Chapter Three
?
Eve leaned against the door and breathed deep. Chase’s sensual threat had gone straight to her p-ssy despite her best intentions. Hell, everything about the damned man went straight there. He personified sex with his gorgeous looks, but his voice was pure sin. She’d been horrified to find him at her door. Ever since she’d fled from the office today, she’d heard nothing but “no” over and over in her head. And the look on his face when he’d uttered it tortured her.
Now he’d come and gone, not with an apology but with an excuse for why he’d reacted the way he had. And a folder. She’d read his damned contract, but she didn’t care what the hell it said.
After two years of nothing but sickness and death, with no man in sight, she needed a boost when it came to getting her life back on track. This—she opened the folder and stared at the requirements—this would teach her once and for all if the fantasies she harbored could be more than mere figments of her imagination.
It was no accident she’d been drawn to Altered Ego when a position opened up. Fate had shone down on her. If Chase had gone a step closer to her bedroom, he would have seen a very familiar sight. Eve had ordered more than one of his black-and-white erotic prints from his Web site and had them framed and hung in her bedroom.
When she’d decided to gut her father’s apartment and start from scratch, she’d saved her bedroom for last. Chase and Murphy inspired quite a bit of the design without even knowing it. Eve wandered into her room and curled up on the big, plush bed. She glanced at the half-empty bottle of wine she’d been working her way through before she’d been interrupted. There’d be more of that later.
Exhaling a shaky breath, she laid out the folder in front of her and opened the flap. The familiar logo of Altered Ego was emblazoned across the top of the paper with the details listed below.
Her gaze skimmed to the pertinent information she sought. Words such as “insertion,” “predicament,” and “forced orgasms” leaped from the page. Panic swelled inside her, alongside the familiar sensation of fear. She tamped down those feelings and straightened her spine. They are just words typed out on white paper. Nothing to be afraid of.
She forced herself to breathe deep and exhale slowly and start at the beginning. This client wanted a long list of things to be included in the commission. Some would require clothes and some would not. All of them included her being restrained in some fashion, with an emphasis on rope bondage instead of cuffs or shackles.
The sessions would be long in order for Chase and Murphy to create the artistry the client requested, and her job would be to do more than simply lie there and go along for the ride. There were a myriad of emotions marked on the standard checklist. Eve turned the page, unwilling to linger on the details for too long. She wouldn’t be deterred.
The standard contract had far more detail, but Chase didn’t know she’d already seen one of these. One of the models had dropped one off last week, and since the envelope had not been sealed, curiosity got the better of her. Pretty much by signing this document, she gave permission to Altered Ego, and Chase and Murphy by way of ownership, to do anything they saw fit during a shoot.
Including sex for photographic purposes.
Nerves fluttered in her stomach at the thought of being taken by Murphy while Chase captured the pictures. A quick twinge of guilt caught her off guard, which she quickly pushed away. Good girls weren’t supposed to be this excited about the cold, clinical way these acts were portrayed in black and white. This wasn’t a date, nor was it a romance, she reminded herself. She had something to prove to herself, and she wanted to do something different. Something so far outside her comfort zone she’d never want to go back. She didn’t want to be the good girl anymore. It was time to be the bad girl.
She hastily picked up a pen she’d left lying on the nightstand, and signed across the dotted line.
F*ck it.
If she couldn’t take a chance with someone like Chase, she never would. He’d maintained a strange distance between them most of the time, yet she still got to know him. She trusted him not to hurt her. At least physically.
She planned to go in guarding her heart and prayed she wouldn’t regret it.
*
Precisely at nine a.m. sharp, Eve swiped her employee card through the security pad on the back door of the building that housed the photo studio. Both Chase’s and Murphy’s cars were already in the parking lot. She’d carefully chosen one of the most conservative business suits she owned, along with the most outrageous pair of four-inch heels she possessed.
Underneath said outfit was a completely different story. After the first few weeks of working at Altered Ego, she’d begun to change how she dressed underneath her plain skirts and blouses. She’d been determined to feel sexy despite her size and ordered all new lingerie. On days she felt particularly scandalous, she would wear no panties underneath her skirt and a thin lace bra that did little to hide her hard nipples poking underneath.
Today was not one of those days.
She’d picked matching black lace panties and bra. Chase had given her no indication of when the shoot would begin if she accepted, so she’d decided to come prepared just in case. At the front entrance, she grasped the handle on the frosted glass door and pulled it open. Eve half expected Chase and Murphy to be standing in the lobby waiting for her. Instead the hum of the aquarium in the corner greeted her along with the scent of freshly brewed coffee.
Mmm. A super shot of caffeine sounded like the perfect way to start her day. No messages sat on her desk, and everything remained exactly as she’d left it the afternoon before. Eve dropped her bag and the folder on her desk and headed in the direction of the small kitchen. She hadn’t gotten three feet away when the intercom buzzed.
“Eve, did you bring the Smith folder with you this morning?” The tone of Chase’s question told her nothing. She wasn’t surprised. He probably excelled at card games with that damned poker face of his.
She rushed as fast as she could on four-inch heels back to her desk, depressed the intercom button, and spoke. “Yes, sir, it’s here on my desk.”
“Could you please bring it in?”
“Of course.” Oh boy, here we go. He hadn’t even let her get her morning coffee before she had to face him with her answer. Eve scooped up the folder and headed for Chase’s office. No doubt he and Murphy would be waiting and Chase would have told him everything about their conversation from the night before.
Outside his door, she plastered on her hopeful smile and entered his space. Chase didn’t look up from his computer, nor did he greet her in any way. She waited a few seconds, unsure how to proceed.
“I’ve got the file here for you. I—”
“Good.” He interrupted. “Just leave it there in my box.”
Shocked by his disinterest, Eve dropped the file, turned, and walked out the door. After everything she’d put herself through in anticipation of seeing him this morning, the letdown of being summarily dismissed crippled her.
Coffee forgotten, she fell into her chair and stared at her computer screen. Why hadn’t he said anything? He didn’t even ask if she’d signed the agreement. And where the hell was Murphy? She’d already noticed that his office was empty this morning and had assumed he’d be waiting with Chase. She poked her head over the partition and stared in the direction of the studio. Sure enough the door was closed tight and the busy light was on. She leafed through the appointment book to see what was scheduled, only to find they had nothing until eleven o’clock this morning.
So why then was Murphy shut in the studio and Chase sitting in his office staring at the screen? She had half a mind to head into the dressing room and take a peek, but the chance of getting caught was too great. Certainly her boss would not be pleased if he discovered her spying on a session.
Hours passed as Eve went about her morning routine. Answering calls and sorting through e-mails as well as what was delivered by the mailman. Every time Eve moved, the lace of her bra rubbed across her nipples until they’d gone beyond sensitive to wildly aroused. Constant images of Chase and Murphy surrounding her flooded her mind. Simply every move, every thought kept her continuously on edge until she thought she’d go mad.
She’d glance at the clock and squirm endlessly in her chair, the wait excruciating. She’d expected Chase to give her a hard time this morning, to try and talk her out of the job. Them ignoring her had never crossed her mind. It served as a stark reminder that this was simply a job. Not a date. Not a love affair. A job that she’d signed a contract to do.
Still, her panties stayed wet and her budded tips brushing against fabric made it difficult for her not to moan. Not exactly the kind of professional behavior they probably expected. Sweat dotted her forehead as she crossed and uncrossed her legs.
F*ck.
If it wasn’t her nipples, it was her *. Eve inhaled a slow, steady breath and sat completely still. If she could slow her pulse, she could certainly get things back under control. This kind of wanton behavior was not her. She picked up the bottle of water on her desk and with shaky hands brought it to her lips. Cool water splashed down her throat. She wished she could dump it over her head. Maybe then she’d stop thinking about being touched. Or imagining what Chase looked like underneath his clothing.
Not once in all of her spying had he so much as removed a shirt. Didn’t stop her from noticing the way the muscles moved and bunched the cloth as he worked, though. God, what the hell was wrong with her?
Eve gave up trying to slow her breathing and gulped for much-needed air instead. Perspiration trailed down her spine and into the edge of her skirt. If they didn’t say something soon, she’d have to go to the restroom and get herself off. Whatever it took to take the edge off. Why wait? So far nothing had happened and she owed them nothing. Chase and his f*cking computer could take a flying leap for keeping her at bay like this. Making her wonder what he planned to do.
She smoothed down the edge of her skirt and straightened her spine. Five minutes in the bathroom was all she needed. Maybe less. Screw Chase and the horse he rode in on. She didn’t need this bullshit. She f*cking needed relief. A few seconds later, only three feet lay between her and relief as she headed for the restroom.
“Come into the studio,” Chase commanded from the doorway closest to her.
Her heart lurched in her chest, a gasp falling from her mouth. “Jesus, Chase, you scared the hell out of me.”
He quirked his brows in her direction before turning away to stride back into the studio he’d mysteriously come from. Hours and hours she’d waited, and she’d never noticed he came out of his office and went into the studio. What else didn’t she notice?
She needed to wash her face and freshen up. The way she’d been stressing the last hour had to show in her appearance by now. With a last wistful glance at the bathroom, she hurried through the door to the studio. Some trouble just wasn’t worth it, and if they wanted to talk to her about the modeling job, she’d best not keep them waiting. Besides, she got the distinct impression that Chase expected to be obeyed.
Feeling hot and surly, she barely refrained from sticking her tongue out at his back. Her nerves from the morning had finally quieted down, and her interest in all of this had waned. She spotted Murphy splayed out on the velvet couch in the corner with various props spread on the seat next to him. Coils of black rope, a red flogger, and a short brown leather riding crop.
Instantly her panties dampened and her heart raced. So much for playing it cool.
“Stand there.” Chase pointed to the middle of the room. Where a spotlight shone bright. Eve complied, silently moving except for the click of her heels on the wood floor. Whatever happened next, she desperately hoped she could go through with it. Because standing still, knowing that Murphy watched her every move, unnerved her more than she’d expected.
Chase picked up one of his cameras and turned to face her. He looked her over from head to toe before examining her through the lens. Each click of the camera shutter thundered through the room, nearly matching the roughshod beat of her racing pulse.
“Since you brought in a signed contract, I’m not going to ask again if you’re sure. You’ll simply follow the instructions either of us give.” Chase didn’t let up with the pictures, and other than stand there and wait, she didn’t know what else to do.
“Relax. Don’t tense up. No one is going to hurt you. Much.”
Murphy snickered from the couch behind her at Chase’s last comment. She thought she knew exactly how things would go, but now she wasn’t so sure.
“Lose the skirt and blouse.”
Compelled to move, Eve reached behind her and grasped the hook at the waistband of her skirt. Her hands trembled.
“Allow me.” Murphy breathed into her ear. He’d silently moved from the couch and now brushed her hand aside. Deft fingers finessed the hook open and slid the zipper down. Warm hands caressed her bare waist, sweeping the fabric down her hips and thighs. Suddenly, cool air rushed across her lace-covered sex, causing Eve to gasp at the sudden sensation.
Murphy kept silent while he worked, although this close he had to know exactly how aroused she was. She stepped gingerly from her skirt so as not to lose her balance. Even with practice, these heels were treacherous.
Automatically her hands went to the tiny buttons of her blouse.
Murphy grabbed her wrist and stopped her. “I will do it.” The hardened tone of his voice sent shivers racing up and down her spine. He cupped her chin and brought her gaze to his. “Eyes on me, sexy.”
Oh Lord, he was beautiful.
With eyes the color of deep dark chocolate staring into her, it was all Eve could do not to moan in ecstasy. The heated look he gave her melted her insides as he unhooked one button at a time until her shirt lay open, his fingers brushing the roundness of her stomach. Nervous currents of electricity zapped through her with every new touch. She desperately wanted to squeeze her eyes shut and hide from the momentary embarrassment of the most gorgeous man she’d ever laid eyes on touching her. Her.
Murphy stepped close to push the offending shirt from her shoulders. Heat enveloped her, warmed her through. It took every ounce of willpower not to reach for him, to pull him close and rub all over him. He smelled so f*cking good. A little like sex and a lot like wild man. Maybe it was the persona she’d built around him. But as far as she could tell, he lived up to every bad boy, sex-starved fantasy she’d included him in.
Suddenly, the heat was gone and Murphy stood back so Chase could take more pictures. The camera clicked continuously, and she swore he had to have photographed every blessed inch of her body when he finally stopped and brought the camera to his side.
“Why are you here, Eve?”
“To prove to myself that even curves are erotic,” she blurted out.
Chase’s eyes narrowed. “Bullshit.”
Eve blinked. Shocked by the harsh word. “It’s true.” She dug her teeth into her bottom lip for a second, waiting for him to say something else. Instead they both stared her down, and she had a sudden need to crawl out of her own skin. “What? What more do you want from me?”
A rough laugh rumbled from Chase, and Murphy turned away. “I want you to tell me everything. By the time we’re through I will know all of your secrets. Are you ready for that?”
She nodded. Half sick with worry.
“What’s your biggest fantasy?”
Eve sighed. That was easy. “To be tied up and ravished.” She had to look away.
“But it’s not that simple, is it?” Chase obviously wasn’t going to back down. Figuring out what to say while standing half-naked under lights with two men staring intently at her wasn’t easy.
“Let’s try another question.” Chase lifted the camera to his face and took another series of photos. “Why haven’t you been f*cked in two years?”
Murphy’s head swung in Chase’s direction. “What?”
“That’s what she told me, and I want to know why. If something happened that caused her to withdraw, I don’t want to find out in the middle of a session. I won’t be responsible for traumatizing her further.”
“It’s not like that at all.” Anger surged through her. “I meant what I said last night. No one ever hurt me.” F*ck, she’d obviously made a mistake. Eve reached down for her clothes.
“Don’t.” The command from Chase boomed around her, and she paused with her hand halfway to the floor. She peeked at his face, and the dark warning in his eyes told her to listen. To take a step back and not be rash. Slowly, she stood, but now doubts nagged at her mind.
Murphy stepped forward and smiled sweetly at her. “Don’t let the big bad Chase freak you out. You have to understand there isn’t anything more irresponsible than scening with someone you aren’t sure about. Just because you’ve agreed to model doesn’t absolve us of your well-being. In fact, it makes the trust between us more important than ever.”
Murphy moved behind her and caressed her arms with a featherlight brush. She found his touch so mesmerizing, she almost didn’t notice Chase had resumed taking pictures. It was nearly impossible to think beyond the warm caresses and whispered reassurances he plied her with.
“Tell me since I wasn’t there when you and Chase discussed this. Why would such a remarkable woman go untouched for so long? It’s almost criminal.”
Eve shivered; long tremors raced down her spine. “It’s not at all what you think.”
“And how do you know what I think?” he whispered at her ear.
“Because the truth is sad and has nothing to do with this.” Her legs trembled, and her stomach pitched to think of everything she’d been through these last two years. She’d basically been reduced to a 24-7 nurse with nothing but responsibilities.
Murphy pulled back, the sexiness wiped from his face and replaced with concern. “It sounds important enough for us to know, but I’ll let it go for now. But, Eve”—he cupped her chin—“no one can ever be what you need until you’re willing to tell them everything.”
Relief sagged through her. Going through this was hard enough without thinking of the grief that ripped her life in two. Still, watching Murphy’s back as he retreated from her created a longing that surprised her. Just once in her life she needed… “I need to experience a man stronger than myself,” she blurted. Anything to keep this from ending here.