Page 58 of His Mansion

Like Melanie—although he had to admit his emotions were more conflicted when it came to her. She oozed sensuality from every inch of her skin, scarred or not. When he’d planned this trip, all kinds of mental images of what they could do together had bombarded him. He’d wanted to be the one making that sheen of desire rise to her skin, wanted it to be him taking her home at the end of this session and playing sexual games until they were both sated.

But in the end, as long as the shot worked, he would settle for Derrick’s participation. At least for now. It was all about timing—the lights, the energy levels.

And like taking baby steps, it was time to move to the next stage. Nathan put down his camera and strode over to turn off the extra lights he’d brought into the gym. “I want to try something else, but you have to tell me if you’re comfortable with it.”

He sat in one of the folding chairs and dug a couple of water bottles from the cooler. Melanie and her sidekick accepted them, and Nathan waited. He wondered if Derrick was really as calm and peaceful a guy as he portrayed. If Nathan had made a miscall, this next move would get his ass wiped all over the dusty floor mats.

Only one way to know for sure. He pulled out a file folder.

“So far what I’ve been doing are basic shots for the feature article. I’ve just about finished them.”

“That quick?” Melanie wiped water from her mouth, and Nathan forced himself to stop staring at the perfect swell of her lower lip. The fact he was also imagining what those lips would look like wrapped around his cock had nothing to do with why he was here.

“I will need a few shots outdoors—and I hope you’ll be able to help us out there, Derrick.”

The dark-haired man nodded slowly. “There are a couple places I can lead you to that are less popular, yet good solid climbing walls. But, Nathan, you’re aware Melanie isn’t up to climbing anything technical yet, right?”

She stiffened in her chair. “I’m capable of doing what needs to be done.”

Derrick dropped a hand on her knee. “I agree. You are capable of anything you put your mind to, but I’m not belaying you up a technical route when he should be able to get the pictures he needs without pushing your boundaries. You’ve come a long way. That’s the goal, a little at a time.”

Hmm. Melanie sat back quietly and Nathan examined Derrick closer. Seems the guy wasn’t just brawn and no brains. Time to see how he’d react to this push.

“I agree. I can work with whatever you feel is appropriate. I don’t need a shot of Melanie dangling in midair against a huge backdrop. What I want is at the base, outdoors, creating another step in the big picture. I won’t push beyond what you feel comfortable with, okay, Mel?”

She nodded and he smiled at her.

“We’re got barely an hour left before you said the wall officially opens. The natural lighting is awesome right now with the sun coming in through the skylights. I’d love to take a few shots for that other project I mentioned.”

“The coffee-table book?”

Nathan pulled proofs from the file. Here’s where the shit was going to hit the fan—or not. “Again, only what you’re comfortable with, but here’re some sample shots I took last winter. It’s all about playing with the shadows and light. The human body is a work of art, and that’s what I’m trying to show.”

He passed over the pictures and held his breath.

5

Sandbag: To underestimate a route’s difficulties.

Melanie’s eyes grew wide, but it was Derrick’s expression as he peeked over her shoulder that made Nathan the most hopeful. The boyfriend’s gaze shot up to meet Nathan’s, and there wasn’t anger in his eyes, but intense concentration.

“Holy cow, Nathan, you taking pictures forPenthouseor something?” The light joking in Melanie’s voice didn’t disguise her touch of interest. “Because I have to tell you upfront, there’s no way I’ve got the body for this.”

She had no idea, did she? “Mel, that’s bullshit, but that’s not the point. No, it’s notPenthouse, and I swear the intention is not to give teenage boys wet dreams. Think Greek statues, Renaissance painters—this is a celebration of the human body. But I want to show more. I also want to celebrate the human spirit, and that is where you are such a fantastic example.”

She rotated the eight-by-ten she held toward him. It was a shot he’d taken last winter of a female skier, lounging on an emergency blanket in the middle of a snowfield. The black and white proof made the contrasting textures even more stark.

Long smooth lines of skin, the grainy surface of the snow in high relief, the woman’s naked torso reflected like a mirror image on the silvery blanket. Her skis, boots and poles scattered in a heap beside her like a sacrificial-offering pyre. He was proud of the shot, and his model had been even more thrilled.

“This woman is totally naked, Nathan. I’m not posing for you in the buff.”

He held up his hands in surrender. “Didn’t ask you to. But—would you be willing for me to use some artistic license and make itlookas if you’re wearing a lot less than you’ve actually got on?”

She narrowed her eyes. “Using computer editing?”

“Nah, good old-fashioned methods of shooting from the correct angle.” Nathan glanced at Derrick. “With a little help from you. Want to try a couple shots then tell me what you think?”

“These aren’t going toRave. Right?”

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