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“The winners of the calendar contest will be posted on the announcement board outside the cafeteria,” a woman said over the loudspeaker.
Jessie scrubbed the back of her arm across her brow. She’d entered the contest, but doubted she’d win a slot on the calendar. Drizzle Me in Chocolates could use whatever models they wanted, including runway models. She wasn’t stick thin and wouldn’t fit in with those women. Not that she cared. She liked her curves almost as much as she liked chocolate.
“Hey, you should check the list.” Cora, Jessie’s partner in the Irregulars Room elbowed her. “I happen to know who won and you’ll be very interested in the results.”
“I’m good.” Jessie filled another bag of irregular candies. Drizzle Me in Chocolates were made to the highest standards, but every so often some of the candies and chocolates weren’t perfect. Those ones ended up with Jessie and Cora in the Irregulars Room. Some customers insisted on these special candies because they loved the originality. Jessie simply liked having a job.
“You mean to tell me you don’t want to see who you’re going to pose with?” Cora grinned. “Not even a hint?”
“Wait.” Jessie pressed the top of the bag closed. “Me? They picked me?” Part of her wanted to question the sanity of the committee who selected the models.
“Yeah.” Cora folded her arms. A lock of her blonde hair slipped in front of her eyes. “He’s cute.”
“Who?” Jessie sat down hard on her stool. “Is he someone I’d at least like?”
“Probably. You’ve been on a date with him.”
The tips of Jessie’s ears burned. Dated? The last guy she’d dated wasn’t interested. She closed her eyes. Memories of that night came to mind. She’d spilled her soup and stained her dress. Her phone fell into the reflecting pool at the restaurant and the cab he’d called never showed up. Despite the rough patches, they’d talked and laughed over coffee later. Jessie opened her eyes. He’d never kept his promise to call, despite her leaving three messages on his voicemail.
“Jessie Anderson, please come to the boardroom. Jessie Anderson,” said the woman on the intercom.
“Guess you’re up. They brought in a makeup crew and a professional stylist. Have fun!” Cora nudged Jessie. “Show Evan what he’s missing out on. Work it.”
Jessie swallowed past the lump in her throat. “Here goes nothing.” She made her way through the chocolate factory to the elevators and rode up to the fourth floor. Her heart hammered. According to the requirements for the calendar, some of the models would be seminude. She hoped the nude one would be her partner.
When the elevator doors opened, her breath caught. Evan Moore, the one man she never thought she’d speak to again stood at the head of the massive desk.
“Hi, Jessie.” He rested his hands on the tabletop. “Looks like we’re posing together.”
Oh shit. Six feet of pure muscle, Evan Moore featured prominently in her dreams. She could still imagine wrapping her arms around his neck and being held in his strong embrace. He’d cut his black hair a little shorter, but a hank still flopped over his forehead. His blue eyes glittered and the dimple in his cheek deepened when he smiled at her. She shouldn’t want the excitement she found in his embrace, but she did. Maybe she’d get to kiss him...or lick chocolate off his naked chest. She shivered. Chocolate and sexy man - what a lethal combination.
No, this photo shoot was about selling product, not licking every inch of Evan Moore.
Jessie held her head high. She’d get through this and be out of Evan’s life again in no time. “Happy to be a part of the project.”
An hour later Jessie stared at herself in the mirror. Between the hair stylist and the makeup artist, they’d managed to make her look glamorous. She barely recognized herself.
Elysa, the wife of Drizzle Me’s owner, Simon Green, strolled into the small office. “Aren’t you beautiful?” She stood behind Jessie. “I knew when I saw your picture you were perfect for this project.” She handed Jessie a flesh-colored body stocking. “Put this on to cover your chest, then go back into the boardroom. You’re going to be the month of August and showcasing the body paint.”
Before Jessie could protest, Elysa left the room.
Jessie wriggled into the body stocking and fought the elastic fabric. The stocking barely contained her breasts. So much for being well-endowed. She picked up the robe and covered her upper body and then headed for the boardroom. She stoked up her courage. She could face Evan and nail this photo shoot. No sweat.
☼☼
Evan drummed his fingers on the desktop once more. The longer he waited for Jessie, the more he wanted to go looking for her.
“Will you stop?” Simon glared at Evan. “She’ll be here in a moment. What’s your deal?”
“Oh, I don’t know. I screwed up with her on our one and only date because I never bothered to call her back. I fell for her and can’t seem to find the freaking courage to get in touch with her. Begging Elysa for this chance is my last shot at any sort of relationship with Jessie.”
“You need help.” Simon shook his head and raked his fingers through his blond hair. “I hope it works out for you. Just make sure you sell my chocolates. Okay?” He continued to shake his head as he left the room.
Evan unbuttoned his shirt. He did need help. Lots of help. He shrugged out of the garment and waited for Jessie. According to the spec sheet, he was to stand beside her as he painted a design on her back with the chocolate body paint. He’d be able to see her semi-naked. His cock hardened. From the moment he’d met her, he hadn’t been able to tear his gaze from her. So, why’d he walked away from her?
Stupid pride. He twisted the lid off the bottle of paint. He knew exactly what he wanted to paint on her - when she showed up. The sweet aroma of the milk chocolate curled around him, reminding him of Jessie.
The door clicked and he turned around. Evan clutched the bottle of liquid chocolate. He’d never seen her looking so beautiful. Jessie wore jeans and a simple flesh-colored body stocking over her breasts. Her light brown hair had been curled and highlighted. The simple makeup accentuated her green eyes. He loved the voluptuousness of what he saw.
“Okay,” the photographer said. “I want you here.” He grabbed Evan’s arm and placed him beside a stool draped with white fabric. “Do you have the paint brush?”
“Right here.” Evan clutched its wooden handle.
“And you.” The photographer escorted Jessie over to where Evan waited. “I need you to sit with your back to me. He’s going to paint your back and I’ll take some pictures. Some in progress and some when he’s done. Okay?”
She nodded and sat on the stool.
“I need to move your stocking,” Evan whispered. “It’s up too high.”
Jessie glanced at him and then eased it down past her breasts. She covered her chest with her arms. “Better?”
“Much.” Evan drew a heart on her skin with the bristles. “Does this tickle?” The dark confection smoothed over her pale skin in a delicious contrast. He longed to taste the chocolate and lick his way over her body.
“A little. Nothing I can’t handle.” Jessie didn’t look at him. Instead she sat still, like he wasn’t affecting her at all.
“Okay kids, let’s pretend we like each other. Evan, go ahead and continue painting her. Nothing too intricate,” the photographer said.
Evan focused on the task at hand. He dipped the brush into the chocolate again. The sweet scent combined with her flowery perfume turned him on. He settled close to her and a lock of her hair tickled his cheek.
“You’re shaking,” she murmured. “Relax. It’s just me. I won’t bite.”
Instantly, he did as she’d suggested. He painted two entwined hearts onto her shoulder blade. He fought the urge to kiss her neck. With each stroke of the brush, he remembered why he’d asked her out in the first place. She made him laugh, relax and forget he was a closeted finance nerd.
“That’s good.” The photographer snapped shots of Evan working. “Nice intensity.”
Evan’s heart hammered. Intensity? No, this was raw desire in action. Forget the pictures. He wanted to strip Jessie the rest of the way down and nibble every inch of her being.
“Couple more.” The photographer moved the camera closer. “This time, I want to do something a little different.” He strode over to Evan and grabbed the brush. “You paint him. Face him and doodle on him.” He plunked the chocolate paint and brush in Jessie’s hands. “Your arm will cover your chest, but I want to capture the electricity between you two. Trust me, this is going to be a great shot.”
When he walked away, Jessie sighed. Out of interest? Or regret? Evan wasn’t sure.
“Never thought we’d be in this position,” she whispered and grinned. “Where do you want to be painted?”
“Anywhere.” Evan rested his hand on her hip. If he was with her, he didn’t care what she did.
Jessie dipped the brush into the thick paint and then swirled the bristles over his pec, taking extra time to cover his nipple. Sizzles shot to his brain and his cock damn near pushed through his zipper. He suppressed a groan in case the photographer heard them.
“Wait.” The photographer doused the main spotlight. “Get on his lap, Jessie. Straddle him. It will look more like lovers playing at home rather than a photo shoot. Okay?”
Jessie covered her chest with her arm and scooted into the required position. Her eyes widened when she sat on the bulge in his pants.
It’s all because of you, he wanted to say, but didn’t. Not yet. If he got too forward, she’d probably punch him and with good reason.
