Tom climbed out of the driver's seat and unloaded cases from the back of the wagon, stacking lens, camera bodies, and video equipment. He also pulled out a nylon bag filled with goodies he had gathered after his conversation with Bonnie about Bess. He walked up the steps and rang the doorbell with his elbow.
When Bess answered the door she was greeted by wholesome, appealing man, 40ish, standing on the stoop, his hands filled with brown leather cases. Tom held the handle of a blue nylon gym bag with his teeth, which muffled his words. "Catch the top one," he mumbled. "It's going to fall."
The case toppled from the stack and Bess neatly caught it, tucked it under her arm, and snatched the bag from his teeth. "You certainly come prepared," she said.
"Over prepared, one might say. May I come in? This stuff is heavy."
"Sorry," Bess said, stepping away from the door and holding it open with her foot. "Come on in."
Already familiar with the house, Tom walked directly to the living room, dumped the cases on the sofa and extended his hand. "Hi, I'm Tom, as you already know, and you are Bess."
Bess shook his hand and was charmed by the warmth of his smile. As Tom sat on the sofa and unsnapped his cases, Bess settled in next to him and curled her feet underneath her. "Nice to meet you, Tom."
"Me too. I've talked about you with Bonnie and I've got some dynamite ideas about this shoot."
"You and Bonnie talked about me?"
"Sure. She helped me get a handle on what kind of pictures you want. I hope you don't mind."
"I don't. What did she tell you?"
"Just that this is your first venture into this ...uh, business...and that you need shots for your album. I've got ideas about that but, if it is fine with you, I'd like to keep them to myself for the time being. Anyway, what did you think of Bonnie's album?"
"Impressive." Bess thought about the erotic photos and wondered if she'd be comfortable enough with this stranger to pose like that. She fumbled with her hands in her lap. "Bonnie looked so great."
"Yeah, they turned out well. But I had a good subject." Tom studied his new subject more closely and muttered aloud as he thought. "Great eyes, fabulous cheekbones, great skin so there'll be no problems with close-ups."
Bess squirmed under his scrutiny. She ran her fingers through her hair and nervously licked her lips. His smile was warm and understanding and since his manner was both professional and friendly, she began to relax.
"I'm sorry you're nervous," Tom said. "I think you'll find the nervousness wears off quickly once we get started."
"I hadn't realized how anxious I was about this. I really don't know what to do."
"Don't worry about that. It's my job. Would you stand up?"
Bess stood, her hands hanging awkwardly at her side.
"Relax," he said. "You're going to be great." Long legs he thought. A great body, magnificent breasts. He decided to take a risk. Either he was going to get terrific sexual pictures or he was going to blow it before he even took one shot.
"I can see your nipples through your shirt," he said softly. "Any man would want to suck them." He watched Bess react and he knew he would get the photos he wanted.
Bess was a bit surprised by the words coming from this stranger, but excited too. Although they shocked her, she realized they also aroused her.
"I'd like to get started, if that's okay. This light is wonderful and I'd like to get some head shots right here before we do anything else."
"Where would you like to start?" Bess asked.
Tom shoved a chair toward the window, adjusted its position several times and said, "Sit here and let's see."
Bess settled into the chair but Tom shook his head and pulled her to his feet. He moved the chair slightly and sat her back down. "Yes. That's nice," he said finally.
Bess had selected a simple green tank top and black palazzo pants for the occasion. She added a gold chain with large open links and oversized gold earrings. As she settled into the chair she fluffed her blonde hair and Tom watched the sunlight coming through the windows catch the golden highlights.
"You look smashing," Tom said. "Now turn your head this way and tip your head." He spent several more minutes peering through the lens of his camera and adjusting the tilt of Bess's head and the angle of her shoulders. He also set up a video camera on a tripod, aimed at her chair.
"Video?"
"Sure. You'd be surprised how many men will enjoy watching you on tape, knowing you're in the room with them, naked and willing."
"I never thought of that but I'm getting a quick education. Does Bonnie have one?"
"Several. I'll shut it down if you don't want it." He moved towards it.
Bess stared into the video camera's eye and found being on display exciting. Go the whole way? She asked herself. Who am I fooling? Damn straight I will. "Leave the camera running. It's fine."
When Tom had her positioned to his satisfaction, he said, "Now, close your eyes." When she did, he said, "Picture yourself lying stretched out on your back on a blanket in a secluded clearing in a forest. The sun beating down and heating your face. Can you feel it?" When she started to nod, he said, "Don't nod, just tell me. Is the bright sun hot on your face?"
"Yes," Bess said softly, raising her chin to the warmth.
"Now open your eyes." When she did, Tom snapped off several pictures, capturing the soft, dreamy look he wanted.
"Close them again. You're still lying in that clearing in the forest but now you are naked. You can feel the sun on your entire body, on your shoulders, your belly, your breasts." He paused and watched her face. "Open your eyes." He snapped several more pictures.
"Close your eyes." She complied and he continued. "A man walks towards you. You can't see him because your eyes are closed, but he is tall and very good-looking, with a great body and soft hands. He's wearing a pair of faded blue jeans and nothing else. You don't have to open your eyes to know he is looking at your body but you are not nervous. The heat of his gaze adds to the heat of the sun. He's staring at your breasts and he can see that your nipples are getting hard. Although you're pretending to be asleep, he knows, Bess, he knows you're excited. He knows he is making you excited."
When Bess opened her eyes, Tom snapped again, then told her to move one arm and retilt her head and took several more pictures. With the sound of the clicking in her ears, Bess stretched and extended her arms over her head.
"Close your eyes. It is important that the man believes you're sleeping, so when he stretches out next to you on the blanket you stay still and keep your body relaxed. He just stares at you for a moment, then brushes his fingers through your pubic hair just touching your love button. You remain motionless, wanting him to continue. Although you don't move, he knows how wet you are getting."
Tom picked up a different camera and snapped a few shots of Bess with eyes closed. He didn't know whether it was her expression or the line of her body, but he could feel her radiating sex and he wanted to capture it.