Chapter 3: The Arrival
We had checked that the second bedroom window could be easily opened, and as it was a fine day left it ready. I sat in the room with Faith, watching Melinda on the video in the main room waiting for Leah. At some point I would climb out the window and knock on the door. The plan was to wait until Melinda had Leah more or less dressed, and had perhaps put some ideas into her head about the provocative photos she wanted, before I waltzed in. Melinda would act as though it was me she had been expecting, and when Leah protested, we would both state that we thought the other had called to tell her I was to be the male model.
Leah was five minutes early and seemed a little nervous as she entered the apartment. She was wearing a khaki halter top and denim shorts with ragged edges. I could see the small points of her nipples through her top and knew that she wasn't wearing a bra. I felt my excitement grow and wished desperately that our plan would work. Melinda's belief that she wanted some raunchy pictures for her and Clay had built my expectation. Of course, I realised that there was a big difference between raunchy photos and real sex, and another thing about doing any of this with a complete stranger as opposed to with me.
Melinda's professional, semi-detached manner as she showed Leah the lingerie and suit seemed to relax her and she made positive comments about all the clothes. Melinda said that she might as well go into the bedroom and get dressed, at which point she asked where the male model was.
'He'll be here soon I hope!' Melinda laughed, 'otherwise I might have to dress up as a man!'
'Oh!' Leah replied, 'Clay would love that!' They both laughed and as Leah headed into the bedroom, I exited through the window and almost ran to the front door. As soon as Melinda opened the door I forced myself into a composed expression, my eyes flicking towards the bedroom door as my mind pictured Leah peeling off her top and shorts.
'Hi, is everything okay?' I asked. 'Sorry I'm late.'
'That's okay,' Melinda replied, trying to sound normal and for a moment we both stood there trying to suppress laughter. We obviously both felt like school kids involved in a prank. The only difference really was that we were both adults involved in an adult prank.
A minute later Leah opened the door, and walked out looking down and adjusting her suit. She looked great, the cut of the suit accentuated her slim waist and yet still gave her a handsome appearance. Then she looked up and stopped dead, her eyes widening and her mouth hanging open in surprise.
'Hi Leah,' I said as nonchalantly as I could, after all I was supposed to know that she was going to be there.
'Dave...what...what are you doing here?' she stammered.
'Hey?,' I looked puzzled. 'I'm doing the shoot.' I turned to look at Melinda, 'didn't you tell her?'
'What do you mean!?' Leah asked.
'I thought you were going to call her last night!' Melinda shot back, ignoring Leah.
'What do you mean he's in the shoot? Look...'
'Hey, Samantha,' I said, trying to act angry, 'I distinctly remember telling you that I didn't have time to call her and you agreed that you would call...'
'Hey! Stop it!' Leah yelled loud enough to make us both fall silent. 'Now tell me what's going on?'
We stood and glanced at each other then I began to speak. 'Look, sorry Leah, it seems we've stuffed up. Last night, M...Samantha got a call from the guy who was going to be in the shoot. He said he couldn't make it. Sam rang me to see if I knew anyone else and I don't. As it happens, he's pretty much the same size as me in clothes, so she asked if I would fill in. I said as long as it was okay with you, and we discussed who should call you. It would seem,' I glanced angrily at Melinda, 'that we may not have resolved that as clearly as we should've!'
'Look, Leah, I know it will stuff me around a lot, but if you want to pull out now that's fine and I wont mind.'
'Oh, no, well....I'm not sure.' Leah seemed torn between not wanting to let 'Samantha' down and her uncertainty at posing with someone she knew, rather than a stranger. I wondered just how raunchy she wanted the photos to get.
'Look, its up to you Leah,' I said. 'Hey, tell you what though, I did bring along a whole lot of U2 CD's to play during the session,' I held up the small carry all I was holding. Leah smiled and I knew she was starting to soften towards the idea. U2 was her favourite band and it was a subject we always warmed to together.
'I tell you what,' Melinda cut in with perfect timing. 'Why don't we just get some basic shots, you've got the clothes and make-up on, there's no sense wasting that effort. If you feel comfortable as the time passes...well we'll see then.'
'You've clinched the deal!' I thought triumphantly as Leah looked at her and nodded.
'Dave, what about...how's Faith with this?'
'She's fine, you know her, she doesn't exactly have a closed mind?' I hoped that the comment sounded suggestive and when Leah nodded, I turned towards the bedroom.
'I'll go get changed,' I said and offered my bag to Leah. 'Get some music happening.' I strode off to the bedroom and once behind the door practically ripped off my clothes. I knew that she would be thinking it through over and over, so the quicker we got started the less likely she was to change her mind. I stood momentarily in my boxers, examining my physique in the mirror.