She started to say something, but instead flipped her hair over her shoulder and marched out of the library. He watched her retreating figure and when she disappeared, he let out his breath in a long exhale before turning around.
Nathaniel raised an eyebrow at him. “That was interesting.”
Luke gave a half smile. “Meagan and I have a bit of unresolved business,” he said, turning back to the package, clearly signaling he didn’t want to discuss it any further. “Let’s get this portrait out. I want to see what you think.”
My heart pounded. I normally didn’t like pictures of myself, but I was really curious to see how this one had turned out. Master DeVaan was a real artist, which was why we had asked him to take my photograph. I remembered the photos he had in the back room of his gallery. They were subtly erotic and graceful.
He slid my framed photo out of the box, but all that was visible was the back. “I went ahead and framed it. Thought that would be easier for hanging.”
Yes, whatever. Just let me see it.
Luke smiled. “I have to say, I’m really pleased with the way this turned out.”
He slowly turned it around and I forgot how to breathe.
It was stunning.
I couldn’t believe what I saw. The image was so perfect, so beautiful, so … there weren’t words.
“I know it was only to be Abby’s portrait, but when I saw this proof, I just knew,” Luke said.
“I’ve never seen anything so exquisitely beautiful,” Nathaniel whispered. “The angle …”
The image of us was in black-and-white and somehow taken from above. It showed my back, my hair pulled to one side to showcase my collar, and the rope binding my arms behind me. That alone would have made a gorgeous picture, but the addition of Nathaniel was what set it apart.
His head rested in the middle of my lower back, and looking at the picture, I could almost feel his lips pressing against my skin. His hands were splayed across my shoulder blades, highlighting the rings he wore: his wedding band on his left, the ring I gave him to symbolize our D/s relationship on his right.
“I can’t stop looking at it,” I said.
“That’s the highest praise you could possibly give me,” Luke said.
“I love it,” Nathaniel said. “I never imagined it being so incredible.” He slipped an arm around my waist. “And thank you for asking us to pose. This is so much better than what I had imagined.”
“Too bad we have to leave it in the playroom. I’d love to show it off.”
“And shock all our family members?”
“Nah,” I joked. “Just a few of them.”
“You know,” Luke said, “if the bid I put in on the shady BDSM club goes through, I’ll need to redecorate. Would you be opposed to me using some of the other pictures from the session? I can ensure that your identity is protected.”
Nathaniel’s smile faded just a bit. “I’ll have to think about that.”
“Take your time. I’ll give you access to the file so you can see the other pictures.”
Even though we’d agreed the pictures would be for us alone, I kind of liked the idea of showing them off. After all, they were beautiful and Luke said there was no away to identify us from them. I looked forward to talking to Nathaniel about them.
Luke shook Nathaniel’s hand and nodded in my direction. “I need to be on my way. I’m so glad you like the picture. It was an honor to be invited into your playroom.”
“I’ll walk you out,” Nathaniel said.While he did that, I stayed in the library, looking at the photograph. A few minutes later, Nathaniel came back into the room and slipped his arms around me from behind.
“I still can’t stop looking at it,” I said, leaning back into his embrace.
“It has a hypnotic power about it.”
“It’s so intense and yet tender at the same time.”
He swept my hair to the side, baring my neck. “Just like us?” he asked before dropping a kiss on the nape of my neck.
“Mmm, exactly.”
“What do you think of Luke putting some of our pictures up around the club?”
His lips were still moving against my skin and it prickled in response. “I like the idea actually,” I said.
I could feel his smile. “Why doesn’t that surprise me?”
“Because you know me and you know being watched turns me on.” I took a deep breath. “But I understand if you don’t want him to use them. If you think it’s too invasive.”
He turned me to face him. “There are two ways to look at it. For one, if someone’s looking at the picture, they’re in the club, right?”
“Right, but some might say you have more to lose.”
“Even if the picture was seen outside the club, all someone would know is it was of a couple with dark hair.”
I took his right hand. “As long as you ensure that this isn’t seen,” I said, twisting his ring. It was platinum and engraved with a unique pattern.
“True, there’s only one of these.”
“But other than that, I say we at least look at the other pictures. We can tell him which ones we wouldn’t mind him using.”
“Okay. I’ll let you know when he sends me the other shots.”
I nodded and he looked down at his watch. “I have another meeting starting in twenty minutes. When are you leaving to get the kids?”
“Not for another couple of hours.”
“Let’s go find a place in the playroom for this.”
“If you think you’ll have time.” My heart pounded just thinking about going into the playroom together, even though I knew we weren’t going to be doing anything.
He played with a strand of my hair. “I think I can spare a few minutes to hang a picture.” Then his voice dropped seductively. “Who knows? It might be that it only takes five minutes to hang the picture. Then I’ll have an entire fifteen minutes to fill.”
I took his hand and we made our way upstairs.
Chapter Ten
ABBY
On Wednesday night, two days later, I found myself kneeling in Daniel’s playroom for a demo with Nathaniel. My head was lowered and I closed my eyes as the almost highlike sensation I always got when we did something in front of people rushed through my veins. I couldn’t explain why, but lately the need for that high was growing and I was glad Nathaniel had these opportunities for us to be in front of people. I was on a platform in the playroom, and that only added to my excitement. I felt as if I were onstage.