The Corset Maker 3: The Corset Maker, #3

By K.T. Frederick

Fearing she’ll ruin Julien’s creative genius, Amelia struggles with the idea of breaking off their relationship, despite her insatiable hunger for him.

Julien’s tired of Amelia’s stubborn pride and her refusal to let him help with the unknowns weighing her down.  Every time he tries, they end up with their clothes off and clawing at one another, until neither of them can stand.

In the end, will Amelia defy the urgings of Chloe and Julien and brave Derek alone? Or will she finally sit back and stop worrying about what others think of her?

• Language: English
• Publisher: K.T. Frederick
• Release date: Apr 8, 2016
• ISBN: 9780994930743

Book preview

The Corset Maker, Volume 3

The Corset Maker

Volume Three

by

K.T. Frederick

Fearing she’ll ruin Julien’s creative genius, Amelia struggles with the idea of breaking off their relationship, despite her insatiable hunger for him.

Julien’s tired of Amelia’s stubborn pride and her refusal to let him help with the unknowns weighing her down. Every time he tries, they end up with their clothes off and clawing at one another, until neither of them can stand.

In the end, will Amelia defy the urgings of Chloe and Julien and brave Derek alone? Or will she finally sit back and stop worrying about what others think of her?

The greatest prison people live in, is the fear of what other people think.

– David Icke

Dedication

To my mother Angela,

for all your plot ideas, relentless questions and being my co-conspirator on this series.

For believing and trusting in my intuition, even when it seems I take the long way around.

For always being there and sharing your love of books with me.

I could seriously fill this page with all the reasons I’m thankful for you,

but I should probably start this show.

Thanks Mama.

Chapter One

Julien stops knocking, and I feel his stare through the glass door. After a moment, I let my eyes shift to meet his. His brows are drawn and he looks…lost. Shit. My heart hurts just looking at him.

Did we really need to lock him out?

Christine licks her thumb and flips the page of one of the contracts, then signs it. We’ve got to sign these fast. We’ll let him in, in a minute.

Everything should go off without a hitch. Everyone is in place: my mom, the tabloid magazine, Chloe in the hallway with Julien—clearly, she’s filled him in. And Derek sits upstairs in the restaurant, waiting for me to sign over my company.

I know, but it just seems a little harsh. Julien is her boss, and mine, sort of.

Annnnnd here’s the last one. Christine pushes the contract towards me. It’s flipped open to the last page and she goes back to signing one of the other triplicates.

He’s still there, I’m barely moving my lips as I slide the papers back.

My new boss glances over her shoulder, holds up an index finger to Julien.

He nods and then his face relaxes. His gaze flicks back to me.

You’re doing the right thing.

Christine isn’t talking about the contract.

Do you think he knows?

She doesn’t look up to meet my eyes. Nor does she mention our mutual agreement that I need to end things with Julien. She slips another copy in front of me. I think he’s worried about all that you were willing to sacrifice to save his honor.

Both our honors. This is about saving us both.

She makes a small noise of disapproval at the back of her throat and readies the last contract with a huff. I can’t tell if she’s angry with Julien for getting involved with me, or if she’s seen it a million times. Either way, the thought of being just another woman in Julien’s bed makes me feel cheap.

At first, it had crossed my mind to ignore Christine’s request that I break up with Julien, but she’d threatened to pull our deal. I’ve come to the conclusion now, that since she’s my direct boss, it should afford her some amount of respect—let’s face it, we need this job.

My eyes dare another glance at the door. Julien’s gaze locks on mine. Visions of us slide into my brain. In his limo, the way I took him to the back of my throat. The way he clawed at the leather seats and shouted his release at the roof.

I let out a deep exhale and nonchalantly cross my legs before I drop my gaze to sign another page. I could seriously study him all day, or think of all the places our lips have been. But I would get nothing done. Julien’s got this blue-black, bed-messed hair and this perfectly symmetrical face. He’s got these troubled eyes the color of a jade stone. At times I forget all he’s been through, between the mysterious death of his mother, the not-so-mysterious suicide of his father, and his long forgotten drug problem. He’s always so in control. But when we’re alone it’s like he needs to lose himself, devouring my body with a ferocity and hunger I can’t explain. Like he’s starving.

I know I’m repeating myself, but believe me when I say you’re doing the right thing. Think of all the people who will be employed on this film. They’re counting on Julien.

I don’t want to beat this into the ground anymore. Decision made. And it goes against everything I feel. God, when I’m with him, I swear I can fly. The thanks I offer her feels empty—which is ridiculous. I mean, how long have Julien and I been a secret item? Five minutes?

I can hear you thinking from over here. Put him out of your mind.

You keep saying that. I slump back in my chair and blink back the tears. Can we stop talking about it now? I promise I’ll do it after I talk to Derek. My tone comes out clipped and cold. I shouldn’t speak to her that way. I should be happy, dammit. Not wallowing. I’m signing the contract for our first motion picture deal. A deal that Chloe and I have chased and nearly lost countless times. How many 21-year-olds get to do their dream job? We’ll be making beautiful costumes for the rich and famous. I suppose one good thing has come from nearly losing everything—most of the money earned from leaking those pictures will be donated to Julien’s charity.

After we’re finished here, two things sit on this morning’s docket: A—I’ve got to break up with Julien, and B—I’ve got to go upstairs to face Derek and tell him he can’t have Amulet Designs. I don’t know how my ex-boss is going to react when he learns we hustled him. He’s more a mischievous pain than anything else. By now, I’m sure he’s noticed we beat him to the punch and pre-emptively leaked the photos.

I sign the last of the papers. Christine takes two copies and bounces them once on the table to line up the edges. She gives me a smile and extends her hand. I shake it and muster up the grin I know I should have been wearing all along. Are you ready?

I need a moment to collect myself. I’m not sure how much Chloe’s