37. Lights, Camera, Action
LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION
Lincoln and Kate are listening intently to the lawyers as they discuss everything. Since Kate’s the primary shareholder, she should get all financial documents without a problem.
We’re just hoping that it doesn’t tip Will off. Not knowing what he’s capable of, she’s living with us, all four cats and all. While Mikey has taken to the change easily, the other three mostly stay hidden around different spots. I don’t hate it, and shockingly, neither does Gavin.
I’m not sure if the plan is to just keep her moved in?
But I don’t hate the idea. In fact, I’m hoping she agrees, whether we move into her place, her into ours, or we find something new that works for all of us.
But maybe I’m way ahead of myself, we all just admitted our feelings, that's good enough… for now.
“I knew that prick was hiding something with these lowball bids. He’s trying to liquidate the business and get all the proceeds, cutting out all his shareholders completely. He’s been buying everyone off over the years.” Lincoln questions.
“He used our shared money to buy off the other owners?” Kate asks, and I’m not sure I’ve seen her so pissed.
“It looks like he’s been doing this for the last five years. Slowly taking sums and using it to pay off other shareholders,” the lawyer says.
Kate’s eyes look watery and she nods her head. “He was probably cheating for that long,” she says and I rub her back.
“I still don’t understand why he would want to buy my shares,” Kate says.
“So that some poor sucker like me will pay him three times the amount to buy out the current contracts he has,” Lincoln says, rubbing his chin.
“If he’s the only shareholder, he doesn’t need a yes or no on selling, with you still in the mix he would need your consent to sell and you would get majority proceeds.
Why wasn’t she notified on the other sales? ”
Kate’s cheeks go pink. “Carl would send me updates, I just didn’t usually read them,” she winces.
“I think he was counting on that. I’m sure he thought you would’ve folded before now and that’s why he’s resorting to blackmail. He has the most to gain financially if he buys you out first and has a larger competitor buy him out,” the lawyer says.
“I bet he thought we would buy for an astronomical price, or maybe another regional builder looking to expand,” Lincoln says, looking pissed off.
Kate seems withdrawn, like she’s taking all the new information in a haze.
“What about the stalking? What about her safety?” Gavin interrupts, grabbing her hand and squeezing above the table.
There’s a second lawyer for this issue as she clears her throat.
“Unfortunately, all the images taken of Ms. Morley were in public spaces. However, we could go down the avenue of a civil lawsuit for extortion and blackmail. It would be a time consuming process and you would be at the helm of public opinion. However with the evidence we have and the current TRO in place I do think we have a case, not a home run of a case, but a case, nonetheless.”
“So, he faces no consequences for the mental distress of stalking her.”
“That would surely be a part of the lawsuit. We will also contact the police and get a permanent restraining order in place in the meantime,” the lawyer says and Gavin huffs, and moves his hand from Kate’s to place it on her thigh.
Kate taps her fingers on the table a few times, like she’s contemplating her next move.
“What deal would hurt him most?” Kate says, and the lawyer gets a wicked grin on his face.
“A few options here. One is cut and dry, you sell to Mr. Carlson and then he goes to war buying out the rest of Dennis Commercial and will then own the majority share of commercial construction in the area or we could play safe?—”
“I want to sell. I’m ready to sell,” Kate interrupts.
“Then let’s get the paperwork set up and prepare ourselves for the fallout. I think it should take about forty-eight hours to get this processed.”
“That’s enough time,” Kate says with a nod, and I glance over at her in confusion. “Just send me everything I need to sign, and make sure you give him a good deal, he’s family, after all,” she says, winking at my Lincoln who looks happier than a pig in shit to take down his biggest competition.
“This definitely means we have a truce about talking shit,” I say to Lincoln, who rolls his eyes, but waves me off nonetheless. “What do you need forty-eight hours for?” I direct toward Kate
“Are you guys ready to go public, like all the way in?” she asks and my brows furrow.
“Of course.”
“All right, then let’s head to campus.”
I’m standing on the white pedestal in nothing but black boxer briefs as a series of photography students roll into the studio space.
“Oh, my god. Everyone is going to be talking about this photoshoot for years to come. You all look so hot,” her friend Savannah gushes as she puts some powder on Kate’s face.
“You sure this isn’t a bit much?” Gavin asks, readjusting himself.
Kate’s wearing a one piece that is slightly sheer around her middle. She looks fucking sexy and I’m a little irritated about everyone seeing how beautiful she is, while also being honored that she cares this much to make a statement.
“I want him to know. I want everyone to know that I don’t care what they think. That we’re together and it might be different, but it’s still beautiful and us and no one can tell us otherwise.”
“Stop or else I’m going to get hard,” I say, and Kate and Savannah laugh.
“What will the pictures be used for?” Gavin asks.
My brother is asking too many damn questions at this point. Our girl loves us, she’s all in and he’s worried about semantics.
“Well, it’s going to be a learning experience for my students in black and white portraits and I think Kate has something planned,” Savannah says, keeping her lips tight.
“Trust me? I mean, I’m trusting you right now,” she says with a smirk. Gavin takes a deep breath but gives her a sharp nod.
“Trusting with what?” I ask, and she curls her finger for me to lean down.
“I’m wearing a plug so that I can take you both tonight,” she whispers.
So much for not getting hard during the photoshoot. I take a step back, turning away from our incoming audience as I think of horrible boner killer things. It works somewhat, and I’m grateful the boxers are black and tight enough to compress things and hide my potential embarrassment.
“That was mean,” I tell her and she smiles.
“Don’t worry, you’ll be rewarded.”
I whisper “evil” under my breath as Savannah claps her hands together.
“Okay. Ugh, you’re all so gorgeous. Come here and pose yourselves in whatever feels comfortable while I get the class setup. Maybe you start by sitting, Kate?” she says, and Kate nods.
Kate sits on the small simple stool and I stare at her for a moment, just taking this all in. She wants to make a statement, and I feel overwhelmed with admiration and wonder.
So, I take a seat on the ground, placing her leg in my lap, kissing her calf.
“Hey! I didn’t say to start,” Savannah chastises, but Kate bites her lip as she looks down at me.
It’s not even just the promise of the very dirty things we’re going to do together tonight, it’s everything. The way she makes me feel, how I’ve never been happier, how I’m still learning new things. I’d do whatever I need to in order to make her happy.
“Class, welcome. I’m so excited to have this special program for you.
I’m sure many of you know Dr. Morley. Her and her boyfriends have graciously donated their time to help you work on your portraits this evening.
I expect you to take as many images as possible.
You will need to develop and turn in three of your best works within two weeks.
I’m looking for four main factors. Quality, positioning, lighting, and emotion.
“The last one shouldn’t be a problem with these three, so don’t let me down.”
There’s some mumbling in the classroom, probably trying to dissect our relationship, but I don’t give a single fuck.
Bright lights turn on around us, shining out the college students taking our picture as Gavin comes to stand beside Kate, his hand on her chin, forcing her to look up at him, while I kiss her leg.
Shuttering sounds are going off like crazy and somehow, despite the slight nerves of people taking our picture, I feel empowered. It’s almost like encapsulating our love frame by frame.
I always admired Kate’s passion for art, though I suppose I never understood it. But when I break down what’s happening right now, the art that we’re making, I finally understand.
What we found is art in itself.
We move positions a few times. One where Kate is standing between the two of us, ones where we’re lying down. By the end of the shoot, I almost forget that cameras are flashing and that each moment has been documented.
The lights turn off suddenly, and I’m seeing spots, but then a round of applause rings out in the room and it makes me realize that I wasn’t alone in understanding how powerful this moment was.
Savannah comes up to us with tears in her eyes, wrapping her friend in a hug before pulling back.
“Wow. Just wow. Thank you all so much for agreeing to do this. The photos are going to be amazing. I’ll send you what I took with the digital camera tonight.”
“Thanks, Savannah.”
“It’s good to see you happy,” she says, and they hug again. “Take good care of her, okay?” Savannah says and we both nod at her.
The class is buzzing with excitement from the photoshoot as they funnel out of the room.
“Now please tell me we get to take you home and fuck you,” Gavin says bluntly.
Kate bites her lip as I grab her robe, holding it out so she can slide her arms through. I help her put it on and place my hands on her shoulders, my need for her growing with every second.
It’s only then I realize we haven’t even had sex since vacation, not that it’s been a long time. I just crave all the intimacy I can have with Kate.
Is this what being an adult in a relationship feels like?
“Please,” she whispers it like a plea.
I’m tossing on my clothes as fast as I can, and so is Gavin.
It feels like we just stamped publicly that we belong to her, and now in the privacy of our home she’s going to show us just how deep that devotion goes.