Chapter Eight - The Forbidden Fruit

My heart was thundering in my chest. I wasn't sure if I was breathing, perspiring or stopped inhaling and exhaling all together and was feeling incredibly cold. There was an indomitable static in the air. I could almost hear the blood rushing through my veins. Our stares locked for an achingly long time – god how mesmerizing her eyes were! I knew that asking her out front that I wanted to take pictures of her was rude, downright creepy and totally inappropriate.

But I didn't care.

It was an opportunity too valuable to miss. It was a risk I was only too eager to take. It could cost me this gig, my fiancée and the gallery.

But I did not give a damn.

I knew what I wanted and this was it. I wanted her. I wanted to be able to be around her in every way possible. I wanted her to become the masterpiece of the gallery show. I wanted to walk over to her, pull her from her chair, press her body against the warm window glass and plant small, wet kisses along her neck until I reached her lips. I'd pull her hands above her head as I devour her sweet, succulent lips. She would moan against my kisses and I'd trace her arms till I reached the first button on her silk shirt and started undressing her.

'You want to take pictures of me?', she asked in that euphonious voice of hers.

The racy thoughts in my head were way too hard for me to control. I had to lean forward so that she wouldn't notice the little guy waking up beneath my pants.

'I have a gallery show at the end of the month, and the theme for my pictures is "Women on Top", and you, Miss Genevieve, could just as well be my masterpiece', I explained ever so bluntly.

I couldn't quite understand her expression. Was she shocked or downright pissed? Her face was way too frozen; she was used to not showing her emotions. My eyes couldn't help but fall onto the button I so badly wanted to rip.

'Will people be buying these pictures?', she asked after a painful moment of silence.

'They'll be bidding on them.'

She seemed to be analyzing my request. It wasn't every day that someone asks to take pictures of you and sell it to the public. She would be completely insane if she agreed to it. But she had to say yes. It would crush me if she didn't accept. Just the thought of me following her around with a camera has awoken all of the creative instincts in me.

'How will that even work? Do you want me to pose for you?', she asked, shyly.

I thought so many things about Genevieve, but being shy was not one of them. I liked that. She didn't seem bitchy or bossy like how Madison portrayed her to be. She actually seemed to be very sweet and kind. Or was it just my untamed crush that is making her seem that way?

'Not at all, I'll just take random pictures of you while you're working. You won't even notice I'm there', I explained.

Whatever emotion she was feeling, she hid very carefully. She leaned back into her chair and crossed her arms. My heart sank. She was resisting my proposal.

'Can you give me time until this afternoon to think about it?', she finally said.

I sighed sadly.

'Take all the time you need', I mumbled, feeling defeated.

'Is there anything else you'd like to ask?', she added.

'You were quite clear about everything', I said as I got on my feet.

'Thank you for your time Mr. Rhodes', she said out of politeness.

'And thank you for yours', I reciprocated.

I made my way to the door before I stood dead in my tracks. I still wanted to work with her. I couldn't miss the opportunity to see her every day. Sure, not being able to take pictures of her would suck, but not seeing her for as much as I can would torment me for ages. I had to rectify the situation.

I turned around to face her. She looked at me eagerly. Her eyes twinkled with something; I didn't know what exactly. The light coming through the window behind her left a remarkable glow around her. She looked like a fallen angel wanting... pleading to be rescued. How could a person be so beautiful?

'I'm willing to do the shoot even if you don't want me to take pictures of you. As a favor to Madison, of course', I said, not wanting to sound too desperate.

She took my words by surprise. Her eyebrows lifted and a hint of a smile drew on her lips.

'That's quite generous of you', she whispered.

'Happy to help', I said then turned around to leave again.

'Wait', her voice rang through the room.

It made my heart jump in its place and my knees go weak. I turned around way too quickly to face her. She, too, was on her feet. I had to fight every instinct in my body to throw her on the desk and make sweet love to her then and there.

I didn't want to just make sweet love to her; I wanted to fuck her senseless.

'If I agree to your terms, will you promise it won't affect your work for the issue?', she asked.

'Cross my heart and hope to die.'

She giggled.

What a beautiful sound that was!

God what this woman was doing to me!

Why! Why! Why!

I had to place the portfolio in front of me to hide my up and coming erection.

'And you'll show me the pictures before you display them?', she asked this time on a serious note.

'Anything to make you feel comfortable', I reassured her.

'Then I look forward to working with you Mr. Rhodes', she said as she offered her hand for a shake.

I couldn't help but jump in my place. I wanted to grab her hand, turn her around and pull her to me and kiss her neck while I fondled her breasts.

'Thank you so much for the opportunity Miss Fernandez', I said out of glee as I shook her hand thoroughly.

Her soft, velvety warm hand that I imagined wrapped around my...

'You can call me Genevieve', she said, breaking my thoughts.

'And you can call me Killian. Mr. Rhodes is way too formal for me.'

'Killian', she whispered.

The way my name played on her lips was sexy.

God, what this woman was doing again!

'Again, thank you for considering me', I thanked her.

'The pleasure is all mine. I'll have Madison e-mail you the details of when and where you need to be. We'll probably start as soon as tomorrow.'

'I'll be there', I reassured her.

We both looked at each other with silly smiles on our faces. I felt like I was a kid in high-school again. It would be so easy to fall in love with her. She was undeniably charismatic; it was no wonder I couldn't get enough of her. Our smiles slowly faded as the sexual tension intensified. I had to leave before I do something that could ruin this moment.

'I'll see you tomorrow', I said, and with that I left the room.

Madison was pacing the hallway outside. She looked as nervous as a bee. The moment she saw me she made her way to me. I wrapped my arms around her and hugged her so tightly her bones cracked.

'I take it things went well', she said as she adjusted her glasses.

'I could not thank you enough', I said excitedly.

'You're welcome', she said and giggled nervously.

'I guess I'll be seeing you around then', I said and made my way to the elevator.

On my way, I saw a basket of delicious, red apples just waiting there. I grabbed one and took a bite of this succulent, forbidden fruit.

Life couldn't taste much sweeter than this!