Page 2 of Her Cover Model Daddy
Keeping in shape for photoshoots was not a problem, but attending book conventions was more challenging. The conference was barely underway and the muscles of his face were already sore from smiling.
He knew from past experience that by the time he headed home, his arms and ribs would be sore from giving and receiving hugs from every woman, and more than a few men, in attendance. His ass would also be tender from being pinched by the more handsy of his fans.
Which was one of the reasons he kept the truth of his sexuality a secret. He was aware of the rumors that swirled through the book world, but still he refused to answer the subtle, and not so subtle, questions bloggers, authors, and readers asked about his personal life and preferences.
While it was not the only reason he’d been celibate for the last few years, it was a contributing factor. He could not imagine how anyone, man or woman, would be able to handle the amount of flirting he did at an event.
As a bisexual Daddy Dominant, he was beginning to doubt he would ever find a Little—male or female—to fit into his life and lifestyle without being jealous of these publicity weekends.
His job as the manager of a gym helped him keep fit and photo-shoot ready. Being a model allowed him to make some extra money while pretending to be all sorts of different kinds of men, at least on film. The only thing missing in his life was a warm body to snuggle with at the end of the day. He didn’t care if they were a man or woman, as long as they understood he would not give up the modeling and book conventions until he had to.Wanting that person to be a Little he could take care of and spoil only complicated the challenge of finding a life partner.
Lacy Grey had caught his attention when she entered the ballroom ahead of him carrying way too many bags. When the woman she followed did not bother to help her, Drake decided he needed to.
Stepping up, he took the bags and was surprised at the weight. No wonder she’d been struggling. The scent of strawberries and sugar filled his lungs when he took a breath and he could not help but smile when he recognized her as Little.
Her long brown hair was in a high ponytail, and her sneakers sparkled with glitter. When she turned to face him, he saw the unicorn on her too-big t-shirt sparkled as well while her leggings hugged well-shaped legs. She looked tired and the conference had not even begun. He hoped she wasn’t getting sick.
He followed her to the corner and once they divested the heavy bags, he could not help himself. Asking her name was polite, but stepping in and embracing her without permission might have been crossing the line of propriety. But she was too cute not to hug, and she looked like she could use one.
When the organizer called him away, he made a promise to himself to find and talk with her. He wanted to learn all about Lacy Grey. Like if she was single, if she was Little, and if she was looking for a man to Daddy her. But that would have to wait until later.
Chapter 2
“Cross your arms over your chest, tilt your head more to the left, and look at me and not at the camera,” Lacy instructed from where she stood just to Rebecca’s left. “Pretend you’re trying to figure out what your Little is doing.”
She knew she was overstepping the bounds of being a good photographer’s assistant, but she could also tell the photos her cousin-in-law were taking were the same run of the mill photos everyone took. She might sell one or two, but there was no spark or sizzle in anything they’d done so far.
Drake made the adjustments and added the tiniest smirk of a smile. Though he was confused by the Little girl’s suggested changes in position, he also approved of them. Too bad her cousin didn’t have her eye.
“That was perfect, Drake. I think we have enough of this cowboy look. How about you change into the baseball uniform next. Excuse me, I’ll be right back,” Rebecca said as her phone began rang. She handed Lacy her camera and walked out of the room.
“Could you do me a favor before you change clothes?” Lacy asked once she was sure Rebecca would be gone for a few minutes.
“Sure. What do you need?”
“I’d like to try something, if you don’t mind. Could you untuck and unbutton your shirt, part it a little and put your hands on your hips?” She waited until he had performed the requested changes. Putting Rebecca’s camera on the table, she pulled hers out of her backpack and quickly made sure it was charged and ready to go. “Now look perturbed, like you’re on the verge of losing your temper with your Little. Yes, just like that. Maybe put your hands on your hips and make yourself big.”
As he shifted into character, Lacy lifted her camera to her eye and began shooting. “Now rub your hands together like you’re warming them up for a spanking. Perfect.”
She clicked off another dozen frames before pulling the camera away from her face. “Thank you.”
Drake nodded. “You’ve got a good eye. Are you a photographer as well?”
“No,” Lacy said, dropping her face and surreptitiously checking her watch. “I’m just a rabid romance reader. I know what I like to see on the cover and thought we could try that last look. And I’d suggest you get back into your clothes instead of the other costume. You’re supposed to be downstairs for dinner in about five minutes.”
Drake glanced at the clock across the room and nodded. “You’re right. Thanks for keeping an eye on the time.”
Lacy began breaking down the backdrop they’d set up for today’s shoot while Drake took his clothes into the hotel room’s bathroom to change. Pulling the backdrop of the stand, she cried out when the frame separated and the cloth fell down on top of her.
“You need a Daddy,” Drake said, pulling the tarp off of her as she tried to fight her way out from under the heavy canvas.
“If you only knew,” Lacy muttered as she stood up and began to fold the material so it would fit back into the duffle bag it had come out of.
“Knew what?” Drake asked as he moved to the other side of the wide canvas and helped her fold it up.
Lacy shook her head. “Nothing.”
The last thing she needed was to embarrass herself by sharing her life with this man. He was a star, an idol to thousands, and would never be interested in a nobody like her.
