Free Seducing Helena by Ann Mayburn

sure you can.” He rubbed her back and the combination of his touch, his scent, his presence soon lulled her into a deep relaxation extending all the way to her soul.
     
    ***
     
    Seth tried to keep his cool as Helena sat in her chair before a well-lit vanity at the Sirens’ fashion show. Makeup and hair people buzzed around her like bees around their queen and next to him, a model was stripped down to her tiny underwear as she put her costume on. Of course he didn’t look at the women getting changed but he was aware of them and felt out of place. Everyone seemed so nonchalant about the models getting nude, but for a farm boy, the whole atmosphere was a little hard to get a grip on.
    A heavy hand landed on his shoulder. “Seth! I didn’t know Helena was bringing you here.”
    Seth turned to find his buddy, Leo, standing there in a pair of artfully worn jeans and a well-tailored black silk shirt. He looked right at home among the high-class chaos, and Seth couldn’t help giving him a quick hug. It was so nice to see someone who didn’t either ignore him entirely or try to kiss his ass because he was with Helena.
    “I got into town yesterday.”
    Leo gave Helena a mock glare as one of the assistants put sparkling blue crystals into her braided hair. “You should have told me he was coming up.”
    She flushed, and her hairdresser gave Seth a curious stare. “I’m not sharing him.”
    With a laugh, Leo threw his arm around Seth’s shoulders. “Helena, can I borrow your man for a few minutes? Ms. Vanity would like a word with him.”
    A makeup artist scolded Helena and told her to hold still. Moving as little as possible, she said, “Go ahead. I need to get in the right headspace for the show anyway.”
    Seth brushed past the makeup artist and gave Helena a gentle kiss, being careful not to smear her lipstick. “I’ll be right back.”
    She blew out a low breath. “Sorry we’re not spending more time together.”
    “Don’t worry about it. This is your job, and I’m a big boy. I’ll be fine.”
    She gave him a distracted smile then settled back into her chair, closing her eyes as her team set to work finishing off her look.
    Leo led him through the maze of supermodels, industry professionals, and people who seemed to be there just to hang out. The crowd ranged from the outrageous leather-clad fashion divas to ordinary women he wouldn’t be surprised to see attending Little League games with their kids. Soon he pushed his way through a thick cluster of people, following in Leo’s wake and trying not to elbow anyone.
    When they broke through the mass Seth found himself face to face with Ms. Vanity. She wore a severe black dress with gold-lined circles cut out here and there, showing her still toned and amazing body. Taylor, her boyfriend, wore a similar outfit, but his was a suit with the stomach cut out to show off his impressive abdominal muscles. They both smiled at Seth and he could practically feel the envy of the crowd pressing at his back.
    Being watched so carefully by so many people was fucking weird.
    “Seth, darling.” Ms. Vanity kissed him on either cheek. “Have you agreed to my offer?”
    Confused, he frowned at Leo. “What offer?”
    Ms. Vanity shot Leo a glare that would have turned most men to stone, but his friend merely grinned. “Trust me, it’ll be better if it comes from you.”
    She sniffed and faced Seth. “I want you to walk in the show with Helena.”
    Seth had to resist the urge to bolt for the nearest door. “What? Uh, sorry, ma’am, but there is no way I could do that.”
    Leo stepped closer. “Hear her out, man.”
    Turning the full force of her gaze on him, Ms. Vanity leaned closer. “If you walk in today’s fashion show, Mr. March, it would boost sales of the calendar immensely. Think of all the families you’d be helping.”
    “I’m not a model.” He shot Leo a pleading look. “I don’t know what the fuck to do out there. I could screw up big-time and hurt