by Haley Travis
Deep in my heart, I knew that I’d rather be his girlfriend than his intern. Yet I knew so many women who put men before their careers or education.
I knew if I called any of my female friends, they would tell me to follow my heart. That was what I always said to them, and it was the automatic response. This time I needed a more balanced opinion.
I called Dale. After confessing everything that happened last night, I could almost hear his mind running in circles around my problem.
“Let’s start with the basics,” he said. “How old is he?”
“I’m not sure, but somewhere in the neighborhood of thirty-five.”
“Does that bother you at all?”
“No, actually, I like it. I’ve never had the patience for boys.”
Dale laughed. “Yes, I know. You want a man who can take control, who knows the ways of the world.”
I snorted. “I wouldn’t quite put it like that.”
“I would. You only have crushes on the men in charge. The dominant guys. Not in a controlling way, just somebody who’s super confident.”
“Yeah, I guess so.”
“You’ve looked up to this guy for a while, right? You studied his work and stuff?”
“Yes. He’s a brilliant photographer. And I’ve studied him for school.”
“So if he took you on as an assistant, it would be amazing to get your career started,” Dale assumed correctly.
“Yes.”
“And you’re worried that if you sleep with him, he won’t take you seriously as an artist?”
There was a long pause while I tried to sort that out. “You know, I don’t think so. He seems to really like my work and my style. But he’s definitely interested in me romantically as well. Does it have to be one or the other?”
Now Dale paused for a moment. “Okay, as a guy, I’m trying to look at this from his side for a second. Does it make him look unprofessional if he’s dating his intern? Also since you’re younger, I wonder if that would look inappropriate to clients.”
“Oh my goodness – I hadn’t even thought of that.”
“You said you’ve worked together twice now. How was it? Did he talk down to you, or treat you like a little girl?”
“Not at all! I was actually shocked at the way he asked me to dive right in.”
“I don’t know what advice you’re hoping to get from me, so I’m going to call it as I see it. I think you’re going to need more information. If he wants to date you, and have you help him informally now and then, that’s great. But if he wants to hire you as his assistant, you’re going to have to discuss what that means for both of you.”
“I don’t know, maybe I’m misreading the whole thing. Maybe he doesn’t even want me as a girlfriend or whatever, he just wanted a quickie in the studio.”
Dale sighed. “Chelsea, did it feel like he was after a quickie when he kissed you?”
I was extremely glad we were having a regular phone call, not video chat. I could feel my cheeks flaming. “No, not at all.”
“Then you’re just gonna have to spend more time with him, and figure it out. Don’t forget – I know you’ve never really been in a relationship before, but there doesn’t have to be any expectation of normal. People are all truly weird, and every relationship is completely individual. You can make up your own rules as you go. Just be open about it, and talk things through.”
I exhaled a long sigh of relief. “Thanks, Dale. You’re going to make some dance groupie a very lucky girl someday.”
“Damn straight I am,” he laughed loudly. “As soon as I find a girl who can keep up with me, I’ll let you know so that you can approve her.”
I ended the call, sprawling across my sofa with even more questions flooding my mind. When my phone rang, I hit the button and pulled it to my ear without looking. “Did you suddenly think of more brilliant advice?”
“Yes,” a deep, smooth voice replied slowly. “I think you should come with me to a shoot on Friday night.”
“Oh! I’m sorry – I thought it was Dale.”
Ben chuckled. “Your dancer friend?”
“Yeah.”
There was a pause. “So how about it? Come to a photoshoot with me Friday night. It’s a favor for a friend, but we’ll have fun.”
Did it sound like a date? “Okay. Sure.”
He insisted on picking me up at school since I had a class that ran until five.
I had no idea how I was supposed to focus on my work until then, but I forced myself not to look him up online anymore. If they were photos of him flirting with every assistant and colleague he’d ever had, I didn’t want to know about it.
Perhaps that was rather naïve, but just this once I wanted to relax and let a man take control. It was something that I secretly fantasized about my entire life, and now that I had the opportunity, I might be crazy not to give in.
***
By the time Friday afternoon arrived, I was pretty nervous. After stopping to check my hair and makeup, I left the building with a couple of classmates, chatting about our upcoming graduation. Nobody could believe it was happening so soon, and everyone was focusing on finding jobs immediately.
“Oh my God,” someone whispered. “Isn’t that Ben Hayes? Didn’t we study his work last year?”
I turned to see Ben coming up the walk. His dark eyes fixed on mine made my pulse quicken, and I wanted to run into his arms. Instead, I attempted to walk toward him calmly. “Your ankle seems better,” I said with a grin.
He came closer, glancing at the people scattered around, then leaning into my ear. “Am I allowed to hug you in front of your classmates?”
Seeing his handsome smile made all of my reservations take a flying leap. Swinging my camera bag to the side, I wrapped my arms around his neck, giving him a huge hug.
His hands clasped my waist, sliding down to almost grab my ass, as he nuzzled my hair. “You smell like sunshine, sweetheart,” he murmured. “Let’s go.”
He led me to a fancy silver car, holding the door for me as I slid inside. As he glided into traffic, I noticed that we were headed downtown.
“Where are we going?” I asked.
I found myself staring at his rugged profile, my hands nervously clenching the skirt of my dark rose dress. I wanted to look pretty for him, but I also wanted to look professional in case there were clients at the shoot.
“An old friend of mine just opened a boutique hotel. He and his wife tried to take photos for the website themselves but they were…” He shot me a look. “What’s the politically correct term for ‘absolutely shitty’?”
I grinned, placing my finger on my lips as I pondered very seriously. “Let’s see. We could be British and say ‘dreadful’. Or we could be catty and say ‘amateurish’. Which is closer?”
He reached out to bring my fingertip to his lips, kissing it gently. “You’re absolutely adorable, Chelsea. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you for more than ten seconds.”
I genuinely couldn’t believe he’d just said something so sweet.
“Have you thought of me at all?” he asked, shooting me another look before taking a sharp left-hand corner.
“Yes,” I said slowly, “But, well, I don’t know how to think of you.”
Ben nodded. “Yeah, that’s been on my mind. Chelsea, I want to date you. I think you’re gorgeous and sweet and I like everything about you. You’re also incredibly talented. I went through those Ultra Seven shots again, and you have an amazing eye.”
“Thank you.”
“I’d really like to take you on as my assistant, or intern, or whatever you want to call it. My extra shooter. My spare pair of hands.”
He pulled into an underground parking lot, then we got out, slinging our camera bags. Ben seemed lost in thought for a moment, then stopped as he slid an arm around me, pulling me against him.
“Chelsea, I don’t want you to feel obligated to be with me in any way.” He gently caressed my back, making it nearly impossi
ble to think straight. “Please tell me what I’m supposed to do here.”
“I can’t let you seem unprofessional to clients,” I whispered.
“I don’t care what anyone thinks but you.” Although my mind tripped over itself running in circles, my face tipped up to his, as I lost myself in his sweet, deep kiss. “I need you to be my girl,” he murmured against my lips.
I nodded without thinking. My chest pressed against his. Every time he kissed me, my thoughts of attempting to be appropriate flew out the window. He wanted me.
Ben finally pulled away. “Let’s get the photos done as fast as we can.”
He led me to the elevator, eyeing me up as if he wanted to back me against the mirror and ravish me on the spot. I realized that I truly wanted him to. I wanted him to throw me down and do… Anything. Everything. Everything I’ve ever been afraid of, everything I had ever been unsure about. I knew that with Ben it would be incredible.
We arrived at the top floor and he snapped right into his shooting headspace. “Quick, let’s get the window shots before the light dims,” he said.
I scurried around arranging things, helping him angle furniture and move lamps. Furniture placement that was practical for living was always a bit off for a great shot. I thought we were finished at the windows, but Ben stopped me.
“Hold on.” He placed my left hand against the window, turning my shoulder and placing my right hand higher as if I were staring out the window wistfully. He backed up and took a couple of shots, then leaned back and fluffed my hair, brushing it back from my face.
“Why am I modeling for you again?” I asked, trying not to cringe. I really wasn’t sure how I felt about this, but it kept happening.
“Because you’re gorgeous, and you’re right here. I can’t resist.”
I found it strange that I desperately wanted to please him. Tilting my head slightly, I gazed out the window dreamily, staring at a streetcar as it pulled away.
“Wow, that’s the one.” I looked over my shoulder to catch his grin. He spun me into his arms, kissing me lightly on the lips, then the forehead. “The rest of the room should be a snap.”
We worked quickly, angling the shots so the room looked as large as possible. Grabbing my own camera, I took a variety of detail shots of the custom chandelier, the quirky bathroom mirror, and the strange lime green easy chair.
Ben grinned at what I was doing. “People always seem to need background shots and filler for brochures and websites, right?” I asked.
“Absolutely.”
“I’m pretty sure you’ll be giving them more than they expected.”
“That’s always the best way to treat a client,” he said.
We packed up our cameras, then he turned off a few lights so the room became softer. “Chelsea, there’s something I absolutely cannot stop thinking about. If you’re not into it, that’s fine. Just say so.”
“What is it?” I asked, as his arms wrapped around me. I realized that the biggest piece of furniture in this room was an enormous bed, and my heart began racing.
“I can’t stop picturing your pretty face gasping while you’re coming in my arms,” he said gently. “I think I’m becoming obsessed with you, Chelsea.”
“Um, you just want to…”
“I want to take your dress off, lay you down, and play with your sweet little body until you squeal.”
I’d always known my body was far from little, but the way his hands were roaming down my back, cupping my ass, Ben was making me feel absolutely adored.
“I’ll be so gentle with you, Chelsea,” he murmured into my ear. “If you like, I swear my pants will stay on.”
I appreciated that he tried to put me at ease. I was extremely nervous. But my entire body was humming under his touch, and I was craving more. A lot more.
“Okay,” I whispered.
“Sweetheart, I know you’re shy, but just tell me if there’s anything you don’t like. Alright?”
I nodded, his lips already on mine. I could feel his energy shift as he unzipped my dress, pulling it slowly off my shoulders so that it fell down to my ankles.
Even in my bra and panties, I’d never been this naked for a man before, but it was worth the nervous shivers to see Ben’s eyes light up. “Chelsea, you’re exquisite.”
His fingers nimbly unhooked my bra, as he backed me up toward the bed. The second it fell off, his lips circled my nipple, as I clutched his thick hair, a soft moan escaping my lips.
He slowly laid me on the bed, pulling back to stare. He took in my pale skin, my curvy hips as he slipped my panties down my thighs, as if he was composing a thousand mental photos.
He laid beside me, kissing me so softly, holding me against him as his hand wandered around my breasts. My nipples felt so tight they ached, as he leaned in to kiss them gently. As he sucked at my sensitive skin, I gasped, my legs spreading slightly.
Ben’s lips against my skin felt incredible, then as his hand slipped down my stomach, I felt his breath catch as much as mine.
It was fascinating to see that he was completely aroused just from touching me. I was turning him on just by lying here, and running my fingers through his hair. He must have really thought I was sexy.
That was so odd, but I couldn’t think anymore as his fingers spread open my most delicate skin, softly exploring every curve and fold.
His mouth hovered over mine again as he breathed, “I want to lick you, baby, but I can’t stop kissing you.”
His fingers began swirling around my entrance, and he smiled. “Chelsea, you don’t know what it does to me that you’re this wet.”
“Mmm, what does it do?” I breathed as his finger entered me slowly.
“Baby, I wanted you from the split second I saw you. But watching you now, sweetheart, I’m never going to let you go.”
His kiss was more intense, full of hot breath and rough passion, as his finger slid inside me over and over. I needed to give him everything he wanted.
CHAPTER SIX
* Ben *
I almost couldn’t believe this gorgeous girl was giving herself to me. I knew she was nervous, but it felt like she craved my touch.
Leaning down again, I traced the outline of her entire right breast with my tongue, gliding my finger inside her in a slow, tranquil rhythm. I hungrily sucked at her puckered nipple. Her thighs trembled as she moaned softly.
Her head fell back, tilting to the side. I kissed along her neck, sliding my finger just a bit deeper to hear her sweet little sigh.
“I love that you’re dripping for me,” I breathed. Her pussy was so soft, wet and inviting. I couldn’t help craving more, but for the moment I needed her release more than I needed air.
I captured her lips again as I swirled my thick thumb against her tiny clit. Her tender button was so soft, and it felt like it was swollen, as her entire body opened for me. A shuddering, tentative moan escaped her throat as her hips began to move, grinding gently up against my hand.
“That’s it, sweetheart. Just relax.”
“I can’t believe I’m this relaxed with you,” she whispered.
She was a vision. A treasure. I couldn’t believe this beautiful, sweet girl was becoming mine.
Her hips began moving steadily, as I added a second finger into her tight wetness, my thumb swirling deep and firm against her clit.
Her eyes grew wide as she gasped against my lips. “I’m…”
She was coming for me . Shuddering and moaning in my arms. Flushed and breathless, Chelsea leaned up to kiss me almost frantically, her fingers digging into the back of my neck. I was so hard I was almost dizzy, but only concentrated on her, her soft pussy gripping my fingers tight as she pulsed inside.
I’ve been proud of many things in my life, but never as proud as creating the expression Chelsea wore across her beautiful face in this moment.
“Sweetheart,” I whispered, rubbing my stubble across her cheek for a moment until she giggled, still gasping, “I’m falling for you so h
ard.”
She snuggled against me, relaxing completely. “You can’t do that,” she whispered dreamily. “You’re the great Ben Hayes.” She giggled almost as if she were tipsy, likely high on endorphins. “You know you can’t tell anyone you’re groping your intern.”
“Oh my god, baby, no.” I sat up and pulled her into my arms. “I want you as my girlfriend, and my assistant. Can’t I have you be both?”
Chelsea looked up at me with such confusion and fear in her eyes. “You know the world doesn’t work that way,” she said sadly.
“I don’t like that world, let’s make our own world,” I murmured.
She shook her head. “I’m going to end up being seen as the little floozy who sleeps with the boss.”
After seeing her so blissfully happy just a few moments ago, watching her eyes cloud as if she were about to cry was like a dagger in the guts. “Shh, baby, we’ll figure it out.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
* Chelsea *
I didn’t know if I was behaving like a child, or if I was just saving us both from the inevitable. Maybe I panicked as I realized my feelings for him were too much, too fast. Yet there was no way that Ben could have a real relationship with me. I knew how hard it was to build a business in this over-packed city, and now that he had his own studio, he needed to be concentrating on his clients. Not some nervous little girl who was afraid to model for him, and so unsure of herself.
I was nearly silent as he took me home that night. I hadn’t answered his texts for a few days because I didn’t know what to say.
It was pathetic that I cried myself to sleep more than once. But finally, with school finished and realizing I had to snap out of this fast, I met Dale for coffee.
The first thing he did was roll his eyes at me dramatically as soon as I told him almost everything that had happened, even showing him Ben’s photo from his photography site. “He asked you to model for him, and you said yes at the time. He asked you to be his girlfriend and assistant, and you said yes. What – he’s supposed to read your mind and know you’re nervous? If you were smiling, he must have assumed that you were into it.”