Page 37 of Desired By you (Always & Forever #3)

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Gabriella

I walk through the revolving glass doors of what I assume is a hotel and to the reception desk, where a woman with dark hair in a sleek bun and a white blouse sits.

“Hi, my name’s Gabriella. I am here to meet Paula?” I say it more as a question than a statement.

“Ah, yes, Paula is up on the top floor in the studio. Would you like me to show you the way?”

I shake my head. “No, that’s okay. I can find it. Thank you.”

I head back to the elevator and step inside, hitting the button for the top floor, wracking my brains as to what he could have booked me for.

I exit the elevator, and I’m immediately met with a sign that says ‘studio’ directing me to the left. I walk down the hall and push through double doors, stopping dead in my tracks when I take in the scene before me.

Lights, screens, a white backdrop, tables of makeup, rails of clothes lined up. This is a modeling studio?

“Hey, Gabriella, I’m Paula. It’s great to meet you.” A woman with thick black glasses, curly short blonde hair, who’s maybe in her late forties at a guess, wearing a black jumpsuit, walks towards me holding a camera.

“Yeah, hi, my friend Brad said you were expecting me, but I don’t know what for.” A nervous laugh escapes me, and I begin pinging the elastic on my wrist.

“Why don’t you head into the dressing room back there? There’s something for you in there and then we can chat about how this afternoon will go. Sound okay?”

“Sure, thanks.” The dressing room is filled with more rails of clothing, a counter with mirrors that line the wall surrounded by lights.

There, on the counter in a crystal vase, are the most beautiful pink peonies I’ve ever seen.

I inhale the scent and notice the card beside them with my name on it.

I open it with shaky fingers, still so unsure of why I’m here.

Gabriella,

I hope this experience helps you see what I see. A beautiful confident

woman, who is more than enough.

B x

“That’s great, Gabby, just pop your hip a little for me…

perfect.” I do as Paula suggests, and the flashes go off.

I’ve been at this for nearly an hour now.

We’ve done several different looks and I feel like a million dollars after the hair and makeup artist were through with me.

After each round, Paula shows me the unedited photos she’s taken of me.

I look carefree, the kind of girl you notice in a room, the one that’s not overlooked or told she’s too much, or not enough.

No, the girl on the screen looks happy. She looks enough, and she is me.

“Now, there’s no pressure, but we have some lingerie if you want to do any shoots with those. I hesitate for a second and then remember why I’m here: to see myself how he sees me.

“Let’s do it.”

“Gabriella, this is great. Have you considered modeling? If you haven’t, you should.” Her suggestion makes me blush.

“No, it’s not something I’ve considered,” I say shyly.

“Well, you should.”

“I’d have to agree,” a deep voice booms from the back of the room. I’d know that voice anywhere. Brad comes into view, and if a single look could undress you, then the way he’s looking at me right now would have me naked in seconds.

“Okay, I think we are done here. Gabriella, you’ve been a dream. Seriously, if you want some modeling work, give me a call. I’ll make a start editing these while you get sorted, . Everything you’ve worn today is yours.”

“It’s… it’s mine?” I say in surprise.

“Sure is. You have your boyfriend here to thank for that.” I don’t correct her, and neither does Brad. She walks past him and taps his arm. “You’re a lucky man. Look after her. She’s a good one.” Paula vanishes out of sight, leaving only me and Brad and a palpable tension that swirls between us.

“Oh, I know I am.” His eyes darken as he scans my body. He takes a step towards me, and I swallow hard. “You look fucking incredible.”

I pull my bottom lip between my teeth, and my cheeks warm.

“Thank you. This was amazing, and far too much. You didn’t need to do this.”

“It was nothing.” He shrugs like it’s no big deal.

“The thousand-dollar shoes I’m standing in would suggest it was something,” I say, gesturing to the black heels with the YSL symbol in the heel.

“I just wanted you to feel good and feel seen.” I almost melt on the spot.

“Well, mission accomplished.” I press a kiss to his cheek, but as I pull back, he cups my face and brings his lips to mine. It’s soft and tender and I fall into him, allowing him to take control. I could get lost in it, never coming up for air.

Our mouths part, and he tilts my face to look at him.

“I have something else for you.” It’s then I notice the red bag he’s holding with words Cartier in gold across the center.

“Brad, you shouldn’t have,” I stammer.

“Open it.”

I take the bag and set it down on the table beside me. Reaching inside, I pull out a small box. My heart hammers wildly as I open the oyster clasp and gasp in surprise when a beautiful gold signature bangle sits on a white silk pillow.

I remove it with a shaky hand as he takes the box from me. It’s then I notice words engraved on the inside of the bangle.

More than enough

“Oh my god, Brad, this is stunning.” I sniff. He lifts my wrist, the one I am forever pinging a band against when I am nervous or uncomfortable, and it’s only now I wonder if he has noticed me doing it.

I hold out the bangle and he uses a tiny gold screwdriver to loosen the screw.

When it opens, he hooks it around my wrist and fastens it together again.

“Whenever you are doubting yourself, or on the days you don’t feel good enough, or anxious, or you just need a reminder, I want you to look down at this and remember you are more than enough, just as you are. ”

I fight to keep the tears back that threatened to fall. This is the most thoughtful thing anyone has ever done for me.

“Thank you,” is all I manage to say, my voice thick with emotion.

“I mean it. You don’t need to change yourself to please others, Gabriella. You are perfect as you are.”

He presses a light kiss to my forehead.

There are a thousand things I want to say but am unable to right now. But I hope he knows just how much this, what today has meant to me.

“And I’m taking you to dinner. Heels like that should be taken out.”

“Just say where, and I’m all yours…”