CHAPTER FORTY
We dropped all the shopping bags on the sofa and collapsed. It had been an exhausting afternoon. I’d spent my entire monthly wage in one afternoon. I bought two very expensive, must-have summer dresses for myself, and a slinky green wraparound dress for Tabitha to wear on her date with Evan.
Unaccustomed to spending Aidan’s money, even if he was ridiculously wealthy, I needed Tabitha’s constant reminder to reassure me that it was okay.
For Tabitha, I purchased one negligee, two pairs of panties, two bra and panty sets and a garter and nylons. For myself, I purchased bras and panties, along with a couple of very skimpy negligees. After picking my jaw off the ground at the obscene prices for such scant pieces of fabric, I drifted over to the cash register. The sales assistant, whose mood lifted when she noticed my unlimited credit, welcomed me with an obsequious smile. From that moment on, she tripped over herself to serve me.
“Tabs, this was over-indulgent, you know.”
Tabitha poured out two glasses of coke and handed me one. “Balderdash. We’re only young once.” She gulped down her drink. “That’s better. Now the fun begins. Let’s do a photo shoot.” She rubbed her hands together.
“What do you mean?”
“Just that—a photo shoot. We’ll create fourteen images, one for each day Aidan’s away. You can send one daily,” said Tabitha, bubbling with excitement.
Uneasy at the notion of being photographed semi-naked, I said, “I don’t know, Tabs.”
“Get with the times, girl. Sending suggestive pics to one’s lover is so now. It will keep his eyes on you and not the frauleins.”
I hadn’t thought about that. We hadn’t even discussed exclusivity. Aidan hadn’t really given me cause for jealousy. And he did seem oblivious to other women when we were out. Even before we got together at the gala night, Aidan’s eyes were constantly on me. Nevertheless, the thought of a woman in Aidan’s arms made my stomach tighten. I quickly jumped on board with the scheme.
I heard a cork pop. Tabitha opened the Prosecco we’d picked up on the way home and handed me a flute filled with chilled sparkly. Crisp, cold, and pleasant, the bubbly was just what I needed after a hard day’s shopping.
“Okay, then, which should I model first?”
A white tiny lace bra swung in Tabitha’s hand. “Let’s start with this little sexy number.”
I took the bra and matching panties with pink ties at the sides for ease of removal.
Tabitha’s mobile buzzed. As she read the screen, her face brightened with excitement. Her green eyes sparkled. “It’s Evan. He wants to see me tonight.” She went to her bag of goodies. “I can wear my new lingerie.” Tabitha pulled out a red lace bra.
****
While I waited for Tabitha to upload the images to her computer, I kept reminding myself this was not uncouth. There were times where I had to refuse to comply with Tabitha’s directions which bordered on being pornographic, especially at the suggestion that I pose with legs apart. Nevertheless, Tabitha acted as a consummate professional by ensuring that background colors and moody lighting blended harmoniously. I was taken aback by her approach and attention to detail. Was this the lazy Tabitha I knew? I’d finally stumbled upon an ideal vocation for her.
“You look so cave-woman with that bush of yours, Clary,” Tabitha said, leaning on her palm, studying her work.
I nearly spilt my drink. “What?”
“You may need an appointment for a Brazilian.” Tabitha raised an eyebrow.
“Aidan happens to like it untouched. He doesn’t subscribe to this obsession with pre-pubescent hairlessness. He thinks pubic hair is sexy.” I was getting steamy thinking of Aidan’s feverish touch.
“Then he’s a cave-man as well.” Tabitha chuckled. “Hopefully, he won’t grow a beard.”
I shuddered at the thought. I did, however, love his permanent shadow. I particularly enjoyed the gentle scraping between my thighs. I found that definitely a turn-on.
Aidan had only just left, and I was missing him. How was I going to last two whole weeks? With a heavy heart, I peered over Tabitha’s shoulder at the computer screen.
“These are amazing, Clary. You’re seriously photogenic. Shit, you could make a fortune if you wanted to.”
“Let me see,” I said, trying to push her out of the way.
Although I normally struggled when seeing pictures of myself, I had to admit they were tasteful shots. Tabitha had done a superb job. The photos were not cheap, only sensual.
“Wow, Tabs, they’re super. This is what you should be doing.”
“I love this one especially.” Tabitha pointed to one with me in a red lace bra and garter with nylons. I was perched on a fluffy sixties dressing-table chair that had belonged to my mother, my hair up in a messy bun.
“Your expression is seriously boudoir,” she crooned.
“Are you saying I appear slutty?”
“A little slutty, just enough. Not in the whore sense. You’ve just seen him naked, and you’ve gone all froofy.”
“Froofy? Is there such a word?” I asked.
“Smoldering, then.” Tabitha sniffed.
The images were indeed special. I was glad Tabitha had talked me into the shoot. “I might need to get drunk before sending them,” I said.
“Send one now. Go on… the white one. Let’s start all virginal,” said Tabitha, winking.
“They’re hardly virginal, Tabs,” I said, flicking through the many images again. “These are fantastic. You should become a photographer. I mean, the way you’ve dressed the background and the choice of light is very professional.”
“It was only my phone camera.”
“Fuck the false modesty, girl. You’re talented,” I said, channeling Tabitha’s kick-ass attitude.
My phone buzzed, waking me up. When I saw it was from Aidan, I woke quickly. “Hi.” I tried not to sound too sleepy.
“Did I wake you?” asked Aidan with his toe-curling husk.
“No… it’s okay. How was your flight? Are you in Germany?”
“Yep. It was all good. It improved a lot when I received that photo you sent me,” Aidan said hoarsely. “You’re delectable.”
“Tabitha suggested I try on some of the lingerie we purchased today. And she photographed me while we were at it.”
“Are there more?” Aidan sounded aroused.
“Yes. I’ll send you another tomorrow,” I said softly.
“How many are there?”
“One for each day you’re away.”
“I can’t wait.” He sighed. “I love hearing your sexy, breathy voice. I’m missing you madly. Next time, you’re coming with me.”
“I’d like that.”
“What’s that noise?”
“That’s the neighbors. They’ve got bad plumbing,” I said.
“Where are you?”
“I’m at my apartment.”
“Why are you there?” Aidan didn’t hide his annoyance.
“I had a few glasses of bubbly for the photo shoot and was too tired to drive, so I crashed here. It’s still my place,” I said, a little disturbed by his controlling tone.
“Is Tabitha there with her boyfriend and his friend?”
“No,” I replied, trying not to giggle. Aidan was being ridiculously jealous. “I haven’t seen Cameron since that night. He’s not in the habit of coming here. I’m alone. Tabitha’s out with a guy…” I stopped there. This was not the time to tell Aidan that my best-friend was sleeping with his right-hand man.
“I hate you being there, Clarissa. Shit… the security, or lack thereof. Anyone can get in. Your door’s flimsy. And there are lowlifes living there.”
“The neighbors aren’t that bad,” I said. “There’s old Tom next door. He’s a lovely old man, wouldn’t hurt a fly.”
“Old Tom could be a pervert who drills holes through walls.” Aidan sounded more serious than I would have hoped.
I giggled. “Oh, Aidan, that’s ludicrous. He’s not like that. The man can barely move. Tabitha and I do his shopping to help. He’s nearly ninety. And on the other side, there’s Hilary. She’s got lots of cats and keeps to herself.”
“I’ve never trusted old women who live with lots of cats,” said Aidan earnestly.
“Seriously?” I had to squeeze my lips together.
“I worry about you, Clarissa. I don’t like you living there, especially in that neighborhood.”
“Aidan, I’ve lived here for ages. Nothing’s ever happened. Anyhow, I can look after myself. I did a course in self-defense last year.”
“You did?”
“Yeah, so you better behave.” I deepened my voice.
Aidan laughed. “What are you wearing?” His soft, bedroom tone was back, much to my relief.
“Not much.” I didn’t think he needed to hear that I was in my far-from-sexy worn cotton nightie.
“I like the sound of that,” he rasped.
My stomach tightened. Were we about to do phone sex? “Hmm…” I was at a loss for words.
Aidan chuckled. “Don’t worry. I won’t get you to breathe loudly down the phone. Maybe we can do a bit of Skyping while I’m here. What about tomorrow this time?”
“Yeah, sure. How am I to dress?” I wasn’t sure if that was a requirement.
“Glad you asked. Anything with buttons,” Aidan replied in a low voice thick with desire.
Blood pumped down below my navel. Aidan was pure sex, even over the phone.
“I’m sure I can arrange something, Aidan,” I purred.
“You sound hot, Clarissa. I’ll go crazy. Two weeks is way too long.”
“Can’t you cut it short?”
He sighed. “No. There’s too much to do.”
“I hope you don’t get so desperate that you…” Hell, I was sounding like a jealous maniac.
“Clarissa, I don’t do desperate,” Aidan responded churlishly.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to…” My face heated up.
“I’m very monogamous.”
“I shouldn’t have mentioned it.”
“I’m glad you did.” Aidan softened his tone. “I’m so connected to you, Clarissa, that the thought of you with another man would rip me apart.”
“I don’t want anyone else, Aidan.”
“That’s music to my ears.” There was a pause. “I have to go, Clarissa. Hey, that photo was exquisite. I can’t wait for the next one. I’ll let you get back to sleep. Tomorrow this time, we’ll Skype, okay?”
“I look forward to it, Aidan. And it’s lovely to hear from you.”
“Dream about me, beautiful girl,” rasped Aidan.