Extreme Close-Up (Perspectives Book 1) (11 page)

BRADEN SHOWED UP after she had spent hours looking at him. Sorting through hundreds of gorgeous photos from the Allister & Hitch session, Lisa knew she was right to break things off. The shots of him with Andie settled it. Thanks to Braden, she now felt beautiful and comfortable in her own skin, but that skin would never look like a college girl’s again.

It was a surprise to realize she was okay with that.

She was excited to test her new wings as a confident forty-one year-old woman. But first...

“You wanted to see me, Ms. Taylor?” His half-grin was sexy as always, but the vulnerable look in his eye made him seem more boy than man.

“Thanks for coming.” She stepped aside to let him in, knowing even a small hug would send the wrong message. “Want a beer?”

“I’d take some iced tea if you’ve got it.” He sat at the kitchen table and nervously bounced his knee, watching as she poured two glasses.

Avoiding any chance that their hands might touch, she set his on the table in front of him. He thanked her and sipped as she struggled to find the right words.

“So um, yesterday was a nightmare. I still can’t believe Jake tried to punch you. Thanks again for taking care of him.”

“Least I could do since he was nice enough to miss,” he grinned. “How did the wrist look today?”

“Better. The color is hideous, but it’s much less swollen.” With a chuckle she added, “I made him do the ice dip again before he went to his friend’s house.” Her eye-roll indicated how much Jake complained about the treatment.

He shook his head. “Not the best patient, that kid.”

“Nope. He did have a great doctor, though,” she said pointedly.

A dimple flashed briefly before he sobered. “And is that doctor by any chance still involved with his patient’s mom?”

“Braden,” she sighed and met his sad, gorgeous eyes. “Even if we somehow kept seeing each other now that everyone’s home, you’ll be leaving to start med school soon.”

“About that...” His eyes darted away in a flash of guilt, then returned to hers full of resolve. “What’s the point of spending all the time and money on med school? I’ve got a good career going, now.”

Lisa didn’t even have to ask what Elena’s reaction was when she’d heard about his modeling gig. She had been friends with his mother long enough to know Elena would be ecstatic about her son’s perceived fame and fortune.

As always, it seemed Lisa was alone in recognizing Braden’s nonphysical attributes. And as always, it broke her heart.

“Yes,” she finally responded. “You may be on your way to a successful career, but you won’t find it fulfilling. You’ll spend the rest of your life in that cage where no one looks beyond your face and body.”

“I know,” he nodded. “You’re the only one who ever has. That’s why I love you.”

“Braden...” She had to hug him, then, but made it quick so as not to send mixed messages. When she pulled back, his eyes were wet and she was blinking back tears of her own. “We’ll always be friends and I’ll always love you.” She felt a tear slip out and wiped it with the heel of her hand. “Go to med school. Be the smart guy who also happens to be attractive, instead of the hot guy who just happens to have a brain. Date women your own age who appreciate who you really are -- you’ll find them, I promise,” she added, smiling at his skeptical look. “Let me take what you’ve given me and taught me about myself and experience the world like that for a while.”

A tear slid down his cheek and opened the floodgates on hers.

She forced herself to continue before her throat closed up. “Maybe we’ll come back to each other one day. But I hope not. I hope you find someone who deserves you and loves
all
of you; someone you can build a long life with.”

Without warning he pulled her into a tight bear hug, murmuring into her hair, “I know you’re right. I hate it, but I know you’re right.” He held her a long moment and took a shaky breath. “I really do love you, though.”

“I really do love you, too.” She hugged him back just as tightly, drenching his shirt with her tears.

Getting on with her life was easier said than done. She spent a few mopey days in the same t-shirt and sweats, finally perking up when Braden texted that he had sent off his med school applications.

Happy that he was moving forward, she had kicked herself in the ass to do the same. The result of said ass-kicking subsequently led to her staring into her closet for the last half-hour. She had gone from early to late and was still wearing a towel.

Natalie answered on the first ring, thank god. “Hey, Lise. What’s up?”

“You’ve been to Davio’s. What should I wear?”

“Depends.” Natalie’s grin carried through the airwaves. “Business or pleasure?”

Lisa felt her face heat. “Just a planning meeting with the Creative Director.” She tried to sound casual, having already gotten an earful after telling Nat about the sexy and age-appropriate Declan.

“Oh, I can imagine what he’s planning,” her friend chuckled. “Don’t mind me. As usual, I’m overworked and undersexed.”

With Natalie’s help, she decided on a pair of fitted charcoal pants and a lightweight, powder blue sweater that skimmed her curves and had a keyhole neckline which revealed a shadowy hint of cleavage. She was going for professional-but-sexy, and she nailed it.

Declan was waiting at the table when she arrived. He stood to greet her, looking charmingly edible in a black blazer over a crisp, white shirt unbuttoned against the tanned skin of his neck.

“Am I late? Hope you haven’t been waiting long,” she said as his warm lips brushed her cheek. His dark, wavy hair smelled fresh and tickled her nose.

He held out her chair. “Nope. I was early,” he grinned. “You’re right on time.”

They ordered a bottle of wine and discussed the previous photo session. Lisa had sent him her favorite shots with some rough editing, and he was enthusiastic about them.

After the waiter brought their dinners, Declan described the shots he loved best and why. He told her which ones he thought he would use in small print ads, and which he envisioned on billboards and city busses.

Lisa couldn’t stifle her grin. “Wow... That’s...wow. I’ve been so focused on the work, I hadn’t thought that far ahead.”

Declan chuckled, enjoying her excitement. “Well then, you can think about this: if the session with Braden and Andie goes as well as I expect, I’m planning a giant ad on the 9000 building on Sunset in LA, and we’ll probably buy a screen in Times Square.”

“Holy shit.” She downed the rest of her wine. “That’s no pressure,” she laughed.

He refilled her glass. “It shouldn’t be. You do great work.”

“Thank you, but Stevie Wonder could take great pictures of those two.”

Ignoring her brush-off of his compliment, he rubbed his jaw and studied her through narrowed eyes. “You sure do have a lot of interesting pictures of Braden in your portfolio.”

She chuckled and glanced away. “Yeah, it took me a little while to get the hang of working with a human.”

“Don’t self-deprecate,” he frowned. “You’re a brilliant photographer. And Braden seemed surprisingly relaxed for a first-time model, especially since you shot him nude.” One dark eyebrow lifted. “He must be very comfortable with you.”

Lisa knew what he was asking without asking. She didn’t want to lie, so she avoided the question. “We’ve known each other a long time.”

His cheek scrunched in a lopsided smile that heated her. Or maybe it was the wine. “Would you be offended if I said you’re cute when you blush?”

It was definitely not the wine
. “Of course not. I’m not blushing.” Her face felt hot. “It’s just a little warm in here...” To her relief, he was kind enough not to mention the woman at the next table pulling on a sweater.

“My mistake,” he conceded, though his eyes twinkled with humor as the wait staff cleared the table and refilled their glasses.

Lisa couldn’t help thinking there was something impossibly sexy about a man who laughed a lot. Especially if that man happened to have gorgeous, long-lashed brown eyes that crinkled expressively, and a smile that carved deep grooves in the hollows of his cheeks.

When they were alone again, she pulled out her tablet and attempted to steer the subject to safer ground. “I’ve got the test shots here, if you’d like to go through them.”

Declan ignored that and picked up the thread of the conversation she was trying not to have. “For the record, I’ve got no issue with it, professionally. He’s a great looking kid; I don’t blame you.” His dark-coffee eyes touched her face like a caress. “And I definitely don’t blame
him
.”

The look he gave her caused delicious flutters low in her belly. She calmed them down with a swig of wine. “I’m a little confused... Was that a reprimand or the strangest compliment ever?”

His deep-voiced laugh made her skin tingle. “It was a fucked-up compliment.” He ran a hand through his hair, further rumpling it in his embarrassment. “Sorry if I’m being nosy. Just determining whether I should express my interest or keep it to myself.”

“Oh.” She knew she was blushing again, so she covered with a brazen smirk. “Well, let me know what you decide.”

“I’ll do that,” he grinned, eyes crinkling.

Tapping a finger on her tablet, Lisa asked, “Should I put this away, or do you want to look through the shots?”

He quirked his lip and gave a little shrug. “Might as well. Don’t want you accusing me of having ulterior motives for taking you to dinner.”

“So, you didn’t?”

“I absolutely did. But nobody likes accusations.” She laughed and he nodded toward the tablet. “Let’s see what we’ve got.”

She pulled up the test shots and they scrolled through, discussing her vision for each of them. When they were done she closed that app, revealing her background picture of Jake in his baseball uniform. Before she could turn off the tablet, he touched her hand.

“Hang on. Is that your son?” He studied the photo, genuinely interested.

“Yeah, that’s Jake. I took that after the playoffs last year. He’s fifteen now.”

“Good-looking kid. He looks like you, especially around the eyes.”

“I can’t believe you noticed that. Nobody ever does.” Jake got his blue eyes from Vance, so it was rare for anyone to recognize his resemblance to Lisa. She put the tablet away. “Do you have kids?”

“Unfortunately, no.” He topped off their glasses. “I got married back in my twenties, but we weren’t ready for parenthood; we weren’t even ready for marriage. Haven’t gotten that close to serious again. Not yet, anyway,” he added.

Before she could read much into that, he asked to hear more about Jake. She shared some funny stories about Jake as a little boy, some including Braden, and mentioned Vance as briefly as possible. They talked until the wine was gone and the tables around them were empty.

She thanked him for dinner as he walked her to her car.

“It was my pleasure.” He gave her a sexy smile and opened the door for her.

Instead of getting in, she took a deep breath and looked up at him. “I think it’s only fair to let you know you were right about Braden and me, but that’s over. We’re just good friends, now.”

Declan’s lip curved in a half-smile and his lashes lowered as he brushed a wayward curl from her cheek. His deep voice was gravelly when he murmured, “In that case, I’m interested.” He stepped closer and pressed a warm, firm kiss on her mouth. When she softened, he slid his big hands under her hair and nibbled her lips until they opened for him.

The excellent wine they’d had with dinner tasted better on his tongue. She skimmed her hands over his wide shoulders and he pressed her back on the car, deepening the kiss. His hands cradled her face, holding her still while he took his time with her mouth. A familiar clench between her legs made her squirm, and she felt him harden against her belly.

They reluctantly pulled apart, both a little breathless. “I should let you go before I ravish you in the parking lot.” The sinful rasp in his voice belied his droll choice of words.

“If you’re trying to convince me to leave, you’re doing a crap job,” she whispered. Her hands traveled over the front of his shirt, exploring, and she discovered he was all lean muscle under there.

“We have a shoot coming up,” he said roughly.

“I remember.”

“With the potential for some complicated emotions,” he added with an arched eyebrow.

“Yeah,” she sighed and reluctantly withdrew her hands.

He licked his lips and his cheeks creased in a slow, panty-drenching smile. “It’s not that I’m not dying to ravish you in the parking lot; I am. That’s why I have to back off until the shoot wraps.” He stroked a thumb along her collarbone right above the neckline of her sweater, then traced the keyhole cut-out, teasing her cleavage and igniting every erogenous zone she had. She whimpered and the light in his eyes said he knew exactly what he was doing to her, before he nudged her to get in the car, adding, “I like you and I don’t want to fuck this up.”

LISA WAS NAKED. Declan wasn’t. Neither were Braden and Andie. They were all in the studio for the shoot, but she was naked and everyone else was dressed for the North Pole. She wasn’t embarrassed until they began laughing at her. Their amusement at her expense was shrill. Endless.

“Oh,
come
on
!” She shut off the alarm, though it felt as if she’d only just set it. She had wrestled the blankets for hours last night, chasing sleep. Today was the shoot with Braden and Andie, and her brain had been on overdrive for days. Professionally, she couldn’t wait to get started; it was a thrilling opportunity to work for as visible a brand as Allister & Hitch. Personally, however she was a mess of conflicting emotions. She dreaded seeing Braden kissing Andie in various states of undress. It was going to hurt, despite the fact that ending it was the right thing for both of them.

On the flip side, she couldn’t get Declan’s sexy voice out of her head. They had spoken a few times since their dinner; mostly work-related with a little flirting. Much as she itched to have her hands and mouth on him again, she was glad he’d insisted they wait until the shoot was behind them.

When Lisa got to the studio, Andie was in wardrobe and Braden was in Kimani’s chair having his hair professionally mussed. He looked a little somber, but gave Lisa a wink in the mirror to let her know he was okay.

After chatting with Ivy over a few gulps of coffee, Lisa set up the lights and was tightening the foot of her tripod when Declan arrived. She was getting used to the way his crooked smile made her feel like a girl with her first crush. Conversely, his low-murmured “good morning” was as intimate as if he had just awakened beside her. Her pussy responded with a clench and a damp “yes please.”

“Good morning, yourself,” she managed.

From then on, it was strictly business as they reviewed the shot list and gave last looks and wardrobe approval. Then Braden and Andie took their marks, Lisa tweaked the lighting, and it was time to work.

Allister & Hitch was known for its risqué advertising. To Lisa’s relief they started the day with both models fully-dressed, albeit Andie was clearly braless under the thin white button-down. Declan directed Braden to hug Andie from behind and nuzzle her neck. Lisa kept the shutter going and let Declan call the shots.

She caught him watching her speculatively -- mindful of her past with Braden, she assumed, and checking that she was comfortable with where the shoot was going. It was crucial to her both personally and professionally that he never feel the need to do that again.

Time to rip off the Band-Aid
.

Stepping out from behind the camera, she teased, “Jesus, Braden, she’s not your grandmother. Look at her; she’s gorgeous. Hold her like she’s your girlfriend... someone you’re intimate with.”

Braden gave Lisa an inquisitive look and she nodded. After a moment, he flashed her that dimpled smile and she knew they had cleared the hurdle. Still pressed to Andie’s back, his arms had been wrapped around her waist; now he moved one arm across her chest with his hand on her shoulder. His other hand splayed on her flat stomach.

“Better,” Lisa said, feeling Declan’s approval without having to look at him.

Andie rolled her eyes and snorted, “Not by much.” She plucked Braden’s hand off her shoulder and put it on her breast. “Hold that. It’s a boob. I assume you’ve handled one before?” It jarred Lisa for a second, seeing his familiar hand on another woman’s body, but Braden’s laugh was contagious and instantly lightened her mood.

After that, Lisa took over most of the direction with only minimal input from Declan. She had Braden reach around and unbutton Andie’s shirt from behind, resulting in some very hot images. Then Andie shrugged the shirt off a shoulder, and Braden slid one hand over her bared breast; the other dipped into the front of her jeans. Lisa smiled to herself.
He’s a quick study, that kid
. They finished that set-up with the requisite “Topless Hugs Sell Jeans” shots in various standing and prone positions.

The models left to change and Lisa popped a fresh battery in her camera. She glanced at Declan when they had a minute of privacy. “Happy so far?”

“Very.” His thick-lashed eyes narrowed at her. “Are
you
happy?”

She grinned up at him with bright eyes. “Yeah,” she nodded. “I really am.”

“Good.” Brushing his knuckles down her cheek he added, “You should be.” He put professional distance between them again, but they stood like that a long moment; saying a lot without speaking a word. When his buzzing phone popped their bubble, he gave her a hot-promising look, and went to coordinate placement of a bed for the next set-up.

Andie was the first to return from wardrobe. They had put her in A&H’s “Cheeky” boyshort underwear, which hugged the top half of her firm round ass. Her pink t-shirt contrasted nicely with the sweet floral print of the panties.

Lisa waved her over. “Thanks for helping out before, getting Braden to loosen up.”

“It’s a tough job, but someone’s gotta do it,” Andie joked with a shrug. Then she glanced over her shoulder and asked, “Um, you’re good friends with him, right? Do you know if he has a girlfriend?”

Lisa had kind of expected this. “He was seeing someone for a little while, but that’s over now.” She raised her eyebrows. “I assume this isn’t just idle curiosity...”

“Not if he’s single,” Andie confided with a laugh. “He’s freaking gorgeous.”

“Yeah, he is.” Feeling the need to protect him, she added, “He’s smart, too.”

The girl’s face lit up. “I know!”

“You do?” Lisa hadn’t expected
that
.

“When he heard I played in the Olympics he started talking about football, and I was like, ‘Next!’” She pointed a thumb at the door. “But then he told me he’s gonna go to med school, and, um... he, uh...”

Lisa looked up and saw Braden walking in wearing nothing but soft blue pajama pants that hung low on his hips. She gave Andie a little push, whispering, “Go on; ask him to grab a beer with you later.” She was surprised when the girl hugged her before making a beeline for Braden.

Over the next couple hours, Lisa and Declan watched from behind her camera as the beautiful young couple rolled around on the bed and discovered each other. Their first kisses were tentative, but as they grew more comfortable those kisses flashed glimpses of tongue and wandering hands explored freely. They were beautiful together; sexy and playful. At one point, Braden tugged Andie’s panties halfway down her butt and she screamed with laughter. When he sank his teeth into her plump, round ass, Kimani praised Jesus and Ivy fanned herself with an issue of
Cosmo
.

It all would have been bittersweet if Lisa hadn’t felt Declan’s heat at her back; his voice a low rumble in her ear. “Let me take you out tonight.”

As it was, they never made it out of the studio.

By the time they wrapped, the rest of the building had emptied. Kimani and Ivy packed up and said their goodbyes. Braden and Andie left together, after they each hugged Lisa and whispered a private “thank you” in her ear. It was kind of adorable.

As Declan helped Lisa put away her equipment he said, “You were fantastic today.”

“Thanks,” she glowed. “I think we got some really good shots.”

“I know we did. And I know they’ll be amazing after you do your thing.”

She chuckled as they sat to watch the thumbnails load on her laptop. “‘My thing?’”

“Yeah. When you crop them and wave your magic wand so I only see what you want me to see.” He stared at her with stark admiration. “It’s like I’m looking through those gorgeous eyes of yours.”

Lisa sucked in a breath at the answering response in her core. Declan understood and appreciated her work, and that thrilled her in every possible way. She was lost for words, so she kissed him.

It was meant to be a soft, sweet kiss. A closed-mouthed thank-you kiss. But after long days spent fantasizing about him, she couldn’t keep her tongue from stealing a taste. He sat still as stone as she took his face in her hands and traced his smile lines with her thumbs. His eyes bored into hers with open wonder and restrained lust.

His jaw flexed under her fingers. “Are you sure?”

She swung one leg over both of his and sat on his lap, facing him. “I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.” And she had Braden to thank for it.

“I can wait,” he rasped.

“I can’t.” She ground herself against his prominent erection, dug her fingers into his silky hair and pulled his hot mouth to hers.

He kissed her back ravenously, taking her mouth from every possible angle. His large hands spanned her waist, then skimmed their way up to cover her breasts. She sucked in a breath when her tight nipples scraped his palms.

With blooming confidence, Lisa pulled her shirt over her head and tossed it. Declan stared at her lush breasts swelling over the shelf bra she wore for him. He teased the top edge with a fingertip, brushing an areola where it peeked above the lace.

“Christ, you’re gorgeous,” he murmured, kissing a lazy, wet path between her breasts. His bristly jaw felt delicious against her tender skin.

She reached between them and tugged at his belt.

“Wait a second.” He dropped a hand to hers, halting her progress but effectively pressing her palm against his hard length. “Let’s get out of here.”

“I’m happy here.” She nipped his neck and squeezed his cock through his pants.

“We’re on a folding chair.”

“I don’t mind.” The part of him in her hand twitched in agreement. She slid her other hand into the hair at his nape and kissed him.

“I do.” With an eye-crinkling smile, he stood and Lisa’s feet hit the floor. “I’d feel cheap, later,” he quipped and she gave a growly whine in response.

They both glanced over at the bed at the same time.

“Would that be weird?” she asked.

“Think that’s up to you.”

“Nothing really happened on it.”

“It’s set decoration,” he reasoned.

“And next time can be in an actual bedroom.”

“I’d hope so.”

“So it’s not weird,” she concluded.

“Excellent.” He scooped her up and she squealed when he dropped her on the bed. He leaned over her, thick lashes heavy as he gripped her chin in a strong hand and kissed her hard.

She reached for his belt again and he pulled her hands away, forcing them to the mattress over her head when she fought him. The position arched her back, pushing her breasts up to expose her nipples over the low-cut bra. His dark eyes raked over her and her pussy responded with a wet rush. She lifted her hips, mound grazing his hard length before he smirked and moved his crotch out of range.

“Let me, Declan,” she groaned in frustration. “I want you.”

His cheek creased in the sexy smile that fired up every nerve ending in her body. “I want you, too, gorgeous.” He caught a nipple between his teeth and tugged, dragging the flat of his tongue across the sensitive tip. “But I won’t let you rush this.” He sucked her other nipple hard and released it, then teased the wet peak with thumb. “I was serious when I said I like you.” With a look of carnal intent, he pressed moist lips to the soft sensitive skin above her navel. “And I’m not going to fuck this up.”