Pinned Up (Pinned Up Trilogy) (2 page)

Since the Bentley is a slick, shiny jet black color with a snow white immaculate interior, Dillon and the stylist on set felt red would be the best color for my attire. I’m wearing a satin form fitting, structured wiggle dress with black straps and belt that enriches my bust line. The pumps are red satin with a peep toe, a shiny black contrast heel, and a ruffle detail at the vamp. The cat eyeliner with exaggerated lashes and red lipstick on my porcelain face make the forties inspired look reach perfection. My long brown hair has pin curls that slightly drape the left side of my face making the overall look Hollywood glamorous.

I enjoy being a pin-up model as a side gig. I love to indulge myself in wearing kick ass wiggle dresses, bustiers, and some awesome “fuck me shoes.” What can I say, sometimes I have over the top girly moments. I really should consider taking time off my regular job and modeling though, that is if I want to maintain what’s left of my sanity.

“Cheesecake! Where are you, doll? I can’t live without you!” Kade’s loud voice interrupts my thoughts.

“Kade, I’m right behind you.” I exit the restroom I had been using as a dressing room throughout the photo shoot. As I approach him, I’m putting my hair in a bun. “No need for you to yell. I swear, you can be so dramatic sometimes. I guess it’s my fault for humoring you too much.”

“Hey, I resent that! I’m hilarious, even if I do say so myself.” He feigns a hurt expression. “You need to rest ASAP, you’re barely standing. That’s what happens when you bite more than you can chew. Remember…you’re not a spring chicken anymore.” Kade smirks at me showing off a dimple on his right cheek. He puts both hands in his pockets and leans against the wall right across my dressing room. “Hurry up and get ready so we can leave.”

Ugh! Sometimes, he can be so annoying! Who am I kidding? I love Kade. Despite his overzealous personality and blatant comments, he’s my ride or die bestie. Kade is my rock and knows how to knock sense into me even when I supplicate him not to. He’s too cute for his own good. He has dirty blonde Ivy League hair that is short at his crown and gets longer towards the front. He’s average height for a man, slim, but toned. His overall look is very clean cut. He has sapphire eyes with long eyelashes and finely sculpted features. He’s definitely pretty to look at and he knows it.

“Whatever. You could be more supportive, you know. The last thing I want to hear is that I’m working too much and can’t handle the load.” Since I hardly ate today, I’m agitated and feel like biting someone’s head off. Kade is the closest nearby and will do as the perfect victim if he continues to run his mouth.

“Cheesecake, as your super fabulous and ridiculously good looking best friend, it is my obligation to speak the truth and not waste my breath telling you what you wanna hear. You’re lucky to have me in your life. Who else would tell you the loose sock bun you’re rocking looks like a dog’s turd on a sidewalk? You’re fortunate to have amazing chocolate eyes with full lips and a nicely defined nose to distract people from that hideous bun. Let’s not forget that sweet rack, a person can do the motor boat on those bad boys for days, once again forgetting about that hair disaster of yours. I loved your pin curls, why did you have to ruin your hairstyle by putting it into that dreadful bun?” Kade questions me with repulsion in his features.

“Don’t respond. Just get ready.” Kade smacks my right butt cheek and directs me to the restroom.

I attempt to give him an evil sneer, but fail. “You’re lucky I’m too tired to argue back or give you a piece of my mind. I’m just glad I thought ahead and brought my pj bottoms and shirt. I’m definitely crashing the minute I get home.” I sigh and push the swinging door open.

After I change into my comfy pjs in the dressing room of the warehouse we were shooting at all day, I decide to remove my makeup. I lather the thick green cleanser and begin scrubbing it onto my face. With my rear, I open the swinging door and walk out with my eyes closed still massaging the makeup remover on my cheeks.

“Kade, let’s stop somewhere and grab a quick bite. I’m starving! Anything sinful and packed with calories sounds bomb right now, I’m tired of being good these past few weeks. Now that this calendar shoot is over, I can finally let loose. I need some grease and chocolate in my life, damn it! So, what? Are you game?” I ask as I fantasize of stuffing my face.

“Um, Cheesecake…Can you please wash your face? Dillon is here and wants to introduce you to his friend,
Joshua
.” Kade emphasizes the name to discreetly inform me Dillon’s friend is male.

Oh, great. Did I just sound like a porker? Please God, don’t let him be cute. Let him be ugly or gay or an old geezer, anything…but cute.

“Sure, give me a sec.” I turn, too embarrassed to open my eyes. I walk back into the restroom and wash off the green cleanser. After I pat my face dry, I scowl at myself for being so vain. I rarely wear makeup throughout the week, so who cares if a stranger just saw me looking less than glamorous and knows I’m a girl who actually likes to get her grub on? What’s the big deal? Frankly, I’m too drained to give a rat’s ass. I gather my belongings and head out.

Fuck me…hard.

Dillon’s friend looks absolutely delicious…He stands over six feet tall with a cocky smirk on his striking face. He has a young look about him, but the stubble along his jawline reflects some ruggedness. Yum! He appears to be in his late twenties. His hair is light brown, the sides are trimmed, but the top is slightly tousled since it’s longer. He’s wearing a black pea coat with a plain white shirt underneath, loose fitted denim jeans, and some black work boots. His broad shoulders give a hint at an athletic build. The perfect toppings to this guy are his hypnotic hazel eyes beneath long, thick lashes and amazing full lips. I feel my eyes popping out of their sockets…
traitors
.

Focus, Nina!

I do my best to maintain composure and direct my attention towards Dillon. Why didn’t he tell me about his hot friend? Would it have killed him to give me a heads up? Men! What does it matter anyway? The last thing I need is to get caught up in a relationship. I’m focused on my two careers right now. I don’t feel like being another notch on this guy’s belt. No thanks. Why are these ridiculous thoughts even crossing my mind? I’m absurd. Although, honestly speaking, my poor vagina probably has cobwebs by now from so much neglect. With that sultry mouth of his, I’m sure he could give both sets of my lips the attention they crave. Mmmm…

“Nina!” Kade yells and gives me an incredulous look.

“Huh? What?” Shit. Did I just zone out?

“Dillon was introducing you to his friend and you seemed kind of spaced out.” Kade struggles to contain his laugh. Since he feels himself failing, he turns away to compose himself.
Jerk
.

Dillon intervenes as he’s running his hand through his thick black hair. “Like I was saying, Nina, this is my good friend, Joshua Ryan. He heard about the Bentley I was photographing and wanted to see it up close and personal before it was taken away by security.” Dillon smiles warmly at me. He’s genuinely a nice person; I like him as a friend. He’s in his mid-thirties and a bit on the serious side. He’s not the type of guy who strikes you as deliciously handsome right away, but once you get to know him, his personality shines and you find him more attractive as time passes by.

“Hi, I just had to stop by and see this sexy machine for myself. It’s truly a rare beauty with fine lines and amazing curves. It makes me want to take it for a long ride.” Joshua maintains eye contact with me, but his glare makes me feel vulnerable, even naked. He smirks when he sees my discomfort.

I accidentally drop my keys and gain that moment to gather my thoughts as I pick up the keys from the floor. Is it just me, or does this Joshua guy appear to be amused by my disheveled appearance? Am I being paranoid?

“I like that bun you’re wearing. It’s…cute.” Josh says as he’s hovering over me.

Damn you, Kade! He was right about my bun looking like a piece of turd and now this guy is mocking me. Great. That’s okay, though. No one makes me feel awkward, especially this pompous prick. I’m done with this conversation.

I stand in a dignified manner. “Thank you. I’m Valentina Moretti, but everyone calls me, Nina. I apologize for seeming dazed. I’m simply exhausted and ready to head home. It was nice meeting you, Joshua.” I attempt to shake his hand quickly, but he grabs my hand with a double grip, the whole time keeping his eyes locked with mine.
Why is my breathing escalating?

“Please…call me Josh. It was truly my pleasure, Nina. Take care.” He says with a smoldering look.

I hastily remove my hand from his and look away towards Dillon, immediately I can sense Joshua’s eyes burning through me.

“Dillon, I’ll see you soon. Please let me know what the owner thinks of the shots and let him know I truly enjoyed being next to such a beautiful car. Good night.” I give him a half hug, a small peck on his cheek, and walk away with Kade following me waving goodbye to both men.

As soon as we enter my car, Betty, a 1966 sky blue Mustang GT convertible, Kade gives me a disbelieving look.

“What, Kade?” I ask pretending to be annoyed.

“What’s with you, Cheesecake? You didn’t give me a chance to get to know my future baby daddy! Okay, Miss Rude and Miss I-don’t-care-if-Kade-ever-gets-laid-again!” He says with an exasperated tone.

“Kade aka Mr. Drama-Queen-to-the-highest-degree, can you please calm down? I need to rest, remember? I just worked twelve hours straight on three hours of sleep; I’m physically and mentally drained. Why don’t you talk to me while I drive so that I can stay awake?” If there’s anything Kade finds irresistible, it’s talking, he absolutely loves the sound of his voice.

“Sweet. Baby. Jesus! Did you see the bod on that beef cake? He looks absolutely sinful, but in a delicious kind of way. I don’t care how many calories he’s worth, I’d tear him up in a heartbeat! Let me tell you, the man was clearly into you, with all the eye fucking he was giving you, he’s definitely interested.” His smile is so big, it reaches his baby blues.

I’m shocked. “What? He wasn’t eye fucking me, liar! Why must you exaggerate everything, Kade?” I try to remain serious, but start laughing hysterically. Kade has such a vivid imagination.

“He was to! I should know because I was busy eye fucking him. I know a good eye fuck when I see one and trust me, that hot piece of meat was thoroughly eye fucking you. Even in your raggedy pjs and ridiculous bun, you’re absolutely beautiful. The man has amazing taste, you have to give him credit for that.”

“Enough of this Joshua Ryan guy, I’m over his fine looking self.” For some reason, I feel the urge to change the subject. Why does the thought of Josh make me feel nervous? I push the notion aside. “Are you ready to get your grub on with some greasy, fattening take out that you’ll regret eating tomorrow?” I ask.

“I knew I saw you drooling and also thought I heard your bottom lips smacking themselves at the mere sight of him.” Kade laughs.

Great. He caught me checking out Josh.

“Yes, I’m ready to get my grub on and regret it tomorrow. How can I resist when you talk dirty to me?” He winks at me while giving me a devilish grin.

Chapter 2 (Nina)

Waitress

The weekend comes and goes, unlike the regular fog that glooms around the bay and refuses to dissipate on most days during this time of the year. San Francisco has my heart, a city full of life, diversity, and spontaneity. This weekend I close off the vibrancy of the city and autumn’s chilling weather. I catch up on sleep, bum around the house in pjs, watch reality TV shows, and eat four different flavors of Ben & Jerry’s frozen treats. I’m a hardcore ice cream lover and with the ice cream alone, I consume over four thousand calories. Go big or go home! I also make it a point to wear the bun on my head Kade seems to love so much.

I reside within the Haight District, right in the center between the upper and lower parts of the area. One section is geared more towards its shopping zone with its exclusive boutiques, vintage clothing shops, and cool restaurants. The other half of the neighborhood is more diverse with a grungier feel to it. It includes record shops, bars, clubs, and remnants of the flower power era still in effect. I love the mixture of ravers, tourists, and shoppers. Once Kade and I moved here, the Haight immediately became our home.

My house consists of two levels with outside stairs on the left side of the house and no front yard. The two car garage contains a laundry room and workout area while the main part is on the second story. When you enter, the living room with its cool, grey and white tones is to the right. It has pops of red, purple, and small touches of yellow that give it a refreshed and inviting feel. A glass dining table separates the newly remodeled kitchen and living room. The kitchen is a soft yellow with black lacquer cabinets and white counters that have silver specks. All the appliances are red with a retro flare that makes a perfect combination with the black and white checkerboard design on the tile floor. To the left of the entrance are two bedrooms, an office, and a bathroom down a hallway covered in vintage memorabilia and artistic pieces of Betty Page, Marilyn Monroe, and Betty Boop. It’s a small house, but it’s perfect for us.