Amazonia Read Free Page B

memory card from his camera into the studio’s computer and
brought up the photos. As Jefferson looked at the array of images,
he was more convinced than ever that Layla was the perfect model
for the ad campaign.
    Unfortunately, she seemed more determined than ever
to avoid modeling like the plague. “Ugh, I can’t wait to see how
much better these poses look when done by a professional.”
    “I don’t know,” Tommy said as he opened a larger
version of one of the photos. “I think you look great, especially
since you’ve never modeled before.”
    “You’re crazy.”
    Jefferson moved closer to look at the image on the
screen. It showed Layla sitting on the floor, her legs tucked to
the left and her right hand braced against the floor. For a moment,
he couldn’t breathe. How could she see this photo and not see how
beautiful a woman she was?
    He turned to find her peeling off the arm warmers.
“He’s right, Layla. You look awesome in these photos. I don’t think
we’re going to find a model who could do a better job.”
    “Forget it, Jefferson.” She turned an icy glare on
him. “I already told you I only agreed to this so we would have
some poses to pick from before we bring in the model. So let’s pick
the poses we want from the model we’ll hire and delete the rest of
these photos before anyone else sees them.”
    “In that case, which poses do you think would work
the best?”
    Jefferson caught the incredulous look Tommy gave him,
but there was nothing he could do about it. Layla was a stubborn
woman, and there was no changing her mind when she was in this
mood. All he could do was wait for an opportune moment, send her to
change back into her clothes, and then make sure Tommy saved every
single one of the photos.
     
     

Three
     
    Layla left the meeting with the client a happy woman.
They had loved the vision for the ad campaign she and Jefferson had
come up with, and they had picked a model from the book of
headshots the agency kept. All that was left to do was to get the
photos, throw together a series of ads, and get the client’s
approval.
    She loved it when things came together so quickly and
smoothly.
    As she sat at her desk writing marketing copy for
Amazonia a couple of hours later, the receptionist knocked on the
open door and walked in with a huge smile.
    “I don’t believe it, Layla,” Mindy said. “Why didn’t
you tell me you were a model?”
    “Because I’m not.” Layla pushed back from her
computer and stretched. “Why are you asking?”
    “The images for that new perfume you and Jefferson
have been working on are making their way around the office.” Mindy
released a happy sigh. “Girl, if I could look even half as hot as
you do in those photos, I wouldn’t be stuck sitting at home so many
Friday nights.”
    A sinking feeling hit Layla with Titanic proportions. Jefferson couldn’t have taken her photos and given
them to the client, could he? Only one way to find out. “Do you
still have those images?”
    “I should. They seem to have taken up residence on my
desk to provide easy access for anyone who wants to see them.”
Mindy’s eyebrows drew together in confusion. “But don’t you already
know what they look like? I mean, they’re for your ad
campaign.”
    Layla cast about for a halfway honest response that
wouldn’t make her look like an idiot. “Jefferson and I discussed
the images, but I haven’t had a chance to seen the finished product
yet.”
    Mindy’s features cleared and she pointed to the door.
“Then get your booty out to the reception desk and take a
look!”
    Layla left her office and hurried down the hall. Half
a dozen people were gathered around the reception desk, talking in
excited tones as they studied something on the surface. Silence
fell as Layla approached and they backed away, giving her a clear
view of the five photos spread out on the desk. Her heart skipped a
beat, and then outrage filled her as she gazed at the images