There were still a few days to go before the arrival of the New Year, but he felt as if he had received his present early. He was floating on air. Dell Hollister was thrilled at the opportunity that had been presented to him today. He was going to get to photograph and interview Debra Jo Fallon, once one of the most popular magazine centerfolds of all time. She had been out of the limelight for about five years now and had let it be known through the grapevine that she was willing to pose again if the price was right. Dell's clients had very willingly put up the money and the session was booked through her agents. Dell was chosen to act as the photographer and interviewer. Dell was thrilled because he'd had a "thing" for the long-haired blonde ever since he could remember. His friends had teased him for years that he wouldn't know what to do if he ever met the incredible blonde. Now he was about to prove all of them wrong. More than ever, he was glad he had defied his parent's wishes and become a photographer instead of an accountant. Few accountants ever got to meet goddesses who descended from on high.
Debra Jo had haunted his dreams and inspired fantasies he would never have dared voice to any of his girlfriends. He still had her poster in his apartment, the one with her in the pretty pink lingerie with only one button done up. Her smile, slightly crooked but inviting, was etched in his memory. The perfection of her body made him weak and when he learned he had gotten the assignment to photograph her return layout, he did not sleep for two days. He promised himself he would not act the fool by babbling on, nor would he clam up and appear aloof. He had photographed several beautiful women for the magazine, although none were his Angel, his perfect obsession.
Dell was in a near-fanatical state the days before his shoot with Debra. He got as much sleep as he was able. He finished almost all of his assignments ahead of schedule. The night before the shoot, he made sure he laid out his nicest clothes. He already had a few of his prettier paramours calling him for dates or inviting him to upcoming gatherings and New Year's parties, all of those invitations were gently rebuffed. He wanted nothing to spoil the perfection of his shoot with the lovely blonde model and he would meticulously slave over the work after as well. He and his skilled eye were going to be in tip-top, A # 1 condition for Debra Jo Fallon. If Dell had his way, the shots he would take of her would be the pinnacle of his career.
Dell had a wonderful imagination and had shot a number of well-received layouts over the past several years. He was increasingly popular with the companies he worked for because he produced exceptional work, delivered beautiful models and at a good price. His girl-girl shoots were very sensual, he had done some hot bondage and fetish work and even the hardcore shoots he had done still had a look of class and elegance. He always had ideas when he photographed a model, but if a model had been in the business for a while, he was always willing to listen to her input. He found it made for better photographs and a convivial working environment. He never came on strong with any of the models, although if one made a flirtatious offer, he was not above enjoying himself. He was young, successful and attractive. Why shouldn't he strike while the iron was hot?
He had a couple of ideas for photographing Debra. For the beginning set, he would photograph her in various poses against a stark white background -- bed, sheets, everything. He would have her entirely naked save for white stiletto heels. Her tanned skin, slender body and long blonde hair would be the only thing he needed for exceptional photographs. For her second layout, he wanted to do a set that was in stark contrast to the first. For the first few photos of that set, she would be in a white dressing gown that appeared similar to the outfit she had worn in her original layout. However, once that was removed, the audience would see her in black high boots, matching latex gloves, perhaps some black lingerie as well. He would light her from behind, as he wanted to achieve a look from her few photographers had been able to capture. He wanted her to look wilder and show the two sides of this blonde goddess. He thought he might call the layout "Perfect Angel / Delectable Devil" or something like that. The client had already told him if the pictures were as incredible as he promised they would be, he would be given the centerfold. With a tiny bit of arrogance, he assured them it was in the bag.
His assistant Barbara gave him a huge smile when he entered the studio. "She's here and ...
whew
," Barbie laughed. He and the petite redhead had shared a bed on numerous occasions and she had modeled herself in earlier years. Her passion for gorgeous women nearly matched his, so a "whew" from Barbie was a ringing endorsement. "Boss-man, she must have one of those Dorian Grey-type portraits hanging somewhere," she smiled. "That gorgeous bitch doesn't look as if she has aged a day."
"I chalk it up to clean living and having a whole lot of sex," came a soft, husky voice from behind them. Dell spun around and saw her for the first time in the flesh. He was sure his heart stopped for a minute and had Barbie not nudged him forward, he might not have moved.
"Hi, it is a tremendous honor to be photographing you and an even bigger pleasure to be meeting you," Dell said, regaining his composure. "I'm Dell Hollister."
Debra took his hand but he noticed she had an odd look on her face. "I had no idea you were such a handsome young man. Darn, I guess I'll just have to behave myself," she flirted. Dell felt as if he were ten feet tall or floating on air. "I've seen your work and you're very good. What did you have in mind for me today?"
Dell was trying hard to concentrate and not hope the loose-fitting robe she was wearing would fall open. He knew what the Texas-born beauty looked like naked, yet he still could not wait to see it up close and from behind his own camera. He explained his ideas to her and she was very receptive. "I think those ideas will make for some fabulous pictures," she smiled warmly. "My time is yours, we can start whenever you're ready."
Dell nodded and saw Barbara out. "I hope
you
can behave yourself," she whispered and kissed his cheek. "I nearly couldn't! May I repeat ... whew!" She left and Dell was left alone with his muse.
"I think your assistant likes me," Debra smiled as he got the final few things in place.
"Barbie likes everyone, she's a bundle of sunshine," Dell said of his friend.
"No Dell, I mean she
likes
-likes me," Debra chuckled. "That's okay with me, I'm very comfortable when another woman admires me. Women are beautiful. She seemed to be very close to you, are you two ...?" Debra asked as she crossed her fingers.
For a reason he could not fathom, Dell answered her honestly. "Yeah, every so often. Barbie's a little dynamo and she usually gets what she wants. When she was still modeling, in between lovers -- both sexes -- I was a convenient partner. We've stayed friends and when she decided she didn't want to model anymore, I hired her as an assistant and a stylist."
Debra nodded. "She's cute. She could still model."
Dell smiled and agreed. "I tell her that, but she says she likes this job. Less work and she doesn't have to primp, although she never comes here until she looks like she's spent about four hours on hair and makeup," he laughed.
"Some girls are all about being a girl," Debra smiled.
"So, why did you quit modeling?" Dell asked, deciding he would interview her as they went along.
"Same old tired clichΓ© bullshit," Debra sighed. She stretched out on the bed and he saw her gorgeous legs. At times like this, with such gorgeous legs, it was hard to believe that she was only 5'4" in height. Dell saw that she photographed taller. "Girl meets handsome guy, girl marries handsome guy, handsome guy turns out to be a gigantic fuckwit -- nothing you probably haven't heard before."
Dell sighed. "ANY man who would do anything to risk losing you is a fuckwit, to say the least. My God, women as spectacular as you aren't around every corner."
She smiled and it lit up the room. Her long blonde hair was fanned out behind her on the bed. On an impulse, Dell took a candid shot. "That is the kind of compliment a girl likes to hear and I wish he'd said that more. Your mom and dad must have raised you right, Dell."
He gritted his teeth. "It was mostly my mother. My dad -- traveled a lot and he wasn't much of a dad until the last few years of his life. I know they had a rough marriage, but he made up for it in the end. He was on the road a lot and I don't think he was always the best husband. Mom loved him though and like I said, he tried to be a better man. We made our peace before he passed."
Debra smiled and reached out and squeezed his hand. For some reason, he felt comfort at having shared that with her. It was if they had shared a moment and bonded. "We should get down to work, I had a white negligee back there for you to start out with. We'll get some establishing shots and go from there, with you ending up naked against the white background," he smiled. She got up and kissed his cheek before leaving to change. She seemed to be as lovely a person as she was beautiful. He was glad of that, it felt right the one model he idolized be nice as well.