“I’m sure you are.” He was too sweet for this world. When I’d seen him on that billboard, I hadn’t expected him to be likethis. Most of the models I’d dated were arrogant and self-assured, but there was something natural about Asa. He was real.
“What about your family?”
“They’re around. Busy. They live in the Midwest. I grew up out there.”
“And how did you get into modeling?”
He laughed and his entire face lit up. “By accident. I guess I’m lucky that way. I wanted to act, so I got into theater. Some of my stuff blew up on TikTok and Instagram. The next thing I know, I’m getting a call from McKay’s Models, offering me a contract. I didn’t say no because I thought it would be a step closer to being a professional actor.” His cheeks flushed again. “I had one condition for Marcus, though. I keep the glasses.” He tapped the black frames on his face. “I’m almost blind without these and I’m allergic to contacts, which is a nightmare. Marcus agreed and said it could be a signature look.”
“It certainly gives you a unique appeal,” I said, grabbing a dish of mashed potatoes and filling a quarter of my plate with them. Next, I added seasoned chicken and vegetables. “And I admit, it’s the glasses that caught my attention to begin with.”
“Really? Are you a glasses man?” His mouth twitched and curled up at the corner as a teasing light entered his eyes.
I waggled my eyebrows, and he threw his head back and laughed, which allowed plenty of time to appreciate the long curve of his neck. My mouth watered with the need to suck on the pale skin on display. “Apparently. Seeing you for the first time took me by surprise.”
He lost some of his smile, and I immediately felt guilty. I might be a mob boss, but the last thing I wanted to do was make him as uncomfortable as that asshole did.
That wasn’t my endgame.
I might’ve negotiated an exclusive contract with him for our fashion line, but I wouldn’t ever make him feel like he had to do something with me to keep it. I was no extortionist. No, that’s a lie. Ididblackmail, but not him. Never him.
“I want to be very clear from the beginning, Asa. I will not be harassing you. The truth is, I find you incredibly beautiful, but I do not expect you to sleep with me to keep your job.” As much as I wanted to reach across the table and grab his hand, I didn’t. It was entirely unprofessional. Killing for him, though... that was another story. Maybe that photographer needed to learn a few lessons of his own. “If I ever give you unwanted attention, I want you to tell me to stop, immediately. Am I interested in you? Yes. I would be lying if I said your looks didn’t catch my attention from the moment I spotted your face. But I do not force men to date me or have sex with me.” I did many other things to people—like torture and kill—but he didn’t need to know that. “Do you understand?”
His flush deepened and he laughed nervously. “I appreciate what you’re saying, Ruslan. I really do.”
“No one should ever feel uncomfortable in their workplace, and as I said before, if anyone in my employment makes you feel that way, let me know and I will handle it.”
“Sometimes it feels like, since I’m a model, I should appreciate the attention,” he whispered, too sadly for my liking.
“Bullshit,” I snapped, before I could stop myself, but nothing angered me more than mental abuse. The men and women I dealt with in the criminal side of my businessknewwhat they were getting into, andwhothey were getting into it with, but Asa worked in a legitimate career where he had rights, which included not being harassed. “That won’t happen while you work for our fashion line.” If it did, I would fire the ass and send them packing.
Hell, I would even make sure they could never get a job in the fashion world again. I had that power. Even if only some people knew there was a shady side to my business, I still had more money than they could dream of, and most people wanted to give me what I demanded.
“Thank you.” He stared down at his plate and dug the fork into a sausage, then twirled it around. “I appreciate it.” He shoved the food into his mouth.
“So, tell me more about yourself.”
He continued to discuss his life in the Midwest, and I listened, entranced by the way his hands moved as he spoke. He was an energetic storyteller, and every time he smiled, I did as well. His homelife was an obvious happy point for him and it wasn’t difficult to notice how much he missed his family.
By the time he was done speaking, he was embarrassed again.
“I haven’t shut up since you asked one teeny question. Sorry.” He leaned back in his chair and rubbed his belly, and the extra food had been cleared from the table by the waiters about ten minutes ago. I’d barely noticed because I was so intent on him. We still had dessert to come, though.
“I enjoy hearing about your life. It’s different from mine. I never had any siblings,” I admitted with an easy shrug. “My parents tried, but I was the only child they could have.”
He winced. “My brothers are a pain in the ass, but they’re my brothers, you know? I wouldn’t trade them for the world.”
I did know, even though I had no experience with siblings. Ana was a lot like a brother, and he both frustrated me and picked me up when I was down.
“Can I ask why you wanted to come out to Vermont and take me to Southampton?”
I crossed my arms and hummed. “I’m the kind of businessman who likes to get to know the people I’m working with. The reason I’m so rich is because I choose the right employees.”
He bit the corner of his rosy lips. “Did I pass the test?”
I laughed. “You passed it the moment you dug into the food and ate like a champion.”
His cheeks turned a pretty shade of pink and he groaned, covering his face with his hands. “I like food.”
