Chapter 7

Chapter Seven

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I spend most of the afternoon watching Wisteria play in front of the camera. I stick close even though I could chill out in the tent area or even further to the little gazebo with food and refreshments for the people working on the shoot. But I don't.

Instead, I stay close, even looking at some of the pictures the guy is taking. He's great at his job, willing to get soaked to capture the perfect picture. And the guy doesn't mind showing me his art either. She starts out in a tiny red bikini and then changes into a one-piece that doesn't make me happy. It's basically a few squares of cloth and some string. But the last one they put her in really irritates me.

"What the hell?!" George steps in front of me to try to slow my progress but I brush right by him. This isn't going to be alright. The straps are straining so hard there's a very real fear that they might break and one wrong move and she's showing something she doesn't want to show.

"Is something wrong?" The guy comes over while still sending happy smiles to where Wisteria is. "You look great, babe. Why don't you take a few minutes while I reload."

"Yeah, something's wrong. She's not wearing this."

"What? Why not?" he runs his eyes over it and then looks to me like he can't tell what the fuck is wrong with it. "She looks amazing in it."

"Because this isn't that kind of photoshoot and there's no way she's going to stay in that thing. She's not wearing it."

"Well, she kind of already is and she's killing it. Are you two…?" He doesn't finish but arches his eyebrow up at me. "I mean, you seem pretty… protective over her showing her… talents, so I was just wondering."

"No."

He gives me a slow nod and I can tell he isn't believing the simple denial I give him. "Kay, dude. I'll shoot her in another one. No big deal to me." He walks over to the rack where the clothes are and picks one out. "This one alright with you?"

I like this guy. I scrutinize the one he chooses before giving my agreement. He calls in the ladies who help with the hair and makeup and Wisteria does another wardrobe change before being positioned in the sand.

"Okay, babe, this time I want you to show me sexy. Burn my celluloid up." He pulls his camera away from his face. "Well, if I was using celluloid, burn it up. Show me hot and spicy."

No one else would have been aware of the slight change in her, but I've been watching her all day. I see the look she slides to her agent before giving a wide-eyed stare at the camera with her lips slightly parted.

The camera starts clicking, matching the sound of pounding in my ears. It's my pulse, the beat of my heart as I narrow my eyes and look closer at the little starlet in front of me. I might just stroke out if what I think I see is true.

There's no way. No fucking way!

"Put your arms up, oh yeah. Yeah. Just like that. Give me sultry nights and steamy hot…"

I lay my hand on the photographer's shoulder to get his attention.

"You mind if we do some couple shots now."

"Are you fucking kidding me? You'd be giving me Christmas and my birthday if it turns out anything like I think it will."

I step in front of the camera while slowly unbuttoning my shirt. There's a hint of something behind her chocolate eyes but her lashes fall quickly and she"s able to hide whatever it is. "Are you ready for me?"

"What? Oh, uh…don't you have to do it by yourself first?"

"They'll take my solo shots later."

"Oh, uh…okay."

I walk behind her and come to my knees so I can press my chest to her bare back and entwine my arm around her waist. I shouldn't be doing this, but I have to find out if what I think I saw is real or if Wisteria is just one hell of an actress. When I pull her back into me her cheeks turn pink, and her breath leaves her in a little puff of air.

"Okay so give me sexy. Give me hot and… oh yeah, that's it. Yeah, Banner knows what he's doing."

I take her by the wrist and pull it over her head so I can give the illusion of her being stretched out against me. I spread the palm of my hand over the expanse of her bare stomach. I drop my head so I can whisper to her so that only she hears. "You have to breathe, Winnie."

To the camera it looks like I might be dropping kisses on her neck when in reality I am monitoring every movement, every nuance, she makes. She takes a shaky breath that pushes her breasts out and causes my eyes to finally leave her face.

One of the best things about having Winnie in my arms is the fact she's small enough I can look over her head and see pretty much all of her. It would be like that if I took her from behind during sex too.

Well, shit.

I rearrange us so my dick won't be nestled up against her lower back and look up at the camera giving it a wicked smile.

"Give me sexy, Wisteria. Give me hot. You look a little scared."

"Oh, um, sorry."

She licks her bottom lip leaving it shiny and wet before leaning her head back against me. Her eyes flick up to me and she asks, "Is… this alright with you?"

"Oh yeah. I'm easy Winnie. You do what you think you need to do."

She gives me a tilt of her lips before turning back to the camera. And looking around for her agent. This time I watch the agent, I think her name is something off Scooby Doo, and see her give Wisteria a look before she gives her a thumbs up.

Something is definitely up and the theory I have is only solidifying. After a few moments, the assistant comes over and repositions us. This time she turns Wisteria towards me and tells her to put her hand on my chest. She does…over the shirt. "Here, let me help."

I lose the shirt and toss it out of the way where George walks over and picks it up out of the sand. This time I take her hand and lay it on my now bare skin. Her hand seems to flutter around once I let it go but finally settles.

"Look over your shoulder, Wisteria."

She does but my friend the photographer hands me a gift I wasn't looking for when he shouts for the makeup woman to come try to plump her lips up.

"No worries. I can do it."

I tilt her head back and cover her lips with my own. And find my answer beyond a shadow of a doubt.