“Beauty.”

“What else?”

“Strength, survivors, unity. I could go on and on.”

“That’s what I want my viewers to see.”

I hugged my arms around my own breasts, as if to conceal them. “Why the hell do you want me in the picture? They definitely don’t need me.”

“Do you want me to be honest or lie?” He looked into my eyes.

“Honest.”

“You’re the reason people will stop and look at the picture. I doubt they’ll even notice the women around you at first, but when they do, they’ll study and compare. You’re the anchor in normalcy for the close-minded so they won’t run out of the room screaming. But once they take the time to truly give the other women a chance, you’ll probably be forgotten.”

“That’s pretty harsh.”

He returned to his camera. “You asked for the truth.”

Fine. He has a point.

I took the time to really think his words over. How bad would it be to lose my identity in a sea of something bigger than me? I formed my lips into a smile. “If I had to choose a group of women to be lost to, it would be them. They inspire me to be more.”

“That’s the point.” He pressed something. A click sounded. “Okay. The clock is ticking. Are you done being a diva?”

“Oh, be quiet. I wasn’t being a diva.” I hurried back to my seat.

“Is everything okay?” one of the women asked when I sat down.

“Definitely.”

Hex took pictures and encouraged us to talk the entire time. I couldn’t help it, but I asked the women about their lives. Some of them had battled cancer for many years and during the process they’d lost their jobs, connections with friends, family ties, and a few had broken marriages. Yet, they’d survived the cancer and all the other problems.

“Life is an expedition through triumphs, pain, and unexpected occurrences,” the darkest woman admitted. “I don’t have time to cry about what I’ve been through when I’ve been given another chance at life. Before the doctor told me I had cancer, I was just drifting along in my unhappy little marriage and walking through life like a zombie. The diagnosis changed all of that.”

A few of the other women nodded in agreement.

“All I can tell you is to live your life the best way you can. Enjoy yourself when you can, cry if you need to, love when you have the opportunity, and run fast when the situation calls for it.” She clapped her hands and laughed, which motivated Hex to snap his camera like a deranged lunatic.

“Hex!” Alvarez’s voice vibrated through the walls. He must’ve been right outside. His footsteps stomped our way. The door opened. He marched his bulky frame through the door. “I’ve been calling you all day and not once have you answered the phone. We need to talk.”

“What do you want, Al?”

Alvarez didn’t respond. I glanced at him. Alvarez’s gaze fell on me as he opened his mouth. It seemed he lost the original goals he intended on reaching before entering the studio. His gaze dropped to my breasts. They woke up under his attention. A shiver of desire flowed through me. There was need pooling through his eyes--unadulterated, wild need that I wasn’t even sure I could take care of. That electric sensation sparked between us. There could be no denying it. I’ll bet even the women who sat on the stage spotted it.

“Al, whatever you’re doing, stop it.” Hex’s camera flashed as he took a few more. “You’re making Elle blush.”

“No. He’s not,” I said.

“Yes. He is.” Hex put down the camera and frowned. “I’m busy, Al. We’ll have to talk later. You’re disturbing my session.”

“This can’t wait until later.” Alvarez let his gaze linger on my face for a few more seconds before moving his attention away. I released a breath I had no idea I’d been holding.

The dark-skinned woman from earlier nudged my arm. “Are you two dating?”

“No,” I whispered.

“That’s not what it looks like to me,” another woman giggled in the back.

Alvarez crossed his arms across his chest. “Hex, you have time to talk. What I have to ask you is bigger and more important than art.”

“Nothing is bigger than art.”

Alvarez moved closer to where I sat, but didn’t look my way. “What I have to say is bigger than most things.”

“I only have these models for twenty more minutes. I’ll talk to you then.” Hex kneeled right in front of me and took more pictures. “Damn it, Al. Leave the room. All of my models are blushing like damn school girls and Elle looks aroused.”

“I do not.” I tucked some of my hair behind my ear. “That’s ridiculous.”

“Your nipples weren’t all perky and erect before and now they are. This isn’t a Playboy shoot. It’s an art studio.”

“I know what it is.” I rolled my eyes.

Tags: Kenya Wright Mystery
Source: readsnovelonline.net