Lust and Lies 04 - Pretty Maids in a Row

like you. Rico's home today, isn't he? What did he do, pick another fight?"
    Selena's breathy voice was gentle, but the way she straightened her shoulders and lifted her chin made her look as though she was prepared to knock a few teeth out of the man if asked. Teri shook her head and changed the subject. "It wasn't important. Anyway, I wanted to tell you about something I'm going to try. I have a photographer coming to take some pictures of you."
    "A photographer? I don't understand. You've been taking lots of pictures for weeks. I thought it was only supposed to be the two of us."
    Selena's whispery voice had altered to a girlish whine, a sure sign the change of plans did not sit well with her. Her whine was the only thing about Selena that was truly annoying to Teri.
    "You're right. That was the plan. But photography isn't my forte and I just haven't been able to get the look I was going for. This man is new, but he was highly recommended by Ann, the manager at the Forsythe Gallery."
    Selena made a little pout. "Male photographers make me uncomfortable. They all have this kinky idea that female models should think of the camera as a sex organ. If you really need to bring someone in, can't you find a female?"
    Teri knew Selena wouldn't be happy about the new arrangement. It was why she hadn't told her about the photographer in advance. Selena's agent had told her that when the girl first arrived in New York City a year ago, her exceptional looks had caused a flurry of excitement at the agencies. Unfortunately, although she had moved to the big city to seek a career in modeling, she was intimidated by the hustle and demands of the business. She had also had several incidents while working with some of the men.
    Once she modeled for Teri a few times, she stopped accepting assignments elsewhere. Apparently, money wasn't an issue, because Teri only needed her a few hours a week and only paid scale. Yet Selena was renting an expensive apartment in Manhattan, as well as garage space for her Cadillac, which she insisted on keeping for the drive back and forth to White Plains.
    Teri stepped closer and placed her hand on Selena's shoulder. "Look, I promise to keep your feelings in mind, but try to understand my side of it. I really want to do this new series with you. And to do it right, I think I need someone else to do the photographic part. But I promise, if he makes one wrong move around you, I'll fire him and look for a female."
    Selena brightened immediately, but before she could say anything, there was a knock at the door.
    Teri quickly opened the door but it took her a moment to get over the surprise of the man standing there. From a black cowboy hat to worn, gray snakeskin boots, he had the western look down pat. The thing was, it didn't look like a look . On him, it looked... sexy as hell. Noting the expensive camera around his neck and the leather photographer's case slung over his shoulder, Teri ended her nearly rude appraisal. "You must be Drew Marshall."
    He touched the brim of his hat. "Ma'am."
    "I'm Teri Carmichael. Come in, please." As soon as she introduced him to Selena, she noted the unsmiling glance Selena spared the photographer and prayed that she would not choose this session to start being uncooperative.
    To Drew she said, "I understand you've never done this type of photo shoot before, so I hope you won't object to a few suggestions."
    He smiled, a genuinely nice smile that revealed straight white teeth. "Not at all, ma'am. In fact, I was countin' on it."
    His voice had a deep pitch and hint of a drawl that suggested his home state flag had a lone star on it. As Teri began explaining her concept and what she wanted him to do, he removed his hat and ran his fingers through his thick hair. The streaks of salt in the ground pepper color and the creases at the corners of his brown eyes gave evidence of a man who'd seen his fortieth birthday or had a rough time of what years he did have behind him.
    A few of the male models Teri worked with, had such perfect features, they could be described as beautiful. They were always careful not to smile too broadly for fear of creating a wrinkle in their boyish complexions.
    She found herself appraising Drew again as he walked around the room, checking the lighting from different angles. As attractive as she found him, he would never make it as a model—his features were a bit too harsh for the camera. But he had an interesting face, one she'd like to paint... or