Total pages in book: 68
Estimated words: 61851 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 309(@200wpm)___ 247(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61851 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 309(@200wpm)___ 247(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
A joyful smile burst across her lips, and she flung herself at him, her arms wrapping around his neck as she hugged him tight. Relief flooded him and he secured an arm around her waist. He ran his free hand over the nape of her neck, gently massaging there.
“We’ll figure it out,” he promised in her ear. “Every step of the way. Together.”
“Okay,” she said and released him, but he wasn’t ready to put any space between.
He framed her face in his hands and brought her mouth to his, kissing her like she was the air he breathed—slow and deep and thoroughly. Desire filled him, along with the need to spread her out on his desk and show her that she belonged to him.
His hands wandered along the curve of her hip and around to her ass . . . until the door to his office opened and someone cleared their throat.
Startled by the interruption, Jessica jumped back, turning around to see her brother standing in the doorway, his brows raised high.
A look of wide-eyed panic flashed across her now flushed face at being caught.
“Uh, I just thought I’d come in and see if Jessica was okay,” Ben said, a smirk lifting his lips. “I saw her walk into the office earlier, but I was on the phone. Clearly, she’s in good hands, so, as you were,” he said, waving playfully, and stepped back out of the room, closing the door behind him.
Jessica glanced back at Derek, shaking her head. “Why didn’t my brother lose his shit after catching you kissing me?”
Derek grinned. “Because I already told him I wanted to see where things went with us. Right after our weekend together. I wasn’t going to date you behind his back.”
She blinked at him. “And he’s okay with it?”
“Clearly, he is.” Derek chuckled and pulled her right back into his arms, and this time she went willingly, melting against him perfectly. “Not that it would matter. I’m willing to risk everything for you, Jessica.”
“You are full of surprises.” She released a soft, dreamy little sigh and smiled at him.
“Mmm,” he said, more interested in going back to pre-interrupted activities. “Now, where were we?”
She put his hands back on her ass, then touched her lips to his. “Right here.”
He pulled her against him and groaned, so glad they were in agreement. This thing between them was so much more than just a little hookup, and he planned to spend the rest of their lives together proving it.
Epilogue
“Oh, my God, oh, my God,” Avery said, sounding as though she was about to hyperventilate. “That’s Ashley Graham over there! She’s freaking here at your lingerie debut, talking to the press about your new line of designs for Curvy Girl Couture Lingerie!”
Jessica laughed, feeling giddy, which had nothing to do with the one glass of champagne she’d had. “I know, I’m shocked, too.” She was still trying to process the overwhelming success of her lingerie line, which had exploded with interest after the internet debacle.
When Rachel Cohen, a popular plus-size fashion influencer, asked if she could bring a guest with her to the launch, Jessica had no idea it would be such a huge name in the full-figure modeling world. But here Ashley Graham was, gracious and sweet and also exuberant about spreading body positivity and supporting Jessica’s new venture.
Everything about the evening was surreal, and Jessica was floating on air. The after-party, which had been followed by a fashion show with all her models—including the ones who’d been a part of the online debacle that had turned into a success—was packed with huge names in the industry. Editors from some of the biggest fashion magazines had already come up to Jessica expressing their interest in doing an article about the new lingerie line—as well as her partnership with Belle Demoiselle.
That had been the most surprising thing of all . . . the contract that Belle Demoiselle offered to her right after all the untouched photos had been leaked and all the positive attention it had garnered. What had started as Jessica’s biggest personal and professional devastation had turned into her greatest triumph. She still couldn’t believe all the amazing things that lay ahead for her and Curvy Girl Couture.
“Okay, I’m going to continue my fangirling over there with Maddie,” Avery said, pointing to where their friend was also gawking at the celebrity in their midst. “You need to continue mingling since you are the star of tonight’s party.”
Jessica did just that, very aware that the entire time she circled around the room, conversing with important people, Derek had his eyes on her. He stood off to the side with her brother, Ben, and Asher, who’d brought Nikki for the event. Jason Dare was also with the male group, while his wife, Faith—who’d supplied all the treats for the dessert table and was dressed in one of Jessica’s designs—was off perusing the lingerie pieces on display.