Womanizer (Spoilt) (13 page)

Mitch seemed pensive on the drive home and Isabelle hoped she hadn’t offended him too much. Comforting words were about to pass over her lips when he spoke first.

“You don’t have to pose for me if you don’t want.”

“I want to. I would be hono
red to be part of your collection.”

“I have some ideas.”

“We can do it tomorrow, if you want.”

“If you’re sure.”

“Absolutely.” Silence filled the car again and Isabelle thought she needed to be sure she hadn’t offended him. Her vehemence when Valery asked if they were getting married had been a little strong. “I’m sorry if I sounded a bit harsh back there.”

“You did?” His innocent expression wasn’t fooling her. She’d seen the hurt look in his eyes.

“Yes, about it not being us getting married. It’s not that the idea doesn’t appeal to me, because it does. I’m just not that into marriage. I’ve seen too many fall apart.”

“Think nothing of it. I used to feel the same way.”

“
Used to
?” Her voice wavered a little over the words. It isn’t like she was totally against the idea, but talk of marriage was a little too soon for her liking.

“Don’t panic,
Izzy, I’m not picking out rings yet.” He laughed.

“I’m not panicking.”

“Oh yeah, you are. I’m the master at freaking out about commitment.”

“Yes, I suppose you are.” They laughed again and her tension rolled away. He was right, what was she panicking about? A littl
e voice inside her head reminded her of the letter. As she dismissed this thought, another stronger warning sounded.
Have you forgotten who he was? Can a womanizer really change?
She ignored the concerns; he wasn’t that man anymore.

“I’m thinking of doing a color shot,” he said as he set up the lighting in his makeshift studio in one of the spare bedrooms, “to highlight those multi-colored eyes of yours.”

“Multi-colo
red? They’re just green, aren’t they?”

“No, they are blue too. That is why I’m
going to light you in both colors.”

“You’re the artist.” She grinned.

Isabelle watched him as he focused on setting up the camera and lighting, his face contorted in concentration in the adorable way she was coming to love.
Love?
Was this the feeling filling her with desire and contentment? With a sudden thud she realized that was exactly what it was. This simply caused her to grin.

“What are you thinking about over there?” Mitch asked, looking up from the lens.

“You.”

“I have to concentrate,
Izzy.”

“I’ll get ready.”

“That would be helpful.” His smirk followed, so she poked her tongue out before giggling. He shook his head and went back to concentrating, so she slipped off her clothes and lay on her stomach beneath the white sheet they placed on the bed for the shoot. The lights crossing together made a lovely sea green across the stark white and she realized this was how Mitch saw her eyes.

When his glance returned to her
, she propped herself up on her elbows, the sheet wrapped around her nakedness in what she thought would be a sensuous but artistic way. He stared at her without speaking and she wondered what was going through his mind.

“Why are you naked?” he asked, his voice thick with desire and surprise.

“I thought it would be better this way.”

“I did too but wasn’t sure if I would offend you if I asked. I just can’t believe we were thinking the same thing.”

“Really?”

He nodded. She smiled and without further words he began to shoot. She didn’t pose as she would normally but stared at him, pouring her feelings for him f
rom her eyes towards him and his camera. It felt natural, posing for him without having to sell anything, or even herself. Just two lovers together, their chemistry and connection captured. He shot more than she’d anticipated but they were enjoying themselves.

After taking shots of her lying back looking towards the camera, he stopped, came over to her and seized her in a passionate embrace, his lips urgent and hungry.

Soon his clothes were discarded with hers.

Later, excited to see the results, Isabelle urged Mitch to get up. “Go get your camera so we can have a look.”

“Might be a bit hard to do without developing them in my darkroom.”

“Darkroom? Isn’t it a digital camera?”

“Not this one.”

“So you actually have a darkroom?”

“Yes, downstairs.”

“I thought you printed your photos on the computer.”

“I do sometimes, when I use the digital camera, like that day in the park with you and Jesse. But for my other prints I use film.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, the developing is part of the process and art of
it all. I started off this way before everything went digital. Without my darkroom I would be lost. It is all part of the fun.”

In the darkroom she watched impatiently as he went through the developing process
, and as eager as she was to see the results, watching him in his element was something she felt grateful to see. This was all part of the many layers of Mitch. Once the photos were all hanging and drying, they looked at each one in turn together.

“I want you to help me choose one.”

“You’re the artist, Mitch.”

“I want you to be comfortable
, though.”

“OK.”

After looking at each one in turn, twice, they both agreed on one of the first frames he’d shot. Her smile was on the verge of a laugh, so they decided it helped to balance her seductive pose and was one of the more natural shots.

Isabelle watched again as he enlarged the print and set about developing it, then framing it. Watching him in his element caused desire to warm her blood but she subdued it and waited for him to complete it.

“I don’t know if I want this image being sold after all,” he said as he held it up for her examination.

“Oh, if it isn’t artistic enough
... or isn’t right, or I didn’t—”

His laugh cut her off. “No, silly, I don’t know if I want some guy seeing you like this on their wall.” He winked.

“Oh well, in that case, perhaps you had better hang it on your wall instead.”

“Great idea.
I can stare at it when you’re not here.”

Isabelle giggled. “I like the sound of that.”

Chapter Fifteen

Love

Every spare moment between shoots they spent together as a twosome or threesome. Trips to the park
, zoo, movies and any other fun-filled child-friendly activity, were undertaken during the weeks leading up to the wedding and gallery opening.

Isabelle was astounded by Mitch’s energy and patience with Jesse. He never tired of doing everything Jesse wanted to do. Each night, after a full day, Jesse would fall asleep quickly and contented in what he now called his room in Mitch’s apartment. They spent more nights there then they did at home.

Her concern for Carol grew as she left her alone more often than not during the night. Carol reassured Isabelle she enjoyed the extra time and freedom.

Now they were also doing all of their shoots together, Mitc
h and Isabelle discovered a newfound love of their work. Although they still had different aspirations, modeling shoots for both of them became far more enjoyable.

Having Isabelle and Jesse staying most nights solidified his
desire to have them around full-time. He’d contemplated asking them both along with Carol to move into his apartment, but hadn’t found a way to broach the subject. The mornings he woke up alone increased his need to have her with him. Waking up with Isabelle thrilled him more then he’d ever thought possible.

When they’d been
together a month, Mitch organized for Carol to sit with Jesse at Isabelle’s apartment so he could spend some alone time with Isabelle, intending to ask her to share the apartment with him.

Setting the mood, Mitch filled his apartment with candles and flowers while he waited for her to arrive. Nerves shot through him when the doorbell rang. His breath caught when he opened the door as her beauty never ceased to render him speechless on sight. This evening she wore a dress in a deep shade of green. Short and strapless, it clung to her figure and Mitch could barely contain his desire.

The moment she stepped through the door, he pulled her tight against him and devoured her lips. His hands roamed her body before hitching up her dress and pulling aside her satin g-string. Easing her backwards to lean against the wall, he continued to kiss her hungrily. His fingers caressed her as she moaned and panted into his mouth, his body pressed hard to hers as his fingers teased her to a breath taking climax. When she threw her head back in pleasure, he trailed kisses along her neck. When her knees gave out he steadied her and brought her into his arms. When her breathing slowed she gazed at him with satisfied eyes.

“Well, hello to you too,” she said, a slow fulfilled smile spread across her face.

“Sorry for attacking you but you look so sexy tonight.”

“I’m not complaining.” Her eyes twinkled.

Mitch gave her an adoring smile. “Do you think you can stand now?”

“I think so.” She grinned.

“Good, because dinner is almost ready.”

“What about you?” she asked as he released her.

“What about me?”

“Isn’t it your turn to be ravished?”

“After dinner. Seeing your face is all I need right now.”

“Really?”
She didn’t look or sound convinced.

“Why so surprised?”

Her response was a raised eyebrow.

“I want to please you tonight. I have something I want to ask you and I thought you might be more receptive now.” He gave her a charming grin hoping to ease her into what was to come.

“Hmm, O...K...”

“Come on.”

He took her hand and led her to the dining room. Her gaze floated around the room taking in the candles and flowers. Mitch was pleased he’d made the effort.

“Mitch, this is amazing,” she whispered.

“I wanted tonight to be special.”

“I can see that. You’ve gone to a lot of trouble.”

“Nothing is too much for you.” His cheeks flushed, he realized he was totally out of his element here. Being romantic and committed was something he wasn’t used to.

“
I’m loving the romantic side of you, Mitchell. A girl could get used to this.”

He led her over to the set table and sat her down before serving dinner. They ate in silence and he knew by her curious glances that she was anxious to find out what he wanted to ask. After desert she gave him an impatient stare before speaking.

“Mitch, please don’t keep me in suspense!”

“Let’s go and sit.”

Again he led her by the hand to the big comfortable couch in the sitting room. Once she sat beside him, he took her hands in his.

“
Izzy, I love you.” Surprise filled her face and her eyes searched his before a delighted smile lifted her lips.

“I love you too, Mitch.”

It was now or never but Mitch felt petrified. Was it too soon?

“How
... would you feel about staying here with me?”

“I already do.” Her brow crinkled in confusion.

“I mean permanently.”

This she hadn’t been expecting.
Yes!
, she screamed in her mind until she thought of Jesse. Even though Mitch was wonderful with her son, this was far too soon for him. What if they couldn’t live together and it didn’t work out? It would shatter Jesse.

“I’m not sure.”

“You still don’t trust me?’ She heard the hurt in his voice and wanted to ease his mind.

“No, it’s not that. I have to think of Jesse. Our feelings for each other are strong but they could change. I can’t give Jesse false hope.”

“My feelings aren’t going to change. I’m in love with you.”

“I can’t, Mitch, I’m sorry. Not yet.”

His face fell and her heart ached from the hurt she caused him. “If it was just me I would say yes in an instant. Please understand.” She brushed the hair from his downturned face and he lifted his eyes to meet hers and could see she had reassured him. Although he was disappointed, he understood.

“I do. I’ll wait.”

Mitch’s words swirled in her mind when Isabelle arrived home the following morning. Knowing he loved her as she did him filled her heart with joy. She wanted to say yes to his offer but this wasn’t just about her heart and feelings. If Jesse were to gain a father figure and then lose him, he would be crushed. It was too soon.

Thinking back to the previous night, Isabelle knew Mitch had been disappointed and although he tried to hide it, she saw right through him. His understanding and need to put her feelings before his own only amplified her love for him. Being in love with a wonderful man was most definitely exciting, and given some more time, when she felt totally secure, then they could go down that road. Until then she would enjoy the ride.