THE DESPERATE ACTION

AMY'S POV

"This is a bad idea. A really, really bad idea."

I stood paralyzed on Liam Carter's porch, gripping the address card in my hand so hard that the nails pierced into the palm flesh. My heart and chest burned, my belly constricting with fear. Everything within me yearned to turn around and run, never having thought to do something like this. But my legs didn't obey.

I breathed in deeply, looking up at the enormous door. It was formidable, as was the man who stood behind it.

“You need this, Amy. You need this more than anything.” These were Britney's words that continued to echo in my mind.

“You think those supermodels got to the top where they are by playing innocent? They have probably done worse things for the spotlight. If you wanna make it in this industry, you need to do what it takes. Nobody cares about your morals, Amy. They care about results.”

I swallowed hard. I hated the fact that she was right. I'd worked so hard and for so long, trying to have every single thing perfectly in place, and gotten nowhere. My parents had worked so hard for me, they struggled to support my dream, and what did I have to show for it?

Nothing.

Absolutely nothing.

I squeezed my eyes shut. This was my moment. My gold opportunity. Lords of Fashion was a giant company, and Liam Carter could destroy me or mold me in a finger snap.

I wasn't even a virgin anymore, for crying out loud. A drunken one night stand—one careless, regretful night when I'd had too many glasses of wine—had taken whatever innocence I had left.

So why was it so hard?

"Because this time you're in control and making a choice. This time you know exactly what you're doing."

I had taken as much breath as I could into my body and had reached out my hand to the bell.

The doorbell rang into emptiness, and second thoughts struck me with the force of a body blow.

I stepped back and started pacing like a maniac "Oh God, I'm crazy! I have to get out before—"

The door swung open and I stood still.

“Hey well, look who finally showed up for the party.”

Liam Carter stood in the doorway, he looked different from the man I saw at the office with his shirt and sweatpants on, arrogant, tall, and cocky. The knowing smug crept over the edge of his mouth like he has been expecting me to show up all along.

I could feel the blush spread over my cheeks, shame crawling up my spine. I'd walked out of his office like I had some moral high grounds, and now I was on his doorstep like a desperate fool.

I was actually desperate.

He stood in the doorway with his arms crossed over his chest and looked at me with a spark in his eyes. "Changed your mind, sweetheart?"

I swallowed hard, trying to suppress my pride. "Are you going to let me in or are we going to stand here all night?”

Liams grin grew wider, and stepped aside without a word, holding the door open wide enough for me to enter.

I hesitated momentarily before I entered.

As soon as I walked in, I realized that I was not on this earth anymore. The building was enormous and modern, complete with luxurious design and everything placed neatly. Designer fragrance perfume saturated the air with the faint smell of leather that clung to me.

I clenched my teeth and attempted to focus. I needed to remain calm. Regardless of how intimidating Liam Carter was, I couldn't let him see how much he was affecting me.

He walked over and past me. flopping down onto a massive black couch with ease like someone that owns the world. He folded his arms at the back of his head and relaxed into it, watching me with an amusing expression.

I remained standing.

He raised an eyebrow. “I'm sure you didn't come here to stand and stare. If you have something to say, just go ahead.”

I inhaled deeply, twisting my fingers in front of me. "I came here to apologize for what happened earlier today at the office.”

He raised an eyebrow. "For threatening me and storming out of my office like a drama queen?"

I closed my eyes to control the anger and annoyance that was brewing inside me. "Yes, for that.” I put a fake smile on. “And uhm… I want to know if the offer still stands?”

His smile never wavered. "Which offer? You were so certain you were declining it, you must have forgotten about that.”

I clamped my jaws together. He was having the time of his life. Playing with me like this and making me beg for it.

"If I agree to do it…" I forced out. "Will you sign me as your model?"

Liam's cheeks flushed and he leaned forward, elbows on knees. "Depends."

I stiffened. "On what?"

He got up from the couch and headed towards me.

I did not step back, even as he circled round me slowly, staring like a predator inspecting his prey.

He was standing behind me, his face against mine so that the air breathed down my ear. "On how well you please me tonight."

Rage coursed through me. My fingers curled up in a controlled fist. "Excuse me?"

Liam stepped back and grinned. "You heard me."

I turned on him, tense muscles. "So you want to fuck me first and if I'm not to your taste, you won't sign me? That's ridiculous.”

His smile irked me. "Would you buy a car without taking it for a test drive?”

I clenched my jaw hard. "I am not a bloody car." I snapped.

He raised an eyebrow. "No, but you want me to invest in you. And I don't make poor investments."

My blood would be boiling at this point. He was so smug and infuriating. I wanted to punch the smug off his face so badly, but he had all the cards in this game and I was at the losing end.

Liam glared at me for a second, and shrugged. "You can see yourself through the door if you don't want to.”

I had my mouth open to tell him to go to hell with his offer, but I couldn’t bring myself to say the words.

Because sitting on the glass coffee table behind him was a stack of model portfolios.

Women. Dozens of them. Lovely, poised, maybe as hungry for a deal as I was.

At that moment, I realized that I wasn't special.

Liam Carter could have any woman he wanted. He could pick any girl from that pile tomorrow and sign her, and she'd do anything to retain it.

I was replaceable and disposable.

I gulped hard in my throat. Am I willing to sacrifice myself for this?

Liam shrugged away from me, as if he'd already lost interest. As if I was wasting his time.

I was frightened.

My arm had grabbed his wrist before I'd ever taken the time to think about my action.

He tensed at my touch.

He turned to me slowly again, one eyebrow raised in curiosity.

I glared at him, my heart pounding so hard like it was going to burst out of my chest. "Wait."

A glimmer of amusement danced in his eyes. "You've changed your mind again?"

I did not respond.

Instead, I sprang up onto my tiptoes and kissed him.

Liam froze for half a second. And then he curled his lip in a smile over mine as he kissed me back, deepening it instantly.

Heat radiated through my body as his arms came around my waist and pulled me close.

I squeezed my eyes shut, my mind reeling in worst-case scenarios to myself, but my body letting go of all remaining pieces of self-respect I had left.

I knew what this was.

A transaction.

A kiss that spoke volumes.

And when Liam tightened his grip on me and kissed me with an intensity that made my knees weak. I realised that I had just sold my soul to the devil.