Page 40 of Brought By the Storm

Chapter Fourteen

Eric

My nerves were jangling as I descended the stairs to my basement, wondering how I could be so horny yet so timid. I felt silly carrying the sex toys, so I stuck them in a shopping bag to bring with me. I entered my studio where Carrington was studying the many photos I had up on the walls. He turned with appraising eyes when he heard me enter the room.

“You’re breathtaking,” he said. “You blew out your hair for me too, didn’t you? It’s thick and full, so soft around those chiseled features.”

I wished I didn’t flush, but I knew I had. I never would understand what he found attractive, but I was so appreciative that he felt as he did. “I wanted to look nice for you,” I admitted.

“You succeeded,” he affirmed. “And you wore the shirt just as I requested. Thank you. It’s very sexy. And your legs…just beautiful.”

I smirked. “I thought legs are just legs?”

He remembered his own comment and pursed his lips, trying to suppress a smile. “Such insolence. I’m going to spank you for withholding the information about your fourth sex toy and for this latest naughty comment. Do you know when?”

“When?” I breathed.

“When that dildo is all the way inside you. I want you to feel my slaps on the inside as well as the outside,” he informed me.

I felt my legs go weak. “Um, you still won’t hurt me, though, right?”

He gave me a reassuring nod. “Eric, I will never do anything but painless things to you. Things you want…or perhaps are begging for.”

I felt my cheeks heat. “Oh. Thank you.” Thank you? He had to think I was the least sexy person in that moment. “Um, do you like my photography?”

He smiled like a proud papa. “Very impressive. Your work with female models is gorgeous. You make all of them look sultry and alluring. Yet all of them are tasteful. I noticed you had some of them wear unusual outfits and created an atmosphere that enhanced the style of clothing. I liked the one where the model’s long hair was blowing behind her, and she was leaning forward with her right hand on her knee and the other on her hip. The fan was blowing the feathers on her sleeves and it was quite artful.”

I nodded. “Thanks. I try to create the mood, pose and look to create the right aesthetic.”

“You’re very good at it,” he confirmed. “It makes me wonder why you don’t do it full-time.”

I shrugged. “You need to be noticed. I can’t afford to do it for fun. The insurance job is security.”

“I could help you get established,” Carrington offered. “I’m sure I could lean on some connections.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t want something I didn’t earn,” I told him.

“But you do deserve it,” he countered. “I wouldn’t have offered if I didn’t think so. I believe in promoting great talent.”

I nodded. “Thank you. Um, you didn’t comment on the photos of the men.”

He bit his lip. “Very nice, indeed, though they make me a bit jealous.”

“Why?” I whispered.

His eyes were piercing me. “I was picturing you taking photos of them, with some of them in these various stages of undress. It aroused me to think of them turning you on, but it also made me want to stake my claim—though I know it isn’t a claim I have a right to stake.”

“They didn’t turn me on,” I said. “Well, not much anyway. None of them were as hot as you—or even Stefan. I just did what they asked unless they asked for nude shots. I refused to do those. It’s not that I’m opposed to artistic nudes, but I knew that wasn’t what those guys wanted. Sometimes, the supposed models are just looking for a hook-up.”

He frowned. “I don’t like you putting yourself in dangerous positions. We’ll have to think about how to put precautions in place.”

I warmed at his inclusion of himself in solving the problem. “I’ve been able to handle myself so far. I just tell them I have a reputation to protect, and most people are respectful of that. Besides, I get so caught up in the work, thinking about the model in a sexual way doesn’t happen.”

He crossed his arms and gave me a sly look. “So, when you take pictures of me, you won’t be thinking of me in a sexual way?”

I laughed. “Oh, I wasn’t planning for this to be a professional session. I won’t be focusing on making everything flawless. Having the most beautiful model will be enough for me.”

He grinned. “Why me and not Stefan, though? He’s more attractive than I am. What drew you to me? Whenever girls favored me over him, I assumed it was because I’m the president. You didn’t even know I was.”