by Alexa Davis
As soon as Marcus relaxed, it had picked up tenfold. He was funny, sweet, and very smart. I found I had much more in common with him than I had any other guy I’d dated before, and the chemistry was stronger, too. I wanted him so much more than I ever had anyone else.
It was probably wise that we’d kept it to just a kiss, though; this was supposed to be us working out if we had something real before confessing it to the world. If it was a purely sexual thing, then we’d never be able to figure it out properly.
Well, you know where I am if you ever need someone to stand in!
“Helloooo!”
Oh, my God, it was Maddie. I closed the screen rapidly and spun around to face her with guilty flushed cheeks. Icy shards shot through my body as I stared into her trusting eyes. Was now the time to tell her? Would this be a good place to finally come clean?
“Hi, Maddie, what are you doing here?” I wasn’t expecting her, was I? Had I been that distracted lately that I’d totally forgotten about all my plans? What the hell was going on with my brain? I’d never had it turned to mush before.
“We’re going out for lunch, remember? We discussed it on Saturday... Oh, God, you were a bit tipsy.” Guilty, distracted, unsure of what I should be doing, too. “Anyway, are you ready?”
I glanced at my camera, knowing I didn’t totally have the shot, but I was sure with some serious editing I could make it work. I didn’t think I’d get much better out of this group, anyway – they were in a world of their own.
“Okay, let me just send everyone home, then we can go out.”
“Good, because I have some amazing gossip for you!” I didn’t need to ask to know what the topic was – this was something man related, which could potentially mean Marcus. I had to gulp down the thick lump of jealousy that lodged its way into my throat at the image of them hooking up, too. Maybe I’d deserve it, but Oh, my God that’d be the worst thing ever.
“Great.” I smiled weakly. “I’ll be with you in just a moment.”
As I spoke to the models and sent them all home, my brain was in utter turmoil. I was about to face a crossroads, and I wasn’t sure which turn to take. I really didn’t want to continue down the path of lying, especially if we were both seeing Marcus, but it was only me who had done something wrong. Maddie had practically called dibs on him. I felt sick to my stomach.
I wasn’t ready. I didn’t think I ever would be, but today, I really wasn’t. I needed more time. I wanted to properly plan out what I was going to say. I didn’t want it to be like this...
***
“So, what’s the big gossip?” I eventually felt compelled to ask. We’d been sitting down for a full six minutes and still she hadn’t said anything. It had to be a world record. It wasn’t much like Maddie to keep anything to herself. “Don’t keep me hanging!”
“Oh, right, I’ve met someone.” She clapped her hands together and squealed with sheer joy. She seemed totally oblivious to my heart sinking as I immediately suspected the worst. I’d been waiting to hear her say that she was with Marcus and now she was.
“Oh, my God, he’s awesome. I can’t wait for you to meet him.” Wait what? My ears pricked up and I began to really listen. “He’s from Monaco, and like, super rich... But he’s more than that. He’s hot, too, and he really likes me. You should see some of the texts he’s been sending me.”
As she pulled her phone out from her bag, I couldn’t keep it in any longer. I was like a pressure cooker, exploding word vomit everywhere. “But what about Marcus? Weren’t you...” Why am I even asking this? Isn’t it a really good thing that she’s forgotten about him now? That left the coast much clearer for me.
“Oh, Tommy is so much better. He’s much more fun, you know? Well, you would know if you came out a bit more. We need to go for drinks sometime.”
“Yeah, of course.” The smile I gave her was much more genuine now. She was over Marcus – she had someone else in her sights. It was the best news I ever could’ve hoped for. “Anytime, you just let me know when.”
“I’ll text you.”
As she gave me her phone, my eyes widened in shock. These were not texts, they were very filthy sexts. “How long have you known this guy?” I asked incredulously. “Are you sure he’s not just in it for a one-night stand?”
“That’s why I’m in it.” She shrugged and took the phone back. “I mean he’s nice enough, but not forever material. Just fun for now. And with the shitty week I’m having at work, I could use some fun.”
“So, tell me, what’s going on there? Is it still absolutely nuts?”
“Cassie went off on me the other day because she said I spoke to a client a little harshly. I tried to tell her that he was horrible to me first, but she wouldn’t listen. Then, I tried to show her some research stuff I’d been working on, to try and get moved into the research team first, and she bit my head off about that, too. I mean, how the hell am I supposed to get anywhere?”
“Have you tried other magazines?” I asked her kindly. “I know you wanted to work at Taster forever, but maybe it’s time to broaden your horizons a bit? There might be something way better out there for you.”
“I don’t know,” she pouted out her lip miserably. “I’m leaning more and more toward the sugar daddy option every single day. I just don’t know how I’m supposed to make my fortune in this damn city.”
I clamped my lips tightly together, fully knowing that I didn’t have any right to jump in on that subject. I’d been lucky with my family name, that was all there was to it. If I didn’t have that, I’d be in the same boat as Maddie, struggling on my photography wage and just trying to get by. All I wanted to do was offer her words of comfort, to try and make her see that everything would be all right, but I knew I’d get a scathing look and a sarcastic reply for it.
“So, anyway, when you come with me to meet Tommy, I’ll make sure he brings some of his hot friends around, too. They’re all really suave and sophisticated – you’d absolutely love them.”
“Right, thanks.” I nodded with a spinning head. This was probably the time I should have said something, after all, Maddie was all about someone else right now, but still it felt really wrong. Soon. I’d do it, soon...
***
I rubbed my weary eyes as I got back home later that evening, trying to rid my brain of the stress. I should never have given up on the shoot. Editing was such hard work, and it made my head ache like crazy. I hated staring at a computer screen for too long; it drove me crazy. I loved taking the pictures much more than fiddling with them. Maybe it was time to hire someone to do that for me.
Ring, ring...
There it was, the only thing that could cheer me up right now: a phone call from Marcus.
“Well, hello there,” I answered playfully. “How are you?” I crashed my butt onto the couch and waited for his reply.
“I’m good, thanks,” he replied. “I miss you, though. How’s it going?”
“Ugh, I’ve just had the worst day at work. I’m so glad to be back at home! Did I ever tell you that photography was the worst career choice ever?”
“Really? Well, that is a shame, since you’re so good at it and everything.” I loved that teasing lilt to his voice; it made me feel special. “And also, I was hoping to ask a gorgeous photographer out tomorrow night, but since you’re packing it in.”
“Where are you gonna take me?” I sat up straighter, waking right back up again. “I’ll keep the camera for one more day, promise!”
“It’s a surprise, but I’ll pick you up at half past seven, okay?”
My heart beat faster, happiness replacing the emptiness that had been there only moments before. If it wasn’t such early days and we hadn’t gone back to the start to date properly, I would be inviting him around for a repeat performance of what happened in the studio.
Still, it was all for the right reasons. I hadn’t forgotten that.
“That sounds really good.” I bit down coyly on my bottom lip as I recalled the wond
erful feelings he gave me while we kissed. “I can’t wait already.”
“Well, that’s good. I was hoping you’d be dreaming about me.”
I had done nothing but. Ever since he’d crashed into my life, I found him on my mind way too much, but I wasn’t going to admit that. “I’ll see what I can do,” I told him instead.
“Date number two – you know this is getting serious, right?” Marcus answered gravely. “I don’t think I’ve ever been on a second date in my life.”
“Ever?” I exclaimed in shock. I wasn’t sure whether I should be horrified or thrilled that I was the one to change him. “I suppose I better make sure it’s a memorable experience, then.”
“Every moment with you is memorable.”
As he said that, my heart skipped a beat. I really felt like he meant it. Maybe all my fears before were silly, maybe we could make it, after all. Dad had said not to worry too much about Cameron, which I was trying to listen to, and Maddie had moved on.
Maybe if we really fell in love, Marcus would stay in America. I knew that he had his duties in England, but he’d left them all behind, hadn’t he? He wasn’t showing any signs of wanting to go back any time soon, so maybe he never would. Maybe he would end up giving up everything for me.
Maybe, just maybe, this was the start of the most romantic love story of all time.
“I’ll see you tomorrow.” My face heated up, but luckily, he couldn’t see me.
“Yep, I can’t wait!”
Chapter 21 – Marcus – Saturday
Excitement built within my chest as I thought about seeing Blair again. I’d meant what I said, more or less. I couldn’t remember a time when I’d been on a second date. Certainly, not one I was so excited about, at any rate.
I couldn’t wait to get to know her better, to kiss her, to hold her in my arms. I’d behaved myself last time, but I wasn’t sure that I could do it again. My body craved her. I needed to feel her, and that pulse was aching more painfully with each passing second.
When the ringing of my phone broke into my thoughts, I glanced down to see my dad’s number filling the screen. He was across the other side of the world, no doubt sitting in his office with a scowl across his face, his eyebrows furrowed, and that special frown on his lips that he reserved just for me: the disappointment child.
I could’ve answered it. I could’ve been the bigger man and just put all our bullshit aside to speak to him, but I was having the time of my life in America and I really didn’t want it ruined.
Instead, I stared with a stoic face until the call eventually ended. I stood still for a few more seconds, just waiting to see if I was about to receive a very unpleasant voicemail, but it seemed that whatever my dad had to say to me wasn’t that important.
With a deep sigh, I dropped my phone into my pocket and I moved toward the door. This wasn’t a time to be worrying about someone who didn’t care about me, someone who now lived hundreds of miles away, someone who only ever communicated with me to yell. I wanted to get my head in the game, to enjoy the night ahead.
I tapped on the door and leaned up against the wall while I waited for Blair to greet me. My heart pounded in my chest and a smirk played on my lips, anticipation coursing through my veins. She was keeping me waiting, teasing me, and I liked that about her. She kept me on my toes. I’d become so used to women falling at my feet, this was utterly refreshing.
“Well, hello there.” She ran her eyes all over me as she swung the door open. “Don’t you look handsome today?”
“One of us has to,” I teased, indicating toward her gorgeous, shimmering dress. It hugged her curves perfectly and revealed just enough cleavage to have a deep thrill brimming within me. “Since you haven’t bothered to make any effort.”
“Oh, you know me, I prefer to look homeless.” She chuckled loudly and lightly brushed her finger down my cheek. “Now come on, where are you taking me?”
I held my arm out for her and started walking down the road without really answering her. I had a nice night out planned, one that was a little different, and I couldn’t wait for her to see it. I had a feeling that she was very used to fancy dinners and big nights out, so what I wanted was to give her something a little more personalized.
I just hoped that it worked.
***
“Oh, my God, that was amazing!” she gasped excitedly as we finally wandered out of the building. I knew she’d enjoyed it because we were one of the first ones in and the last out. “Those photographers were inspiring.”
I could see the light back in her eyes and the fire in her belly, which was exactly what I’d been hoping to achieve by bringing her to the quirky photography exhibit. I knew she loved snapping away with her camera, but that she wanted a little more from it. I hoped that I’d managed to unleash that desire once more.
“I thought you might like it as soon as I saw the brochure – ”
“I mean, what that guy did in the Grand Canyon was incredible, and the Tokyo pictures... just wow. It reminds me what I want to do, you know?”
As she chatted happily all the way back to her apartment, baring a lot of her soul to me when she spoke about her dreams, I realized how closed off I was being myself. I hadn’t told Blair anything about my life back home or my issues with my family, and I wasn’t totally sure when I’d be ready to. Yes, this was only our second date, but it was a huge step for me. If I didn’t start showing myself a little bit, she would likely grow frustrated and bored.
Still, I couldn’t make myself do it. As I thought about my father and my life back in England, it made my insides clam up and my heart pound faster.
“So...” I suddenly realized that Blair was looking up expectantly at me, reminding me that we were standing outside her apartment all over again. It had been a very long night, but now that we were back where we started, it felt like it had passed in a heartbeat. “Did you want to come up? We could order in a pizza or something?”
“I did have a dinner planned, you know,” I smirked and pulled her closer to me. “It isn’t my fault you spent so long at the exhibit!”
“Let me make up for it, then.” As she gently pressed her lips up against mine, I had a feeling that she wasn’t just hungry for food. The thought relit that fire in the pit of my belly. I’d found girls attractive before, lots of women, but it was never like this. What Blair unleashed inside of me was utterly incomparable. “Since it was all my fault.”
“I can do that.”
She laced her fingers through mine and practically dragged me inside before tossing me a handful of takeout menus. “You decide what you want. I’m going to get into something a little more... comfortable.”
I couldn’t look at the flyers in my hands because I couldn’t take my eyes off that amazing ass as it walked away. She had the confident wiggle of someone who felt good in her own skin, and it made me adore her even more. She had a wonderful body, legs that went on for days, and hips that I wanted to sink my teeth into– and soon enough I hoped I would be able to. I had a feeling that it was coming, but I didn’t want to get my hopes up in case she wanted to wait until date number three.
“Should I just make an order?” I called out loudly. “Do you have any preference?”
“Whatever you want!”
I used an app on my phone to make a quick order, then waited in anticipation for Blair to get back to me. The fact that she was in her bedroom, changing into something to look good for me was almost too much to bear. All I wanted to do was head on in there, to claim her for my own, but for the first time in my life, I had to be patient.
Luckily, Blair was worth waiting for.
As she strolled back into the room in a black, almost transparent camisole, my heart leapt into my chest. However, it wasn’t her rocking body that had all my attention. There was another part of her that I couldn’t stop staring at because it didn’t quite fit in with what I was expecting.
“Why exactly do you have your camera with you?” I asked her bemusedly. �
��Is that essential to what’s about to happen... or are you so inspired that I’m about to be forgotten?”
“A bit of both.” She bit her lip coyly and shimmied over to me. “I want to take some pictures of you... on the bed, naked.”
“Are you serious?” I asked, unsure whether I should be laughing or crying. “Have you gone insane?”
“Oh, come on, they will be for my eyes only.” As she got closer to me, my breath hitched in my throat. My heart raced, and a warmth spread through my body. From the playfulness of her tone, I could tell that this was some sort of foreplay, and I wanted to play along. This would be a first for me. “It’ll be fun, trust me.”
She stepped me backward toward her bed, and I decisively whipped my top off, to let her know that I was game.
“Okay, fine.”
I stripped down, slowly, what I hoped was sexily, and Blair instantly started snapping away. “Don’t mind me,” she murmured. “I like to get some action shots.”
I didn’t mind because I knew that she would be the only one seeing them. I’d done enough photo shoots in my life to know what was bad and good, how to look my best, and this wasn’t it. But it would only be a bit of fun. Just something between me and Blair.
“So, where do you want me?”
“Just lie wherever you want, spread out over the bed, and I’ll start snapping.”
I fell back onto the sheets and struck some over the top poses, laughing and playing along, but after a while there was something in Blair’s eyes that made me take things a little more seriously. She just looked so fired up, like she could barely contain herself. It shifted my perspective. Instead of playing around, I simply displayed my body to her and stared into her wonderful eyes. She pulled the camera down, snapped a few more times, and gazed back at me.