Captured Secret (The Captured Series) (9 page)

I
DRIVE
OVER
TO
THE
STUDIO
well rested for a Sunday morning. I may be a little overly anxious to see Ty. He’s adorable with his, I just woke up look. He helps me pack up what is needed for the engagement shoot. As we haul the loot down to Ty’s sweet black Cadillac Escalade I ask, “You’re a single guy, so why such a big vehicle?”

His answer is one word, “Equipment.”

“Now that makes sense.” I smile because his bright grin is wide as he puts the large SUV in drive. “Coffee is a necessity for me in the morning, Stella. Do you care if we stop along the way?”

“I too require caffeine in the morning.”

“I knew we’d be good partners.”

While we wait for our order, I stand by Ty and pretend just for a moment that he is really here with me. Like ‘here’ with me, as in …mine. I beam with pride for a moment, which leads to me giggling inside that I’m such a freaking dork. Ty catches my crazy look and it’s funny he doesn’t question me. He just goes with the flow, which is nice. Being around him is turning enjoyable versus nervously tolerable. I say tolerable because my body doesn’t listen to my brain when he is around. It wants what it wants…which is him…but that is not an option.

The shoot is going great. The park is so tranquil. Ty and the engaged couple agreed on a city park where the oak trees are so old and huge that they have branches that have swooped down, touched the earth, and resumed growing up toward the sky. The clients are so in love my heart aches a bit watching them. Ty, of course, is flawless. He engages with them and asks them about the wedding date, the venue, the bridesmaids, groomsmen, DJ, and the food. They lavish us with every prideful detail.

I almost can’t keep professional Stella in check at one point as they walk ahead of us hand in hand. They tell us the story of how they became engaged. Ty makes an obscene gesture behind their backs with his hand to show me how much he really cares. It’s the one where you make a fist and pump it in front of your genitals. I grab his arm to make him stop. We quietly giggle so hard we bump into each other and lose our balance. That bobble equals us genuinely laughing out loud. Ty apologizes for our behavior. He explains to them that we almost fell on our face.

When the shoot is over, Ty leaves them with his usual instructions on when the previews will be posted. I stand next to him with backpacks strapped on each shoulder, sporting a pack mule look. They leave very satisfied and so happy, I think they may actually burst with excitement.

I start walking back to the Escalade and Ty pulls me back, flush to his chest by using one of the backpacks. “Let’s hang here. Is that cool? I don’t want to go back to the studio just yet.”

I have to crane my neck to look up at his gorgeous face. “Yeah, this place is so peaceful. I wouldn’t mind hanging.” He’s upside down because my back is to his front. He opens his mouth to say something, but he winds up just staring at my open mouth. My breathing picks up just thinking of our lips meeting. Unfortunately, he releases me, clears his throat and walks under a huge oak tree to spread out a throw blanket. We are in mid-summer in Florida. That equals hot, muggy weather. I’m dressed casually in low rise jeans, a fitted purple cami-tank and flip-flops. The casual dress was Ty’s idea. He matches me with worn loose jeans and a navy blue t-shirt and some flip-flops as well.

We sit across from one another and repack the gear. As Ty cleans the camera lens, I brush my hair to the side and lay back on the blanket. “That was a good save on us giggling while they talked about their big day.”

I close my eyes and he says, “I’m quick witted, artistic, and generously muscled. Isn’t that what you said last night?”

“Seriously, Ty, I’m going to have to monitor everything that comes out of my mouth with you,” I reply amused.

“I’m totally kidding. Today went really smooth, thank you, Stella.” I never get a thank you at my full time job. Those two words go so far, people should really say them more often.

“You are welcome.”

“You look relaxed.” When I open my eyes, he’s lying next to me on his stomach. Good
God, he smells delicious.

“I am. I love to close my eyes while lying under a tree. One moment, your eyes are shaded, and the next, a peek of light comes through the leaves, and shines through your lids.” I take a slow deep breath trying not to pant as I feel his body six whole inches from mine. “Mmmmmmm…it feels good to just lie here and have nothing to do.”

“You must be exhausted. This is day seven of working with no break.”

“I’m actually good, sleeping in both mornings helped, so I really don’t feel too tired.” I roll on my side to face him and tuck my arm under my head. I look calm as his eyes gaze over my entire face. In reality, my heart is slamming in my chest from the closeness. I can’t help but take a moment and look at every feature on his flawless face. His skin is soft, but manly. The darker thick lashes really make his fuck me eyes look more ice blue. Strong cheekbones lead to full plump lips. And his jaw is all man, nothing dainty about him. I’m never comfortable in these silent situations. “Today was interesting, Ty. I was in awe of their happiness and enjoying the details. You were very opposite, yet focused on the task at hand. I’m sure you get tired of listening to wedding plans.”

“Was I that obvious? I guess I need to project my face better in front of clients.”

“No, not at all. You showed me your thoughts on your face, but you were perfectly professional when they were in view.” I want so badly to reach out and touch him. It’s like a magnet. My solution is to tuck my other hand under the arm I am lying on. I feel my shirt ride up and expose my waist and flat tummy. The breeze is blowing, and cooling me off, so I’m not about to go tugging it down.

“I’m a guy, so weddings don’t do it for me, Stella. All that planning and money. I always think; how long will this last?”

“Some last, Ty. Zoey’s parents have been married for almost twenty-five years. They are still in love,” I say with certainty.

His manner is deadpan, “Let’s be honest. Most don’t, Stella. Nothing is permanent in any relationship.”

I roll over on my back, close my eyes and process what he just said. It’s a sad way of thinking. I hear the distinct sound of the shutter on his camera. This park is so amazing, I’m sure he can’t help but take photos away from it. Frustration rises as I sense his weight shift away. I want him to lie next to me all afternoon while I fire off questions that I want answered. I feel Ty sweep his fingertips over my brow to brush away stray hairs from the wind. Opening my eyes, I find he is kneeling and taking pictures of me again.

“Ty, please, why do you torture me?” I squint to look at him. With the sun in my eyes, all I see is his beautifully sculpted chest and the veins in his arms, surrounded by strong muscles.

“When I see something worthy of photographing, I take advantage. That’s something you learn as a photographer. One doesn’t get certain moments back, so when the perfect picture is in front of you… you take it.”

The heat is baking me on the outside, but Ty’s words are making my insides melt. I don’t resist. He instructs me to raise my right arm above my head, and tilt my head to look at him. I feel so relaxed, yet, excited inside. I believe I am giving him a content expression. Once he’s pleased with his images, Ty bends down, pulls my hair out to the right, and splays it over the blanket. My knees are up and bent. He comes around and nudges my legs open with his feet. Heat rushes through my body as he stands in between my open thighs. I can’t hide the desire I am certain is written all over my face. He shades my face with his shadow and I try to cool the inferno inside. The session ends when he lets the camera go and it hangs from his neck. He doesn’t move. He just stands there and looks over every inch of my body. I reach my hands up to him to end the torture of him looking at me that way. “My turn.”

Ty looks eager to see what I will do as he hands me the camera. He kneels down between my legs.
Breathe deep, Stella…
Looking through the viewfinder, I finally see him. He has a suggestive look with not one bit of embarrassment at being in front of the camera. I click one off and look to see the image. I giggle, because it’s just a silhouette due to the bright sun at his back.

“All I got is sun and your silhouette.”

“I could have told you it was a bad angle, but you seemed to know what you are doing.”

I purse my lips. “I do, I have an SLR camera, thank you very much. I take pics at my nephew’s games all the time. I mean, if you have a nice camera, you can take good pics, right?” I happen to know from a class I took when I bought my camera that professional photographers hate it when that is said.

He plops down beside me and rolls his eyes. “Holy shit…you did not just say that, Stella.” He gently takes his camera back. “If I knew you better, I would think you were trying to goad me.”

I giggle, “I got a couple free lessons when I bought my camera. We were informed that when people think an expensive camera will make them take amazing pictures, it’s like nails on a chalk board to a photographer. But, I’m not sure I agree.” My playful tone causes him to straddle me and tickle my tummy until I can barely breathe.

“Take it back, Stella!” His smile is intoxicating.

“I lied! I’m bullshitting you! Okay! I take it back!” I’m not even sure he can make out my words through my laughter.

He stops, “Those words shall never leave your lips again, promise?”

“I promise,” I giggle out. Once I agree, he stops and lies on his side next to me with his head propped on his hand. Our faces are about a foot apart from each other. I welcome the growling of my stomach to break the moment.

“I’m not even going to ask if you’re hungry. Where do you want to go for lunch?” He flicks his finger back and forth on the waistband of my jeans. My skin sizzles under his touch.

“Anywhere we can get a good salad works for me.”

We get in the Escalade and stop at a great mom and pop shop for lunch. Talking to him today has been smooth and easy. We take this time to ask the easy questions and get to know one another. I find out that we went to high school about twenty minutes from each other.

“I can’t believe we played each other in school for four years. Zoey and I could have met you guys over ten years ago.” I can’t help but go back and replay me walking over to the visitors side so I could meet Ty back in the day.

“Well, Pierce and I were kinda busy playing football.”

“Yeah, Zoey and I were kinda busy cheering on our football team. We were cheerleaders.” I match his words.

“That does not surprise me. I should have known you two would have been cheerleaders. You fit the stereotype. I can’t imagine us all meeting then and still hanging out now though. You grow apart from high school friends real quick after graduating.”

“Didn’t you learn you shouldn’t stereotype?” I giggle, sounding like a mom. “But, fate has a way of bringing us together when the time is right. If we had been friends back then, our best friends wouldn’t be in love right at this very moment.” I smile as I picture Zoey and Pierce so happy together. “They weren’t meant to meet until now.”

I look up and find he’s not eating, but instead, looking at my expression, which is like a fairy tale where the birds fly in circles around your head in utter glee. “I really don’t believe in that, Stella. I just really hope that you’re right.”

I don’t push for him to elaborate on the meaning of that statement. I don’t like awkward situations, so I lighten up the conversation and find out we have common interest, such as our love of scary movies, football, and the beach. I have a billion intense questions about his past, but this lunch is not the time or the place.

We part with a long hug and his welcomed, “thank you.” My body is humming, just like last night. I get home with just enough time to catch up on my vampire show with Zoey. Once night falls, I quickly decide reading is not happening tonight. I have to stop because I can’t keep my mind focused. My thoughts go back to Ty and our newfound friendship. I love those conversations when you are getting to know someone. We skipped from topic to topic, and giggled and laughed the whole time. I fell asleep early that night with Ty’s beautiful face in my head.

The week seems to fly by. Monday, Ty texts me to come over after work so he can edit and I could call some clients to process their orders. I scoot right over after work and start my second shift. We order Chinese food and go about our duties for a couple hours. It’s relaxing. We wind up on the balcony, talking, with a glass wine for me, and a beer for him. I finally left at about midnight. The hug Ty gave me was a little longer tonight. I took advantage of his arms wrapping me up as I closed my eyes and breathed him in. I could be crazy, but I felt like he enjoyed the extension as much as I did.

Tuesday is difficult. I feel like I need toothpicks to keep my eyes from falling while working at my desk. I have an extra cup of coffee that morning to help me get up and moving. Dinner with my daddy and sis is a great way to end my day. My nephew Brock is my favorite little man. The things that come out of his mouth are priceless. He tells me all about his day in detail. He loves me as much as I love him.

That night, I lay in bed and text Ty.

Ty: You have to be here 5:30 pm sharp tomorrow. I can’t handle the five year old without you. Please Stella!

Me: You’re scared of a five year old boss?

Ty: Uh, yeah.

Me: Dude, you are such an only child.

Ty: Uh, yeah.

Me: Okay, I’ll be there.

Ty: Uh, Ok.

Me: Ty!!!!!!!!!! Stop!!!!!!!!

Ty: Uh, Stella, Ok

Me: You’re a Jerk. Goodnight

Ty: No, ok I’ll stop. I’m just being annoying and dick for texting you so late.;0)

Me: Some of us have to get up and work…early. Some of us can’t lounge around all day editing in our boxers. Or do you edit naked? Oh God, you do you? I’ve sat in your butt chair haven’t I?

Ty: Uh, Yeah.