work.
For the final shot, the assistants bring in a ladder and stools. “Gentlemen, this will be the last set. Please remove your jackets, undo the top two buttons of your shirt, and push your sleeves up.”
The stools are set against the black backdrop, in a “flying ‘v’” formation with Bryce leading the flock. “Place one foot on the floor, your other foot on the bottom rung, so that one knee is higher than the other.” They kid around with each other and I swear I’m working with sixteen year olds. “Let’s get this finished,” I implore. Then I tell them to relax one hand in their lap, and casually drape the other hand over their elevated knee.
Once I’m at the top of the ladder, I have them look up at me. This says, “The sky’s the limit.” As I bring them into focus through the lens, I can’t help but look into Steede’s penetrating gaze. He’s debonair. Business, but relaxed. It’s as though no one else is in the room. My legs are shaky, and being this high off the ground, falling off right now would not be good.
Damn it. Get your head out of the clouds and focus.
With a few more clicks of the camera, the scheduled three-hour session finished in two and a half. The photos look amazing. “That’ll do it, gentlemen. I have everything, so you don’t have to come back tomorrow. Thank you all.” I climb down the ladder, feeling safe once my feet touch the ground. They all mill around, collecting their jackets and ties, and talking. The animated conversations fill the room with white noise.
While packing my equipment, I sense someone standing to my left. The camera strap is rough against my palm as I tighten my grip. My stomach flutters and my heart beats rapidly as my pulse quickens, fanning an already out-of-control burn deep within me. It’s hot in here. Please let it be coming from the lights.
A broad smile highlights Bryce’s face. “Ms. Quinn, I would say that went off without a hitch, wouldn’t you?”
“Hello, Mr. Steede.” I’m almost breathless. Being this close to him stirs something in me I shouldn’t be feeling and I take a small step back.
“Call me Bryce, please.” It sounds more like a command rather than a request.
“Mr. Steede. Bryce. Yes, I would say it was a successful day.”
“Did you get everything you came here for?” he asks.
There’s something carnal in the way he says it. A slight shiver races up my neck and back down again. Not wanting him to see me blush, I look down because I know I’m scarlet red. I feel it in my cheeks. No one has ever had this effect on me. Ever. A phone call to Dr. Hunter is definitely on the agenda ASAP.
“Yes. I’ve accomplished what I came to do. Thank you.” I’m not sure my voice sounded in control, but after regaining my senses I continue. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to finish packing up my gear,” I say while fumbling with my camera bag. “Besides, you all are being summoned.” I point in the direction of the Editor-in-Chief and other staff who are trying to usher all the execs out for cocktails and a dinner they are hosting.
“I’m staying at The Carlyle. Would you care to join me for a drink after dinner?” His tone sounds hopeful, but surely I’m mistaken and reading him wrong.
“Thank you for the invitation Mr. Steede but I need to process these photos by tomorrow. Besides, it’s not a good idea to mix business with pleasure.” Even though I’ve never done it, I know people who have and it never ended well.
“Oh, I assure you Ms. Quinn, the pleasure would be all mine,” he growls low and seductively, the words sounding like a promise.
“I’m going to try to get a flight back home in the morning, so I’ll have to finish my work tonight.” Okay, so I lied. I tried to sound convincing, but again, why do I feel the need to explain myself? Tomorrow I’ll have the entire day free, so I plan to take in the sights. I
For the final shot, the assistants bring in a ladder and stools. “Gentlemen, this will be the last set. Please remove your jackets, undo the top two buttons of your shirt, and push your sleeves up.”
The stools are set against the black backdrop, in a “flying ‘v’” formation with Bryce leading the flock. “Place one foot on the floor, your other foot on the bottom rung, so that one knee is higher than the other.” They kid around with each other and I swear I’m working with sixteen year olds. “Let’s get this finished,” I implore. Then I tell them to relax one hand in their lap, and casually drape the other hand over their elevated knee.
Once I’m at the top of the ladder, I have them look up at me. This says, “The sky’s the limit.” As I bring them into focus through the lens, I can’t help but look into Steede’s penetrating gaze. He’s debonair. Business, but relaxed. It’s as though no one else is in the room. My legs are shaky, and being this high off the ground, falling off right now would not be good.
Damn it. Get your head out of the clouds and focus.
With a few more clicks of the camera, the scheduled three-hour session finished in two and a half. The photos look amazing. “That’ll do it, gentlemen. I have everything, so you don’t have to come back tomorrow. Thank you all.” I climb down the ladder, feeling safe once my feet touch the ground. They all mill around, collecting their jackets and ties, and talking. The animated conversations fill the room with white noise.
While packing my equipment, I sense someone standing to my left. The camera strap is rough against my palm as I tighten my grip. My stomach flutters and my heart beats rapidly as my pulse quickens, fanning an already out-of-control burn deep within me. It’s hot in here. Please let it be coming from the lights.
A broad smile highlights Bryce’s face. “Ms. Quinn, I would say that went off without a hitch, wouldn’t you?”
“Hello, Mr. Steede.” I’m almost breathless. Being this close to him stirs something in me I shouldn’t be feeling and I take a small step back.
“Call me Bryce, please.” It sounds more like a command rather than a request.
“Mr. Steede. Bryce. Yes, I would say it was a successful day.”
“Did you get everything you came here for?” he asks.
There’s something carnal in the way he says it. A slight shiver races up my neck and back down again. Not wanting him to see me blush, I look down because I know I’m scarlet red. I feel it in my cheeks. No one has ever had this effect on me. Ever. A phone call to Dr. Hunter is definitely on the agenda ASAP.
“Yes. I’ve accomplished what I came to do. Thank you.” I’m not sure my voice sounded in control, but after regaining my senses I continue. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to finish packing up my gear,” I say while fumbling with my camera bag. “Besides, you all are being summoned.” I point in the direction of the Editor-in-Chief and other staff who are trying to usher all the execs out for cocktails and a dinner they are hosting.
“I’m staying at The Carlyle. Would you care to join me for a drink after dinner?” His tone sounds hopeful, but surely I’m mistaken and reading him wrong.
“Thank you for the invitation Mr. Steede but I need to process these photos by tomorrow. Besides, it’s not a good idea to mix business with pleasure.” Even though I’ve never done it, I know people who have and it never ended well.
“Oh, I assure you Ms. Quinn, the pleasure would be all mine,” he growls low and seductively, the words sounding like a promise.
“I’m going to try to get a flight back home in the morning, so I’ll have to finish my work tonight.” Okay, so I lied. I tried to sound convincing, but again, why do I feel the need to explain myself? Tomorrow I’ll have the entire day free, so I plan to take in the sights. I
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