Pinned Up (Pinned Up Trilogy)
Read Pinned Up (Pinned Up Trilogy) Online
Authors: C. Michelle
Pinned Up
Copyright 2013 C. Michelle
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever including Internet usage, without written permission of the author.
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events, and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locations is entirely coincidental and not intended by the author.
Is This Love
Words and Music by Bob Marley
Copyright (c) 1978 Fifty-Six Hope Road Music Ltd. and Odnil Music Ltd.
All Rights in North America Administered by Blue Mountain Music Ltd./Irish Town Songs (ASCAP) and throughout the rest of the world by Blue Mountain Music Ltd. (PRS)
All Rights Reserved
Reprinted by Permission of Hal Leonard Corporation
I Need Your Lovin'
Words and Music by Mary C. Brockert
(c) 1980 JOBETE MUSIC CO., INC.
All Rights Controlled and Administered by EMI APRIL MUSIC INC.
All Rights Reserved International Copyright Secured Used by Permission
Reprinted by Permission of Hal Leonard Corporation
Sugar Skull Design & Model Retouch by Michele Catalano
http://michelecatalano.com
&
[email protected]
Book Cover Design by Sarah Hansen from Okay Creations
Author’s photograph by Monroy Custom Photography
www.monroycustomphotography.com
eBook formatting by Maureen Cutajar from Go Published
Copyrighted Material or Trademarked
Betty (Bettie) Page, Marilyn Monroe, Betty Boop, NLCS, Major League Baseball, UC Berkeley, San Francisco State University, Millennium Tower, Sergio Romo, (MLB) Giants, (MLB) Cardinals, (MLB) Tigers, Spotify, Pandora, Instagram, Words with Friends, Twilight Zone, Twister, Splenda, diet Coke, Slurpee, Snickers, Doritos, Takis, Tapatio Hot Sauce, Pop Rocks Candy, Patrón Tequila, DEA, iPhone, Google, Walk for Life, Cirque du Soleil, Exotics Racing, Wynn Hotel, Belagio Hotel, Dirty Dick’s, Ben & Jerry’s, Gary Danko’s, Mitchell’s, Roxie’s Deli, Harley-Davidson, Armand de Brignac Champagne, Henry Cavill, William Levy, Range Rover, GMC, Bentley, Mustang, Porsche, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Ashton Martin, Nissan, Mercedes, McLaren, Audi,
Twilight, Fifty Shades of Grey,
Friends, Jersey Shore, Mob Wives, The Real Housewives of New Jersey, True Blood, American Idol, Toddlers & Tiaras, Grease, She’s the Man, Troop Beverly Hills, Interview with a Vampire, the Notebook, The Godfather, Scarface, Carlito’s Way
A Special Thanks…
To my bratty sisters, Betsy Lopez and Quiana Moreno, for your feedback and eagerness on the completion of this book. You have been my confidants since the beginning of my writing journey and I thank you for your support. I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed getting drunk with you and discussing Nina, Josh, and Kade. I love you dearly and cherish your opinions highly.
To Juliet Fowler, founder of the SMI Book Club, for encouraging me to write a book and for the continuous support throughout this process along with Magda Pereira, Stephanie Juarez, Pam Rivero-Chavez, and Myra De La Rosa (aka my twin). I appreciate you ladies cheering me on, listening to me rant, and for our raunchy conversations. You wenchoes rock y las quiero mucho!
To my mom, the best mother in the world! Gracias for coming over and cooking for us, watching my kids, and allowing me the opportunity to write. Thank you for believing in me and for your constant prayers. I love you! I hope your eyes don’t come out of their sockets from reading this book. And dad, thank you for coming through for me.
To my daughter, Yasmin, a million thanks for your enthusiasm and believing in me. I’m sorry you can’t read this book anytime soon due to its unsuitable content for a girl your age, but when you reach an appropriate age (like 65, for example) and choose to read this book, you’ll no longer have to wonder what runs through my mind. You’ll have it in writing. (Mom is a bit twisted.)
Last, but most definitely not least, I’d like to thank my best friend and hubs who also encouraged me in writing a book, has been extremely supportive of me, and didn’t complain too much when I made the family “fend for themselves” due to my writing. Thank you for everything, babe…I love you.
Playlist of Songs
1) “Adorn” by Miguel
2) “Kryptonite” by 3 Doors Down
3) “Don’t Let No One Get You Down” by War
4) “Siete Vidas” by El Gran Combo
5) “Superwoman” by Lil’ Mo and Fabolous
6) “Be Without You” by Mary J. Blige
7) “I Need Your Lovin’” by Teena Marie
8) “Swimming Pools (Drank) by Kendrick Lamar
9) “Rehab” by Rihanna
10) “Black Betty” by Ram Jam
11) “Is This Love” by Bob Marley
12) “You’re the Only One” by Eric Benet
13) “Heavy Cross” by the Gossip
14) “Suit and Tie” by Justin Timberlake
Table of Contents
Dedication
To my hubs for once telling me, “We have a road ahead that is unknown, but as long as you’re loving me, I’ll be there every step of the way…” and holding true to your word. Thank you for making my journey with you such a crazy venture. I love you and look forward to a future of wonderful and exciting discoveries.
Chapter 1 (Nina)
Sock Bun
Today was particularly exhausting. Out of all days, why did this photo shoot have to feel so tiresome? I need to remind myself I’ve been a nonstop force the past few weeks and exhaustion has finally taken over. I usually enjoy getting dolled up in retro clothing and making slight attempts to resemble iconic pin-up models, Betty (Bettie) Page and Marilyn Monroe. I’m a big admirer of the forties and fifties; I regularly turn to these eras for fashion inspiration. This afternoon, my heart just wasn’t in the poses I took nor did I bask in the pleasure of getting prepped up to look like a sensual, yet sophisticated vixen. The shots were all about extraordinary prestige, I posed next to a 1947 Bentley Franay Mark VI Cabriolet. The black vintage collectible with white interior is considered one of the most desirable Rolls-Royce/Bentleys of all time. Standing next to this classic beauty earlier, I felt intimidated and prayed I did the shots justice. This masterpiece belongs to a billionaire tycoon who possesses a lavish compilation of elite cars. Dillon, the photographer whom I’ve worked with on several occasions and is responsible for this photo shoot, thought I would be the perfect model alongside such a coveted vehicle of this caliber.