On Becoming Her Sir (16 page)

Instead of feeling off kilter Jessie smiled as she walked through the rows of pictures and paintings, asking basic questions. She was cognizant of the fact the camera was catching so many of her moves, her gestures, yet she wasn’t intimidated. In fact, she realized after about ten minutes she was truly enjoying the limited amount of attention.

They chatted, getting to know each other and after the second glass of wine was almost consumed Zaphne put down her camera.

“Excellent group of pictures. You’ve heard the expression the camera loves you?”

“Don’t make me laugh,” Jessie breathed.

“No lie.” She tipped her head and nodded as Star walked into the room. “My lovely, please take Jessie to the changing room. I’ve taken the liberty of suggesting some outfits for you. Please take a few minutes and look through them. Come out in whatever you want and we’ll simply see how comfortable you are.”

Jessie laughed. “You may be surprised.”

“I honestly don’t think there is anything that would surprise me about you,” Zaphne said quietly as she studied Jessie.

A shiver trickled down her spine and she trailed behind Star up a flight of stairs to an oversized loft. The room in which she was laid was comfortable and filled with all the amenities a model could ever want. “Wow.”

Nodding, Star turned on several lights. “I know. Mistress Zaphne only has the best for her models.”

“And what about you?” The question slipped out before she could stop it.

Star blushed then walked back toward the door. “She’s by far the only person I’ve ever been happy with. I adore the woman and love the Mistress. If that makes sense.”

“More than you know.” Jessie smiled as the two women looked at each other.

“Take your time. If you need anything let me know.”

“I will.”

Jessie exhaled after the door was closed. “Whew.” She took a gulp of wine before moving toward the rack of clothes on the far side of the room. Expecting leather and something akin to hardcore biker garb, she was pleasantly surprised with the offers presented to her. Another smile curled across her mouth and this time the sudden expression had nothing to do with nerves. This was terribly exciting.

Ten minutes later she stood against the railing, gazing down at the scene below her. Music had been turned on, lights completely different and a very sensual, albeit erotic scene presented. Jessie smoothed her hands down on the red dress, one with diamond cuts in all the right places, and purred. She’d poofed her hair, slapped in flaming red lipstick and donned the tallest shoes in the room. The sizes were perfect. She managed to catch Star’s eye and the exclamation was all she needed to boost her confidence.

“Holy shit. It’s Marilyn.”

Zaphne tipped her head and raised her camera. “Absofuckinglutely gorgeous.”

Jessie brushed her hand down her neck as she walked down the stairs.

“Wait. Stay right there.” Zaphne picked up her camera from the coffee table and began taking shot after shot.

“What are your ideas for the shoot?” Jessie tried to act casual as she glided down the stairs, cognizant of the fact her heart was racing.

“Come by the fireplace.”

She maneuvered all the way down the stairs and by the time she hit the landing she realized she’d posed more than once. The crackling fire in the periphery of her vision caught her attention and she walked very carefully over the tile in her stiletto heels. By the time she made it into the room she was laughing. “I look ridiculous.”

Click.

“You look anything but,” Zaphne said as she shifted the camera, clicking picture after picture. “Move to the hearth and gaze down at the fire, imagining your lover is late.”

Jessie shook her head. This she couldn’t do for a living.

Fifteen minutes later and Jessie was almost giddy as she got to her feet. “That was amazing.”

“And just to think we’re just getting started. I have a more provocative outfit if you’re ready to test the waters.” Zaphne lowered the camera and walked closer.

“I think I can handle a bit more.”

“Good.”

A moment passed between them and she nodded as she took a step back, moving toward the stairs. Jessie closed the door and leaned against it, breathing a deep sigh. This was one incredible experience. A quick glance to her right and the corset and black stockings that had been laid out for her was a bit of a surprise. Inching toward the outfit she pressed her hand over the supple material and sighed. She couldn’t help but wonder whether Luke had suggested the very piece.

She shivered as she brushed her hand down the piece again, her heart racing. The very concept of moving into the BDSM lifestyle was daunting in every way, but she found herself turned on, her heart racing. As she moved behind the dressing panel, she attempted to slide into the role of a submissive – Luke’s submissive.

The outfit fit perfectly, and while the ribbons would need to be cinched, she was pleased with the way she felt in the corset. She stood gazing at herself in the shadowed mirror. For this shoot the long hair was far too sensuous. Finding a hair tie she wound her hair in a tight knot, securing the bundle. Jessie took a step back and slid her hands down the bodice. “Yes. Perfect.” A short knock on the door indicated time. “Come.”

The moment Bart walked into the room she bristled but refused to show him that she was nervous in any manner. “Interesting.”

Bart shook his head. “Forever the hellion.”

“Forever the asshole.” The words slipped from her mouth and she hissed, longing to scratch his eyes out.

“Mmm… I suppose seeing me here gives you justification for the nasty comment.” Closing the door, Bart hesitated before moving toward her.

She gripped the edge of the counter and studied her reflection, determined to ignore him.

He eased behind her, not touching, merely gazing into the mirror along with her. “You’re the perfect cover model for our inaugural magazine.”

“I guess we’ll see.”

“There’s nothing to question, Jezebel. You’re sophisticated, beautiful and your spunk shows. What’s not to love?”

She could tell he was studying her from behind. Fidgeting, Jessie grabbed a tube of lipstick, not even sure of the color, but she needed to have something to do. “Why are you here?”

“Zaphne didn’t tell you?” Bart asked as he placed his fingers around the bow on the back of her corset.

Wincing, she wanted to slap his hands but kept her mouth shut and her eyes watching everything he was doing in the mirror.

“Ah, she didn’t. Shame on her. You see, my dear, Zaphne and I go way back.” Tugging of the strings, he gave her a calculated look.

“That I gathered. So you own a portion of the studio?”

“I do.”

“And I suppose you try and control her like you do just about every woman.” Jessie stood tall and sucked in her breath.

The look on his face was one of disdain as he yanked the satin ties of her bustier. “What you haven’t figured out about me is that I don’t have to beg, cajole or force women into doing anything. I’m not the man you think I am.”

“Then why are you here?” They studied each other as he continued to fumble with the ties on her corset. There was something mesmerizing about his eyes, the way he looked at her. While she could tell there was lust in every move he made, there was also a simplicity and tenderness.

“No matter what you think, the magazine is important to me, to the all of us in truth.”

“Of course it is.” She tried to pull away and the way he placed his hand on her shoulder, the absolute authority in a single gesture surprising in the way she stopped. Yet her eyes flashed.

“As I said, you don’t know me.” When he was finished adjusting her ties, he turned her around, gripping both shoulders. “I’m not trying to hurt you.”

Jessie snorted. “Just take what doesn’t belong to you.”

Bart sighed and shook his head. “I think we need to start over.”

“You’ve already done enough damage. For whatever reason Luke wants you involved in this freaking porn magazine is beyond me, but I won’t be a part of your world for a second.” This time the spell was broken. Sidestepping him, she grabbed her dress, determined to get the hell away from the entire set up, the fucking rouse.

“Don’t you walk away from me!” Bart jerked her back, cupping her face and digging his nails into her skin.

Refusing to give him the satisfaction of seeing any discomfort, she chuckled even as he squeezed her face. “You’re so angry you can’t have me that you’ll destroy your friendship with Luke because of it? Because of sex?”

Bart tilted his head. “You have a lot to learn about a D/s relationship my dear. This has nothing to do with sex.” Pushing her hard against the wall he wrapped one hand around her throat and shifted the over between her legs. “If this what you want? Is this what you expect?”

“God damn you!” Gripping his arms she struggled, using every ounce of her strength to fight him.

“Is it? Tell me? Do you need me to fuck you? Is that what you’re saying to me?” Shaking her, he shifted his hand until his fingers slipped just under the thin lace of her panties. “Do you want me to take you right here?”

There was something about the look in his eyes, a haunted glint of a man terrified of his own skin. For a brief second she could see into his soul and as the slip of the real man, the one petrified to show the world, gave her pause. He was hurting just like Luke was. Instead of fighting him she blinked and removed her hands, easing them against the wall. She could tell he was surprised she was no longer fighting. “No. And neither do you.”

“What do you know about what I want? What I need?” Bart snarled as he inched his fingers further inside.

Yet she noticed he wasn’t touching, wasn’t taking what didn’t belong to him. He was simply trying to challenge her, gauge her reactions. He was pushing her to the very edge on purpose and she knew why. “Because you’re not the man you portray. You’re one who cares more than you want others to know.” For a fleeting second she could tell she’d pushed open his cracked door and into a place few had ever gone.

“Bullshit!”

Wham!

The hard slam against the wall made her cringe. Jessie hissed and closed her eyes. His ragged breathing was strangled, a slight wheeze coming from his lips. She’d pushed too far. When he crowded her space, griping her chin, she gasped. The moment she opened her eyes she was mesmerized. He was showing her just how much pain he was in.

“God damn it I want you.” For a few seconds he hovered, his lips not touching, his breath hot. When he crushed his mouth over hers, pushing his tongue inside, he ground his groin into her belly, grunting as he jerked both arms above her head. The kiss was unbridled, full of heated passion and for a few seconds he ravaged her mouth, the French kiss almost violent.

“What in the fuck is going on here?”

Hearing the anger in Zaphne’s voice, the ugly tone that was laced with shock, Jessie groaned. A wretched realization oozed into her mind. She’d enjoyed the intense moment, the near taking of her. She’d wanted him to be forceful, take her to the brink of intimacy. When he broke the kiss she gasped, from her own exasperation as well as the realization she’d nearly betrayed the man she loved.

“Nothing,” Bart said through clenched teeth then darted a quick at the photographer.

“Looks like a whole lotta something. I suggest you get the hell away from her,” Zaphne insisted as she moved closer, the look on her face full of venom.

“It’s okay,” Jessie managed as she pressed her hand against Bart’s chest. Whatever had just happened between them, they were both regretting. The look they shared would forever remain between them, a harsh knowing, a bitter understanding.

Zaphne flanked Bart’s side. “Jessie, now I get what you meant by how difficult your relationship is with him.” She turned her glare toward Bart and shook her head. “I don’t care that you own half of my studio. I wouldn’t have allowed you to come here, freaking magazine cover or not, and accost my model and the submissive of a man who’s supposed to be your friend. I don’t give a shit how much you paid me to be on this cover with her. That ain’t gonna happen. You get it?”

Jessie could tell they were close, or had been No wonder Zaphne had a bitter taste in her mouth about men. She pushed him back gently and was surprised that she received no resistance. “This was just a misunderstanding.” He wanted to be in the shoot? Of course, a win over Luke in a quiet manner, but one very powerful for a man hurting as much as Bart was.

“You don’t have to cover for him. I know him very well. I know just how ruthless he can be, how very much an asshole.” Zaphne exhaled slowly.

“Fine. I’ll leave. I’m certain Jezebel won’t be able to do the shoot now anyway,” Bart said, an edge planted firmly in his voice. “And don’t worry, I won’t come back here again.”

“Good, cause no matter you’re my brother and you paid for all of this, I don’t take this kind of bullshit from anyone. I thought you were better than this. I thought you’d changed. I thought…” Zaphne’s voice trailed off.

Brother. Jessie pressed the back of her hand across her mouth.

“Yeah, well I’m good enough for the money, but nothing else. That’s no problem.” Bart took two strides away from Jessie and smoothed his hair down. “I’ll stay out of your studio as well as your life, just the way you’ve wanted it all along.”

“Good,” Zaphne moved closer to Jessie. “I’ll find a way to pay you back. Trust me.”

There was something so sad about the way they looked at each other, the flash of pain remaining in Bart’s eyes, as if he’d just lost the last attachment to the real world. His need to control, to take what could never belong to him, stemmed from his fear of being alone.

“Jessie. I apologize.” The sound of his voice resigned, Bart walked toward the door.

“Wait a minute,” Jessie said quietly.

“Let him go,” Zaphne suggested.

“No.” Jessie walked toward him. “The shoot. The cover is important to the magazine. I’ll do it.” She could hear the audible hiss coming from Zaphne’s mouth and witnessed another flash of raw emotion on Bart’s face.

“You can’t be serious.”

She nodded toward the photographer. “I am. We were just having a discussion that became heated. There’s no reason I can’t work with him for a few minutes. Besides, the combination sells magazines then this will benefit Luke as well as Bart. After all, you’re going to make certain you sweeten the deal with Sir Luke, aren’t you?” Her own personal line drawn in the sand, she could tell both her defiance as well as her calculated business deal had surprised him.