Chapter 1
It was a Crisp morning in London. My favorite music blasted in my earbuds while I jogged. There wasn’t a soul in sight as I headed back to my flat. The sun peered through the high-rise flats, and I glanced at my watch. It’s seven-thirty-five, about time for work.
I worked as an assistant for my best friend at his photography studio. Leo has been my best mate since college. He insisted on giving me the job when I moved back in with my mum and dad in Liverpool after my divorce.
The thought of moving back in with my parents was utterly devastating. Luckily, it only took a few months to get a studio flat in London close to work. It wasn’t much, but it was mine.
I threw my keys on the white marble counter and headed for the shower, quickly slipping out of my clothes.
The scalding hot water trailed down my lush figure. Dreaming that the temperature would melt away the fat I had been so eager to lose, but no such luck.
After washing, I dried and stood looking in the mirror, ashamed of myself. I had been trying hard to lose weight but could never see results.
I forced myself to look away and pulled on my peach blouse and black leggings, slipped on leather sandals, curled my chocolate hair, and grabbed peach feathered earrings to match.
Ready, I headed out and locked the door.
Outside, I hailed a cab.
After thirty minutes in traffic, the cab pulled up at the studio, parking against the curb. I gave the guy some cash. “Thank you,” and I exited.
As soon as I arrived, Leo was all up in my face with excitement. “Oh my God, Lorelai, you’re here, thank god,” he clasped onto my hand and dragged me along.
“You fanboying again?” I asked, lifting a brow.
Leo glanced back at me a few times, still treading towards the coffee station, which I was glad for because it was too early to hear about Leo’s sexipades or fantasies without coffee.
“We will be in the presence of a high-profile tattoo model. I just want to lick every crease of him. And girl, you know me with tattooed men.” Leo giggled like a schoolgirl.
“You’re so bad.” shaking my head, I smiled. “Not to burst your bubble, but he’s probably straight and taken,” I snickered. Leo always assumed everyone wanted him, and if they were straight, he could sway them to spend one night with him.
He halted and scowled as if he was psychologically stabbing me. Leo was so bipolar, but he turned right back to his chipper self and wandered away, leaving me alone in the hall. I shook my head, laughing under my breath. What was the point of towing me around the studio? I thought and continued for the coffee I so desperately needed.
After I got a warm cup of joe, I headed to the photo area to set up the cameras and Leo’s laptop, taking refreshments from the kitchen on my way.
While I was setting up the camera, Leo stepped in with the client following close behind. My eyes widened as one of London’s most famous models walked toward me. I stood there, mouth wide and eyes bulging out of my sockets.
“Lorelai, you’ll catch flies with your mouth open like that,” Leo whispered, covering his mouth discreetly. My jaw clenched shut. I refocused but couldn’t stop stealing glances every few seconds as Leo and God’s gift to women discussed what photos the company was asking for.
The model made his way over to the makeup station, sat, and combed his fingers through his fawn hair.
“Lorelai?” Leo spoke in a low tone, catching my attention. As I snapped my head in his direction, he nodded for me to go attend to our client. Shit. I wiped my sweaty palms on my leggings and went over.
Butterflies engulfed my insides. Nerves on high alert. What would Elijah think of me? ‘Dang, she’s fat.’ or ‘What a Heffer.’
I dreaded times like this when pretty people made me feel like scum compared to them. It wasn’t the first time people had made fun of me for my weight. My ex-husband did it every chance he got. ‘Jeez, Lorelai, you’re huge.’ It was something I heard daily. It got worse when I stopped eating. I gained even more weight.
I forced those dark memories aside and focused on the client.
“Mr. Harris, would you like something to drink?” I asked politely, quickly plastering a smile on my face.
“Sure, water will be fine,” He answered, looking at me from his phone.
Elijah Harris peered at me with his electro-blue eyes. They combed over me, and my heart pitter-pattered against my ribcage, vibrating in my ears. He’s judging me.
I forced myself to refocus. “Right away, Mr. Harris,” I smiled brightly, about to walk away when he spoke again.
“Miss?” He called. I spun back around to face him. “Call me Elijah,” He insisted.
Warmth flowed across my cheeks. “Of course, Elijah,” I smiled and hurried off.
Entering the room, I closed the door and leaned against it, sucking in a deep breath. What the hell was wrong with me? He wouldn't think I was pretty. Look at me; I was a blob. I glanced down at myself and sighed. He was just being polite.
Who would have thought Elijah Harris, rated the hottest inked model three years in a row, was a kind and caring guy? Other models had no issue making me feel like a cow.
Rolling my eyes, I shook away the thoughts of all the name-calling I’ve heard over the years and snatched a water from the cooler and headed back out.
Approaching Elijah, I put on a smile and held out the bottle. “If you need anything else. Let me know,” I insisted and turned on my heels.
“There’s one thing,” I paused mid-walk and faced him again. “Of course, anything you need.”
“Have you ever modeled before?” He asked as his orbs examined my figure, as if I impressed him, which I had to be going crazy because there was no freaking way. Here we go again, just when I thought he was different.
I glared at Elijah, astounded. “Are you making fun of me?” My lower lip quivered as I fought back the tears. I knew this was going to happen. I shouldn’t be surprised at this point. It always did. Maybe he was making a cruel joke. I was probably part of his Instagram reel. Let’s make fun of the fat chick and let the whole world see it. This time, it hurt more. I actually thought someone beautiful could be kind to me, but I guess not.
He sat straight in his chair, his brows furrowed as he observed my lip trembling. “Excuse me, what?”
“You see how big I am, right? I mean, you can’t miss me.”
Elijah grinned. “And? Some of the most beautiful women are full-figured,” He informed, reassuring me.
I reddened and felt guilty that I was the one judging this time. “That’s kind of you, but I’m just an assistant. I could never model,” I told him, laughing awkwardly.
“Don’t be so sure,” Elijah said. “Think about it.” and he handed me a card. “I’ll be seeing you.” then lifted a seductive brow and smiled, walking past.
Stunned, I remained there, holding the card in my hand, when Leo peeked over my shoulder as soon as Elijah was out of sight, breaking my bubble barrier.
I jerked it away. “Hey,” I looked back at the thick piece of paper between my fingers. Elijah’s name was in cursive letters just under a photo of him in a black suit with an email and phone number. One said office, the other said cell. Oh, lord! Elijah Harris gave me his number. My mouth watered as I glanced at him in the suit on the card.
Get a hold of yourself, Lorelai. It’s just a business card. He gave them to everyone.
Leo peeked over my shoulder again. “What you got there?” He asked, straining to see.
“Nothing,” I replied. My cheeks were rosy.
I shoved the card between my breasts. A place I knew Leo wasn’t willing to go.
“Mmm-Hmm,” Leo squinted at me skeptically. He knew me better than anyone, especially when I was lying.
A few days later, my heart raced in my chest, knowing Elijah would be here soon.
Leo was on the phone while I put water out when Elijah’s soothing voice came from behind me. “Hey, beautiful,” when I turned around, he smiled as he stepped away from the entrance and closer toward me.
“Uh-um… Hi…”
Stupid brain fart. Nothing was coming out.
Elijah chuckled, crossed his arms over his chest, leaned against the pillar, and stared down at me. He lifted his hand, brushing a curl from my face. “You’re cute when flustered,” He teased and pushed himself off the post, shuffling even closer. “You didn’t call,” Elijah muttered, his arctic eyes gaping at me hungrily.
I gulped as his intoxicating fragrance of eucalyptus, and fresh waterfalls surged through my senses. I wet my lips, watching his ocean eyes drag over every inch of me. My center dampened as the warmth between my voluptuous thighs increased. Say something, Lorelai.
Who’s fanboying now? I criticized myself for telling Leo to stop acting like a crazy high school girl.
“Oh, you weren’t joking?” was all I could say.
Elijah eyed me. “Nope,” He shook his head. “Most girls that get my number call that night, but you, Miss, are different,” He grinned.
“Elijah, hey,” Leo said behind me. Elijah’s well-structured frame drew away from me, causing my insides to plead for his return, and Leo darted his eyes between us as I turned to face him. “Everything okay?” He raised an eyebrow in question.
I cleared my throat. “Yes. I should load the SD card.” Without another word, I excused myself.
“Elijah, you ready?” Leo said, holding his camera up and calling Elijah over.
I glanced up from pretending to file as Elijah walked over to the platform and sat on the chair prop. “Always ready.” He removed his shirt, and my eyes went vast as they violated his delicious abs. My cheeks reddened, and I shyly turned away to finish my work, hoping he didn’t notice how frazzled I was.
Leo took photos for hours before he sat back at his laptop. Elijah followed, and they both sorted through the images.
“I think the pictures call for a female model,” Elijah suggested over Leo’s shoulder.
“Yeah, I think you’re right. It needs a more intimate moment. I’ll make some calls. See if I can get a model on such short notice,” Leo stated, raffling through the papers on his desk to find his phone.
Elijah glanced at me again, and I looked around awkwardly. “What about her?” He pointed at me, and Leo’s eyes followed.
Leo stared at me like I had two heads, then returned to Elijah. “You want Lorelai as the model?” Leo questioned, lifting a brow. I felt offended. Even my best mate couldn’t understand why he wanted me.
“She’s perfect,” Elijah confessed as his eyes roamed over my figure, ending on my silver orbs.
Leo was stunned for a second but quickly bounced back. “Yeah, sure,” he waved me over excitedly. Like that time, we snuck out of the dorms past curfew so he could meet Elton John. It was worth every ounce of trouble we got in just to see Leo’s face when Elton John called him up on stage, but I was never like Leo. Never wanted to be the center of attention.
I shook my head. “Oh no, no, I can’t,” waving away the suggestion.
Leo held his finger up to Elijah, telling him to wait a minute, hurried over to me, grabbed my arm, and dragged me away.
Leo spun around to face me once we were in the hall. Excitement filled every inch of his face. “Lorelai, you have to do this,” Leo squeaked as he clung to either side of my shoulders. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Elijah never requests someone,” He claimed.
“I can’t, Leo. It’s bad enough to be the laughingstock of my big fat life but the laughingstock of London. No thanks.” I argued.
“Come on, live a little. If you’re not comfortable with the images after, we don’t have to keep them. You will regret it if you don’t accept,” Leo declared.
If a photo of me with him got out, he would be the laughingstock of London. How could I compare to him? He’s beyond sexy. He could have any girl he wanted. Never would I be good enough for a man like Elijah Harris.
I struggled to lose weight, and he looked perfect in every way. I could hear the rude comments in my head. ‘How did that fat ass cow get him? How could Elijah want that?’
A pained expression surfaced. I rubbed my wrists anxiously, and my heart thumped wildly against my chest, catching my breath as panic set in as the words of my ex-husband played in my head. ‘I don’t love you anymore. You’re just too fat. I found someone who cares about what she looks like for me.’ I squeezed my eyes shut with the pain, hoping the memory dissolved quickly and tears wouldn’t surface.
As my eyes flew open, I thought of an excuse to getaway. “You need lunch.” I quickly changed the subject. “Your favorite, a Reuben from Terry’s Cafe,” I said, turning away from Leo and hurried out, avoiding any more discussion of modeling.
The shoot ended hours ago. Elijah left before I got back with Leo’s lunch, which was my plan all along, so I took my sweet ass time. I couldn’t face him. The man made me feel things I couldn’t explain, but who was I kidding? If my beer belly ex didn’t want me, there’s no flipping way a hot tattoo model did.
It was late. I was cleaning and getting the studio ready for tomorrow. It could have waited, but I needed a distraction, so I stayed after hours.
Leo left early. There was a date with some flashy lawyer. Leo said little to me before heading out, only to lock up when I left. He was my best mate. I knew Leo would get over it and soon forget all about it. But I wasn’t sure if he was more upset that I didn’t want to be part of the shoot or if I was right that Elijah liked women.
I was reorganizing the furniture on the platform when I heard footsteps behind me. I twirled my head around. “Leo, what did you for….” My eyes went round. “... get?” I muttered, astonished. Butterflies swarmed my belly like they did every time he was near. “Elijah?” I uttered. “Um, Leo isn’t here.”
Elijah’s eyes greedily drank me in and made their way up to my steely eyes. “I’m not here for him,” He declared in a low tone as he walked over, picked up the camera from the table, and glanced back at me. “Will you pose for me?” His lips curled into a smile.
“You don’t want that,” I laughed nervously. My face burned red, and I fiddled with my hands.
He stepped onto the platform, closing in on me. “I assure you… I do,” Elijah revealed.
Never in my thirty-one years had a man like Elijah Harris shown interest in me, so it was tough to grasp what he just said.
Before I could answer, his hand reached up to my blouse and unbuttoned the top button. “You shouldn’t hide your beauty,” he proclaimed as his fingers slid down to the next button. A glimpse of my breast spilled over my black lace bra, catching Elijah’s gaze. His pupils spread like wildfire. Do I turn him on? There’s no way. I thought, puzzled. But then his long fingers followed up my collarbone, wrapping around the back of my neck.
“God, you’re gorgeous,” Elijah inched closer, whispering. His cool breath against the pulsating vein below my ear sent my soul into sheer bliss.
I was literally at a loss for words as I melted against Elijah’s chiseled pecks and couldn’t control my lingering hands from exploring his biceps.
Elijah drew away, and I yearned for reconnection. He looked longingly down, searching my eyes. “Pose for me,” he whispered, biting his lip sensually. His hand grazed over my breast, making its way through my last buttons until they completely exposed my bosoms with only the black bra left holding my breast in place.
Elijah held the camera in one hand and pulled down my leggings with the other. My eyes clenched shut, and I swallowed nervously as my fleshy thighs were revealed. Cellulite, dimples, and stretch marks out in the open.
He cupped my cheek, thumb caressing my jaw. “Look at me. You’re the beauty the world needs to see,” Elijah professed. He gently backed me toward the velvet mid-century sofa Leo just had cleaned a week ago. Halfway to the sofa, I peeked to find him staring at me, almost as if he couldn’t look away.
Elijah sat me on the sofa, propped my hand behind my head, then lifted my thick leg over my other, exposing my backside from the side.
For the first time in my life, I smiled while half-naked in front of a man. I looked up at Elijah, who hovered over me while he still positioned me in the perfect pose.
“You know what you’re doing, don’t you?” I asked, smirking.
Elijah glanced down at me. “Been modeling since I was twelve,” He told me while placing my other hand in front of me on the sofa’s edge.
I felt comfortable in front of him. There was no judgment. He only praised me with compliments. The way he would look at me brought my confidence to an all-time high.
Once he had me in the perfect position, he backed away and kneeled, aiming the camera toward me. “Now, give me your best pouty face.” Elijah grinned behind the lens.
My mouth watered at the sexy way his lip curled and his slim fingers wrapped around the camera’s top and rested gently on the button. The thoughts of those fingers trailing all over my body ran through my head.
Playfully, I did as he asked. I puckered up my lips into a duck face just as a flash went off.
I sat upright. “Wait, are you really taking pictures?” I asked, getting to my feet quickly and rushing over to take Elijah's camera.
He held it high above my head, so I couldn’t reach, while looking down at me, smirking. Clearly pleased he had the upper hand because of my shortness. “Patience, gorgeous.” He wiggled his brow as a mischievous grin played across his delicious lips. He hooked his arm around my plush waist and pulled me against his herculean chest.
Our lips were inches apart, which caused my breath to hitch. Elijah’s spearmint breath fanned against my lips, chilling them. “Am I dreaming?” I breathed, looking into his baby blues. All I could grasp was that this couldn’t be real. No way in this lifetime could Elijah Harris want me.
Elijah’s silky fingers trailed along my jaw before he placed my long hair to the side and leaned in, pressing his full lips on my heated skin, igniting every possible fuse wired throughout my body.
“Nothing has ever been more real,” He professed against my feverish skin.
My mouth parted, and a moan escaped as my eyes rolled behind my lids. “You have no clue what you’re doing to me,” I hummed with excitement.
Elijah moved behind me while his free hand slid slowly over my tiger stripes, backing away to remove his shirt. He reconnected quickly, his bare chest pressed against my back, spreading volcanic heat soring across my delicate skin.
Elijah guided me toward the sofa where he had me posed before and bent me over it. His smooth hands traced up my outer thighs, ending at the hem of my undergarments. Soon his wet lips left wet kisses across my back before he gently pulled my panties to my ankles, where I tossed them to the side with my foot.
“Mmm,” I closed my eyes as I erupted with bliss. My insides were on fire. I wanted him to take me now. My core eagerly throbbing to have him inside me. “Elijah,” I murmured as my breath caught in my throat.
“Yes?” He whispered against my flesh.
“Please, I need you,” I pleaded, biting my lip.
“God, you’re sexy when you beg,” Elijah exhaled and grabbed my hair, twisting it between his fingers, pulling me back against his god-like frame. “I want you screaming my name before the night’s over,” He said while his long fingers slipped between my legs and dived into my wet center.
“Ahh,” I moaned as he inserted two fingers and slowly glided them in and out. My juices ran down my inner thigh. That’s how much I wanted him. My lady parts turned into Nigeria fall as Elijah’s hand thrust faster between my folds. My hands clenched the sofa as my soft moans turned into pleading ones. “Ohhh Jesus, yes….” I breathed heavily as the building of my climax swarmed inside me. “I’m going to cum,” I cried out, and like a volcano, my pussy erupted, squirting against Elijah’s hand.
Elijah pulled out his fingers, and I looked back at him as he popped them in his mouth, licking my juices away. “Damn Lorelai, you taste so fucking good. It’s the best candy I’ve tasted,” He praised.
Facing him, I sat on the sofa, realizing my pussy juices were all over Leo’s newly cleaned couch. How was I going to explain that to him? I thought. ‘Oh yeah, Leo, sorry about your couch. It’s got my vagina juices all over it.’
Leo’s going to kill me.
The worry about Leo’s couch quickly faded when Elijah pulled down his jeans and boxers simultaneously. His enormous manhood slapped against the v-shape below his abs. Oh, fuck the couch. I thought as my jaw dropped at the length and girth of his cock. It was difficult to remove my eyes.
Licking my lips, I eagerly wrapped my hand around his thickness and slid my hand up and down his shaft. Elijah closed his eyes and threw his head back as his firm ass tightened while I continued stroking his member.
“Fuck…” He exhaled, thrusting his hips into my hand, begging for more friction. I stopped, and he glanced down.
“Snack time.” I lifted a brow and smirked devilishly. Before Elijah could say a word, I took his massive girth in my mouth.
“Oh, shit…” Elijah hissed. The palm of his hand rested on the back of my head, entangling his fingers in my hair. He slowly coaxed me as I took more of him to where his cock was no longer visible.
“Fuck Lorelai,” Elijah moaned, and I sucked harder, tightening my lips around him, bobbing my head faster. “Ahhh…” He panted, and I wrapped my hand around his muscular thigh for leverage as I rammed his member against the back of my throat. His firm ass tightened, and I knew it was time, so I cupped his balls, and Elijah’s head fell back again. “Ohhh, Shit…” He groaned as his cock pulsed in my mouth, filling it with salty warmness.
Elijah took a deep breath before he glanced down at me. Looking up at him through my lashes, I removed my mouth from his rod, and, as my lips left, they made a popping sound. The corner of my mouth dribbled some of his cream, and I wiped it with my finger, then licked it away. “Yum,” I whispered before licking my lips clean.
Elijah pulled me from the couch and smashed his lips on mine. His tongue slid over my bottom lip, begging for entrance. Our tongues devoured each other as he laid me down on the couch, placed himself above me, and rested his bulge against my center.
“I want all of you,” I whispered.
I was a grown woman and knew exactly what I wanted, and was tired of not being confident enough to take it, but this time I was going to. If this sexy man in front of me wasn’t ashamed of my thick curves, I wouldn’t be.
“Take me now,” I demanded. My pulse jumped with excitement.
Elijah took handfuls of my outer thighs and gripped them, pulling my voluptuous frame downward and spreading my legs. He grabbed his erection, placed it at my entrance, and angled the tip against my clit, rubbing his end up and down my slit.
“Mmm… Yes,” I bucked my hips against his pelvis, wanting more of him inside me. “Please,” I begged.
Elijah leaned forward, capturing my lips as he plummeted deep inside my lady cave. A massive gasp tried to escape but was muffled by his lips.
Our lips pulled apart, and he thrust deeper, slowly pumping himself into me while we gazed into each other’s eyes, as if we could read one another’s thoughts.
“You feel so good,” Elijah whispered, keeping his pace.
“Harder,” I whimpered, and Elijah lifted my leg, placing it on his shoulder as he plunged deeper, hitting against my walls. “Oh, God!” My head pressed back against the sofa, and my eyes felt as if they rolled so far into my head that I went back in time decades.
Elijah closed his eyes, trying to hold in his orgasm.
The thought that the hottest inked model in London was fucking me right now and was enjoying every bit was unreal.
“Cum for me, Lorelai. I can’t hold on much longer,” Elijah groaned. He pounded my pussy, while I held my breath and warm butterflies erupted deep in my belly.
“Ahhh, Elijah!” I cried, my climax hitting hard, making my legs tremble. At the same time, my body shuddered under his carved by angels structure.
“Shit!” He grunted with his release and slowed his pace, shooting every ounce of his liquid inside me.
Before Elijah pulled out, he stared down at me, and I stared back confidently. “What?” I grinned.
He heaved a breath. “That was… Just wow,” Elijah said, smirking.
“I aim to please,” I giggled.
He pushed a strand of hair from my face. “See, I knew she was in there somewhere,” Elijah told me. He pressed his soft lips on my forehead before pulling himself out, lying beside me on the sofa, then cuddled me against his chest, kissing my temple.
We lay there before the sound of keys clinking against the metal door caught our attention. “Shit, it’s Leo,” I gasped, wide-eyed, and we scrambled to our feet. Elijah grabbed my clothes and tossed them over to me as he hopped on one leg to pull his jeans back on while I struggled with my leggings. “Fuck, I’m so dead,” I sighed. It felt a bit like getting caught by your parents.
Good thing the door sometimes jammed because it was saving our asses tonight.
We both got dressed quickly, and I ran a hand through my hair just as Leo entered with a bewildered look. “Lorelai, you’re still here?” He was beyond confused, but his head tilted even more perplexed when he looked in Elijah’s direction. “Am I missing something? Did we set up a late shoot that I forgot to put on the calendar?”
Quickly I interjected. “No, Mr. Harris came by to talk me into doing the shoot with him tomorrow,” I blurted, almost as if I was an auctioneer. Geez, smooth move, Lorelai. That wasn’t suspicious at all. I wanted to face-palm myself.
Leo had always been clever and could literally smell sex when he walked into a room, but he was eating up my lies.
“Well, did it work?” Leo questioned curiously.
My eyes bounced between Elijah and Leo. “Oh yeah, he practically had me screaming yes,” I giggled and shook my head. Elijah chuckled as well.
Lousy time for jokes, Lorelai. I thought.
Leo looked more confused but smiled. “Girl, it’s about fucking time,” He grinned and hurried over, wrapping his arm around my shoulder, and peered over at Elijah, who was silent. “You okay? You’re all sweaty.” Leo lifted a brow. “Let me get you some water,” Leo insisted and took off toward the fridge. He was still hoping to get Elijah in his bed, but Elijah definitely was into women.
A breath I must have been holding escaped, and I felt Elijah staring at me, so I glanced at him and smiled. He blew me a kiss with a wink, then walked toward the hall. “Leo, don’t worry about it. I’m heading out. I’ve got an early morning,” Elijah stated, and Leo popped his head out from the kitchen.
“You sure?”
Elijah laughed. “Yeah, it’s fine.” He turned back to me. “Night, Lorelai,” he sent me the sweetest smile before disappearing.
Leo gawked at me suspiciously. “Bitch, why are you so giddy?”
“No reason,” I lied, smiling ear to ear.
I turned toward the sofa where I wished Elijah was still sitting. Then it hit me. Tonight was probably a one-night thing and would never happen again, but I wasn’t sad. I felt reassured that one day, maybe not in a few weeks or even years, I would find someone who would love me for me when the time was right.
This fluffy girl got herself a hottie, and I wouldn’t let anyone tear me down ever again.
I faced Leo again. “See you in the morning,” I smiled, picked up my bag, and exited into the streets of London with my head held high, skin glowing with confidence and with a whole new outlook on life.
