Chapter Twelve
Hunter
Okay was all I needed to hear. I dropped my burger on the table and took hold of Lucy’s hand and pulled her off the table.
“Hunter, what the hell, I haven’t even finished eating yet.” Lucy tries to pull away, but I grip her hand harder and guide her through the studio to the stairs leading up to my loft. I can’t take the chance of Lucy changing her mind. I’m going to show her how truly beautiful she really is if it’s the last thing I do.
“Hunter, I can’t do this right now. I don’t have any makeup on and my hair is a mess,” she protests. Her hand is shaking in mine. She’s anxious and trying to get out of this.
Once in my apartment, I keep hold of her hand. “You look perfect, but I think we need something to help calm your nerves,” I suggest and lead her over to the kitchen. “How about a glass of wine?”
“I’ll take the whole bottle.” A nervous squeak escapes her throat.
“Don’t be nervous. This is going to be fun.” I bring her hand up to my lips and place a soft kiss to the back of her hand. Her chest falls with the sigh she breaths, and her skin turns a delicate shade of pink. Part of me wants to strip her out of her clothes and see how far the pink goes. I reluctantly release her hand, grab a bottle of red wine and a glass from the cabinet. Lucy watches me pour the crimson liquid into the glass. “I’m going to need a holiday pour,” she says.
“What’s a holiday pour?” I ask.
“All the way to the rim.” She taps her finger on the rim of the glass, coaxing me to keep pouring.
I chuckle to myself and do as the lady wants, topping the glass off. Lucy smiles with approval and bends over and slurps up some of the wine before picking up the glass to down half the glass in one giant gulp. I am officially impressed. “Feeling better now?”
“A little bit.” She brings the glass back to her lips and takes a smaller sip this time. A small hiccup follows. Even her hiccups are cute. “Where do you want me?” she asks.
“It will take me a minute to set up my lights, so why don’t you enjoy your wine and try and relax.”
“I don’t know about relaxing, but I will enjoy this wine.” She takes the bottle from my hand and strides over to the doors leading out to the balcony.
While she is distracted, I sneak off to grab my camera. When I return, Lucy is out on the balcony. One hand is resting on the railing while the other keeps her wine close. Her head is back, eyes closed, with the moonlight illuminating her in the dark sky. She looks peaceful and beautiful. I raise my camera up and set her in my sights. Just as a slight breeze blows her hair back, I snap a picture. I take advantage of the fact that she is distracted to take a couple more. Her eyes slowly open and a slight smile forms across her lips and snap goes the shutter again. This time she hears me and snaps her head in my direction.
“You’re starting now? I thought you were setting up lights that would make me look better.” She grabs the bottle of wine off the table behind her and refills her glass. The moment she brings the glass up to her lips I take another picture. “Seriously, Hunter.” She covers her face with her hand, but that doesn’t stop me from continuing to snap away. Her sticking her tongue out in the final picture only proves how utterly adorable she is.
“Every one of these pictures is gorgeous,” I say, bringing up the photos on the screen of my camera. I kneel down in front of her and flip through each picture. “This is how I see you. No photo shop, no fake lighting, just natural beauty.”
Lucy shakes her head still not convinced of how absolutely breathtaking she is. “I think you’re crazy. You can take all the pictures you want, and it’s still not going to convince me.” She takes another sip of her wine.
“You gave me permission to take as many pictures as I want, well then, let’s get started.” I slip the strap of my camera around my neck, take Lucy’s hand, and lead her back inside. This may take all night, but she is not leaving until she says she likes one damn picture of herself.
“Hunter, I didn’t mean you could actually take as many pictures as you wanted,” she protests.
“You said it, and there is no going back now,” I say to her from over my shoulder. I come to a stop in front of the white backdrop hanging along the wall in what should be the dining space. I converted this space into my photography studio after I moved in. I’m a single guy, I have no use for a formal dining room. If I’m not eating at my sister’s place, I’m eating my meals in the kitchen over the sink. Sounds sad and pathetic, but at least my kitchen stays clean. “Don’t move,” I instruct Lucy before I turn to set up the lights.
“Can I ask you something?” I ask.
“You can ask me anything,” Lucy replies.
“Have you always hated getting your picture taken? At Brooke’s wedding you didn’t seem to mind me taking your picture.” Half the time she even posed for me.
Lucy sets her glass of wine down on the floor and removes her sweater, revealing her hourglass figure. “I was hammered that night, so nothing bothered me.” She giggles. “As a kid I didn’t like getting my picture taken. I didn’t feel comfortable in front of the camera. I have these big eyes and a goofy little nose.” She runs the tip of her finger down the bridge of her nose.
“In my line of work, I’ve seen every shape nose, eye, smile. You name it, I’ve seen it.” I cross the floor to where Lucy is standing and tuck the stray strands of hair behind her ear. “But it was the cute little noses like this one,” my finger glides down her nose, “and big bright beautiful eyes like yours that I find most intriguing.” Lucy’s eyes fall closed, and her cheeks turn a soft shade of pink. I lean in and place a gentle kiss on each of her closed eyes.
“Hunter, what are you doing?” Her eyes open as she takes a few steps back. With each step she takes back, I take a step forward until I have her backed against the wall.
“You have no idea how absolutely beautiful you are, do you?” My hand trails down her cheek and along her neck, causing little goose bumps to rise across her skin.
“I know I’m cute, but beautiful, no,” she replies, trying to wiggle out of the hold I have on her, but I keep her locked between me and the wall.
“Cute, no Lucy, you’re breathtaking. You take my breath away every time you enter the room.” I glide my thumb along her lower lip. It’s so soft and full, and I need a little taste. Her chest rises and falls as her breathing deepens. The flush from her cheeks spreads across her exposed skin. Her cheek presses into my hand. She is hungry for my touch.
“You are insane, Hunter McCoy. The last time I checked, cellulite and stretch marks weren’t turning heads or making dicks hard.” She nervously laughs.
I reach a hand behind her back and slide the zipper down.
“Hunter, we can’t do this,” she protests.
“We can do whatever we want,” I whisper against her lips, as I slide the fabric down her arms.
“But what about Brooke, she might be pregnant, but she will kick both of our asses if she finds out we slept together.”
“Then we will have to make sure she never finds out.”