Lance: Male Model Chronicles, #2

Published by Christi Snow

Edited by Mia Downing and Sarah Negovetich

Cover Design by JBS Graphic Designs (Joshua Scott Brown)

Cover Photo by Kruse Images & Photography (Shauna Kruse)

Cover Model: Lance Jones

Copyright © 2015 Christina Snow

ISBN (print): 1512250783

ISBN-13 (print): 978-1512250787

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All rights reserved. Except for use in a review, no part of this book may be copied, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form, or by any means, without the express permission of the author.

This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book may not be re-sold. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

www.christi-snow.com

Disclaimer: The Male Model Chronicles, a new fictional series, built around the real-life world of Kruse Images & Photography and the gorgeous male models that Shauna Kruse gets to immortalize in her photos. The heroes are real people who also happen to be male models, but every single other thing about the series is fiction. Any similarities are purely fictional.

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Other Books By Christi Snow

When the Mission Ends Series

(Contemporary Romantic Suspense)

Operation: Endgame (Book #1)

Operation: Endeavor (Book #2)

Before the Mission Begins (Novella #2.5)

Operation: Endurance (Book #3)

When Love Intrudes (Book #4)

Men of Snowcroft Series

(Contemporary M/M Romantic Suspense)

Snowcroft Lost  (Book #1)

Snowcroft Safehouse  (Book #2)

Foxtrot Team Novels

(Contemporary Romantic Suspense)

The Shadow of Mudflap (Book #1)

The Martin Ranch Series

(Contemporary Romantic Suspense)

Right By Your Side (Book #1 — coming 2015)

Male Model Chronicles

(Contemporary Romance)

Justin (Book #1)

Lance (Book #2)

Joshua (Book #3)

Through the Veil Series

(Paranormal Dystopian Romance)

Through the Veil (Book #1)

Allied in Flight (Book #2)

Rejecting Destiny (Book #3)

Found Series

(Contemporary M/M Romance)

Found at the Library  (Book #1)

Found at the Bookstore  (Book #2...coming soon)

For every woman who ever imagined

her prince kneeling at her feet,

holding the perfect pair of shoes.

Chapter One

What do you mean you can’t come? Andi Kelly knew she’d officially reached annoying whine level with her tone, but it was either that or hyperventilate with the panic overwhelming her.

I’m sorry, her sister, Cass, croaked out.

And yes, she sounded awful, but isn’t that why they made medicine? In fact, their parents worked as the head researchers at a pharmaceutical lab in Albuquerque. Maybe they had a new experimental miracle drug to help Cass so she could still make the three-hour trip to Shade River. Maybe Mom or Dad has something—

Cass interrupted her with a hacking cough that sounded like she was horking up a lung or a small animal. Andi cringed at the sound. Finally the death rattle ended.

Um, you might need to go to a doctor, Cass. That doesn’t sound so good.

Her sister wheezed across the phone line. I already did and have antibiotics, but I have bronchitis, and he told me I need to spend the next few days in bed if I don’t want to end up in the hospital.

Oh, geez. I’m sorry. You’re sick, and I’m making it all about me. Andi frantically looked at the clock on the wall. Crumb, it was too late to call Shauna Kruse, her photographer, to tell her not to come. Her flight had already taken off.

Andi, you’re going to be okay, her sister reassured her. You can do this.

And wasn’t that a sad testament about her life? Her sister probably should be hospitalized and instead she was worried about Andi handling her social phobias.

I never have understood how someone who writes what you do can be so incredibly shy, Cass said.

Because writing was easy. Once words were written, you could go back and edit, change, and rethink things to make sure the meaning was clear. When speaking, a person couldn’t do that. Once it was out there, that was it. No take-backs. No do-overs. The spoken word was forever and could have lifelong results. She knew that from horrifying experience, and it was a terrifying reality.

For the weekend, try to just channel one of your kinky heroines, Cass continued.

You want me to tie up my photographer? Andi wrote erotic romance and had become quite an expert using Shibari-style BDSM themes, which involved intricate and creative uses of ropes. Andi could already envision how that would go over with Shauna and chuckled.

No, smartass, her sister said weakly. Just impersonate their kick-ass attitude. And if all else fails, wear your glasses. That always helps.

Andi turned the glasses in question over in her hand. She didn’t need them because her eyesight was perfect. It was something she’d come up with when she watched one of those old Superman movies. Clark Kent put on those glasses and immediately he turned into a bumbling, awkward, blend-into-the-background kind of guy. She used them to achieve the opposite effect. Her glasses provided a shield so she could hide the awkward real her and put on a persona that could actually interact with the world. Well, maybe not really interact so much as just be able to mumble a yes or a no without swallowing her tongue. She sighed.

Yeah, she was really going to wow Shauna with her sparkling wit and panache. Damn, why did Cass have to get sick now? Cass had always been the outgoing, popular one. Two years older than Andi, she’d been everything Andi wasn’t...gorgeous, popular, and able to speak when spoken to.

Officially Cass was Andi’s personal assistant, even though she lived three hours away. Andi didn’t need her on a day-to-day basis, when the most exciting thing she did was type on her laptop. No, Cass was paid to come with her to social events and help smooth the way for Andi and her debilitating shyness. In truth, she was the only thing that enabled Andi to get out of the house when it came to public, author appearances.

Okay, she could do this. She was twenty-eight years old now. It was time for her to learn to play well with others. She just had to make sure she thought things through before she spoke.

The building apprehension zinged through her gut. Maybe some exercise would help. A run would enable her to get rid of some of the extra nerves and adrenaline flowing through her system. It would be another hour and a half until Shauna’s flight from Washington landed. If she sat here and fixated on that, irrational fear would keep her from getting into her car by the time she needed to leave.

***

An hour and a half later, Andi, sweaty and bedraggled, sprinted into the baggage claim area of the tiny mountain airport. Fudge-muffins! She hated being late.

Running on the mountain trails helped clear her head, but today she’d been so caught up in plotting a new idea for a story that she’d lost track of how far she’d gone. Before she’d realized it, she’d run over six miles and had to sprint back just to get to the airport in time. There was no way she had time to change or shower before heading out.

As she ran through the automatic doors, she spotted Shauna smiling and waving her over. The photographer looked exactly like her photos online. Blonde, friendly smile, taller than Andi—but then again, everyone was taller than her—fit, relaxed, and welcoming.

This should be fine. They talked online almost every day. It wasn’t like she didn’t know this person.

Andi took a deep breath, trying to still her pounding heart, although now it raced because of fear, not from her workout. She could do this. She could be one of her heroines who never let anything scare them off. Words...she knew how to use them correctly.

And that’s what was so ridiculous about this fear. She’d known Shauna for a couple of years, since Shauna had been her sole cover-photographer for her last seven covers. She was hands-down one of the sweetest and most approachable people that Andi knew...in real life or online.

When Andi got to her at the baggage claim, Shauna immediately tried to envelope her into a hug. I can’t believe we’re finally getting to meet in person, Shauna said.

Andi shook her head and pulled out of reach. Oh no, don’t do that.

Confusion flitted across Shauna’s expression.

Scuttlebutt. She was already messing this up. I’m... No. She shook her head. It’s just...I stink. I was running. And plotting. I lost track of time. She rushed over her words and pulled her still damp T-shirt away from her chest. I just don’t want to subject you to that. My sweat. And smell. Good grief. Stop rambling. Who would guess that her ability to use words succinctly made up the bulk of her job? She bit her lip and glanced awkwardly away. Had they turned the heat up in here today?

Wow, Shauna said. You run at this elevation? I’m impressed. I’ll be lucky to walk without huffing the entire time I’m here.

Andi met her kind gaze. Shauna knew she was shy. They’d discussed it online a time or two, and that knowledge showed through her understanding smile.

Thanks, Andi said and it was about so much more than just her words. I’m glad you’re here, but Cass is sick, so you’re just stuck with me for the weekend. Do you have any other bags to collect?

Shauna had a small duffle bag and a hard-sided case that Andi assumed held her camera gear. She had come for the sole purpose of taking some promotional photos of Andi for her author PR needs.

Nope, this is it. But I have a very important question for you, Shauna said as she passed over the duffle for Andi to carry.

What? Andi asked, suddenly concerned.

How well stocked is the bar in your house? I’m thinking that with a few of my specialty drinks, you and I are going to have a fabulous weekend.

***

The next day, Andi took a deep breath and examined herself in the mirror, smoothing the fitted skirt with her hand. She met Shauna’s gaze. Are you sure about this outfit? It’s so tight.

She’d been planning to wear a navy blue pantsuit in her author photos, but Shauna immediately vetoed it, stating that, You are not a bad FBI agent so you aren’t allowed to dress like one. And then Shauna took over destroying Andi’s closet, pulling clothes out of the depths that Cass had bought, but Andi had never worn. This was one of those outfits.

It featured a black pencil skirt and a tiffany blue silk button-down top. A cluster of black pearl necklaces draped across her throat and bust with multiple strands that just got longer and longer. The effect accentuated her generous cleavage that Shauna had suggested she plump up even more with the black lace push-up bra. That lace peeked out from the edge of the button placket. Andi felt completely exposed, and she worked to calm her panic.

Shauna shoved another margarita into her hand. Drink, she instructed. You’ll feel better about it.

Andi chugged and then murmured as she examined her breasts, I’m going to put someone’s eye out.

Shauna smirked. Well, since I’m the only other person here, I think it will be okay. My camera will protect me from your killer cleavage.

Shauna stepped back and examined Andi from head to toe. This is perfect. Just tell me your sister bought you some fabulous shoes to complete the outfit.

No, Andi said slowly, and ignored Shauna’s crestfallen expression. Andi waved Shauna to her closet. Cass lets me buy my own shoes because she knows I’m not helpless in that area.

Ooh, I like the sound of this. Tell me more.

Um, I might have a slightly weak spot for shoes...nice shoes. Andi reached into the closet and pulled out a box.

Shauna gasped. Tell me those are Louboutin. She grappled the box out of Andi’s hands, flipped open the lid, and pulled out one of the shoes, immediately turning it over to examine that distinctive red sole.

Andi laughed and shook her head. What was it about these shoes? They had been her big splurge when she hit the best seller lists the first time and yes, they were gorgeous, but they were just shoes. Andi knew that, but it didn’t stop that little flutter of excitement in her belly when she saw that red sole. These shoes said power, femininity, and sexiness, and every time she wore them, a little of that wore off on her attitude,