“To try out?” I wasn’t sure I understood what he was saying.
Preston nodded. “Everything that’s on the site has been tested by at least one of the guys. If they come back and love it, then we’ll work with the manufacturer, but if they come back and say that it’s awkward or uncomfortable or impractical, then we’ll take another look before we commit to the line.”
I wasn’t sure if all companies worked that way, but I had to think it was another one of theirturn tradition on its earideas. “I guess that makes sense.”
Not really, but it was his company, not mine, so I wasn’t going to argue.
Watching the flow of people, some stood out more than others. The nearly naked guy in pink panties who was storming up to Preston was one of them. He was hot, but he screamed trouble. I had to fight the urge to back up and walk away. I could spot a crazy drama queen a mile away and one was closing in fast.
“Preston! They’re orange!” He said it like he was holding a bug instead of a pair of oddly colored panties.
Preston sighed. “We knew that.”
“No, we were told it was a fall line, and that rep said they were pumpkin spice colored.” He frowned like Preston was an idiot and waved the clearly offensive fabric around. “This is like a kid’s plastic pumpkin kind of orange. I’m not wearing it, and I can’t deal with any one of them wearing it either.” The level of drama radiating off him was staggering and made my skin crawl.
Preston chuckled and nodded. “I’ll talk to Merrick and see what he says. You're right; even I can see it’s a hideous color.”
“Thank god.” The thin, almost twink drama queen sighed. “I was afraid it was going to be like the green panties all over again.”
Fighting back a laugh, Preston shook his head. “I promised not to argue with the Queen of the Panties again…at least not about color.”
The queen popped a hip out and struck a catwalk-style pose. “Damn straight. And I still have the crown.”
What the hell had I gotten myself into?
Preston finally broke down and laughed, and the nearly naked man with the orange panties smirked. They both remembered I was standing there at the same time. Preston tried to recover first, but the other guy beat him to it. Sticking out a hand, he smiled at me.
“Eli.” His smile turned into an I’m-so-cute grin that set my teeth on edge. “I’d invite you to meet the rest of the family, but they’re a bit distracted at the moment.”
I had to say, it was a first for me, but I didn’t want to be rude, so I ignored his lack of clothing. “Hello. I’m Roman Landry. It’s nice to meet you.”
Preston thankfully interrupted before I had to figure out something else to say. “Eli is one of the models you’ll be working with on a regular basis. His previous photographer took another job, and I want to get a new look for him on the site.”
“I am so much more interesting than lions.” Eli slouched and pouted, making Preston smile.
How bad was the job if the man went from photographing Eli to tracking lions?
“Yes, I would have to agree, but we knew when we hired him that it would only be for a short time because he was a wildlife photographer.” Preston gave Eli a look that made it clear they’d already had that discussion.
“But he was perfect.” Eli’s pout seemed more genuine that time. Had they dated?
“He said he’d be back next year after his next trip to India.” Preston offered the words to Eli like they were a bribe for a small child.
Fuck.
“But that’s after Africa and that island with the turtles.” Eli waved his hand like the real name didn’t matter.
“Eli.” Preston was starting to sound like a pissed-off parent. “Why don’t you get to know Roman? I’m sure the pictures are going to look amazing.”
Eli turned that pretty—that sulking pout to me. “I’m not sure you’re going to be as much fun as Greg was.” Preston mumbled a low “Eli” under his breath, but Eli and I both ignored it. “Greg would spank me when it would make the panties look even hotter.”
Twisting his body a little to flash his ass, Eli gave me a long look, peeking through his lashes seductively. “Will you spank me so these panties look right?”
Fuck.
Chapter 2
Eli
