Behind the Lens

by Heather Dahlgren

  Behind The Lens (Sexy Novel #1)

  Copyright © 2015 Heather Dahlgren

  Cover Design: MGbookcovers

  Cover Photo: MHPhotography

  Cover Model: Mandy Hollis

  Editor: Kelly Hartigan (XterraWeb)

  Editing.xterraweb.com

  Formatting: Stacey Blake, Champagne Formats

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This book contains material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is prohibited. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by an information and retrieval system without express written permission from the Author/Publisher.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Other Books

  Dedication

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Epilogue

  Behind the Book

  Acknowledgements

  About the Author

  Playlist

  Other Books by Heather Dahlgren

  The Change Series

  Changed

  Committment

  Conflicted

  Dancing Hearts

  “KALLIE, DINNER WILL BE READY in five minutes.” I look at the back door when I hear my mother’s voice before turning back to what I’m doing. This ladybug will fly away soon, and I need to get a few more pictures. I bring my camera up to my eye and focus on the many spots on her back. Click, click, click. I pull the camera away just as she flies away. I try to take a picture of her flying, but I’m not fast enough. I sigh and move over to the dandelion growing next to my mom’s roses. She’ll pull it out tomorrow, so I want to take a picture before she does. “Kallie Gregory, come on, dinner is ready.” I take one quick picture of the pretty weed and run into the house.

  I put my camera on the kitchen table and go to wash my hands. “Hey, squirt, did you take lots of pictures today?” I smile up at my big brother so excited that he wants to hear about my pictures.

  “Yep. I took pictures of a ladybug, leaves, Mrs. Molly’s cat, a squirrel, clouds, and a dandelion by Mommy’s roses.”

  “What? There is a dandelion in my rose garden?” Braden and I laugh while mom is looking out the window.

  We sit down to eat dinner and I smile at my mom. “Mommy, can we develop my pictures tomorrow? Please, please, pretty please?” Sometimes I have to wait a while because we don’t have extra money to develop them, but I really want to get these done. I have so many good ones on here.

  “Kallie, you are the only eight year old I know that gets so excited about pictures.” I lift my shoulders and take a bite of my hamburger. I love taking pictures. It is so much fun. I always have my camera with me, even in school. Mrs. Applestein took it from me last week because I pulled it out of my desk when Jimmy was making faces. I wanted to take a picture of him, but Mrs. Applestein said I needed to do math problems, not take pictures. I was doing my work; I just wanted to take a quick picture. Mommy said she would take my camera away if I did it again. I won’t ever do it again because if I didn’t have my camera, I would cry. “Yes, we can develop them tomorrow.” I snap my head up and give her a huge smile.

  “Thank you so much, Mommy.” I love my mom. It is only her, me, and Braden that live here. I don’t know my dad, but it’s all right because I like just having a mom.

  “Maybe one day you will make money taking pictures, and what kind of Mom would I be if I didn’t develop your pictures?” She winks at me and I laugh.

  “That’s what I’m going to do when I grow up. I’m always going to take pictures.”

  I look around my bedroom at all my pictures. I laugh when I look at the pictures I took when I was younger, but I will always keep them. I keep getting better the older I get. Today, Braden is going to take me to this lake we like to visit, and I’m so excited because there are so many beautiful things to take pictures of by that lake. I got a new camera for my birthday a few months ago, and it takes amazing pictures. I’m learning to edit them also, so they look even more stunning.

  I put my camera in the case and grab my cell phone before going to the living room to find my brother. He is sitting on the couch with a couple of his friends and their girlfriends. Braden is eighteen, but he still lets me hang out with him. He really is one of my best friends. “There’s the best photographer I know.” I roll my eyes, but inside, I smile with pride. All of his friends say hello to me, and after a quick lunch, we head to the lake.

  Braden and all his friends are swimming, but I’m not. There are too many things around me that I can capture. The sky is so blue today and the sun is shining just right, making the pictures so pretty. I am squatting down angling my camera to take some pictures of cattails when they move, and Braden is standing there. “Kallie, aren’t you done taking pictures yet?” I stand up and brush the dirt off my hands.

  “Nope, I’m never done.” He laughs and puts his arm around me.

  “Have you ever thought about taking pictures of people not just flowers and crap?” I shake my head as we walk closer to the lake.

  “I don’t know, Braden, flowers and crap are easy. People are harder; they move and you need to tell them what to do.” He laughs, and I don’t understand what is funny about that. I’m not good at telling people what to do. I can move objects or move myself to take a better angle of something without telling it anything.

  “I think you should try. Don’t think about it so much. Just take the picture.” He grabs his girlfriend around the waist and lifts her. He turns around toward me and tells her to smile. “Take the picture, Kallie.” I do just as he said. I don’t think so much and take the picture. He smiles at me before they head back into the lake. I look at the picture in the viewfinder, and I actually like it. I move a little closer to the lake and start snapping pictures. Braden and all his friends are splashing, laughing, and goofing off. After a few minutes, I look at the viewfinder again, and holy crap, I actually like what I’m seeing. I see a couple kissing in the water, so I snap. I look around and see a couple of them playing chicken, so I snap. I glance over and see Braden and his girlfriend; he has his forehead resting on hers. She has a small smile on her face looking right into his eyes, so I snap. I continue to capture all these amazing moments that would have passed me by if Braden didn’t suggest taking pictures of people.

  I can’t believe it is high school graduation already. It all flew by. I’m so damn excited to start college though. I’m majoring in photography and can’t wait to have a career doing what I love. “Kallie, come on, you can’t always take the pictures. Give your camera to your mom so you can be in this one.” I laugh at my friend Ally. She’s right though, I’m never in the pictures because I’m always taking them. Ever since Braden suggested taking pictures of people, I haven’t stopped. I even set up a small studio in my basement and took some
pretty fucking fabulous pictures of my friends. Braden got engaged this year, and he let me take their engagement pictures. I also realized I have no problem telling people what to do—as a matter of fact, I love it. “Kallie, come on.” I snap out of my thoughts and hand my camera to my mom.

  “Don’t drop it, Mom.” She kisses my cheek and takes the camera.

  “I know how long you saved up for this camera. I will handle it with total care.” I smile and walk over to my group of friends. We are all in our cap and gowns ready to venture out in different directions. Ally wraps her arm around me, and we all smile for my mom when she says cheese.

  After graduation, my mom, Braden, his fiancée Sarah, and I go out to dinner. I can’t help thinking about all the new exciting things that lay ahead for me. The idea that I will one day, in the not too far future, be a professional photographer makes me so damn excited. “How about a family picture before you head off to college?” Sarah asks, holding her hand out for my camera. I reluctantly hand over my camera and move to sit by my mom and brother. She holds up the camera and tells us to smile. It’s so different for me to be on this side of the lens. I’m much more comfortable being behind the lens.

  I’M SITTING IN MY OFFICE loading up today’s photo shoot onto the computer. I lean back in my chair and smile thinking about how great it was. I’ve had my own business now for just about a year, and I never could have imagined the success that would surround it. When I finished college, I started working for a photographer. In the beginning, it was new and exciting, but as time went on, I realized I was doing more coffee runs than photo shoots. Until one day, it finally happened.

  “Kallie, be a doll and go grab me a coffee. You know how I like it.” I look up at Shannon.

  “I thought I was going to shoot the next model?” She smiles sweetly and holds out a twenty for me.

  “Maybe next time, sweetie.” I grab the money from her and make my way to the local coffee shop to get her a coffee, light and sweet. I want to kick myself for never sticking up for myself, but I don’t want to make waves in this industry. I get her coffee and head back to the studio. When I walk in, she has already started the shoot. I put the coffee down and lean against the wall just taking it in. I watch her tell him to turn this way or that way, to take his shirt off, to lie down, stand up, and turn around. She is standing over him, behind him, in front of him. I can tell just by watching that the photos will be amazing. After she tells him to go change for the next group of pictures, she walks over to me. Part of me gets excited thinking that maybe she will ask me to take some this time. “Thanks, sweetie. Hey listen, I don’t know if they ever talked about this in college, but you know that it is completely and totally unethical for you to ever get involved with a model right?” I am completely taken back by this.

  “Of course, I know that. Even if it hadn’t been drilled into my head in college, I would never cross that line.” She sips her coffee and smiles at me.

  “You know that doesn’t just mean dating, right? You can’t randomly sleep with models either.” I stare at her for a minute trying to pick my words carefully because I can feel my blood starting to boil.

  “Shannon, I have no idea why the hell you think you need to tell me that. Like I said, even if I hadn’t learned that, I would never even consider it. I want to be a photographer; it’s all I’ve ever wanted. I will never, ever, do anything to screw that up.” She shakes her head, still sipping her coffee.

  “I just noticed the way you were watching, and I could see in your eyes that you liked what you saw.” I take a deep breath.

  “You’re right. I did like what I saw. What you’re wrong about is what I liked. I wasn’t excited by the model; I was excited watching you. That’s what I want, that’s all I want.” Fuck this. I need to get out of here for the day. She’s treating me like I haven’t been here for four months. I start walking away, and she touches my arm, which causes me to turn around. She’s holding out her camera.

  “Time for you to get in there.” I look at her in complete shock. She laughs and places the camera in my hands. “I know you think I’m a bitch, but I’ve seen way too many talented photographers lose their reputation. I don’t want to see that happen to you. You are too good. Now get your ass in there and take some kickass pictures.”

  That is exactly what I do. I walk over with my heart pounding in my chest. I’m excited and a bit nervous if I’m being honest. I’ve taken pictures of my friends and family, but never an actual model. I take a deep breath trying to calm myself. I won’t appear anything but professional. He walks back into the room and when I say ‘he,’ I mean Maxwell Smyth, one of the hottest most popular models right now. He’s graced book covers, magazines, and billboards. “Hey.” I take another deep breath and smile at him.

  “Hi. I’m Kallie. I’ll be doing the remainder of your shoot.” He raises his eyebrows, giving me only what I can describe as a look of doubt. I don’t even acknowledge it. I pull my hair into a messy bun and smile. “Let’s start with some shots on the bed.” He moves over to the bed and lies down. He’s only wearing a pair of red boxer briefs, which make the amazing tattoos he is sporting pop. “Lay on your back with your hands behind your head.” He does exactly what I tell him, and my confidence is growing with every second that passes. I climb up onto the bed and stand over him. “Just look at me; let’s do this a few different ways. I want you serious, then smiling, and then pissed off.” He smiles at me, and I snap the picture. I know he wasn’t ready for that, but he looked so hot, I wanted to capture it.

  The next two hours are ones I will never forget. I take pictures of him in bed, in the shower, by the windows, and in the bathtub. Never once did I let the fact that he was so popular, sexy as fuck, and naked affect me. I knew it wouldn’t; this is what I’ve wanted my entire life. I wouldn’t do anything to fuck that up.

  When we are finished, he goes to get dressed, and I turn around to find Shannon with a huge smile on her face. “Sweetie, you were born to do this. That was like watching myself, only now, not when I was your age. You have a gift, and those photos are going to be amazing.” I blink back the tears I feel swimming in my eyes. To have someone as successful and talented as Shannon compliment me like that is unexplainable.

  “Kallie.” I turn around when I hear Maxwell call my name. He is fully dressed and still hot as shit. This time, he smiles at me and pulls me in for a hug. I’m a bit taken back by this, but I hug him back, because let’s face it, a fucking gorgeous model hugs you, you return it. He lets go and steps back. “I have to apologize to you.”

  “What for? You did brilliant, as always.” He gives me a shy smile, and I wish I still had my camera in my hands.

  “No, that’s not it. When I walked in and saw you, I’ll admit I doubted your abilities. I am so sorry for that, because girl, that was one kickass shoot. You are fucking amazing and professional, and I look forward to working with you again.” Holy fucking shit, Maxwell Smyth just told me I am amazing. I want to jump up and high five myself I’m so excited, but I just smile at him.

  “Thank you. I can’t tell you how much that means to me.” He gives me a wink, and if I was any other girl, I would have pushed his sexy ass down on that bed, but it’s different now. I don’t see him as a sex symbol, I see him as a guy and now a guy that has my complete respect. What an unfuckingbelievable feeling.

  My cell phone rings, pulling me out of my thoughts. I look down and see my best friend Brinley’s smiling face. “Hey, girl, what’s up?” I hold the phone on my shoulder so I can put these photos into a file before loading the rest.

  “Holy shit, get ready because we are going out tonight to celebrate.” I laugh as I start loading up the rest of today’s shoot.

  “And what are we celebrating?” I met Brinley in college. She was an aspiring model that a group of us got to photograph. After the shoot, we got to talking and went out drinking, and we have been friends since. She’s absolutely stunning with long blonde hair that is often highlighted with
pink, purple, blue, or red. She has bright teal eyes; honest to God, they are teal and they are hers. She has perfect full lips, a slim waist, perfect tits, and an ass that makes me even want to grab it. Her nose is pierced, as well as her tongue, and she has the most beautiful tattoo, branches of a cherry blossom tree starting on her left hip, up her side, and filling her back. What I love most about it is randomly on her body she has a cherry blossom petal; it is so beautiful.

  “I am doing a shoot for the cover of Inked magazine! Holy shit, can you believe that?” I smile with pride because she deserves this success so much.

  “I can totally believe it, and I can’t wait to hear all about it. Where do you want to go to celebrate?” I take a sip of my water and check my time because I need to get myself ready if we are going out.

  “Are you serious? We are going to Ecstasy, bitch!” I should have known. That is the club we hang out at quite often, but I fucking love it there. The bar is outrageous; the music is a mix of just about everything, there is a huge dance floor, lots of tables and booths, and a wide variety of single men.

  “Sounds fucking perfect. I need to finish loading these pictures and getting them into files, but I’ll do the editing tomorrow. So how about you meet me here in like two hours? We can grab something to eat before we head to the club too because I’m fucking starving.” I tap my fingers on the keyboard, willing the photos to load faster.

  “That sounds awesome. I’ll see you in a bit. Love ya.” We hang up, and I watch the photos loading on the computer. I did a shoot with Avrey Ray and Scott Williams today. They look unbelievably sexy together. She has flawless skin, short blonde hair, and telling brown eyes. He is extremely well built and covered in amazing tattoos, with short brown hair and blue eyes. Damn, some of these poses turned me on for fuck’s sake. The way they looked, held each other, and kissed each other, it was hard to believe they weren’t an actual couple. They aren’t though; they are just that amazing at what they do. The last picture loads, and I couldn’t be happier with what I’m seeing. They look fabulous already, and I haven’t even done any editing. That right there is proof of a great shoot. I load all the pictures into a new file and shut down the computer. It is time to go have some fun; well, after I get my ass ready, of course.