Page 8 of Marc (Men of Forbidden Temptation #2)

STACI

A pang of heartache fills my chest as soon as Marc walks out of the studio through the back door.

My heart constricts almost as if I am already missing him being nearby me.

What did he mean he will see me later?

Are we going to make plans to meet up tonight?

Is this how fake dating is?

Like real dating with hanging out and meeting up after work?

Kelly clears his throat beside me and points to the computer screen. “How can I take better photos than these?”

The pictures he’s pointing at aren’t bad considering his lack of experience, but they aren’t the same quality as Marc’s and Adam’s.

With more practice and experience, he could be just as good.

“Well, it’s all about the pose and knowing what your body’s best angles are. Once you find your best poses, it becomes a lot easier.”

He nods his head as if he is soaking up the advice.

“Also, practicing in front of a mirror couldn’t hurt. You could practice your facial expressions and nail down some sexy, smoldering looks. That’s usually what executives want more than funny ones, but I try to send a mixture.”

I want to add that bulking up wouldn’t hurt, but not all models are ripped, like Marc.

Plus, I wouldn’t want someone to take Marc’s place.

He was one of my first models when I opened this studio after my divorce was finalized. I don’t know how I could continue being a photographer if Marc wasn’t one of my clients.

Not to mention if he wasn’t here when Jared showed up.

I don’t even want to think of that possibility. The scars are still fresh in my mind.

“How long do you think it will take me to become as good as Adam and Marc? They seem to be pretty decent at this and from what I’ve heard, they always have gigs.”

I can’t put a time limit on when his career will be as successful as Marc’s. That is only up to him and how much time he puts into practicing his poses and how photogenic he is.

“I don’t think it will take as long as you are imagining. If you practice on your own and take advice from your photographers, then you will become an expert in no time.”

Even though he has needed more pointers and help than most models that come through here, his attitude, eagerness to learn, and willingness to take advice has put him among the best that I’ve photographed.

He walks back to the muslin backdrop and tries a different pose as Kat walks over to me.

Her voice is low, like she’s trying to whisper, but it’s not a whisper by any account. “I’m just going to watch them for a few, if you are okay with that.”

“Of course, I’m okay with that.”

Kat used to pull a chair up and watch all the time, but that was before we got busier and she had more models to help get ready.

I love getting others’ perspective on things. Plus, she has a good relationship with all the models since she spends a lot of time talking with them and getting to know them.

Kelly changes his pose and flexes his abs.

“Much better.” I snap a few photos before looking over at the other male model that’s sitting on the couch. “Would you like to come pose with Kelly?”

“Sure.” He hops up without hesitating and walks over to Kelly. He extends his hand out in front of his body towards Kelly. “Hi. I’m Aaron.”

Kelly shakes it before getting back to his pose.

Aaron reminds me of Marc when he first started. He even looks a little like Marc; except he’s not as muscular and a lot shorter.

They have the same hairstyle and the same sparkling white perfect smile.

I get back behind the camera and say, “Alright, I’m going to take a couple of test shots to see if I need to make any adjustments.”

Kelly and Aaron are similar heights, so I don’t need to adjust the tripod legs, but Aaron isn’t as tanned as Kelly, so the saturation needs adjusting.

The camera makes their muscular differences appear more extreme than in person. Kelly is lankier than most models, but standing next to Aaron he looks like he doesn’t have any muscles on him.

The two of them aren’t a good pairing for photos right now and if the two of them are scheduled for the same shoot, I’ll have to pair them with other models.

I snap a few more pictures so it doesn’t appear that I dislike the two of them posing together before leaning over to look past the camera at the guys. “Thanks, Kelly. I think I have more than enough of you to work with.”

His eyes widen as his mouth falls open as if he is disappointed the photoshoot didn’t last longer. He immediately closes his mouth and frowns. “Alright, thank you for the advice.”

He slowly walks to the back of the studio, grabs his bag, and disappears through the door to the bathrooms and showers .

Without needing pointers, Aaron takes off his button-up shirt and drapes it over his shoulder.

I take a few pictures and let him change his pose. He tosses his shirt to the side to pose shirtless.

He’s a natural at his poses, so I know he won’t need as much help as Kelly does.

Just like photographing Adam and Marc, I let Aaron take the lead and just have fun with the photoshoot.

The back door opens, causing the three of us to look that way. Adam strolls in through the open door.

What is he doing back here?

Did he forget something?

“Hey, is everything alright?”

He walks over to the couch where he was sitting this morning. “Yeah, sorry, my phone must have slipped between the couch cushions.”

He removes the couch cushion and grabs his phone before replacing the cushion and shoving his phone into his back pocket.

“Sorry to interrupt the photoshoot. Have a great weekend.” He gives us a wave and closes the back door behind him.

I get back into the photoshoot and snap a few more pictures of Aaron as Kelly exits the showers and says his goodbyes.

“Have a great weekend, everyone.” He heads out the back door and lets it slam closed behind him.

Kat stares at Aaron and hums her approval from beside me. “He’s damn good. Almost too good to be this new. Don’t you think?”

I shrug. “Some people are born with it and are naturally good at posing. Aaron just so happens to be one of them.”

She bumps her shoulder into mine, causing me to pull the camera off balance. “He’s pretty hot, too.”

“Uh, sure, I guess.”

Aaron might have the same hair as Marc when he was younger, but that’s where the similarities end. Aaron just isn’t my cup of tea… well, coffee, but Marc definitely is.

I reposition the tripod and make sure the camera is where it was prior to Kat bumping into me.

She leans in close and whispers, “Do you think I have a shot with Aaron? He’s sexy and just my type.”

Is she really asking this?

I let out a loud chuckle because Kat is a total babe and anyone would be lucky to score a date with her. She’s the type to chew them up and spit them out, though.

“Why wouldn’tyou? Give it a shot. Just make sure you leave enough of him for the next photoshoot.”

She bounces on the balls of her feet and claps her hands excitedly. “No promises.”

Aaron flexes his muscles and looks at Kat. I snap a few more photos when he smirks .

These are better than I ever could have hoped for, especially for such a new model.

The familiar upbeat dance song rings from my purse.

“This afternoon is just full of interruptions.” I sigh and hurry over to my desk to grab my phone out of my purse before the caller has a chance to hang up.

Looking at the screen, the caller ID reads Miss Edith.

That’s odd.

She rarely calls during the day unless it’s an emergency.

I glance between Kat and Aaron and say, “I’m sorry, guys, but I have to answer this. It’s my elderly neighbor.”

Kat walks over towards Aaron and starts a conversation as I hit the answer button. “Hello?”

Miss Edith’s normal cheery voice is low and full of concern. “Hey, dear. I’m so sorry to bother you while you are working, but your model friend, Marc, is parked outside your house.”

“Marc’s there?” I blurt out.

Why is Marc parked in front of my house?

And why does Miss Edith seem so concerned?

She lets out a loud gasp that has my heart pounding.

“Miss Edith, what’s going on?”

“Your ex-husband is parked across the street from my house. He was here last night, too. I almost called the cops, but he didn’t stick around long. ”

What the hell is going on?

My palms get slick with sweat and my breathing becomes ragged. A large lump forms in my throat and my voice comes out breathless, like I am suffocating.

“Jared is at my house, too? Why can’t he just leave me alone and let me move on with my life?”

There’s no way this can be construed as a good thing.

Why is Jared suddenly interested in coming around me?

Why now?

Miss Edith’s voice is muffled, almost like she has her mouth pressed against her phone. “He’s getting out of his truck.”

I know I should do something, but I’m frozen in my spot and unable to move as she continues giving me a play-by-play.

“Now he’s walking towards Marc, looking like he’s ready to fight. His fists are by his sides. Marc is just standing by his car looking as cool as a cucumber.”

Nothing good will come from Marc and Jared confronting one another in the middle of my street.

Not now.

Not ever.

I need to get over there to de-escalate things, but I need to finish this photo shoot. I might have enough to call it a day, but I’ll have to edit all the pictures tonight or later this weekend.

“Miss Edith, are they fighting or just arguing? ”

“Oh, they aren’t fighting, but it doesn’t look like they are arguing, either. Should I call the cops?”

“No!” I yell before apologizing. “I’m sorry. Please don’t call the police. I have to finish up a few things here at the studio, but I’ll be there in a few minutes.”

“I’ll be watching from my front window. If Marc scares Jared away, I’ll bring him in for a cup of tea.”

I hang up the call and start breaking down the equipment.

Kat walks towards me. “Is everything alright? Did I hear correctly that Marc is at your house and so is Jared?”

“Yeah, I need to get over there before either of them does something stupid and get the police called on them.”

“So,” Kat pauses, and I know exactly what she wants to know.

“Yes, I’ll eventually tell you everything.”

She scoffs and I debate leaving it at that, but I know she will only keep pestering me until I tell her what’s going on.

“Marc and I just started dating and you will probably see us together a lot more, especially since Jared is coming around. I need to check on them and check on my elderly neighbor because she will probably take Marc hostage.”

Kat lets out a small chuckle. “Well, do you blame her if she does? She’s a lonely woman and Marc is a young, hot guy.”

I roll my eyes .

I wish I could joke about this and only think about how hot Marc is, but the truth is, I’m terrified.

Terrified of Jared coming back for me.

Terrified of Jared hurting Marc.

And terrified of Marc realizing how fucked up my life is and deciding he doesn’t want to be a part of it- even as a friend.

Pressing my fingers to my temple, I say, “Her holding Marc hostage is the least of my worries.”

I finish packing up the camera and grab my purse. “Do you mind locking up and setting the alarm when you two are done?”

Kat smirks. “Not at all. Call me if you need anything. I’ll knock some teeth in.”

I laugh because she’s not lying. She’s the one that would start a bar brawl just because there isn’t anything to do in our small town.

After waving goodbye, I head to the back door.

I throw my bags in the back seat before getting into the driver’s seat. Without waiting for the air conditioner to cool the air in my car, I start driving towards my house.

The only thought on my mind is getting home before Jared does something to Marc.

He doesn’t know how bad Jared can be, and I would feel incredibly guilty if something happened to Marc, especially if it prevented him from modeling.

I break every driving law imaginable as I race towards my dangerous ex-husband.