I start walking back to the Escalade and Ty pulls me back, flush to his chest by using one of the backpacks. “Let’s hang here. Is that cool? I don’t want to go back to the studio just yet.”
I have to crane my neck to look up at his gorgeous face. “Yeah, this place is so peaceful. I wouldn’t mind hanging.” He’s upside down because my back is to his front. He opens his mouth to say something, but he winds up just staring at my open mouth. My breathing picks up just thinking of our lips meeting. Unfortunately, he releases me, clears his throat and walks under a huge oak tree to spread out a throw blanket. We are in mid-summer in Florida. That equals hot, muggy weather. I’m dressed casually in low rise jeans, a fitted purple cami-tank and flip-flops. The casual dress was Ty’s idea. He matches me with worn loose jeans and a navy blue t-shirt and some flip-flops as well.
We sit across from one another and repack the gear. As Ty cleans the camera lens, I brush my hair to the side and lay back on the blanket. “That was a good save on us giggling while they talked about their big day.”
I close my eyes and he says, “I’m quick witted, artistic, and generously muscled. Isn’t that what you said last night?”
“Seriously, Ty, I’m going to have to monitor everything that comes out of my mouth with you,” I reply amused.
“I’m totally kidding. Today went really smooth, thank you, Stella.” I never get a thank you at my full time job. Those two words go so far, people should really say them more often.
“You are welcome.”
“You look relaxed.” When I open my eyes, he’s lying next to me on his stomach. Good God, he smells delicious.
“I am. I love to close my eyes while lying under a tree. One moment, your eyes are shaded, and the next, a peek of light comes through the leaves, and shines through your lids.” I take a slow deep breath trying not to pant as I feel his body six whole inches from mine. “Mmmmmmm…it feels good to just lie here and have nothing to do.”
“You must be exhausted. This is day seven of working with no break.”
“I’m actually good, sleeping in both mornings helped, so I really don’t feel too tired.” I roll on my side to face him and tuck my arm under my head. I look calm as his eyes gaze over my entire face. In reality, my heart is slamming in my chest from the closeness. I can’t help but take a moment and look at every feature on his flawless face. His skin is soft, but manly. The darker thick lashes really make his fuck me eyes look more ice blue. Strong cheekbones lead to full plump lips. And his jaw is all man, nothing dainty about him. I’m never comfortable in these silent situations. “Today was interesting, Ty. I was in awe of their happiness and enjoying the details. You were very opposite, yet focused on the task at hand. I’m sure you get tired of listening to wedding plans.”
“Was I that obvious? I guess I need to project my face better in front of clients.”
“No, not at all. You showed me your thoughts on your face, but you were perfectly professional when they were in view.” I want so badly to reach out and touch him. It’s like a magnet. My solution is to tuck my other hand under the arm I am lying on. I feel my shirt ride up and expose my waist and flat tummy. The breeze is blowing, and cooling me off, so I’m not about to go tugging it down.
“I’m a guy, so weddings don’t do it for me, Stella. All that planning and money. I always think; how long will this last?”
“Some last, Ty. Zoey’s parents have been married for almost twenty-five years. They are still in love,” I say with certainty.
His manner is deadpan, “Let’s be honest. Most don’t, Stella. Nothing is permanent in any relationship.”
I roll over on my back, close my eyes and process what he just said. It’s a sad way of thinking. I hear the distinct sound of the shutter on his camera. This park is so amazing, I’m sure he can’t help but take photos away from it. Frustration rises as I sense his weight shift away. I want him to lie next to me all afternoon while I fire off questions that I want answered. I feel Ty sweep his fingertips over my brow to brush away stray hairs from the wind. Opening my eyes, I find he is kneeling and taking pictures of me again.
“Ty, please, why do you torture me?” I squint to look at him. With the sun in my eyes, all I see is his beautifully sculpted chest and the veins in his arms, surrounded by strong muscles.
“When I see something worthy of photographing, I take advantage. That’s something you learn as a photographer. One doesn’t get certain moments back, so when the perfect picture is in front of you… you take it.”
The heat is baking me on the outside, but Ty’s words are making my insides melt. I don’t resist. He instructs me to raise my right arm above my head, and tilt my head to look at him. I feel so relaxed, yet, excited inside. I believe I am giving him a content expression. Once he’s pleased with his images, Ty bends down, pulls my hair out to the right, and splays it over the blanket. My knees are up and bent. He comes around and nudges my legs open with his feet. Heat rushes through my body as he stands in between my open thighs. I can’t hide the desire I am certain is written all over my face. He shades my face with his shadow and I try to cool the inferno inside. The session ends when he lets the camera go and it hangs from his neck. He doesn’t move. He just stands there and looks over every inch of my body. I reach my hands up to him to end the torture of him looking at me that way. “My turn.”
Ty looks eager to see what I will do as he hands me the camera. He kneels down between my legs. Breathe deep, Stella… Looking through the viewfinder, I finally see him. He has a suggestive look with not one bit of embarrassment at being in front of the camera. I click one off and look to see the image. I giggle, because it’s just a silhouette due to the bright sun at his back.
“All I got is sun and your silhouette.”
“I could have told you it was a bad angle, but you seemed to know what you are doing.”
I purse my lips. “I do, I have an SLR camera, thank you very much. I take pics at my nephew’s games all the time. I mean, if you have a nice camera, you can take good pics, right?” I happen to know from a class I took when I bought my camera that professional photographers hate it when that is said.
He plops down beside me and rolls his eyes. “Holy shit…you did not just say that, Stella.” He gently takes his camera back. “If I knew you better, I would think you were trying to goad me.”
I giggle, “I got a couple free lessons when I bought my camera. We were informed that when people think an expensive camera will make them take amazing pictures, it’s like nails on a chalk board to a photographer. But, I’m not sure I agree.” My playful tone causes him to straddle me and tickle my tummy until I can barely breathe.
“Take it back, Stella!” His smile is intoxicating.
“I lied! I’m bullshitting you! Okay! I take it back!” I’m not even sure he can make out my words through my laughter.
He stops, “Those words shall never leave your lips again, promise?”
“I promise,” I giggle out. Once I agree, he stops and lies on his side next to me with his head propped on his hand. Our faces are about a foot apart from each other. I welcome the growling of my stomach to break the moment.
“I’m not even going to ask if you’re hungry. Where do you want to go for lunch?” He flicks his finger back and forth on the waistband of my jeans. My skin sizzles under his touch.
“Anywhere we can get a good salad works for me.”
We get in the Escalade and stop at a great mom and pop shop for lunch. Talking to him today has been smooth and easy. We take this time to ask the easy questions and get to know one another. I find out that we went to high school about twenty minutes from each other.
“I can’t believe we played each other in school for four years. Zoey and I could have met you guys over ten years ago.” I can’t help but go back and replay me walking over to the visitors side so I could meet Ty back in the day.
“Well, Pierce and I were kinda busy playing football.”
“Yeah, Zoey
and I were kinda busy cheering on our football team. We were cheerleaders.” I match his words.
“That does not surprise me. I should have known you two would have been cheerleaders. You fit the stereotype. I can’t imagine us all meeting then and still hanging out now though. You grow apart from high school friends real quick after graduating.”
“Didn’t you learn you shouldn’t stereotype?” I giggle, sounding like a mom. “But, fate has a way of bringing us together when the time is right. If we had been friends back then, our best friends wouldn’t be in love right at this very moment.” I smile as I picture Zoey and Pierce so happy together. “They weren’t meant to meet until now.”
I look up and find he’s not eating, but instead, looking at my expression, which is like a fairy tale where the birds fly in circles around your head in utter glee. “I really don’t believe in that, Stella. I just really hope that you’re right.”
I don’t push for him to elaborate on the meaning of that statement. I don’t like awkward situations, so I lighten up the conversation and find out we have common interest, such as our love of scary movies, football, and the beach. I have a billion intense questions about his past, but this lunch is not the time or the place.
We part with a long hug and his welcomed, “thank you.” My body is humming, just like last night. I get home with just enough time to catch up on my vampire show with Zoey. Once night falls, I quickly decide reading is not happening tonight. I have to stop because I can’t keep my mind focused. My thoughts go back to Ty and our newfound friendship. I love those conversations when you are getting to know someone. We skipped from topic to topic, and giggled and laughed the whole time. I fell asleep early that night with Ty’s beautiful face in my head.
The week seems to fly by. Monday, Ty texts me to come over after work so he can edit and I could call some clients to process their orders. I scoot right over after work and start my second shift. We order Chinese food and go about our duties for a couple hours. It’s relaxing. We wind up on the balcony, talking, with a glass wine for me, and a beer for him. I finally left at about midnight. The hug Ty gave me was a little longer tonight. I took advantage of his arms wrapping me up as I closed my eyes and breathed him in. I could be crazy, but I felt like he enjoyed the extension as much as I did.
Tuesday is difficult. I feel like I need toothpicks to keep my eyes from falling while working at my desk. I have an extra cup of coffee that morning to help me get up and moving. Dinner with my daddy and sis is a great way to end my day. My nephew Brock is my favorite little man. The things that come out of his mouth are priceless. He tells me all about his day in detail. He loves me as much as I love him.
That night, I lay in bed and text Ty.
Ty: You have to be here 5:30 pm sharp tomorrow. I can’t handle the five year old without you. Please Stella!
Me: You’re scared of a five year old boss?
Ty: Uh, yeah.
Me: Dude, you are such an only child.
Ty: Uh, yeah.
Me: Okay, I’ll be there.
Ty: Uh, Ok.
Me: Ty!!!!!!!!!! Stop!!!!!!!!
Ty: Uh, Stella, Ok
Me: You’re a Jerk. Goodnight
Ty: No, ok I’ll stop. I’m just being annoying and dick for texting you so late.;0)
Me: Some of us have to get up and work…early. Some of us can’t lounge around all day editing in our boxers. Or do you edit naked? Oh God, you do you? I’ve sat in your butt chair haven’t I?
Ty: Uh, Yeah.
Me: You’re a jerk! LOL!
I totally laugh out loud in my room when we battle a game of emoticon war. The rule is to send the other person a text with emoticons only. The other person has to guess what you are trying to say. Literally, I almost pee my pants. Of course, they go from funny to naughty, quick. Ty sends me about eight people with all different genders, I guessed, orgy. I didn’t have to be with him to know he was dying laughing. He text me back informing me that I was a dirty girl, and he really liked my answer. I was completely mortified to find out the correct answer was, group. I completely blushed and sent a playful, yet strongly worded text back that if he was going back to making the game PG, he needed to inform me.
I head over to Ty’s after work on Wednesday. He looks frazzled and the child from the family shoot is a little rowdier than I am used to. I keep him occupied while Ty gets some shots of the soon to be parents with their second child in the womb. My job is to insert wild child perfectly into the pose and let Ty shoot away. After they leave, Ty explains that is exactly why he does not love family pictures. Kids make it too difficult.
I throw in a load of the whites to wash so we can be ready for the weekend. We are both starving, so we walk over to a corner pizzeria where they make New York style pizza. These outings feel like dates, but he makes no advances. We basically are getting to know each other better. I feel so much sexual tension that I might physically explode. I glance at him constantly when he’s not looking. His voice, face and body drive me fucking mad! I don’t stay long tonight because Ty begs me to go home, and get some sleep. I lie down and try to read. Obviously, my body agrees with Ty, because I crash and burn for the night.
“DID YOU AND TY TALK about tomorrow night?” I love when I don’t even get out hello when Zoey calls.
“Yeah, we are all going to leave our cars at his flat and walk over to Skinny’s together.”
“I’m excited. We haven’t been together all week and it’s on a Friday night. We are so going to tie one on, Stella. Let the drinking begin! Oh, plan on rocking some cute, yet, sexy clothes, because you are so getting laid Friday night, young lady. Before you say anything, listen to me.” I stay silent as I lean back in my work chair and listen. “It’s time. It’s been long enough. You really need to get back in the groove. Trust me, it’s like riding a bike. Once you get back on, you’ll remember how to do it.” I snicker at her analogy. “And don’t think for one minute that I did not plan on having this conversation while you are at work, because I know you really can’t argue.” I admit, she did plan this talk well, considering my entire office does not need to hear about my sex life, or lack thereof.
I speak lightly into the headset. “I am not going to argue with you, dork. I will bring cute clothes. I will have a blast with you all. I will let the drinking begin. And, Zoey, I will give you this... I do feel a need for a man. I will start thinking about finding one, even if it means getting everything I don’t want. My body has made a huge U-turn and no longer agrees with my celibacy. But, I do have a logical part that says to wait. I have waited a long time, so what’s a little longer? Maybe he’s right around the corner. End tangent.”
Snickering, she says, “All I got out of that was, ‘my body has done a U-turn and wants me to have sex.’ That’s a great idea, Stella!” She’s so sarcastic. “Hey, have you thought that maybe your U-turn is due to the sexy man you have to look at all the time now. And I’m not referring to anyone at your full time job.”
Uncontrollable laughter leaves my mouth. I sit quietly to see if anyone is going to ask me ‘what the hell?’ I finally speak, “I cannot talk to you at work. Any correspondence from here on out must be via text. You made me laugh out loud at work, asshole.” I know she can hear the smile on my face.
“I’ll see you tomorrow night. Let’s pick someone hot for you to lose your virginity to,” she whispers in my ear.
“Do you think I’m considered a born again virgin already, Zoey? Do ya?” I whisper back in my most sincere tone. She so knows I’m bullshitting her.
“Yes, friend, yes, I do.” She’s been with Pierce a bunch all week and with my working so much, I’m having an I-miss-Zoey-party in my head. We both say a quite goodbye.
When I wake up, I realize it’s Friday. My schedule is shopping, cleaning, one client and a night out with good friends. I shower, and throw on a pair of short frayed jean shorts and a little baby doll t-shirt. I have many outfits needed today. The one that I will clean with is on my
body. Check! The clothes I will wear with Ty and the client is on a hanger. Check! On a second hanger are the clothes I will wear to Skinny’s, along with a lacey black bra and cheeky panties. Check! The good thing about leaving from Ty’s is that I can freshen up before we go out. I’m wearing some light makeup, and I shove my feet into running shoes. Checking my appearance in the mirror, I notice my tummy is showing because my shorts are hanging low on my waist. I shrug it off. I’m cleaning, for heaven sakes! Now, off to the store. Early morning shopping is pleasant. The big box store is almost eerily quiet, and I get in and out in a flash. I stop for coffee and off to Ty’s I go.
At Ty’s studio, I load the elevator with my shopping bags along with my personal crap, shoes, and toiletries. My clothes on hangers are slung over my shoulder. With our coffees in hand, I’m finally heading up to the second floor. The door is unlocked, so I grab a couple of bags and walk in. I can see Ty on the balcony because the huge wall of curtains is open to the apartment.
He comes inside, prompted by all my noise, and he shoots that heart-stopping smile my way. His eyes light up as he rakes his eyes over me from head to toe. “Hey you, you brought coffee?” I hand him the carrying tray. “You are the best.”
“I can’t help it, boss, it just comes natural.”
Ty takes the clothes hanging from my fingers. His eyes stop on the bra and panties. With a suggestive look he says, “You should let me take some pictures of you.” I blush. I can’t even imagine trying to look sexy in front of him, much less, give the camera bedroom eyes. “You have to know that you are beautiful, Stella…and sexy. They’d be a good addition to the website. You might even be the first picture they see. You could bump some of the girls to removal status.” He lifts his eyebrow waiting for my answer.
Beautiful and sexy …me? Is he purposefully being cruel today? I’m hardly beautiful enough to remove the hotties from his website. “I don’t think so, Ty. Those pictures are just not for me. I don’t think I could let loose and feel the confidence you need, to be in front of your camera.” My eyes dart from the lacy bits to his face and back again.
Captured Secret (The Captured Series) Page 7