Chapter 7
EMMA
By the time college breaks up for two weeks, I’ve lost track of how many times Oliver and I have snuck around, finding every hidden place on campus to be together.
It’s not always about sex, though we do spend a lot of time doing that, too.
We text constantly, and though we can’t risk being seen in public together, he still finds a way to show sweet gestures like slipping me notes in the hallway or bringing me a coffee while I study in the library.
While we’ve been making the best of our situation, I still can’t wait for nearly two weeks of freedom in a country where nobody knows that he’s my professor.
My parents are Scottish, so I visited family back in Scotland most years growing up and it’s truly my home away from home. I can’t wait to introduce Oliver to my family and to show him all my favorite places.
“We’re nearly there,” I tell him as I reach the long, winding road to my aunt’s home. She lives in a rural village in the Highlands, and aside from the main house on the property, she has a smaller cottage at the edge of her plot of land where we’ll be staying.
As soon as we pull up to the house, my aunt and uncle rush out to greet us. I grin wide as I get to introduce Oliver as my boyfriend, having no need to hide my feelings for him. My aunt insists on giving Oliver a tour, and then we sit down for some tea and shortbread to dip while we chat.
She’s made a roast dinner, pulled out all the stops to make a feast for us, and by the time we’re fed and all caught up on life, the exhaustion from the day of travel has started to kick in.
“You should show Oliver the area tomorrow,” my aunt says as I help her tidy up. “Show off the hills, maybe take him to that waterfall you loved as a kid.”
“That’s a great idea,” I agree, already excited to show off the gorgeous scenery. “It’ll be an amazing place to take photos, too.”
“Ooh, yes, maybe we can get some printed for the house!” my aunt says excitedly.
I smile, grateful for how supportive my family are of my career choice.
My parents have a wall of all my photos over the years, from some really terrible ones when I was starting out to the new, cinematic series I did to apply for my Master’s.
From the other room, I can hear Oliver laughing with my uncle, and in that moment it hits me just how lucky I am.
I yawn, and my aunt chuckles, shooing me out of the kitchen and insisting we go and get some sleep before we turn into zombies.
The next morning, I wake up feeling a sense of peace I’ve not felt before. Waking in Oliver’s arms, alone in a bedroom we can pretend is ours for a while, is like a dream. For a second, I have to pinch myself just to make sure it’s not.
Oliver stirs, pulling me closer as he begins to wake. I savour the warmth of his skin on mine, using his chest as a pillow.
After a few more minutes of sleepy morning cuddles, we manage to get out of bed. As much as I’d happily spend all day in bed with him, I want to show him the hidden waterfall even more.
“What’s the plan?” Oliver asks with a sleepy smile.
He stretches as he stands, and I take a moment to drool over how hot he is.
He’s perfectly sculpted, with abs that make my mouth water and the arm muscles I normally spend all of class staring at through his shirt on full display. “Earth to Emma?” he teases, grinning.
I don’t even bother trying to pretend I wasn’t eye-fucking him. I blink, trying to find my brain again. “Oh, right, yes,” I say, refocusing. “I never thought I’d say this but please get dressed, I can’t think when you’re standing there all shirtless and hot.”
Oliver laughs, his head tilting back and his messy hair flopping over his forehead. Goddammit, how is a girl supposed to ever leave the bedroom when he looks like this?
“Alright,” he agrees with a chuckle, grabbing a t-shirt from his suitcase and pulling it on. It helps just enough that I can remember the day’s agenda.
“There’s a beautiful spot I used to love as a child,” I begin, finding a sweater and pulling it on. It’s a clear day outside but Scotland isn’t exactly known for it’s tropical climate and I don’t want to freeze before we get there. “I want to show it to you.”
“You wanting to show off how your home is nearly as gorgeous as you are?” he says, flirting with me.
I blush. “It’s the perfect place to shoot video or take photos, too.”
Something like hunger crosses Oliver’s eyes, and he runs his gaze over me. “How secluded is this spot?” he asks, raising a brow.
“Uhh…pretty hidden, why?” I ask, anticipation bubbling up inside me.
“You know the project I was talking to you about?” he says, and I nod.
Since we’ve become committed to each other, he’s told me more about the exhibition, and I’ve seen a little, some teasers.
The artist’s work is all about the body and sensuality, and it looks truly stunning.
Oliver’s submission will have to be amazing but I have no doubt that it will be, once he finally figures out what exactly he’s going to create.
“With the pieces you haven’t started yet?” I confirm, nodding. “Maybe Scotland’s scenery will inspire you.”
He steps closer to me, and the air between us practically crackles with electricity. I inhale sharply, heat beginning to spiral between my legs. “The thing is, Emma,” he says lowly, “I found inspiration for my submission the second I saw you in that coffee shop. It’s all I’ve thought about since.”
“Oh,” I breathe, in awe. Hearing that I’ve inspired him for this…my head spins. “Really?”
“Really,” he echoes, reaching forward to tip my chin back so I meet his dark, stormy gaze. “You’re my muse, pretty girl.”
“Oliver…” I whimper, leaning into him. A thought crosses my mind, and I frown. “But, how will that work?”
“I won’t use any model but you,” he says firmly, shaking his head.
I open my mouth to ask more questions, but he’s already way ahead of me.
“The vision is entirely of you, gorgeous. But I know I can’t be open about that in the work, not while you’re still a student.
So we won’t show your face. I’ve already thought of posing and lighting and editing…
if you’ll do me the honour of being my subject, that is. ”
I don’t need even a second to consider it. My answer would never be anything except, “Yes.” I say it in a rush, making Oliver grin.
“We’ll bring our cameras today, then, all the kit” he says, stepping away from me to force us to actually leave instead of ending up back in bed.
The thought of him photographing me, using me as his muse, turns me on so much that I have no idea how I’ll survive it without touching him.
That only makes it more exciting, the tension of it all making me feel alive with anticipation.
The walk to the waterfall doesn’t take more than an hour, through wild footpaths and a copse of thick trees that hide the spot from view.
“Are you sure this is the right way?” Oliver asks as he holds a branch out of the way so he can follow me. “There’s no path.”
I laugh, shaking my head at him. “All the best places are found off the beaten path, ya know” I say, holding my arms out to gesture to the lush greenery around us.
“But yes, I’m sure. You’re just too used to the city, Professor.
” Oliver’s eyes narrow on me playfully. “I’m buying hiking boots before we venture up any of those hills,” he says, grimacing at the sneakers on his feet.
The sound of water rushing meets our ears and I jog forward, grinning widely as we round a corner to one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen. Even more beautiful now than I remember.
“Isn’t is stunning?” I say, with that beautiful feeling of being home washing over me as I take in the waterfall and plants and stream.
“Breath taking,” Oliver agrees, but when I turn to look at him, I find him staring at me, not the scenery. “And you were right, this is the perfect place to shoot.”
We take a few minutes to explore, finding good places to take photos and taking test pictures. I snap some sneaky shots of Oliver setting up his equipment, then ones where he notices me and starts stalking towards me with intent gleaming in his eyes and his arms stretched out wide to claim me.
I squeal as he plucks the camera from my hand and sets it down on a blanket with our bags and water bottles. Surprisingly, the day has turned out warm, and my jumper is bundled up with the rest of our stuff.
The sun shines, making the water sparkle.
Despite the heat, goosebumps appear on my arms as Oliver reaches for me, his hand tangling in my hair as he tilts my head back and kisses me.
Feeling like I’m under his spell I realize just how utterly in love with this man I am.
He slips his hand under my shirt and pulls it up over my head.
I’m dizzy, breathless and even more turned on.
Then he kneels down, unlaces my boots and helps me step out of them, taking my socks off so I’m barefoot on the cool mossy bank. His hands trail over my skin with reverence. He pulls down my leggings and underwear, in one perfect rip, then slips my bra off, leaving me naked in the cool breeze.
“Stripped and gorgeous,” Oliver whispers, kissing my shoulder softly. “Come on, little muse.”
I shiver, not because I’m cold, but because Oliver’s words and the secret beauty of this place wrap around me in an intoxicating embrace. He takes my hand, leading me to the edge of the pool of water. It’s cold when I step in, but I welcome the sensation of it lapping at my skin.
“Lie back against the bank,” he instructs softly, helping me pose in the way he wants.
I tilt my head back and cover my face with my arm.
I hear his instructions but struggle to remain calm knowing that these photos will be on show to all.
“That’s it, perfect. Arch your back, turn slightly, raise a knee and spread your legs a little. Beautiful!”