by Mj Williamz
“You’re not being fair.”
“I’ve been more than fair with you.” Ronnie waved to Tina as she left. “Now, go get changed and let’s get this shoot over with.”
The shoot did not go well at all. Whitney was angry, and it showed in her eyes and her posture. After a few shots, Ronnie insisted they take a break.
“You need to relax. You need to let go of your childish attitude toward Lana. It’s showing in the shoot and ruining it.”
“I’m not childish.”
“Yes, you are. You’re acting like a petulant kid who can’t get what she wants. Now lose the ’tude and let’s get back to the shoot.”
Whitney took a deep breath.
“Fine. I’m ready.”
“You don’t look ready.”
“What the hell do you want from me?”
“I want you to be a professional. I’ll do my best with what you’ve brought today, but I can’t guarantee they’ll like the pictures. And if they don’t, I’m going to refer you to a different photographer.”
“You wouldn’t dare.”
“Watch me.”
If Whitney was still livid, she didn’t show it in the rest of the shoot. She was pretty much professional and listened to Ronnie’s instructions, and they finally had enough decent shots that Ronnie told Whitney she could go change back to her street clothes.
She came out of the dressing room and approached Ronnie in the kitchen. Ronnie had just poured a cup of coffee and was stirring it. Whitney was in her face, her arms around Ronnie’s neck.
“Whoa,” Ronnie said and set her cup down to disentangle herself from Whitney’s arms. “What do you think you’re doing?”
“Blondie isn’t here. She’ll never know.”
“But I will.”
“So?” Whitney pressed closer against Ronnie.
“It’s time for you to go,” Ronnie said.
“Just one kiss?”
“No. Security will be watching for you now.”
As if on cue, a security agent walked into the kitchen.
“Everything okay, Ms. Mannis?”
“No. Actually. I need you to escort this woman off the property, please.”
“You got it.”
He took one of Whitney’s arms and led her toward the door.
“This isn’t over,” Whitney said.
Unfortunately, Ronnie believed her.
Ronnie sat in the empty studio trying to figure out what to do about Whitney. She needed to be committed, she thought. She was clearly off her rocker. But how could Ronnie make that happen? To her, Whitney was an annoyance, but to Lana? She seemed to be a threat and Ronnie couldn’t stand the thought that Lana wasn’t safe.
She called home.
“Hello?” Lana answered, and Ronnie felt the moisture pool in her boxers. Damn, what she did to her.
“Hey Lana, it’s me. I need you to do me a favor.”
“Sure.”
“Make sure the front door is locked and bolted and don’t open the door for anyone until I get home.”
“I can do that. I take it your shoot with Whitney didn’t go well?”
“Not even close. Just be careful, okay?”
“Okay.”
“I’ll see you in a few hours.”
Ronnie hung up the phone and greeted the makeup and hair artists as well as Devon. Lunch must be over, she thought. Her next model came in and Ronnie set up for the shoot. She grabbed her camera and noticed something missing.
Where was her SD card? She went back to the kitchen and looked all over. It was nowhere to be found. Shit. It had all Whitney’s pictures on it. She’d have to call and reschedule the shoot. That wouldn’t be fun.
She turned her attention to the model who was there. They worked well together and soon they were finished with some excellent photographs.
“You’re a natural,” Ronnie told the model.
“Thanks. I’m still fairly new.”
“Well, you’re great at this. You can go ahead and change back into your street clothes.”
Ronnie took a deep breath and called Whitney.
“Hello?”
“Whitney, it’s Ronnie.”
“Oh, you’ve finally come to your senses? Would you like to come over?”
“No. This is a business call. I have misplaced the SD card with your shoot from this morning. I need you to come back in and do a reshoot.”
“When?”
“Now?”
“I’ll be right there.”
Ronnie notified security that Whitney would be in and then called Lana. She wasn’t looking forward to that phone call.
“Hey, baby, what’s up?” Lana said.
“I hate to do this, but I’ve got to work late tonight.”
“Why? What’s up?”
“I lost my SD card with this morning’s shoot on it. So Whitney has to come back in and I need to reshoot her.” There was silence from the other end. “Lana? Are you still there?”
“Yes. I’m not happy about this.”
“Neither am I. I’ll be home as soon as I can.”
“Okay. Be careful, Ronnie.”
“Always,”
Whitney arrived a few minutes later looking triumphant even being escorted by a guard.
“I knew you’d see things my way eventually.” Whitney approached Ronnie and tried to wrap her arms around her neck. Ronnie stepped back.
“We’re here to reshoot you. That’s all. Now, go change and get to makeup.”
Whitney practically skipped to the dressing room. Ronnie felt sick. She hated having to spend additional time with her, but she had no choice. She had to do the shoot and send the photos off. What could she have done with that SD card?
The shoot went well and after, Whitney sidled up to Ronnie again.
“How about you pour me a nice glass of wine?”
“How about I don’t? It’s late. I want to get home. Go change and get out of here.”
Whitney finally left and Ronnie waited until everyone else was gone, then she locked the door and headed home. When she was on the front porch, she called Lana.
“Hello?”
“Hey, baby. I’m on the porch. Will you let me in?”
“Sure.”
Lana opened the door for her.
“Don’t you have your keys?”
“I never carry my key for the bolt. I’ll start doing that now.”
“I’m sorry you had to deal with her this morning.”
“She was a mess. She told me she’d heard that we split up and when I told her that was a lie, her eyes got crazy with anger. You should have seen her. And then it took her forever to shake it off and do a decent shoot.” She shook her head. “I had to call security to remove her from the building afterward. It wasn’t much fun. I’ll tell you that.”
“And then you had to reshoot her this evening? What happened again?”
“I lost my SD card. That’s never happened before. It couldn’t have just fallen out, but I have no recollection of removing it. I don’t know where it got to.”
“I don’t like you spending extra time with her. I guess if I’m honest, I was a little jealous.”
“You don’t need to be jealous, baby. You’re the only one for me now.”
Lana moved into Ronnie’s arms.
“Well, you’re home now,” she said.
Ronnie kissed her, and suddenly, the weight of the world was lifted from her shoulders.
“The place looks great, by the way,” Ronnie said. “And something smells good.”
“Good. I’m glad you think so.”
“I feel bad, though, that you had to clean up on your own. I should have helped.”
“Nonsense. I love housecleaning.”
“You do?”
“Yep. Big time. And it’s easier to do it on my own. So, don’t give it a second thought.”
“Okay. Well, did you make our bed?”
“Of course. Why do you ask?”
“Because I want to take you
back there now and mess it up.”
“Patience, my dear,” Lana said. “Dinner is ready.”
They ate dinner and did the dishes, then Ronnie took Lana’s hand and led her back to the bedroom. She stripped off her silky robe and found yet another pair of boxers and camisole underneath. They were both satiny, and Ronnie loved the feel of them under her hands. She lifted the camisole and ran her hands over the soft skin underneath.
She took the camisole off and kissed all over Lana’s body. She sucked on her nipples and trailed kisses down her belly. She pulled the boxers off and inhaled deeply of the scent that was all Lana. She lowered her mouth and licked and sucked all she saw. She moaned at her deliciousness. She ran her tongue over the length of her before licking deep inside her. She replaced her tongue with her fingers and moved her mouth to Lana’s clit. She licked and sucked it, and soon, Lana was clamped down around her fingers as she rode out her orgasms.
When Ronnie was able to pull her fingers out, she did so and moved up next to Lana, who made short order of undressing her. Soon, she was lying naked there for Lana to do with as she pleased. And please Lana did. She ran her fingers over Ronnie’s body until she came to where her legs met. She dragged her fingers all over before pressing them into her clit and rubbing. Ronnie felt her world tilt just before she launched into orbit from the power of her orgasms.
They fell asleep and Lana was awakened the next morning by Ronnie between her legs. She loved her as only she could, and soon Lana was wide awake and screaming Ronnie’s name.
“To what do I owe that delicious surprise?” she said.
“I woke up a little early and you looked so beautiful lying there that I had to have you.”
“Well, good morning to me.”
“Mm-hm. Now would you care to join me in a shower?”
“Of course.”
They made love in the shower, and they took turns pleasing each other until both were weak in the knees.
It was soon time for Ronnie to go to work and Lana to get ready for a shoot with a different photographer. It was Timothy. She’d worked with him before and found him lacking. But she got herself ready and headed out to her shoot.
As she’d expected, the shoot did not go well. The pictures were flat, not like Ronnie’s.
“You need to reshoot me,” Lana insisted.
“Why? These are fine.”
“No. They’re not. They’re lacking. You didn’t catch any exuberance, any substance. These are just pictures. A ten-year-old could have taken them. Now, I demand a reshoot.”
Timothy rolled his eyes at her and murmured something about a prima donna. She didn’t care. She went back out to the set and posed for him. He started taking pictures with more zeal and she responded in kind. This time when she looked at the pictures, she was happy with the results.
“Thank you, Timothy. These look great.”
“Yeah, they do. But I’m behind on my schedule for the day.”
“Well, I’d say I’m sorry, but I’m not. I’m a professional and want my pictures to reflect that.”
“Fine. Go ahead and change. I’ll see you next time.”
Lana changed back to her street clothes and headed to Madeline’s office.
“Lana, dear. Come in. Come in.”
She greeted Lana with a kiss on each cheek.
“Hello, Madeline. I’m glad you have time to meet with me.”
“Of course. What’s going on?”
“I’d like to ask you not to schedule me with Timothy anymore. The man is anything but a professional.”
“Oh, no. What happened?”
“I’ve worked with him twice now, and I’ve had to demand retakes both times. He’s just not a good photographer.”
“And I suppose you’d like me to set you up only with Ronnie Mannis?”
“In my dream world. And not just because we’re an item. You’ve got to admit, she’s one of the best in town.”
“Yes, she is. But her schedule is normally booked for just that reason.”
“I understand. Just please don’t book me with Timothy again.”
“Okay, dear. I won’t.”
“Thank you.”
Lana opened the door to leave Madeline’s office and saw Whitney sitting in a chair. She got up when she saw Lana.
“You!” She dove at Lana, who quickly sidestepped to avoid an attack on her face. Whitney went sprawling.
“What is going on?” Madeline stepped between the two models as Whitney got up off the floor and turned back to Lana. “I mean it. I won’t tolerate such high school shenanigans.”
“She’s just mad that Ronnie’s with me now,” Lana said.
“She’s holding her against her will,” Whitney said. “And I intend to prove it.”
Lana laughed sardonically.
“She’s not being held against her will. We’re a couple now and you just need to accept it.”
“Yes,” Madeline said. “You need to grow up, Whitney. I mean it. I won’t tolerate this type of behavior from my models. Now, did you need to talk to me?”
“Yes.”
“Then come into my office. Lana, I’ll see you later.”
Lana drove to her house and gathered some more clothes to take to Ronnie’s. She drove home and pulled into the driveway just as Ronnie did.
“Hey, baby,” Ronnie said.
“Hi.”
Ronnie opened the door and stood to the side to let Lana and her suitcase in.
“Ah, I see you’re getting more comfortable here, huh?” Ronnie said.
“I am indeed. Now kiss me hello, please.”
“Gladly.”
Ronnie kissed Lana tenderly at first, but soon the kiss grew hotter when Lana opened her mouth and urged Ronnie in. Ronnie pressed Lana against the front door and moved her knee between Lana’s legs. Lana ground into it, feeling her desire growing.
Ronnie broke the kiss.
“I don’t want to take you against the front door,” she said.
“I think it would be hot.”
“Duly noted.”
Lana followed Ronnie into the kitchen where she poured them each a glass of wine.
“So, how was your shoot today?” Ronnie said.
“Ugh.” Lana sat in a chair. “Timothy is so unprofessional. I made him redo the whole shoot. He was pissed, but he did it and it ended up being a good shoot. But then he was pissed that I’d made him late for the rest of the day. Oh, well. If he’d gotten it right the first time, he wouldn’t have been late.”
“I’m sorry, baby. It’s hard for a professional like yourself to settle for anything less than perfection.”
“I won’t. This is my face and my body, and I want them looking their best.”
“So, how about the rest of your day?”
“Believe it or not, Timothy was the highlight.”
“Oh, no. What happened?”
Lana proceeded to tell her about seeing Whitney at Madeline’s office and how she dove toward her, fingernails outstretched like she was going to mar her face.
“No shit?”
“No shit. I managed to avoid the attack, and she ended up lying sprawled out on the floor, but it wasn’t fun. She scares me, Ronnie.”
Ronnie got up and pulled Lana in her arms.
“I won’t let her get you, baby. I’ll keep you safe.”
“But how? You can protect me here. And at the studio. But I’m often not at either of those places.”
“Well, outside of the modeling agency, there’s no reason for your paths to cross. I think you’ll be okay, baby.”
“I hope so.”
Ronnie grilled salmon for dinner and Lana made green beans. They ate together, and Lana was starting to relax again after having told Ronnie about her day. She had another glass of wine while they cleaned up.
“Why don’t I draw you a bath?” Ronnie said.
“That would be great. Thanks.”
Lana submerged herself in the scented bubbles. It felt so good t
o be relaxing after such a hectic day. Ronnie left her alone for a while, then came in and washed her back for her. Lana rinsed off and took Ronnie by the hand.
They went to bed and Ronnie made love to her slow and steadily, not stopping until she’d coaxed four orgasms from her. Lana returned the favor and they curled up together on top of the covers. Lana believed, at that moment, Ronnie could keep her safe forever.
Chapter Thirteen
Ronnie held Lana through the night, which was hard because several times, Lana thrashed about in her sleep, clearly engulfed in a nightmare of some sort. Ronnie cooed her back to sleep each time, but when it was time to get up in the morning, Ronnie felt anything but rested.
She got up and made coffee, thinking she was careful to not disturb Lana. But Lana was soon in the kitchen with her.
“How are you this morning?” Ronnie said.
“I don’t know. I’m really tired. I don’t know why.”
“You were having bad dreams last night.”
“I was? I don’t remember them.”
“That’s good,” Ronnie said. “They seemed pretty out of control.”
“Hm.” Lana took the coffee Ronnie offered her. “Then I’m really glad I don’t remember them.”
“But if you did, you’d tell me, right?”
“Of course, I would. I have no secrets from you.”
“Okay. Good. Just checking.”
“Did I keep you up?” Lana said.
“Don’t worry about it. It was no big deal.”
“Aw. I feel horrible now.”
“Don’t. It was only a few times and I like to think I helped you relax and get back to sleep.”
“Okay. If you say so.”
“I do. Now. Why are you up so early? Our shoot isn’t until three.”
“I don’t know. I felt you get up and wanted to be with you.”
“That’s sweet.” Ronnie kissed her. “But you should go back to bed. I need to get in the shower anyway.”
“Okay. I’ll be by around one with lunch.”
“Sounds great.”
She kissed her and got in the shower. When she got out, Lana was sleeping peacefully. She finished getting dressed and headed off to work.
Her first shoot was with a new model, and she prepared herself for the unknown. She got the set ready and sat down to drink some coffee when she heard the front door close. She heard a few tentative steps on the floor, but then they stopped. She walked out to the studio area and saw a beautiful woman with fiery red hair that fell past her shoulders. She also had beautiful green eyes and high cheekbones.