Page 18 of The Big Daddies of LA

NICK

As I click the camera, I wonder if I went too far. I’m being an asshole. I know I am, but what’s the alternative? Compliment her and tell her how great she’s doing? No, I want her to get better. Not be complacent.

I’m going to challenge Savannah Hart until she reaches a new level of perfection. And, yes, maybe I’m being more harsh than necessary, but it’s also important that she keeps her distance. If she hates me then she won’t come around and tempt me with those big, blue eyes.

“Head up,” I snap. When she lifts her golden head and looks up to the sky, a ray of sunshine hits her just right. And, something hits me in the gut. It’s low and fierce.Desire,I realize, and try to push it away.

Rule number three, Knight,I remind myself.

But, God, she’s stunning. She literally looks like an angel. Or, after all my berating, maybe the better term is martyr. So young, so innocent. I give my head a shake. What the fuck is wrong with me? I’m supposed to be working and all I can think about is if she tastes as sweet as she looks.

And, that damn perfume. I don’t know what it is, but the moment I smelled it yesterday, I wanted to lick her. It fits her-- some combination of sweet and a faint dash of spice. Last night when she came out onto the balcony, it wafted over and teased me to the point that I wanted to hop over that divider and devour her.

Instead, I lingered out there and let the scent envelop me. Then, I went back inside and jerked off.

She’s getting under my skin and the only way I know how to cope is to lash out. I’m being unprofessional, a complete ogre. But, what choice do I have? I have to keep my distance and that’s all there is to it.

Our relationship is strictly a professional one and that’s how it’s going to remain.

We move over to a new sign and, while the crew sets up, I watch her move off to the side and sigh. I can tell that she’s frustrated, but Savannah is a trooper. No matter what I throw at her, she lobs it right back. She’s knocking this whole photo shoot out of the park, but I’ll be damned before I tell her that.

The moment I laid eyes on her last night at the restaurant, she shook me. Hell, I choked on my drink. I’m not sure what I was expecting. Probably just another ditzy, empty-headed model, but the young woman I met was so much more than that. She possesses such a sweet, wide-eyed innocence and the nervous way she stumbled over her words and shook my hand for a minute straight was endearing.

And, frustrating. I don’t want to feel the overwhelming attraction that’s stoking a heat inside me. But, it’s there and doesn’t seem to be going away no matter what I do.

Fuck.

Without her realizing it, I snap a picture of her standing there, the wind blowing the gauzy dress up, the blazing blue sky and mountains behind her.I’m keeping this one for me.

When the crew is done setting up, I motion for Savannah. We’re working with the old Moulin Rouge sign and the letters were rearranged at some point to spell out “In Love.” I give her some clipped direction and she follows it perfectly.Of course, she does,I think and struggle not to roll my eyes.

If this were any other girl, I’d be thrilled. Despite the grief I’m giving her, she’s listening and taking direction like a seasoned pro. We shoot for a while longer and then it’s time to break for lunch. But, I’m not hungry and I wander off to take a break far away from everyone else. I’d like to be out of earshot when they start talking shit about me.

I find a bench in the shade and start scrolling through the hundreds of pictures I’ve taken so far today. Normally, when I’m going through shots, a good one will pop up every 20-30 pictures or so, but literally every single shot of Savannah is exquisite. The client is going to be thrilled and have a really hard time choosing which photos to use.

Savannah Hart is on the verge of catapulting into super stardom.

I’m glad to be the photographer who captured these flawless shots. I like the feeling that I’m the one responsible for bringing this kind of magnificence out of her. But, deep down, I know she had it in her way before she met me.

And, after this shoot? Photographers are going to be banging her door down to work with her and I’ll just be some faded memory. Maybe an anecdote in a future magazine article about the worst experience she ever had on set.

My eyes narrow. Well, the day’s not over yet so I can still give her some good material for that article.

All of a sudden, I look up and see a mangy-looking dog nearby. The poor thing looks half-starved and is probably dehydrated from this desert heat. I stand up and head over to the craft service tent where I load a plate up with some lunchmeat and cheese. I grab a bottled water and make my way back out and over to where the dog lays curled up beneath the shade of a large sign.

“Hey, pup,” I say and approach the dog slowly. “You hungry? Want some chow?” I drop down and sit cross-legged on the ground. The dog perks up and eyes the plate of food. I whistle, encouraging him to come over. “Don’t be scared.”

After a few more low, encouraging words, the dog gets up and makes its way over. I hand him a piece of ham and he takes it with utmost gentleness. “That’s a good boy.” Poor thing must be a stray. I’ve heard that people will drop unwanted animals off in the desert and it makes me sick. At least have the decency to take him to the pound where he has a chance to find a new home and be safe from coyotes and other prey.

For the next 20 minutes, I feed the dog and talk to him quietly. I think he’s probably the only one on set who likes me. It doesn’t take long before he’s sprawled out next to me, offering his belly and I give it a good rub.

He’s a scruffy-looking thing and absolutely filthy. I wonder how long he’s been wandering around out here, all alone, lost and hungry.Dammit.The last thing I need is a dog, but I’m already trying to figure out how I can get him home. I’m not leaving him out here to die, that’s for sure.

I glance down at my watch and realize it’s time to get back to work. The dog helped turn my mood around and I decide I’m keeping him. I scratch his head then stand up. “Don’t go anywhere, buddy. You just hit the jackpot.”

I motion for my assistant to come over. “Noah, I need you to help me out.”

“That’s why I’m here. Whatever you need, Nick”

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