Photographer's Model (closed for pipper and JT)

[pipper]

Laurie woke up, but not in her bedroom. “What the…?”

She was in the basement, lying on the couch, naked! ‘I couldn’t have, surely,’ she thought. Then Laurie noticed the door to Oscar’s enclosure was still open, and she couldn’t see him! Had he gone upstairs? Shit!

She quickly got up, only to hear a hiss. There was Oscar coiled up on the floor beside the couch. His hiss was to warn Laurie that he was there and not to step on him.

“Damn, Oscar a good job you weren’t hungry otherwise I’ll be in your stomach right now!”

 

[JayTee69gmx]

Phil went up to their bedroom to start collecting his things. He emptied drawers and closets, and put it all in the spare bedroom for now, piling it everywhere. He packed an overnight bag and tossed it in the back of his car. As soon as he got around the block he stopped and texted Laurie.

'Things have changed. Massively. Mary wants a divorce. Don't worry she knows nothing about *us*.'

He chuckled to himself. Then wondered, what would Laurie do now? He hoped she wasn't just attracted to the idea of forbidden fruit. Did she really want him. now that he was available? Well, time would tell. But for now he had to find somewhere to live.

On his way to work he called the owner of the building where he leased the studio. Asked if any of the apartments on the floor above were available. And he was in luck, one of the tenants was moving out, at the end of the month, in two weeks. If he wanted he could drop by after work and Gus would show him the apartment. He wanted.

At work Jennifer came in to thank him, and gave him a slip of paper with the numbers of the photos she wanted. "I will have them for you tomorrow Jennifer." For now Phil kept news of his impending divorce to himself. Particularly he did not want Jennifer getting any ideas. Still he was flattered by her attention.

The apartment was small, had a window overlooking the street, but had parking out back, and a nice kitchen. One bedroom, really all he needed for now. Even if he made it big, it would be nice to have this for those days when he needed to be at the studio late, or early. Gus offered him a great price if he would up the lease to a year. After a little reflection, Phil took it on. It was well within his budget, and it really forced him to commit to the idea of being a full time photographer.

He texted Laurie, "We need to talk. But not at your place. Can we meet for dinner? Maybe pick you up at the zoo?"

 

[pipper]

Laurie read Phil’s text in disbelief. ‘If she doesn’t know about us, why the divorce?’ she thought.

Laurie had to be careful, so she didn’t text him back. Trying to come up with options only resulted in a headache.

The rest of the day saw her cleaning the house, ready for her parent’s return. Then she got another text from Phil. Laurie wasn’t going to the zoo today. ‘Tell me where we’re going to dine and I’ll meet you there.’

 

[JayTee69gmx]

'Pepito's'

Small, and for an Italian restaurant, surprisingly quiet. Favored by an older generation for pasta dishes in traditional style. There were booths at the back, reasonably private. No one they knew would be there, typically.

After work Phil went to his new studio, made some measurements, and sketches to plan the layout. Gus was there, and said as soon as the other tenants moved out he could start moving in. There was a van parked in the back, and people were loading furniture into it.

He parked outside the restaurant and waited to Laurie to arrive. On seeing her, he got out of his car and called, smiling. She looked nervous and uncertain. He kissed her cheek, and thanked her for coming on such short notice. Whispered in her ear, 'You look beautiful', and asked for a booth at the back of the restaurant. Once seated, he explained:

"Mary has decided to leave me, she sold the house, it was in her name, long story, not relevant. She is filing for divorce today, 'irreconcilable differences'. She offered 50:50 split if I do not contest, and I agreed. If she knows about us, she said nothing, I think she doesn't. Frankly she is so wrapped up in her imaginary Downton Abbey world, I don't think she notices much. She said that my decision to become a photographer was too much for her, she thinks I will fail."

"So, I took a lease on a small apartment over the new studio. In two weeks I will be on my own."

"That's a lot to take in, no need to say anything. Let's order, and set up some plans for the new car shoot."

 

[pipper]

Poor Laurie was trying to make sense of this bombshell. Had his wife found out what they were up to, from old Parker?

What would her parents say? Would they insist she stop working for him? She couldn’t move in with Phil, which would really set the tongues wagging. Anyway, she couldn’t move Oscar; the zoo would never allow it. In fact they probably move the reptile back to the zoo, or to another one that needed a large snake for its collection.

Oscar was part of her life; a friend in times of trouble.

Laurie looked at Phil. “What can I say to my parents? They need to know the reason why, otherwise they’ll think it’s me.”

 

[JayTee69gmx]

"Its pretty straightforward. Mary is convinced I will lose all my money, and hers if we were married, in my new photography business. So she sold our house. It was in her name, because her parents loaned us the money to buy it in the first place, Long since paid off, but we never changed the deed, so, she sold it behind my back."

"It is what it is Laurie, she left me. Maybe she has someone else, I have no idea, but Mary and I really have grown apart the last while."

"In two weeks I will move in to the little apartment over my new studio. I can't wait."

"Can you ask your pals if we can do the car shoot this weekend? I can get the car, and we should plan a picnic in the mountains. Should give me plenty of good places to shoot as long as the weather is good Remind them I will ask them to sign non-disclosure agreements about the car."

Phil took a long slow inhale, and looked in her eyes, trying to read what she was thinking.

 

[pipper]

“I think for now, we’ll just get together for any shoots that’s needed,” Laurie finally said.

“I dread what Parker has been telling or will tell my parents. Either way, I’m yours, but we have to take this slowly. Dad will be okay. It’s my mum I’m worried about. She has never been happy about me posing for you.”

She sighed. “When we head home, we’ll do it at different times. We don’t want to give ammo to Parker.”

 

[JayTee69gmx]

"I hope all works out OK Laurie."

The waitress brought their food, the usual salad for Laurie, and a turkey club for Phil. Just soft drinks for both, they both knew they needed clear heads to work through this.

"Laurie, after dinner I plan to go back to my new studio and work out what I need to do, so no problem about separtating our trips. I have moved from what I know think of as Mary's bedroom to the spare room I set up as a studio. As soon as I get home I will text you, maybe we can chat by typing so no one in the house will suspect anything."

As they ate, Phil studied her. There was nothing he did not like, like a lot. Her manner, her voice, the way she thought. Everything. And to top it off he felt a huge sexual attraction to her, all the time. Even now as they were eating.

All too soon, dinner was done. Phil settled up with a moderate tip, and they walked out of the restaurant, into the parking lot.

 

[pipper]

“I better get going,” Laurie said before giving Phil a peck on the cheek. “My parents will be home shortly.”

Like it or not, she best break the news to them. If she didn’t, they would want to know why and that would raise suspicions.

“I’ll get in touch with Sue and Keith about Saturday.”

Laurie desperately wanted to go with him to the studio, but she couldn’t. They had come so far, and yet…

 

[JayTee69gmx]

Phil's hand went to her waist as she pecked his cheek, and he drew her close, pressed he body against his for just a moment, and released. Reluctantly.

"OK, can you get them to meet us at my studio Saturday morning at 9 am. I will have the new car. Pack for the weekend, I'm not sure how long we will need to get the right weather. Particularly sunrise or sunset shots. Maybe some night work too. I want to do this right, it really is the first big project for me."

"Text me when you get home so I know you are safe."

 

[pipper]

Poor Laurie’s heart sank when she arrived home to find that her parents had arrived. Her text to Phil would have to wait for now.

Taking the opportunity to pre-empt Parker, she told them about the Williams’ breakup. Of course her mother wanted her to stop seeing Phil, but Laurie put her foot down saying that she was only ‘working’ for him! Thankfully her father concurred.

Once that was out of the way, Laurie called Sue concerning the car shoot.

Next was the text to Phil. ‘Home safely. Sue has been told re: shoot. Keep in touch. See you at the shoot.’

She let a tear drop. For now, the only friend she could be with was Oscar.

 

[JayTee69gmx]

'See you at the shoot' was pretty clear. No contact until then. Was she stepping back now he was no longer forbidden fruit? He guessed he would find out this weekend. Phil went home and straight up to the studio, where he worked with the images he had been taking, amalgamating them into his portfolio.

Took out his cell and looked at it. Wanted to send Laurie a message, But resisted. What if one of her parents was looking at her phone when it arrived. No he had to wait for her to approach. Or not as the case might be.

By this weekend, at the shoot, he had to have a plan in place to deal with the problem. The only thing that came to mind was to get her a lot more modelling assignments, with him as photographer.

So he composed an email to their agent, explaining he was about to set out on his own, and could take all the assignments offered, asked if the agent needed anything else. Reminded him that he preferred to use Laurie as a model.

 

[pipper]

Laurie spent the following days taking care of the house and Oscar. Most of her spare time was now spent down in the basement where she compiled her notes and, if both her parents were out, let Oscar have the freedom to slither around the room.

In a way, she was kind of glad that Phil wouldn’t have much chance to let Oscar get use to his voice. The last thing she needed was to keep the bet and then, willingly, be completely swallowed by the reptile.

It was while she was at the zoo, delivering samples of Oscar’s poop to the vet, Laurie decided to text Phil. ‘Just let me know where and what time you need us. Miss you so much. XXX’

 

[JayTee69gmx]

Phil was reading a message from his agent when her text came in. The agent had a line on a casual wear assignment. But they wanted to use a sailboat. Was he comfortable on a boat? Was she? He had just replied that he was a sailor and accustomed to boats. Please go ahead and try for the assignment. Phil did not answer on Laurie's behalf, but he supposed it would be easy enough to find a substitute if she did not want to do it.

He read her text several times. The signature part. And inhaled and released a slow sigh.

"Meet me at my studio at 9 am Saturday, we can take one or two cars, whichever they prefer."

 

[pipper]

“You’ve got to be kidding!” Sue exclaimed.

“Nope; she just wanted out.”

“Wow.”

“How are your parents taking it?”

Laurie shrugged. “Shocked to say the least; actually mum wanted me to stop posing for him, but dad came to my rescue. Oh, once we get to his studio, don’t bring up the subject. We’ve got an important shoot to do, and Phil needs to concentrate on that.”

Keith finally spoke up. “Hey! I just thought of something! Why can’t we invite him down to the strip club? They’re putting on an amateur strip contest. Sue has signed up.”

Laurie was stunned for a moment. “No way!”

Sue grinned. “Yes, I have. In fact I’ve got your application form in my purse.”

“Are you insane? My parents will kill me!”

Stripping for Phil was one thing; stripping in front of a crowd of sex craved men was something else.

Thankfully; Keith pulled into the studio’s parking lot, but Laurie knew that Sue would bring up the topic again.

 

[JayTee69gmx]

"Hi guys! Thanks so much for helping me out on this - everybody will get modelling fees, but I need you to sign non-disclosure agreements about the car we will be using, I understand they delivered it under wraps to the country cottage we get for the weekend.

"This should be lots of fun. Keith? Just follow us, its about a one and a half hour drive. We can stop part way for a break if you like."

Phil took Laurie's weekend bag and tossed it in the back seat of his car, the trunk was full of photography equipment. And off they went, main highways, secondary highways, and finally after almost an hour, into a roadside cafe with outdoor patio. On the way Phil and Laurie talked about the scenery, the beautiful weather, but he never brought up the question of 'them' as a couple. He thought he knew, but then again, it was impossible. Her parents would disown her, or her father would horsewhip him. The situation was untenable. And all the time they were in the car her scent brought memories of their times together. The image of her eyes when she took him in her mouth and he erupted almost instantly. Both of them so happy. Damn! He was getting an erection. Phil forced his mind to the problems of photographing the car.

The gravel crunched as he parked his car at the cafe. Keith was right behind.

 

[pipper]

Laurie and Phil led Keith and Sue to a table on the patio. Laurie tried to remember the last time the four of them were together. Was it when she got sawed in half?

The waitress came, and they placed their orders, Laurie opting for a light salad and an orange juice. While waiting for the waitress to return, Sue reached into her purse and handed three stapled pieces of paper to Laurie. “Here’s your application. I dare you to fill it out!”

Laurie sighed. She looked at Phil. “I’ll read it, just to keep you happy, but it doesn’t mean I’m filling it in.” She studied it closely. Then when she read one section, she let out a loud giggle. “Did you fully go over this?” she asked Sue.

“Why?”

“Well, it says here, that if you finish in the top three, you have to perform at the club for three months, five times a day; four days per week, and down here, it states that once you’ve submitted the application, you can’t back out, without paying three hundred dollars, for administration fees.”

The look on Sue’s face said it all. “Laurie! Don’t joke like that!”

“Not joking! Here, read it for yourself.” She handed the form to Sue.

Then Laurie spotted Keith looking at her. He smiled.

 

[JayTee69gmx]

Phil studied the looks and glances that went back and forth between the three of them. He knew Keith had pushed before to see the two girls stripping in the peat. Even some 'girl on girl' as he put it. But he and Laurie had got over that bump. But he could see there was going to be a bump or two in the near future.

Under the table, someone's foot was stroking his calf. At first he thought it was Laurie, but each time, Sue had glanced at him and an impish smile crossed her face for a moment. This was going to be a very interesting weekend with this lot.

Keith asked "What are the sleeping arrangements at this cottage?"

"We have four bedrooms, one each. I guess its open for us to do as we like." At that last phrase he touched Laurie's hand, and simultaneously got his calf caressed under the table, almost poked.

Phil was pretty sure Keith and Sue were a couple and that they would want to sleep together. And he was certain he wanted to sleep with Laurie, but he had no idea what she had in mind.

When they finished their meals, he signaled the waitress, and settled up with his new company credit card. The client was paying all expenses, so he needed a record.

 

[pipper]

Laurie was the last to stand up. She shook her head. What was Sue thinking when she filled out that form? Didn’t she realise that she could land up stripping at the club for three months?

As for the beds at the cottage, did Phil expect her to sleep with him? Laurie’s mind was racing in all directions.

“Hey! Wake up! Didn’t you hear that?” It was Keith.

“Sorry?” Poor Laurie hadn’t a clue what he was referring to.

Susan grinned. “Typical! She’s probably thinking about Oscar.”

Laurie wasn’t going to let her get away with that. “No, I was trying to visualize you stripping on stage for three entire months.”

“Ouch!” Keith exclaimed. “Anyway, Sue had suggested that for a change she’ll ride with Phil to the cottage, while you ride with me.”

Laurie looked at Phil. “What do you think?” She had chickened out of making a decision.

 

[JayTee69gmx]

"Sure. C'mon Sue"

Phil answered almost as a reflex, he wanted most just to get going and get to the cottage while there was still time to scout for shooting locations when the lighting angles got low. He wasn't sure what the look on Laurie's face meant, but it was too late to backtrack now.

Sue pecked Keith on the cheek and hopped in the front seat of Phil's car.

No sooner were they underway than she clasped his thigh above the knee, gave it a little shake, and said "Thanks for inviting us along. This will be a great weekend."

Then squeezed his thigh just a little higher up.

"You concentrate on your driving now Phil," she giggled.

 

[pipper]

Laurie remained silent. This was new to her. She had never been alone with Keith before.

“I was thinking,” Keith said, trying to get some sort of conversation going. “Did you go completely under when you posed for Phil in the peat?”

Laurie looked at him. “Why do you ask?”

“Just curious, that’s all.”

Laurie knew on both occasions she had been in the peat; Phil had stopped the shoot when she was close to going under, something that had pissed her off. “No, I didn’t.”

A grin appeared on Keith’s face. “Would you still do it, if you had the chance?”

She scoffed at his question. “It’s of no consequence if I wanted to, because Phil would balk at the idea.”

“Aha! Who said anything about Phil? I’m more than willing to do a video you going slowly under and I mean completely under!”

Submerging! Oh, the thought of it gladden Laurie’s heart. “Sure, why not!” But how would Phil react to the news? Or did he have to know?

 

[JayTee69gmx]

Phil took Sue's hand and placed it in her lap, laughing, "Then don't distract me!"

"I'm really happy you two were able to come. It means a lot to me having help launching my new career. Laurie is such a great model, having her in my portfolio really attracted clients. I haven't worked with you and Keith yet, but I think you two will be great."

Some women are like that, he thought, touching you during conversation. A reflex really, but distracting, Sue though seemed different. The touch was sexual. Or was he just hypersensitive. The chance to sleep with Laurie affecting how he thought about everything.

Did Keith and Sue have an 'open' relationship? Was Keith coming on to Laurie right now? How would she react?

"Hope you guys brought swimsuits."

Sue giggled, "Will we need them?"