On Becoming Her Sir (15 page)

“BDSM.”

Zaphne’s eyes flashed. “Yes, but not in the manner you think as far as the photography. What I’m trying to create in this shoot is the artistic look at wanting. Needing.” She moved closer, studying Jessie from her head to her toes.

Jessie licked her lips and shot a look at the assistant. She would normally feel uncomfortable doing this kind of thing, parading for anyone. For some reason, she felt at ease as if she was supposed to unmask the inner girl. “Artistic. That I think I can do. What do you have in mind?”

“Excellent. I’m glad you like the idea.” Smiling, Zaphne held out her hand. “Come and let me show you around. Star, will you get us both a glass of wine, cabernet I believe.”

“Yes, Mistress,” Star said as she scampered off.

Jessie followed her trail as Zaphne led them further into the main room. There was a fire in a huge stone fireplace in the corner, leather sofas with what appeared to be fur pillows scattered in every corner. When she looked to the right she could see what had to be a playroom, just able to catch what she knew to be an “X” cross. She smiled as she looked to her left and the very opulent boudoir area complete with red velvet drapes and a bear skin rug was straight out of a photo shoot smack in the middle of
Vogue Magazine
. “You’re a Domme,” she blurted out then groaned. “I’m sorry. That was far too personal.”

“I heard you were direct.”

“I’m certain Luke said much more about my scathing personality than that.”

Zaphne’s eyes flashed. “He said you were…spirited and completely unlike any other woman that I’ll ever meet. I have to say, Luke is spot on.”

“Spirited. That’s a way of putting my willful behavior. I have been all my life. Even when I was a little girl playing with Barbie dolls, they were all dressed up in makeshift leather outfits.” Jessie laughed. “The first time my mother saw a tiny makeshift whip in the hand of my Barbie doll she called our pediatrician who promptly send me to a psychiatrist. They couldn’t cure me.”

“I think you and I had the same attitude growing up. Kick the boys if they piss you off and take down the rest of the world.”

“Exactly!” Jessie immediately felt comfortable and smiled. “Well my Barbie dolls had makeshift guns in their hands and my mother thought for certain I was going to become a serial killer.”

“You know,” she said as she stopped and turned toward Jessie. “I think this is going to be an amazing photo shoot. And don’t laugh, Barbie dolls excluded. I see you in more lace and silk than leather. You are the true epitome of a submissive with an edge and I will find the perfect way of highlighting your attributes.”

“Attributes?”

“Yes. As well as your beauty my dear. You are one incredibly gorgeous woman.” Zaphne gave her more than a once over, a smile curling in the corner of her mouth. “The camera is going to love you. I know my subjects.”

Whew, it was getting hot in the studio. Jessie never blushed, never gave a second thought to a man complementing her, but hearing Zaphne say something so sensual gave her shivers. She remained quiet as Star approached and scanned the perimeter of the room. “Amazing studio and thank you for the compliments. I tell people I’m just me, nothing special.”

“That’s where you’d be very wrong, Jezebel Waters.”

Hearing her given name spoken like soft velvet rattled what was left of her nerves. Her pussy clenched and Jessie nonchalantly wiped a bead of perspiration from her forehead. The intense look Zaphne was giving her was fascinating.

“Your wine, Mistress.” Star lowered her head as she held out two glasses.”

“Thank you, love. You can go and check on the shoot for tomorrow. I’ll call you if I need you.” Zaphne took the glasses in her hand, holding one out.

When Jessie wrapped her hand around the crystal she felt an electric connection, but it was more about a knowing than anything sexual. Still, she quivered.

Zaphne smiled as she raised her glass. “To what I suspect will be a best selling magazine and to the first model hired.”

“Thank you. I hope I can figure out what the hell I’m doing.”

“Honey, I find a way to capture the perfect essence of my subjects and I know exactly how I want to highlight the woman inside of you.”

“I think I’m afraid to ask.”

Shaking her head, Zaphne motioned her forward. “Don’t be afraid to ask me anything. I’m an open book as they would say. Come and allow me to show you my studio. You might be a bit more comfortable after that.”

Breathing a long sigh, she followed Zaphne into the studio and the moment she walked inside the rather eclectic location she felt instantly at ease. The massive warehouse space was half all business with a series of desks and computers, printers and file cabinets. The other half was all about the art, from paintings to photographs set up on easels. Paints were in boxes in several locations and from where Jessie stood she could see a cameras and video cameras everywhere. “You’re passionate about what you do.”

“You have no idea. Took me a hell of a long time to get this space after all the crap I went through with my ex husband. I had nothing. Hell, the asshole even took all my cameras, tossing them into the ocean.”

“Asshole.”

“Oh you bet but he got his so to speak. Karma is such an incredible bitch. Don’t you think?” Her laugher floated into the room.

Jessie instantly felt comfortable with her, as if they could share a simple simpatico. “I couldn’t agree more. Some men just deserve to have their cocks ripped off and shoved in their mouths or perhaps fed to the sharks.” She hadn’t realized she’d been so vehement until her words somehow echoed into the room. Stealing a glance at her hostess, she could tell Zaphne knew exactly where she was coming from. “Should I say I’m sorry?”

“Hell no, Jessie. You are my kind of gal.” Raising her glass, she nodded her head in reverence. “Some men just don’t get the essence of a powerful woman and in truth, I’m pretty much done with men.”

“Well, I refuse to give up. I have my moments, trust me, but I crave what they have to offer.”

“I understand. There is one man in my life who gives me unconditional love and caring, but other than that. I call them rat-ass bastards. They can be fed to the sharks totally as far as I’m concerned.”

“Here. Here. We agree. Granted, Luke is a bit different. At times.” Jessie mused.

Zaphne laughed then took a swig of her wine as she walked toward a bank of photographs. “But I digress. This is all about you. Tell me more about your relationship with Luke.”

“Luke is well...demanding.”

“Demanding. I certainly only know him by reputation and the single phone call we’ve had about the shoot but I can tell he’s a very strong personality. I’ve heard he’s also very direct, a damn good businessman and refuses to take shit from anyone.”

“You’ve been talking with Bart, I take it.” For some reason the concept pissed Jessie off. What the hell had Bart been telling her?

“Hmmm… I detect some dissention between you and Mr. Reynolds.”

“You bet there is. The man is an arrogant asshole to put it bluntly. He’s the kind of guy I would have no issues with kicking in the balls after I’ve given him a direct hit in the gut. After that just wait until I show him a bit of my magic. The man won’t be able to touch another woman, at least for a very…long…time.” With every word Jessie fumed more.

Zaphne clucked her jaw and studied Jessie before glancing up at the loft. “My. There must be an interesting background between the two of you.”

“There’s no history, just a complete understanding I hate him and refuse to acknowledge his existence. Nothing more.” Jessie took another gulp of her wine and moved toward the easels.

“Fascinating. One day you’re going to have to tell me all the interesting details about the man.”

“I take it you know him.” Jessie shot her a look. A single flash on Zaphne’s face was enough to know there had been some sort of relationship between the two.

“I know Bart well enough to know the majority of people don’t understand the man inside.”

Jessie turned to face her. “And I don’t want to know.”

Zaphne nodded after a full minute. “Fair enough. What I do know about the man is that he attempts to get what he wants.”

“Yes. He does.”

“And he obviously wants you.” The words hung in the air.

“And I don’t give a shit.”

Nodding, Zaphne smiled. “A lady who knows what she likes and doesn’t like. I think that’s fantastic. So many women are very timid these days.”

“I’m anything but timid. I assure you.”

“Good,” Zaphne breathed. “Why don’t you take a look at what you can expect then we’ll get started.

Jessie smiled as she moved closer, admiring the photographs. They were all in black and white, an incredible look about then, catching every raw emotion on the model’s face. “These are beautiful.”

“Thank you. I admit they are some of my finest work. Luke. You’ve been together for a long time?”

“Not long at all. A little over a year. We are…” Pressing the back of her hand over her mouth, Jessie sometimes found it difficult to describe the man she so desperately loved and this was definitely one of those times.

“Jessie. You two are exploring the changes you’re both sharing. I very much understand that.”

“Star?”

Zaphne smiled. “She’s my first female submissive. After asshole and I broke up I went through a period of needing to completely control a few men, to the point I was a cruel Domme. I learned through that what I truly want. Star is…” She looked away and smiled. “My muse.”

“I understand.”

“As you are Luke’s so I understand.”

Jessie inched closer, a red flag rising. “What do you know?”

Turning to face her Zaphne smiled. “Relax. I know what Luke told me as well as a few snippets from Aimee?”

“Aimee.” Now she smiled. “Yes. That makes sense.”

“She speaks very highly of the both of you. In fact,” Zaphne chortled as she walked closer to Jessie, “she said and I do quote ‘take good care of her or I’ll bring out my whip’. I think she is a bit infatuated with you.”

Jessie laughed. “She is a remarkable woman.”

“And so are you.”

The words hung in the air and if Jessie could tell they were both enamored. “I hope I can look at good as these photographs.”

“I have no doubt you will.”

“What now?”

“What now? We finish our glass of wine as I show you around the rest of the studio. Then I’ll take some basic pictures of you, just as you are right now. After that, if and only if, you’re comfortable I’ll suggest a change of clothing and the photo shoot begins. Fair enough?” She walked closer until she was standing only a foot from Jessie, her eyes twinkling as she looked down the length of her. “You’re a perfect size ten.”

“I don’t know about perfect anything.” Jessie studied the picture of a stunning blond, her long hair sweeping down over her voluptuous breasts. While the girl had to be naked, the picture was seductive and sensuous. “Marilyn Monroe.”

“She does seem to channel the late actress, doesn’t she?”

“Very much so.”

“While I see you as Catherine Deneauve, perhaps with a slight edge.” Zaphne’s voice was husky. She walked through the bank of photographs and glanced at Jessie. “I know exactly what I want to do with your shoot, if you’ll trust me.”

Winkling her nose Jessie shook her head, another nervous laugh slipping past her lips. “As I said, I’m certainly not the best model and far from perfect.”

“Trust me. You’re perhaps the most perfect woman I’ve ever met,” Zaphne cooed and licked the rim of her glass.

Jessie knew there was a visible tick in the corner of her mouth and as the two women seemed to size each other up, she had the distinct feeling they were going to remain fast friends. “All I can say is wait until you see me out of these clothes.”

“The dress accentuates everything that is gorgeous about you. You are classy, feminine but with that perfect edge men so crave.” Easing her wine glass down, she picked up a camera, fiddling with the lens. “Just relax and walk around the room, looking at anything you want to. I want to test the lighting and finish getting the rooms set up.

She watched as Zaphne walked away and bit her bottom lip, wondering what Luke had told her. As the wine seemed to settle into her system she found herself relaxing and after studying what had to be the most creative picture of a couple in a dark setting. The naked girl shackled to a steel cross, whip marks crisscrossing her ass and the back of her thighs, was in obvious ecstasy. The girl’s face was simply euphoric. Jessie pressed the back of her hand across her mouth and sighed.

A stream of sunlight drew her attention to the window. Moving toward the reflection, she pressed her hand on the glass, enjoying the warmth. She closed her eyes briefly imagining what the shoot would be like. For a few seconds she felt like a giddy little girl, ready for a treat. Jessie was forced to admit to herself she was excited about the shoot.

Click…

The subtle noise drew Jessie’s attention.

“Try and ignore the camera and just talk to me, ask me any questions you feel like you need to,” Zaphne said quietly.

Jessie nodded and studied the few cars in the parking lot. Each one had to be worth more than she made in a year. The thought made her laugh. “Okay, how did you get into the business of photography?”

“The truth is I think I was born with a camera in my hands.”

Click. Click.

“Hmm… Okay and you’ve always shot fashion” Jessie moved away from the window and back toward the pictures, cognizant of the camera, the knowledge she was being studied, but still relaxed.

“No. I started out in sports. My brother was a star athlete and I was assigned in high school to take his pictures,” Zaphne said casually as she followed behind Jessie.

Jessie smiled. “Fascinating. You must have loved it.”

“You have to be kidding me? Sweaty men and all the bullshit they tossed about in high school. I loathed it! Almost gave up photography completely.”

Bursting into laughter Jessie gave her a look before brushing her hand through her hair and finishing her glass of wine.

Click.

“The camera loves you. If you don’t mind keep walking. Just relax and be yourself.”