BONUS
Please enjoy a tease from another hot title,
by Dara Tulen
“Please come in,” the voice was cultured with just a hint of an Atlantic accent. The man stepped back out of the way so Dean could enter.
As Dean walked by, he realized, with some relief, that he wasn't underdressed. The older man wore jeans as well and a fitted short-sleeved shirt, though both were considerably more pricey than anything Dean owned.
“I'm Audric Codrington,” he motioned for Dean to follow him.
The name sounded familiar, but Dean wasn't sure why. He would have no way to know someone who lived on this side of the city. Then he looked around the room he found himself in and an understanding dawned.
Dean was standing in a studio. And not just any studio, but the studio of one of the most sought-after photographers in the country. Everything he knew about this man suddenly ran through his mind. Twenty-nine, the youngest son of a family worth billions, two old money families joined by their only surviving heirs. The Codringtons had a castle in England, a villa in Italy and four homes in the States. The oldest, a daughter named Senna, was a fashion designer in Italy where she lived with her chef husband in the family villa. The middle child, Bronson, had gone to business school and managed the family's assets, nearly doubling their worth in the last five years. He maintained one of the family's downtown lofts, though rumors that he was thinking of settling down with his longtime girlfriend in the California home abounded.
Then there was Audric. The quiet one, he'd been so overshadowed by his siblings that his foray into the photography world had surprised everyone but his immediate family. His pictures had been controversial, beautiful and inspiring. Black and white, they were all of people exploring new things. The first series had been of elderly women and their first grandchildren. The second of young women masturbating for the first time. Tastefully done, the latter were sensual and erotic, not pornographic, but he'd received a lot of criticism from some areas. His third and fourth series had sold before he'd even revealed them.
“Your work is amazing,” Dean crossed to the far wall, drawn to the photographs hanging there. “Is this a new series?”
“I call it First Light,” Audric came over to stand at Dean's side. “People who lost their sight either as babies or were born blind have had surgery and see the sun for the first time.”
“Beautiful,” Dean breathed, everything else fading to the background as he let himself soak in what he was seeing. “The use of shadow and light here,” he indicated with his finger, “to portray the contrast of their old life compared to their new.”
“You have a good eye,” Audric's tone shifted. “Are you an artist?”
Dean felt his cheeks heat up. “I like to draw, but it's nothing.”
Audric reached out and hooked his finger under Dean's chin, turning the younger man's face his way. “The look on your face doesn't say that it's nothing.”
Dean wanted to step back, wanted to look away, but didn't. The touch was gentle, the expression in Audric's eyes something he hadn't seen from another man before. Admiration and want. He swallowed hard, suddenly wondering what he had gotten himself into.
“I'm a sure thing,” Dean told him. “You don't really need to try to impress me.”
Audric smiled and stepped back, dropping his hand. “Ah yes, the business transaction.” He picked up a folder from a nearby workbench and held it out. “As requested, my test results from earlier this week. Very smart to ask for them.”
Dean glanced inside just long enough to verify that Audric was clean. “So, how do we do this?”
“First,” Audric said, “I have to confess that this isn't just about sex.” He handed over another piece of paper. “I would like to photograph everything that happens tonight. This is a standard release form and I specified that your identity be protected. Nothing with identifying features will be kept as part of the series. I'll add another two million dollars if you agree.”
Dean stared in disbelief. Two million dollars to let this man fuck him. Two million more if he allowed his picture to be taken. A legal and binding contract that ensured no one would know it was him. He'd never have to worry about money again. He could pursue his dream of becoming an artist. The hand he held out for a pen was trembling, but he'd made his decision and he wasn't going to back out.
To be continued....