

“What is she doing here?” she ground out a heartbeat before the second most beautiful woman Austin had ever seen approached them.

“Hello, Janna.”

“Phoenix.”

Chapter 12

A
ll Janna could do was stare at the woman who gave birth to her. She shouldn't have been surprised that she would show up, but she had hoped their most recent encounter would have been their last one.

“It's nice to see you,” Phoenix said, vulnerability in her eyes. “I love your dress.”

Had Phoenix been anyone else, Janna would have said the same to her. The soft blue strapless maxi dress with the deep side split, which appeared to be Versace, was absolutely stunning. Instead, she said, “Thank you.” And snapped her mouth shut to ensure she wouldn't say something she'd regret later.

“Can you give us a moment?” Phoenix asked her date, a man young enough to be her son. Janna had seen him at a few events in New York but didn't know his name.

Phoenix glanced at Austin as if expecting him to leave them, but Janna touched his arm before he could move away.

“Please stay,” she said to Austin, but she wasn't compelled to introduce them. “Phoenix, we have nothing to talk about. Your appearances and your need to say anything to me are starting to get a little old.”

“Janna, why are you doing this?” Her voice was low and almost pleading. “I just want us to be friends, but you won't even accept any of my phone calls.”

“That should be a clue that I don't want to talk to you. As a matter of fact, like I've said on more than one occasion, I want nothing to do with you. Why can't you just accept that?”

“Because I'm your mother!”

Anger pulsed through Janna's veins. “You are not my mother,” she ground out between gritted teeth, feeling Austin move closer. She inched toward Phoenix and whispered, “The day you relinquished your parental rights was the day you became dead to me.”

Phoenix reared back as if she'd been slapped, her hand quivering against her chest. Janna was almost taken in by the hurt in the woman's eyes. Almost. She wasn't fooled. Phoenix was a world-renowned actress and no doubt she was putting on her best performance.

“I was so young,” she said softly, her voice raspy with emotion. “I couldn't raise a child on my own. I tried. God knows I tried. But once you started school, it was too much...too hard to juggle waitressing and casting calls. I had no family. There was no one I could count on to help me. I thought I could get myself together and come back for you, but—”

“But you didn't,” Janna spat. “Instead you abandoned me in foster care and then gave me away!”

“Janna.” Austin placed his arm around her waist as her voice rose.

“If that wasn't a clue that you wanted nothing to do with me, changing your name nailed it home.”

“Okay, that's enough,” Austin said quietly near her ear and tried steering her away from Phoenix.

“You're right, that is enough,” Janna said of Austin's comment. She returned her attention to Phoenix. “Just stay away from me.”

Janna allowed Austin to guide her through the VIP section and to the stairs. She fought the strong urge to hide her face, sure those nearby had heard the conversation. She had been trying so hard to change her image. Trying to show the world that she was more than a pretty face, but also a woman who had a good head on her shoulders and could make a difference in the world. Yet, those few minutes might have wiped out any progress she had made.

Austin dropped his arm from around her waist and reached for her hand, carefully guiding her down the stairs. Once they reached the bottom step, he pulled out his cell and called for their car. Janna just wanted to go home and not show her face for at least a month, but that wasn't possible.

Once they reached the lower level, no one paid them any attention as Austin shouldered through the dancing crowd. The music, excruciatingly loud, did nothing to drown out the thoughts roaring through her mind. Thoughts about how she had just told the woman who had given birth to her that she was as good as dead to her. Thoughts that she had caused a scene that was sure to end up on someone's front page. And thoughts that brought a rush of tears to her eyes.

Just hold it together. Just hold it together
, she chanted in her mind. She held her head back, blinking rapidly, knowing that if one tear fell, others were sure to follow.

Austin didn't stop moving until they were outside. People were still arriving and fans were hanging out, hoping to see their favorite stars. Austin hurried her off to the side where their car had dropped them and waited.

She glanced up at him and he didn't say a word. Instead he opened his arms to her. Unable to hold back any longer, she buried her face in his chest and sobbed.

* * *

“How do you feel?” Austin asked when he removed the empty mug from her hand and set it on the bedside table. They had returned to Janna's place an hour ago, but she still looked as if she'd just lost her best friend.

“I feel okay,” she mumbled and scooted farther down into the bed. Austin sat next to her and gently pushed a few loose strands of hair away from her forehead.

“You don't sound okay.”

Silence. He sighed and leaned forward, his elbows on his thighs. Austin didn't know what to say to make her feel better. There were so many things he wanted to ask regarding the announcement that Phoenix Hudson was her mother.
The
Phoenix Hudson. That was like having Denzel Washington as his father. The thought of that would be mind-blowing. He couldn't believe Janna had never told him.

“I'm sorry,” she sobbed, wiping feverishly at the tears on her cheeks. “I'm so sorry you had to witness that. I just hate...”

“You just hate what, sweetheart?” He rubbed his hand over her back in small circles, hoping to provide some comfort.

“I just hate the way you had to find out who my birth mother is...and I hate the way I spoke to her.”

Austin had to admit he almost didn't recognize Janna tonight. Her tone, her mean words and even her demeanor were so uncharacteristic of the woman he knew. The woman he had fallen in love with all over again. He couldn't pretend to understand how it felt, knowing that your mother gave you up to pursue her career. He only hoped he could somehow help her move past the hurt.

“I'm sick of being in the media in an unfavorable manner. I don't even want to think about what's going to show up in a rag magazine this week,” she groaned and flipped on to her back, the sheet barely covering her breasts.

Austin mentally chastised himself for even noticing where the sheet fell. All evening he had imagined peeling that skimpy dress off her and indulging in all the freaky positions his mind had fantasized about.

“Do you think she was there to stir up drama?” Janna asked. “To get attention? She does have a new movie coming out.”

“I don't know, but honestly, I don't think so. She genuinely looked like a mother who was desperate to talk to her child.”

“She's not my mother!” Janna spat out. “She left me for her career. Tossed me away as if I meant nothing to her. I just don't understand that. I don't understand how a mother can do that. Mama Adel would never do anything like that...no matter what Hollywood was offering.”

Austin didn't want to bring up the fact that Janna had done the same thing to him. Tossed his love away like a bag of trash in pursuit of a career. Granted, it wasn't the same, seeing that he and Janna had been just kids. But still.

Austin leaned over and placed a kiss against her lips.

“Why don't you try and get some sleep?”

“Aren't you coming to bed?”

“Yes.”

Austin kicked off his shoes and pulled the tail of his shirt out of his pants. He quickly undid the buttons and started on his belt when Janna spoke again.

“Can you go a little slower? I want to watch.”

Austin shook his head and laughed, glad her sense of humor was still intact. The situation with her birth mother wasn't over, but they would get through it. Together they could get through anything.

* * *

The next morning Janna cracked open her eyes and stretched her arms wide, accidently bumping a sleeping Austin. A smile tipped the corner of her lips and she turned onto her side to face his body. He'd done an incredible job taking her mind off the situation with Phoenix. Going to sleep and waking up with him by her side was something she wanted to do every day. She had no idea what their future held, but she'd give anything to spend the rest of her life with him.

Lying on his stomach, Austin had his head buried in the pillow and his thick arms hugging it. Janna could watch him all day. She rose up on her elbow and ran her hand slowly over his back. With smooth skin the color of toasted almonds, his broad back and muscular arms were only a few of his physical attributes that she loved.

Her hand moved to his lower back, where the sheet rested over his firm butt. She knew he worked out three times a week, but he had a body that looked as if he put in hundreds of hours at the gym. Her hands went lower, but the intrusive sound of her cell phone interrupted her mini-excursion and broke the silence in the room. Austin groaned next to her and snuggled farther under the covers.

Part of Janna wanted to ignore the phone, but in light of what happened the night before, she thought it best to at least see who was calling.

She hurried across the room to answer it.

“Hello,” she whispered hoarsely, seeing that it was Nelson. Who else would call her at six in the morning? By this time, he was probably on his second cup of coffee and had been at the office for an hour.

She grabbed the silk robe draped over a chair in her sitting area and hurried out of the bedroom, closing the door behind her.

“Janna, what the heck happened last night? Is it true that Phoenix Hudson is your mother? Tell me it isn't true and that I'm not being blindsided by the top news of the century!” he yelled.

She could picture him pacing feverishly in front of his desk, running his fingers through his hair. She really should've given him a heads-up last night, but by the time she arrived home, the last thing she'd wanted to do was talk to anyone who wasn't Austin.

“It's true that she's my birth mother. Not my mother.”

Silence filled the phone line and again Janna could picture Nelson's reaction. No doubt he had dropped down in his desk chair, his eyes closed and his fingers pinching the bridge of his nose.

“No. No. No. This is not happening. How could you not tell me something like this? I've known you for ten years. How the hell has this not come up? You've had plenty of times to say, ‘Hey, Nelson, by the way, my mother is Phoenix frickin' Hudson!' Oh my God, Janna! Are you kiddin' me?” he roared.

She didn't bother responding, knowing he wasn't done with his rant, but once she thought he was done, she filled him in on the details.

“I should have known. I...should...have...known. You're both drop-dead gorgeous with perfect cheekbones and bodies that would make a gay man drool. I should have seen the resemblance. I can't—”

“Nelson. Nelson!” Janna had enough. It was too early in the morning for this. “Nelson?”

“What?”

“Did you call me for any other reason? Because if not, I think we can have this conversation later. Like, say, after twelve noon.”

“Come on, Janna! We have to pull everyone together for damage control and figure out how to spin this crazy, awesome development. Do you know what this is going to do for your career?”

“Okay, that's it. Goodbye, Nelson. I don't feel up to talking about this right now.” She hung up, not giving him a chance to debate. It figured he'd be excited by the news.

“Is everything okay?” Austin asked, standing at the entrance into the living, his sleep-filled voice sending delicious shivers through her body. Wearing only a pair of blue silk pajama bottoms, he looked hotter than a soldering iron in an oven.

“Yeah, everything is fine, baby. That was Nelson. I didn't get a chance to ask him how he found out, but apparently news has broken about me and Phoenix.”

“Sweetheart, I'm sorry.” Austin strolled across the room and sat on the sofa next to her, pulling her into his arms. He placed a kiss against her temple and laid his head back, clearly not fully awake.

Janna loved how peace consumed her whenever she was in his arms. With him, it felt as if all was well in the world. But she knew otherwise. The shit had hit the fan and it hadn't even been twenty-four hours yet. She didn't dare turn on the television. At any minute, Mama Adel and her sisters would be...

She didn't get a chance to finish the thought before her cell and landline started ringing.

“I think I'm going to scream...or cry,” she groaned against Austin's chest.

The phones eventually stopped ringing, only to start again.

“If you're not going to answer those, can we go back to bed?”

“If I don't answer, everyone is just going to keep calling.”

“In that case...” Austin leaned forward and dropped his arm from around her. He lifted her cell from the table and silenced it before stumbling across the room to the house phone. He picked up the cordless and pushed a few buttons before setting it back down.

Surprised by his actions, Janna just sat staring at him, appreciating how he was taking charge.

He extended his hand to her. “Come on. Let's go back to bed. You can talk to everyone when you're ready, but right now I'm going to take advantage of having you all to myself.”