What the hell was I thinking? Getting naked in front of a man I didn't know? With a camera?
Okay, he was a professional, but that didn't mean the images wouldn't turn up on the internet, or on the walls of the studio.
And oh, my God, I'm an accountant for God's sake. We didn't do stuff like this!
Was I fun and flirty? Yes. Did I like to play around? Yes. In the privacy of my bedroom. This was a studio, a public studio. What if a family with five kids walked in looking to get a family portrait? What if one of my friends decided to show up and see if I went through with the photo shoot? Or worse, what if that young Ken guy came back because he forgot something?
A knock on the door made me jump and yelp.
"Latrice? Sorry, it's just me; I didn't mean to scare you. Is everything okay?"
The sexy timbre of Phillip's voice warmed my insides.
"Yes, I'm fine, just checking my phone to see if the babysitter sent me any messages," I lied.
"Oh, okay. If you need to go, I'll understand."
"No, no, I'm fine, I swear." I squinted, then wrinkled my nose.
"Good. Well, I'm leaving the black sheet beside the door on a chair, okay? Take everything off and wrap it around you. Come out when you're ready. I'll be finished setting up in about ten minutes."
Ten minutes? That soon?
I forced myself to relax. "Okay!"
Phillip stood near the door for a few more seconds before I heard him walk away.
I sat down on a chair in the changing room and popped my forehead with the heel of my hand.
And to think, thirty minutes ago, I imagined getting naked in front of him for pictures. What seemed like a great fantasy was now frightening reality.
But, Phillip was a professional, and my imagination had been just that. This was going to be strictly about his portfolio and not attraction or sex. The sex part was just my need of some action after a dry spell since the divorce. After all, I wasn't some free and single woman anymore. I'm a mother with a young daughter who was not about to introduce anyone to her because mommy needed to get laid.
I forced myself out of the chair, retrieved the sheet he'd left behind, and stripped. Naked, I stood in front of a full-length mirror so conveniently hidden behind the door. For the first time, I appraised myself in a way I hadn't done before. I wasn't the same woman I was four years ago...before I'd given birth to my daughter. Back then, my body had been tight because of the amount of work I put in to keep it that way. Why else would Evan have been so eager to be with me? But after giving birth? I was thirty-seven at the time, and my body didn't bounce back as it would have if I'd been younger. A few things were sagging in all the wrong places and my tummy wasn't exactly flat anymore.
I sighed. It was too late to back out now. Besides, he'd only be aiming the camera at my shoulders and feet, right? Thank God for the recent pedi.
When I opened the door to the studio, it was nearly pitch-black. I gathered the black silk sheet –man he had good taste- from around my feet and walked carefully toward the light. The studio had taken on a completely different appearance. Candles stood on tall pedestals around a platform that was also draped in black satin. Two lights stood on stands, aimed at the platform.
As I padded up behind Phillip, he turned. His eyes traveled the length of my body before he cleared his throat. "Are you ready for this?"
Unable to speak, I nodded.
He walked over, extended his hand. I accepted, and he led me to the back of the platform, to a set of steps. He held my hand until I reached the top step.
"I promise to make this as enjoyable as possible. You look beautiful, by the way."
I laughed to keep my nerves from showing. "In a sheet, thanks. Um...how do you want me?"
"Sit, please. Keep your back to the camera. I want to focus on your hair. Would you mind taking it down for me?"
Keeping a tight grip on the gathered portion of the sheet covering my breast, I did the best I could to remove the pens with one hand.
"May I?"
"Please." I tried my best not to get caught up in the smell of his cologne as he eased closer, inserting long fingers into my hair. My eyes closed, and I nearly moaned as his fingers grazed my scalp to finger comb the loose strands, setting them down on my shoulders. He stood before me, taking in my appearance. I tried not to stare at his eyes, but it was impossible. He reached for my chin, tilting it up as if putting my lips in the perfect position for a kiss.
"Perfect. Now, don't move."
He walked behind me and seconds later, I heard the rapid click of the camera as he took multiple pictures.
"Do you have an active imagination?"
I laughed. "Doesn't everyone?"
"Good. I want you to relax and let loose. Imagine that you've just had the best sex of your life and your lover is sitting across the room. You want him to come to you again, so you seduce him by flirting and showing off parts of your body. I want you to flirt with the camera. Can you do that?"
Was he kidding? Flirt with the camera?
"If you want, you can pretend you're flirting with me."
Okay...
I licked my lips and dug back into the brief fantasy I had about him and let go. Not moving, I turned my head ever so slightly to peer over my shoulder, making sure my hair hung in my face. Diving back into my fantasy, I bit my lip. Though my hair covered my eyes, I could see him through the loose strands. He smiled ever so slightly and shook his head.
"Perfect."
Snap. Snap. Snap.
"Now, turn to your left and put your legs up on the platform. Yeah, that's right. Now, let the sheet fall and let me see... Oh yeah..."
The intense light caused my body to heat up. Probably because I was wrapped in a black sheet. But more than likely, Phillip's reactions were what sent a rush of heat through me as, little by little, he got a peek of more skin.
"Tuck your hair behind your ear and look down...hold it..."
Snap. Snap. Snap.
"You're looking so good up there. Are you feeling bold enough to try one more?" Phillip's gaze was one of appreciation and hopefulness.
"What do you want?"
He set down the camera, walked over to me. "I want you to lie on your stomach and drape the sheet across the lower part of your body."
The way he looked at me made it easy to follow his directions. I did as instructed. My heart nearly flew out of my chest when he made adjustments, exposing more of my naked flesh.
"Now, look at me and make love to the camera."
Snap. Snap. Snap. Snap. Snap.
Then he set down the camera and walked over to me. "Don't move. I have one more question to ask you."
Feeling vulnerable, yet never more turned on in my life, I lifted my head to look him directly in the eye. He seemed as if he was having trouble keeping his eyes above my lower half. "Ask me."
He cleared his throat. "May I...kiss you?"
I blinked. Then blinked again, my eyes going to his luscious mouth. Unable to speak, I nodded.
To my surprise, he didn't go for my mouth. Instead, he placed his mouth against my shoulder and lingered there.
"I love this tattoo. What made you choose this design?" He grazed his fingers over my one rebellious act.
My fairy, which sat on my right shoulder. God, I'd forgotten all about it.
I forced myself to laugh. "Long story. It was the one time I was disobedient and didn't follow my grandmother's rules."
"Sounds interesting. Why don't we go out after you get dressed? I'd love to hear the tale."
I rolled onto my side, making sure to bring the sheet with me. "Phillip, are you asking me out on a date?"
His eyes lingered on mine before slipping down to the gathered sheet in my hands. "Yes."
"Even though you've got me naked and we're alone. You ask to kiss me, but you didn't kiss my mouth. You're obviously attracted to me, but you're not trying to take advantage of the situation. Why?"
"Because..." Those gorgeous eyes lowered to my mouth as if contemplating what to say before meeting mine again. "I want our first kiss to be with your clothes on. I want our first time to be after we've gotten to know each other a little more. And I'd really like to see if our daughters could be friends. Jumping into bed now could ruin something good, don't you think?"
My mouth nearly fell open. Was it possible that I'd finally met the perfect man?
I reached out to touch his face, feeling the light stubble of a beard in my hands. His eyes closed for a second as if absorbing my touch.
"Phillip, I'd love to."
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THE END