“It really is,” he goes on, “considering the host of this thing rakes in fifty-mil a year.”
My eyebrows lift and I take another sip, because I’m not sure what else to do. Suddenly, he’s thrusting one perfectly broad and strong-looking hand my way. And I take it, feeling a frisson of electricity as I slide my palm against his, praying I don’t say anything else too lame.
“Luka Zoric. It’s a pleasure to meet you…” He leaves space for me to introduce myself. My mouth is so dry that I have to take yet another sip of the bubbly before I finally feel like I can offer a genuine smile, instead of one born from awkwardness.
“Brooklyn Moss,” I say, narrowing my eyes at him, as if I’m thinking hard. “You know, I think Imayhave heard of you.”
Oh, so now I’m flirting.
He laughs, open and unaffected, turning him even more impossibly handsome. He drinks from his flute and I do the same, barely realizing mine is almost empty now.
“You looked stunning out there earlier, Brooklyn Moss. Like you were actually having fun. Most of the models put on the sour face when they’re on the catwalk. Not you.”
My chest tightens as I weigh what he just said. A bigwig at KZ Modeling noticed me on the runway! Don’t panic. Do. Not. Panic. “Thank you. To be honest, itwasa lot of fun.”
“You’re a natural,” he says smoothly. “I’ve been doing this long enough to spot those who are made for this industry, and those who aren’t. You’re definitely in the first category.”
“Is that so?” I say with a smirk, my body language indicating how confident I already am.
“It is,” Luka says, his sly grin matching my own.
He licks his bottom lip for a fraction of a second. Just enough to make me notice his lips and how perfect they are. Everything about him is perfection. Right down to the cut of his midnight blue tux and the Hermès pocket square expertly tucked near his lapel.
I’m young, but I’m not naïve. I know a line when I hear one. A man like this, especially with a reputation like his, says anything to get pussy. It’s the one thing my parents repeatedly warned me about. So yeah, I know the game. Any woman in this industry knows the game. You learn early which moves to play and which to pass.
Draining my flute, I set it on the tray of a passing waiter and snag another. I can play my hand one of two ways. I can let him seduce me and use it to arm my way into an audition at KZ Modeling—and finally get the chance with them that I’ve been working toward. Or I can keep my dignity and wait for them to notice me for the strength of my work, not who I slept with.
My parents disapprove of my modeling career, and the least I can do for my mama is keep my dignity. Even if I want to climb Luka Zoric like a tree. Even if merely standing next to him is intoxicating.
“Look,” I say, making up my mind. “I know how this works. And I can’t go to bed with you. So if that’s all you’re after, then it’s only fair you know it upfront.” I raise my champagne to him and smile, hoping to take the edge off my rejection.
“Ouch.” He puts an unconvincing hand over his heart, but the glint in his eye tells me that sex is, in fact, exactly what he’s after. “You mistake my intentions, milady.”
“Do I?” I cock an eyebrow, wishing I wasn’t so turned on by this sexy scoundrel.
“Indeed,” he says, and then tips back the last of his champagne. “Just to sate my curiosity though, why can’t you sleep with me?”
“Because I want to get signed by your agency, and I’m planning to audition at the next open call. Sleeping with you before that would only make things messy. Besides, I’m not here to screw my way into a contract. I’m a hard-working professional and I handle myself accordingly.” I lift my chin and gaze fiercely at him.
The left corner of his mouth twitches up right before he catches my eyes. “You’re an honorable woman, Brooklyn Moss. I can respect that.”
With the barest of a nod, he sets his empty flute on a table, turns his back to me, and walks away. My stomach lurches a little as I watch him go. Did I just drop a huge opportunity? I almost want to call him back or hurry after him.
Sex. With Luka Zoric.God. I can’t even begin to imagine what that would be like. If only I could keep my professional aspirations out of it.
Trying to put the encounter behind me, I start to make my way through the crowd. I barely get across the roof when I feel a light touch on my elbow. I turn and find Luka there, his eyes searching my face.
“A word?”
“Sure,” I say with a nod.
He draws me away from the crowd with a hand on my lower back, and I let him lead me, trying to ignore the hot pulse between my legs.
Then his finger is lifting my chin as he stares greedily at me. “Look, since you were honest, I’ll be honest too. I want to fuck you. That alone is a good indicator that you’re KZM material, but since I have a feeling you want to do this the right way, how about a private audition, right now?”
I’m incredibly turned on by him saying he wants to fuck me, but I force myself to focus on the opportunity he’s just offered me. “Right now?”
“Yes.”