Overexposed: The Complete Boxset: A Virgin Meets a Bad Boy Romance Read Online Free Page B

don’t mind, time is money and I waste neither on any man.”
    As I walk away, I can’t help but mentally pat myself on the back. That will show him who the real boss is here. Despite what my body wants, as long as I leave my mind in control I can play whatever game this is with him...and win.
    Exactly three minutes later I’m sitting in the makeup chair with Crystal hovering over me. Studying my reflection in the mirror in front of me for the second time in the last 24 hours, I’m confronted with Devon’s words from the night before. “I think I want to go in a different direction for today’s shoot. Minimal, natural makeup. No lashes, no heavy liner or blush, maybe a nude lipstick.”
    “Are you sure?” Crystal asks, her tone implying I’m crazy as her gaze sweeps my face.
    I want to snap Are you being paid to question me? but I don’t. I just smile my most winning smile and say “Absolutely!”
    Crystal shakes her head, still incredulous. “Minimal and natural it is.”
    I close my eyes and relax into the gentle ministrations of Crystal’s craft. I try my best not to focus on the fact that Devon is going to view this as a win. But really, I’m proving to myself and him that there is more to me than products and gimmicks. Flashes of hot and cold nervousness flood my bloodstream, I wish I had a crystal ball so I could peer into the future and find out how this day was going to end. I’m trying to be strong, but whenever Devon’s around I feel weak.
    “And you’re done,” Crystal informs me, with one final swoop of her brush across my cheek.
    “That was quick.”
    “Natural looks usually are.”
    When she moves out of my line of sight, I’m amazed at the difference between yesterday and today. Maybe Devon was a little right about toning down the fake. I actually feel beautiful without a ton of shit on my face, and that boosts my self-confidence to the n th degree.
    You better watch out Devon Goode, because I’m about to become your wet dream. Oh for fucks sake, why is that my first thought?
    Climbing out of the chair, I walk the final fifty feet to the beach. Before Devon is aware of my presence, I take a long steadying breath. His opinion really doesn’t matter. You aren’t doing this for him. You’re doing this for your fans and for you. Remember that this is your last gig and then you’re done with this world forever.
    Despite the pep talk, I can’t fight the feeling that I’m walking into a lion’s den where Devon’s the lion and I’m his unsuspecting prey, walking willingly to slaughter. To be devoured by this frustrating man and to love every minute of it. I am so many shades of fucked up.
    “Sierra, we need you over here so we can meter you,” Sam calls out, gesturing toward a large patch of twisted seaweed.
    I’m intrigued until I’m upon it. The seaweed is littered with trash. “Mother fucker,” I mumble under my breath. I’m convinced this is payback. Payback for calling him a hack last night, and reminding him that he’s hired help who I could easily replace this morning.
    He’s overplayed his hand, though. I will fucking own this bull and act like it’s exactly the direction I was hoping to go.
    Zach comes up from behind and hands me an earpiece. We’re closer to the waves today, and when we’re in an especially loud shooting area, my photographers usually send give me my instructions over a tiny hidden earpiece rather than shouting. I shake my head and refuse to take the earpiece from Zach. “If Devon wants to give me directions, then he can do it the normal way.”
    “He’s not going to like that,” he replies, trying to hand me the earpiece again.
    “I give zero fucks about what Devon does or does not like.”
    Zach shrugs and gives me a half smile. “Give him hell, he deserves it.”
    An answering smile lights upon my mouth. “Oh, don’t you worry about that.”
    Not taking the earpiece had been a spur of the moment decision, but if I wanted to remain strong