Page 335 of Rock Me All Night
4
Iscanthe room to assess the lighting situation. There are reading lamps on each side of the king bed. There's a bright fluorescent bulb above the couch. Then there's the bathroom.
My options are limited. But I can work with that. I take a few pictures of the room to see how it looks on screen. Too dark, no contrast. I turn my camera to Tom. He looks right into the lens.
"We starting already?" he asks.
"Not yet."
Click. It's hard to make out his expression. But one thing is certain.
He's trouble.
He plays with the zipper of his hoodie, raising a brow. "You need me to start stripping, Mistress Photographer?"
Oh yeah. Trouble.
It takes great restraint to stay calm and professional. "Not yet. We'll start with you fully dressed."
I set my camera down and mess with the lights. With no way to angle them, my options are limited. I arrange the lampssansshades until the room is filled with an angelic glow. The soft lighting will be a perfect contrast to the mischievous look in Tom's eyes.
When I'm finished, I turn my attention back to him.
Deep breath. I'm a photographer. If I want any chance of working with clients, I need to get over my shyness. Doesn't matter that my current model is smoking hot and about to strip. It's part of the job.
I look at Tom like he's a prop. Okay. That's it. I point to a spot in front of the bed. "Can you stand there?"
"Naked?" He teases.
My cheeks flush. He's a prop. "No. As you are."
He moves. His hands go to the zipper of his hoodie. He raises a brow. "Do I need to model?"
"If you want."
Something in his expression shifts, more posed and more relaxed at once. Heismodeling. And he's good at it too. His expression is playful and sexy. It's perfect.
Click, click, click.
"Tease the camera." I motion to his zipper. "Like you're teasing me."
"You sure? Don't want to get you all worked up and send you home wanting."
My cheeks flush again. It's damn hot in here. I have to tease him back, make him think I'm as comfortable with this as he is. "It's an occupational hazard."
"Shit. Never thought I'd want to be anything other than a drummer." A cocky smile spreads over his face as he unzips his hoodie. He raises a brow as if to saydo you want me? I know you do.
My, does he look good on film. Digital, technically. It takes great effort to stay professional. Somehow, I manage. I can't do many things, really. I can swim for hours. I can cook a decent meal. And I can take a fantastic set of photographs.
Hopefully.
"Take off your shirt." It comes out more demanding than I mean it to. "Please."
"You're so polite, Mistress Photographer. Are you trying to butter me up to get me naked?" He winks.
"Would I have to butter you up?"
"No. But my ego always enjoys a good stroking."
