Free Rag Doll by Ava Catori

knew the deal. Sure, one or two would be pulled from popularity, but the rest were agents fighting to get their clients in, favors passed on, and money changing hands.
    He had the money, but with his reputation tarnished, he knew he’d have to dig deep to get them interested. They barely put his calls through anymore, but he had one final ace in the hole. He knew a very tidy bit of information about somebody on the inside. He found out at a party way back when. The drugs, things happened, and one very married man experimented with a lifestyle choice his wife knew nothing about. He hated to use this slimy bit of gossip, but if it got him back in the door, he wouldn’t hesitate. He’d waited until he was certain he’d found “the girl” that would make it worth his time.
    He’d get her in, he was sure of it. But he’d lose the contact from that point on. When he sent the message, he didn’t expect it to bounce back. He thought…Graham quickly scanned the contact to make sure there wasn’t a typo. Jumping to the site, he scanned through the list of editors and top contacts. Justin’s name was gone. He no longer held the position. Damn. He didn’t know. His loophole had just closed.
    What now? He certainly didn’t want to pander Mick Franklin. Shit. He was his only other in, but Mick and Graham had history. This wouldn’t go over well. What’s the point? He’d have to try another past contact. Mick still held a grudge. Who could blame him? Graham was quite destructive in his drug use, and stepped on one too many people.
    He’d have to call Clarisse and see if she’d call in a favor. She believed in Kendle, right? Or was she just telling him what he wanted to hear? Graham dropped his head into his hands. He just needed a shot. He’d burned so many bridges. Damn the drugs. They ruined his life. He thought they were everything fun and wonderful, but they cost him money, friends, and his reputation.
    Standing up, he headed down the hallway to meet up with Kendle. She was coming from the bathroom, her hair wet, a towel wrapped around her lithe body. He couldn’t look away. She was beautiful. She was everything he wanted at this moment. He wanted to wrap her in his arms, help her dry her body, and brush her hair behind her shoulder so he could tenderly kiss her neck. He wanted to taste her salty skin and feel his hardness deep inside of her. Instead, he turned around and offered her privacy.
    “I’m sorry, bad timing.”
    “I’ll be out in a minute.” She dashed into her room to put on some clothes. Kendle’s heart raced.  What was that? Why was she so anxious? She’d been naked in front of the camera the other day, but this time it was different.
    Graham stood in the hallway. He wanted to knock. He wanted to touch her. He turned around instead, and went to the studio.
    She’d been shut down for so long that it was hard to open up. She wasn’t sure what he wanted from her, but she was starting to see he wasn’t the enemy. Maybe she could talk to him, air out some baggage, try to heal her mind a little. It would be nice to talk to somebody. The only person she truly talked to was her sister. Even Stavros only got bits and piece. She felt like a scamp, someone he picked up on the street. Her self-worth slid down into the sewers years ago, and lingered below the city somewhere. She wasn’t sure she even had any left.
    Kendle wrapped the towel from her body around her hair, squeezing out excess water. The towel was soft and plush. The towels at the motel she stayed at were scratchy and hard, smelling of too much bleach. It was such a simple luxury, a soft towel, but it was one she treasured.
    Pulling on her clothes, she padded down the hallway to the studio where Graham was waiting. “Hey.” Her hair was still wet, and as she combed her fingers through, she couldn’t help but notice how he looked at her. “What?”
    He shook his head. “Nothing.”
    “What are we doing today?”
    “I’d like to get a