by Spellbound- An Anthology of Erotically Retold Fairy Tales [Ravenous] (epub)
So am I, she thought.
“I’ll walk back with you so you can check in, and we can get to work. By the way,” he held out his hand, “I’m Logan Merrain. And you are?”
She put her hand in his and tried to answer. Nothing, of course, came out.
* * * *
If he didn’t know better, Logan would have sworn he’d come across a beautiful woman masturbating. But she couldn’t have been. She must have been enjoying the sun and sea breeze; although someone with such fair skin probably shouldn’t lie out for too long. Particularly not someone whose paycheck depended on his or her looks.
He’d been modeling for more than six years and knew what it took. He had one of the best reputations in the business and commanded the salary to go with it. Logan prided himself on being professional, dependable, and not letting on that he was bored out of his mind. For the last year none of the benefits of his career outweighed the unending tedium of each shoot.
Finding a naked woman on a rock was admittedly a nice job-related perk; especially after the last model walked out the day before in a snit. Something was not quite right with this one, either. She seemed unable to tell Logan her name—or anything else, for that matter. Too bad, because she was stunning; and for him to respond to that was rare. In addition to her gorgeous skin, she had light blond hair she wore long and wavy. Her lips were the palest pink and matched her nipples. Logan couldn’t help but notice. Light blue eyes ringed added to her beauty.
“Can’t talk?” he asked. “Laryngitis? I’ve never had it myself, but I’ve heard it’s a bitch. Don’t worry. It’s not as if this work requires us to talk.” She was still holding his hand and without thinking he pulled her toward him and started walking. She seemed unsteady, so he kept his pace slow. He hoped she wasn’t drunk. “Let’s go before our photographer Ivan has a cow. He’s tough to deal with even when he’s in a good mood. At least his end results are worth it.”
Logan turned and smiled. She returned it. “Why haven’t we worked together before?”
She shrugged her shoulders, lifting up her small breasts and hardened nipples. He felt an immediate urge to stop and lick them, but tapped the need down.
“Boy, am I glad we get to be near one another for this job.” She nodded in agreement. Something in Logan stirred. “It’s a great location for the product line they’re launching. Have you ever been here before?”
She shook her head.
“Me either. My understanding is they wanted a place that looked untouched. I think they chose well.”
She nodded.
“Can I admit something to you?”
She cocked her head to one side. He stopped and gazed at her.
“I wasn’t looking forward to this job, but now that you’re here, I have a much better feeling about it. Whatever brought you here, I’m glad.”
She took the hand he wasn’t holding and brought it to the side of his face in a gentle caress. He was taken aback by her kindness.
“Perfect!” a loud voice called out. She jumped behind Logan as a man walked rapidly toward them. “That was an exquisite shot. I have no idea when or how I am going to use it, but it was gorgeous nonetheless.”
“Glad to hear it, Ivan.”
“I see you’ve found our wayward model.”
“Yes, the agency sent her to the wrong part of the beach.” He looked at her and gestured to the man. “This is Ivan. Ivan this is…” He didn’t know how to finish the introduction. Before he could say anything, Ivan grabbed her hand and pulled, causing her to stumble and fall against him. Logan had a flash of inspiration while being glad the photographer was gay. “…This is Grace.”
“Not the best choice of names for you, my sweet, but if you photograph as beautifully as I think you will, I wouldn’t care if your name was Ralph. Come, we have work to do.” Ivan took Logan’s hand too, and dragged the two of them to the set.
* * * *
Grace, she thought happily. It wasn’t even close to the name her family called her, but she didn’t care. The wonderful man named Logan chose it for her and that was all that mattered.
She was nervous about what a shoot would be, but it didn’t seem to involve pain; just a lot of people hovering around, putting stuff all over her body. She was glad she could see Logan from where she sat. As long as she could spend the day close to him, she didn’t care what modeling was.
No one seemed to mind she couldn’t speak. Ivan, in fact, was thrilled. “A mute model. That’s perfect! Why didn’t I request one before? Darling, you are the answer to a photographer’s prayers.”
It was nice the energetic man was so happy, but it was Logan’s smile and “See you in a little bit” that made it possible for her to sit through all this attention to her face and hair.
When she couldn’t wait another minute, Logan stepped into view and held out a hand. “Ready?” he asked. She jumped up, letting the towel fall to the ground. She joined him at the water’s edge.
“No false modesty for our Grace,” Ivan said as they walked to where he pointed. “How about you, Logan? Care to strip out of that Speedo?”
“Not for you,” he said, and whispered in her ear. “But perhaps I will with you later.”
She looked at him and smiled. He winked, which startled her at first. She enjoyed his laugh when she tried unsuccessfully to imitate him.
“Enough with the lovey-dovey eyes. Save it for the camera.”
“Come on, Grace. Let’s go make Sea Foam Cleansers the sexiest product launch in history. We’ll give them pictures they’ll never forget.”
She didn’t have a clue what a product launch was, but knew sexy equaled Logan. Her instincts told her to stay with him. As for never forgetting, she understood that only too well.
She had only three days to find the ultimate pleasure or the Sea Trader would return for her soul, leaving her to become nothing more than a memory to those who knew her. She would become less than the sea foam he mentioned. She shuddered at the thought.
“Are you cold?”
She shook her head, glad she couldn’t say more.
“Don’t worry,” he said. “I’ll warm you up.”
I believe that completely.
The first part of the job was easy. She and Logan were required to play in the water, splashing and jumping. He lifted her and spun her around until she had her first experience with being dizzy. Then everyone was in a rush to get them ready for the next set of pictures, which had to be taken at dusk. Logan pulled her close and held her against his body.
“You’re incredible,” he said in her ear. His hot breath sent a shiver through her. The sensation ended with a tingle at the top place on her legs.
As are you, she thought, leaning her had back to gaze into his eyes. Instinctively she raised her hands to run them through his hair. As she did, his forehead came forward and touched hers. She moved her head to the side to breathe him in.
“Brilliant,” Ivan yelled. “That’s the spirit.”
“You don’t care about what he says any more than I do,” Logan said.
She shook her heat against him and felt his cheek move against hers in a smile.
“Pretend he‘s not there. Pretend this sunset is just for us.”
She moved to look at him. How could the world hold more than us? she thought, wishing he could hear her.
Logan chose that moment to lean in. With gentle lips, he kissed her. Her heart leaped for joy. She stood on tiptoes to bring her mouth closer to his. He moaned in pleasure, and she ached to make the same sound to let him know she was feeling what he was.
When his tongue touched her lips she opened her mouth to receive him and reveled in the new feelings this created. His arms came around her and he pulled her closer, his touch traveling down her back.
She almost stiffened when he got to the place where her tail would have started, then remembered she no longer had one. When he touched what was there now, her body reacted strongly and she gave a small jump in his arms.
“Okay kids, save that for your trailer or the movies. You could earn an X-rating with a kiss. We’re done today, people. Good work. Everyone needs to be here early for the sunrise shoot tomorrow.”
Logan smiled at her as an assistant helped her into a robe. It was heavy and confining. She didn’t like it. “Join me for dinner?”
She nodded enthusiastically and gave him her hand.
* * * *
“Home sweet trailer,” Logan said. Normally he requested and received luxury hotel accommodations for his jobs, but had asked to stay on-site when he saw the hours required and the assignment’s location. “It’s not much, but it’s all I need. I’m tired of the familiar rooms I’m always put in. Do you know what I mean?”
She nodded and took a spot on the bed. Logan would have taken it as a come on, but there were few places to sit beyond the two chairs at a table.
“I also wanted to be able to hear the ocean when I fell asleep and woke up. Have you ever enjoyed that?”
She nodded again.
He laughed. “You’re easy to talk to.”
She smiled and blushed, looking down at her hands.
“Oh no,” he said coming to sit next to her. “I didn’t mean anything by that. I’m sure your voice is lovely, and I look forward to hearing it, but I have to admit something. It’s nice to have someone who listens to me. On the job and even away from it, everyone thinks I’m nothing more than a pretty face.” She put out her hand to caress his cheek. “Rarely is anything I say taken seriously. Except of course when I tell my family I want to leave this business. Then not only do they listen, they panic.”
She gave him a quizzical look.
“My work supports my parents and some of my siblings. I’ve always contributed to the family, but when I started modeling, the money was so good that almost all the responsibility fell to me.
When she gave him a nod, he continued.
“The responsibility has become pressure. I can’t leave because I’m concerned about what it will do to the people counting on me.”
Her eyes opened wide at that comment.
“You understand my situation.”
She nodded quickly.
“Family can be challenging.”
This time she rolled her eyes when she nodded. He laughed.
“Yup, looks like you understand completely.” On impulse he kissed her. “I don’t know how or why you ended up in my life today, but I am so glad you did.”
She closed her eyes and leaned into him. He accepted the invitation and kissed her again, more deeply this time.
A voice in Logan’s head reminded him he had only met her that day. He didn’t want to be a gentleman, but also didn’t want to scare her off. “You must be starving. I don’t have a lot to offer—some cheese, crackers and fruit—but I think it will be enough for us.”
They walked three steps to the kitchen area and Logan took out food and bottled water. She seemed enchanted by the meal, especially the fruit. Her expression of enjoyment at each bite shot straight to his cock. He’d never witnessed a joy more pure.
“Where did you come from?” he asked dreamily.
She touched her throat and pointed out the window.
“Sorry, forgot for a moment. I suppose it doesn’t matter. You’re here now,” he said, and took her hand.
Not for long, she thought, aching to tell him. She was allowed only two more sunsets. If she didn’t find the ultimate pleasure by then… No, she wouldn’t think of that. Instead she focused on Logan. She loved listening to him and was fascinated to learn he had limitations and family frustrations too.
A strange sensation came over her. Her ears felt odd and her mouth opened involuntarily as she inhaled deeply.
“Oh no, a yawn,” he said. “Either I’m boring you or you’re falling asleep.”
A yawn. How interesting. With her hands she tried to indicate she was tired. She couldn’t imagine being bored by him.
“I know it may seem forward of me, but since we’ve spent most of the day nearly naked, I’m hoping you will consider staying here and spending the night with me.”
I’d love to, she thought as she nodded again. Nothing could be more wonderful than being in his arms. Logan quickly turned off all the lights and led her the short distance to the bed. As he pulled down the covers, she took off her robe. “Oh my, you are exquisite,” he said, turning to look at her, “but if you sleep nude I am never going to be able to keep my hands off you. Then Ivan is going to yell because we both look exhausted. I’m blathering and making ridiculous rationalizations, but if I don’t I am going to ravish you.”
She blinked, trying to take in his rapid words. She could tell was uncertain. Talking his hand in hers, she tried to reassure him. Don’t pull away from me, she thought.
“How about a T-shirt?”
She cocked her head to the side. A what?
“I’ll get one for each of us.” He pulled a container out from under the bed and withdrew two squares of material which he shook out before handing her one.
She started at the pretty blue thing and watched as he put it over his head and face. His arms poked through two holes in the sides. Repeating his movements, she managed after a few false starts to get the covering on.
“Damn, you still look completely sexy,” he said.
So do you, she thought and put her arms around him. He reciprocated and held her. Another yawn took her by surprise. “Come to bed, my Grace,” he said. He climbed in first. She curled against him and looked into his eyes hopefully. He leaned forward and kissed her. The warmth between them astounded her.
“Thanks for filling in and doing such a great job today.”
You’re welcome.
“And I know it wasn’t completely by choice, but thanks for listening to me. It may sound crazy, but with you, I don’t feel like a brainless object.”
You are so much more than that. Look at the kindness and thoughtfulness you’ve shown me. She ran her hand over his chest, stopping at his heart.
“You’ve touched my heart, too.”
I’m glad. You deserve that. She kissed him and put her head where her hand had been.
“Good night, Grace.”
Good night.
* * * *
A banging outside the door woke them both. It was still dark.
“Wake up, Logan!” someone yelled. “They want you in makeup in fifteen minutes. And I hope the girl is with you ‘cause no one knows where she is otherwise.”
“She’s right where she belongs,” he murmured. He hugged her close, although she had been by his side the entire time.
She had never slept with a man before and found the experience exciting and relaxing. Stretching out, she flexed from her arms to her toes, marveling once again at the experience of legs.
“As much as I would like to linger, work calls.”
Something in his voice bothered her. She pulled him back as he started to get up. What’s wrong? she tried to ask with her expression.
He figured it out. “I’m tired.”
She looked at the pillow and at him. “Not that kind of tired. I’ve been modeling for a long time and it’s not fun anymore. Each job is harder and harder to give what I’m supposed to. I want out, and I don’t know how.”
I understand. Intimately, in fact, and she was sorry she couldn’t tell him or offer him comfort.
“Come. We’ll make today great together.”
Absolutely.
She let the hovering people “fix her face” again, although she didn’t know what was broken. Ivan and his camera started clicking rapidly as the sun started coming up.
The day’s pictures were sexual. From sitting in Logan’s lap to lying on his chest, she spent hours naked and pressed against him. The tingling she experienced on the rock was back, full force.
“That’s a wrap until afternoon,” Ivan called.
Logan took her hand and helped her up from the sand. They stood there starting at each other as assistan
ts splashed warm water to wash the sand off and handed them towels.
“I need you alone,” he said when the crew walked away. “I need you now.”
Yes, her body screamed, and she was glad she was steady on her legs because they couldn’t take her fast enough into his trailer.
They dropped their towels the moment the door closed and were in each other’s arms with the next breath. She had been close to him all day. It hadn’t been close enough.
Logan took off the clothing he’d been wearing and she saw his complete body for the first time. It was more unusual than hers and she reached for the place between his legs that was different.
“Oh God, that feels good.”
She smiled, pleased to have done something right, and continued to explore the rigid skin and the area around it.
“Before my knees give out, let’s get into bed.” He picked her up and placed her in the center of the mattress. “I love being near you, touching you.”
So do I. She showed him by touching him more.
“No one’s ever been so attentive to touching my cock before.”
Cock. Interesting word, she thought, glad to know what it was called and more pleased that he enjoyed her actions. She let go of him for a moment, however, when he slid his fingers into the place between her legs.
“Your pussy is so wet, my sweet, so ready.”
Now she had a name for the part of her where all the sensations were concentrated. He continued to touch her there and she found her legs parting of their own volition.
“You want more?”
She nodded, not knowing exactly what the more could be. Logan started kissing his way down her body. She missed the feel of him against her lips, but when he got to her pussy she experienced a thrill that was beyond anything she had enjoyed so far. He licked her gently, using only the tip of his tongue. She saw stars behind her eyes.
“Oh yes, Grace, that’s it. I love seeing you respond to me.” She could feel the warmth of his breath against her skin and it added to the pleasure. He lapped again. “And I love the taste of you, like sea water and honey.”
