A Guy Called Ben - Ch. 02
Ben meets Suzy and Sophie.
Dear reader. What you are about to read has come from my furtive and over imaginative, dirty mind. Yes, it is all my own work. I come up with a basic idea and the story just seems to flow from there. Please note that all characters in my stories are of a legal age and participate willingly. This is the second chapter in this series. Enjoy!
Copyright is asserted by the author. Β©SBarak1
Note: This story contains Australian slang and vernacular. If you can't work it out drop a comment below and I will translate.
This is not a stand-alone story. Make sure you read the earlier chapters so this story makes sense.
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After my smoking hot session at the gym last Wednesday night with Candy things continued on pretty much as normal. Thursday was spent at a client site sorting out some network issues and preparing specifications for their web designer.
Friday morning then found me at the front door of the gym, again, as Mark unlocked at 6am. I thought I'd get in a quick circuit and a bit of time on the treadmill before heading off to work.
"Morning Ben, how are they hanging?" Mark enquired in his friendly manner, as I walked in.
I did a mental pause and wondered how much Candy may have told him about our encounter on Wednesday evening if anything at all.
"I see you have on your new kit Candy looked out for you," he continued. "She's right you know. You are one of our main attractions. Just watch the girls. They stare at you all the time," he said with a chuckle.
She's told him some of it, I thought.
"Now Mark you are making me self-conscious. I'm not one of the pretty boys who come here to show off to the girls and boys for the matter. I do this to keep fit and as a form of relaxation," I replied.
"I know, I know," said Mark giving me a light punch on the shoulder. "And that's why the girls check you out. They know you're not a show off. You don't dress to attract attention. I think that being a bit elusive enhances your appeal. Apart from that you are pretty ripped and they appreciate the work that goes into your body," he responded.
"Fair enough mate," I replied. "Anyway, it's just a quick session this morning and off to work."
"OK, I better leave you to it, enjoy," he said walking off.
I then did a shortened circuit involving machines, weights and finished up with a light 10 minute jog on a treadmill.
I was a few minutes into my treadmill session when two good looking women walked up to me. I had spoken to them briefly a couple of times before, they seemed to always hang out together. But for the life of me I couldn't remember their names. The taller one spoke first.
"Hi Ben remember us? I'm Suzy and this is Sophie," she said, as Sophie gave me a little wave.
"Right, of course," I replied as I continued to pound away on the treadmill.
"We've been meaning to come over and have a chat with you for a while but haven't seen you around for a few weeks," Suzy went on.
"Sorry about that," I responded. "Been coming in here later in the evening. Work keeps getting in the way you know," I continued, as I looked the women up and down. Suzy was about five foot 6 possibly five 7 and Sophie was a good two inches shorter. Suzy had the bigger boobs, maybe a D cup and Sophie was proportionally smaller, definitely a C cup. Suzy had a very neat arse but Sophie had a beautiful well rounded arse that never-the-less was in proportion to the rest of her. Two beautiful women, fit, both blond, in their early thirties, I was guessing. What did they want with me? I was about to find out but it was not going to be what it seemed at first.
"That makes sense," said Suzy pausing. "We know how it is. However what we really wanted to talk to you about is something we were discussing with Candy yesterday."
This could be interesting I thought. I wondered if Candy had let any particular cats out of any particular bags. Especially after last Wednesday evenings encounter.
"Well she said you were really into photography and had a small studio, and, we, that is both of us, were wondering if you could take our portraits," she asked.
I remembered talking to Candy weeks ago about my hobby. She was sort of pumping me for information at the time trying to find out more about me.
I stepped off the treadmill.
"Well, I do some portrait work, I'm still working it out. Tell me why do you want your portraits taken?" I asked.
"Good question," said Sophie stepping in. "We both work in fashion retail for different companies and we have been talking for some time about setting up our own boutique. I'm not going to bore you with the details except to say it's a very competitive industry and you really have to understand the business and have really good product/service differentiators. So, we are well advanced with our business plan and need to put together a portfolio as part of our way to attract investment partners. And that portfolio needs portrait pictures of us and we also need to model a few of the items in our clothing range," she explained.
"Ladies, I need you to understand I'm not a professional photographer. I don't have the experience or equipment to produce a highly polished result. I should be able to produce a good portrait but I'm not sure about the modelling shots. I just want you to know what I can do and don't misrepresent myself, before we agree to anything."
"Candy did say this was a hobby. So we understand Ben. Besides we can't afford a professional that's why we though you could help us", Suzy said.
"OK. As long as we are all on the same page," I said.
By now both of them had big smiles on their faces.
"Great. So name the time, when would be best for you?" asked Sophie.
"Let's see. Monday to Fridays are out of the question. Weekends are my only free time. How about this Sunday at 2pm?" I responded.
Suzy and Sophie looked at each other, then both said in unison, "We'll be there."
"What's your address?" asked Sophie
"Not far from here," I said giving them my address. Sophie keyed it into her phone.
"I better get your mobile number as well," she added. I gave her my mobile number as well.
"Great, when you arrive we will start with a chat about rates, get the business bit out of the way and have some fun taking some pictures. How's that sound?" I asked.
"Sounds like a plan Ben," Suzy responded.
"Great, anyway I better get going, gotta get to work. Have a great day ladies," I said before heading over to the pigeon holes at the back of the gym to pick up my stuff.
"See you Ben," Sophie said as they walked off looking at each other with Cheshire cat like grins.
I shook my head. I had this gut feeling that there was more to this than met the eye but I couldn't quite put my finger on it. Time would tell I though. And that time would be this Sunday afternoon.
Saturday morning came around. After a swim and a light breakfast I managed to get a mid-morning session in at the gym. Neither Mark nor Candy were there. A couple of their staff were running the place, scuttling around, keeping the place clean, and providing advice on how to use the equipment. Since my chat with Candy then Mark about people checking me out at the gym I had become a little more observant. I knew a lot of the faces and had spoken to a few of them over time. But it was apparent that a number of women were certainly checking me out. I noticed two of them at one stage deep in conversation looking at me, talking and looking back again. Interesting I thought. I might have to pursue this a bit further.
The rest of Saturday was a quiet day, catching up with a few jobs around the house, catching a few rays by the pool and doing some prep work for tomorrows photo shoot followed by watching an AFL footy match on the telly that evening.
By the time 2pm came around on Sunday I was ready to go. My makeshift studio in the garage was prepared. Lighting switched on and tripod set up with my main camera, my trusty Nikon D5, full frame DLSR. My Nikon D750 backup camera had also been prepared and spare memory cards were at the ready.
A few minutes after 2 the door-bell went. Standing there were two beaming women, Suzy and Sophie. Both dressed in casual clothes each carrying a number of clothes hangers with several garments and along with that Suzy carry what looked to be a full large sports bag. A greeted them both. Suzy followed by Sophie gave me a quick peck on the cheek as they stepped in.
"Nice place you have Ben," Suzy said looking around.
"Very nice," said Sophie looking around as well.
I closed the door and waved in the direction of the spare room. "Spare room is that way. Guest bathroom is beside it. We will put your things in there for the moment and then have a drink and talk about what you want to achieve this afternoon," I said.
Once they were sorted out and had had a peek in the bathroom they followed me out to the living area and sat up on the bar stools at the kitchen island bench.
"So ladies, what will it be? Something soft or maybe a glass of white to take the edge off," I said.
Looking at them I could tell Suzy looked a little nervous. Sophie seemed to be in her element. Both women indicated wine. I took a bottle of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc out of the fridge and poured 3 glasses.
"Cheers," I said, raising my glass. The ladies lifted theirs and we touched our glasses together. "Here's to a successful afternoon's photography," I continued.
"Here's to that," responded Suzy.
"And to wherever it may lead," added Sophie with a giggle.
We then began to discuss a rate for the photos and the process of how I would provide them. I went on to discuss copyright or ownership and how they could be used. Looking at the two women it was clear they didn't have much money and getting their business venture of the ground was going to be a long hard slog for them. In the end I took pity.
"Look I think you both need a break. So I'm not going to charge you anything for this. I will agree to do your portrait shots and clothing shots provided you give me the appropriate credit. I will own the copyright and you will need to negotiate with me beyond what I initially produce for you. How's that?" I asked.
Suzy was a little bewildered but Sophie stepped straight in. "That's a generous offer Ben and we accept, don't we Sooz," said Sophie,