The Pin-Up Girl: A Reverse Harem Romance Read online

  The Pin-Up Girl

  A REVERSE HAREM ROMANCE

  Roma James

  Contents

  1. Chapter 1 - Geneva

  2. Chapter 2 - Worth

  3. Chapter 3 - Worth

  4. Chapter 4 - Geneva

  5. Chapter 5 - Ethan

  6. Chapter 6 - Caleb

  7. Chapter 7 - Geneva

  8. Chapter 8 - Caleb

  9. Chapter 9 - Geneva

  10. Chapter 10 - Ethan

  11. Chapter 11 - Geneva

  12. Chapter 12 - Geneva

  13. Chapter 13 - Caleb

  14. Chapter 14 - Geneva

  15. Chapter 15 - Worth

  16. Chapter 16 - Geneva

  17. Chapter 17 - Ethan

  18. Chapter 18 - Caleb

  19. Chapter 19 - Geneva

  20. Chapter 20 - Worth

  21. Chapter 21 - Geneva

  22. Chapter 22 - Worth

  23. Chapter 23 - Caleb

  24. Chapter 24 - Geneva

  25. Chapter 25 - Ethan

  26. Chapter 26 - Caleb

  27. Chapter 27 - Geneva

  28. Chapter 28 - Geneva

  29. Chapter 29 - Worth

  30. Chapter 30 - Geneva

  Excerpt from Crave

  Harlow

  Ryker

  Thank You From The Author

  Also By Roma James

  The Pin-Up Girl

  Copyright 2018 by Roma James

  All Rights Reserved

  This book is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents, and dialogue were created from the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual people or events is coincidental.

  This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Cover by Cosmic Letterz

  (This book is suitable for 18+ readers only. All situations are consensual.)

  ***

  Chapter 1 - Geneva

  “That’s perfect, Geneva!” Tyler, my photographer encouraged from behind his camera lenses. “Move a little to the right.”.

  I pushed a wave of spiral blonde curls off my sun kissed cheeks and pointed my other hand down to the hot south Florida sand.

  “Here?” I called out to make certain. From the slant of the hot sun above, I knew we were reaching the golden hour of the afternoon—magic hour to many photographers—and from this point on every shot counted.

  “That’s the ticket!” Tyler gave me an enthusiastic thumbs up and crouched down with camera in hand, an exposed tongue slivering out of his mouth.

  Out of the entire ‘Essence and Elegance’ modeling agency, Tyler was my favorite photographer. He was kind and peppy and always gave us models the kind of positive feedback attention they deserved.

  “Now, poke your hips out a little,” my manager Samantha said.

  I did as they instructed, wanting to make sure we got the best shot possible. Though I couldn’t wait for this photo shoot to be over for the day.

  We were currently at the Sun-N-Sand resort in Miami, a quaint, cozy, teal-colored stucco building nestled right on the shore. I appreciated the culture and loved absorbing the nightlife and electric energy the entire city had to offer. As soon as we were done for the day, I planned on enjoying myself.

  “That one was perfect,” Tyler called out. He finally emerged from behind his camera, exposing a set of perfect white teeth with a partial gap and a mop of wavy chestnut hair.

  “That’s a wrap!” Keith, our scene manager shouted to the rest of the crew.

  A handful of colleagues began to clap, cheer and give group hugs. The grueling day in the sun was now over, but I’d had a blast all the same. I’ve been a full-figure model for a little over six years, but still counted the completion of every photoshoot as a victory. One of my personal philosophies in life was to never take anything for granted. Even though my career was going nowhere but up, I strove to be actively grateful.

  My set assistant approached me, a different team member for every photo shoot I attended. She wrapped a terry cloth robe around me and draped it over my shoulders before trotting away again.

  “Thank you,” I said as I turned, looking around the set. I was not the only model who had been posing this afternoon, but it appeared I was the last to wrap up. Finally, I spotted my friend, Tamara, and waved.

  She waved back and approached me with a wide smile splitting her bright red lips.

  Tamara and I were exact opposites on the spectrum. Although she was also considered a full-figured model, she had chocolate brown curls that fell halfway down her back. She was also gifted with gorgeous, lagoon-colored eyes, which revealed an earnest kindness.

  “How did you do today?” she asked. “It looked good from here.”

  “Fine, I think. I can’t wait to see the pictures,” I said, brimming with excitement.

  “Come on over.” Tyler waved to me, apparently overhearing our conversation. “I’ll give you a little taste with the digital footprints on the camera.”

  “Really?” I walked over to him.

  “Sure.” He shrugged, leaning in to start showing me the specs from the shoot. “Let’s go to the highlights.”

  I had been in the modeling business since I was eighteen. Now, at twenty-four, I still felt I was developing the ‘eye’ for what made a good shot and what didn’t. These were good. Really, really good. Hair, make-up, and an attitude helped but the photographer did wonders.

  “These look incredible,” I told Tyler.

  “You were born to be in front of the camera, I was born to be behind it,” he joked before stashing his camera away. “I’ll still have hours of touch-up to do back at the studio. That’s not a jab—just how the cookie crumbles!” he quickly added.

  I nodded and glanced out to the beach. The waves crested and crashed to the sand, creating a splash of white foam that was a beautiful contrast to the straw-colored shore. A gentle breeze tickled my skin. The ocean was a shimmering aqua color, almost translucent.

  Tamara followed my gaze. “Girl, I’ve been wanting to get out there all day.”

  “Let’s go, then,” I said, grinning.

  I had my back turned to the sand dunes, so when I was jostled from behind, I was taken completely off guard. I stumbled a few wobbly steps, almost getting my balance back before gravity won out and I plummeted into the soft sand. Right on my butt.

  At least the photoshoot is over, I thought, chagrined. Though there were still enough crew members around that everyone probably saw.

  Tamara was at my side in an instant. “Are you okay?” But before I could reply, she turned on the perpetrator. “Why don’t you watch where you’re going?”

  I followed her gaze. My mouth went dry.

  The man who had knocked me down had a body like a Greek god. Tall, with muscles looking sculpted out of a marble statue. He had a military-type buzz cut and piercing blue eyes. He stood, looking as shocked as I felt with a volleyball under one arm.

  “I’m so sorry. I wasn’t paying attention. The ball went wide and… here, let me help.” He reached down and I took his hand. His fingers closed, warm, around mine. One easy pull and in a moment I was standing. He was strong.

  “Are you hurt?” he asked.

  Somehow, I found words. “It’s um… really. I’m okay.”

  “He ran into you,” Tamara said as if I hadn’t figured it out. She glared at him.

  He winced and glanced over his shoulder, back toward the dunes. “It was game point, and I can get a little competitive.” His free hand skit
tered over my shoulder and across my back as if he wanted to brush away the loose sand clinging to my skin.

  “I’m not hurt.” I summoned a smile from somewhere, even knowing my cheeks must be flaming red. “Really.”

  He relaxed and his answering grin lit up his whole face. His piercing blue eyes flicked up and down my body, not assessing for injuries this time. Now his gaze was appreciative.

  Yeah. As long as he kept looking at me like that, I would be just fine.

  Chapter 2 - Worth

  I’d been running backwards in order to spike a volleyball, sun in my eyes, squinting and shuffling my feet, stirring up the sand in the process.

  “I’m coming for you!” I roared to Ethan Bates, one of my best friends. “Be on the lookout!”

  Engrossed in a heated game of volleyball, we were enjoying a three day leave with our other best friend, Caleb Dolan. He was the head of the Military Police division at MacDill Air Force base. Ethan and I were pilots.

  It was Caleb and Ethan against me, two against one. But I was the better player, and agreed to run this particular game solo.

  I ran backward to allow myself sufficient room to spike the ball in the air, then I tumbled into something. Dazed, I jolted as I spilled backwards, catching myself before I hit the sand with a thud.

  “What the hell?” I cursed, searching for the ball that somehow went flying off into the air behind me. That’s when I noticed a woman on the ground. “Damn! Did the ball hit you? Sorry about that.”

  The woman looked up, and my jaw went slack as I laid eyes on one of the most stunning faces I’d ever seen. “I’m so sorry. I wasn’t paying attention. Are you hurt?”

  I reached down and helped her up.

  She was clearly flustered. Ocean blue eyes looked up at me, then away. “It’s um… really. I’m okay.”

  “It’s okay,” she mumbled. She pushed her short platinum blonde curls off her cheeks, tucking a few strands behind her ear. “I’m fine, really.”

  She had a friend with dark hair who was standing protectively by her side. “He ran into you,” she said, giving me a look that could melt glass.

  I winced and glanced over my shoulder toward the dunes. “It was game point and I can get a little competitive.” I reached out to brush loose sand off her. Damn, she was hot. Creamy white skin and curves for days.

  She was blushing as I stared at her, lips curled upward. “I’m not hurt. Really.” She shrugged, laughing.

  “I swear I didn’t see you. The sun was in my eyes and…” I said, realizing I was repeating myself. I had to get a goddamn grip.

  I trailed off as I saw Caleb and Ethan striding in our direction. As they approached, I recognized the masculine interest sharpening their gazes. The same interest I was sure she saw in mine.

  “Hey, gorgeous. The Neanderthal here knocked you over, huh?” Ethan asked.

  “Oh! Well, it was an accident.” She glanced at me, as if embarrassed on my behalf.

  Caleb let out an honest to God whistle. “Are you two those models who were doing photoshoots earlier?” The question was addressed to both, but he stared at the blonde, openly admiring. Caleb never shielded his emotions, or his thoughts for that matter.

  I glared at him. He ignored me.

  The woman laughed. “Yup, that’s us. Tamara and I just finished, actually. So… no harm done by knocking me over,” she finished with a glance my way. There was an appealing lack of haughtiness in her body language, the kind of ego found in women who took their beauty for granted.

  “You’re too beautiful not to be a model,” I said, inwardly cringing at the corny line. What was I, eight? I was worse than Caleb. He needed to wipe the saliva off his chin before I wiped it off for him. He caught my gaze, smirking. Fucker.

  “Thank you.” She blushed. “My name is Geneva. Geneva Danes.”

  “Worth Benson.” After a moment’s hesitation, she finally took my offered hand. The heat of her skin on mine sizzled with a chemical attraction. Caleb glared at me, smirk gone. “And this yahoo here is—”

  “Ethan Bates,” Ethan cut in, giving me a hard look.

  “And I’m Caleb,” Caleb crooned. “Caleb Dolan. I’m head of the Military Police at the 927th Wing at the MacDill Air Force Base.”

  Geneva’s eyes widened as a spark of recognition flashed in front of her features. “Tampa?”

  The guys and I exchanged a look. “That’s right. You’ve heard of it?”

  “Heard of it?” She laughed in a bell-peal that sounded magical. “Heck yes. I live in Tampa, too!”

  “Wow.” I chuckled, glancing at my friends. “What a small world.”

  Ethan grinned at her. His blond hair glowed in the sun. “That’s quite the coincidence.”

  “Fate, some might say,” Caleb chortled.

  Geneva blushed again, shifting her weight as she stared at her feet buried in the thick sand. It took all the restraint in my body to resist reaching out and snaking my arms around her perfect slender waist—all in the interest of making sure she kept her balance on the sand, of course.

  “Yeah,” Ethan laughed and elbowed me in the ribs. “Are you sure you didn’t bump her with your volleyball on purpose?”

  “Knock it off.” I directed my focus on Geneva, “It was a happy accident.”.

  “Are you all Military Police?” Tamara asked, her gaze floating between the three of us. The hardness hadn’t quite left her eyes, and I realized we had been rudely ignoring the other woman.

  “We’re pilots.” I pointed to me and Ethan. “We’re the ones who refuel the tanks on those huge C-17s you see soaring in the sky.”

  “Oh, okay. That sounds pretty cool.” The words were right, but her voice came out flat.

  Then there was an awkward pause as her brunette friend turned to give Geneva a look. I’ve seen it before between two ladies. It was a can you believe these guys? look.

  “Well, at least let me make it up to you,” I blurted, trying to salvage the situation.

  “No, really…” Geneva trailed off.

  “Let me buy you dinner.” I didn’t want to come off as too dominating to this beautiful girl. The last thing in the world I wanted to do was scare her away, but I couldn’t let her go so easily.

  Geneva gave me a pained expression, as if she were accustomed to receiving a substantial amount of flirtatious attention from men. How could anyone blame her for that assumption? She was gorgeous.

  “Thank you,” she politely declined with a glance toward Tamara, “but it’s not necessary.”

  My ego was only slightly bruised, but I was able to bounce back, recovering fairly quickly. “Well, if you change your mind—”

  Tamara stepped in with a smile that rang false. “We’re just finishing up our shots,” she explained, waving to the crew behind her.

  “What is the shoot for, if you don’t mind us asking?” Caleb asked, clearly as desperate as I was to keep the conversation rolling.

  I smirked at him. Good man.

  “Um,” Geneva glanced at her friend, suddenly seeming rattled. “It’s a vintage swimsuit brand we’re promoting for a magazine. The theme is retro.” Her expression lit up as she explained her job. “The spread will be an advertisement.”

  “That sounds awesome,” I said while Caleb and Ethan nodded in agreement.

  Geneva’s face switched over to stoic professionalism. “Anyway, thank you for being so apologetic and kind. I assure you I’m not hurt. If you don’t mind, I must be getting back to my group now.”

  She turned around, waving behind her shoulder as she strutted off, trekking through the sand back in the direction she initially came. Her friend, the overprotective wingman, was by her side.

  I didn’t understand the empty void in my gut, but something told me that it wouldn’t be the last time I laid eyes on the gorgeous face of Geneva Danes. If it were truly fate, maybe our paths would cross again. I was a patient man, I was willing to wait it out. In the meantime, I needed to distract myself.

  I
turned back to Ethan and Caleb. “I guess that’s it,” I shrugged. “Who wants to finish the game?”

  Ethan and Caleb gave me a knowing smirk. If there was anything I knew about myself and my friends, we never quit. We always finished what we started.

  Chapter 3 - Worth

  I held a sleek glass of scotch, neat, as I always preferred to drink it. The refreshing amber liquid ran through my veins, consuming me with a relaxing, wavy sensation.

  As an Air Force military pilot, I didn’t endorse heavy drinking, but all bets were off when I was on vacation with my friends.

  I gripped the iron railing of our hotel room’s balcony, glancing out at the little courtyard beside the parking lot. We had a meager view of the ocean, but it was still there, nonetheless. A tiny slice of aqua blue sea was glistening just off in the distance.

  A couple wheeling a stroller with a snack-toting toddler walked through the courtyard, and a dog owner threw a yellow Frisbee to his enthusiastic golden retriever. For the moment, life was good.

  “What are you doing out here, man?” Caleb approached me from behind, smacking my shoulder.

  I shrugged, glancing at him. “Just people watching.”

  Caleb was wearing a seafoam green polo with the cuffs rolled up to his elbows. He propped his arms over the edge of the railing with an ice-cold beer in his hand. I glanced at him, then down at myself. I was wearing a pair of slacks with a button-down shirt and a tie. I was probably overdressed, but what the hell. Shirts could come off.