Vivian Arend - Rising, Freestyle

Nathan strategically arranged himself behind a chair to hide his erection. The generic shots were turning out fine—not as spectacular as he hoped to see for his special project, but more than sufficient for the Rave articles. And after getting a glimpse of how Melanie reacted to Derrick… Well, even though Nathan longed to be the one making her respond, with a little direction the boyfriend could assist in capturing some potential award winners.

Over the years Nathan had learned how to pull a response from his models. It wasn’t the lighting or the framing of a shot that made it unique and mesmerizing. It was the emotion portrayed in the eyes, the faces. The tension of muscles under skin. The merest whisper of a frown or a bead of sweat—that’s what made people remember a photo days or even months later.

Sometimes he’d arrange to shoot the pictures at a location that pushed the project to that incredible next level. Returning a family to the site of their lost home, the burnt remains a backdrop for them facing the future, or a child walking past the hospital where they’d spent the past Christmas—Nathan sensed how to get what he wanted, but he only ever did it with the full consent of his models. It wasn’t about taking advantage of them, but working with them to prove they were capable of the next step.

Like Melanie—although he had to admit his emotions were more conflicted when it came to her. She oozed sensuality from every inch of her skin, scarred or not. When he’d planned this trip, all kinds of mental images of what they could do together had bombarded him. He’d wanted to be the one making that sheen of desire rise to her skin, wanted it to be him taking her home at the end of this session and playing sexual games until they were both sated.

But in the end, as long as the shot worked, he would settle for Derrick’s participation. At least for now. It was all about timing—the lights, the energy levels.

And like taking baby steps, it was time to move to the next stage. Nathan put down his camera and strode over to turn off the extra lights he’d brought into the gym. “I want to try something else, but you have to tell me if you’re comfortable with it.”

He sat in one of the folding chairs and dug a couple of water bottles from the cooler. Melanie and her sidekick accepted them, and Nathan waited. He wondered if Derrick was really as calm and peaceful a guy as he portrayed. If Nathan had made a miscall, this next move would get his ass wiped all over the dusty floor mats.

Only one way to know for sure. He pulled out a file folder.

“So far what I’ve been doing are basic shots for the feature article. I’ve just about finished them.”

“That quick?” Melanie wiped water from her mouth, and Nathan forced himself to stop staring at the perfect swell of her lower lip. The fact he was also imagining what those lips would look like wrapped around his cock had nothing to do with why he was here.

“I will need a few shots outdoors—and I hope you’ll be able to help us out there, Derrick.”

The dark-haired man nodded slowly. “There are a couple places I can lead you to that are less popular, yet good solid climbing walls. But, Nathan, you’re aware Melanie isn’t up to climbing anything technical yet, right?”

She stiffened in her chair. “I’m capable of doing what needs to be done.”

Derrick dropped a hand on her knee. “I agree. You are capable of anything you put your mind to, but I’m not belaying you up a technical route when he should be able to get the pictures he needs without pushing your boundaries. You’ve come a long way. That’s the goal, a little at a time.”

Hmm. Melanie sat back quietly and Nathan examined Derrick closer. Seems the guy wasn’t just brawn and no brains. Time to see how he’d react to this push.

“I agree. I can work with whatever you feel is appropriate. I don’t need a shot of Melanie dangling in midair against a huge backdrop. What I want is at the base, outdoors, creating another step in the big picture. I won’t push beyond what you feel comfortable with, okay, Mel?”

She nodded and he smiled at her.

“We’re got barely an hour left before you said the wall officially opens. The natural lighting is awesome right now with the sun coming in through the skylights. I’d love to take a few shots for that other project I mentioned.”

“The coffee-table book?”

Nathan pulled proofs from the file. Here’s where the shit was going to hit the fan—or not. “Again, only what you’re comfortable with, but here’re some sample shots I took last winter. It’s all about playing with the shadows and light. The human body is a work of art, and that’s what I’m trying to show.”

He passed over the pictures and held his breath.

Sandbag: To underestimate a route’s difficulties.

Melanie’s eyes grew wide, but it was Derrick’s expression as he peeked over her shoulder that made Nathan the most hopeful. The boyfriend’s gaze shot up to meet Nathan’s, and there wasn’t anger in his eyes, but intense concentration.

“Holy cow, Nathan, you taking pictures for Penthouse or something?” The light joking in Melanie’s voice didn’t disguise her touch of interest. “Because I have to tell you upfront, there’s no way I’ve got the body for this.”

She had no idea, did she? “Mel, that’s bullshit, but that’s not the point. No, it’s not Penthouse, and I swear the intention is not to give teenage boys wet dreams. Think Greek statues, Renaissance painters—this is a celebration of the human body. But I want to show more. I also want to celebrate the human spirit, and that is where you are such a fantastic example.”

She rotated the eight-by-ten she held toward him. It was a shot he’d taken last winter of a female skier, lounging on an emergency blanket in the middle of a snowfield. The black and white proof made the contrasting textures even more stark.

Long smooth lines of skin, the grainy surface of the snow in high relief, the woman’s naked torso reflected like a mirror image on the silvery blanket. Her skis, boots and poles scattered in a heap beside her like a sacrificial-offering pyre. He was proud of the shot, and his model had been even more thrilled.

“This woman is totally naked, Nathan. I’m not posing for you in the buff.”

He held up his hands in surrender. “Didn’t ask you to. But—would you be willing for me to use some artistic license and make it look as if you’re wearing a lot less than you’ve actually got on?”

She narrowed her eyes. “Using computer editing?”

“Nah, good old-fashioned methods of shooting from the correct angle.” Nathan glanced at Derrick. “With a little help from you. Want to try a couple shots then tell me what you think?”

“These aren’t going to Rave. Right?”

“Of course not, and remember, I promised you’ll get to pick the ones I do offer them in the first place. I don’t know which five or six they’ll actually use. I have no control over that, but you’ll know upfront which shots will be possibilities.”

Derrick leaned closer and whispered in Melanie’s ear. Nathan waited as patiently as he could, hoping this wasn’t the moment that the whole idea collapsed around him.

The expression on Melanie’s face wasn’t giving anything away either. Except for her uneven breathing, which he’d noticed happened a lot during the photo shoot. Hell, his own breathing wasn’t much smoother. The chemistry in the room had been enough to make them all hot and horny.

Nathan hadn’t had a steady girlfriend for years. Love them—thoroughly—then leave them happy had become his motto. With his travel schedule there was no other way, and really, it wasn’t that bad a life, being responsible for no one but himself.

Melanie sat up and cleared her throat. “If you take a few shots today, can you develop them and show me what you mean? That way I can decide better what I’m agreeing to.”

Shit, yeah!

“Oh course.” He stood and examined the walls closer. The perfect place to begin? “Stand in the corner and let me grab what I need.”

He deliberately turned away to let Derrick and Melanie have a moment without his attention. He forced himself to breathe and keep his body loose and relaxed. Sporting an erection right now wasn’t the way to keep Mel relaxed.

Oh hell, the images racing through his brain were going to kill him. Just because it seemed he wasn’t going to get any action this trip didn’t mean his body was happy about the fact.

He called over his shoulder as he gathered his gear. “If you can roll the top of your pants down a little, but leave the harness on, that would be great. I want it to look as if there’s nothing on you but the climbing belt. If I shoot from the right angle, all we need is one small twist to your climbing top and a little assistance from Derrick.”

Nathan strolled back to where Melanie waited in the corner where there was a beginner’s climbing route. Back in the day, he’d seen her climb something like this freestyle, no ropes, laughing as she flew past the caution line and made her way to the top unprotected.

He wasn’t going to demand anything that wild.

She stood strategically again, the side of her body with the scars tucked to the wall. Derrick remained close, a fierce guardian. Fine—Nathan had no objection to using the guy to get what he needed. Nathan put the camera away for a moment, then stripped off his shirt.

Melanie’s bright laugh burst out. “Oh my God, Nathan, why are you wearing a bra?”

He grinned at her, thrilled to see the girl he’d been attracted to peeking from her shell. “Demonstrating what I want you do is easier with visuals. I need you to adjust your shoulder straps so that your shoulders are left bare. Like this—”

Nathan twisted and squirmed until all the fabric in the sport bra lay across his chest in a narrow band. He’d picked up the thing at the thrift shop the previous day, and now stood in a ridiculous pose. Her giggle of a response delighted him.

Melanie smiled hard. “You goofball.”

“This must be big-city fashion or something,” Derrick teased, a low rumble of amusement in his tone.

Nathan grinned back. “You’re just jealous that you too don’t have a fine article of clothing such as this to wear.”

“Oh hell, yeah. I’m so envious I’m going to go get my feather boa out of storage.”

Nathan good-naturedly flipped him the finger. The easy banter between them smoothed the tension, and the next thing he knew Melanie had popped out from where she’d hidden behind Derrick, her bra now twisted in imitation of the one he wore.

“Like this?” She cleared her throat. “I don’t…” She blew out a slow breath. “This is tough, Nate. I never knew how tough it would be.”

He stepped forward. “If it’s too much, we can stop.”

She shook her head, but tucked in against Derrick’s side. “I’m okay, just, can I close my eyes or something?”

“Of course.”

Derrick kissed her temple. “Give me a second. I’ve got an idea.”

He snuck away, heading behind the front desk. As soon as he left, Melanie wrapped her arms around herself.

Nathan’s heart was breaking. He hadn’t expected her to be so fragile after all this time. He lowered his voice. “I mean it, monkey, if you want to stop, I have no objections. I’m not going to be pissed off or report you to Katy for banana stealing or anything.”

The pain in her shining eyes contrasted with the stiff determination of her mouth. “I said I’m fine. I want to try. I want to see what the pictures might look like, because I can’t honestly tell you yes or no otherwise.”

He nodded before turning away, removing the sports bra and replacing his T-shirt, trying to make the situation easier. He didn’t look at her until Derrick returned and held out a scarf to Mel.

She took it gingerly. “You’re going to blindfold me?”

Derrick glanced at Nathan. “It shouldn’t matter for these shots if there’s extra fabric in the way, right? They’re just samples for Mel to check out?”

It was brilliant. “I can work around that.”

Mel handed the scarf back to Derrick. “You better stick close, that’s all I’m saying.”

“Like glue, girl, like glue.”

Derrick wrapped the bright blue fabric around her eyes twice before tying it off, the short tails falling down the back of Mel’s head to land on her bare shoulders.

Now that he wasn’t worried about her catching him staring, Nathan allowed himself to finally look his fill. The skimpy line of fabric covering her breasts was no barrier to his appreciation of the firm swells. Her muscular arms and trim waist made him long to be able to smooth his hands over her body and enjoy her more intimately.