Marc was still wondering about his commitment to fashion photography. Then he got the call.
"Marc, its Katya, Katya Ulsen: we did this shoot several weeks ago? I was very impressed with your folio. I hope Marlis my agent told you so. I would have phoned but I didn't have your number then." A little white lie, but who was to know?
"Of course Katya, I remember you well. Who could forget such a shoot? I dreamed of you for weeks after our session." Marcus laid it on thick, tongue in cheek, though he really meant it.
"Would you like to meet up for a coffee sometime?" Katya asked.
"Sounds great! When? Where?" Marcus replied enthusiastically.
"Starbucks, corner of Oxford Street and Duke Street, tomorrow at 10? OK?"
"Sure! See you there" he replied. Wow! That was short and to the point he thought: no hedging about with this girl!
He was there at 9.40, in cords and a sports coat, in time to look around and find a decent table. He was engrossed in The Guardian when Katya arrived in jeans, a T-shirt and a sweater, with minimal makeup. The supermodel at leisure! Marc felt he was blushing and hoped Katya wouldn't notice.
"Hi there, what would you like?" Marc asked.
"Medium latte, please!" Katya replied, pulling his newspaper towards her as he got up.
Marc returned with the coffees.
"So you are Sophie's brother! I checked with her and got your number from her mother!" Katya said, frowning at him. "I kept looking at you but I couldn't be sure: I was afraid to embarrass myself by asking you directly!'
"You are looking as good as ever, even without the warpaint," Marc smiled.
"And I kind of thought I had met you before, at Sophie and Pete's wedding, but it was so quick, and you were so busy." Katya grinned back at him.
"You are a fink, Marc de Vere," she poked her tongue out at him. "I remember now you were Best Man and I assumed you were with Fiona. I thought you looked kind of interesting then. After we met at the reception I was busy talking with my aunt and I had written you off as 'taken'. But I've got a good memory for faces so I was delighted to hear you were in fact my photographer."
"Well , Katya" Marc replied, "I was fairly sure it was you I was making the folio for, and you seemed to recognize me, but I didn't want to seem presumptuous and ask for a date in case I made it difficult to get more assignments, either from you or other models - or their agents."
They were quickly relaxed in each other's company and chatted for quite a long time, catching up on their families, their work and general interests. Time flew by and before they both realized it would soon be time to move on to their next appointments.
"So where are you going to take me on our second date?" Katya asked, putting her hand on his arm and smiling.
Marc melted. He was entranced by this apparition, who looked just as lovely without makeup as she did in the studio. So this was a date? Where should he take her, he wondered. Perhaps a meal, to break the ice?
"I would like to take you out to dinner, as soon as you can find a free evening," Marc replied. "I am free every night, or I can be." Am I sounding too keen he wondered?
"Great, tonight," she replied, squeezing his hand with hers. "I'm out of town later this week and I may have fittings in the next couple of days, so tonight will be good for me, if that's OK?"
"Sounds good for me. I have some studio work to do this afternoon. Shall we say 6.15 for 7 dinner? Where shall I pick you up?" Marc asked.
"Do you know 'Il Forno' on Portobello Road?" She asked "It's just around the corner from where I live. How about I see you there at 7?"
"Not sure about 'Il Forno', but I'll find it" Marc replied. "It's not far from me in West Ken."
They talked on for a while, mainly about Sophie and the wedding, the relatives, cousin Anna and her twin girls Katherine and Alice; the 'cabin' at San Gregorio, fashion, photography and architecture. Laughing and joking with each other, it was as though they were old friends until it was time to get back to work as they were both running a little late.
Marc asked Katya if he could give her a lift somewhere. He got close enough to give her a peck on the cheek but she anticipated his move and got very close, pulling his head down to her and giving him a good full kiss. She pressed her body to his and felt him begin to rise to the occasion. "Good" she thought: "he is straight so I will get more response later."
Marc opened his eyes after a few seconds and wondered what had happened. This goddess had kissed him like, well, like he had never been kissed before. He felt his cock stiffen: had she noticed? Was she insulted? Angry? As he looked at her, she smiled, turned, and walked off.