AKA Lexi Frost

By Tori Brooks

Lexi Frost is a successful photographer in a specialty niche: tasteful nudes. All she wants is continuing success and to keep her private life private. She didn't want to attract the attention of millionaire Paul Lovett. And she really didn't need rock star Flynn Peterson to fall for her during a photo-shoot either. Both are persistent but Lexi isn't interested, in part because she isn't Lexi Frost.

Teri Giles has a successful career, two teenagers, and their four friends. Okay, maybe having six teenagers in the house isn’t ideal. And her son’s basement band makes her buy aspirin in economy-size bottles, but she makes it work. Trying to hide an alternate identity and career from a house full of teens is a little chancy, so Teri was ready to scream before attracting unwanted attention.

Then her worst fear is realized: her cover is blown. In a split-second decision, she takes a chance on one of her suitors after swearing she wouldn’t love again. But Teri isn’t the only one who’s been keeping secrets...

***This book is for adults. I don't fade out on love scenes. Like other romances, there are complications that arise that keep the characters apart and hard decisions that make them think about more than just themselves. In The Lexi Frost Series, those complications are slightly atypical of romance novels, but not outside the realm of possibility in today’s world.***

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tori Brooks
• Release date: Jul 29, 2014
• ISBN: 9781940476063

Tori Brooks

Tori Brooks grew up in the Pacific Northwest, moving every few years throughout her childhood. Eventually she got tired of temporary friendships and spent her spare time reading instead. At about eleven-years-old, she started writing short stories. She continued writing in her spare time until college when, between full-time school, full-time work, and the occasional date, she didn’t have any more time for writing.In 2008, Tori returned to writing and finished her first novel. She wrote a third of that novel on her smartphone during lunches and breaks at work. It took a while before Tori considered her writing to be anything more than a hobby, but by then she had finished a few books.Writing taught her to appreciate the mischief her teenagers stir up, that the characters in her head fight back, and that she misses Seattle. Life is still teaching her that her children will grow out of it, and she can visit Seattle occasionally. She’s still looking for a solution on how to deal with her characters. Maybe she should stop fighting them; these are their stories after all.

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AKA Lexi Frost

By

Tori Brooks

AKA Lexi Frost

By

Tori Brooks

© 2011, 2013 Mike's Basement, Inc.

Smashwords Editions

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This book contains material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is prohibited. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without express written permission from Mike's Basement, Inc. For permission requests (outside of the scope of Fair Use doctrine), contact: [e-mail]

This book is a work of fiction. The characters and events described are products of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual events or people, living or deceased, is purely coincidental.

www.toribrooks.com

Acknowledgements

A big thanks to my husband and family for their support, patience, tolerance, and for providing the appropriate amounts and forms of sugar at key times.

Table of Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Author’s Note

See Also

Chapter One

Paul Lovett stared at the photography studio as the limo pulled up. The building was an old, squat, cinder block cube and didn’t fit his idea of a professional studio, much less one this expensive. The stairs to the upper floor, where a small sign indicated Lexi Frost’s studio was located, were on the outside and another indicator of the outdated architecture. Paul told himself this rough exterior just showed the photographer didn’t feel the need to dress up her work in a pretty package. He appreciated self-confidence.

Lexi Frost should be confident. Paul never considered having nude photographs taken of Kayley before, but seeing Lexi’s work the first time at a client’s house made him pick up the phone to make an appointment. Just the same, Paul watched Kayley as they climbed the stairs to the second floor, relieved she was too excited to notice the rough cinder blocks or the creaking metal stairs.

In contrast to the exterior, Lexi Frost’s small lobby was stylishly understated, and without a hint at what went on beyond the closed door behind the receptionist’s desk. The pictures on the wall were landscapes, some of them slightly odd when Paul inspected them. He would have expected figures, examples of her work, silhouettes at least.

Since your paperwork is already complete, I can take you back. Would you like to watch or wait in the lounge, Mr. Lovett? the receptionist asked as Paul looked around.

I’ll watch if you don’t mind. Paul looked to Kayley for confirmation. He hadn’t considered not being there, but she didn’t seem to care either way.

Lexi’s already back there somewhere, let me take you back to the studio then. The receptionist opened the door she guarded and led them through.

The first thing Paul noticed about the studio was the darkness. The room’s floor, walls, and ceiling were all painted flat black. Even the windows had heavy black drapes over them. The room was large, with pieces of various sets and lighting scattered around. Paul recognized props and draped fabrics from Lexi’s previous work.

Hello, you must be Kayley.

Lexi’s voice brought Paul’s attention back. Kayley happily shook Lexi’s hand and Paul barely had time to size up the woman before she turned to him. He exchanged pleasantries automatically, filing away his impressions of Lexi Frost.

She was below average height and refused to compensate by wearing heels. She had brown hair, hazel eyes, and an average figure. Her smile seemed warm enough, but Paul’s assessment was that she was a bundle of nerves. Not a problem, he decided as Lexi led Kayley to a dressing room in the back. She’d loosen up as she fell into her craft.

The receptionist showed Paul to a comfortable chair with a decent view of most of the sets. He declined the offer of a drink, made note of the bar neatly set into the wall behind him, and sat back to wait for the show to begin.

Kayley was a model when Paul met her. She was beautiful, but difficult to work with according to her agent, directors, coworkers, associates, and friends. In fact, everyone described in detail just how difficult Kayley could be. She didn’t give Paul any trouble, and he knew there were at least two sides to every story. Rather than see Kayley get upset, and therefore ruin his own time with her, Paul simply bought Kayley’s time for the foreseeable future. They never fell in love but enjoyed each other’s companionship, an intimate one when it suited them. If Kayley had any problem with being Paul’s mistress, she didn’t show it. That was years ago, Paul reflected as he waited, and he never regretted the decision.

Lexi emerged from the back room, closing the door behind her. She checked a thermostat on the wall and rejoined Paul.

Kayley’s getting ready. Of course you’ve seen some examples of what we can do here today. I’ve checked her figure and coloring against a palette, she’ll be pretty easy to work with in any direction you want to go.

Oh just wait, Paul thought to himself. He only smiled and nodded, not wanting to put a negative spin on the session before it started. Paul wondered what he was thinking, booking a photo shoot after several photographers refused to work with Kayley again.

She doesn’t seem to have any particular look she’s trying to achieve, so before we start, I wanted to know if there was anything in particular you were looking for. Lexi looked at Paul expectantly.

I’ll be frank, I’m doing this to let Kayley have a good time. I can’t say I have anything specific in mind.

Well, we’ll just see where it takes us then. If anything comes to mind or gets your attention, just shout it out. Lexi smiled and started to walk past Paul, then paused. And Mr. Lovett? Thank you for bringing such a beautiful woman. It makes my job so much easier.

Paul smiled, partially in appreciation of the compliment, partially because he suspected she might not be so grateful in a couple of hours. Lexi walked out the door to reception and whispered a few words to the receptionist. Paul watched her fix a small earpiece in her ear as she walked past him again and started to play with lights and props.

Kayley came out of the back room wearing a silky red robe.

Lexi gestured to a carved marble throne sitting in front of a black velvet curtain.

Kayley glanced at Paul with a mischievous smile and let the robe slide off her naked body. She turned and sat gracefully on the throne’s red cushion.

Paul watched with anticipation as Lexi stepped forward and carefully positioned Kayley, from her feet to the way her hair hung over her alabaster shoulder. Lexi returned to the camera and checked the shot. She adjusted some of the lights and reflectors positioned around the throne and checked the image in the camera again.

Smile just a little more, Kayley. There you go, perfect, Lexi said, her face lit by the soft glow of the camera’s digital screen. All right, tilt your head up a little. Look at the red rubber ducky if you would.

Paul’s eyebrows rose in surprise. Rubber ducky? He stood up and walked a little closer. He saw where Kayley was looking and looked up. The ceiling was unfinished, but the ducts, pipes, and rafters were painted black to match the ceiling.

He looked again. Sitting on the ducts, and not immediately apparent, was a rainbow of rubber ducks. He looked back at Kayley to see her watching him now instead of the duck. He pointed upward as a hint and a broad smile crossed her face.

Go ahead and laugh, Kayley, I know you want to, Lexi said.

Kayley burst out laughing as Paul looked at Lexi in confusion. She stood with a remote for the camera in her hand, still taking pictures of Kayley. Looking back at Kayley, he saw Lexi capturing her genuine laughter. Sitting on a throne, bare and laughing without a care in the world, Paul had to admit she presented an alluring sight. He nodded to Lexi in acknowledgment of her cleverness and returned to his seat.

Paul watched Lexi work with Kayley for the next few hours. Initially from boredom, Paul watched as they changed sets, props and backgrounds. Lexi restyled Kayley’s hair and changed her jewelry and makeup several times. They seemed to work together just fine. Kayley didn’t even flinch when Lexi put her hands on Kayley’s bare hips to position her. For a woman notoriously difficult to work with, Kayley was being absolutely professional. Paul’s brow furrowed in concentration.

He started watching Lexi more than Kayley. She bounced up and down between checking camera angles and lights and used gestures and motions to instruct Kayley. The woman brimmed with energy. She smiled, laughed, and joked. She gave compliments where due, but only genuine ones. No insincere comments to boost Kayley’s ego or try to make her workable. Paul leaned forward in his seat to study her. She never raised her voice and smoothly moved from one series of shots to the next.

Lexi radiated confidence and an expectation that her subject would behave. It fascinated Paul that it worked. In the past Kayley required every shot to be absolutely perfect, to the point she was thrown off shoots. She terrorized photographers and lost advertising contracts because of her perfectionist attitude. Kayley saw Lexi’s work and knew Lexi worked with other women just as beautiful. But Paul wasn’t seeing her competitive nature here.

Maybe it was that he was there. Paul sat back and considered that. Was Kayley behaving for him? No, he saw her difficult side regularly. Half the time when they ate out she either sent back her meal or gave the servers such precise instructions they nearly wrote an essay. Besides, Kayley was a monster at the charity fashion show two months ago. It wasn’t his presence inspiring her to behave, it had to be Lexi.

Paul leaned forward and considered the photographer again. Lexi was helping Kayley rub shimmer gel all over her body. If he was into girl-on-girl action, he’d be beside himself right now. As it was, his body still reacted physically despite his desire for it not to. Paul looked away, but there was nothing else to look at. Looking around, all he found were more black walls. Lexi even covered most of the props she wasn’t using with black cloth.

Giving up, Paul looked back to Lexi and Kayley. Lexi was busy, but Kayley smiled knowingly at him. She wiggled her fingers in a little wave, and Paul gave a small wave back before leaning back in his chair and staring at the black ceiling. Kayley laughed. No doubt he’d hear about it later. He wasn’t worried. Paul and Kayley had an arrangement. He had his apartment, she had hers. While they spent more time together than alone, it was always by invitation. Their relationship was a convenience and not exclusive. They weren’t in love and left each other open to explore other opportunities.

Images of Lexi positioning Kayley came to mind. It wasn’t Kayley he was thinking about now, Paul realized, it was Lexi. There was something about her, a mystery. He watched the way her short, dark hair bounced and the auburn highlights in the soft curls reflected the light. Her narrow waist was emphasized by her ample hips and bosom, giving her a classical figure, Paul decided. Lexi had a pretty face and her makeup was light and natural, hardly noticeable. She was overshadowed when she stood beside Kayley; most women seemed to be, Paul conceded. Maybe that was why he didn’t notice her before.

Paul pulled out his phone and emailed to his assistant, Tim DeLaney, asking him to gather information on Lexi Frost. He already had basic career information, now he was looking for personal data. It’d been a while since Paul sent Tim this kind of request, but like his mistress, Tim didn’t judge. That done, Paul sat back to enjoy watching Lexi handling Kayley.

○ ○ ○

Lexi finished up and let Kayley go get dressed. Her best friend, Nicholas, watched Paul Lovett via a hidden camera aimed at the waiting area. He provided feedback through her earpiece to help Lexi anticipate what the man paying for the session might want. They did it before when she first started out, and she hated to resort to the trick again to cater on the fly to what the customer might like. As Nicholas pointed out when he suggested it though, Lexi was desperate for this particular shoot to go well. Lexi Frost made a name for herself, but she occasionally had too many bills and not enough clients. Paul Lovett’s multi-millionaire friends would expand her clientele nicely.

Nicholas had an uncanny ability to read Lovett’s body language and Lexi wondered, for what felt like the hundredth time, when her friend was going to come out of the closet. He pestered her about rejoining the dating scene from time to time, but she felt odd returning the jibes when she was pretty sure they’d be sizing up the same men. Lexi shook off the thought and went to go sit by the client as Nicholas suggested. It was time to be personable and make small talk. For some reason she had to make Lovett like her, not just her work.

That didn’t take as long as I expected, Lovett said as Lexi sat down beside him.

No, I didn’t realize Kayley was a professional when I quoted you a time. I’m surprised I haven’t seen her before.

Well, I confess, up until now she hasn’t followed directions well. She’s got a reputation in some circles.

Really? That might have something to do with handling.

Could you elaborate on that please? Lovett looked at her curiously, and Lexi mentally kicked herself. She preferred not to have conversations like this with clients. Not as Lexi Frost anyway. Nothing technical or deep, just enough conversation to get the job done, anything more risked exposing her cover. Although, since she really was a photographer, sticking to this topic should be fine. Besides, maybe honesty would earn points and she needed him to rave to his friends about her.

"Top photographers sometimes have a ‘you should consider it a privilege to work with me’ attitude and it shows in the way they direct their models. It’s subtle, but it’s there. A lot of models agree, so it’s not a problem. Others don’t notice the expectation in the photographer’s tone. A few notice, but in the interest of their careers, they ignore it. Occasionally someone notices, disagrees, and can’t ignore it.

For the record, the reverse is also true. Top models can have the same attitude and the photographer may be the one to make the concessions. If you know what you’re looking for, sometimes you can see evidence of these little power plays in the end shots. Like a model you know to be pin-thin, but the angle makes her hips look wide, or her head look disproportionately large for her body. Just slightly. It’s not enough to be unusable, only enough to be a little unflattering. That can be the photographer’s dislike of the subject coming through.

I’ll have to go back and look at some of Kayley’s past pictures, Lovett said. What if the model is the one being difficult?

You get a lot of unusable shots.

So how did you get Kayley to work with you?

Lexi shrugged. She’d never had a personality conflict with a subject. Saying so only drew attention to how few professionals she worked with. Lexi felt Paul Lovett’s blue eyes heavy on her. She had his undivided attention and Lexi doubted she’d be able to shrug off even the simplest question with a non-answer.

Mutual respect. I assumed Kayley did some modeling. She certainly has the look and build for it, and she moved like it. So, when we went in the back to pick out some props and accessories, I confirmed it. I told her what I was going to do might be different from the modeling she did before. I wasn’t using her to sell something, we were working together to show a different side of her. She admitted to not doing nudes before, and I told her I know all the tricks to make her look smooth. Never ever mention cellulite to a model, it’s like asking to be murdered, Lexi confided and he laughed.

I don’t think she has any.

They all worry about it regardless. And too little fat is almost as much as a problem as too much. If a woman has zero body fat, she has no curves and it makes for horrible nudes. That’s when I have to get creative. Kayley is bordering that actually, but her height helped work around it.

You told her she didn’t have enough body fat? He seemed surprised and Lexi mentally kicked herself again.

It’s not uncommon in professional models who don’t do nudes, and I told her that too. In part, it means she’s conscious of her appearance. She eats right, exercises, and does both with the aim of being model-thin. It’s part of who she is and there’s nothing wrong with that. It’s preferable to being a wannabe porn-star with a body created from implants and selective liposuction, Lexi said, then wondered if Lovett knew anyone by that description. I can work with that, but it’s much harder, she added hastily.

So Kayley behaved for you because you said her body was perfect for professional modeling, not nudes, but you could fix it. Lovett smiled. Lexi felt like he was baiting her.

No, I think Kayley worked with me because we were a team. I respected her experience and God-given gifts she’s carefully preserved. She respected my experience on how to make her look like a goddess. I brought something to the table that the other photographers might not: a different point of view and acknowledgment of her abilities, both intellectual and physical. When you get right down to it, models are people, Mr. Lovett.

His smile flickered briefly when she called him ‘Mr. Lovett.’ Lexi noticed and it confused her. She did her research, she knew exactly who Paul Lovett was: rich, influential, and CEO at just forty-four of a company he built himself. He should be used to people’s respect.

Lexi panicked. Maybe it was her fault. He did build a multi-billion dollar business from the ground up. He had to have a sense for reading people. While she usually used titles – except when the client was her subject – that was as Lexi Frost, her professional persona. In her real life, as Teri Giles, she was casual with everyone. Maybe Mr. Big Business could sense the difference. At some level, maybe he was onto her.

It’s interesting, Lexi held her breath as Lovett spoke, you call Kayley by her first name, but address me by title.

Kayley’s my subject. We need a casual relationship to make the dynamics of the photo shoot work. Does it bother you?

It intrigues me. Call me Paul. Paul held out his hand. Lexi smiled and shook it.

A pleasure to meet you, Paul.

Likewise, Lexi. She knew it was coming and braced herself as Paul used her pseudonym. She couldn’t afford to give anything away now.

Luck was on her side. Paul’s phone beeped quietly at the same time, distracting him. He released her hand and pulled the phone out of his suit pocket. Paul read a message and Lexi watched as his eyebrows rose in surprise and a smile spread across his face. It was the first time Lexi saw the man inside the expensive suit. He dropped his calm façade before she realized, but always just as she expected him to. This was unexpected. It didn’t change him, but suddenly his business-like, perfectly groomed appearance gave way to the little boy inside of every man. She could picture his dark hair, currently in a neat business cut, falling into a mess of unruly waves on his head, disregarded carelessly while chasing some all-consuming pursuit. It was the same when her late husband restored the classic Mustang she still drove to work every day.

Good news I hope, Lexi said as Paul slid the phone back into his pocked. His blue eyes still held a sparkle as he looked to her.

I’m not sure yet. He smiled, but Lexi couldn’t read what exactly that smile said. You seem to have some grasp of psychology, reading models and such. Reading clients as well, I suspect.

Lexi blushed slightly and nodded. I try of course.

I find it refreshing and intriguing when I find my objective is more complex than I expected. Perhaps not what I expected at all.

I take it you’re a fan of mysteries.

Paul laughed. I am, yes. Are you?

Lexi shook her head. I don’t like surprises.

Well, I just found a new one I need to unravel.

Lexi felt she was missing something, but she was already behaving too familiar with Paul. You have fun with that, she said.

I will.

Kayley’s return spared Lexi from having to continue the conversation. She was getting nervous about giving away her identity. There was too much at stake.

All done? Paul stood to face Kayley. Her long hair was pinned up again, but she still had a shimmer to her skin. Kayley looked to Lexi to be sure. Lexi nodded, standing as well.

I guess so, Kayley answered Paul then turned back to Lexi. How soon?

Lexi felt better to be back on task. It’ll take a few days to do enhancements and upload them. Think of it as Christmas: you know there’s something under the tree, you just have to wait for it.

Kayley doesn’t wait. I can’t put anything under her tree early. She cheats, Paul said.

It’ll be a good experience for you then. Lexi patted Kayley on the shoulder.

Kayley pouted, but couldn’t hold it for long under Lexi’s gaze and finally laughed. Fine, have it your way. Besides, I owe you for heating the studio.

Chapter Two

Teri slipped out of her Lexi persona and into the magazine’s offices next door to her studio as soon as Paul and Kayley left. Nicholas waited for her with smug satisfaction on his face.

I couldn’t hear your conversation with Paul Lovett, but his body language was good, Nicholas said.

I think he’s happy, but I’m glad they’re gone. He makes me nervous.

How so? Nicholas led Teri back to his little corner of the room. The magazine’s half of the floor was completely open; the staff shared space and didn’t have the luxury of individual offices.

After Teri’s husband, Allen, died, his editor tried it on his own for three months before leaving to take a better offer. Nicholas was newest to the magazine but had more management experience than the other staff, so Teri promoted him to the job. He protested initially, finally taking the job because Teri was in a bind and he owed Allen.

Nicholas and Allen were college roommates and got along well until Nicholas discovered gambling. Allen ran into Nicholas again over a decade later, picked his old friend up, and helped him turn his life around. Nicholas’s debt had successfully put an end to his gambling. He had no credit with the bookies and was scrambling to keep from being made an example of. Allen gave him a job and let