Chapter 7
After leaving the bar, I brought Aria back to Full Exposure. I was glad to see Haley hadn’t stayed too late, and we would have the place to ourselves. I unlocked the door and turned off the alarm while she came inside and looked around, seemingly in awe.
“Umm, Leia? Where exactly are we, Leia?”
Her eyes locked onto something through the partition in the studio, and I couldnt help but follow her gaze. To my surprise, I saw a set of handcuffs glinting in the light, secured tightly to the headboard. “Well, I can see how this might look, but I’m a photographer. I take boudoir-type photos. I have tons of props and sets so individuals or couples can come in and act out their fantasies for me to capture the moment for them to use later.”
She stared at me warily, and I sometimes forgot how society trained us to believe anything sexual was dirty.
“I promise they’re classy and sensual at the same time. I could show you, if you’d like.”
“Show me?” She seemed curious as she headed toward the bed and sat down. “What did you have in mind?” She ran her fingers over the fur of the cuffs.
I tilted my head and held my hands up as if framing her inside. “I could get my camera and?—”
“I don’t want you behind a camera. I want you next to me.” She patted the bed as her deep-red hair fanned over her shoulders. Her alabaster skin almost glowed in the studio lights.
She was a contrast to the woman this morning, but I wasn’t trying to find a double. I needed something different—someone different. Aria was stunning, and even though I didn’t have that magnetism to her, there was something I wanted to explore.
“I’d love to join you, but are we talking just for tonight?” I never wanted to lead anyone on, and I couldn’t give more of myself than I had.
“Leia, are you trying to U-Haul me?” She quirked a playful brow.
That put my mind at ease. She seemed to be a like-minded woman who wanted to live in the moment and enjoy some company.
“I don’t think I’d have much room for a truckload.” I scanned the room as if to say this is my only space.
“Well, it’s a good thing I pack light.” She lay back on her elbows, spreading her legs wide enough for me to see up her skirt—she wasn’t wearing any panties.
I could only imagine what she’d look like sprawled out, fully naked, and quivering at my touch. The corner of my mouth hitched up as I glided toward her. Once I reached the bed, she scooted to the middle to give me room.
She gave me a come-hither look, and I hovered over her prone body, straddling her but not putting any weight down. I gazed deeply into her eyes as she lightly bit her bottom lip. I studied her, wondering if a spark would happen. I slowly let myself come down on top of her while I laid her back.
“You don’t have to be so gentle. I won’t break,” she purred, and I pushed all the prior thoughts from my head.
This wasn’t about a forever love but about making memories tonight. I moved down to my knees and took her skirt with me. She had a little red landing strip that was like a beacon for her slick, wet center.
I kissed the apex of her pussy, and she rocked her hips into my face. She appeared more than ready for where things would go. And all I wanted to do was make her happy and give her a picture-perfect night.
It was so hot that my clothes clung to me. There were bodies all around as I moved back and forth to the music, but they weren’t paying attention to me at all. It was like I was the only person in the middle of the dance floor, and the rhythm cascaded inside me.
I didn’t know where I was. I hadn’t seen this place before, and the music wasn’t in English. My hips moved to the beat as if I had heard this song a million times. I tried to understand the words, but the bass vibrated so loudly that I couldn’t make anything out. Wait, or was it the blood pounding in my ears?
Before I could figure out what was happening, my body started pulsing with energy. It wasn’t something I was familiar with. I tried to sway to the music but couldn’t seem to move. It was like my feet were covered in concrete boots, keeping me stuck in the moment. Someone touched the back of my arm, and I could tell she was here. The run-in on the street flashed through my mind. Those green eyes stared at me, shimmering.
I wanted to call out to her, see her, touch her—anything. But as I tried to move, everything went black.
I bolted upright as sweat ran down between my breasts, and my heart crashed against my chest wall, seemingly trying to escape. I scanned my surroundings, only to realize I was still in the studio prop bed—alone. There was a note on the pillow next to me.
Leia, thanks for a wonderful night. You’re a restless sleeper, so I left, but give me a call if you ever want to have an encore performance.
She signed it with a heart and her number.
I didn’t usually do sleepovers anyway, so I wasn’t offended that she bed and fled. I was actually glad she wasn’t here when I woke up. Even if she didn’t want anything serious, how would I have explained that I was dreaming about another woman? A woman who, for whatever reason, I couldn’t get out of my mind? A woman who appeared to be calling out to me, and I could no longer fight it.
It seemed the only way to shake her from my thoughts was to find her.