Page 26 of Candid Moments
“I’m yours,” I tell him, truly meaning every word. “Wherever you want to take me, I’ll happily go.”
Epilogue…
About four months later
“Baby, I have to go,” I tell Denim.
“Why? The party is at seven and it’s only three,” he counters.
“It’s your parents’ photoshoot. They are entrusting me to commemorate their thirty-fifth anniversary party. This is a big deal and I want to get there early to study the ballroom since it’s decorated now.”
Denim’s parents’ anniversary party is tonight at The Metropolitan Hotel and they hired me to photograph the entire event. This is a momentous occasion for them and I want to capture it perfectly. Their actual anniversary is next week but they will be on an Alaskan cruise on the actual day.
“You have been to the hotel twice already this week. You’ve got this, beautiful. You are an amazing photographer. Tonight will be no different. My mom loves you and she is going to love these pictures. You can relax with me a little longer.”
I take so much pride in my work and each photoshoot has to be perfect. However, tonight has to exceed perfection, if that’s possible. This is his parents and their anniversary. He andhis parents have a really close relationship and they adore him, especially his mom. He is correct. I met his parents last month and I’ve spoken with Mrs. Morris several times over the past few months but that’s all on a personal level. This is business, my business, and I want them to be impressed by my skills and ability. Things have been phenomenal with Denim and I’m crazy about him. I would hate to disappoint him by not killing this for his mom and dad.
Since our first date at the Butterfly Garden, we have been inseparable. The thoughtful, intentional, and selfless man who took me into his suite, soothed my broken heart, made me smile, and gave my body the most pleasure it had ever experienced in Nebraska is the same man now that we are home, if not better. One date turned into many and our mutual attraction and chemistry blossomed into love. The kind of love I can’t imagine living without.
“Tonight has to be flawless and every picture has to be keepsake worthy. I need to go home, get dressed, stop by the studio, then get to the venue. Being late is also not an option.”
I ease off the sofa and when I attempt to walk past him, he pulls me down onto his lap. His arms encase me as he plants kisses on the side of my neck.
“Calm your sexy ass down,” he says. A smile forms on his face, causing me to smile too. While embracing me, he lays back on the sofa, pulling me down with him. My body instantly relaxes as I lay on him, resting my head on his shoulder. While gently caressing my back, he asks, “Why are you tripping?”
“I’m not tripping. I just want these pictures to go well.”
“You can’t do wrong in my mom’s eyes. She loves you like your mom loves me.”
“Please don’t take this the wrong way, baby. But she loves all men. If a man smiles at her, she’s sold. That’s my momma and I can say that because I know it’s true. A little charm goes a long ass way with her,” I tell him.
“Ouch,” he says, feigning being wounded by my honesty.
In April, for her birthday, Denim and I took my mom to her favorite restaurant, Palmer’s, a Brazilian steakhouse. She had been begging to meet Denim so I gave in on her special day. He’s naturally charming and my mom absolutely adored him. By the end of dinner, she was gushing all over him and trying to arrange a dinner with us and my father. In her hopeful, almost delusional mind, she wants me and Mr. Kincaid to have some type of relationship.
As much as I wish my mom would move on from my father and find a man who will put her first, love and cherish her, I have long accepted that she has to live her own life. I’m not going to ruin our relationship because I disagree with her choices. I love her with all of my heart and my love doesn’t change because she doesn’t realize she deserves more.
“Baby, she liked fuck boy and we both know that was a colossal failure and let’s not talk about my sperm donor; he has been charming her for thirty years. But we are talking about your parents and their anniversary party, not my mom.” I raise my head so he can see my face. “These pictures have to be perfect. Let me up so I can go, please.”
He pulls me up so we are lip to lip then kisses me intimately. As our tongues play, his hands explore my body andI feel him shift underneath me. “Let me relax you before you go,” he utters while kissing the side of my neck.
“No!” I protest. “I gotta go.” My hands push into his chest and I try to raise up.
“Damn, so you really want to get up? I thought you loved me.”
“You know I love you. How can I not? You have magical hands and these lips.” I peck his lips. “They are amazing. But if you love me, you will let me go so I don’t have an anxiety attack, stressing about tonight.”
“Then, I guess I have to let go then because I love the hell out of your sexy ass.” His arms grip my back as he sits us up on the sofa. After kissing me passionately, he releases me and I get up. He gets off his sofa as well then walks me out of his house to my car.
He kisses my forehead then caresses the side of my face. “Don’t stress about tonight. It’s going to be perfect and one you will never forget,” he assures me.
“I hope so, baby.”
Once I’m in my seat, he closes my door and watches as I pull out of his circular driveway. He lives in the affluent neighborhood, Chandler Heights, which is about twenty-five minutes from my condo. Since my studio is only ten minutes from The Metropolitan Hotel, I head home first. I’ll grab my camera and equipment on my way to the party.
With light traffic, I make it home right before four. In an hour, I’m dressed for the night in my coral, sequin jumpsuit and sequin, strappy heels. They are keeping with the traditionalcoral theme for a thirty-fifth anniversary but executing it more formally.
Candid Moments is my heart. Located in the museum district of Crescent Falls, the converted small warehouse is where I create magic. The eight hundred fifty square feet space is the perfect spot for intimate shots or my big production commercial shots. I have plenty of room to play with. The clean white walls and columns make it really easy to create depth in the space. The open space holds a vanity lit hair and makeup station, a styling rack & steamer, a production table with six chairs, my small working area, and a comfortable client couch. There’s also a small kitchenette equipped with a sink, coffee maker, electric tea kettle, microwave, mini fridge, and tableware. I spend many hours here.
