The Photographer (closed for Chris2c4u and Flurtayshus)

[Flurtayshus]

“Maya!” Catelyn Fitzgerald shouted running into the studio, her raven curls bouncing behind her.

Maya was able to snap off three more shots before the little girl ran head long into her arms. “Ohhhh, how’s my Catie?”

The pair tumbled to the floor in a fit of laughter, Maya still grasping the expensive camera in one hand holding it out towards her assistant Geoff who snatched it up and away.

“D’ya miss me?” Catelyn pierced Maya with eyes as lush in color as a tropical rain forest. It was those eyes that kept getting her called back for job after job for children’s catalogs and major marketing campaigns.

“You know I did. Where have you been?” Maya sat the child up and they faced each other cross- legged on the set of a shoot for Harper’s Bazaar. She told the two models standing there in tweed suits to take a break and turned her full attention to the child.

“I was in London with me Da’.” The child spouted excitedly in her slight Irish brogue. “Then Lindsey told me I had a shoot wi’ you and here we are!”

“You’re dad?” Maya looked around confused. Nervously, she ran a hand through her silken 'pixie' style hair cut. She still wasn't used to the short length yet and wasn't sure if she should kill Naomi for talking her into it. “Where’s Vivica?”

“Mom…well…she…,” The child began but the struggle was obvious in the way she fidgeted with Maya’s rings and then she changed the subject altogether. “Do you wanna meet me Da’? He’s in the car.”

“Well maybe we should get you dressed so we can take pictures and then we’ll talk about your Dad, okay?” After getting a confirming nod from the little girl, Maya turned to Geoff. “Geoff take Cate to Naomi and see that she gets properly dressed in the Gap wardrobe while I finish the Harper’s ad.”

Geoff nodded silently as was his way and he led the child, who skipped happily along beside him, to the dressing room.

 

[chris2c4u]

Michael Fitzgerald sat in the parking lot, leafing through the fashion pages of the "men's interests" magazine he had bought on the way. Catie, 10 years old going on 20 had rolled her eyes when she saw him get back in the car with the magazine with the half naked woman on the front.

"What?" he said. "It's research. I have to check out the up and coming male models. You wouldn't want Da to not make money would you now? You'd starve. Have to be on the streets begging in all weathers."

She had giggled and pointed to the cover model. "I know her, she was at that place I was having my pictures taken. She was doing cardigans and my photographer said everyone liked her cos she's got big boobies."

Mike grinned as he looked at the picture again. Not his type, but Catie was right and the boobies were going to keep her in work for a few more years yet. Especially after the did-she-didn't-she silicone debate.

After placing a bet with his bookie ("Ahh, Johnno, I'm going to fleece you with this one. No, it's not her last race before the pet food factory. $50 to win, OK?") he got out of the car to stretch his legs. Slowly he sauntered towards the door of the studio and noticed the receptionist. Nice, he thought as she studied the computer screen, flicking back a loose strand of blonde hair. He opened his sports jacket and walked in.

She was new on reception but she recognised Michael; she recalled the Calvin Kline advert for boxers very well. She'd liked his designer stubble, she said and was pleased he still had it. Mike grinned along with her and was pleased she wasn't embarrassed or giggly about it. Well, being newly single was certainly a pleasure, he thought. He'd always looked but never...well, hardly ever... touched. He explained about his daughter being the model today and Juliette had cooed "awww." that did it; they had even swapped phone numbers!

He looked at his watch. "Mind if I go through?" He nodded to the studio door with it's No Admittance sign lit.

"Oh, well, I don't think so...she's a bit particular about that."

He winked one ice blue eye at her conspiratorially. "I'll tell her I offered to watch the desk while you powdered your nose. When you came out, there I am gone. I take all the blame," he said and began sauntering towards the door.

It was heavy and quiet as he pulled it open just enough to squeeze through. On the other side was a black curtain to exclude noise and light which he managed to get through. He stood in the shadows, listening to the whir of camera, ditant voices, the lights on the backdrop.

He stepped forward to get a better view of his daughter, hardly noticing the photographer kneeling, manipulating her camera.

Suddenly, Catie's eyes sparkled and she broke the pose as the flash went off.

"Da! Come and meet Ayanna."

 

[Flurtayshus]

Maya

Maya was about to take the shot that was going to guarantee her the Gap ad’s for years when Catie broke the pose.

“Oh no, Catie!” She watched as the little girl scrambled down in her striped peach and cream knit hat and gloves and her dove gray turtleneck and slacks.

Looking over her shoulder, Maya got a good look at the man Catie called her dad.

“Holy shit.” She murmured in disbelief as this months GQ cover model walked across her studio floor.

He walked with a confident, smooth easy grace that made her think of something…silken…no predatory. Predatory was a good word for him and the thought immediately put her on edge. A cold rage surfaced at the first memory of another man she knew like him and she immediately pushed the thought back with as much will as she could muster.

Maya tried to remember that not all men were “Him” but he seemed to have that look. She stood collecting her thoughts about how to best handle this man who shouldn’t be here in the first place.

“What are you doing in here?” Maya tried to keep her voice even but it was difficult.

“What does it matter to you?” His icy blue eyes raked over her and Maya felt the fear knot in her stomach again.

“This set it closed for a reason!” The tremble in her voice made her furious with herself but she plowed on.

“It’s alright Maya. It’s me Da’.” Catie had moved up beside Maya and was tentatively grasping her wrist.

As if the situation couldn’t get any worse Maya noticed that Catie was trembling now as well. This child had always been incredibly sensitive and intuitive with regard to her mood, as well she should, she’d been photographing Catie since she was little.

“You need to leave.” Maya turned her back and walked through the various sets headed toward her office. “Geoff, get him out of here.”

“Look man, you’ve gotta go.” Geoff began and then there was the sound of a scuffle.

 

[chris2c4u]

Mike stepped back from Geoff's rather over enthusiastic interpretation of his boss's orders.

"Hands off the jacket camera monkey." He looked down at Catie. "You OK?" She nodded; he resisted the urge to rumple her hair-do; already a make up assistant was on the way tutting. "See you in a bit," he said, blowing her a kiss. She grinned and walked slowly back to the set.

Heading back outside he grinned at the receptionist. "And you never even gave me a hard hat," he said.

She laughed. "Told you," she said.

He spent a pleasant three quarter's of an hour in her company. In between her work he discovered her liking for French poodles (unfortunate) Thai food (good) and Chilean wine in front of a fire (yes, heaven's gate).

After that however, the Ice Queen made an appearance. Mike was concilatory and got Juliette off the hook but succeeded in impaling himself on it very well.

Yes, he nodded meekly, he did see the sign above the door. Yes, he had quite good reading skills. He winked at Catie who seemed to be enjoying it all as she sat with Juliette showing her her postcards from London. Ayanna shook her head and Mike noticed her short lustrous hair. He decided this probably wasn't the best time to say he liked it.

The photographer sighed and moved a little closer to Mike. She tilted her head towards the child. "She's a great kid. I've been working with her for a while - until now... her mother has brought her?"

Mike nodded abruptly. "She probably won't be doing that quite so often. We're not together any more."

Ayana nodded. "I guessed. I think - look, it's none of my business buit - well, I think Catie's missing her?"

Mike nodded. "Yes, not your business. But thanks. We'd better get going Let our agent know if you need any retakes but Catie's busy in school so might be after hours if we need to come back."

Catie took his hand after waving bye bye to the two women and waited until they got in the car to study her Dad's face carefully. Mike frowned.

"Yes, what is The Look for young lady?"

"You like her don't you?"

"Well, Juliette is nice, as a matter of fact..."

"No, not HER! Ayanna."

Mike blinked in an exagerrated fashion. "Ayanna? You saw what she was doing in there?"

Catie giggled.

"She was worse than Mrs Hardcastle." AKA The Dragon, a teacher at Catie's school of fearsome reputation.

She buckled her belt. "You like her."

Mike shook his head and sighed dramatically and was about to start the car when his cell phone chirruped.

"Mike? Sweety? Caroline here."

Agent to the models Caroline Montmarte purred down the phone the way she did when she had news that told of possible large 15% cuts.

"My dear, you are, in all likelyhood the next body to be drenched in Libertine. For men."

"Well, good," he said, awaiting clarification.

"The new fragrance from Dior, darling. You could be their new body and face!"

He gulped. This was big.

"TV?"

"Not straight away but they liked your portfolio and want more stills. They're thinking of a tasteful nude for the European market - nothing showing of course!" she screeched her east coast ear-splitter and he held the phone away from his ear. "All shadows and such. Anyhow, they want you to get some shots done."

"OK by me," he said. "When and where?"

"I E-mailed the details but the photographer is called Ayanna. Your daughter's been done by her. She's good. Have you two met?"

 

[Flurtayshus]

Maya

Two days later Maya sat down in her plush desk chair and threw her head back. There were several calls she needed to make but she was quite dreading them. The first was to her booking agent whom she knew would be trying to get her to do some work just before she was about to go on her vacation. She had decided that she was just going to have to be firm with him about this. She barely got one vacation a year and she intended to take this one.

Quickly she punched in the numbers and hit the button for speaker phone. It rang three times before Gavin Arturro answered. Gavin, she knew, didn’t believe in answering a phone before its third ring because it made him look busy.

All it really did was annoy Maya given that Gavin was actually a cousin, whom she’d been bullied into hiring as a glorified receptionist but who also happened to be especially skilled at schmoozing with the clientele.

“Girrrrrl have I got a job for you!” Gavin exclaimed in the overly effeminate way that let most people know he was gay right off the bat.

“NO!” Maya replied firmly before he could even get started.

There was a pause on the other end of the phone and then Gavin began to laugh. “Oooh girl! I know you didn’t! That almost sounded like you meant it.”

“I did mean it. You are not going to get me to work on my vacation and this is final.” Maya was extremely proud of herself for standing up to the exceedingly pushy Gavin.

“Not even for…” Gavin read off all the zeros behind a number that was being offered to Maya if she would do the layout for a new campaign.

“Shut up!” She hissed leaning toward the phone as if Gavin was right there. The funny part was that she knew that Gavin was leaning just as close on his end. “Who? Who is offering me that much?”

“D to the I to the O to the R, girl!!” Gavin spelled it out in a sing-song manner. “The one and only original Poison so sweet they put it in a bottle.”

“Dior wants me?” Maya was stunned. “When and where?”

“Thought you weren’t working during your vaca…” Gavin began but was cut off.

“When and where!”

“Well. Because you were going to be on vacation they said you could pick the country, the crew, the site, everything but the model. They already have a model in mind.”

“Who?”

“Ummmm,” Maya could hear Gavin flipping through papers. “Michael Fitzgerald. You know, the Aussie with the nice ass….or is he Irish?!”

“Absolutely not!”

“What?” Gavin was ready to work himself into a tizzy. “What do you mean ‘No”?!”

“I mean Fitzgerald is a complete ass and it’s not gonna happen!”

“This could put you on the world map, Maya. You are doing it! I already told them you would.”

Maya’s mouth fell open. “You didn’t!”

“I did. I told them you wanted Greece, me as your right hand, Geoff and Naomi of course and that you didn’t care who the model was. And I won’t take it back!”

Then all she heard was the dial tone.

“We’re going to Greece?” Naomi and Geoff suddenly appeared in the doorway bubbling in their excitement.

“I guess we’re going to Greece.” The words fell bitterly from her lips. Greece was one of her dream countries but her experience would be ruined from having to deal with Michael Fitzgerald.

 

[chris2c4u]

Michael waited. It had been hard enough in the car not to give anything away to Catie; she would have phoned Ayanna straight away he had no doubt. No. Wait for her to contact him.

So he did. A day passed; nothing. He had a photoshoot the next day; no voicemail, no E-mail. He could hold out. Catie went to her mother's the following day and Michael decided to give Juliette a call.

"Hey Michael, how are you?"

"I'm pretty good thanks. Wondered if you fancied eating lunch somewhere today?"

They met at the pizza all you can eat lunch buffet; Juliette gave a guilty shrug, "can't resist pigging out now and again." Michael told her that she needn't worry as he eyed her figure. She grinned and began selecting from the buffet.

Michael talked shop, when he was able to casually ask, "has Ayanna mentioned anything about a big commission recently?"

Juliette sucked her fingers clean of pizza slice (a little longer than she needed to) while keeping her gaze on his. As she wiped her fingertips on a napkin she shook her head. "What sort of commission? She works for some pretty big names all the time."

Michael shrugged, "nothing in particular."

"Well Naomi - the hair person? Well she was thick as thieves with Geoff the other day and the pair wouldn't tell me what they were so excited about. They were muttering something about Greece amd villas and such. Maybe that's something to do with it?"

Michael nodded. Greece; it was possible.

After making Juliette 10 minutes late back to work with an interesting lingering "goodbye and let's meet for dinner tomorrow" session in his car, he called Caroline. He watched Juliette's hips sway into the front door of the studio distracting him from the caw of Caroline's voice on the line.

"Hey, Caroline; a favour?"

"Anything darling, anything."

"Can you call the photographer for this Dior shoot? I've been busy and now erm... Catie's got the sniffles so I'm looking after her. Just make sure everything's in hand?"

"Awww poor baby. Hey! Don't you catch anything!" she added quickly, her eyes firmly fixed on her investment.

"Leave it to me," she said, ringing off.

 

[Flurtayshus]

Maya

Maya stood at the front of the ferry chugging its way slowly through the Aegean Sea toward the port. A crisp breeze stroked her light brown skin and she turned her face up to the beautiful sky, breathing in deeply and calming her soul. She had initially questioned Gavin’s decision to send them in by ferry as opposed to flying in to the Santorini airport but now she understood why.

The further they moved up the Caldera, the more beautiful it got. Hundreds of white washed buildings accented with blue domes and other aspects of renaissance architecture decorated the cliff sides and made for a magnificent sight. It all took her breath away.

She felt light and airy, clad in a white short sleeved blouse and a pair of light weight linen pants and sandals. She hadn’t felt this good in a very long time but thanked God for the experience she was having right in that moment.

Maya looked around the deck and seeing that she was still alone started to feel the laughter and happiness bubbling up within her. Her joy at actually being here in her dream country was almost limitless.

The familiar sea sounds of gulls and waves caressed her ears as the ferry finally made it to land and pulled up to dock. As if she were a ghost, Ileani, the local guide that had been hired to work with them while they stayed in Santorini, suddenly appeared at her side; her long luxurious dark hair billowing behind her.

“There should be a private bus waiting for us when we dock.” She consulted a clipboard that was in her shoulder bag. “It will take us straight to Zannos Melathron Hotel. Beautiful accommodations. I’m sure you will be pleased.”

Maya smiled broadly as a local man helped her step down onto the dock. “I’m sure I will.”

Maya, Naomi, Geoff and Ileani boarded the private bus and it began its ascent up the tiny winding roads. The whole time the bus driver, an older man with white gray hair and deeply tanned skin, sang traditional Greek songs in a smooth baritone voice. Maya sat transfixed for most of the trip listening to the old man’s serenade punctuated infrequently by blasts of his horn as he warned cyclists they were too close to the bus.

Suddenly the man turned to look over his shoulder at her winked and sang one particular line directly to her. Naomi and Geoff giggled despite the fact that they didn’t understand a single word of what he was saying.

“What did he say?” Maya asked Ileani who was smiling warmly at the old man.

“He says, he wishes you peace on the island and says you’re destined to find love here.” She nodded with finality at the end of the explanation as if it were exactly what would happen.

Just then her cell phone rang and she excused herself to move several seats up away from the three of them.

“Can you believe this place?” Naomi laughed.

“I knowwwww.” Geoff replied his face plastered to the window, his head bobbing back and forth as if he were watching a tennis game. “Who knew anywhere like this existed.”

“I did.” Maya quipped. “I’m in love with this place.”

“Then it is certain you will find love here as well.” Ileani commented as she returned to their group.

Maya thought that might be stretching it a little but she didn’t say so.

“As it stands the rest of your party has checked into your villa already. They’ll be waiting for you.” Ileani was jotting down notes as if all was well but all was not well.

“Rest of the party?” She, Naomi and Geoff sounded at the same time.

“Yes a gentleman and a young child. I believe a girl.”

“Oh,” Geoff laughed. “You mean they are at the same hotel as us.”

“Well, yes but they are in the same room as well. That’s how the reservations were made.”

Maya sat straight up. “Like hell!”

 

[chris2c4u]

Michael and Patricia, Katie's middle-aged some-time nanny, who'd jumped at the chance of the trip ("ask my husband? Why? I might not bother coming back..."), slept most of the way to the hotel in the new Citroen provided by Dior to ferry them from the airport. Katie didn't mind, she liked the driver and his broken English and the way he described the things they passed. She gazed on the blue waters of the sea as they took increasingly sharp bends. Villages clung to stone, olive groves, goats running across the road, children watching them pass, she let it all sink in.

When they arrived Michael sat up. "You've drooled," Katie said, with a giggle. Pat grinned and wiped his mouth like a baby. Emerging from the air conditioned car into the heat and stretching in the sun Michael was pleased with the hotel, it's white walls gleaming in a sunlight so pure none of them had seen the like before.

Figures emerged to remove the luggage and a young man in shorts and a crisp white cotton shirt emerged from reception. He held a clip board in his olive skinned hand. Pushing up his sunglasses into his hair he held out his hand. "Michael? I'm Pierre from Dior, welcome to the hotel." He descended into small talk long enough for Michael to notice Pat oogling him and even Katie blinking a little at this attractive young man. As he turned to lead the way into reception Michael took the opportunity to banter, "Who's drooling now? Mmm?" The remark was aimed at Pat who smirked; Katie strode off, "not hearing" her father. And following Pierre.

Formalities were dealt with and Pierre explainedd that the party was in one of the suites, which he would now show them. Pat and Katie would share and Michael was shown to an equally big suite. After staring out of the window for some time Katie did a whirlwind impression and arrived on one of the double beds saying, "Da, Da, can we go out - the village it's just down that road and they can't get a car down and there are donkies and Pierre says he'll show us can we go?"

Michael grinned and took her hand. For once the trip had been relaxing and he was ready to explore.

The village was picturesque; now partly catering to the tourists it
still had the feel of a real home for real people and Pierre introduced Katie to some of the local children who were keen to practise their English with her. Michael noticed the beauty of the local women, who in turn lingered to look at this stranger whose face had even made it into the Greek popular magazines.

"Tomorrow," Pierre explained, "there is a local festival. Somewhat for the tourists nowadays buit still, perhaps worth coming to when the rest of your party arrives." Katie's eyes lit up hopefully and then she disappeared into somebody's house with a couple of girls her own age.

Michael spent the next day relaxing, swimming in the pool, wandering around the village. Katie had disappeared to the beach with Pierre and the gang of local boys and girls she had already en-tranced. When he returned to his suite he was surprised to see a chambermaid laying out two sets of towels. He tried to explain he was the only occupant but she said, with excellent English and an incongruous French accent, "no, this is for the lady who arrives today."

Puzzled Michael rang Pierre.

"Ah. Yes, the idea was - I was going to explain later. I'll be back from the beach soon. Speak then." The phone went silent. Not overly worried, Michael made his way to the buffet lunch.

****

"Who?" Michael coughed over his lunch.

"Maya. The photographer? the company thought it would be a good idea for you to share, bounce a few ideas off each other."

"It won't be the only bloody thing that's bouncing," he muttered darkly. "There must be some alternative."

Pierre consulted his clipboard and drew in air through his teeth. "It's all been rather carefully organised..."

"Well can't we just un-organise it? Or is there another room?"

"The hotel's full."

"Another hotel?"

Pierre smiled apologetically. "Insurance has been arranged now. It would be frightfully difficult to change."

Michael stabbed a piece of melon and chewed. He looked at Katie who smiled at her plate.

"Is that amusing ham, is it? Did it tell you a joke?"

She guffawed and shook her head.

He ate; he even went to reception after the meal when they were told that the rest of the party had arrived. Maya stalked into the cool interior and began to discuss - animatedly - with Pierre, whose diplomatic skills were stretched to the full. He did manage to initmate to both photographer and model that it wouldn't be good to let word of dissension get back to Dior, in case of "future contracts." Over this blackmailed truce line both parties glowered and withdrew to their room.

****

Maya. "I want this bed."

Michael. "Well I've been sleeping in it already."

Maya. "So? Does that mean you own it?"

Michael. "Fine you have that bed."

Katie and Pat watched the spats with concealed amusement then Katie hit upon A Plan.

She began to pace. "Stop it, I don't like it," she said to no one in
particular. Michael felt guilty in case it had reminded her of the spilt with her mother. Maya felt gulty for upsetting her.

"I want you both to be friends. And I want to go to the party tonight. In the village. Will you both come?"

She looked at them both with stragegically dewy eyes.

 

[Flurtayshus]

Maya

Maya frowned at the little minx knowing full well they were being manipulated.

“Catie, your father and I need to talk right now. You and I will talk later.” Maya made her point quite clear with one up-drawn eyebrow in Catie’s direction.

Catie nodded meekly and then turned to walk away. Then just as she was turning the corner she stuck her head back around the corner to address her father. “Da, don’t make her mad. You know how you are. I like her and I want her to stay.”

Maya looked at the floor, a smile tugging at her lips. Catie was indeed the littlest firecracker she knew. And the smile broke completely through when she heard Catie’s infectious giggle all the way down the hallway.

“She’s something else isn’t she?” Michael admitted grudgingly a grin curling one half of his mouth making him look boyish and very…very….

“Maya?”

Her eyes snapped up and she realized he’d been speaking to her but for the life of her she couldn’t tell what. She’d just realized that she could see his chest where his shirt collar was unbuttoned and it was completely smooth and hairless. Just how she liked them. Smooth chests photographed the best as well.

She licked her lips and stammered trying to get her thoughts back together. “What?”

“I was just apologizing for the hassle about the bed. I really haven’t slept in it.” His eyes watched her for what seemed like a very long moment and she felt unsettled.

“Right.” She said simply. “Ummm, I think I’m going to go now. Take a walk. Get a feel of the city. Some ideas for the shoot.” She heard herself rambling, abruptly shut up and turned walking quickly out the door.

She was almost home free at the main door when she heard him call out behind her. “Do you mind if I go to? It might help the process if I knew what you were going for. Besides I don’t want to stay here all by my lonesome. Every one else seems to be out doing their own thing.”

Maya felt trapped. She needed some breathing space away from this man whom something about seemed to make her feel out of control at the oddest times. But she couldn’t bring herself to be rude. So she nodded conciliatorily and he actually ran to catch up eagerly is if he were a young boy.

Again she was aware of how much more light hearted this man was than the domineering jackass she’d met at her studio. And despite the initial tiff they’d had for some reason he was being nice. It confused her and she donned a pair of stylish sunglasses so that anything she felt might not be easily read from her face.

Her mother had always told her that the eyes were the windows to the soul, but that her eyes were French doors flung wide open. She took in all the beauty of the world that way and all her emotion came pouring out that way as well. She could be a completely open book.

Maya tossed one more quizzical glance in his direction and then set out at a leisurely pace determined to enjoy herself despite her company.

 

[chris2c4u]

Evening brought some respite from the heat of the day; the people began to fill the narrow streets of the village. The white houses slowly released the heat they had stored during the day as the visitors began to make their way towards the main square.

Some lights had been hung from the trees and stalls set up selling food and drink and souvenirs. Michael looked around as the small group began to seek out different parts of the square. Catie had already struck up a friendship with a raven haired local girl of her age and her nanny was happy to tag along; the girl's father looked like he was wanting to get to know the nanny as well.

Maya strolled around the stalls and Michael watched a local set of musicians putting together a makeshift stage on which they would perform. He asked a very pretty girl what they would play and was delighted when she spoke English and said there would be dancing. Unable to control himself he flirted with her and said he would come back and they would dance. She giggled and rattled off a hundred words to her girl friends who themselves giggled and they went into a huddle then shrieked with laughter.

Michael wandered around the stalls in the opposite direction to Maya until the met half way.

"Nice jewellry," he commented, nodding back at a stall. She said she would have a look and made to move on.

"There's going to be dancing you know," he said nonchalently. She nodded, her attention seemingly taken by the next stall. He looked. or was it the stall holder? Tall, olive skinned, smiling...

"Seen something you like?" he asked with a grin. She sniffed and went to browse.

The music began late; there was an attempt at a speech by the mayor which someone translated as being to do with the local festival. The stallholder translated it for Maya. It was to do with Aphrodite, the goddess of love. "Here, in places where we have lived for thousands of years, the old gods and goddesses still live on. So we respect them. We give them their special days. Our village - is given?"

"Dedicated?" she prompted. He smiled and clicked his fingers and nodded. "Dedicated - to love." He hugged her then as the crowd clapped the speech and the serious business of having fun began.

From somewhere a fireater appeared and entertained before lighting torches to add light; there was a display of dancing from a troupe in a local costume. Gradualy people joined in. A set dance was begun with all the visitors involved Geoff had managed to find a man to dance with and no one seemed to mind; the ribald comments in Greek went over his head and the two of them were probably the most accomplished dancers.

"All those musicals," Maya said to Naomi and they giggled at the stereotype.

Good naturedly they all had a go and most were getting it wrong until finally they managed to complete it to cheers. Maya and Michael were the last to complete their reel among the partners and Catie, Michael noticed, clapped enthusistically when he took her lithe form by the waist and they finished. He grinned again when he noticed she managed a scowl when the stall holder monopolised her again. The wine had begun to take hold of them now; Michael danced wit Catie but she was not amused when he rumpled her hair affectionately. "How many drinks have you had Da?"

He laughed. "Not enough," and waved to her as she grinned at him and ran away to her new friends.

He also managed a dance with the young girl he had spoken to earlier, who was now also a little tipsy. It was odd; here was a pretty young girl in his arms; soft, warm, flirting - but he didn't think of taking it further. At the end of the dance he found himself looking for Maya. Spotting her and making his excuses he began to head her way until the stallholder came up with a refill for her glass.

Michael stopped and swayed and drained his own glass. He smirked to himself at the brilliant joke in his befuddled head. Walking over, he stood grinning foolishly at them both.

"Are you having fun? That's good. Now don't forget Maya, don't you make a noise if I'm asleep in our room when you come back."

Her mouth dropped open as she watched him walk - a little unsteadily - away, chuckling to himself.

"What does he mean this man? You share his bed?" The stallholder was confused...

 

[Flurtayshus]

Maya

Maya’s mouth worked several times before something finally came out. “I do-not-share-his-bed!” Then turning to shout at Michael’s retreating back she repeated herself. “I DON’T SHARE YOUR BED!”

Several people in the near by crowd turned to her with raised eyebrows.

“You bast…” She began but stopped abruptly when she felt a tiny hand slide into hers and looking down she found the smiling face of Catie.

“Would you have me for a dance?” Angelo, the tall young man who owned the stall asked bent at the waist, his face glowing with a charming smile.

Maya couldn’t help herself. She couldn’t think of a better way to spend the rest of this evening and she was just about to tell him so when she felt another tug.

“Mom,” Catie grinned up at her, the smile nearly splitting her face. “You said we could get ice cream.”

For the second time that night Maya’s mouth fell open. Mom?! What?!

A frown began in Angelo’s eyebrows and progressively filled the rest of his face. His lips screwed up into a scowl unlike anything she’d ever seen. The idea of a child was clearly distasteful to him which immediately made him distasteful to her.

“You know what honey, you’re right.” Maya nodded and leaned up so she could speak into Angelo’s ear. “You just lost out.”

With that she walked off with a pat to his chest. They’d only gotten a few feet into the crowd when Catie burst into a fit of giggles.

“That was so cool.” Catie jumped up and down giggling with Adara, her new found friend.

“Traitor!” Maya mumbled under her breath. The whole world was conspiring against her she was certain of it.

“Oh look the games! You come!” Adara beckoned Catie and just like that Catie was gone, leaving Maya standing in the middle of the town square on a cobble stone road, alone in the crowd.

For just a moment a complete and utter sadness swept over her. It was inconceivable that she was standing amidst all these people, what had to be hundreds of them and she felt alone. Tears suddenly burned the back of her eyes and just when she thought she might actually cry here in her dream country she was suddenly swept up into a dance. The momentum was crazy fast and she actually didn’t see the face of the man until the music stopped.

A boy was more appropriate. He was fifteen maybe sixteen at the most. His hair was dark, full of curls and completely unruly and yet it fit him perfectly. His skin was deeply tanned, his teeth as white as the buildings all over the island and he had a boyish grin that could just melt your heart.

His hands came up to hold her shoulders. “My sister, she say, you need a smile.”

A smile immediately spread across her face and Maya could feel herself blush.

“Ah! See, there it is! Is good yes?” He seemed so eager to please her and he really had.
She nodded laughing. “Who is your sister?”

Her turned searching the crowd and then pointed up toward a balcony. “Ileani, you see?”

“Yes I see.” And she did. Ileani was standing up in a balcony smiling demurely and then blew her a kiss.

“She say, don’t give up, on love. You understand?”

Maya laughed out loud taking in all the lights, the people, the laughter. “I understand.”

“I am Aleksei. May I escort you home?” The young man offered her his arm and she took it gladly.

She allowed Aleksei to walk her all the way back to the hotel listening to him animatedly telling stories of his home and the town and the things one could do for fun.

When they finally reached the glass doors to her room Aleksei kissed her fully on the mouth and bid her good night leaving her breathless and a little surprised.

“What a custom.” She murmured to herself and then heard a familiar voice slur drunkenly and a little sleepily.

“Robbing cradles I see.”

 

[chris2c4u]

Michael had walked back with Catie and Patricia; he had to carry his little girl part of the way as she slept in his arms. It had been a good night and with the following day an exploration of locations he didn't worry much about having drunk more than was good for him. A session in the hotel gym and then in the pool or the sea would get him back into shape before photography started in earnest.

The walk had already begun to sober him up somewhat and after he helped put Catie to bed he managed to shower and change himself. He was dozing though when he heard voices outside the glass doors and saw Maya and - someone - not the stall holder. He grinned at the youthful voice and stifled a guffaw as the boy kissed his room mate full on the mouth.

She stood, obviously surprised, for a few moments outside. Then she drew in a deep breath of the flower-perfumed air and came inside.

"Robbing cradles I see," Michael murmured and saw her start with surprise.

She sighed. "You're a silly man you know that don't you?" She began picking up night clothes and heading for the bathroom.

"I know, it's one of my better qualities," he said as she disappeared into the other room.

"Which side of the bed do you want?" he called.

After a tirade he said, "I thought it was only sailors who said those things." He turned on his side and slipped off back to sleep.

****

Morning and breakfast; Michael was rarely affected badly by drink except to wake with a thirst for orange juice. Luckily the buffet suited him and he could indulge in it as much as he liked. He also had fruit and cereal. Catie had already eaten with Patricia and they were planning a day in the hotel and the village; she already wanted to be back with her new friends. "And you'll be wanting to get back with the family I expect?" Michael teased Patricia. She supressed a grin. "Poor man's a widower. He needs some company."
"Of course, a Christian duty," said Michael, stealing a mushroom from her plate.

Geoff appeared dramatically in dark glasses and looking somewhat pale. "Coffee," he croaked, "more coffee."

Maya, stylishly dressed joined them as they sat around the table, now beginning to turn their minds to thoughts of work. Gavin had a list of locations and said that "dishy" Pierre would be accompanying them.

"So, Maya, any ideas yet from the photos of places you've seen?" asked Michael. She nodded, "but nothing definite," she said.

"So no ideas as to what I might wear? Or not?!" He teased and ate his fruit.

"Not just yet," she said, adding nonchalently, "though Greece is full of nudist beaches, maybe we should check one of those out."

A silence fell over the table; Geoff peered at her over the top of his glasses. "Does Pierre have to join in?" Laughter relieved the tension; Michael gave Maya a wink. It should be a fun day, he thought.

 

[Flurtayshus]

Maya

After breakfast they all trooped back to the room, Maya and Geoff gathering up camera equipment, Patricia and Catie gathering up bathing suits and sand pails, Naomi her portable make up and hair kit and Michael just stood in the door way watching it all happen. In fact, much to her discomfort, she found Michael was often watching her as she moved about. Finally, she couldn’t stand it anymore.

“Don’t you have something you need to be doing?” She asked the question coming out more snappish than she’d intended.

Michael looked slightly surprised but recovered quickly. “Well I was awaiting instruction madam. Do you need me to do anything?”

For a moment Maya thought he was being sincere until Geoff guffawed and she caught the smug look on Michael’s face. Her eyes narrowed and even she knew an evil glint had passed through them. She was feeling quite evil toward him at that very moment and was very obviously going to have to put this arrogant man in his place.

“Ooooh shit, you are in trouble.” Geoff murmured as he passed Michael who laughed and attempted to cover it up lamely by coughing.

“Help Geoff.” She ordered evenly belying the irritation she actually felt while slipping out of the sandals she’d had on earlier and pulling on a pair of socks and Nike tennis shoes. She checked her appearance in the mirror and decided that her khaki’s and orange v-neck fitted tee were very complimentary to her skin tone and was going to be comfortable enough to shoot in.

“You like your job don’t you?” Maya asked Geoff as she strolled out the door, down the hall way and out to the main court. She didn’t really mean the threat but the point was that Geoff only half knew it.

“Look there’s…” Maya only heard Catie’s voice for two seconds before she felt two hands clasp either side of her face and she was being kissed full on the lips.

“Hello!” Came the boisterous hello of Aleksei.

“Aleksei!” Ileani swatted her younger brother on the behind with her clipboard. “Don’t be rude.”

“Is not rude. She like, Ok?” Aleksei boasted in the young bravado of a sixteen year old.

Did she like? Maya wasn't sure. She knew she probably shouldn't seeing as he was a kid but the fact was in a few years he would be one sexy little thing. In fact before she left Greece she was going to photograph Aleksei. He might just be the next hot thing. Literally.

“Forgive my brother,” Ileani wrapped an arm around the shoulders of the tall young boy and shook him reproachfully. “Sometimes he’s such a boy.”

Ileani said “such a boy” like it explained everything. And boy did it ever apply to some of the male species that she knew.

“I see your boyfriend is back.” Michael growled in a low voice that could barely be heard.

The sardonic quip came from directly behind her and Maya didn’t even turn to acknowledge him, however she did comment. “Jealous?”

“Good news.” Ileani tossed her glossy bush of hair over her shoulder and smiled at everyone in the open way she had about her. “Aleksei has the perfect place for your photos.”

“Ohhh grreeat. The boyfriend is going to run this thing.” Michael murmured moving up beside Maya, both his hands shoved into the pockets of his shorts.

Hearing this Maya smiled as brightly as she possibly could. “Wonderful. I’m sure it will be great. Lead the way.”

 

[chris2c4u]

The drive around the island was very scenic. The hills looking down on the beach. The beach looking up at the hills. Villages that were tucked away in the hinterland.

Occasionally they stopped and everyone would get out of the minibus; Maya would look around, going off by herself, peering out to see or studying some rocks. It seemed the perfect place for the pictures wasn't so ideal after all, or so Michael thought.

Michael asked Geoff what was happening. "You didn't know? It's the way She works. Out of the studio, something has to Inspire her." He patted Michael's chest consolingly. "You'll get used to her."

The next stop was a stream, barely trickling in the summer heat. As Maya wandered away he followed, not quite catching up until she stopped and poked a toe into the stream. "Now, look, sure you've contaminated the water supply for the whole island with that grubby foot of yours."

She jumped, surprised to be interrupted; her crew knew better. She turned and then bit back a brusque response as she caught sight of his grin and returned the smile almost automatically. She shrugged. "Will thousands die?"

He walked up and looked out over the sea, mimicking her posture, sticking his hands in his pockets. "Almost certainly, And probably a fish or two."

She nodded. "Anything we can do?"

"I doubt it. Doomsday machine," he said, the obscure reference to Dr. Strangelove emphasised by his impression of Peter Sellers rising from his wheelchair at the end of the film. She giggled, covering her mouth. They found a common love of film and spent several minutes discussing it and planning more talks later before she went back to musing.

"This is an odd way of working isn't it?" Michael asked. She turned, arching a quizzical eyebrow.

"I thought you'd know where you were going to shoot? And your boyfriend's suggestion?"

She shrugged. "It's not all so easy to plan," she excused herself, "and lover boy isn't a photographer," she rolled her eyes at the young man's suggestion.

"Look, I don't want to complain..." he glanced at her expecting some acidic remark, "but my job for what it's worth is to look presentable in these pictures and that's not easy while I'm waiting for the muse to strike, you know."

She bit her bottom lip and muttered, "fine," and stalked back towards the bus. He raised his arms behind her back and let them fall to his side, following her retreating form.

****

The rest of the day was spent in the same manner; occasionally he would still follow her, pointing out what seemed to be perfectly good locations which she ignored.

"You're doing this on purpose now aren't you?" he said, finally
frustrated. She didn't bother to explain but just told him to go away. On the next excusion he didn't bother getting out of the bus until the heat crept up to such an extent that he sat at the open door and picked at a stem of grass he had plucked fromthe ground. He wasn't aware of her shooting his picture until she had taken several of them.

****

The hotel was a welcome sight and everyone sighed to feel the cool air conditioning and retreated quickly to take showers and change. The restaurant was busy and convivial with most of the crew there - though Michael had ordered room service. Naomi pointed out to Maya that she might like to go and see what was eating their star; while half joking she had noticed the tension during the day and the whole crew knew that something needed fixing before it got any worse.

Michael was watching Greek television in the dark when she went into the room. His empty plate on the meal tray was still there and he was on his way to finishing a bottle of wine.

"Any for me?" she asked, nodding to the bottle.

"Sure," he said, "have to grab a glass from the bathroom though."

She disappeared a while in the bedroom and returned wearing pyjamas and poured herself a drink. She laughed when she noticed he was watching a Jimmy Stewart western dubbed into Greek. She sat on his bed and they made up dialogue as it went along.

"No, no, see now that was when I was in Washington Mr Sioux."

"You cannot treat my horse that way, he's smarter than your damn uncle."

They were giggling, laughing, sitting close.

The sudden realisation of their nearness made them go quiet for a while before they slowly started to talk after the film. They didn't bother putting a light on, just chatted about their lives. Michael's break up with his wife, how it had affected his daughter figured largely, showing Maya how much he cared for Catie; she wanted to reach out, to touch him as he hinted at dark days in the recent past that he hid with his easy going persona.

Why Greece, he asked. She explained the goings on Geoff had engineered but how much the place meant to her. He wondered a little bit about why it was so important, wondered if there was something she was keeping back and he too was grateful for the glimpse into her life and suppressed the desire to reach for her.

Not even a goodnight kiss, just awkward expressions of tiredness as she retreated to her bed. A few jokes about the film, even about the day made them feel easier - at least a little. Still they lay, each of them awake, not speaking, trying to make sense of the odd relationship they were sharing, the way their pasts intersected across Catie, his wife, photography. Sleep came eventually, fitfully for them both.

 

[Flurtayshus]

Maya

Maya was up at the crack of dawn, decked out in t-shirt, jeans and sneakers because today was going to be a work day. The clock had just struck seven when Maya found herself sitting in the floor of the living room elbow deep in the “music box”. She always used music when she was on photo shoots. It did a lot to set the mood and eliminated a lot of talk which could easily disrupt a photo session. She’d chosen a stack of about twenty c.d.’s when she heard the soft clicking of a hard heel coming down the hall way.

Thinking it was Ileani coming to check on the itinerary for the day, Maya craned her neck around the side of the couch but from her vantage point all she could see were a pair of bubble gum pink Gucci loafers and in those, a pair of pink and white argyle socks. Maya closed her eyes and shook her head, holding back the laughter. There was only one person in the world who would wear a pair of pink loafers despite their brand name. Gavin.

“Thas’ right girrrl.” Gavin sashayed around the corner complete with matching pink Gucci shoulder bag. “I know you didn’t think I was going to let you all have all the fun.”

He leaned down and double kissed her on each cheek. When he stood up she got a good look at the rest of his ensemble. There was a pink safari type shirt with epaulettes on the shoulders and a pair of white khakis rolled up at the hem to display the socks.

Gavin caught her sizing him up and did a pirouette. “You like?” He inquired clearly proud of himself.

Maya couldn’t help it, if anything Gavin always added spice to life where ever he went.

“Go ahead admit it. You are glad to see me.” Gavin preened his faux hawk that currently had a couple spikes of hair tinted pink.

“I am glad to see you.” She laughed.

“Maya who are you talking…” Naomi began as she came around the corner and then she erupted in shrieks. “Shut up!! Gavin!!”

The two ran at each other as if they hadn’t just seen each other less than a week ago. All their screeching was enough to bring Geoff in from where he’d been lounging in robe and pajamas on the patio watching the sun rise. The raucous reunion held his attention less than a second, it was Maya digging through the cd’s that caught his attention.

“We’re gonna work today?” He grinned waiting for the nod.

Maya looked up and found both Naomi and Gavin watching her which made her smile. She’d woken up with a supreme sense of calm knowing exactly when and where they would be shooting today. She’d envisioned several of the spots they’d gone to yesterday and had mentally chosen three spots for three times of the day to get the best light.

“You bet your ass we’re gonna work today.” She replied.
“I knew it!” Geoff went shuffling down the hall in his house shoes and nearly fell as he turned the corner. “Finally!!”

“Thank God.” Naomi giggled and ran over dropping at her side to see what mood they were going for today.

Out of the corner of her eye she saw Naomi’s eyebrow lift when she spotted the Yanni c.d.’s.

“Look at track one on Live at the Acropolis.” Maya instructed her.

“Santorini.” She read out loud. “How perfect.”

“I know and wait until you hear them.”

“Yanni’s music is so tired.” Gavin whined. “But his long hair is fierce.”

Geoff came back into the room half dressed in his excitement, carrying gear. He then proceeded to check and double check lenses, filters, remote releases and reflectors.

“Oh and Naomi,” Maya tossed out casually. “You’ll need to bring a lot of body make-up today.”

If they’d all been in a movie, now was the moment when the record playing came to a screeching silent halt. All those around her froze and it took all she had not to burst into fits of laughter.

“You say what now?!” Gavin paused placing his hand above his heart as if he might faint.

“Lots of body make-up?” Naomi’s grin spread into the lewdest smile Maya had ever seen on her. “You mean….?”

“Do I hear naked male model?!” Gavin nearly shrieked as the inner diva came out full force.

Maya spoke in her best grown up voice. “Yes Gavin, today’s shoot will involve some nude photography.”

Gavin jumped up bent at the waist both hands on his knees. “Mr. Fabulous is going to be butt booty ball nekkid!!!”

Gavin snatched the scarf tied around his neck off and began fanning himself as he fell onto the couch but just as quickly he sat back up full of animation. “Does he know yet?”

Maya smiled gleefully at the thought. “Actually he does not.”

“Ooooooooh! Can I tell him?!” The lust was fairly oozing from Gavin.

“Who knew Mike was your type?” Maya teased.
“Mike? He’s Mike now?” Naomi teased her in turn.

“Girl any man with no clothes on IS my type. Stop trying to avoid the question.” Gavin pressed

“You can tell him if you like.” Maya wasn’t sure what to expect but she soon saw.

Gavin dove like the fairy he was across the couch and grabbed the phone dialing pretentiously two rooms down the hall where Michael and Catie were still sleeping.

“Michael, Gavin here. Listen sweetie. I hope you’ve had all your naughty bits waxed lately cause if you haven’t its gonna showwwwwww.”

Maya and Naomi laughed hysterically in the back ground meanwhile Geoff only rolled his eyes apparently sympathizing with Michael.

 

[chris2c4u]

“Michael, Gavin here. Listen sweetie. I hope you’ve had all your naughty bits waxed lately cause if you haven’t its gonna showwwwwww.”

"Gavin?" He sat up and rubbed his eyes trying to think who Gavin was and then what he was talking about. "So, we're actually going to shoot some pictures?"
Gavin giggled, "the best sort too."

Michael smiled to himself, shook his head and put down the phone. He looked over and saw Catie was asleep on Maya's bed; she'd wandered in wide awake at 5 but soon curled up with Maya and went back to sleep. Michael called Patricia to let her know Catie was with him and explained that he was going to be working that day and it would probably be best if Catie was to go into the village - or at least not come on the shoot. Patricia laughed as he explained what he thought was likely and said she hoped he would autograph some of the pictures for her.

He showered and preened himself ready for the day, knowing that it might be a long one. He even put on some of the product, Libertine. It had a nice fragrance to it - and since he had a year's free supply, he noticed somewhere in the small print of the contract, he thought today would be as good as any to give it a run out.

Catching sight of himself in the mirror Gavin's words came back, "naughty bits waxed..." He grinned to himself and decided that if not wax, maybe a little pruning was in order. It wouldn't appear on camera but ...he did wonder for whose benefit he was doing it and was honest enough to admit that really was his own vanity that made him think that this would somehow ensure his attractiveness. He grinned to himself again as he put on loose cotton clothing.

Michael went to the breakfast buffet to be followed closely by Gavin. For a moment he wondered if that had been entirely coincidental, him emerging from the lift as Gavin strode down the stares in some odd pink mismatching concoction. The advice Gavin offered on what to eat Michael let wash over him and managed to control the mixture of raging flirting, lust and hope by talking about Gavin's work. Though this stopped the attempts at luring him into a fling with Gavin, it did set up hostages to fortune.

The best Michael could do was to suggest his heterosexuality by saying
how attractive Maya was. And she was; of course she was. But, belatedly, he wondered what Gavin would make of...
"yes, she's a fun person to be around."
"Of course I noticed how sexy she is; any red blooded male would."
"Hey, this is only our first night sharing a bedroom, who knows?"

It fended Gavin off and slowly the other members of the crew arrived. Including Maya. It was the legacy of the discussion with Gavin; perhaps the need to reinforce in Gavin's mind that Michael was absolutely, 100% hetero. That he got up...smiled broadly...kissed her on the cheek.

"Like some coffee? I understand we're off to work today?"

She blinked, bemused and looked at the table of her friends who were all busily chewing food and eyeing one another, avoiding her eyes, trying not to laugh.

She was still struck dumb when Michael returned with coffee and a plate; he felt he had to push the latter into her hands before she started to recover the use of her limbs and selected breakfast.

By the time she had made her choice she sat beside him and spoke in a low voice, "you got Gavin's message?"

Michael grinned, "oh I have got several messages from Gavin but I think we have an understanding now. Look but not touch. You mean the possible nudes?"
She nodded.

"I always knew Dior Europe might like that sort of tasteful erotic stuff. Gets the ladies going for the Christmas marketing splurge." He nibbled a bit of melon and sucked it into his mouth, juice trickling down his chin that he caught on his fingers and licked. "I guess we take trunks for the shots destined for US mags? Heaven forbid people get naked."

He laughed. He had learned his lesson; he didn't ask about her ideas - slowly he was learning to trust her intuition. She had a big reputation and secretly he was pleased to be working with her; she could be Catie's college fund with any luck. If she had been so successful, it wasn't up to him to say her methods didn't work.

"OK, ready when you are, maestro," he grinned at her.

 

[Flurtayshus]

Maya

“How in God’s name did you see this spot from the road?” Geoff was close to cursing as they climbed down the steep embankment everyone helping with the load of camera equipment.

A little after breakfast Maya had double checked that they had everything they needed and had Ileani arrange with hotel staff to bring a lunch to the site later because their destination was secluded to say the least.

“What can I say,” Maya called back over her shoulder. “I just have an eye for these things.”

“Is truly amazing, yes.” Ileani whose never ending optimism had her bubbling with laughter. “I don’t think we even knew this was here.”

When the ground finally leveled off Maya took a deep breath and breathed the life of this beautiful place into her lungs. At the bottom of a rocky outcrop the ground suddenly became grassy patch of land that led down to an underground chapel that she’d read about once.

The body of the church was carved entirely out of the rock, had a sand floor the whole way through and natural holes in the rocks ceiling creating sunroofs that allowed ethereal shafts of light to pour down into the cavity in alternating pockets of white light and deep deep shadow. It was with this light that Maya intended to paint her first picture for the ad.

“I’ll never doubt you again.” Michael shuffled to a stop beside her and smiled.

Maya spared him a brief glance and then looked back out to the sea. “You doubted me?”

“No.” He explained quietly raking a hand through the salt and pepper streaked hair. “I just had no idea the extent of your creative vision. I’m honored to be working with you.”

Maya looked at him surprised. Before she could reply he smiled at her kindly and walked off toward the tent being set up for his discrete change into nothing.

She watched him as he went and a silent shudder went through her when he crossed his arms and slid his shirt up and over his head. Maya found herself fixated by the sculpted muscles of his back moving sensuously in the shimmery muted light.

“You are so going to have his babies.” Naomi, whom Maya hadn’t noticed approaching, now stood at her right and gawked. “He wants you.”

Maya finally came to herself. “What? He does not.” She said the words but almost hoped Naomi would dispute it, for what reason she wasn’t quite sure yet.

“He most certainly does.” Naomi set her sunglasses up on her head to hold back her thick blonde hair.

“You say that like it’s a fact.” Maya headed toward the tarp the gear was being laid out on. “How can you know something like that?”

Naomi’s reply was simple. “Catie told us.”

 

[chris2c4u]

The landscape here was amazing, Michael thought as he scrambled down the path after Maya. The rock underfoot was a red, crumbly sandstone; in places it stood out in stark contrast to the blue of sea and sky.

Here too the work of people, the work of nature, flowed together until it became difficult to see which was which. The ancient chapel - carved from the Earth or being given birth to by the land? He stood in its peaceful interior with Maya; motes of dust danced in the shafts of light that flowed down from the roof. Wall paintings of a Madonna and Child, of a cross, adorned the eastern part of the church.

He wondered where she had planned the shoot but was confident now it was
going to be one of his best.

They walked back into the pure light and he moved to the area where he would change. Michael saw Gavin and, smiling to himself, pulled off his shirt before he got there. Give him a bit of a treat. It didn't take long for him to strip off and he enjoyed the feel of the breeze on his skin, the sun on his back before he put a straw hat, a light robe and sandals and wandered out to Maya.

Naomi looked a little nervous as she searched the few items of wardrobe
that she'd had to bring. She smiled at Michael.

"Any idea what the plan is?" he asked.

"Not sure - she's certainly got this nature theme on her mind. It's so nice you too are getting along so well now," she prompted, hoping to hear more of his desires for the photographer.

Michael nodded absently.

In a conspiratorial way she stood close. "You know, she wouldn't mind if you asked her out while we're here. She loves romantic dinners." Naomi winked.

Michael frowned in surprise. "Well, good," he said, "I'll bear that in mind - but we're just professionals. Get the job done."

Naomi winked and patted his arm. "I know, but you shouldn't let that stand in the way now. You go for what you really want." She beamed at him.

Confused, Michael walked on - looked behind at Naomi again, shook his head a little and walked on again towards Maya.

 

[Flurtayshus]

Maya

Maya paced around the site for a few moments and then called Michael into the tunneled archway. Taking his hand she led him down into the light where she wanted him positioned and then walked back to the main arch.

Standing in the shadows, she silently held out her hand, palm up in the light and felt the solid weight of her camera placed there, Geoff right where she knew he’d be. She lifted the digital s.l.r. to her chest and watched him, for so long in fact that he finally grew uncomfortable.

“So are we going to do this or what?” He shifted from one foot to the other and repeatedly tied and untied the sash for his robe.

Maya let him stew a little longer and then brought the camera up and snapped off a few shots. Her intent was to meter the light levels and test the quality of image she’d get but it just served to unnerve him further.

“Hey,” He began. “What are you doing? Do you want the robe off or not? I didn’t just stand out there for thirty minutes getting body make-up for nothing.”

Maya brought the camera down and stared him in the face for a straight thirty seconds and then took several strides toward him. When she was less than a yard from him she spoke clearly and quietly. “When you decide that you are ready to be the model and not the photographer, give me a call.”

With that, she turned on her heel and was on her way back out of the tunnel.

“Wait!” Michael called. “Wait, I’m sorry.”

She didn’t hear his approach but did catch the movement out of the corner of her eye. She barely broke her stride.

“Ballocks! Listen, I apologize ok?” He clasped his hands in front of her in a pleading gesture. “I didn’t mean to offend you. You just have a…a…”

“He’s bombing.” The whispered female voice came from a bush that sat flush against the stone of an arch.

Glancing quickly in that direction, she saw two sets of feet peeking out from beneath the bush.

“A unique style I’m not used to.” Came the overly dramatic stage whisper of a male.

Maya narrowed her eyes at that. Were they trying to help him? Help this man who could run so hot and cold.

“You have a unique style I’m not used to…but I’m trying.” Michael added to his saviors comments.

“I just need some more direction.” The male voice in the bush continued.

“Right,” Michael agreed fervently. “If you wouldn’t mind just filling me in I wouldn’t feel so …”

“Aimless, like a ship at sea.”

Even Michael stopped and turned to look at that one; a distasteful frown creasing his bronze features.

“Too much?” The voice seemed to ask his foliage hidden counterpart.

Maya rolled her eyes heavenward. She had had enough. “Gavin!”

“Yes.” Came the weak reply.

“Shut it!” Maya ordered.

And just like that the two pairs of feet disappeared.

Staring at the alabaster sand, Maya tried to gather her thoughts in such a manner as to explain them to Michael. “When I picture a photo spread, I see in my minds eye sequential pictures replay as if on a reel. I then proceed to try to imitate my imagination in real life and I know immediately if I’ve gotten it right as soon as the shutter closes.”

Michael had moved a bit and the light was falling just right across his face so that his eyes looked like they were glowing. On impulse she brought the camera up, zoomed in for a very tight macro shot and snapped a seamless photo of those eyes.

He seemed startled and she sought to soothe him. “You see…the doubt is in your eyes right now. I need you to…to …”

“Open yourself to my experience and follow my lead.” Gavin’s whispered advice was coming from a different direction now but it was still coming.

Maya whirled around and fought a strong urge to choke him but then reconsidered.

Turning back she nodded her head in the direction of the faceless voice, “What he said, that's what I need.”

 

[chris2c4u]

Michael waited for a few moments and then nodded. "Like I said, you need to give direction." The remark came out too cold; they trudged back to the site, back to the archway.

They were alone in a silence like the confesssional after some particularly exotic sin had been exposed to the scrutiny of God. Then, perhaps the years of contrition, of forgiveness of the lives and loves of ordinary families who had lived and worshipped and died here, fell out of the history the were steeping themselves in. Strange; this guiding touch from the widom of past lives nudged their minds into harmony. Their eyes met and there was no direction from her, there seemed no opening to experience from him. Yet there was both.

There was no instruction, there was no one else there to disturb the electricity of their glances at one another. He removed the robe, leaned his bronzed arm against the powdery red sandstone of the archaic doorway and they began.

Then they knew they must move deeper into the chamber in the rock; with a glance she pointed out, further in, the place where beams of light were crossing, where motes floated. He stood, chiselled, naked, cross-armed and open legged in the focus of the beams. In a few short weeks, suitably defocussed in important regions, the picture of his sultry looks in that magical intersecting light would grace billboards from LA to Lyon.

For an hour they chased the fragile light as the sun's course directed them. From close ups of beads of sweat beginning their trickles down his neck and chest to shots of his rear as he walked away from her, they explored all the location offered.

She lowered her camera and they both seemed to be breathing more deeply as if they had been exercising. "The sea," she murmured.

He raised a quizzical eyebrow. "I want to shoot you in the sea. Now."

He smiled and nodded, pulling the robe on and sandals; without thinking he took her hand as they were heading out and they jogged across the grass seeking the narrow path down to the shimmering whiteness of the beach like eager friends.

The seabirds wheeled and added their excited babble to the suddenly speeded up pace. The beach here seemed deserted; other members of the crew gathered on top of the small cliff they had decended. Michael grinned as he walked backwards towards the blue and white surf, discarding his robe and sandals. Gavin grabbed a pair of binoculars which were unfortunately still hung around Naomi's neck; the woman was pulled sideways with some force. Michael laughed and Maya fired off a string of shots, following him into the surf as he played, as he lay down on the sand and rolled the white powder into his bronze skin then let the water lick it off him.

She stood over him, the camera now a part of her body, never leaving her eyes. He leaned back on his elbows as the wave washed over him leaving his torso glistening, his eyes on her body then meeting the lens. He winked, as she knew he would, as he knew she wanted him too as she took the final picture that day.

The camera was stowed and he stood up beside her as the water washed around their ankles. He grinned. She grinned. Moving closer his lips brushed her cheek. "Good job photographer."

"Good job model," she said back, the sea breeze catching her words, words
spoken to his face so close to hers. He took her face in his hands and they kissed; he felt her stood, arms dangling in - shock - surprise - for a few moments.

As he let her go he winked again and from the clifftop a cheer and clapping was brought to them on the breeze.

"Dinner? I'm famished," he said.

 

[Flurtayshus]

Mya

Mya watched Michael as he strode confidently up the beach and tried to gather her thoughts. Holy Bejesus, what had gotten into them? Had he just kissed her? Surely it was a heat of the moment thing.

“Hey Mya!” Gavin hollered down to where she was. “The bus is here, let’s get this show on the road.”

A slow smile spread across her lips as she came around the rock embankment intent on the climb back up to the rocky outcrop where everyone else was. She was so caught up in her thoughts that she literally ran into him.

“Careful.” He murmured watching her, a playful light in his eyes.

“Sorry,” She apologized feeling stupid all at once. “I ..i thought you were gone.”

“I am.” And just like that his lips were on hers again, this time more focused but equally gentle.

This time when he pulled away, his lips stayed close to hers whispering, “This could get messy.”

“I’d say it already is.” Mya whispered back, a shiver running down her spine as his thumb caressed her jaw line.

“I don’t mind if you don’t.” Michael’s lips just brushed hers, his tongue snaking out to caress her bottom lip.

Mya heard herself whimper, giving in to the insistent hand at her back pressing their bodies together.

“Hey you guys the bus is he--,” Naomi’s call was cut off mid sentence when she saw them kissing. “Holllllyyyyy…”

Mya jerked back and caught Naomi’s quick retreat out of the corner of her eye. It would have been comical if his lips hadn’t found her throat.

“Oh God.” Mya gasped feeling reality slip away and then snapping back. She pushed away from him. “I can’t. Oh my God I can’t.”

She slung her camera bag up and over her shoulder and ran up the hill. Once on the bus she went straight to the back and pulled Naomi in next to her and pulled Gavin into the seat in front of her so that she would be protected from him.

A few seconds later he stepped up onto the bus and paused searching the seats until he found her. His hair was wet and lying in curly tendrils around his face, framing his eyes which seemed to pierce her and then he swung into one of the front seats giving her his back.

Once back at the villa Michael got off the bus immediately while in contrast, Mya stayed seated the entire time everything was being unloaded. Twenty minutes later Naomi stepped back onto the empty bus.

“You can’t hide in here forever you know.”

“Who says I’m hiding.” She knew she was hiding and felt that much more a coward.

“I do.” Naomi held out her hand to her. “And I say it ends right now. Come on. Inside.”

“But,” She began.

“Now! You face him now.” Naomi jerked her up and out of the seat and off the bus.

When they reached the room Naomi shoved her inside and shut the door behind her.

Mya found herself face to face with a naked Michael. Except this time it was different than on the beach. She didn’t have her camera to put distance between them. She wasn’t safe. He was all there, all man and in that instance, she decided, all hers.

She reached out a hand and laid it on his chest but he didn’t respond. She stepped closer to him her eyes cast down. She didn’t quite have the courage to look him in the eye but she knew his eyes were boring into her. Shaking she leaned in and tentatively kissed his throat. He was so bronze, so smooth and the muscles seemed to ripple even when he was completely motionless.

Mya closed her eyes and waited breathlessly. “I’m sorry. I got scared.”

 

[chris2c4u]

They stood close. Her eyes on a patch of his skin on his chest caught the glint of salt and she remembered the waves against them as she photographed him.Her kiss to his throat tasted his muskiness and she stopped her lips hovering over the flesh.

Now, he could feel her, placing her hand on his chest tentatively as he stood close as slowly his arms went around her body, softly running across her clothes as he drew her in to a kiss. Not as deep as the one they shared on the beach, their lips just touching but both knew it would deepen that evening, that it would spread across both their bodies, exploring, tasting...

"I’m sorry. I got scared." The words, the explanation for her behaviour after their kiss, he swallowed with his lips on hers and she seemed happy not to speak for a while but let her hands roam the muscles of his back as, unresisting she let him loosen her clothes. She still felt a tingle the first time he slid his fingers under the tee shirt, pushing the fabric up. His fingerstips ran across her ribs, up and down each one until they rested against the beginning soft swell of her breasts.

Eyes on eyes, she lifted her arms and he pulled the shirt up over her head and discarded it at their feet. Again they kissed this time her arms around his neck, their eyes closed. He sighed feeling the soft warmth of her body, the softness of her breasts contrasted with the hardening of her nipples. He ran his hands around her, eager to feel every part of her, running his hands against her back.

Again they stood apart a little this time smiling at one another. He grinned as she let her gaze drift over his body, to his stomach, his hips to his engorging sex. She enjoyed the idea of turning him on and let her hands slip to her jeans with a wiggle of her hips as she began to undo them. He smiled his crooked smile and put his own hands on her hips and did a little dance with her and they both laughed with each other, kissed again and the jeans fell at her feet. With a grin he lifted her out of them and she slid her arms around his neck as they kissed and he laid her on the bed and them lay himself beside her.

For long moments that grew longer they aroused each other with touches to face, neck, chest, breasts until emboldened by their increasing desires their hands slid over thin panties in his case, his aroused sex in hers.

He let his mouth slip from hers, slide down her throat, across her collar bone. With a determined and hungry feel he sought out her breasts and kissed them softly then eagerly before she moaned and moved to feed her hard nipple into his mouth. He suckled her, deep and hard, feeling her back arch as his hand slid down her belly to rest between her legs against the thin panties...

 

[Flurtayshus]

Mya

She had never had anyone come at her so intensely. Amazingly he seemed intent on devouring her and she loved every minute. If she didn’t know any better, she’d have said he’d been waiting a long time to do this. To her.

A tiny scream welled up in her throat as Mya felt Michael slide two fingers gently inside her. The combination of his suckling her breast and his stroking her insides as well as her clit was too much. Slim brown thighs wrapped around his muscular lower back and she gave into the orgasm that had rushed upon her.

Words with which to thank him came bubbling forth along with the euphoria, but there seemed to be a disconnect between her brain and her mouth; every time she opened it, nonsense seemed to come out. She found herself stuttering and mewling as if she were drunk.

Michael’s head snapped up at one point and through half closed eyes she could see him smiling at her. “What did you just say?”

“Hmmmm?,” It was the most coherent thing she could come up with in that very moment as she absentmindedly ran her fingers through his hair.

“Something about boy toys, whips and chains and… bunnies?” He chuckled against her belly, placing a kiss directly on her belly button.

A few more moments of silence allowed some rational thought to creep back and when it did she responded, “You expect me to be able to think after…THAT.”

“It was nice, wasn’t it?” The gloat in his voice made her laugh.

Mya nodded her agreement to both his statement and to his kissing his way back up her body. She turned her head as he reached her throat to allow him more access.

“There’s more where that came from you know.” He murmured beginning a delicate dance around the curves of her throat.

“I’ll just…” Just then Mya opened her eyes and saw a shadow pass by one of the glass doors that led out onto the back patio. “What was that?!”

Michael lifted himself up. “What was what?”

Mya scrambled out from underneath Michael and grabbed a sheet to cover her breasts just as a blinding strobe went off. “Oh my god.”

“What the hell!” Michael shouted launching himself off the mattress and running for the patio door.

“Clothes!,” Mya shouted warning him he was naked. “Put on some clothes!”

He stopped mid-stride and grabbed the damp shorts he’d had on earlier. Shucking them on, he awkwardly stumbled toward the door as the strobe flashed four more times in quick succession.

Suddenly she knew exactly what it was; the flash on a high-powered camera. Mya scrambled to her feet yanking her clothes on as she ran toward the patio.

“Michael, did you catch him?!” She shouted out the open doorway and nearly collided with Michael who was coming back.

“He’s gone.” Michael shook his head in disbelief. “Goddamned stalkerazzi! They never leave you alone.”

“They took pictures of me?!!” She wasn’t sure why this surprised her but it did. She guessed it was because she wasn’t used to being on that side of the camera. “I don’t understand. There’s nothing special about me. I’m just a photographer.”

Michael cleared his throat almost comically. “Uh…you weren’t the only one here, in case you hadn’t noticed.”

She looked at him. At first she thought he was being sarcastic but the truth of it hit her. “OH!” She sighed with relief. “It was you they were after. Well thank god. For a minute there I was wondering what I’d done to make them want to photograph me. I don’t want any part of the life you have to lead. That’s why I chose a job behind the camera, not in front of it.”

 

[chris2c4u]

Michael knew it was hopeless in the dark around the hotel. He thought he glimpsed a figure runnijg for the drive but the lead he had was too great - especially with no shoes on Michael's feet.

"Michael, did you catch him?!” He almost ran into Mya and shook his head.

“Goddamned stalkerazzi! They never leave you alone.” He sighed and made a
mental note to call Caroline to do some firefighting; you never could tell with these things.

Michael grinned to himself as he saw Mya trying to make sense of it. Why her? "I’m just a photographer." He shook his head and almost laughed as she seemed suddenly relieved it was probably him they were after. He let her have her comforting belief for a while, not telling her yet that it might have knock on effects on her business; photographer who slept with her models... Wait and see what happened - maybe the pictures would be too blurred. Maybe.

He drew the drapes and they went back to bed as no one else seemed to have been awakened by the event.

****

The following morning they told the rest of the team what had happened and Micahel made his call to Caroline, who chortled to herself and then sighed dramatically. "Oh, sweety, is this going to be another Celine Incident?"

"Celine was another model," Michael walked further away from the breakfast table where the matter was still being discussed, "We know the risks - or whatever and the publicity didn't do us any harm.This is Mya, she doesn't deserve her business screwing up."

Caroline couldn't help laughing, "bit too late to think of not screwing her now deary..." and Michael sighed.

"Look, see what you can do? Damage limitation?"

Turning around to go back he saw Catie stood behind him and he stopped and held his hands out, palms up. "What's that face for?" She looked worried.

"I didn't get Mya into trouble did I?"

"You?"

She nodded. "Getting you two together?"

He supressed a grin from the worried 10 year old matchmaker. "No, you didn't. You did a good job." He gave her a hug and they rejoined the group still discussing what had happened but with less animation and concern.

"Well, I haven't time for this," said Mya, "I need to print some pictures and see if we've more work to do." She stood up and smiled at Michael. "Don't go too far," she whispered to him, "I might need to get you naked again...for more pictures." and headed for her room to set up her equipment to look at the digital images. He smiled and joined the others to see what the plans were for a day or two off.

****

It was later that day that Pierre, crisp linen suit, ubiquitous clipboard, found Mya in the hotel bar, reading.

"Ahhh I just had a call from Paris. Teensy problem. It seems that a New York tabloid on its fashion pages printed this...suitably airbrushed but it does catch you in a rather compromising position with our model."

She looked at the headline.

MIKE FITZGERALD BEDS PHOTOGRAPHER!

She didn't bother reading on but looked at Pierre. "Isn't this what we expected?"

His serene smile seemed a little more fixed than usual. "Well, the advertising managers are meeting tomorrow to see whether we use this shoot or not...I'm sure it will be fine..."

Her eyes widened as she started to realise what the impact of this could be. She sat down and held her head in her hands and so didn't notice Michael arrive.

"Is there a problem?" he asked, calmly ordering himself a glass of orange.

"Problem? Problem?" she looked up and Pierre explained. Michael sipped his drink and smiled as the tale was told; Mya could hardly believe the coldness of him. He was going to just let her hang out to dry. She drew in a breath through flared nostrils but he turned to her and smiled.

"It's not a problem. We'll just have to tell everyone earlier than we had hoped." He reached over and took her hand then looked at Pierre. "You see, they only want scandal - but it's hardly that. You see, Mya and I are engaged."

 

[Flurtayshus]

Maya

Maya was seated on a lounge chair, her legs straddling either side immodestly, her elbows resting on each thigh as her hands cradled her face. She could not believe she had gotten herself into this mess. It was ridiculous. Completley ludicrous and yet it didn't change the facts.

Dior was threatening to pull out of their deal. Her picture, naked and entwined with Michaels was plastered on the front cover of a tabloid and Michael, shit that he was, was telling everyone they were engaged.

A complete and utter mess.

Maya found it hard to believe that things could possibly get any worse in that moment until Naomi burst through the door followed closely by the ever vigilant and instigating Gavin.

"The Bastard!!" Naomi shouted waving a fist full of papers in the air.

"Which one?" Maya inquired bitterly.

"The one and only." She retorted. "And to think he kissed you and did whatever else you might have done."

Maya slowly turned her glare on Naomi who cowered a bit and sat down across from her.

"I mean," Naomi continued. "Who'dve thought things could get worse."

"They couldn't possibly get worse." Maya laid back against the chaise and brought her feet up onto it effectively positioning her knees so that it blocked out Naomi's face.

"Hrrmmph!" Gavin chortled. "You just wait."

There was a note of devious pleasure in his voice that made her sit up. "What do you mean?"

Naomi slid a copy of a foreign tabloid over her knees. One of her older promotional photos was plastered in the center with big red letters stamped across her face but because it was in another language she didn't understand.

"What does that mean?" Her brow creased in an attempt to sound out the word.

Gavin slid closer and clasped his hands in an overly dramatic way before explaining. "Loosely translated, it means 'Home Wrecker' "

Maya blinked dumbly at him for several seconds and when it was clear she didn't get the joke Gavin tried again.

"Snap out of it Girl!" Gavin snapped a "Z" formation in front of her eyes. "You had sex with a married man. Little Miss Goody Two Shoes is now Little Miss Goody Goody Get in His Pants!"

"I didn't have sex with anybody!" She growled at him snatching three copies of different countries tabloids from him.

"That's not what..." Gavin began but was shut up when Naomi slapped his arm solidly.

"Bitch!" He whined at her.

“You’re the bitch! I can’t believe you even said that.” Naomi stared him down. "Now shut it!"

Maya finally found a paper that read in English and skimmed through it until she found what she was looking for. "....American photographer, Maya Setauba.....Irish Model Michael Fitzgerald.....found in bed together....Abandoned Model Wife, Vivica.....Sources say couple still married...apparently Mr. Fitzgerald doesn't take vows nearly as seriously as he used to proclaim....seems to have moved on....not the first in the line of infidelities....Is Maya Setauba the next Mrs. Fitzgerald or has she horned in on the wrong woman's husband?"

Maya ran a shaking hand through her short tendrils, her mouth physically dropped open. "Is that true?"

She watched Naomi and Gavin look at each other and then simultaneously nod in the affirmative.

"I hope you used protection girl, cause it sounds like you might be the caboose on the end of a long train." Gavin preened himself straightening out the scarf around his neck.

For some reason Gavin was being particularly cruel and for his effort he received punches in the arm from both Maya and Naomi, after which Maya stood and padded back into her room. She dialed the number to Ileani and whispered several urgent instructions and then turned to her closet and began packing her clothes.

"Maya, are you running again? You can’t just leave. You have a job to finish.”

“I can finish it in New York,” Maya upended several drawers into her open suitcase. “That’s the beauty of digital technology.”

“Maya, you have to face this head on or they will think you're guilty!" Naomi pleaded.

"So be it! Let them think what they want. They already have their minds made up. Nothing I say or do will change what's already in print!!"

“Personally, I’d like to hear what Michael has to say.” Gavin stood and began shuffling his way toward the door in his chartreuse mules.

“Don’t you dare! If you want to keep your job you keep your goddamned mouth shut Gavin!” Maya saw him through the red that was clouding her eyes. She was furious and it pissed her off that much more because Gavin for some reason, was not supporting her.

Gavin swung around, his mouth wide open, his freshly plucked eyebrows high on his forehead.

“I mean it. You open your mouth and we’re through. For good.” The words came out with such ferocity that he sat down in a chair near the door and pouted.

Naomi hadn’t given up though. She gave it one last try. “What about Catie? It will break her heart.”

Tears sprang to Maya’s eyes and her voice was trembling when she spoke. “Tell her I’m sorry.”

With that she grabbed her bag, set it to the floor and rolled it down the hallway where a car awaited her.