Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 102355 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 512(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102355 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 512(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
Unfortunately, considering Cristiano’s feelings for me has the unintended effect of putting my own feelings under a microscope. Cristiano is my type on every level, but that doesn’t make me special—it just means I have a pulse. What a shock that the tall, dark, handsome gazillionaire has caught my attention! With the way my heart raced when I saw him standing on his yacht, I worry I might be encroaching on Cristiano fangirl territory, and after seeing Daniella fling herself at him, I would safely bet I’m one of a million.
Once our group takes an elevator up to the second floor, we’re led to a large circular table covered in trays of food. Nearby, a crew member stands at attention behind a sleek bar, ready to whip up cocktails. I decide to start small with a cucumber water and a plate of appetizers. It’s going to be a long day and we all work tonight. I don’t want to go too hard too early.
With our food and drinks in hand, we set up at a group of loungers in a sunny area of the aft deck. Annika and Simone make quick work of their cover-ups, but I hesitate for a second, feeling weird about undressing, though I’m not sure why.
Simone looks amazing, her dark skin set off by her metallic-silver one-piece. Large cutouts on the sides make it far from modest. Her body is insane. Annika’s too. Her bikini is pale blue, the same shade as her eyes.
Feeling courageous this morning, I put on the bright turquoise string bikini. The bikini. Now I’m deeply regretting it.
Annika and Simone notice my hesitation.
“Take it off! Take it off!” Simone starts to chant, and I laugh and quickly peel off my cover-up. I drape it on the back of my chair and adjust my bikini top without looking down. I’m too scared I’ll regret my swimsuit choice.
A crew member comes by with big fluffy towels for each of us.
“You ladies look stunning,” the woman says in a thick Australian accent. The name Beth is embossed on the badge pinned to her shirt. “Seriously love the suits. Brought around some towels. Can I get you lot anything else?”
“Would you mind terribly taking our photo?” Simone asks. “I need something to post, and I can’t resist this backdrop.”
Annika claps in agreement, and though I would rather be the one behind the camera than the one posing in front of it, I relent. I let Annika place me how she wants, the three of us draped on the railing like Charlie’s Angels. They instruct me to arch my back and play up my sex appeal, but I would die before I offered the camera a playful pout, so while they’re exuding come hither vibes, I’m just smiling like a dope and praying this will end soon.
Simone checks the photo and throws her hand up. “Elle, you have to be sexy!”
“I thought I was!”
“You look like you’re smiling for an ID photo! So stiff! And don’t cover your chest with your arm like that!”
Beth laughs. “Here, let’s try again. Maybe let her get in the middle and you two sort of arrange yourselves on either side of her?”
Oh god, this is somehow even worse. I don’t want to be in the middle! It feels like there’s nowhere to hide now. I’m a full-fledged bikini model as Beth snaps away, trying to get a good shot for Simone.
“Channel Naomi Campbell, babes!” Simone says.
“Speak for yourself. I’m going full Kate Moss over here,” Annika purrs.
When it’s clear this is going to take even longer and be infinitely more painful if I don’t loosen up a bit, I relax and lean toward Simone, dropping my head against hers and offering the camera a teasing smile. Just as soon as I start to enjoy myself, I catch movement out of the corner of my eye and watch as Cristiano leads the others out onto the aft deck. What impeccable timing! An audience is just what this uncomfortable photo shoot was lacking!
I immediately flush and look down, eager to scurry back to the safety of my lounge chair, but we’re still taking photos. I can feel the weight of Cristiano’s stare on me.
“Hold still! One more second!” Beth tells us. “I almost have it.”
Oh my god, surely there is a photo that will work. If not, I’ll stitch one together in Photoshop if it means I can end this!
Felix whistles a playful catcall at us, eyeing Simone. “Can I get a copy of that?”
My smile drops and my lips part, and the moment Cristiano looks at me and our gazes lock, the air leaves my lungs in a rush.
Beth exclaims, “Got it!”
Thank god.
I’m a little dazed when Annika kisses my cheek. “Thanks. I know you hated that, but that pic is going to be hot. Simone, send it to me.”