Author's Notes:

Out of the Blue was a gift from my Muse during a period of spiritual ennui. A palette cleanser that allowed me to move beyond the dark and back into the light.

It's just a sweet little story of a young man born outside his true era but who finds a place for himself with the help of family and friends.

Nothing traumatic or triggering (I believe) in this story.

I hope you enjoy it.

-=-

This is a one-off story. There will be no sequel.

All characters engaging in sexual relationships or activities are 18 years old or older.

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Out of the Blue

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Chapter 1

The end of Calvin Lane's high school career held no more significance than any other day throughout the years he'd dedicated to the institution.

He wasn't going to give the valedictorian speech or accept any special honors for achievements at the graduation ceremony.

His legacy was to be unremarkable in the timeline of his scholastic experience.

His grades were sufficient to graduate. That's all that could be said for them. They certainly wouldn't garner him any special notice amongst prospective employers.

It wasn't that Calvin lacked intelligence. He just didn't fit into the standard template the education system used to categorize its students. As he managed not to fail, and the underfunded, overstressed system pushed him along without trying to help him do better.

Only one teacher would remember him.

Mrs. O'Grady, who taught art to the students, treasured every piece Calvin made for her. In the older woman's opinion, Calvin was an oasis of brilliant talent amongst the wasteland of uncultured goobers, a term she didn't use lightly or often.

While most of her students showed no interest in expressing themselves beyond social media snapshots of their minutiae-filled lives, Calvin took to art like a starving man stumbling upon an all-you-can-eat buffet.

While his marks in her classes were always the highest, his other subjects pulled his grade average down to an unremarkable level.

Socially, Calvin struggled with shyness and being tongue-tied around his peers. He wasn't ugly, overweight, or suffering from adolescent skin blemishes. It was his shyness that isolated him from others.

This began early, as his parents' genes gifted him with height. He went through his junior grades a head-and-a-half taller than his peers, but his muscles didn't begin to appear until after he went through puberty. The strenuous chores his stepfather assigned to him on the farm helped develop his new muscles.

It was during these high school years that his adult looks began to surface. His birth father had been a handsome man with intensely blue eyes. Reshaping his body with new muscle accentuated his features, but his shyness made him hide his face behind his long, wavy blonde hair.

His gentle nature didn't win him any points with the school's female population, who remembered him as the tall and silent beanpole. They were more enamored with the boys on the school's football team.

With no prospects for going to college, Calvin knew he'd have to continue taking odd jobs to earn a living. He couldn't afford to move out of his stepfather's home.

Calvin lost his real father when he was just two years old. Walter Lane died in a traffic accident, leaving his wife, Melinda, alone in a small northern Missouri farming community with their son.

A year later, after she ran out of money and lost the house, Melinda moved in with Ted Barrows, a recently widowed farmer with two boys of his own. They didn't marry, but viewed the arrangement as a matter of necessity and convenience. Melinda and Calvin needed a place to live, and Ted needed someone to manage his home and care for his two sons, who were only two and three years older than Calvin at the time.

While there wasn't much love in the home, Melinda was a nurturing soul, and Calvin's unofficial stepbrothers benefited greatly from her presence. She balanced their father's strict nature.

Daryl and Dennis were rough-and-tumble kids and enjoyed fighting, so Calvin learned how to defend himself. This came in handy when they reached their school years and encountered bullies. While Calvin got into fewer fights due to his ability to fade into the background, he'd learned how to defend himself. If things got truly out of hand, Daryl and Dennis were always willing to wade in to protect their stepbrother. Once word got out that bullying Calvin meant a beating from the Barrows Boys, the bullies left Calvin alone, for the most part.

After graduating from high school, Daryl and Dennis continued living with their father and worked alongside him on the farm. They weren't the handsomest or smartest of men, but they were generally good to Calvin and loved Melinda.

When Calvin graduated, Ted made it clear he thought Calvin was too much of a dreamer to be of any value working on his farm. Truthfully, Ted didn't relate to the quiet young man and felt uneasy in his presence. They'd never bonded.

So, Calvin found himself in a desperate state, being a high school graduate with no means to begin an independent life. He had no car, and they lived too far from the closest large city where work was more readily available. The first option that came to his mind was to walk from door to door asking if they had any chores that needed doing for a reasonable hourly wage.

The first home he would try was their closest neighbors, the Jenkinses.

Ross and Beverly Jenkins lived in the farmhouse half a mile down the road from Ted's homestead.

Ross was a long-haul truck driver, spending more time on the road than at home.

Their property had some good acreage, but Ross wasn't a farmer and let the fields go fallow.

Years earlier, Ted tried to work out a deal with Ross to expand his crops into the unused fields, but Ross wanted too much money in return and wouldn't budge on his price.

This resulted in bad blood between the two men. Ted declared the family public enemy number one.

Beverly was ten years younger than her forty-year-old husband and prettier than any woman in town. She was almost as tall as Calvin but was very curvy. Her breasts were far more than a handful and strained every blouse and dress she wore. Not to be outdone in the curves department, Beverly's ass jiggled as much as her breasts. It was a dual assault on the eyes and male libidos.

Then there was her enormous mane of fiery red curly hair. It hung down her back to her ass, and many a man imagined running their hands through it.

Or taking a grip on it.

It was a hot summer morning that promised to be a scorcher. Ted and his sons set off to work the back fields, leaving Calvin on the porch. He'd put on his cleanest cut-off shorts and t-shirt to be presentable and slipped on his runners.

Topping this off with his wide-brimmed straw hat, he tucked his work gloves into his back pocket and walked up the lane to the country road. Day one of his job hunt would begin with a visit to their closest neighbor's home. It might have been against Ted's wishes, but these were desperate times.

The cicadas were already buzzing happily in the heat as Calvin walked along the side of the road. There was no traffic, so he relaxed and enjoyed the walk. His eyes caught several details of the scenery he thought might be fun to draw, but he pulled himself away from that and disciplined his thoughts to get himself through his sales pitch.

When he reached the end of the driveway, he noticed Ross' truck was missing, so this meant he was on the road again. He paused, wondering whether to continue to the next house, a mile further on, or check if Beverly was home. There was another car in the driveway, so he took that as a good sign.

Taking a deep breath, he walked up the driveway and climbed the steps to get to the front door.

As he reached forward to knock, the inner door opened, and Beverly was standing inside the storm door, her blue eyes watching him cautiously as she stood there in her housecoat.

Calvin took off his hat, pushed back his hair, and launched into his pitch.

"H-hello! My name is Calvin Lane. I was... I was wondering if you might need any general handyman services. I can offer a very reasonable hourly rate for tasks such as..." He lost his train of thought as Beverly was beginning to smile at him. Her housecoat had slipped open, revealing a glimpse of her cleavage. She was so incredibly sexy!

He closed his mouth and eyes and took another deep breath. Opening his eyes again, he picked up where he'd faded.

He let his eyes drift toward the front lawn as he continued. "Property maintenance such as yard clean-up, garden weeding, mowing, and trimming. I can also do any tidying tasks in barns, workshops, garages, attics, and cellars. Does your car need a wash? I can do that too!" He let himself look back at the woman and went still once more.

Beverly was leaning against the door jamb with her arms crossed under her heavy breasts, which delightfully presented them up and forward. Calvin's mouth went dry as he tried to get back to his pitch.

"How much are ya chargin', darlin'?" she said with a sultry voice that sent a thrill up his spine. It was smooth and sexy, and his eyes were captivated by her sensual, plump, pink lips that turned up at the corners in a seductive smile.

"ah... Ah, t-ten dollars an hour!" he managed to say.

Her smile widened, and once more, he couldn't look away.

"That's a good deal!" she purred, then she tilted her head as she looked at him more closely. "Lane? I thought you were Ted Barrow's boy."

"M-my mom and I live with him and his sons, but... we're not related," he explained with a shy smile.

"Oh! I didn't know that! Is he good to you and your momma?" she asked, and Calvin began to get uncomfortable with the questions. He just nodded.

Letting her eyes slide down his body, she smiled. "I suppose I do have a few tasks that need doin'," she offered with a sly smile.

She stepped outside onto the porch next to him, and he noticed she was wearing high-heeled pumps that showed off her long legs as they flashed into view beneath her untied robe as she walked. The sight of her incredible body, squeezed into a sheer babydoll nightie, trapped his eyes.

Was her housecoat completely open now?

She pointed to the piles of bricks, boards, and other building materials along a fence on one side of the front lawn.

"I'd like to see our front lawn tidied up and all this stuff moved next to the barn in proper stacks," she said as she scanned her eyes over the yard.

"I can do that!" he said.

She smiled at him again and glanced at the pretty gold watch on her wrist. "It's nine-fifteen now. You get started, and we'll see what else I'll have for you after this. Knock when you're done."

Calvin smiled happily at her, and she grinned in return. He was a little dazzled, but he immediately nodded and headed down the steps, pulling on his work gloves and donning his hat once more.

He noticed she was watching him from the steps for a bit, then headed back inside.

It didn't take long to put all the junk from the lawn into neat stacks next to the barn. Especially once he'd found a wheelbarrow next to the barn.

He went back to the front door and knocked again.

"Done already?" she asked in surprise as she looked past him to confirm the work was done. Her eyes widened happily as she saw he'd done a good job.

"In the small shed in the backyard, you'll find a driving lawn mower. You know how to use one?" she asked, and he nodded. "Good! There's a trimmer for the edging once you've cut the grass. Off ya go!" she said with a grin, and he hustled off to do her bidding.

An hour later, he returned to the door to knock once more.

Beverly gave him a delighted smile as she stood on the porch, appreciating his work.

"You've done a wonderful job! Could I ask you to wash the car next?" she said as her eyes admired his chest through his sweaty, semi-translucent t-shirt.

"Okay," he said and headed back to the shed, where he saw the bucket, sponges, and cleaning supplies.

As noon approached, the overhead sun was brutally hot, and Calvin needed relief.

Once he had the supplies ready for the car wash, he stripped off his shoes, hat, gloves, and shirt to set them aside on a rain barrel next to the house. Then he turned on the water for the garden hose and let the chilly water pour over his head, running down his muscles to cool his overheated skin. All he had on were his shorts, but it didn't really matter to him if they got wet.

The cool water was heavenly!

He shook his head, and his long hair flung the water from side to side.

Once he'd cooled down a little, he got to work on the car, soaping it up and scrubbing it down with the sponge. He got soapy in the process, so he rinsed himself off from time to time, which also helped cool him down.

When he was done, he rolled up the hose and put everything back where he'd found it.

He smiled at the shiny car and nodded to himself.

Beverly met him by the rain barrel as he walked back from the shed. He wondered what she'd been doing inside that left her with such a flushed face.

"You've worked for three hours, so here's thirty dollars!" she said and smiled as she held out the bills for him.

He then realized his shorts were soaked. He couldn't put the money in his pocket. His shirt was sweaty, and his shoes and hat were, too. He had nowhere dry to protect the bills.

Beverly saw him trying to resolve this dilemma and smiled.

"As it's lunch time, why don't ya join me. I'll leave the bills on the kitchen counter. While we eat, I'll put your clothes through a quick wash-and-dry cycle. I'll give ya a towel and a housecoat until they are ready," she suggested.

He was going to refuse her kind offer, but his stomach took that moment to complain loudly.

She grinned, picked up his clothes, and headed for the back door. He had no option but to follow.

Off the back of the farmhouse was a large, screened-in veranda. As Calvin stepped inside, he came to a stop, as he was still dripping wet.

Beverly continued into the house and quickly returned with the offered towel and housecoat.

He accepted the towel and quickly dried himself as well as he could. Then he wrapped the damp towel around his waist and dropped the shorts down his legs, stepping out of them.

Beverly knelt before him, and he froze.

Then she rose to her feet once more with his shorts between her fingers. She turned with a sexy little smile on her lips as she'd noticed his confusion.

When she went back into the house, Calvin quickly dried off his groin and ass before tugging the housecoat on and letting the towel drop. He picked it up before Beverly returned. She took it from him and gestured to the small, round table with two chairs, perfect for outdoor dining. He nodded in thanks and found a seat with a view of the fields filled with weeds.

He knew Ted would be infuriated by this view. Still, his eyes caught the beauty of the mixed wildflowers, the myriad flying insects, and the active birds enjoying the uncultivated fields.

He became a little mesmerized by the flowers swaying in the gentle breeze and didn't notice Beverly return with a tray. When she set it down gently, he snapped back to attention as he looked her way. His treacherous eyes dipped into her cleavage, once more on display through her open housecoat. He caught the tail end of a satisfied smile as she turned back to the task of setting out their lunch before them.

When she sat in the chair next to him, rather than across the table, he became a little nervous because he had a much closer view of her body. He forced his attention toward the meal she'd prepared.

It was a simple lunch of sandwiches and lemonade, but after his active morning, he was looking forward to it.

At first, they ate in silence, just enjoying each other's company. This was a relief for Calvin, as he remained tongue-tied around people, especially when they looked as good as Beverly did.

He began to notice she was watching him with a little smile. He struggled to think of something to say to distract her.

She got there first.

"Is this your summer job?" she asked.

He locked eyes with her, then put the last bite of his sandwich back on his plate. "I-I graduated... so I need to find some way to make a living. Ted doesn't want me working on his farm."

A brief frown crossed her face, then was replaced by her subtle smile once more.

"This is it?" she pondered.

He shifted uncomfortably. "I'm... kind of trapped. There are no jobs here. I have no means to get to the city. I can't afford to live anywhere else."

Now, a sad frown appeared. "This isn't a good place for young people," he said.

He watched her pondering that statement, and she nodded in response. "No, it's not."

"What keeps you busy?" he suddenly blurted without thinking that she might be offended.

His tongue froze once more as he waited for her anger.

Instead, she chuckled. He took a cautious look toward her, and her smile had returned.

"I write stories," she said with a proud smile.

"Ah!" he exclaimed with a smile.

"It's a wonderful experience to be creative, isn't it?" she asked him, as if they were sharing a secret.

His mouth worked as he tried to understand.

"I saw you lookin' at the wild garden. Were you composing a story? Maybe making a video of the swaying grasses?" she asked.

"Painting," he confessed in a whisper. "I was painting the scene." While sketching was his main joy, art class introduced him to painting, and he discovered he loved it.

Her smile widened, and her eyes showed her joy. "You're an artist?"

Calvin was once more at a loss for words. The only people who complimented his art were Mrs. O'Grady... and his mom. But moms had to say those things.

"I like art. I draw a lot," he said.

"I would love to see your art," Beverly purred, and Calvin smiled shyly.

"Wha-what do you write?" he asked to get the focus off him.

Her eyes became a little mischievous. "Erotica!" she said boldly.

"What?" he asked as his mind blanked the word as she spoke it.

"I used to write stories of all kinds in school, but then I got married and just... stopped. I really want to start a family, but after years of trying, I don't think it will happen now. I'm stuck out here in the country, mostly alone, and the only thing that keeps me from going crazy is my connection to the Internet. I found an online writing community and rediscovered my passion for writing. I met some great talents and developed some friendships. One of them suggested a website called Literotica. From my first visit, I was hooked. It opened my eyes to the kinds of stories that I really enjoyed reading and writing! It makes me feel alive!"

Calvin was a little nervous, but he couldn't stop his smile as hers was infectious! Her joy was plain to see.

"Ted won't pay for internet at his house," Calvin confessed.

"I'm... not impressed with that man," Beverly admitted with a huff.

Calvin chuckled and nodded.

She got a mischievous look on her face. "These days it's been difficult to find inspiration for new stories, but the way you washed that car...." She paused with a smile as her mind went back to the memory.

"Oh?" Calvin said nervously as he watched her lick her lips. His eyes were fixed on her pink tongue.

With another smile, she nodded. "You're a very attractive young man!" she purred. "Watching you splash water over your body to make it glisten in the sunlight was very sexy."

His mouth dropped open. "I-I-I wasn't trying to­­_­--"

She touched his arm as she leaned closer. "I know! Your innocent intentions made it so much sexier."

His eyes locked on her fingers caressing his arm, and he noted she'd chosen a bold red polish that matched the brightness of her hair. His eyes lifted, and he saw that she'd pushed her chair back and was beginning to stand. He wasn't sure what to do.

When she knelt next to his chair, his eyes widened as she pushed the table away from them.

"Do you think I'm pretty?" she asked with a coy smile.

Once more, his voice failed him. His mouth was open, but his eyes were taking in her lush mane of hair, her deep cleavage, and her sexy lips, which indicated she was enjoying his appreciative looks.

"Yes! I-I think you're beautiful! I-I'd love to draw you!" he gasped from a tight throat.

Her smile widened. "Is that all you'd like to do with me?"

His mouth opened, and he froze. Images flew past his mind of things he'd like to do, but he had no experience with any of them.

"It's... the only thing I've ever done with a woman!" he confessed.

Instead of looking disappointed, her smile just got sexier.

"Mmmm! Your first time? Would ya like me to teach you a few things?" Her voice was sending tingles through his body, and his housecoat began to tent.

Beverly moved between his legs and took hold of the belt on his housecoat and soon had it undone.

Cal was frozen with indecision. Did he want this?

Yes!

But she was a married woman! That seemed to get his voice back.

"Wha-what about your husband?" he managed to stutter in his tension.

She took hold of the sides of his robe, but she didn't open it immediately. Her eyes seemed fixed on the bulging tent before her. "Ross promised me a much better life than the one he delivered. He promised me a family. That was another lie. I went to a fertility doctor, and I'm not the problem. Now, Ross won't even touch me when he gets home from his trips. He promised I wouldn't be alone, but I am, far too much. I'm glad I rediscovered my joy of writing and have online friends, but I need a direct connection." She lifted her eyes to gaze into his. "Will you let me share some time with you?"

Calvin couldn't get over how incredibly lovely she looked, kneeling before him. He throbbed down below, and the tent threatened to open under its own power. Her smile turned sexy as she saw the motion.

"Should I take that as, yes?" she purred.

Calvin leaned forward and slid his fingers into her hair as his hands cupped her face, bringing his lips to hers.

He wasn't too sure what to do next, but he needed to kiss her.

When she moaned happily and moved her mouth to caress his lips, he felt another shock go through his body. He mirrored her actions, and her moaning got louder.

Her tongue slipped into his mouth, and he automatically sucked on it.

Beverly gasped and suddenly pushed his chest to make him sit back in his chair.

His mind spun from the sexy kiss, so he was caught off guard when she threw the sides of his robe open. Calvin was now mostly naked before her.

"Oh, Cal! What a wonderful cock!" Beverly gasped as she reached forward and wrapped her fingers around the hard shaft.

Calvin gasped as her hand felt incredible. Then his eyes rolled back as she leaned forward and took his cock into her mouth. That felt indescribably good!

Her tongue was doing wonderful things to his cock, when she suddenly leaned forward, plunging it deep into her throat. The pressure over the surface of his sensitive appendage was too much.

"Oh my god! Beverly! I'm going to come!"

She suddenly pulled back and stood up. She straddled his thighs as she reached down to guide the head of his cock to her opening. Taking no further time, she dropped down on his cock, driving it deep into her womb.

That was too much for Calvin, and he erupted deep inside her.

She wrapped her arm around his shoulders and ground herself against his cock.

That felt too good, and Calvin's orgasm continued as she suddenly reached hers.

"Oh god! Yes!" she cried out, and her motions went into overdrive.

Calvin grabbed her ass to keep her from shaking herself off his lap. She threw her head back with the sensations of his strong hands gripping her and moaned loudly.

This volume brought Calvin back to the moment, and he glanced out through the screens, but they were still alone.

Hands on his cheeks turned his face back to Beverly's, and she looked at him curiously.

"I thought we might be overheard," he explained.

She grinned at him. "Some people find that a turn on."

Beverly stood up and stepped back. This pulled Calvin's softening erection from her with a pop.

Calvin gasped and stared at Beverly's naked pussy as the lips were slightly swollen and glistening with their combined juices.

When she held her hand out to him, he blinked in confusion for a moment, then placed his hand in hers.

She gently pulled him to his feet, then guided him inside the home.

Calvin had never been inside the neighbor's house and glanced around curiously. It was surprisingly tidy, but he wasn't sure why he'd been expecting otherwise.

When they began climbing the stairs to the second floor, Calvin needed to understand what was happening.

"W-where are we going?" he asked.

Beverly looked back with a smile. "I have more experiences I'd like to share with you." She glanced down to see that his cock wasn't getting any softer. If anything, his erection was having a resurgence.

"Ah!" Calvin said and continued to follow her up the stairs. His eyes watched her ass cheeks gently swing side to side as she climbed, and he felt himself stiffen further.

Beverly led him into a good-sized bedroom with a large, four-poster bed. With a sweep of her arm, she tugged the comforter down and off the bed. Then she turned to face him and shimmied out of her baby doll lingerie until she was completely naked.

Calvin was dazzled by her incredible curves and felt himself reach maximum stiffness.

She pushed his robe off his shoulders and let it drop to his feet, so they were both naked. She glanced down and smiled excitedly. "Oh my! You're very hard for me!"

He leaned forward and pressed his lips against hers, and she moaned slightly as he explored her mouth with his.

Her breasts were pressing against his chest, then she felt his hands cup their heavy weight and caress them. She sucked more aggressively on his tongue as her body throbbed with need.

When his cock pressed up against her pussy, her knees went weak.

"Fuck! Ya got me so hot!" she cooed to him before easing herself onto the bed. Calvin followed her on hands and knees until she dropped onto her back and lifted her arms to accept him over her body.

As he lowered himself over her, she caught his cock and directed it into her hot depths.

They both sighed in bliss as he sank deeper into her body.

When their pelvises pressed together, she had all of him. Her eyes were rolling back as her hips twitched from side to side, grinding their bodies together.

Calvin drew himself out to the head, then drove himself deep until their bodies slapped together.

"AH! YES, CAL!" Beverly cried out.

He began a steady rhythm of powerful, long strokes ending with a solid bump at the bottom. It felt so good that he couldn't think rationally. Beverly was very vocal about how much she loved it.

When she suddenly tightened up and grabbed at his body, it was too much for Calvin, and he erupted inside her. She gasped at the sensation of his heat filling her and bore down on him until she had it all.

Eventually, he began to relax inside the woman, so he pulled himself from her body as she relaxed back with a blissful smile on her face.

"That was the best experience yet!" he said with a gentle smile, and she burst into a joyful laugh.

She grinned at him as she rode the buzz of her orgasm. She thought she might have enough energy in her for one more, but before they did, she had an idea.

"Do you have a bicycle?" she asked, and he grinned at the odd question.

"No. Can you do this on a bicycle?" he asked, and she burst into a hearty, joyful laugh.

When she could speak again, she caught his eye. "No! The bicycle would be for riding into the city to look for work!"

"Ah, I see. No, I don't have a bicycle. I had one when I was a kid, but it's gone," he said with a little smile.

"I won one in an online contest about a year ago, but it's too big for me. Ross won't exercise. It's yours if ya want it," she said. "It's in the barn."

Calvin's eyes widened in shock. "You're giving me a bicycle?"

She smiled at him. "While I really enjoyed your visit today, you're not going to make a living looking for handyman work door-to-door. No one is using the bicycle, and you need a way to get into the city. It's not a walkable distance, but I think you could do it on a bike."

Her generosity blew him away. "I can't thank you enough!"

She grinned at him playfully. "I can think of a way you can thank me!"

Beverly moved to kneel on the mattress with her ass pointing back at him. She smiled sexily at him over her shoulder. "Fuck me from behind! Hard!"

Calvin looked at her in surprise, then knee-walked into position behind her. She pressed her ass against his pelvis, and his cock began to wake once more.

"Mmmm! That feels good!" she purred.

This just made him harder until it felt like it could bend steel.

He gripped his cock and rubbed the head across her wet opening until she couldn't take any more and pushed back to impale herself.

"FUCK!" she cried out.

Calvin slid his hands under her body and squeezed her large tits, paying special attention to her nipples.

"Oh, Fuck! Cal! Yes!" she moaned.

Moving his hands to her hips, he increased his pace until he was pounding her ass with his pelvis. She was making odd little chirping noises. He stroked her back with one hand as he kept a grip on her hip.

"Pull--my--hair!" she squeaked out between strokes.

Calvin looked at her cautiously, then reached forward to gather her thick red hair in his fists.

Beverly made a gurgling noise and squeezed down on his cock. She was tighter now, but he just picked up the pace of his thrusts. The wet slaps filled the room and slowly increased in pace.

"FFFFFUUUUUUCCCCCCKKKKK!!!!!" Beverly screamed as her body began to convulse from the power of her release.

Calvin drove himself inside one last time and held his hips tight against her ass as he drained himself into the woman.

Finally, he released her hair, and she fell forward onto the mattress with a gasp as he popped free of her pussy.

He looked at her ass and saw how red it was.

"A-are you okay?" he asked.

Beverly turned her head to the side and looked back at him with an exhausted smile.

"Perfect," she sighed.

While she was recovering, Calvin threw on the robe and went downstairs to put his clothes into the dryer. He went back upstairs and quickly rinsed off in the shower. He checked on her, and she smiled up at him from the bed.

"Could you prepare a bath for me? Hot, but not scalding, with the eucalyptus bath salts?" she asked.

"Sure," he said and rushed to the bathroom to set it up for her.

While he waited for the tub to fill, he went back downstairs to the veranda and brought their dishes inside. These he quickly washed and put away before heading back up to stop the tub.

He helped her into the tub, and she sighed in relief.

He collected the bed sheets and put them in the washing machine. While he was downstairs, he spotted a pencil and a notepad and brought them back upstairs to check on Beverly while she soaked. He sat on the edge of the tub and began to draw.

Hearing the soft scratching sound of the pencil, Beverly opened her eyes and saw him glancing at her as he worked. She felt a thrill rush through her as she saw his intense concentration.

When the sounds stopped, she saw he was watching her with a gentle smile.

"I should get out of the tub," she said self-consciously.

He helped her out, then stepped outside as she asked for a little privacy.

When she joined him, they went downstairs together.

"That was a wonderful way to enjoy the day. I don't think I've had such a good time since I moved here," Beverly said.

"It was pretty amazing for me too!" he responded. He carefully tore out the page from the notebook and handed it to her.

She stared in wonder at the gorgeous portrait he'd done of her relaxing in the tub. He'd captured her wild curly hair piled on the edge of the tub, the calm and relaxed expression on her face, and her look of contentment. She loved it as it was such a flattering image. Then she noticed some faint lines that had to be her breasts rising from the waters, nipples and all. She grinned as she glanced over at him, but he pretended not to notice.

"This is gorgeous! May I have it?" she said, and he nodded shyly.

She admired it again. "I'll put it somewhere safe where Ross won't stumble across it."

The dryer made its end-of-cycle sound, so Calvin collected his clothes and dressed before returning. The sheets went into the dryer next, and he left his robe in the laundry room.

He collected his thirty dollars from the counter and put it into the pocket of his now dry shorts.

"I should probably go. Thank you for letting me work for you today and for the bicycle," he said.

She smiled at him. "It was really nice having some company today. Good luck with finding work in the city," she said, and he nodded as he stepped out the back door.

When he arrived at the barn, he stepped inside and spotted a bicycle leaning against the far wall. It was a mountain bike with straight handlebars, wider tires, and a good selection of gears. He grabbed a nearby broom and swept the dust and cobwebs from it. It probably wasn't an especially expensive model, but it seemed to be in good condition except for two flat tires. He found a bike pump nearby and inflated the tires. He rolled it outside, and Beverly gave him a thumbs-up from the steps of the veranda.

"Everything okay?" she asked.

He nodded, then gestured to the bicycle. "The tires were flat, but you had a pump--"

"Ah! Take the pump too! It came with the bike!" she called back.

He nodded to her with a grateful smile and retrieved the pump before swinging his leg over the seat. With a final wave, he wobbled down the driveway until he got his cycling legs back and began to ride smoothly.

It was much quicker to get home than the morning walk had been, so he cruised into the driveway and rolled the bicycle into the barn. He found an unused corner and threw an old tarp over the bike for camouflage. He didn't want to have to explain to Ted or his sons where he got it.

That done, he went back to the house and let himself inside.

"I'm home, Mom!" he called out.

He walked into the kitchen and smiled, as it smelled warm and comforting. His mom was cooking, and it was a family favorite.

Melinda Lane was still a lovely woman, though the years had left a few marks to show their passing. She was tall and slim but strong, having kept active in the large garden next to the house.

"Did you have any success?" she asked with a smile.

He dug the thirty bucks from his pocket and handed her half. The allowance Ted gave her for covering their daily expenses was always short.

"Calvin, you should keep all of it! It's your pay!" she insisted, trying to give the money back. He tucked it into her apron pocket.

"Don't forget it's in there!" he said with a smile.

She kissed his cheek, and he grinned at her.

"I have even better news! I now have the means to get to the city! They gave me a bicycle that they no longer use. It's in good shape, so I can ride it there and back. Tomorrow I'll head to the city to see if I can find a real job."

"They gave you a bicycle! Who was this?" she gasped.

He smiled at her sweetly. "Ask me no questions, I'll tell you no lies."

This was a phrase they'd developed to avoid Ted's interference and/or anger.

She looked him in the eye, then nodded. She now understood the scale of the issue and wouldn't make things worse for him by prying.

Enough said.

"Go get ready for dinner!" she said, then she noticed he was rather clean for having done a hard day's work.

She trusted her son, so she turned away. Ask no questions.

Chapter 2

Calvin considered himself exceptionally lucky as he'd found a job on his first ride to the city. As he reached the city's outer limits, he came upon a garden center and spotted the Help Wanted sign.

They hired him on the spot. He had a real job. He was responsible for loading bags of soil, gravel, dirt, mulch, or other bulk items into customers' vehicles upon presentation of their receipts.

The job just required strength, and Calvin was fit enough to manage it.

Of course, he finished his day with an hour and a half, sixteen-mile bike ride home. He always seemed to miss dinner, but his mom would prepare him a plate and sit with him while they caught up on the daily news.

Ted was fine with Calvin not being home when he got home for dinner. Their paths rarely crossed, and that was perfect.

Calvin was saving his money to pay for a cheap used car, as he'd need a different mode of transportation when the fall and winter weather struck. He'd likely need to apply for a different job, too, as the garden center would close down in the winter. He'd been working there for three months, and any car he could afford with his current savings wouldn't survive the first snowstorm.

Tonight, Calvin was especially sore and tired. When he got inside, he could see tension in his mother's expression. He could hear the game playing on the TV in the den and his brothers arguing over some team's performance.

That wouldn't have upset her.

He listened for Ted and heard the man tell his sons to shut up as he couldn't hear the commentator. There was nothing in his tone that suggested a problem for his mother.

He joined her in the kitchen for his dinner and smiled at her.

"Is everything okay?" he asked quietly after he breathed in the wonderful scent of his meal. He dug into it as he watched her searching for words. That killed his appetite, and he waited for her.

"I was in the grocery store this morning, and the ladies were all in a frenzy, talking about how they'd witnessed Beverly Jenkins closing her bank accounts and being very vocal about it. She told the bank manager that she was leaving town because her sterile husband had broken too many promises. She said that she'd learned from her doctor that she was three months pregnant. She said it was another man's child, and she didn't want anything to do with an impotent bastard like Ross."

Calvin was frozen. Beverly was pregnant? It wasn't Ross' because the man was impotent?

She might have found another lover, but the timing suggested otherwise.

"Mama? What do I do?" he asked in a quiet voice.

She let out a deep breath she'd been holding as she waited for his confirmation.

"There doesn't seem to be anything to do. She finally got what she's wanted for so long. Now she's gone," his mom said softly. She glanced toward the door into the den. "We won't speak of this."

He nodded and forced himself to continue eating his dinner.

He'd fucked up big time.

He had a child out there, somewhere.

-=-

"BASTARD!"

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Calvin jolted awake, wondering what was happening.

"YOU FUCKING BASTARD! GET OUT HERE AND FACE ME!"

BOOM! BOOM!

Calvin scrambled to yank a T-shirt on over his sleep shorts, then rushed downstairs, where he saw Ted approaching the front door with a club in his hand.

Daryl and Dennis stepped into view next to the door, but Ted pointed the club to the side, and the two men moved aside.

"SHOW YOURSELF!"

BOOM!

Ted yanked the door open and jabbed his club into the chest of the man standing on the porch. It was a solid hit, and they heard the man wheeze as he staggered back and fell off the porch, crashing onto the gravel walkway.

Now that the man was down, Ted flipped on the porch light and stepped outside to stand at the top of the steps.

"What the fuck are you doing banging on my door at this ungodly hour!" Ted barked at the assailant.

The man caught his breath and turned his face toward the steps.

"Ross! Get the fuck off my property!" Ted growled as he finally recognized him.

"Where is he?" Ross croaked.

Ted stared at Ross. "Who?"

"The BASTARD who FUCKED my WIFE!" Ross spat and tried to climb the stairs again, only to get poked with the club again. Ross staggered back, clutching his chest.

"What the fuck are you talking about? You're drunk!" Ted spat.

"You'd drink too if your wife turned out to be a slut who fucked the neighbor's kid!" Ross shouted.

Ted frowned, then gestured for the three men standing inside the house to join him outside.

Daryl stepped outside and stared at Ross, who squinted up at him.

Dennis came out next, but Ross seemed to dismiss him as well.

Calvin was the last to step out onto the porch.

Melinda stood just inside the door with her sleeping gown wrapped around her.

Ross Jenkins locked eyes with Calvin, then pulled a folded sheet of paper from his pocket.

"You'd be Cal, then?" Ross asked with a cold but shaky voice.

Calvin saw the sketch he'd made of Beverly. She'd written his name at the bottom.

She'd said she was going to hide it, but it seemed Ross found it after all.

Calvin nodded to the man.

"You fucked another man's wife. MY WIFE!" Ross screamed at him, spittle flying from his lips.

Calvin glanced toward Ted just as the man grabbed the back of his neck and threw him off the steps toward Ross.

"CALVIN!" Melinda screamed as she surged out of the house.

Ross swung a fist and caught Calvin's cheek with a sloppy punch, but it knocked him down as he'd been stumbling forward at the time.

There was a loud slap sound from the porch, and Melinda fell to her knees as Ted glared down at her. He flexed his hand, which stung after hitting her. He'd never raised a hand to her before, and he didn't like how it made him feel, but she shouldn't have interfered with his disciplining the boy.

He was surprised to see his sons rush immediately to her side to check if she was okay. They glared at him.

Ted turned away to see Ross drunkenly trying to put his boot to Calvin, who was twisting and struggling on the ground at the man's feet.

Suddenly, Calvin drove his heel up into Ross' groin, lifting the man off his feet. The man shrieked in agony.

Then Ross crumpled and fell to the ground, curling into a fetal position to protect his abused balls.

Calvin rolled to his feet and watched Ross to make sure he was down. Then he picked up the dropped sketch and slipped it into his own pocket. When he turned toward the porch, he saw his mother sitting on the floor with her hand over her reddened cheek.

When he ran closer, Ted moved to the edge and pointed his club at him, stopping him in his tracks.

"You aren't welcome in my home. Fucking another man's wife is a disgusting and despicable act, and I won't allow someone of such low character to live under my roof."

Melinda spoke next. "You struck me. We agreed you would never raise your hand to me," she said with a trembling voice.

"You coddled the boy, and it's led to his corrupt nature! He needed a strong hand, and you failed him by preventing me from giving him the discipline he needed. His depraved act proves how far he's gone. I won't have him living in my home."

"If you're throwing Calvin out, I'm going with him," Melinda said with finality.

Ted looked down at Melinda, his expression stiff and unforgiving, as the silence stretched on.

"So be it. You have until tomorrow night to get out."

Daryl and Dennis made sounds of protest, but Ted just jabbed his finger at them, and they fell silent. The father's eyes returned to Melinda, as if this proved he was right. Then he went inside.

Melinda hung her head as she held the hands of the two young men. "I'm sorry I wasn't able to protect you better," she said.

They hugged her, then glared at Calvin, blaming him for her having to leave them. Then they went inside.

Melinda climbed to her feet and carefully walked down the steps with Calvin's help. She moved to stand next to Ross.

"Mr. Jenkins?" she said.

The man rolled a barely focused eye in her direction.

"Beverly confessed in front of a group of people that she believed you broke a promise to give her a family. She must have needed a child to feel complete. It seems her decision to leave you was based on that. What Calvin did was wrong, but it wasn't done in malice, just a moment of weakness," she said.

His mother's disappointment felt like a lash to Calvin. He moved closer. "I'm very sorry for my actions that day. I'd never been with anyone before, and she was so lonely. That doesn't excuse what I did. I never meant to hurt you, but I obviously did. I'm sorry."

Ross looked at Calvin's earnest face and turned his face away.

Melinda gently tugged Calvin's hand to guide him back to the house.

Calvin stopped on the porch as the magnitude of his actions struck him. They were homeless! "Oh god, Mama! I'm so sorry!"

She pulled him into a hug, and his tears began.

"Shhh, it's going to be okay. I... I'm going to call my brother. I'll ask if he can put us up until we can find a place on our own," she said.

Calvin leaned back to look at his mother in shock. "I didn't know you had a brother," he said quietly.

She looked down at her feet. "We haven't spoken in over two decades. I hope the number I have still works."

Calvin saw the worry on his mother's face. He couldn't recall a moment in his life when he'd felt worse.

-=-

Doug Prentice sat in his office, going over the plans for the new installation the company was developing for the city.

He was responsible for ensuring the plans were accurate, complete, and met the client's current and future needs. As an industrial draftsman with thirty-three years of experience under his belt, he'd advanced in his career to the point where he no longer created the drawings but reviewed the work of others to protect the company.

And there it was.

Ping made a mistake, and it would have been a costly one if they'd allowed it through. He'd missed the inclusion of a critical access point for the building's electrical system.

Doug returned to the source project requirement documentation, which explicitly stated that a Phase Two building was planned and that connections between the buildings should be addressed in the plan.

He looked back at the digital plans and was incredulous to see two approvals on it, while his was still pending. Emmit and Sanghal missed this error? Shit!

He reached for the phone to give his boss the bad news about the delay.

Before his hand reached it, the phone's intercom chirped. "Sir?"

It was his assistant. "Yes, Darla?"

"You have a call on line one from a woman claiming to be your sister. Do you have a sister?" the young woman's voice asked in surprise.

Doug looked at the blinking light, his chest tightening.

"I'll take it," he said.

His wireless headset clicked as the line was connected. "Hello, Doug Prentice speaking. Who is this?"

"Doug, thank God I finally reached you! It's Melinda. I'm sorry for disappearing on you like that so long ago."

"Mel?" he managed to say as his sister's familiar voice triggered a landslide of emotions. "W-where are you?" he forced out of his tight throat.

"Emden, Missouri. It's a small farm town in the northern part of the state. It's missing on most maps." She was speaking faster than normal, but he recognized this as her nervous tic.

"I tried to find you, but you literally disappeared!" he said, then noticed his voice was raised. "Sorry."

"No, no. You're justified in your anger. I made such a mess of things before I left. Said some awful things. I'm so sorry," she said contritely.

He took some deep breaths. "It's good to hear your voice."

She hiccupped in her relief, and he chuckled at the sound. "You still do that?" he teased.

"Shut up," she returned with no heat. He could hear her smile.

"What broke the silence?" he asked, his nerves tightening once more.

"Your little sister is in trouble," she said. "I know I'm not Lillian's favorite person, but--"

"Lillian passed away fifteen years ago."

Melinda's voice broke, making a squeaky noise. "Oh, Doug! I'm so sorry!" she said.

Doug felt a moment of skepticism given the historic blowout, but he knew it was unkind of him. "It's okay--water under the bridge. What's happened?"

"I-I was going to ask you if my son and I could come visit you for a bit?" Mel asked with a tight throat.

"Your son? I'm an uncle?" he blurted.

She laughed, and it was a good and familiar sound. It made Doug smile.

"Yes, Calvin's eighteen. His father died in a car accident sixteen years ago."

"It's my turn to offer you my sympathies. I'd love for you and... wait, did you say his name is Calvin? Is this nineteen-twenty-three?" he teased.

"Hey! Don't you tease my boy about his parents' decision to give him a classic name," Melinda retorted playfully.

"Fine! I'd love for you two to visit. I'm still living in the same house on Ivywood Drive in Oxnard. When can you be here?"

"We're traveling by bus, so... in a day or two. Thank you so much, Doug. See you soon!" Mel said.

"Wonderful! See you then!" Doug said, and they hung up.

He sat at his desk, his mind lost in the past.

The intercom beep brought him back to the present.

"Sir?"

"Yes, Darla?" Saying her name suddenly made him realize it was from a character on a nineteen-thirty-five TV series. Two old-timey names in one day!

"Mr. MacLean called to ask you about the review you are working on," she said.

He smiled as Darla was the polar opposite of the actress from that old show. He wondered if she might be interested in meeting someone named Calvin.

"I'll give him a call. Thanks!" he said.

He'd gotten some good news today! Now, he had to deliver some bad news to his boss.

-=-

When the doorbell rang, it was about ten at night, but Doug leapt out of his chair and rushed to the door. As it opened, he saw a young blonde woman, full of passion and compassion, smiling happily at him with a twinkle in her eyes.

As these memories were replaced by the reality standing before him, he could still see the blonde woman, but she had a few more lines around her eyes and mouth, and a few strands of grey amongst her blonde hair. The passion had dimmed a little, but the compassion hadn't faded one bit.

She stepped inside and wrapped her arms around her big brother's neck and hugged him tightly.

One thing his memories had glossed over was her three-inch height advantage over him. He always felt like the younger sibling when they hugged, and now was no different.

The two shed a few tears for the years they'd lost, but soon they realized this wasn't a time for tears.

He held her out at arm's length as he smiled. "God, I've missed you!"

"I've missed you, too!" she replied. Then she moved to the side, and Doug was looking up at another tall blond. The young man was an inch taller than his mother, shared her svelte musculature, and had her long, wavy blond hair. Where Melinda's eyes were pale blue, the young man's eyes were an intense blue that seemed to glow from within.

"This is my son, Calvin!" Melinda said in introduction.

"Hello, sir!" Calvin said, holding out his hand.

Doug smiled as he shook his nephew's hand. He also noticed how muscular his arm was. Was he a jock?

"You've got good manners, but you can call me Doug. It seems a little past the time you'd call me Uncle Doug," he said. He turned to grin at Melinda. "He's got some guns on him! Football? Baseball? Please don't tell me soccer!"

Melinda smiled at Calvin's self-conscious glance in her direction. "Tell him how you added all that muscle," she said.

"Uh, chores at the farm. Then I worked in a garden center, loading heavy items into the customer's cars and trucks," he admitted.

She patted her son's arm. "Calvin isn't into sports."

"Really! So, a healthy physical lifestyle helps you build muscle? Who knew?" he said with a grin, then eagerly gestured to them. "Come in! Come in!"

Calvin stepped outside and lifted the two large suitcases, carefully easing them through the doors.

"Never learned how to pack light, I see?" Doug teased, but his expression froze as he saw the wince on Melinda's face.

"I stepped in it, didn't I?" he added quietly. He finally saw the exhaustion on Calvin's face and the nervous strain on his sister's. "Please come in and have a seat. Can I get you anything?"

"C-could I have some water?" Calvin asked.

"Coming right up!" Doug said as he noted Melinda's head shake, then gestured to the sofa in the living room.

When he returned with a tall glass of water for his nephew, the young man gratefully accepted it and drank half in one go as Doug stared. He looked at his sister.

"As I mentioned when I called you, I'm in trouble, or rather, we are." She stopped, gathering her thoughts. "When I left California, I went east and, through happenstance, ended up in Missouri. I met a wonderful man, Walter Lane, and it was love at first sight for both of us. We were so happy. We bought a little house and began a family, but two years after Calvin was born, Walter was killed in a traffic accident. The money we had lasted only a year. The house was repossessed, and we were going to be out on the street. A neighbor offered to take Calvin and me in. We needed a place to live, and he needed someone to take care of his home and his two young boys."

Doug was confused. "He asked you to marry him?"

Melinda shook her head sadly. "No. It wasn't that kind of relationship. I didn't have sex or even sleep with him," she said, looking at Calvin, who was squirming from the uncomfortable confession. "We just lived together as... housemates." She sighed. "The boys needed a mother figure to balance the father's harsh nature. I did what I could for them."

"They were good guys, if a little rough," Calvin added quietly.

Doug leaned forward. "I wish you'd called me--"

Melinda shook her head emphatically. "You know that wasn't an option. I caused too much conflict in your marriage at that time. You let me know I wasn't welcome, and I'm not blaming you, as I was out of line."

She glanced at Calvin, who was watching them curiously, but she shook her head as it wasn't something she had the energy to dredge up.

Doug was quiet for a bit, then caught his sister's eye. "What made you leave now?"

"It was my fault. My mistake­--"

"Calvin--" Melinda said sharply, but Calvin wouldn't let his mother take the blame for his mistake.

"I had sex with our neighbor's wife. She left her husband. Ted didn't want me living in his home," Calvin blurted in shame, and fresh tears ran down his cheek.

Doug's eyebrows rose in surprise.

Melinda wasn't going to leave it at that. "Nothing is so cut and dried. The woman's marriage had failed. She wanted children. Her husband was impotent, and his job had him on the road most of the time, so she was lonely. She wanted out and saw Calvin as her opportunity to move on."

Doug's eyes tracked back to Calvin. "You got her pregnant?"

Calvin hung his head and said nothing.

Melinda sighed as she believed the woman used him. Yes, he willingly allowed it, but he'd been a virgin with no experience with women!

"We didn't discover that until after she'd left for parts unknown," she answered for Calvin.

Doug thought about what he'd heard and put the pieces together. "You need a place to live."

Melinda's expression showed her desperation. "Just until we can get established and find a place of our own. I'm so sorry--"

"Please don't apologize! I'm thrilled you and Calvin are here! For the past fifteen years, I've lived in this large home all by myself! There's plenty of room for both of you, and you can stay as long as you like. I'd welcome the company." He saw their relief.

"After Lillian died, I went to therapy sessions and came to realize how truly unhealthy our relationship had been. Some of the things you said back then were harsh but also true. I'm in a much better place in my life now than I was then, and I see that now." Mel's mouth had dropped open in surprise, so he continued.

"Now I have my sister back, and I'm an uncle!" Doug said happily, and Melinda stood up to accept a hug from her brother.

Doug gestured for Calvin to join the group hug, so he sheepishly hugged them both.

When he pulled back, Doug could clearly see the exhaustion on the young man's face.

"Come on. I've made your beds upstairs. Let's get you settled in. I think someone needs some shut-eye," Doug insisted.

Melinda looked fondly at her son's embarrassed expression. "Calvin insisted on remaining awake the entire trip."

"Protecting his mom," Doug said proudly, and saw Calvin's surprise at his accurate guess.

"Let's go before you fall asleep standing up. We can continue our talk in the morning," Doug said with a smile.

He showed them to their rooms and pointed out the washroom in the hall, along with fresh towels. He pointed to his room and then bid them a good night.

He locked up downstairs and went up to get ready for bed himself. He took comfort in hearing sounds of life in the house he'd begun to feel had become a tomb.

His sister was back!

Chapter 3

Calvin settled into his new life in California very well. He took on jobs at local restaurants and worked his way from delivery driver to kitchen staff, then waiter. Doug gave him the old bicycle he'd stored in his garage, so he could get to his work and save a little money on transit.

Doug also made sure Calvin and Melinda's documentation was updated to reflect his address. This made getting jobs easier. While Melinda didn't drive, Calvin got a California driver's license and even a passport, though he had no idea when he'd ever use it.

This done, Doug got them both cell phones so they could all keep in touch with each other. He was stunned that they'd never had one before, nor had they ever used the Internet.

One of the benefits Calvin found from working in public-facing roles was that they gradually exposed him to situations that required him to communicate with people. While it didn't completely cure him of his shyness, he did become more comfortable speaking with people. Or rather, he learned how to mask his unease so he could function.

He was also able to start saving a little money, though he ensured he paid his uncle for the expenses he incurred for the home.

Melinda found work as a cleaner at a local hospital, which provided a modest income.

Doug enjoyed having his sister living with him and was delighted to discover Calvin was an artist. The man had dabbled a little himself in his youth before settling into becoming an industrial draftsman. With the transition from paper to digital, Doug lost his passion for drawing.

He moved his old drafting table from his garage into Calvin's room, so he'd have a comfortable surface to work on his art.

Three years into this new arrangement, Doug heard of an opportunity within his company. An opening in the Operations Department became available.

Marilyn Butowski, the Operations manager, was a friend of Doug's. When her assistant gave her notice, Marilyn brought the position vacancy to Doug's attention first, as he often bragged about his nephew.

Doug spoke with Melinda and Calvin about the idea. The job was Inventory Management, and he'd be maintaining the inventory of supplies in all stock rooms throughout the building. He'd track consumption of the supplies and order replacements to maintain their levels. He'd also report these statistics to Marilyn so she could track the trends and detect anomalous usage. The different departments only had access to their own stockroom via their access cards. The consumption of supplies was tied to the projects they were assigned.

It was a detail-oriented job and required some heavy lifting, but Calvin was comfortable with both. The job was full-time and paid more than his restaurant gigs. They agreed it would be a good fit.

With Doug's recommendation, Calvin got the job.

As a cheeky bonus, Doug let Calvin chauffeur him to work every morning to give Calvin more experience behind the wheel.

The car, a bright yellow 1998 Fiat Cinquecento, was his uncle's pride and joy, although the other executives at his company were pressuring him to replace it with something more respectable.

Settling into the job, Calvin was pleased to find he got along with Marilyn and the others he interacted with at the office.

With his immediate employment issue resolved, Melinda and Doug put their heads together to improve Calvin's post-secondary education, thereby creating better opportunities for him. Unfortunately, his grades weren't good enough for college, and none of the courses they offered caught Calvin's interest anyway.

Doug suggested Trade School, as the pay would be good in most fields. Calvin agreed but insisted he would pay for it.

That plan went into a holding pattern as Calvin saved up for a course.

In the meantime, he enjoyed working for Marilyn, and they became friends. She didn't talk too much about herself unless it was her latest rep counts from her gym sessions or her performance with the company's baseball team. She matched Doug's five-nine height, wore her tousled brown hair short, and had freckles across her cheeks and nose. As she was a sporty woman and enjoyed strength training, her body was strong and muscular, but her genes also gave her a generous bosom and butt, which she struggled to reduce to no avail. She didn't fit in with many of the women at the office and was more comfortable being one of the guys, especially on game nights.

Doug did his best to hide his disappointment that Calvin had no aptitude for sports. As Doug was a member of the softball team, Calvin would drive him to the games and sit in the stands cheering them on.

After each game, the team would hit a local bar to celebrate or commiserate.

After a particularly difficult nail-biter against a bitter company rival, they squeaked out victory at the bottom of the ninth with a single run.

During the game, there was some definite animosity between the players of both teams. At one point, Calvin was ready to run onto the field as it looked like Marilyn might bend a petite woman in half over some insults she'd sniped at the larger woman.

After the little victory dance in the park's parking lot, the jubilant team headed over to their favorite watering hole. Calvin was sitting between Doug and Marilyn, but he drank water as he was the designated driver for Doug.

Calvin noticed his boss was slamming down beer faster than anyone else. He leaned closer to Doug and spoke in a quiet voice.

"I think Marilyn is going to make herself drunk," he said, and Doug glanced over as Marilyn finished off her third as everyone else was starting on their second.

"Ah, I'll stop at two and take a cab home. I think it might be best if you drove her to her place," he suggested

Calvin's eyes widened. "Why aren't you coming with us? I'll drop her off, then drive us home," he suggested.

Doug gave him a frown. "Because I'm sore as fuck and I want to soak in my bathtub. Besides, I can't stand the smell of puke."

Calvin chuckled and shook his head at his uncle. "Thanks!" he said sarcastically. Doug grinned, finished his drink, threw down some bills for his tab, then stood and waved at the rest of the team before heading for the door.

Looking at Marilyn, Calvin saw she was finishing her fourth glass, so he put his hand on her arm. "How about I give you a lift home?"

At first, it looked like she might argue, but that turned into a nod. She threw some bills into the pot and stood. Calvin had to brace her as she began to tilt back.

"Woooo!" Her teammates around the table laughed as she struggled to stay upright.

"I'll get her home," Calvin said to reassure them and got cheers and backslaps as he guided the tipsy woman out. Someone slapped his ass, but he couldn't turn around to see who it was.

Getting Marilyn into the car wasn't too difficult. Getting her address from her was another issue, but finally, he got them on their way. It seemed she lived in Ventura, so it took some time to reach her place. It was dark when he pulled into her driveway, so he couldn't really see the house, but it was up in the hills and pretty big.

Thankfully, she hadn't been sick on the way home, so he helped her out of the car and led her to the front door. The closer he got, the more impressive the home looked.

Marilyn came around enough to punch in the door code, though she did it with exaggerated care as she had difficulty focusing. Calvin finally got them inside. Marilyn reached out an arm, and the lights came on in the entryway and living room.

Calvin's jaw dropped as the home was gorgeous, and the art on the walls was beautiful.

Marilyn lurched forward and made it into the living room, where she sagged and dropped her ass onto the couch. She dropped her face forward into her hands with her elbows braced on her knees.

"Are you going to be okay?" Calvin asked.

"Am I ugly?" Marilyn asked in a timid little voice.

Calvin was confused. Where had this come from?

"No! I think you're cute!" he blurted, thinking about her freckles.

She pulled her face back to stare at him incredulously. "Cute?"

"Who-who said you were ugly?" he asked to distract her from his lame answer.

Her expression shifted from sadness to anger.

"That bitch, Virginia," she spat.

Calvin didn't know who that was, but he guessed it might be the one who risked being turned into a pretzel during the game.

"The skinny, shapeless woman who had words with you in the sixth?" he asked.

She looked up at him in surprise. "You saw that?"

Calvin smiled. "I almost ran out onto the field to keep you from snapping her in two."

Her smile dimmed. "It wasn't so much what she said, but what she did."

Calvin didn't know what that meant, as the woman hadn't done anything beyond mouthing off.

Marilyn surged off the couch to her feet and wobbled. Calvin rushed closer to brace her, and she thumped against his chest, her breasts taking the impact. He caught her arms and kept her on her feet.

"Oh! I wasn't expecting you to be so strong!" she said in surprise as she remained pressed against him.

He smiled awkwardly. "I did grow up on a farm. I know what hard work is."

She nodded distractedly as she bit her lip and leaned back to stand on her own. She gave him a crooked smile, then carefully turned and left the room to step into the dark hallway.

Calvin wondered if he should just leave, then a painting in the living room caught his eye.

He moved to stand before it, only to be trapped by the artist's vision.

"Calvin?"

He snapped back to the present as he heard a plaintive call from down the hall.

"Marilyn? Are you okay?" he called out as he began moving toward her voice.

The first door on the right was open, and faint light filtered into the room. He stepped inside, expecting to see her on the floor from losing her balance. He looked around the darkened room, but she was nowhere to be found.

It was a bedroom with a huge, four-poster canopy bed, surrounded by frilly curtains. The bedspread was pulled down, but she wasn't on it. He moved further into the room and looked down on the other side of the bed. She wasn't on the floor either.

There was a click behind him, and he turned to see that the bedroom door was now closed and leaning back against it was a very naked Marilyn.

As he was with the painting, he was awestruck by what was before him. Her physique was exquisite! She'd obviously put a lot of time and effort into toning her muscles until each stood out in perfect symmetry and definition. They weren't bulky slabs, but they were visible!

"Am I an ugly troll?" a little voice cried out.

"No!" he asserted boldly. "You look amazing! You're exquisitely sculpted!"

"But am I too masculine?" she asked with her timid voice.

He still couldn't look away, and his eyes went to her breasts and hips, which gave her very feminine curves. Even with the pronounced muscles, there was no question she was all woman.

"You're beautiful!" he insisted.

She crossed the room, and suddenly, he was being pulled down onto the bed. This was another aspect of her physique. She was very strong, and her body was undulating against his as he was pressed into the soft mattress.

His hands landed on her breasts, and she gasped delightfully.

His brain was telling him it wasn't a good idea to have sex with his boss, but she wasn't giving him time for his brain to engage. It felt so good!

When he suddenly realized his pants were undone and open, she twisted on the bed to move her face over his groin. This also brought her pussy over his face. When he felt her tongue stroking his cock he twitched, which brought his mouth into contact with her lower lips. He reacted automatically and began to suck and lick her pussy like his life depended on it. He reached around her and grabbed her ass in his strong hands, and she moaned against the side of his cock.

Marilyn was in heaven and desperate to get his thick cock deep into her throat. She drooled over his skin, then began to slide it into her throat in longer and longer strokes until her nose was pressed against his balls. She couldn't breathe, but the sensation was so fucking sexy, and his cock throbbed with his excitement.

She was doing that! She was making him excited, and his hands on her body made her feel desired and attractive!

Finally, she pulled him out to the head to grab a deep breath, then plunged him deep inside again. She repeated this as she felt his muscles begin to tremble.

When his come surged into her throat, she clung to him as his mouth went into overdrive, pulling a huge release from her as well.

Spent, Calvin relaxed back, and Marilyn pulled his cock from her mouth and sagged, pressing her face against his softening cock. She cupped his balls and began to kiss them.

Soon, she felt new life entering his cock, and she tried spinning on the bed, but Calvin moved to put her body under his. He stroked the underside of his cock roughly against her pussy, then tipped it down to part her lips and drove himself deep inside her.

"OH, GOD!" Marilyn cried out as she hooked her heels behind his ass to squeeze him against her.

Calvin leaned forward and took her mouth with his, feeling her melt under his kiss. Her muscles relaxed, so he pulled out and drove himself deep again. He set up a rhythm, pounding her against the soft mattress, and she squeezed his cock with every stroke. It felt so good, and she was cooing happily. Her breathing sped up, and her movements became frantic as she neared her next release.

He took her face between his hands and kissed her freckles as his hips went into overdrive, filling the room with the sounds of wet skin slapping and moans.

She screamed as she wrapped her arms and legs tightly around him and clung to his body as her orgasm exploded through her senses.

Marilyn felt his heat filling her, and she felt complete. This was what she'd been missing. Someone willing to share her passion and who thought she was beautiful.

When she opened her eyes in the dim light of the bedroom, she saw Calvin watching her with concern.

Calvin, not someone who should have been there.

She unlocked her legs and gently pushed his shoulder. He caught on immediately and pulled himself from her body and eased off the bed.

He grabbed some tissues from a box on the bureau and tidied himself up as he watched Marilyn trying to catch her breath. He pulled his clothes on and saw she had her arm up over her face as her breathing calmed. He wasn't sure what to do.

"Marilyn? Are you okay?"

"See you... on Monday," was all she said in response, so he nodded and let himself out of the bedroom.

When he stepped out into the living room, he heard a blood-curding scream of rage as a man suddenly leapt at him with fingers hooked like claws.

Calvin's fist automatically shot forward in his surprise and smashed into the assailant's cheek. The man crashed to the floor like a bag of potatoes.

Then he started wailing.

Calvin was frozen in confusion. What the hell?

He wasn't a physically imposing man, but his attack had certainly looked violent. He had short, greying-brown hair, a sharp nose (now bloody), and an unshaven face. His clothes gave the impression of having been slept in too.

Calvin heard the bedroom door open behind him.

"Marilyn! Be careful! Someone broke in and attacked me! Call the police!" he called over his shoulder.

She stopped next to him, and he saw she'd pulled on her dressing gown.

Calvin saw her expression and became even more confused. She knew him?

"Jerry, you're not supposed to be here. The restraining order says you're not allowed near or inside my home."

Her voice seemed strained, as if from annoyance or guilt.

The man's wailing tapered off as he looked up at Marilyn. His eyes moved between the two of them, then locked on her. "YOU'VE CUCKED ME!" A look of horror passed over his face. "YOU DIDN'T LET ME WATCH!"

Calvin looked at Marilyn in confusion, seeing a hint of guilt behind her intense disgust.

"Jerry?" he asked her.

"My husband," she said through her gritted teeth.

Calvin's jaw dropped. "You never mentioned you were married. Ever! You don't wear a ring--"

"She's allergic to metal!" Jerry snapped from the floor. "You don't know her! You can't replace what we have--"

"HAD, Jerry! Had! You aren't supposed to come near me anymore. How did you get in?" Marilyn snapped at him angrily, and Jerry jolted as his expression twisted into a look of joy.

He enjoyed... this?

Calvin was confused.

"Should... should I call the police?" he asked quietly.

She glanced at him, then looked away. "I'll do it. You should... just go."

Glaring at the man groveling on the floor, Calvin stepped past him and moved to the front door, which he saw was open. There was no damage, and the keypad showed it was unlocked.

"You should probably change your entrance code," Calvin offered, then stepped outside.

Calvin drove home and sat in the garage after shutting the engine.

He did it again.

It wasn't exactly the same situation, but he'd had sex with someone he shouldn't have.

He closed the garage door, locked up, then went inside and up to his bedroom.

Monday wasn't going to be fun.

-=-

On Sunday, Doug met Marilyn at a downtown coffee shop. She'd never called him up before to invite him out like this, so he was pleased and more than a little curious.

She smiled at him as he walked through the front door, and they met at the order counter. They placed their orders and carried their drinks to a nice table in the corner by the window where they'd be alone.

"This is nice!" Doug said. "What's up?"

Marilyn's smile slipped, and a cold finger poked Doug in the gut.

"Doug. I--I've made a terrible, terrible mistake."

He watched her cautiously as he waited for the other shoe to drop.

"You might have noticed I was a little upset after our game Friday night. I'd had an altercation with that bitch Virginia on the field," she began.

When she steered the conversation to the game, Doug almost let out a sigh of relief. He recalled a particularly tense moment during one inning and nodded.

"She was Jerry's girlfriend after I kicked him out. She knows how to push my buttons," she growled.

Doug gave her a curious look. "Why haven't you just divorced him?"

She looked into his eyes. "In my religion, marriage is a permanent, lifelong sacrament. The only way out is an official annulment, which I was refused, or death."

Doug shook his head as this was beyond him, then he focused on her claim. His eyes widened. "This mistake didn't involve a death, did it?"

Marilyn snorted in amusement as her tension broke temporarily. "No. As much as I would like to step on her neck, Virginia is alive and well. As is Jerry." Her expression twisted as her tension returned.

Doug pushed his coffee away. His stomach was too jittery to handle the caffeine.

"I drank too much after we got to the bar. Your nephew was kind enough to drive me home after you bailed on him," she said, glancing at him as she said it, and caught his guilt. "I thought that was likely what you did. Thanks for confirming."

Doug squirmed as the tension began to build.

She looked down at the table's surface as she recalled her state of mind that night.

"I was dealing with critically low self-esteem when we got to my place. Calvin assured me my beliefs weren't true. But... I needed to know." She looked up into Doug's eyes, and he waited.

"I lured him into my bedroom and seduced him. We had sex."

"Marilyn! What the... Isn't that a big, bad sin in your religion, too? It's one of the freaking commandments!"

She put her head in her hands. "Yes. I wasn't thinking with my brain that night."

"So that's the mistake, right? You didn't break any other commandments or laws?" Doug pleaded.

She shook her head. "That's my mistake."

Doug nodded and took a deep breath. "Okay. That's okay. Everyone involved is an adult, so we can move forward from this... can't we?" he asked as he saw her expression become tense once more.

"I can't work with Calvin now," she said quietly.

"WHAT? What do you mean?" Doug exclaimed.

"He reports to me. We share a small office." She locked eyes with Doug and leaned forward to emphasize her next words, though she said them softly. "He's seen me naked! I've seen him naked! We had... incredible sex! I can't get that out of my mind! There is no going forward from that."

It was Doug's turn to lock eyes with her. "You can't fire Calvin for this! That's incredibly wrong and unfair! You just finished telling me that he's the best assistant you've ever had!"

"Doug, please! I can't lose my job. It's all I have, and I'm only two years from my forties. I can't start over. Calvin is just beginning his career. I spoke to a friend who's one of the managers at a local country club. They are always looking for maintenance staff. I gave him Calvin's name and a glowing recommendation."

She slid a business card across the table to him.

She looked beseechingly into Doug's eyes. "Could you speak to Calvin and ask him to do this for me?"

Doug leaned back in his chair and stared at the woman.

"Is there any guarantee he'll actually get the job? Wait, does it pay as well as the one he has?" he asked.

"Yes, and... close," she said, then gave him a hopeful smile.

"Fuck," Doug said in disgust. He took some deep breaths to loosen the knot in his chest.

"The company is going to have to make good on their promise to lease a Mercedes GLC-Class Coupe for me, as Calvin is going to need my car to get to and from his new job."

Relief was on Marilyn's face, but Doug could no longer look at her.

He picked up the business card and left. He had an unpleasant message to share with his nephew.

Maybe he'd offer him a little advice, too.

A quote from his favorite Mafia TV series.

Don't shit where you eat.

Chapter 4

Santo Castilla Country Club was a private, members-only golf and tennis club located just east of the Oxnard city boundary. It was centered around a sprawling villa built to resemble its namesake, a heavenly castle.

While its famous course and courts were championship-level and had hosted many prestigious, televised sporting events, the venue also featured an excellent restaurant and bar, with event hosting services.

It topped off its offerings with a full-service, decadent spa.

Membership fees were pricey, but the amenities proved their value.

Calvin had been working at the club for three years. From his humble beginnings as a tech in the general maintenance department, he'd moved to the restaurant as kitchen staff, spent a year in the dining room as a waiter, and had just recently been snatched away by the spa manager to work in the spa.

His responsibilities in this position were straightforward, as the manager, Patrick, had him circulating through the rooms, delivering towels, drinks, and snacks to customers.

"Keep the customers smiling!" Patrick always insisted with a grin.

Calvin had a good relationship with each of his managers, even after he'd moved on to other departments. He'd also caught the eye of the club president due to this popularity, but in the President's eye, Calvin's quiet, polite nature translated to a lack of ambition and drive. This saved him from being taken under the man's wing for some administrative role. That was an area Calvin had no desire to work in.

Calvin worked mornings and afternoons in the spa while attending night classes at a trade school. He'd finally managed to save enough to pay for the course that presented the best option for reasonable pay once he graduated.

In the back of Calvin's mind was his goal of earning enough to ensure his mother never had to worry about their finances again.

Learning how to be an electrician turned out to be harder than he originally thought it would be, and he found himself struggling in the course. Since he was paying out of pocket, he stuck with it and tried harder.

He was still driving his uncle's cute little Fiat and took excellent care of it, should the day come when Doug needed it back.

Calvin missed working with Doug, and Marilyn, for that matter, though he still didn't understand what had happened the night he'd been with her.

While he found it easier to speak to people due to the practice he was getting in the jobs he'd had, he was still alone. He had no spare moments to take on the challenge of finding a girlfriend.

Currently, it wasn't a priority in his life. Maybe someday.

-=-

Calvin made his way back to the staff locker room as his shift was over. He checked his cell to see if any messages had come in while he was working. He saw one from his night school prof. His class for the evening was canceled.

He had a night off!

He grinned in relief as he was feeling a little worn at the edges, as he had to be on all day at work. At home and on his commute, he chose to remain silent and recharge his social batteries in solitude.

Hanging out with Doug and his mother was different. They didn't drain him as strangers did.

In his job at the Spa, he needed to smile at all the clients, take their orders cheerfully, and the most difficult of all, socialize with them.

The clients were all wealthy wives of the men playing golf or tennis. He had nothing in common with them, but they seemed to love to talk about their lives with him.

Calvin sat on a chair next to the wall, leaned back, and closed his eyes.

Two minutes later, the staff room door burst open. "Calvin! Thank God you're still here! Patrick said he saw you enter."

Calvin blinked his eyes open and stared at Marcus Newcombe, the manager of the restaurant.

"Yes, I'm still here. Leaving soon," he replied.

"Could I convince you to stay and help us out in the dining room tonight?" Marcus asked anxiously.

Calvin's eyebrows rose in surprise. "Dining room?"

"The club is hosting an event for Altrea Wear, a sportswear company from LA. They've booked the entire restaurant this evening, and Marley just quit! I need someone to cover his tables!"

Calvin held up his hand to calm the man. "Sure, I'll do it, but I don't have a uniform."

A wide, relieved smile spread across Marcus' face. "Thank you! Come with me! I'll get one from the spares."

As Calvin followed the man across the building and into the employee-only access halls, he realized fate was once more interfering with a night off. At least the money would be welcome.

Marcus found him a uniform: a pair of black dress pants, a white dress shirt, a red/gold patterned vest, and black loafers. Calvin grabbed some nylon socks to give his feet a little protection, then ducked into a washroom stall to quickly change. The clothes were a little tight, but thankfully not the shoes. He tied his long blonde hair up into a bun as he'd be working with food. Then he rejoined Marcus and did a little turn to get his approval.

Marcus smiled in relief, seeing that his hair was dealt with properly, then tilted his head as he saw Calvin's issue. "Roll up the sleeves to your forearms and open another button at your neck. That should relieve some of the strain. Can you breathe?" he asked with a crooked smile.

Calvin quickly followed the instructions as he answered. "It's fine. I won't eat anything until we're done."

Marcus chuckled, then finally nodded in satisfaction. He guided him into the dining room, where the other waiters were gathered.

Calvin took a moment to put on his waiter's face. This was a survival mechanism for working in this role--his mask.

Listening to the instructions they were being given, he relaxed a little, as he'd been through this drill before and understood the steps for delivering to multiple people at multiple tables.

Some of the staff had been working the floor when he'd been a waiter, and they nodded to him. He saw a few fresh faces, and one young woman was trying to hide that she was a little overwhelmed. He found out that she'd be working a table next to one of his. He leaned closer to her.

"I'm Calvin. I'll keep an eye open if you need help," he whispered.

She glanced at him, then smiled with a little nod. "I'm Spencer."

They went to the kitchen and listened to the chef give his instructions. Then it was showtime.

The Altrea Wear executives entered first and were directed to their tables. Calvin wasn't assigned to that area.

Gradually, the rest of the group entered and found their tables. Calvin and the other waiters filled water glasses and took drink orders if they weren't going to partake in the wine being served. They also checked for special meal requirements, such as allergies and preferences.

One of his tables was a group of women who apparently worked in Altrea Wear's HR department. They were already a little tipsy by the time they were seated. They all ordered mixed drinks.

Calvin learned that the creative art director and some of her team were sitting at his other assigned table. They were sticking with the wine, so he served it.

He spotted Spencer's panicked look at the next table. He reached out, took the wine bottle from her hand, and had the cork out in seconds. He placed the bottle back in her grasp with a smile and moved on. She'd forgotten to pick up a wine opener on her way to the dining room. The woman smiled as she served wine to those who wanted it.

With a glance, she slipped the bottle of white to Calvin as he passed by again, and he handed it back without the cork seconds later. They moved past each other without words.

He ducked over to the bar, collected the drinks for the HR ladies, and then brought them back to distribute them.

"Margaret, you asked for the rum and Coke.

Lindsay, yours was a Long Island Iced Tea.

Mojito for Kristie.

Another Long Island Iced Tea for Nancy.

Julia, you asked for a dirty... martini." His emphasis made Julia burst into excited giggles.

"Sophia has the Tom Collins.

Tanya asked for a Screw--" He lifted his hand to his mouth as he pretended to cough quietly. "Screwdriver." Laughter erupted.

"And finally...." He pretended to have forgotten the woman's name and watched her expression freeze. Then he smiled. "HELEN! You ordered a scotch and soda." He raised the glass in respect and set it down in front of her. As he turned away from her chair, he felt a small hand cup his ass cheek through his tight pants. He let that go but noted that she was a toucher.

A cheer came up from the ladies, and he smiled at them. It was a silly party trick, but getting them to tell him their names set them up for some fun.

He noted that eyes from other tables were looking in their direction.

He'd try to tone it down a little.

When he checked on his other table, a lovely Hispanic woman was smiling at him curiously. "Helen's table gets special treatment?" she asked with a cute pout.

"Not at all. They just seemed to have started their party earlier than most," he said with a smile.

Calvin paused as he looked at the slim, handsome, sharply dressed man sitting next to the woman. He was looking at Calvin with a huge smile. He nodded to him, and the man thrust out his hand toward Calvin.

"Hi! My name's Julian Allaire. I'm Chief Photographer for Altrea Wear," he asserted. He had a bold personality for someone who looked so young. He could still be in his twenties, as his smooth, deep-brown skin gave no hints of his actual age. It was his vitality that suggested youth.

Calvin took the hand in his and shook it. "Calvin Lane. I'm your waiter for this evening."

Julian's smile just got wider. "This is Carmen DeSosa Perez. Creative Art Director for Altrea Wear." The woman looked curiously at the photographer, then smiled and nodded to Calvin.

The photographer still hadn't released his hand. "Are you a model? Have you modeled?"

The questions caught Calvin by surprise, and he laughed, putting smiles on the faces around the table. He gently pulled his hand back and shook his head with a smile.

"No and no. I've never even been asked that before. Thanks?"

Julian glanced at Carmen, who was now laser-focused on Calvin as she began to see what Julian obviously did.

Calvin saw a signal from the side of the room, so he turned back to the table. "It looks like dinner is about to be served. He looked at Julian. "Vegetarian. No nuts."

"Impressed," Julian said with a grin.

Calvin walked toward the kitchen entrance and joined up with the woman working next to him.

He reached out, snagged a spare corkscrew, and passed it to her.

"Thank you!" she whispered to him, and he just nodded with a smile.

Trays of salad were handed out, and Calvin balanced his on one hand as he grabbed a tray stand just outside the kitchen door and walked over to Carmen's table. Salads were served, and Julian's plate had a little dome over it to isolate it from the others, which contained nuts.

He went back to the kitchen to collect his second tray and placed it on the tray stand to bring the HR ladies their salads. They didn't seem too hungry for the green stuff, but they were all smiling as he greeted them.

He left the tray stand but carried the two trays back to the kitchen.

Marcus stopped him just inside.

"Your tables seem happy," he said with a grin.

"The HR ladies arrived pre-happy," he answered.

The manager nodded with an eyeroll. Then he pinned Calvin with his eyes. "How's the new girl, Spencer? I saw you talking with her."

"How new?" he asked as he kept an eye on the kitchen.

"Third day. First event."

Calvin raised his brows. She was new! He looked into his former boss's eyes. "She's pretty good so far."

He spotted one of his tables looking for him. "Gotta go."

When the salad plates had been taken away, they returned to the kitchen to bring out the main course. It smelled so good, and Calvin's stomach reminded him he hadn't eaten since breakfast. Then he recalled how tight his pants were.

He delivered meals for the HR ladies, avoiding their pawing, and was heading back to the kitchen when he saw Spencer moving toward her table with a fully loaded tray.

Then he saw the purse on the floor in her path.

Calvin shot forward just as the strap tangled with her feet. As he saw her eyes widen in shock, he lifted the tray from her fingers and took two rapid steps back to cancel the tray's velocity.

He hadn't counted on her completely tripping as she fell forward and down, faceplanting against his crotch.

Calvin moaned quietly as he grit his teeth and braced his legs to keep from falling.

Spencer had her arms around him as she tried to keep from slowly sliding to the floor.

Another waiter quickly stepped up and took the tray from Calvin. He nodded his head in the direction of the table where the plates should go, and they went.

Now the HR table had a clear view of Spencer clinging to his ass while her face was pressed against his groin.

"Lucky girl!" Helen moaned a little too loudly, and her tablemates erupted in shrieks of laughter.

Calvin helped her up and saw she was almost in tears. He bent down and untangled the purse from her legs. He held it up and faced the HR table. "Someone dropped their purse," he said calmly.

Julia suddenly recognized her purse and realized it had fallen off the back of her chair. She held out her hand and accepted it.

She looked contritely at Spencer. "Sorry."

The waitress looked at Calvin, who gave her a little smile. "And we move forward," he said quietly.

A spark of a smile appeared in her eyes and the corners of her lips. She took a deep breath, nodded to him, and went to help the waiter who was serving her table. That man nodded to her as she took over.

Calvin returned to the kitchen and collected his second tray.

"You okay?" Marcus said, as he appeared at Calvin's elbow.

He nodded to the man. "All good," he said.

"You can come back to work for me any time!" Marcus said seriously.

Calvin grinned. "And miss out on the action-packed excitement of the Spa?"

This made Marcus snort with amusement.

Calvin shook his head. "Thank you for the offer, but the hours would interfere with my night school--tonight's class was canceled, so I had this opening."

He carried the tray to the Creative Director's table and ensured Julian's plate remained covered until he placed it before him. No cross-contamination for the vegetarian.

"That was quite the catch!" Julian complimented him.

"I've dropped my share of trays in my early days. I was lucky to see it coming this time," he said with a little shrug.

Carmen leaned forward to speak to him, and he did his best to keep his eye from being drawn into her exposed cleavage. He flicked a guilty look at Julian, and the man grinned as he reached forward to pinch the woman's top closed.

The woman slapped his hand away and smiled as she caught Calvin's eye. "Going back to Julian's question. Would you be interested in doing some modeling?" She flicked her long, straight black hair to the side and swept aside a few errant strands that tried to lose themselves in her cleavage.

He placed a few more plates before the people around the table as he contemplated the question. Finally, he returned to a spot between her and the photographer. "I've never modeled before. I don't know the first thing about how to do it. There are plenty of models out there looking for work."

"That's true, but you have a fresh look about you that I think would work really well with a campaign we're working on," Carmen insisted. "You could come in for a test shoot so we could see if it could work. We'd pay you for your time. The pictures would not be used for anything outside the test."

Calvin wasn't sure what to do. He really couldn't see himself becoming a model. That wasn't something a kid growing up on a farm typically aspired to, was it?

Julian grinned. "If it works out, you wouldn't have to be a waiter anymore."

"I don't work as a waiter--I mean, I work in the Spa, not the restaurant. I'm just covering for someone who quit," he said as his mind ticked over the idea distractedly.

"What do you do in the Spa?" Carmen asked.

Calvin came back to the moment. "I'm... a waiter."

The table cracked up. Calvin smiled self-consciously.

Carmen handed Calvin a business card. "Would you be able to come in for a test session?"

He sighed. He supposed he could. He looked at the business card and saw the address. He worked out the time it would take to drive there. "How about Monday afternoon? Four PM?" He could leave early on Monday.

Carmen and Julian smiled broadly. "See you then!" she said.

He nodded and headed back to the kitchen with the empty trays.

The rest of the evening went pretty smoothly, and even the HR ladies seemed to mellow out.

The top executives made speeches to the group, and there was applause, but Calvin wasn't really listening. He'd overextended his social batteries and was very glad when the corporate dinner party wound down.

He said his goodnights to the HR ladies and even gave some hugs.

He saw Carmen and Julian speaking to one of the execs from the main table. She was a stunning beauty, and Calvin was embarrassed when she suddenly looked his way and locked eyes with him.

It was the oddest feeling as she had the boldest blue eyes he'd ever seen, since the last time he looked in a mirror.

Marcus clapped him on the shoulder in thanks, and that contact drained the remaining reserves Calvin had in his people socializing batteries.

"I have to go, or I'll fall down," he mumbled to the man.

Marcus nodded compassionately. "It was a long day, and you really saved our bacon tonight. Go get some rest."

Calvin nodded and made a beeline to the locker room, where he changed into his own clothes and grabbed his stuff from his locker.

He was going home!

-=-

Carmen was talking with Julian when his eyes lit up.

"Don't look now, but we're getting a CEO visit," he said softly.

Carmen turned and smiled at their leader. "Good speech, Harper!

Harper St. Clair was a powerhouse, a thirty-two-year-old CEO of a highly successful sportswear company she created from the ground up. While she came from old money, she divested from her family's business empire and invested in her own venture. Now, her brand, Altrea Wear, was globally synonymous with top-quality sportswear.

They'd had yet another fabulous year, and from the satisfied look on her beautiful features, she'd enjoyed being able to share that news with her people tonight.

"Thanks, Carmen!" she said, her smile making her brilliant smile glow against her dark red lipstick.

She glanced around. "It looked and sounded like you had the fun tables at the event."

Carmen rolled her eyes. "Yes, Helen and her team were enjoying themselves very much."

"And our waiter, too," Julian added.

Harper nodded. "Yes, you seemed to have some action happening over here. We couldn't see it, but people were talking about it. Something about a dropped tray?"

"Nearly dropped! Our waiter managed to catch it when the waitress carrying it tripped over a purse dropped by one of Helen's team."

Harper shook her head in amusement, and her long, silky black hair swayed across her back.

"There's Calvin now!" Julian said, looking toward the kitchen entrance.

Harper turned to look, and suddenly her gaze locked with someone with eyes just like hers. She'd never met anyone who had the same vibrance of color unless they were contacts. For her, the color was natural. His might be as well.

She realized she was staring and tugged her gaze away. It almost felt like a physical disconnection. When she looked back, he was gone.

"He's coming in for a test shoot," Carmen said

Harper turned her head to look at Carmen in surprise. "Really?"

"Yes, he has a fresh look. I think it's worth getting him in for some test shots," Carmen insisted.

Harper was recalling that connection she'd felt. "Okay... let me know how it goes."

With a final nod, she headed for the door.

Julian smiled at Carmen. "That's the first time she didn't second-guess you."

Carmen rolled her eyes. "Time to go home."

Chapter 5

Monday afternoon, Calvin was running late. One of the Spa ladies insisted that Calvin had to be the one to serve her drinks and snacks and to linger nearby as she had her treatment. It was one of those moments when Calvin was reminded that his true role in the spa was eye candy.

When he reached Altrea Wear's headquarters, he was impressed by the building's beautiful architecture, but he wasted no time admiring it, as he hated being late.

As he hustled up to the reception desk, he saw a frantic young woman with a tablet standing beside the long, curved desk. He glanced at the woman wearing the headset.

"I have an appointment at four--"

Tablet-Girl gasped and rushed to his side and grabbed his arm. "You're late!"

She pulled him quickly through hall after hall until they ducked through a doorway into a long, narrow room with racks of clothes on either side and way too many people milling about.

He noticed that most were very attractive, and then he was pushed in front of a stern man in tight chinos and a boldly patterned shirt. He cast his eyes over Calvin and turned to the woman with the tablet.

"Cycling!" the man snapped, then spun away to inspect a line of models wearing different sporting wear.

Calvin was amazed by the production involved in a test shoot. He'd been imagining something far more laid-back, but then he knew nothing about how the business worked.

Some clothes were shoved into his hands, and he was directed to a small cubby to change into them.

When he got there, he realized there was no curtain for privacy when he changed. Glancing around, he saw that no one else was making a big deal about getting naked out in the open.

He caught the eye of the woman with the tablet. "I've never worn cycling clothes."

"Strip to skin and put them on," she instructed, then rushed away.

Ah. Easy-peasy.

Turning his back on the room, Calvin stripped naked and pulled on the stretchy shorts and shirt. It really was skintight. The top had an eye-trapping black-and-white abstract pattern. While the plain black shorts had a pad in their crotch, which he assumed was for protective cushioning. They left nothing to the imagination. He wasn't sure how to position his cock as the pad didn't let him point it down a leg. So, sideways it went.

Music began to play, and the frantic woman grabbed his arm and pulled him up the line of models, male and female, he noted now, and put him in the line.

The man with the splashy shirt worked his way down the line, ensuring the clothes were properly presented. He shifted a few people in the line, but by that time, they were beginning to step forward and be directed through a doorway.

Fashion Inspector Man paused next to Calvin and scanned his eyes critically down Calvin's body until he frowned, looking at the shorts. He reached down to flatten what he thought was an odd fold in the fabric, but poked Calvin in the dick instead. He snatched his hand back in shock as the line moved forward.

Soon enough, it was Calvin's turn to step through the door, so he did so.

It was a large rectangular chamber with chairs lined up along the outer walls. He was on a raised walkway that ran the length of the room, turned right, then made another right to walk the length of the room again, passing through the wall back into the dressing room.

He noticed the models were all walking with a stiff heel-toe cadence, but it was too late for him to learn that now. He walked comfortably and kept pace with the others when they spun around at regular intervals. That much he could do.

In the chairs against the walls, he saw a diverse group of people, many of whom were using digital tablets. As he scanned the room, he thought there were an awful lot of people for a test shoot session. He wondered if they set it up like a fashion show to see how the models behaved in a lifelike situation.

Calvin smiled, as this was a unique experience, even if he didn't get the job.

When he reached the first corner, he did his turn, then began to walk along the short section when he felt eyes on him. The gaze was stronger than the others, and he searched for the source.

Dead center of this wall sat a raven-haired beauty with lovely, intense blue eyes. His locked with hers once more, and he felt it to his toes.

When he was before her, it was time for a pirouette. This broke their gaze, and she dropped hers down to his waist to see the tell-tale bulge in his super-tight pants. Then it was time for him to move on.

Calvin was aware that the voices in the room were growing louder, but had no idea why.

Then he spotted Carmen and Julian. He grinned at them, but that froze when he saw the Spanish beauty's expression of shock.

"Mr. Lane?"

"Hi?" he said cautiously as he turned to face them.

"What... what are you doing?" Carmen asked as her eyes dropped to his waist.

Julian raised his camera and took a picture.

Calvin was confused. "Isn't this the test photo session you asked me to attend?"

The two shook their heads.

Oh.

-=-

Later, Calvin's face began to cool off as he sat in Carmen's office with her and Julian. He was back in his own clothes, but he still felt incredibly embarrassed.

Carmen was very apologetic. "I forgot about the show, but I left instructions with the receptionist to have you wait in my office. A model was late for the show, and Gerome's assistant intercepted you on your way in, thinking you were them. Again, I'm so sorry about the mix-up."

"It was a sneak peek into the world of fashion shows, and now that I've experienced it, I don't think it's for me," Calvin admitted stiffly.

"A fashion show is completely different from a shoot. I really believe you'd have a better time than you did earlier. We could do the test shots now," Julian offered.

Calvin shook his head. "I've got night school tonight. I should be going."

Carmen was worried they were losing their chance with him, and more than ever, she thought he would work for the campaign for their new product line.

"Could we reschedule? I promise we'll be on top of the situation this time," Carmen said.

Calvin looked her in the eye, then took a deep breath and let some of the tension go. "It's a busy week for me. I'm only available on Friday, late afternoon again."

Carmen smiled and relaxed a little herself. "That would be great!"

They stood and nodded to each other before Calvin left. He had to hurry to make his night school class.

More tension after a long day.

-=-

Harper was steaming when she called Carmen and Julian to her office to explain what had just happened.

She was embarrassed and angry about it. Press had been in attendance, and she knew this would be in the tabloids and the news. She was just glad her corporate customers weren't in the audience.

There was a knock on the door, and she called out for them to enter. She pointed to the chairs in front of her desk.

Carmen immediately assured her that it was just a mix-up and went through the sequence of events that led to it.

"We arranged to have him return this Friday to do the test photos," she added.

Harper scowled at the two facing her. "Why him? Aside from how he fills out bike shorts, I don't get the appeal."

She admitted to herself that this was a lie, but she was still angry.

Truthfully, when they'd locked eyes during the show, she'd felt an almost physical tug of attraction. She acknowledged that he was very good-looking and that there was something about him. Strangely, her protective walls hadn't come up like they typically did with the men she'd previously been attracted to.

Carmen could see her boss was upset and knew this wasn't the right time to pitch their idea.

"It's just a hunch. We need to see if the test shots meet our expectations. We'll let you know next week. We're so sorry for the mix-up," she added.

Harper knew she'd have to be satisfied with this, so she nodded, and they left her office.

An image appeared in her head.

He really did fill out his cycling pants well.

-=-

Friday at a quarter to four, Calvin pulled into a visitor spot in the Altrea Wear parking lot.

The receptionist was very friendly and had him escorted to Carmen's office. Her personal assistant, a lovely East Indian woman, apologized for the delay, explaining that Carmen was on a long-distance call and would be a few minutes.

Calvin smiled and sat in a chair to wait. He opened his backpack and dug out his sketch pad and pencil.

"Would you mind if I did some sketches of you? No need to pose," he asked.

The young woman seemed flattered and nodded to him. She returned to her duties, but glanced at him from time to time as he worked. He appeared relaxed, but the pencil never stopped.

When the light for Carmen's line blinked off, the receptionist pressed the intercom button.

"Your four o'clock has arrived," she said into her headpiece mic.

Just then, Julian entered the waiting room and spotted Calvin's art.

He stopped and stared. "Damn! That's good! Divya, he captured you perfectly!"

Calvin's face warmed up as it usually did when someone praised his art. He carefully tore out the page and handed it to the delighted assistant.

Her eyes widened, and her mouth dropped open. The page contained a character study of her. He'd drawn her face as a one-quarter headshot, and it was exquisite! Some lines were minimal, but other areas of interest, such as her eyes and mouth, were drawn in great detail with shading.

Around this central art, he'd captured details like her left hand with her rings, her slim nose with a delicate nose ring, and her ear with its gangling earring.

"Do you do this professionally?" Divya asked.

Calvin shook his head shyly. "Not unless you call the portraits I do for tourists and people at the beach professional."

"Do they pay you?" Julian asked with a grin, and Calvin nodded. "Then you're a pro."

The photographer took a closer look. "Where did you learn his technique of minimalism accented by areas of intense detail? It's brilliantly effective," Julian asked as Carmen left her office to see what was delaying them.

Calvin shrugged. "We didn't have money for art supplies as I grew up, so I had to make my pencils last. I'd draw the less significant areas as outlines, a simple line to capture the contour and shape. This uses less graphite. Significant detail gets the most attention. Now, I just like the effect. Doing sketches calms me." He looked at them to see how they took that confession. "I draw a lot."

A huge smile appeared on Carmen's face as she gazed at the art. Then she realized how quickly he must have done it.

"You did this just now?" she gasped.

"I draw a lot," he mumbled, beginning to regret causing such a fuss.

"Frame that!" Carmen said to her assistant, who nodded excitedly. Then the Creative Director realized they were using up their limited time, so she shooed Julian and Calvin into her office.

"That's a remarkable talent!" she said as she circled her desk to take a seat, gesturing for them to sit as well.

Calvin nodded shyly and sat.

Carmen launched into a brief description of the company and its mandate to ensure top quality in all its products, whether in the athletic wear itself or in its brand marketing.

"As time is short between now and the launch we're planning, we'd like to do the test shots with you in our upcoming line of casual and sporting wear. The images won't be used in the public advertising campaign, but they will be used in our internal campaign assessment. We're presenting several ideas to the senior management for them to make the final decision on which campaign to run," she explained. "We'll ask you to sign a release to this effect and pay you a flat fee for the session, five hundred dollars."

Calvin stared at Carmen, then looked at Julian, who was also smiling widely.

"You seem to have some preconception that I'll actually be good at this. I've never modeled anything!" Calvin said quietly.

Carmen grinned at him. "It's hard to explain from outside, but please rest assured that we understand the task at hand, and we both believe what we're looking for isn't more of the same. You bring a...."

"A freshness! A genuine innocence!" Julian gushed, and Calvin's eyes widened in surprise.

Carmen smiled at her photographer. "Yes, exactly that. We wouldn't get that from a seasoned model. It's natural behavior for you."

She leaned back in her chair with a smile. "It's a test shoot. We'll see if we can find what we're looking for, and you'll get paid for your time.

If we think it was successful, we'll include the test campaign with the other campaign options. It will only be seen within that presentation.

If the senior executives choose it, we'll need you to sign another set of model releases, as we'll need to do another photoshoot with the new product line at a location to be determined. Then we'll create a final marketing campaign using the latest photos. This would be a public-facing marketing campaign. You'd need to be comfortable with that."

Calvin seemed a little unsure, so Carmen tried to reassure him. "Our product is clothes. Good clothes. There is nothing controversial to be stigmatized by. Our campaigns don't try to fool or cheat the consumers. We stand behind all our products."

That seemed to relieve his concerns as he nodded. "Okay. It's so far outside my experience or expectations that I'll just have to rely on you two and give it a try. I can't make any promises of success."

Julian grinned. "That's all we can ask for. Thank you!"

"How much time do you have today?" Carmen asked, conscious of his night school.

He smiled. "No class tonight, so I'm good to go."

Carmen presented the model release and explained the wording for him. Then he signed it. She also filled out a model information form so they had all his details.

Julian caught his eye. "Do you have a passport?"

Calvin blinked in surprise as he'd never been asked that. "I do. My uncle got it done for me. Will I need it tonight? I didn't bring it!"

Carmen smiled. "No. You will need it if the executives choose the campaign and we do a new photoshoot. It's just good to know you have it. Make sure it is current and not expired. We've had that issue before. What a nightmare!"

"I'll confirm that tonight," he assured them.

"Take a picture of the main page and email it to me. I'll include it in your file," Carmen said.

"Ah. I'll try that. I'm not that skilled with all the tricks of cell phone use," he admitted.

Carmen and Julian shared a smile as he was a refreshing change. "That's okay," she said.

"Let's go take some pictures!" Julian said.

They went to Julian's studio, and Calvin gawked at the room's size, the lighting setup, and all the camera gear and computers.

"We'll use the balanced lighting setup with the seamless backdrop to get some shots of you in the clothes. These will be dropped into some AI-generated backgrounds for the test campaign shots, Julian explained.

Calvin was confused. "If you can create any environment in the computer, why would you do on-location shoots?"

"We claim authenticity for our products. When creating public campaigns, we strive to provide a genuine, authentic representation of our product in the real world. For internal use, we can use the less expensive production methods," Carmen said. "People can detect when something is being faked, and they will never forgive you. So never give them a reason to doubt."

Julian looked at him as he prepared. "Have you ever surfed before?"

Calvin chuckled. "It's not a big sport in Missouri, and since I arrived here in California, I've been too busy working to make a living."

"What do you do for exercise?" Carmen asked.

Calvin nodded. "I run when I can, and I use my uncle's functional trainer regularly. Sometimes I used the gym at the night school."

"What's the course you're taking?" Julian asked over his shoulder as he put a lens on his camera.

"I'm studying to be an electrician."

"Good money in that," Carmen said.

Calvin recalled his mediocre results in the course. Another failure on the horizon? "Yeah, so I hear," he replied. Carmen and Julian shared looks when Calvin looked away.

Carmen guided Calvin over to the rack they'd prepared in advance. She selected an outfit and pointed to a change room.

He went inside, stripped, and pulled on the new outfit. He was pleasantly surprised as it fit well and was comfortable.

Julian guided him to the spot where he wanted him to stand and had him perform some relaxation exercises. Then it was Julian's turn to bring the magic. He demonstrated the stances he needed from Calvin and then worked on the emotions he wanted Calvin to express.

The lighthearted ones were a breeze for Calvin, as they seemed to be a natural state for him. Pulling the more serious moods took some work.

He changed into outfit after outfit and started to become comfortable with the poses Julian was after.

He was wearing a casual sweater and pants combination for relaxing around the house when Julian decided he needed a more contemplative look.

"Perhaps you can think of a situation in your life where you felt sad and bring how you felt at that time to the surface. Focus on the memory," Julian suggested.

Calvin's mind immediately went to the moment he overheard his mother crying quietly when she thought she was alone. She was holding a photo of her husband. Calvin thought about how much of her life she'd sacrificed for him in that house with Ted Barrows. He just wanted her to be happy.

A tear ran down his cheek.

Julian quietly captured the moment, then glanced at Carmen, who pulled Cal's mood back to happier thoughts. Julian captured his relief and shy smile.

When they were done, Calvin put on his own clothes and thanked them for the experience. With a good night for the two of them, he headed for the exit to go home.

Carmen and Julian remained behind in the studio to review the photos.

Image by image, they isolated Calvin from the background and placed him in the AI-generated scenes until they found the best match for each shot.

"I think we captured the look for Altrea Wear's new line," Julian said with a wide grin.

Carmen's smile showed she agreed.

They couldn't wait to present it to the executives!

Chapter 6

Saturdays were busy days at the spa and at the country club in general. The fairways were full, the tennis courts were booked solid, and the spa covered the overlap of spouses who didn't find either sport engaging but enjoyed being pampered.

Calvin greeted the customers with his usual friendly smile and courteous service, keeping smiles on their faces.

He must have been showing signs of reaching his breaking point as Patrick gently sent him out to get some air. The man was more sensitive than Calvin thought.

He was standing just outside the door leading to the first tee and could feel himself unwinding. Then he spotted Altrea Wear's head of HR stepping outside with a group of women. Helen spotted him as well and immediately changed her course to rush over to see him. She gave him a warm hug, crushing her tits against his chest.

"Helen! How are you!" he said, and she preened as he'd remembered her name and made a fuss over her in front of her friends, who were now watching him with interest.

"You've got a different uniform on today!" Helen noticed.

Calvin nodded. "Yes, I work in the spa." He gestured to the spa logo on his chest. "I was just helping out in the restaurant the other night."

"So helpful!" Helen gushed, then heard a throat-clearing sound behind her.

"Where are my manners? Calvin, I'd like you to meet my good friends who are also in the Human Relations field. This is Victoria Braun!"

The woman was a tall, lean, platinum-blonde who smiled at him as if she wanted to devour him like ice cream. She was strong in the intensity game.

"Nice to meet you, Victoria," he said as he shook her hand and felt her grip linger just a little too long.

"Next is Cynthia Sexton."

This woman had obviously had several visits with surgeons for... adjustments. Her mahogany hair was pulled back, which matched the state of her face. She was pretty, but he was concerned about what might happen if that tension was suddenly released. How she managed to play golf with breast implants that large was another question.

He was reaching for her hand when she thrust her chest forward as she clasped his fingers in hers. He went a little wide-eyed, and she smiled as she took that as admiration of her bosom.

"And last but by far not the least, Joy, whom I've known since college."

This friend hadn't had any obvious work done. She was a beautiful woman in her mid-forties with long, dark red hair and a well-maintained physique. She had a little extra in the chest and ass areas, but this looked naturally sourced.

"Joy," he said with a smile and a nod. The tip of her tongue touched her lip as she returned his smile.

"Calvin is a unique name," she said as she maintained her hold on his hand.

"My parents considered it to be a classic name," he returned with a little shrug.

When she released her grip, Helen was right there to hook her arm through his, claiming her territory.

"How long have you been members of the club?" he asked politely as he looked at each of the women.

Helen answered. "Oh! We're on guest passes today. We're avid golfers and have memberships in other courses, but I was so impressed with the... amenities during our company dinner, I convinced my group to try it out!" She eyed his chest in his tight polo shirt. "Now that I know you work in the spa, perhaps we'll see what their offerings are after our round of golf."

The course manager called out Helen's name, so it was time for them to start.

"That's us!" she chirped and quickly pressed her body against his again. He waved as the group moved on.

Patrick stepped up next to him. "Who are they?" he asked.

"A group of four HR managers. One of them was at the Altrea Wear function. She convinced her friends to try out the club," he said.

Patrick nodded, then looked at him. "Did you get enough fresh air? Mrs. Langstone is looking for you."

Calvin nodded with a silent sigh and followed his boss back inside.

He knew what Mrs. Langstone wanted. While he wasn't authorized to touch the clients in any therapeutic way, Ingrid always wore strappy sandals on spa days and got a special thrill when he put them on her feet after the polish on her pedicure dried. It was something about his hands on her ankles and tying her up with the shoe's ribbons. She was always a little glassy-eyed and breathless afterward.

As Patrick said, keep the customers smiling.

-=-

By the end of his shift, Calvin needed some time to unwind and remembered that tomorrow was Sunday, a rare day with no shifts or other obligations. He was so grateful for that!

He switched into his going-home clothes and left the locker room into the service corridor.

"Calvin! Yoohoo!"

He paused and looked back to see Helen waving at him frantically from the main hall outside the service corridor. The hall's doors should have been closed to protect the members from seeing the gritty behind-the-scenes service areas.

He couldn't pretend like he hadn't heard her, so Calvin smiled and walked up to join her. He pulled the doors closed behind himself and greeted the woman and her three friends, who appeared to be waiting for something.

"Did you enjoy your time on the course?" he asked dutifully.

Helen was all bubbly. "Yes! It's so much better than the one I usually go to. I'm going to cancel my membership with them and get one here!"

He grinned at her, then looked at Joy. "Did Helen win today?"

That made the three other women laugh as he'd guessed correctly.

Helen pouted at him, but her happiness would not be denied. "It is a wonderful course!" she insisted. "We didn't have time to visit the spa, but we're getting a table to have a drink. Will you join us?"

Calvin racked his tired mind to think of an excuse to let him escape, but nothing came. "Sure, for a bit."

Helen's name was called out, so their table was ready. It seated four, but it was against a wall with a bench on that side, so Calvin slid in, with Helen on one side and Joy on the other.

"I believe I saw you coming into our building on Friday afternoon," Helen said.

Calvin nodded shyly. "Yes. They asked me to come in for a test shoot."

Joy touched his arm. "You model, too!"

He smiled but shook his head. "I've never done it before, but they insisted I try."

Calvin wanted to get the topic away from him. He looked at Joy. "I know Helen works for Altrea Wear. How about you, Joy?"

She smiled brightly as she had his attention. She opened up and spoke a little about herself, and he listened attentively. She liked that.

Victoria and Cynthia had their turns and enjoyed his focus on them as well.

They ordered drinks, Calvin asking for cranberry juice, which was code for the free staff-only beverage.

One of the club membership agents stopped by the table. His eye picked up Calvin's presence, but he pretended not to notice. He was obviously aware they were visiting on a guest pass, so he asked the usual questions and offered to answer any questions they might have.

Helen hinted that it was because of Calvin that she'd decided to switch her membership to Santo Castilla. Joy was quick to second that, and Victoria and Cynthia jumped in as well.

Calvin looked embarrassed, which delighted the ladies.

"Didn't you say it was because of the superior course and the, uh, amenities?" Calvin asked Helen.

That caused the group to burst into giggles.

Defeated, he just shook his head at the man, but the agent was grinning at this point, too.

"I'm delighted you've decided to join us. Enjoy the rest of your visit," he said before leaving.

Helen's phone chirped, and she glanced at it. Her smile faded. "Oh, poo! I have to go."

She waved at their waiter and asked for the bill. She insisted on paying for their drinks.

"We should probably head home, too," Cynthia said as they finished up.

Calvin joined them in the hall outside the restaurant, and the ladies shared chaste double-cheek presses. Helen took the opportunity to press her body against his boldly and kiss his cheek.

He bid her goodnight, and she waved at her friends as she hustled away.

Victoria and Cynthia wasted no time in getting the same treatment from Calvin.

Then it was just Calvin and Joy.

"Do you have dinner plans?" she asked him with a little smile.

He looked at her, then back toward the restaurant they had just been in.

She grinned at him. "I was thinking about a place a little more casual than this. A favorite of mine."

He pondered that, then nodded. "I'm open for dinner."

They left the building and headed for the parking lot. Dusk was quickly coming upon them.

"Should I follow you in my car?" Calvin asked.

"Why don't I drive you in my car, then I'll drop you off here afterward?" she suggested.

Calvin thought that sounded fine to him, so he smiled and nodded.

He followed her to a large luxury sedan and was surprised by its size.

She unlocked the doors, and he settled himself into the passenger seat, realizing just how luxurious it was. The interior trim was incredible with soft leather seats, all the hi-tech toys, and a huge back seat.

He was impressed, and judging by her smile, she was enjoying his reaction.

"You have a beautiful car!" he said.

"Thank you! What do you drive?" she asked.

He smiled to himself. "I'll give you one clue, then you can see it once you drop me off after dinner."

She grinned and nodded.

"It's an Italian roadster," he said seriously.

"Ooo! I look forward to seeing it," she purred, and Calvin struggled to keep a straight face as he nodded.

Joy turned out to be an excellent driver, and the car's suspension made it feel like they were floating on a cloud.

It was so comfortable!

The feel of a hand squeezing his leg gently brought him back from slumberland.

"Huh? What?" he mumbled as he struggled to wake his brain.

Looking down, he saw a woman's hand gripping his thigh. The dim light of the dashboard was barely enough to see the color of her lovely manicure. He recalled it was red.

More questions popped into his slow mind.

Why was it so dark? The headlights were off. A dim streetlight, a short distance away, cast a dull, reddish glow across the area.

Where were they? He didn't see any restaurants nearby. In fact, aside from the parking lot they were in, nothing was nearby. They were the only car in the lot.

Why had they stopped?

"You fell asleep before we left the country club parking lot," she said in amusement.

"Ah, sorry. I didn't realize how tired I was."

"Do you have a girlfriend, fiancé, or other significant other?" she asked, and his eyes opened all the way.

"Uh, no, I don't," he replied.

"How did that happen? You're such a good-looking man, and you don't seem to have any obvious red flags," she said as she moved her face closer to his. Her eyes were reflecting the minimal dashboard lights, so he could tell she was looking at him.

The light also gleamed off her wedding ring. "You're married?"

"I'm in the process of getting a divorce. My soon-to-be-ex is a lawyer. I'm finalizing my divorce with him as I learned of his affair with his partner's legal secretary. His partner hates him, and he's getting me a massive settlement from him. He supplied the photos of them cheating as well."

"If you're still technically married, isn't doing something like this a dangerous move?" Calvin asked cautiously.

Now he saw her expression reveal her true distress. "My ex-husband is beyond any doubt a cheater and a liar, and he deserves to be taken to the cleaners in this divorce. But he's also the person who really knows how to give me what I need, sexually. It's been so long since I had a good fucking, I was actually contemplating dropping my case against him!"

Calvin was quiet for a moment as his thoughts settled into a clear message.

"You want me to have sex with you to relieve your need, just so you'll be able to go through with the divorce?" he asked incredulously.

She took a deep breath, and this did wonderful things to her cleavage. "I could probably hold out until the case goes before the judge, but I'm becoming miserable. I'm short-tempered, distracted, and losing my vitality. Do you not find me attractive?" she asked.

"I think you're extremely attractive! Very sexy!" he insisted, and she smiled happily.

Then he squirmed in embarrassment. "I just don't have that much experience. I don't know if I could meet your needs."

"Could we try?" she immediately insisted.

Calvin looked into her desperate eyes and found himself nodding.

Her hand immediately moved to his zipper and tugged it down. He lifted his hips awkwardly, and she yanked his pants down to mid-thigh. This was enough to give her access to his cock, which had been steadily stiffening with the idea of having sex with this beauty.

"Oh, FUCK YES!" she moaned as she wrapped her fingers around it.

"Nice and thick! Just like I love it!" she purred as she leaned across the seat to bring her lips to his. Her tongue plunged into his mouth. He had to hurry to keep up, sucking on the agile muscle, further inflaming her lust.

His cock was reaching maximum rigidity, and she was aware of this from her grip.

Joy pulled back from his kiss and immediately leaned forward to press her lips against the head of his cock.

Calvin gasped, and this became a moan as she plunged his cock deep into her mouth, then down her throat.

"AHHH! FUCK!" Calvin gasped as he felt her desperately trying to swallow his cock completely.

As she was bent over the center console to deepthroat his cock, this lifted her ass into the air. Calvin reached over and squeezed her ass cheeks in his strong hands.

Joy squealed over his cock and suddenly pulled back to pop his cock out. "Door! Backseat!" she managed to gasp out of her raw throat.

Calvin pushed his door open and stepped out into the dark lot. He closed the door and pulled open the back door. The dome light showed Joy climbing in the other side as she yanked her clothes off.

That made sense to him, so he tugged his shoes, socks, pants, and underwear off, in record time, and chucked them into the rear footwell before climbing in, pulling the door closed behind him.

Suddenly, the dome light went out, and there was even less light in the backseat. He reached out and grabbed the woman to pull her against him as they both enjoyed the sensation of their naked bodies grinding together.

He kissed her hard, and she moaned happily as her tongue wrestled with his.

She managed to get her hand into the pocket on the back of the passenger seat and pulled out a condom.

As she tore open the package, he cupped her breasts with his hands and enjoyed their weight and softness. Heaven! He gently tugged on her nipples, and she had to pull back from their kiss to cry out in bliss.

She looked into his eyes with fire in hers and shifted back to get her mouth onto his cock once more. Three deep plunges, and on the fourth stroke, she rolled on the condom.

Twisting around once more, she lay back on the soft leather and lifted her knees toward her chest.

"FUCK ME! HARD!" she growled hungrily with a wicked smile.

Calvin slid his hands up the back of her thighs and pushed them higher. This brought her pussy up to meet his descending mouth. Joy cried out as Calvin plunged his tongue into her glistening pussy and nibbled on her lips and clit. Her body was going through intense spikes of pleasure when he pulled back and spanked her clit with his hard cock.

"AHH! FUCK! OHH, YESSS!" she cried, then her voice went ultrasonic as he drove his cock deep into her gushing pussy.

Hooking his arms under her legs, he began to pound her against the seat as wet slaps filled the air. He maintained this brutal pace as her face contorted with the raw sensations.

"COMING!!!" Joy finally screamed as waves of pleasure ripped through her mind and body. It was so incredibly intense, and she struggled to catch her breath.

Calvin's back was getting tired from being on top, so he leaned forward and lifted her from the seat. He moved to the middle and sat down on the cushions with Joy still impaled on his cock. Her knees rested on the seat on either side of his legs, and her head rested forward on his shoulder as she panted, fireworks randomly going off from his motions.

When he grabbed her ass in his powerful hands and began to push and pull her up and down his cock, her clit dragged across his lower stomach, and she threw her head back as the waves of bliss began to build again.

She couldn't get over the feeling of his hands squeezing her cheeks so demandingly. She began to feel like a toy built for his pleasure and gave herself over to this new sensation. She loved this!

Calvin was getting so close, but the physical effort and the desensitizing effect of the condom were keeping him back from his own release.

Joy was heating up as she hit another series of waves of intense pleasure, her skin slick with sweat. She'd had multiple orgasms before with her husband, but it had never been this intense before.

When the middle two fingers of his right hand slipped across her wet ass as he pulled her up once again, they slid right into her asshole, and her eyes shot wide as her jaw dropped.

Calvin didn't seem to be aware that he was now using her anus as a grip to fuck her harder. His fingers plunged deep with each thrust, and her eyes rolled back as yet another peak was reached and exceeded.

Her internal spasms pulled the trigger for Calvin's release at long last, and he roared as he slammed her down, burying his cock deep inside as his heat filled the condom.

Joy collapsed on Calvin's chest, her stiff nipples poking into his hot skin. Tremors and aftershocks rushed through her body as she panted.

Calvin eased his fingers from her twitching asshole, and she sucked in some sharp breaths.

"Oh! Oh god! It's too much!" she whimpered.

Calvin remembered she wanted it hard, so he took a grip on her hair and pulled her head back so he could look into her eyes.

"Did that meet your needs, or should I fuck you again?" he growled softly and felt her shiver.

He kissed her plump lips, and she moaned.

Finally, she was able to speak again.

"That was... perfect. I'm spent. Thank you," she sighed.

He nodded and eased her off to rest on the seat next to him. He touched the dome light momentarily and squinted when it came on. In the light, he discovered wet wipes in the seatback pocket. The light went off again. He removed the condom and did some cleaning with the wipes. He handed some to Joy, and she cleaned herself as well.

He collected his clothes, slipped out of the car, and quickly dressed. When he circled the car to see how she was doing, he found her naked and leaning back against the car door.

She looked like a goddess, so he sank to his knees before her, and she ran her fingers through his hair. Something flared in her eyes, and she gently pulled him closer. Her head rocked back when he pressed his lips to her pussy and drove his tongue deep inside. She was screaming silently as he sucked, licked, and worshipped her pussy until her body went into convulsions from another orgasm.

He had to support her until she regained her strength. Then he dressed her, and she smiled the entire time. He raised an eyebrow at her.

"What? I like a little pampering, now and then," she sighed happily. "Speaking of which, could you drive us back to the country club?"

He glanced around. "I... could, but I was asleep the entire way here, so I have no idea where we are."

She chuckled. "The GPS will guide us back."

"I've never used one of those," he admitted.

"Just follow her instructions," she said.

"Oh! I'm good at that," he admitted, and she burst into girl-like giggles. He moved closer to press his body against hers as he kissed her again.

She began to melt against his body, then she pushed him back gently but almost frantically. "Okay! No more. My God!" she panted.

He smiled and walked her to the passenger door. He eased her down on the seat. She bit her lip as tingles rushed through her from the pressure on sensitive areas.

He got behind the wheel and familiarized himself with the controls. "Your car is leagues above mine in terms of comfort and sophistication." He smiled at her as he reflected on her social standing and his own. "Much like us."

He found the start button, and the car roared to life.

She smiled and pressed a control on the dash, saying the address of the country club aloud. A map appeared on the display screen, and an arrow was projected onto the bottom edge of the windscreen in front of Calvin.

"Heads up display? Fancy," he said with a smile.

She smiled and relaxed back, so he eased them out of the parking lot and on their way.

His stomach rumbled, breaking the silence, and she chuckled.

"I apologize that we never made it to the restaurant," she sighed, her eyes opening partially to glance over at him.

He was going to say next time, but he wasn't sure that was a given, considering her marital status. Instead, he just nodded and let it go.

When they finally pulled into the parking lot next to the country club, there were very few cars left. He pulled up next to his and gently touched Joy's shoulder. "We're here," he said softly, and she woke.

Joy blinked her eyes open and smiled at him. Then her eyes caught sight of the bright yellow paint on his car in her headlights. "Italian Roadster?" she gasped in amusement.

He just smiled and nodded to her. "It gets me to work and back. It's a lovely little car," he said fondly.

She smiled and eased herself out of her door and moved to stand before her car as she gave the Fiat Cinquecento a closer look. Then she turned her head and gave him an odd appraising look. "Why does it seem like such a good match for you?"

He shrugged and shook his head slightly.

She turned to face him and tilted her face up. He brought his lips to hers, and she purred happily.

"Thank you for a lovely evening!" she said after she pulled back.

"I had a good time as well," he replied with a crooked smile.

She gave him a serious look. "We're not going to mention this to Helen."

He shook his head and crossed his heart. That made her grin and nod.

He walked her to her door and helped her in. She put the window down after he closed her door. "I'll have to get the car detailed. It smells like sex in here," she said with a grin, and he smiled back.

"Good night," she said as she drove away.

Calvin watched her go, then climbed into his car and headed home, too.

As he entered the house, he saw his mother getting back from her shift at the hospital.

She took a sniff and pointed toward the stairs. "Shower," was all she said.

Sheepishly, he hurried upstairs and immediately took a hot shower, scrubbing the scent of sex from his body.

When he got back downstairs, dressed in his shorts and a T-shirt, he found his mother in the kitchen making sandwiches.

"Is one of those for me?" he asked with a cautious smile.

She looked up and locked eyes with him.

"Do I have to worry about who you were with tonight?"

He paused as he could already hear the worry in her voice.

"No. We used protection," he said.

He could see her shoulders dropping as she relaxed. Then she nodded to herself.

"Are you going to introduce me to your girlfriend?" she asked, more at ease than she was before.

Calvin shook his head. "She's not my girlfriend. I don't even know if she's interested in me that way."

Melinda's eyes widened. "But she's interested in you enough to have sex?"

He let out a long breath. "Yeah. I think that's all it was."

She looked closer at him. "But you would have liked for it to be more?"

Calvin smiled self-consciously. "I just met her today. She was nice and very beautiful. The... other stuff was fun, but I didn't know her well enough to say if we're a good match." He was quiet for a moment. "I get so confused about my feelings in these situations. Knowing if this is what I want? I haven't really had the chance to get to know a woman long enough to determine what that is. One day, I'd like to have the time to do that. Go on a real date. Hold hands. Talk."

Melinda looked at her son sadly, once more worried that life wasn't treating him as it should, but knowing he was old enough to set his own course. "I want that for you, too," she said softly.

He picked up the sandwich from the plate his mom slid across the counter. It was gone in five bites. She gave his scalp a little scratch, then kissed his forehead. He thanked her for dinner, kissed the top of her head as he hugged her, and said good night. Then he went upstairs to brush his teeth.

He ached for his bed, but duty first.

He had a day off tomorrow, so he'd likely go to the beach to do sketches for tourists.

He could always use the extra cash, and spending the day doing what he loved was deeply rewarding.

-=-

Joy relaxed back in her bathtub, enjoying the heat and bubbles, feeling her tight muscles soothed by both. Tonight had been incredible, but she had a mild ache that the heat was easing.

She tapped her cell phone's screen and dialed her divorce attorney.

It rang three times before she heard Eric pick up.

"Joy! Good evening!"

She smiled at the nervous tension in his tone.

"Good evening, Eric. So... are you ready to crush Rick?" she said.

There was a pause. "You're no longer having doubts?" he asked cautiously.

"Not a single one. Let's take him for everything he's got," she said.

"I've been waiting for you to tell me that!" Eric said with genuine relief and excitement in his voice. "Three of Rick's lovers are willing to give you their support as well."

Joy clenched her teeth, hearing the current count of women Rick had been fucking behind her back. She sighed, knowing there were likely more.

"If you don't mind my asking, for my peace of mind, what made you finally decide to go ahead with the divorce?" A trace of his tension returned. He was likely worried that she might have another change of heart.

She smiled. "I recently had a profound epiphany. I suddenly understood that my fears were baseless. The only course I can take to get my life back is to see this through."

"That's wonderful! I'll file the divorce petition first thing tomorrow morning!" he said happily. She realized he would be achieving his own dream of ousting that bastard from their practice as well. It was good for everyone, all around, except for Rick.

"Thank you. Good night, Eric."

"Good night, Joy."

She set her phone aside and relaxed in the hot water.

Her grand epiphany tonight had been discovering she didn't need Rick to experience truly mind-shattering sex.

Calvin was better at sex than Rick. For all his claims of inexperience, he'd brought her pleasure Rick could never have delivered due to his aversion to ass play.

Truthfully, she'd felt the same way until Calvin took her so boldly, destroying her misconceptions and fears.

She'd had no idea her body could reach such heights of pleasure!

Now she couldn't wait to try again!

Chapter 7

Carmen and Julian were sitting in Altrea Wear's main boardroom as Julie Stine, their Chief Marketing Officer, presented three campaign options to launch their latest line of athletic wear. Carmen had worked closely with her and the marketing team, and truthfully, all three options had their strengths. They had smart people who put great effort into their work, and it showed.

She didn't envy Harper's job of choosing the winner, though she had her own preference. The woman sat through all three presentations and didn't give a hint of her preference until the lights came back on.

The raven-haired CEO looked to her Chief Financial Officer, Bradley Wilde, and her Chief Operations Officer, Farah Maaroufi, and both were doing their best to hide their smiles.

Their General Council, Mavis Tillisbury, was in the office today, so naturally, she'd invited herself to sit in on the presentation, regardless of there being no need for her to do so. She enjoyed being in their presence, so she stuck her nose in whenever she wasn't slaying the company's opponents in court with her lethal intellect and encyclopedic knowledge of the law. No one really minded as the British expat had a wicked sense of humor and a charming accent.

Today, she offered Harper no assistance with the selection, just grinned at her.

Then she looked at Julie.

"Once more, you and your team have outdone yourselves, which makes my task of choosing one so much more difficult," she sighed, and Julie's proud smile would not be denied. The CMO shot Carmen a look of gratitude.

Harper looked at Bradley and Farah once more. "Come on! Strengths and weaknesses!" she insisted.

Moroccan-born Farah was never one to refuse a direct request for an opinion, so she offered one. "Choice one favors athletes. It is very aggressive."

Nods went around the table as they agreed that it was a fair assessment.

She continued. "Choice two was beautiful, but it wasn't clear that the fashion was the point."

There were some nods and some frowns, but no one outright denied the point she made.

"Choice three," she began, then her voice stopped as a smile slipped onto her lips. She gathered her thoughts again and tried to return to her normally serious expression, but failed. "It made me feel... good." She shook her head. "It was definitely brand-centric as the clothing was front and center, but... it didn't feel like an ad?" She looked around in confusion. "Am I making sense?" She locked eyes with Julie. "Were you using some kind of subliminal messages?"

Julie laughed, and the mood in the room lightened immediately. "No! Nothing of the sort!" Julie promised, waving her hands in denial.

Harper liked where this was going. "Quick decision then. The first to cut is choice two. I agree that it was lovely, but its focus wasn't clear enough."

Nods went around the table. Progress had been made as they were down to two.

"It comes down to message," Harper said. "We can emphasize our ties with professional athletes, solidify the sports theme, or with three we can...." Her voice trailed off as she tried to nail down what she was feeling.

"Enjoy the game."

All heads turned to face the source of the voice, Carmen.

She was smiling at Julie, whose team had done such a brilliant job of capturing the message she and Julian wanted to express.

"Yes!" Harper said with a smile. The campaign showcased her products, but clearly as part of enjoying the game. Like Farah, choice three made her feel good!

"Choice one will make our corporate partners happy. Just sayin'," Bradley said, aware of the financial ties between Altrea Wear and the sporting teams who cross-marketed with them.

Harper nodded. "Choice three also celebrates the games our corporate partners invest in."

"What if we added scenes of the professional teams into choice three?" Bradley suggested.

"Who buys our products? Who drives our revenue?" Harper asked him.

He raised his hands in surrender. "The consumers," he said.

"That doesn't mean the ads couldn't include scenes of the models watching the pro athletes do their thing," Julie offered, and Bradley immediately pointed at her with a wide grin.

Harper smirked at Bradley for winning a point as the man pumped his fist in victory.

"I think it's clear that choice three is the winner. Julie, truly brilliant work on all three," Harper said, and applause erupted.

"Who's the male model in this campaign. As there seemed to be only one while I saw at least three female models, it was pretty clear there was a focus on a central character," Harper said as she recalled the images of him in the presentation. She discovered she was smiling again.

"You sure you didn't put any subliminal messages in the presentation?" she teased Julie, and laughter erupted once more.

Julie gestured to Carmen, and all eyes focused on her.

"His name is Calvin Lane. Julian spotted him during our recent corporate event at the Santo Castilla Country Club, where he was working as a waiter," Carmen said.

"He's not a model?" Mavis blurted. Her brows drew together as she imagined potential issues with releases and background checks.

Carmen nodded with a smile. "That's right. He's not a model. This was his first time in front of the camera, and as you saw, he's as genuine as they come." She grinned at Julian. "You made a behind-the-scenes video just in case it was needed, yes?"

Julian held up a memory stick, then slid it across the table to Julie, who caught it under her hand and slotted it into her laptop. This was linked to the massive display at the end of the room.

Carmen faced Mavis. "He was aware we were recording and signed the necessary releases."

Julie played the sole file on the stick, and the screen filled with a video of Calvin walking out into the seamless backdrop in Julian's studio. He was smiling at Julian as he fussed with the tracksuit he'd just put on. He turned and made a quick, deep knee bend to ensure the fabric stretched. When he stood up again, he quickly ran his hands over his ass, then spun to face Julian, who was holding the camera, and grinned widely.

"These feel so good!" he gushed with a happy smile.

What followed were scene after scene of Calvin preparing for the shots or just playing with the outfits he was wearing, testing the zippers and pockets. He didn't talk much unless spoken to, but he had this peaceful look on his face most of the time. Then Julian's still images passed by one after another, in slow succession.

Carmen watched Harper's expression as the image of Calvin's tear appeared.

"Why was he crying?" Mavis blurted anxiously. Carmen bit down on her tongue to keep from laughing as Mavis' lovely and maternal instinct was accentuated by her crisp accent.

Harper jolted as well, but quickly hid her reaction as Mavis' outburst caused the others to react as well.

"It's okay. We were seeing if Calvin could emote, and he found a sad memory," Carmen explained, and saw her audience was unsettled. The final clip showed Divya with a brilliant smile, holding up the sketch Calvin did for her. Then the video ended.

"The goal of this third choice was to emphasize the connection between the people and the game--the pure enjoyment of it. Unfortunately, we're discovering that as male models get better-looking, people relate to them less. Calvin is handsome, but more importantly, he's accessible due to his innocence. When he's happy, you can feel it. When he's sad...."

Everyone now understood that the test wasn't just for Calvin. They'd felt his emotions.

Mavis frowned. "We're not trying to emotionally manipulate our customers with this campaign, are we?"

Harper chuckled. "That's what all ad campaigns do! Drink this sports drink, and you'll excel in your sport! Wear these runners, and you'll run like the wind. Our message has always been, wear our clothes because they are of excellent quality and comfortable. That's what Mr. Lane said at the beginning of this video. There's no other message we need."

She suddenly froze. "Wait a minute! Mr. Lane? The same model who stumbled into the press release fashion show?"

Carmen had been worried about this reaction. But she came prepared.

"Innocently included in a show he hadn't expected to be in. There hasn't been any negative fallout from that event. We've kept an eagle eye on that. Delight is the typical response. The photos we took that day, and the ones we've seen from others, showed nothing... inappropriate."

"I'll need some context on the event in question," Mavis asserted. "If you are going to base a campaign on a single model, we must have a comprehensive background on who he is and what he's been up to."

Carmen wasn't finished. "He's not our product. He's a representative of the consumer who will wear our product. Look deep enough into anyone's background, and you'll find embarrassing events like the fashion show mix-up. Try looking into Calvin's, and you'll discover he has no social media profile. None. No criminal record and a largely mediocre scholastic record. No club activity. He's very articulate, but did poorly in the school system. He's soft-spoken, quiet, and shy. Despite the struggles he's endured, he has an excellent, friendly attitude. He's also a brilliant artist, as you saw by the art he made of my personal assistant Divya."

She looked around the table and saw she hadn't lost anyone. "The campaign works because he's not in your face aggressive. He's comfortable to watch, like our products are comfortable to wear. He doesn't challenge you but invites you to play. He makes you smile."

Harper was watching Carmen closely. "You seem to think very highly of him."

"After we met him and got this crazy idea in our heads, we did our research. We haven't been disappointed yet," Carmen said.

"I'd like to meet him. Invite him to the party at the house this Saturday," Harper insisted.

Carmen nodded to her. It felt like the meeting was over.

Mavis looked at the Creative Director. "It seems like I should stay in town until after the weekend. I'd appreciate it if you could provide me with the research you did on the young man."

Carmen nodded to the lawyer as well.

Harper gestured for Carmen and Julian to join her as she stood to leave.

Mavis tagged along as she wanted that information from Carmen, and Harper didn't mind her inclusion.

When they got to the CEO's office, they settled into the chairs around her desk.

Harper didn't mince words. "I love the campaign. I love the message. I like how it made me feel. I'm not comfortable about linking our company to a single spokesperson." She pointed to Mavis, then looked back at Carmen. "There will have to be strict conditions in the contract we make with him about his behavior while the campaign is in the public eye."

Mavis nodded firmly. "That is my concern as well! I will begin drafting the contract immediately so we can sit down with him to review...." She stopped as she saw Carmen's calm, attentive smile. "Are you two taking this seriously?" she asked stiffly, as she saw Julian's expression matched the Creative Director's attitude.

"Yes. We had these concerns earlier as well. You can pick Calvin's brain when he joins us this weekend. I think your concerns will be addressed then," Carmen stated.

That seemed good enough for Harper. "Get in touch with him and let him know we are considering hiring him for the campaign. Invite him to the party and let him know we'll speak with him then."

Carmen read that as a dismissal, so she nodded and stood, Julian joining her.

They nodded to the two execs and left the CEO's office, heading back to Carmen's.

They shared a fist bump on the way.

-=-

"Are we mad to consider this?" Harper asked her General Council.

Mavis frowned. "Not necessarily. If all we're asking him to do is wear the products and show how well they fit and feel, this could work really well. They were right about his approachability. Based on what we saw, he is comfortable to watch and seems to have a calm, friendly demeanor. His personality doesn't try to overpower the product," she mused.

Harper felt herself relaxing as her council's thoughts and concerns matched her own. She still wasn't completely sold on trusting one man, but that was an issue she'd been dealing with all her life.

"He certainly isn't hard on the eyes," Mavis said with a coy smile as she watched Harper.

The CEO nodded thoughtfully until she recognized the teasing tone in the attorney's voice. She glared at the woman, who giggled in response.

"I'd like to see that contract before the party," Harper said stiffly.

"Yes, ma'am," Mavis said, though she was at least twenty years senior to Harper.

The CEO huffed as this was not lost on her.

Mavis smiled and headed out to find Carmen to get the investigation information.

-=-

"I'm really sorry, Calvin. I don't think this field is for you," the prof said, delivering the bad news to his student.

Calvin felt the weight of yet another failure settle over his shoulders.

"There are just too many dangers in this field for the unprepared, and you just don't seem to have the aptitude for being an electrician. Your grades aren't going to cut it, and I'd be remiss to allow you to continue in the course for your safety and the safety of others. You can get a refund on the fees for the upcoming semester."

Calvin leaned back in his chair and nodded to the man. He wasn't angry and was grateful the man was saving him the money on the course.

"Is there another trade you might suggest I could transfer to?" he asked.

The prof gave Calvin a pained look. "There's no question you're strong and fit, so that wouldn't be an issue for you in most of the physically active occupations, but it's your aptitude for the technical aspects that you may have trouble with. Maybe you should look into a business course and work in an office?"

"I... I have other challenges with those kinds of jobs," he answered.

"Do you know what you like to do and can focus on?" the man asked.

"Art. I like to create art," Calvin said.

The prof grinned. "A starving artist."

Calvin nodded with a sad smile.

"Too bad you weren't born into the ancient Greek, Roman, or Egyptian eras, where being an artisan was a high-paid occupation."

Calvin sighed, then stood up and shook the man's hand.

"I really hope you find something, Calvin. You're a great kid!" the man said.

"Thanks!" Calvin said as he left the man's office.

When he'd been called in, he'd had a sense it wasn't going to be good news, but now he felt lost.

He headed home to talk with his mother and his uncle. It wasn't like he was unemployed. Working in the spa, while mentally draining, was easy enough and brought in a paycheck, albeit not a large one.

When Calvin got home, he saw he had a voicemail on his cell phone, but didn't have the mental capacity to check it.

His mom wasn't home from her shift yet, so he waved to his uncle, then closed his bedroom door and slid under the covers to hide from the world.

Chapter 8

Calvin pulled into the parking lot for Altrea Wear after his shift at the country club spa, slung his backpack over his shoulder, and went inside to speak to the receptionist. She immediately had Calvin guided to Carmen's office.

"Good afternoon, Calvin!" the Creative Director said with a wide smile as she stood up from her desk to come around it to shake his hand.

He wondered why she seemed so keen to see him. The message he'd received on his cell asked him to return her call as soon as he was available. When he called, she invited him back to the office, but he still didn't know why.

After they sat once more, Carmen leaned forward and smiled at Calvin. "The test shots worked even better than we thought, so the campaign was given preliminary approval. There are just a few details to be sorted out and a few people who'd like to speak with you before we get the go-ahead."

Calvin smiled since this sounded like good news.

"I know you don't have a lot of time today, so I'll bring you over to speak to Mavis Tillisbury, our General Counsel," she said.

He felt a little tension as he thought of it, but he knew he should tell her. "Actually, I'm no longer going to night school. The prof informed me that I failed the course and that being an electrician wasn't for me," he said as his cheeks burned.

"Oh! I'm sorry to hear that didn't work out for you," Carmen said with sincerity as she saw he was embarrassed and disappointed.

He tried to shrug it off and gave her a weak smile. "It's probably for the best."

"It means your schedule is more flexible for modeling. Will you be able to take time off from your spa job?" she asked.

"It should be okay, but I'll ask. I'm sure I could go back to working in the restaurant if the spa won't give me the time and instead fires me. Marcus has been asking if I'd be willing to return. He's the restaurant manager." Calvin explained.

She gave him an impressed smile. "It's good to be in demand," she said. "I've been asked to invite you to a party our CEO is throwing at her home this Saturday. She'd very much like to meet you, but she's not in the office the rest of the week. Her first opportunity will be at the party. Dress is Smart Casual."

Calvin's expression dropped.

"What's wrong?" Carmen asked in surprise.

He squirmed in discomfort. "I-I've never attended a party before. I don't know what Smart-Casual means, but I probably don't own anything that matches it."

"Oh!" Carmen exclaimed softly. "Not to worry. I'll speak with Julian to see if he can get his hands on an outfit for you." Calvin nodded with a grateful smile, so she continued. "He and I will be there so you can follow our lead. It's just an opportunity to mingle with other people from Altrea Wear and our business partners."

She stood, so Calvin did as well. He grabbed his bag and followed her up a few floors to a corner office with a north-west view. He marveled at the lovely warm light coming through the floor-to-ceiling windows. The woman sitting behind the desk was backlit, and her dark skin initially made her features difficult to see in the brightness. When she came around the desk to shake his hand, Calvin smiled at her cheerful expression.

Carmen made the introductions. "Mavis, this is Calvin Lane. Calvin, Mavis Tillisbury, our General Counsel."

"It's very nice to meet you at last, Calvin," Mavis said as she gestured for him to sit.

"Come see me when you are done," Carmen said softly to Calvin, and he nodded gratefully to her after he sat.

Mavis took the chair next to him instead of going back to her chair so she wouldn't be backlit. "I told them that the sunlight from this lovely corner office would make having meetings difficult, but they insisted," she said with a smile to lighten the tone.

He nodded politely.

"My role at the company is to protect it from situations that might cause it legal issues or damage its reputation," she began, and he listened attentively.

"We ran some background checks on you and determined you have no police record and no disciplinary action references in your school record," she said. "We also found no references to you on any of the social media platforms."

Calvin's eyebrows rose in surprise. "Is that a problem?" he asked quietly.

Her smile widened. "No, just the opposite, in fact. This is all good news."

"The reason we must do this is due to the nature of the campaign you might be hired for. You would be a central character in the ad, which could lead to significant focus on you and a perception of you as not just a model for our products but also as a brand representative. People will want to know about the person we're focusing so much attention on."

Calvin stared at the woman in surprise. "I-I thought I'd just be doing the ad as a one-off. I didn't speak in the ad."

Mavis nodded. "The still images used in print and on the web will feature you and the three female models selected. The video ads for television, point-of-purchase displays, and the web will also include you and the three models. To my knowledge, there aren't any spoken lines. If there are any in-person appearances, some of the press may call out questions to you. You ignore these queries.

Outside of these official channels, if you were approached for a comment on any aspect of your involvement with Altrea Wear, Incorporated and/or its principals, you'll be expected to direct their inquiries to Altrea Wear's public relations department or ignore them."

She saw his surprised expression but pushed ahead. "Would you have any problem following these instructions?"

"No, I just hadn't expected I would have any involvement with the company after I did the modeling," he said.

Mavis smiled. "I'm having this conversation with you because you aren't a professionally trained model and have no experience in the industry." She paused as her smile widened. "I saw the selection presentations, and I was impressed with the one they created with you and the three female models."

"I never saw the final presentation, nor did I meet the other models," Calvin said. "It was just Carmen, Julian, and me in his studio. He said he would do the backgrounds on his computer." He held up his hands. "I don't really want to see it. I'd probably be embarrassed."

She grinned. She liked Calvin because he truly seemed to be who he appeared to be.

"Do you want me to sign anything now?" he asked.

She shook her head. "Not at the moment. Once the final decision to run this campaign with you is made, I'll have a contract and several other forms for you to sign. I'll take you through that process to ensure you understand what you're signing."

Calvin sighed in relief and nodded to her.

Mavis stood, and Calvin joined her, shaking her offered hand.

"I'll take you back to Carmen's office," she said.

As they walked to the elevator, he glanced over at her. "I hope you don't mind me saying this, but I love your accent! Are you from England?" Calvin said, trying to hide his hot face.

She glanced up at him and caught his blush with a pleased smile. "Thank you. Yes, I was born in London, grew up there, and went to school to become a solicitor. I was working with a law firm there when I met the man I'd eventually marry. We moved to Los Angeles, and I became a lawyer here."

"I bet it helps you in court!" he said with a grin.

He looked at him curiously as they approached Carmen's door.

"Your voice just exudes integrity and authority!" Calvin said with a wide grin.

Mavis burst into giggles as she patted his arm affectionately. It was her turn to blush. She gave her head a shake and entered Carmen's waiting room. Her eyes immediately caught the new framed picture on the wall behind Divya's desk. She recognized it from Julian's still images from the presentation.

Her eyes lit up as she moved closer to admire the art. She smiled at the personal assistant. "You sat for Calvin to create this for you?"

Divya shook her head. "I was at my desk working, and he did it in fifteen minutes while we waited for Carmen to finish a call."

The lawyer turned to face Calvin. "That's remarkable for such a lovely piece of art like this!"

Calvin smiled and shrugged. "I draw a lot. I do portraits at the beach on the weekends. I've learned how to do it quickly."

Mavis was back to staring at the detail in the sketch.

"Would you like me to make one for you?" he asked.

Mavis spun to see him pulling a sketch pad from his backpack. She wanted to tell him he didn't have to, but instead, she found herself nodding eagerly.

Calvin positioned one of the waiting room chairs next to Divya's desk and gestured for Mavis to have a seat.

"Should I pose?" she asked.

He shook his head with a smile. "No, just look over my shoulder," he said as he settled down in his chair to face her. His pencil began to move as his eyes flicked up to catch her features.

"I've never had anyone sketch me before," she said.

"Me neither," Divya said, then picked up her phone to answer it.

Calvin continued to glance over at Mavis, but his pencil never stopped.

Eventually, Carmen's inner door opened, and the woman stepped out into her waiting area to stare at the sight of Calvin sketching a portrait of the lawyer.

"No fair! I want one too!" she moaned, and Mavis giggled again.

Calvin smiled and put his pencil back in his backpack. He gently pulled the sheet from the pad and handed it to Mavis, who eagerly hopped off her chair to accept it.

Once more, the central element of the sketch was a one-quarter head shot which showed Mavis' head partially turned, her eyes boldly locked on the horizon with a slight smile on her full lips. Her hands, with her prominent engagement ring and wedding band, were among the detail sketches off to the side. Her mouth was featured in another detail sketch, as was an exquisitely detailed close-up of one of her eyes, with her fine brow just above it.

"I love this! Thank you, Calvin! I know exactly where I'll hang this in my home office!" Mavis gushed.

"You're taking it home?" Divya gasped as she turned to stare daggers at her boss.

"Fine! You can take yours home!" Carmen sighed.

Calvin smiled at the Creative Director. "Should I do one for you before we go see Julian?"

She nodded eagerly and rushed back into her office with Calvin following. He waved to Mavis and Divya, the latter carefully rolling her picture before it went into her carry-all.

For Carmen's sketch, Calvin spent at least twenty minutes, but she had more intricate details he wanted to capture after he completed the main portrait.

Her long, thick, black hair was bound in a lovely clip, so he drew this.

He got her to pout so he could draw her mouth as it was when he originally met her.

She also had a lovely manicure, so his detail sketch of her hand took longer than usual.

Finally, he pulled the page and handed it to her. He wasn't expecting her to squeal and do a little dance, but he got the impression that she was pleased. She couldn't look away from it.

One feature of this sketch that wasn't present in the ones he'd done for Divya and Mavis was significant cleavage in the portrait.

"When--" she began.

"The evening of the event at the country club," he offered.

"Ahh! Right! I guess I made an impression if you remember it this accurately," she teased as she recalled her dress choice that evening. He just nodded as his cheeks reddened.

"Thank you, Calvin! This is going on the wall behind my desk!" she insisted.

He smiled and nodded. "Shall we speak with Julian?"

"Yes! He set aside some outfits for you. Let's go see him!" she said.

She smiled over her shoulder at him. "Gotta have you looking your best for your meeting with the CEO."

Calvin tried to hide his worry about that.

-=-

Driving through the neighborhood on his way to the address Carmen gave him, Calvin tried not to act as out of place as he felt. The homes in this LA neighborhood were all incredibly beautiful and enormous!

As he pulled up into the driveway following a sleek sports car, he felt absolutely ridiculous. His car's bright yellow paint matched the Lamborghini's, and they were both Italian cars, but that's where the comparison stopped.

A valet attendant rushed up to the Lamborghini driver's door as his partner opened the passenger door to assist a sexily dressed young woman in stepping from the car.

The driver was an older man who failed to exit with any elegance at all. The attendant hoisted him up to his feet, gave him a ticket, and helped him on his way. The driver waddled around the front of the car to join up with his much younger partner. The valet quickly drove the Lambo away.

When it was Calvin's turn, he moved forward and put the car into park as the attendant opened his door.

"Please be gentle with my Italian Roadster," Calvin said with the slightest smile.

The valet chuckled, handed him a ticket, and got in. It pulled away with extra care as Calvin grinned.

He walked toward the front door, where a big man was looking at him seriously.

"Hello. I'm Calvin Lane," he said as he'd been directed to by Carmen.

The man's eyes scanned the list on his tablet and marked an entry next to Calvin's name. "Enjoy your evening," the man said with a smile.

"Thank you! You as well!" Calvin responded, and the man's smile widened.

Then Calvin was on his own. As his first party, ever, it felt like he'd bitten off far more than he could chew.

Julian dressed him in a light cream dress shirt with an open collar and rolled-up sleeves, given his slightly larger chest and arm muscles. The dress pants were tan-brown khakis, and the shoes were brown leather tassel loafers. He'd never worn clothes like this before, but he thought the combination worked. Best of all, he was comfortable and didn't need to fuss with his clothes to feel that way.

Carmen suggested he find the bar when he arrived and get himself a cranberry juice or a ginger ale, so he would have something to occupy his hands.

This sounded like an excellent plan, except he had no idea where the bar was typically located at a party.

She knew Harper collected art, so he'd keep himself entertained by admiring the pieces hanging on the walls.

He wandered around and stopped to admire the paintings. Music played, and there was a constant buzz of voices. It was beginning to ring in his head.

He glanced at the groups of people mingling and saw no one he recognized, so he just kept moving.

Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted two men approaching him, so he turned to face them. He suddenly recalled they'd been at the fashion show he'd accidentally crashed. They'd been in the show, too, as male models.

"Hallo! I'm Dirk, and this is Magnus," the model with black tousled hair said, gesturing to his broad-shouldered companion with overly chiseled features. "I think we met you at the Altrea Wear show not too long ago.

Calvin nodded. "Yes, hello! I'm Calvin." He was getting the distinct impression that Dirk was German, but his friend hadn't said anything yet. He just kept smiling.

"I don't think we've seen you anywhere else. What agency are you with?" Dirk asked.

Calvin focused on Dirk. "Agency?"

"Modeling agency. Who represents you?" Dirk asked.

"Oh, I don't have an agency," Calvin admitted. "I wasn't supposed to be at the Altrea Wear show. I came in for some test shots and was accidentally put in the show," he said.

Dirk wasn't amused, but Magnus continued to smile.

"What campaign were you doing tests for? You don't have agency representation, and you are having test shots done? Everyone should be working through an agency! It makes it harder for everyone when people are playing outside the rules!"

Dirk was becoming openly hostile, so Calvin decided it was time to shut down this thread.

"Ah, I had no idea. I'm new to this, and I don't know how the business works or even if it's for me," he said gently as he held Dirk's eyes.

With a frustrated snort, Dirk walked away.

Calvin turned to the silent model and smiled.

"Would you care to go out on a date after the party?" the man said.

Calvin blinked in surprise. "Date?"

The model smiled and looked Calvin up and down, undressing him with his eyes.

Now, Calvin understood. "Ah, uh, thanks, no. I'm attracted to women."

"Pity," the Norwegian model said and left.

Julian appeared at Calvin's elbow, and from his expression, he'd obviously overheard the exchange.

"You're not even the slightest bit curious?" he asked with a coy smile.

Calvin just shook his head as his face heated up.

Julian sighed dramatically. "While my heart is broken, I respect your wishes and will continue to work with you."

"Thanks," Calvin sighed, and Julian chuckled, indicating he was teasing.

"You were smart to avoid Magnus," Julian said and cast an angry look in the man's direction. Calvin wondered what that meant.

"They were asking about the campaign I did test shots for, but I played dumb, as I have no idea what should and shouldn't be discussed publicly. Better silent than sorry," Calvin explained.

"Very wise. It is none of their business. Which of them asked?" Julian said.

"Dirk. He seemed angry that I'm not affiliated with a modeling agency," Calvin mentioned.

"You're quite welcome to get agency representation. It wasn't our desire to dissuade you from this," Julian assured him.

Calvin nodded, then paused. "I'm not even sure that modeling is something I'll want to do more than once. If it works out, maybe I'll look into an agent later."

Carmen arrived and was delighted to see Calvin. She introduced him to the two-cheek kiss.

"This is a technique you will need to learn!" she said after she pulled back.

"I think I'd better learn the protocols first. When to do it, who to do it with, and especially when not to do it," he insisted.

"Simplest rule, handshakes unless it's with good friends," she said. "I see some people from the office. Let me introduce you around."

First on the list was the CFO, whom Carmen introduced as Bradley Wilde. They shook hands.

"I voted for another campaign option, but I agree yours was excellent as well. Some suggestions were made to include elements from the first option that will definitely improve the ad, in my opinion," Bradley suggested.

"Thank you?" Calvin said hesitantly, and Carmen burst into giggles as Bradley finally heard what he'd said.

A very attractive, light-brown-skinned woman with dazzlingly intense eyes stopped before Calvin and smiled at him. He returned the smile, and hers just widened.

Carmen stepped up again. "This is our COO, Farah Maaroufi. She keeps the entire place moving."

Calvin's eyes widened. "That sounds like a tremendous amount of work."

"From your lips to our CFO and CEO's ears!" Farah said with a grin, glancing at Bradley.

Calvin tipped his head, then nodded to her. "Nice to meet you!"

"Have you seen anyone else from the team?" Carmen asked, but Farah and Bradley just shook their heads.

"Gotta mingle," Bradley said and nodded to them before wandering away.

Farah also nodded and headed into the next room after spotting someone.

"We need to meet with our CEO, Harper St. Clair," Carmen said as she passed her eyes over the people in the room they were in. "Maybe she's out on the deck?"

Julian nodded and headed toward the patio doors at the far side of the room. Halfway there, he was drawn into a group of people.

Carmen shared a look with Calvin. "Let's go look for her ourselves."

The two made their way to the patio door and heard a commotion behind them. Carmen turned and smiled. "She just arrived."

Before they could turn and head back, Carmen reached out and took hold of Calvin's arm. "Wait! Her ex just showed up. We'll have to wait until she's clear."

Calvin looked at Carmen. "Who?"

"The fellow with short blond hair and the expensive jewelry," she pointed out. "His name is Mathieu Arsenault. He's an ultrawealthy playboy from France who controls an F1 racing team just for fun. He's also an arrogant prick."

Calvin saw a man walking purposefully toward Harper with a confident little smirk on his lips.

"We don't want to see this, and she wouldn't want us to either," Carmen said and turned Calvin around to get him out onto the deck. He spotted a bar there and pointed to it.

They collected some drinks, and he wandered over to the far edge of the deck. It was a little quieter there.

"You're not going to be able to mingle with anyone way over here," Carmen scolded.

Calvin gave her a brittle little smile. "I guess I'm just not the mingling type." He looked her in the eye. "Go back inside, I'll be fine. You know where to find me when Harper asks to see me."

Carmen glanced back toward the house and saw someone she wanted to speak to. "If you're sure?"

"It's good," he said and gave her a confident smile.

She nodded and hustled away. The buzzing was getting louder. He realized he hadn't missed anything by not being invited to parties. The spa could get busy, but it seemed like the sheer number of people gathering into little groups to speak too loudly was unsettling him. Calvin released a breath and turned to face away from the party.

The properties in this neighborhood were fairly large, but he could see the lights from a few nearby homes. He wondered if they could hear the music and voices all the way over there.

He suddenly felt a large body push him against the balcony railing. A groin was grinding against his ass, rough and hard. A glance over his shoulder gave him a close-up view of Magnus' leering smile and a face full of rum-scented breath.

Calvin jammed two fingers from his right-hand way up Magnus' nostrils, causing the man to grunt and stumble back a step. Stepping to the side, Calvin yanked forward as hard as he could, pulling the man against the balcony railing and then over. He yanked his fingers free at the last second and watched the drunk topple over the edge and drop into the rose garden below with a brief scream and crash.

Looking at his left hand, he realized he was still holding his drink, though he'd spilled most of it. Luckily, not much was on him.

He casually walked back to the patio doors and entered. He left his glass on the tray of a circulating waiter, then went in search of the hallway bathroom he'd seen in his wanderings. When he found it, he slipped inside and locked the door.

Then he let the shakes run through his body as he stared at himself in the mirror.

No means no. Getting drunk doesn't change that.

He washed his hands slowly and meticulously until they stopped shaking, and he was sure he was clean. Then he dried them. He saw no sign of blood or other fluids on his clothes, so he took some deep breaths and stepped back out into the party.

As he passed the living room, he saw a group of guests standing by the patio railing, looking down. He looked away to find... Art.

Art would settle his mind.

He returned to the hunt and eventually found himself in a smaller room with books, paintings, and small sculptures. He opened himself to the creative expressions and felt his nerves begin to settle once more.

As he passed a lovely set of French doors leading to yet another patio, he noticed they were open.

Then he heard a loud slap.

He was outside before he was aware he was moving.

The lighting wasn't very good in this private little outdoor space, but he could see Harper standing there stiffly, with an angry look on her face.

Mathieu Arsenault, the arrogant prick, was holding his hand against his cheek as he turned his eyes to glare at the interloper.

"Fuck off!" Mathieu snapped at him, but Calvin was frozen as he recalled the sound of the slap.

"I think it's time you left my home, Mathieu," Harper said with a cold voice.

"We're not finished--"

"We are completely finished. Leave and never come back," Harper snapped.

For a split second, it looked like the prick might get violent, but Calvin cleared his throat, which sounded like a growl, and this broke Mathieu's nerve.

"Frigid bitch," he muttered and moved toward the door.

Calvin was in the way, so he stepped aside, but his eyes never left Mathieu's. He caught a whiff of booze as the man passed.

Then they heard the crash of a sculpture breaking against the floor.

Calvin bristled as he turned toward the door.

"It's okay. They're just reproductions."

Harper's voice sounded calmer as she stopped him from chasing after the asshole.

He turned back to look at her. "Sorry if I'm not where I should be. I was... just admiring the art. I can't distinguish between originals and reproductions."

He realized he was babbling. "Sorry."

She smiled at him as she began to relax. "You are?" she asked.

"Calvin Lane."

"Oh. Oh! I was going to talk with you tonight!" she said.

Calvin's nerves were too jumpy for that. "Maybe we can get a raincheck?"

She paused, then nodded. "Yes, I feel the same way. Are you available tomorrow?"

He smiled in relief. "Yes. I don't have a shift at the spa tomorrow."

"Could you come back here for lunch at around one PM?" she asked.

"Sure," he said and nodded to her as he slipped back through the door into the small library. Sure enough, a bust had been smashed against the floor. Some staff were tidying up and glanced at him.

"It wasn't me," he said, and got smiles from two of them.

Calvin decided the best move now would be to go home, so he set his course for the front entrance.

When he got there, Mathieu Arsenault was arguing with the valet and being verbally abusive. Calvin traded a sympathetic look with the valet.

A second clerk accepted Calvin's ticket and hustled away.

Calvin leaned against a post while he waited and tried to ignore the rantings of the French playboy.

Then Mathieu suddenly realized who was behind him. He spun and glared at Calvin.

"Are you following me, little man?" he growled.

"No. I'm just going home," Calvin sighed.

"I think you don't know when to keep your nose out of other people's business," he said, walking toward Calvin with a mean glint in his eye. The valet's frightened expression warned Calvin that he thought this guy probably knew how to fight.

When he began to bounce on his toes, Calvin had almost no time to prepare as a spinning kick shot by his head as he dodged. When the second one came even faster, Calvin sloppily dropped to one knee in a lunge and nailed Mathieu in the groin with a solid punch.

Mathieu squealed and fell on his face as he curled up to protect his tenderized balls.

Calvin wiped the scuff mark from the knee of his borrowed pants as he stood and walked to the curb to get into his car, which had just arrived. He slipped the valet some money and saw the man grin and nod as he gazed at the moaning man on the ground.

He drove home in silence, and once he was finally in his room, he carefully undressed, set the clothes aside, and hid under his blankets. He sent a silent thank you to Daryl and Dennis for their borderline abusive play throughout his childhood. They gave him the training he needed to survive the bullies, and those lessons continued to serve him well.

-=-

In the full light of day, Harper's neighborhood was equally grand and foreboding at the same time. Getting into the gated community was intimidating enough, but driving his tiny yellow car through the winding street to another gate set a certain mood.

He pressed the button and announced his identity before the iron gates opened, allowing him to proceed up the driveway. A man in a grey suit directed him to park in the shade, so he did. Then the man led him into and through the house to reach the small patio off the library. He noticed the bust was back on its pedestal.

There was now an awning over the patio, shading it from the full strength of the sun. A pretty and round table had been set up for lunch, and Harper was sitting at it, looking at a tablet.

She was every bit as beautiful as the first time he'd seen her. Long raven hair flowed over her shoulders to reach mid-back. Even from a sitting position, he could tell she was close to his height, as her legs were long and shapely. She had to be exercising diligently to maintain that shape. Her flowered blouse didn't hide her full bosom very well, so he diverted his gaze before she caught him gaping.

She glanced up at him, and once more, he was surprised to see eyes as boldly blue as his own. She stood and shook his hand before gesturing for him to take a seat.

"Anything to drink?" she asked.

"Ice water would be good," he said and nodded to the man who took the instructions from her.

When they were alone, she leaned forward slightly as she locked eyes with him. "I understand you had another encounter with that idiot Mathieu last night."

He tensed up, but she waved her hand to put him at ease. "Definitely a case of self-defense and a video I will treasure."

His eyes widened. She turned the tablet around and played the security camera clip, which started with Mathieu's first kick and ended with Calvin walking to his car, the man moaning on the ground.

"Where did you learn how to fight like that?" she asked with a smile.

He nodded bashfully. "I grew up with rough stepbrothers." He shook his head. "I don't fight. I run when I can and cheat when I can't."

Harper laughed, and he enjoyed the bright sound.

"Sorry, I don't call that cheating. He's had professional training, yet you stopped him," she insisted.

He smiled at her but shrugged. "This time. He wouldn't fall for it a second time."

She nodded as she watched him, and her smile dimmed a little. "It wasn't your first fight of the night."

Calvin went still as he looked across the table.

"Again, purely self-defense. He's a truly repugnant man to have done that to you, and fully deserved what happened to him," she said sympathetically.

He wasn't sure how to respond. It certainly felt like he'd attended her party as a country bumpkin wrecking ball. Then curiosity got the better of him. "What did happen to him?"

"I'm going to miss the rosebush he landed on," Harper sighed. "He'll have some nasty scars from where the branches stabbed into him. His modeling career is likely over. He also broke his left leg in three places and suffered a number of other smaller injuries. Too many lacerations to count."

They were quiet as they contemplated the moment.

"No means no," Calvin said quietly.

"Exactly so," Harper agreed.

After a moment, Calvin turned his head and spotted the security camera covering the patio.

"It's a sad requirement of living at this level of society. Too many threats to not take precautions," she said.

He nodded, but he couldn't imagine it.

She gave her head a shake, and her hair swung a little wildly, so she ran her fingers through it to put it straight. He was a little mesmerized by her moves, and she smiled as she noticed.

"Let's put all that unpleasantry aside and talk about the future," she said, and he nodded with a smile of his own.

"I'd like to get to know the man who's going to be central to our new campaign," she said with a smile.

"Maybe we could start with why you'd want me to be that?" he asked.

She smiled at him, then nodded.

"We sell our activewear to people who want comfortable and long-wearing clothing. We maintain high quality standards, and our consumers appreciate it. We also do our best not to hit them over the head with heavy-handed advertising, but we must advertise to expand our market to pay for those high standards.

Setting the proper tone for our ads is critical. This is where you come in. Our marketing team did an amazing job with the materials Julian produced, and the campaign option they created with you has the tone we're after. Would you like to see it?" she asked.

"No," Calvin immediately said as his face warmed up.

Harper blinked in surprise. "No?"

He squirmed a little, then explained. "If you want me to act natural, that will be easier for me if I'm not aware of how I look on camera. I'm just not that keen on seeing myself."

She nodded to herself, seeing that he felt strongly about it. If it helped him act naturally, who was she to argue?

Their lunch arrived, a simple meal of sandwiches and salad.

As they enjoyed their meal, Harper got Calvin to open up more and more, describing his life at the other end of the financial spectrum. The loss of his father, moving into the home of an emotionally stunted man, the struggles in his scholastic career, and ending with his discovery of having no aptitude for trades.

"I'm good at being a waiter, though," he said with chagrin.

"The vast difference between our experiences is fascinating!" she said.

He stared at her in surprise, then chuckled. "Yeah, that's one way to put it."

When she looked like she might get defensive, he held up his hands in surrender. "I'm not blaming anyone or crying unfair. This is what life gave us, and we must make the best of what we got."

"What about your art?" she asked.

His smile widened. "Yes, I love art. Especially sketching. Graphite on paper. I enjoyed painting and sculpting in high school art class, but I couldn't afford to do it at home, and Ted wouldn't have allowed it."

They talked some more, then Harper leaned back in her chair with a smile. "I'm looking forward to working with you on this campaign!"

He smiled at her in return. "So... I'm hired?"

"Yes!" she said.

"When will you need me to take time off at the country club to work on the campaign?" he asked.

"I'll let Carmen and Julian spearhead that. We'll need to move fast to complete the campaign production well before the new products reach retail. I suspect next weekend we'll be on a plane heading out to do principal shooting, but Carmen will let you know," she said.

"I've never flown anywhere before," he said with a smile.

She stood and shook his hand when he joined her, realizing their lunch had come to an end.

"Thanks for lunch," he said, and she smiled at him with a nod.

The fellow in the grey suit was back and guided him to his car. When he pulled into his driveway, he had the oddest feeling that something truly big was going to happen.

The question was, would it be good or bad?

Chapter 9

Calvin white-knuckled the landing as the plane glided peacefully to the runway and touched down with only the slightest bump. He'd open his eyes when the plane stopped.

Carmen, sitting next to the window, shared an amused smile with Julian, sitting on Calvin's other side.

Across the aisle were their three female models, all seasoned travelers. They happily chatted the entire flight, as this wasn't their first on-location shoot and flying was old hat to them, though none of them was older than Calvin.

Lamai, Nina, and Steph had a mix of skin tones from dark to light, and all had sunny, positive personalities that complemented Calvin's relaxed friendliness. That's what the campaign was going for, at least.

As the plane taxied to the gate, Calvin unclamped his fingers from the armrests and did some breathing exercises to calm himself.

Fun, wow.

The weather was sunny and hot, and the forecast promised more of the same for the ten days they planned to be there.

They picked up a van from the rental agency, loaded all their bags into it, and Carmen drove them to the resort.

Calvin couldn't get enough of watching the sights. The vegetation was different, the people were interesting, and the communities they drove past made his hands twitch as he wanted to sketch everything!

The resort they'd booked rooms at was lovely and apparently only a short drive from the luxury villa where they'd be shooting most of the campaign material. Julian also planned to always be carrying a camera to capture guerrilla-style candid videos and photos when they went for walks on the beach or to the local village. All the models would be wearing clothing from Altrea Wear's new collection.

Calvin was delighted to discover he'd have his own room. They had six rooms, side by side on the third floor, overlooking the beach.

He helped bring all the bags up to the rooms and sorted them into their respective rooms. Then they met in the hall.

"Where's all the camera equipment?" Calvin asked curiously.

"That's coming on the jet," Julian said as he fiddled with his cell.

Calvin blinked at him. "Jet? Didn't we come on a jet?"

Julian smiled at Calvin. "We flew on a public charter airline. Harper, her team, and my assistants are taking the company's private jet. They're going directly to the villa to store the gear, then the assistants will join us. Harper and her group will be staying at the villa."

"Oh!" Calvin said in surprise. "I wasn't sure if she would be joining us here."

Carmen smiled at Calvin. "We'll see her during the shoot. She stays close by to ensure the production goes as expected. She's a very hands-on boss, but thankfully, she doesn't micromanage us."

She made sure everyone was listening. "We're all getting together at the main restaurant in the resort at seven tonight. You have free time until then. Okay?"

Calvin, the other models, and Julian all nodded to her.

Everyone went to their rooms to settle in, and once he'd unpacked, Calvin walked out onto his patio to stare at the palm trees and the ocean beyond. It was magical!

"Is this your first time in Costa Rica?"

Calvin turned toward the voice and saw Steph. She was on her patio next to his, peering at him around the privacy wall.

He smiled. "It's my first time outside the States."

"Was that your first time on a plane?" she asked in surprise.

"Couldn't you tell from my death grip on the seat?" he asked with a smile.

She giggled and gave him an evaluating look. "Most men wouldn't admit to being afraid."

He shrugged. "I'm not most men."

They heard Nina's voice calling out for Steph, and the woman looked back toward her room. "I'm coming!"

She gave Calvin another smile, then disappeared behind the privacy wall once more.

Calvin walked back into his room and dug a new sketch pad from his suitcase with his pencils. He'd brought along a pack of colored pencils he'd picked up when he discovered they'd be coming to a country known for its flora and fauna.

He put lotion on and pulled his hat out of his suitcase.

Walking back out onto his patio with his supplies, he dragged a chair closer to the railing and made himself comfortable. He spent a few minutes admiring the view, then flipped the cover on his pad and began sketching the scene before him.

The sound of the surf and the wind through the palms was seasoned by the intermittent joyful sounds of people playing on the beach. It was very relaxing.

He lost track of time as the sun made its way across the sky, changing the scene before him, inspiring new sketches to capture the altered highlights, shadows, tones, and perspective.

There was a knock on his door, and he returned to the now with a blink. He stood, carried his sketchpad into the room, tossing his hat onto the couch on his way, and opened the door to find Julian waiting there.

"Dinner? Seven?" the man said to him.

"AH! Sorry, I... lost track of the time!" he gasped and glanced down at his hands, which were smudged and dirty. "I need to clean up. I'll be a sec!"

Julian stepped inside, and Calvin set the sketchpad down as he rushed into the washroom, closing the door behind him.

The photographer walked out onto the patio and collected the art supplies. He closed the patio door and locked it before putting the items on the desk.

Walking back to the door, he heard running water. Seeing the sketchpad, Julian glanced at the closed bathroom door.

He had time.

He quickly picked it up and flipped open the cover. He paused as his eyes tried to absorb the color and detail that exploded across the page. He flipped to the second page and saw dozens of detail element drawings, like different kinds of birds, dates on the trees, flowers, and the third page was a study of the warm sunset light against the top fronds of the palm trees.

Julian realized there were no people in any of these sketches, but they were beautiful.

He looked up when he realized the water was off and saw Calvin watching him.

"Sorry for looking without permission," he said as he handed the sketchpad back to Calvin, who nodded and moved to put it on the desk with his pencils.

"Thanks for tidying up," Calvin said.

"Your art is exquisite!" Julian said Calvin gave him a little smile and nod.

Calvin flashed him a quick smile. "Am I dressed properly for dinner?" he asked to change the subject.

"Yes, let's go," Julian said and left the room with Calvin at his heel.

When they entered the restaurant, Carmen looked relieved to see them. Harper was there, not looking happy.

The three ladies were there watching Calvin, and four people who might be Julian's assistants looked like they wanted to be elsewhere.

Calvin wanted to get out in front of that. "My apologies for losing track of the time. I was caught up with the beauty of the grounds and the quality of light. I've never been in such an environment before. I won't let it happen again."

It seemed like Harper was expecting him to say he'd fallen asleep or gone wandering. "You were drawing?" she asked in surprise.

Calvin nodded, then quickly took his seat.

Harper nodded to herself, then flicked her eyes at Carmen briefly. Then she addressed the group.

"Okay, we have a very aggressive timeline for the campaign, so we need everyone focused on the task at hand. I know you'll have some free time in the days ahead, but make sure you are ready to get back to work to maintain our schedule."

Feeling thoroughly chastised, Calvin nodded sheepishly.

He hoped we wouldn't fuck this up for everybody.

-=-

The holiday villa was another eye-opener for Calvin. It wasn't quite as large as Harper's home or as nicely appointed, but it was much fancier than the resort they were staying in.

The assistants got there very early and set up the equipment for Julian.

Calvin learned something new about the quality of morning light.

It meant models had to get up really early to be available the instant the photographer was ready to get his shots.

While Nina, Steph, and Lamai knew how to move to show off their outfits to their best advantage, Calvin was learning from scratch.

"You've never done this before!" Steph suddenly gasped at Calvin after Julian demonstrated how he needed Calvin to walk past the camera while unzipping his jacket to reveal the form-fitting wicking shirt underneath.

From their expressions, Lamai and Nina had already discovered this but tactfully chose not to comment.

Julian was back behind the camera once more, but looked like he was going to snap at her. Calvin decided to clown it up to ease the tension. He dropped to his widely splayed knees before the blonde, like he was preparing to worship her. Then he unzipped and threw the jacket back over his shoulders, raising his hands to the heavens with a wide smile.

Steph's hands covered her mouth, but she was clearly laughing at the absurdity of the pose. She stepped forward and hugged his head against her chest.

Calvin didn't mind this at all.

When they had calmed down, Calvin stood and smiled at her. "It's true. This is my first time. I'm learning and trying my best to do it right. This is what Julian and Carmen asked me to do."

He turned to look at Julian to see if he was still angry, but he was now hunched over the playback monitor with his assistant videographer.

Julian looked up at him with a smile. "I got a great clip from that!"

Calvin blinked in surprise but smiled and shrugged at the three models.

For the most part, Calvin matched the movements Julian was looking for, but without the fluid perfection a trained model would have delivered.

As the day went on, Calvin began to worry that this experiment was going to blow up in their faces... because of him.

Finally, Julian called it a day.

"We're planning to walk into town to check out a restaurant. Wear the outfits labeled NW1 as I'll get some candid shots along the way," Julian instructed, and they nodded.

They didn't take long switching into their evening outfits and met in the lobby.

"It's a fifteen-minute walk into town along a dark road, so everyone gets a flashlight," Julian instructed. He handed out the mini-mags, tough little flashlights with wrist straps. Then off they went.

The deeply wooded plots on either side of the winding road made the route a little spooky, but the ladies were sweeping their beams of light through the branches of the canopy above to spot the howler monkey troop they'd been told was nearby. Calvin kept his light on the gravel road ahead of them to avoid tripping hazards.

They knew Julian was across the road, keeping pace with them, as there would occasionally be a bright flash, indicating he was getting his candid shots. He'd brought one of his digital SLR cameras with a large flash unit. The gear fit in his shoulder bag, but it was by no means compact.

When they arrived in town, they checked out the main strip of businesses and restaurants. Julian circled them, catching shots, and Calvin wondered how they'd look as there was so little prep compared to the pictures he'd taken at the villa.

The ladies laughed and cooed at the jewelry as Calvin just absorbed the ambiance. He saw many things he would have loved to sketch, but he was on the clock, as Harper would say.

They found a restaurant, and Julian let them know he was picking up the tab. The ladies enjoyed some local beer, but Calvin stuck with bottled water.

As they enjoyed their meals, Julian got a few more candid shots. Calvin noticed two men walking past the restaurant on the sidewalk, watching Julian from the corner of their eyes. By the third time they went by, the hair rose on the back of Calvin's neck.

He smiled, leaned a little closer to the photographer, and let him know.

With a smile and a nod, the camera gear went back into his bag.

They finished their dinner and began to make their way back through town.

Calvin kept his eye open for their shadows and spotted them on a dirt bike at the edge of town in a parking area.

"Do you want to catch a taxi back to the resort?" Calvin asked. Julian nodded, but saw that the taxi stand was empty. The other tourists were obviously heading back to their hotels and tying up all the taxis.

They looked back at the parking lot, and the dirtbike was gone. Their followers had left.

Julian breathed a sigh of relief and gestured for them to head back.

The three women were still oblivious of the danger but pouted at having to walk.

They found the troop of howlers on the way back and stopped to listen to them in the branches above. It was an eerie sound.

They moved on, and a short distance further along, a single headlight from a dirt bike suddenly came into view as it raced closer.

It skidded to a halt before them as the passenger jumped off and swung a machete dramatically as he yelled at them.

He pointed the blade at Julian and yelled at him. It was clear he wanted the camera bag.

Calvin watched Julian and matched his body language to avoid appearing threatening. He also moved between the men and the three women who were grateful for the cover. He could hear their fear.

Julian handed the bag over, and the man swiped the blade in the air like he was going to hack Julian's head off. The photographer fell back and dropped to the ground as the two men laughed. The machete-wielder tossed the camera bag back to the fellow on the motorcycle, who immediately slung it over his neck and shoulder.

Calvin expected them to leave, but the one with the blade was licking his lips as he eyed the ladies. They were making scared sounds, and that emboldened the man who suddenly strode forward as he raised the machete.

When it was pointed straight up, Calvin surged forward and slammed his right fist into the man's Adam's apple as his left blocked the weapon arm.

The thug made a choking sound, and his grip on the machete loosened. Calvin drove his knee into the man's groin and followed up with another solid punch to his temple.

He crumpled to the ground, unconscious.

The dirt bike engine screamed as his partner tried to get away.

Calvin leapt over the unconscious man and managed to grab the strap of the camera bag. He pulled, and the driver fell off the accelerating bike.

A knee to the man's temple put him down and out for the count. His ride continued until it left the road, crashed into a tree, and fell over. The engine died immediately.

Blue flashing lights and high beams suddenly lit the area as a local police patrol came upon the scene.

Julian accepted his camera bag back, and they waited for the officers to join them.

Calvin was worried he'd fucked up by fighting the thieves. He explained that he'd only acted when they threatened the women directly. He answered all the questions asked of him, and then they were told that the two who'd attacked them were from Nicaragua. They were known for targeting careless tourists who flaunted their wealth.

Message received.

The police took Calvin's details in case they needed further information from him.

Finally, they were allowed to continue to their hotel.

Julian hugged Calvin when they reached the lobby. Then he stood back and looked up at the taller man. "Thank you for getting my camera bag back. I won't be bringing it into town from now on. I have a smaller camera I can keep in a pocket if we need more candid shots."

Calvin nodded. "Goodnight!"

Julian said goodnight to the group and headed for the bar for a nightcap.

Calvin went upstairs and noted that the ladies were very quiet. When he reached his door, he turned to them to say good night and saw them all standing close, watching him with odd expressions.

Steph spoke first.

"Why were you pretending to be timid at first?" she asserted with a frown.

Nina took up the argument, "Yes! If you can fight like that, why didn't you frighten them off from the start!"

Calvin saw that their eyes were a little glassy, and he felt bad that they were frightened.

"I've never been in that situation before. I was following Julian's lead, matching his body language, and it made them ignore me. That was good because when I needed to act, they weren't expecting me to attack. I don't like to fight, but I can. My brothers taught me how," he admitted.

They still looked upset but seemed to accept his words. "You'll feel better after a good night's sleep," he suggested.

"I don't think I will be able to sleep tonight!" Lamai moaned.

"Me neither!" Steph said.

"Can we hang out in your room?" Nina asked.

"I-I was going to get out of these clothes and get my jammies on," he said, and their faces lit up.

"Let's all get our nighties on and then meet back in your room. We can talk until we get sleepy!" Steph gushed.

The ladies all agreed and rushed to their rooms to get changed.

Calvin watched them in surprise, then let himself into his room, quickly changed into his sleep trunks, and pulled on a T-shirt to cover up. He had time to brush his teeth and set his alarm for the morning, and they still hadn't returned. He was nodding off in a chair when he heard a knock on his door.

He shook the sleep from his head and quickly padded to the door to open it. Steph was grinning at him in her dressing gown. He smiled and invited her in. He heard another door close, so he waited, and Lamai arrived in her dressing gown as well.

He'd just closed his door when he heard a knock on it. When he opened it, Nina was there with a smile and her gown.

Calvin stepped aside to let her in, then locked up. When he turned around, the three ladies were making themselves comfortable on the sofa. Each had removed their dressing gown and was in their nightie, completely at ease with their bodies.

He pulled a cushy chair closer and sat across from them.

"How did you get this job?" Nina asked bluntly.

Calvin smiled at her and nodded. It was a question from a professional to someone with no experience at all. He understood her curiosity.

"I was filling in as a waiter at a country club restaurant when I met Carmen and Julian. It was originally Julian who thought I'd be good for this campaign. They asked me to come to the office to do some test shots."

He shook his head. "I have no training or experience in modeling. I see how natural you three are, and I feel like a klutz. I've been worried that I'm screwing up this campaign for Carmen, Julius, and Harper."

"Yet, Julian seems to be pleased with the shots he's getting of you and has us redoing pose after pose. Maybe we should try emulating you!" Nina insisted.

Calvin grinned. "You mean channel your inner child and see the wonder in a new experience?"

Lamai stared at Calvin. "You really do act that way!"

He shrugged. "I am a complete newb! It's not an act."

Steph spotted his sketch pad on the coffee table. "May I?" she asked, pointing to it.

Calvin gave her a little nod.

Nina smiled at him. "This was the reason for your being late for dinner the first night?"

He nodded with a sheepish expression.

Steph opened the pad on the coffee table in front of them. They began making appreciative noises.

"These are lovely!" Nina sighed.

"Thanks," Calvin said with a dip of his head.

The drawings in this pad were mostly scenic, with detailed sketches of the flora, though some had outlines of people.

"Do you sketch people? Could you sketch me?" Lamai asked.

Calvin's eyes widened as he smiled. "I would love to!" he gushed. He collected his other sketch pad and his pencils.

"There goes the evening," Nina said with a grin.

Without looking up from his preparations, Calvin shook his head. "I do people sketches in around fifteen to twenty-five minutes, depending on the detail level."

"Are they caricatures?" Steph asked.

Calvin shook his head. "You'll just have to wait and see."

He looked at Lamai. "Just relax into a comfortable position. You won't have to hold it for long."

She smiled and sat forward on the front edge of the couch cushion with her hands in her lap, her back straight, and her chest up and forward.

Calvin immediately put pencil to paper and began to create his art. He glanced up from time to time as he focused on the most intriguing details of the woman's features.

After a short time, Steph was curious and got off the couch to walk over to see the page. She stopped and stared in surprise at how much he'd done so quickly. She remained there watching his pencil move across the page.

Nina joined Steph, and a wide smile appeared on her face as she was amazed by the accuracy of his drawing. The detail elements he'd added around the central image of Lamai highlighted her unique beauty.

Finally, Calvin lifted his pencil and let his eyes move over the page. He was satisfied with his efforts.

He carefully removed the page and handed it across to Lamai.

"Oh, my God! This is incredible!" the woman gasped. "I love it, and my mother will love it too!" Tears welled up in her eyes. "It's beautiful!"

Calvin smiled at her joy and felt deeply satisfied.

"Could you do one for me, too?" Steph asked.

"Me, too!" Nina quickly added.

"Sure!" he said and gestured for Steph to take a seat.

This time, Lamai wanted to see how such lovely art was created. She got up and watched as Calvin put pencil to paper.

She was amazed by how accurate the drawing was and how he was able to pull memories and capture them on paper. One of her detail elements was Steph in full laughter. You could almost hear the happy sound, and you could certainly see how much joy she was feeling at that moment. Even the cute wrinkles on the bridge of her nose had been captured.

Steph was the most busty of the three of them, and she liked to show off her cleavage. Calvin had obviously been a target of this, as he included it as a detail element.

When he handed her the page, Steph squealed with delight and burst into delighted giggles. She couldn't stop looking at it as Nina took her spot on the sofa for her turn.

Lamai was amazed by Calvin's skill. He was truly meant to be doing this. His eye as an artist was a differentiator. A unique talent that should be nurtured and supported. If he wasn't pursuing a career in this, he was being wasted.

Nina was a quiet presence, and Calvin caught that in his art. The close-up of Nina's eyes as she watched something or someone from the sidelines sent chills down Lamai's back. It was her!

When he was done and handed the page to Nina, Lamai could see Nina's shock at how personal the art was.

Lamai turned to look at Calvin. "You truly see us. You see us in moments when we aren't aware we're visible to others, and you see the real us. If it wasn't so beautiful, it might be frightening."

"That's what art is to me," Calvin said. "Seeing the truth and celebrating the beauty of that."

Steph was giving her art a second look after hearing Lamai's assessment. She realized the smaller sketch of her laughing had happened the previous day, and she hadn't been aware of his attention.

But he did see her. He saw her beauty and perfectly recalled it, recreating it in this lovely art.

She looked at him and saw he was trying to hide a yawn.

He noticed her watching and gave her a self-conscious grin. "I guess today took more out of me than I expected. We should probably call it a night."

Steph didn't want to go back to her room. She could still see the cruel sneer on the man's face as he held his machete high.

"Could I sleep here tonight?" she blurted.

The others went quiet and stared at her with wide eyes.

"You want to switch rooms?" Calvin asked cautiously.

Steph giggled nervously. "No! I'm still nervous about that guy with the big knife! I don't want to sleep alone!"

"I'm going to have trouble sleeping alone, too!" Lamai said with a nervous voice.

Nina stared at the two ladies. "I can't be the only one sleeping alone! That's even more frightening!"

Calvin wasn't sure what to do. Then he spotted the sofa and realized it would pull out into a bed.

"You three can have my bed. I'll sleep on the sofa bed," he suggested, and all three stared at him in surprise. He pointed to his bed. "It might fit three but not four."

They couldn't argue with that logic, so they retreated to the bed as Calvin shifted the coffee table and opened the sofa bed. He found sheets in a drawer and quickly added them to the fold-out. He also found a pillow in the hall closet, so he was set.

Nina, who had been watching him quietly, moved to stand before him. "Please excuse my blunt question, but... are you gay?"

Calvin leaned back in surprise, but he managed to contain his annoyance. "No, I'm not."

"Most straight men would jump at the chance to share a bed with three models," Lamia stated.

Calvin nodded with a little smile. "Yeah, it's a fantasy come true! But we have to work together over the next week or so. If we came here on our own for a vacation with no other responsibilities, I wouldn't hesitate. The problem for me is that while I'm not a virgin, I'm very inexperienced when it comes to relationships. I'm worried I'd do something to jeopardize our ability to work together."

Nina smiled at Calvin. "Such a responsible young man! When our work here is done, I wouldn't mind going out on a date with you."

Calvin smiled in relief. "I'd like that a lot, too!"

Steph looked surprised. "Me, too!" she called out at the same time Lamai did.

The ladies burst into giggles as Calvin's face went deep red from a blush.

"Sounds like a busy week when we get back!" he added, and the ladies chuckled mischievously.

They slipped into his comfy bed, and he stretched out on the less comfy sofa bed.

"Good night!" Steph called out, and everyone joined in. She shut the light off, and they settled in for the night.

Sometime during the night, Calvin surfaced to find Nina tucked up against his right side while Lamai cuddled against his left. Steph was snoring softly as she enjoyed his bed all to herself.

He closed his eyes and let himself drift off.

Chapter 10

Carmen smiled at Julian in wonder as the man reviewed the results of this morning's photo session. His face wore a huge grin. He was finally getting the shots he wanted from the ladies. He wasn't sure what had brought about this sudden change in their attitude, but he loved it and wasn't about to jinx it by questioning it!

"They spent the night in his room after the attack?" Carmen whispered.

"Yes. I saw them leaving his room this morning in their dressing gowns, rushing back to their rooms to get ready. They smiled and waved as they passed me in the hall.

Carmen crossed her arms as her nose went up. "I guess they were a little excited by his macho--"

"Let me stop you right there, girlfriend! At no time did Calvin turn into a boorish brute. He quickly and brutally beat those two thieves unconscious, but he wasn't beating his chest and roaring about it. I never saw any signs of enjoyment. I swear his expression looked nervous through the fight and afterward!" Julian said, pointing a finger at Carmen as he watched her deflate.

"Who beat up some thieves?"

Julian winced and turned to face the doorway, where Harper stood with a stern expression.

Carmen stepped forward, but Harper shut her down with a glance that shifted back to Julian.

"Explain. In detail."

Julian nodded and gave the woman a concise report of the activities of the night before. He didn't include this morning's discovery.

"Is he bruised or injured?" Harper asked.

"Surprisingly, no. He shows no ill effects at all." He paused a moment as he recalled something. "I did see him rubbing his lower back like it was a little stiff," he paused again as the image of three ladies leaving Calvin's room appeared in his memory. That might be an explanation.

He smiled at Harper as he returned from this recollection.

"So you won't be walking unescorted into town with expensive equipment again," Harper said, and he nodded apologetically.

"Did the police indicate what would happen to these thieves?" she asked.

"They didn't share that with us, no."

"Fine," Harper sighed, and her expression finally relaxed into a smile. "This morning's session seemed... energetic!"

Julian grinned. "The best yet! I was just about to bring it up on the main monitor."

The three sat before the desk with the large, high-resolution monitors and went through the shots Julian captured.

Harper looked very satisfied when the last shot was on the screen. It was a candid group shot of the models gathering for a group hug. He'd have to isolate them from the messy backdrop, but it was one of the best shots of the session. They looked happy, comfortable, and their outfits were well displayed.

"Could it have been the attack last night that brought the ladies out of their shells? They seem so much more open and joyful this morning!" Harper exclaimed.

"It's working! I don't want to question it! If it continues for this afternoon's session around the pool, we'll get some tremendous shots of the swimwear. Tomorrow morning, we have the fitness wear and beach wear. These are critical for the campaign. Let's remain silent until we get these done," Julian pleaded.

Harper raised her hands in surrender, then smiled.

She stood and walked toward the exit. "Keep up the excellent work!"

When they were alone, Carmen and Julian shared a knowing look.

"I hope whatever they are up to doesn't come crashing down on us. I've seen these work trip relationships implode so many times. This is the first time I've seen the opposite happen. Fingers crossed it continues," Carmen said quietly.

-=-

They had dinner at the resort's lovely restaurant that evening. Julian was absolutely bubbly after reviewing the shots he got from their afternoon session by the pool.

He caught Calvin watching him with an expression of relief on his face, and the photographer's eyebrows rose. "What?"

Calvin smiled as he looked between Julian and Carmen. "I'm just relieved that I don't seem to be screwing up your campaign."

Carmen blinked at Calvin in surprise. "Screw up the campaign? Who said that?"

Calvin held up his hands to calm her. "It was just my own fear, as you seemed to have a lot riding on my being able to do something I've never done before. I don't feel like I'm picking up the natural ease the three ladies have."

Julian shook his head. "Calvin, just keep doing what you are doing. We didn't hire you to do what models do. Just be yourself."

"I agree. The shoot is proceeding well, and there are more sessions to do, so keep it going," Carmen added.

Calvin smiled at them and nodded shyly.

Steph, Nina, and Lamai suddenly arrived and plunked down in seats next to Calvin. They were all grinning as they saw Calvin smiling.

"I'm seeing smiles, so that's good!" Steph said enthusiastically. Calvin just nodded.

"We have the fitness wear shoot tomorrow morning and the beach wear in the afternoon. Another long day, so rest up tonight!" Carmen insisted as she looked into their eyes.

She saw no signs of guilt or hints of keeping secrets on their faces.

"Can we sleep in your room again?" Steph blurted to Calvin bluntly. Nina and Lamai quickly glanced at Steph in surprise.

Calvin flicked a look toward Julian, then he frowned lightly at Steph. "I'm not sleeping on the pull-out couch again. My back hurt all day."

Steph gave Calvin an apologetic pout. "Sorry."

Now that it was out in the open, Carmen asked her question point-blank. "Why were you... all in Calvin's room?"

Nina spoke for the group. "We were so nervous after the attack last night, no one wanted to sleep alone."

"So we had a sleepover in Calvin's room," Lamai admitted with a shy smile.

Steph looked at the Creative Director with wide eyes. "No sex! Just sleeping!"

Calvin rubbed his hot face with his hands.

Steph realized she'd embarrassed Calvin and pouted. "Sorry."

He pulled his hands away and shook his head gently. "It's okay. I'm going to head upstairs and get ready for bed. As Carmen said, we need to get our rest."

The three ladies smiled and stood as well. They nodded to Julian and Carmen, then followed Calvin out of the restaurant.

The two remaining shared smiles. "A sleepover!" Carmen said.

They burst into laughter. This was the strangest location shoot they'd ever done.

Chapter 11

Their remaining days seemed to fly by, but in the final days, Calvin found himself with extra spare time. He walked along the beach and did some sketching as he absorbed the beauty of the country and its people. As he ate lunch in a beach bar, drawing the little birds that visited his table, he did some portrait sketches for tourists on vacation.

One was for a couple on their honeymoon, with details including their rings, their eyes looking into each other's, and their smiles.

Another was for the owner of the beach restaurant, a lovely woman with beads in her hair and long braids, and a variety of tattoos.

She covered his lunch bill after she received the portrait.

Calvin's colored pencils were getting heavily used as he sketched the beautiful flowers and lizards basking in the sun in the trees.

When he returned to the hotel, he saw Julian waiting in the lobby. Thinking he might have forgotten something important, he rushed over to the man.

"Julian, is everything okay? Am I late for something? I can't recall--"

Julian lifted his hand to stop Calvin and smiled.

"It's fine. You didn't miss anything. I was asked to let you know there is a slight change in the departure arrangements tomorrow. You'll be flying back to the States with Harper on her jet."

Calvin blinked at him in surprise. "Oh! Same time?"

"Yes. We'll leave the resort together tomorrow morning, and you'll join Harper there," Julian explained. He smiled at Calvin. "What were you up to this afternoon?" He pointed to the sketch pad. "Creating art?"

Calvin smiled at the man, then realized he hadn't done a sketch of him. "Yes. May I do a sketch of you?"

A wide smile appeared suddenly on Julian's face. "Yes!"

Calvin nodded and pointed to some chairs leading out into the grounds beyond the lobby.

Julian seemed delighted, but that was putting a grin on his face, and Calvin needed him to relax.

"Perhaps you can think of a situation in your life where you felt at peace with the universe," he said to the photographer. He saw the man recall when he'd used the same technique on Calvin.

Julian laughed and nodded. "Got it. Okay." He closed his eyes and smiled gently as his mind found the Zen moment, and he relaxed.

When he opened his eyes, he was much calmer. Calvin nodded as he began to sketch.

People walking by paused to see what Calvin was drawing, and Julian was dying of curiosity.

Calvin finally leaned back and closed the sketchpad. "Okay, I'll finish this up tonight and give it to you tomorrow morning."

Julian's face fell. "What? Everyone else got theirs immediately!"

Calvin smiled. "Yours needs more detail work. I think you'll like it."

Julian pouted, then patted his cheeks before smiling at Calvin. "Okay! Fine! But I'm going to be on pins and needles all night."

"See you at dinner tonight?" Calvin asked.

The man nodded, stood, and waved as he headed for the stairs to the rooms.

Calvin smiled, packed away his art supplies, and followed the man upstairs.

-=-

The ladies were in high spirits this morning as they waited for the flight. Calvin now had their numbers in his cell along with pictures of them. His image and number were in their cell phones so they could arrange the dates they'd planned.

Julian looked at him expectantly as he pulled his sketchpad from his suitcase. He flipped it open, pulled the page out, and handed it to Julian. The others gathered at his sides to see the result.

In the center was the portrait of Julian, and his expression was optimistic and assured. A great deal of attention had gone into capturing this.

Surrounding him were smaller images capturing the details of his life: Julian's hands supporting a camera and lens, the technology was in outline, but the hands were exquisitely captured in incredible detail, including his favorite rings.

A close-up of Julian's eyes looking upward, evaluating the light, with a hint of a palm tree outlined against his eyes.

A scene of Julian laughing with Carmen, joy clearly visible on their faces.

Julian barely peeking over a camera as he captured a shot from the surface of a table.

The final detail sketch caught Julian snoozing on a couch, his camera balanced on his stomach, and a tiny bird perched on the lens barrel, watching him with a head tilt.

Julian looked up from the sketch with tears in his eyes.

Calvin moved forward and hugged him as the smaller man struggled to recover.

"It's beautiful!" Julian was finally able to say.

"So... worth the wait?" Calvin asked with a crooked smile.

"Yes... jerk," Julian said with no venom.

Calvin smiled. "Good."

The commercial flight's departure was announced, and Harper joined them to wish them a good flight. She spotted the drawing Calvin had done for Julian, and her eyes widened.

"That's really good!" she sighed.

Julian snorted. "It's a masterpiece!" he insisted as he carefully slipped it between two stiff sheets of cardboard and placed it into his briefcase. He then sent a gleeful smile over his shoulder as he hustled to join the boarding line.

Harper smiled and turned to face Calvin. "Come on, we're boarding the jet now."

He grabbed his carry-on and followed her.

Soon, she was leading him up a set of stairs to the front door of a much smaller aircraft.

Calvin was amazed by the jet's level of comfort compared to the commercial plane, but its much smaller size somehow made him more nervous.

"Is everything all right, Calvin?" Harper asked as she pointed to a seat for him to use after he placed his bags in the overhead bin.

He sat and buckled himself in.

"I'm not an experienced flyer, and it makes me nervous," he admitted.

When the cabin door was sealed up, Calvin turned to look at the seats behind him, then turned back to Harper. "Where are the rest of the passengers? Your team and Julian's assistants. Didn't they fly down with you?"

She smiled. "They're flying back with Carmen and Julian on the charter flight. I thought we might have a private conversation on our return trip."

Calvin's eyebrows rose, but he realized she was the boss, so what she said went. He nodded, then gripped the armrests as the jet was pushed back from the gate.

The engine began to spin up, and Calvin noted the difference from his first flight.

He noted Harper was watching him with a little smile on her lips. "You aren't even trying to pretend you're not nervous."

"I am nervous! Why would I hide that?" he returned.

"It's a refreshingly honest attitude," she responded.

Calvin did his best to ignore the odd bumps, noises, and rattles coming from the jet. He watched Harper, and she wasn't phased in the least, so he tried to emulate her.

"Ah, you're relaxing!" Harper said as she noted his grip on the arms was loosening, and his body language was following suit.

"No, I'm just channeling you," he responded.

Harper laughed in delight.

Then it was their turn.

The experience he had on the flight down hadn't prepared him for the extra pressure pushing him into the seat on takeoff or the sharper angle as they rose to altitude much more quickly.

When they finally reached cruising altitude, the seatbelt lights turned off, and Calvin forced himself to breathe normally. He saw Harper was still watching him.

"I survived," he said simply, and she chuckled.

"I wanted to ask you how you felt about your first attempt at modeling," she began.

Calvin watched her expression as he wondered where this would lead. All he could give her was an honest answer.

"It was interesting, but I'm not sure if I'd say this is what I want to do as a career." He frowned as he thought about his previous attempts to identify a career he was suited for.

"What was that expression for? Did you have a bad time?" Harper asked in concern.

"What?" he blurted, returning from his thought to see her worry.

"Oh! No, I was just thinking about my failure to find something I'm good at that I can make into a career." He sighed. "My stepfath--no, he was just a man we lived with." Calvin gave his head a shake to clear his jumbled thoughts. "He called me a dreamer and said I had no value working on his farm, but I did my chores and never complained. My grades in school, outside of art class, were poor, no matter how hard I tried, and didn't help me set a direction for a career." He took a deep breath. "I was recently informed that I don't have the aptitude for the trades. I've worked in retail and maintenance, and most recently in hospitality. I can do it, but... it's draining to socialize."

He glanced at her as he realized he'd been babbling. "Sorry."

Harper smiled at him. "So, you're an introvert."

He smiled and gave a little nod. "I... suppose I am. I like people, but it's difficult to always meet their expectations... once I determine what they are." He paused for a moment. "Modeling was... fun and easy, but that was probably because of Carmen's and Julian's expectations of me. They told me to just be myself. I'm sure that's not typical of most modeling jobs."

Harper nodded to him and watched him fidget. He wasn't used to talking about himself so much.

He flashed an awkward smile at her. "You have a very impressive career! CEO of your own company with an entire corporate structure to manage!"

She chuckled at his attempt to redirect the conversation from him. She'd let him off the hook for a bit to ease the pressure.

"I'm very proud of my accomplishments. I fought hard for them as I'm a very driven person. That's why it's so refreshing for me to hear such a different perspective."

Calvin looked into her dazzling blue eyes and tilted his head in question.

"My life has been defined by my drive to succeed through my own efforts. I wanted nothing to do with my family's business empire. I wanted my own. I dedicated myself to learning the skills I'd need to achieve this goal and refused to let myself be distracted. I'm happy with the results I've achieved, and I'm well on my way to meeting my five-year plan."

Calvin's eyebrows rose. "I'm lucky to achieve a three-day plan. Day to day is more my speed."

Harper gave him a skeptical look. "There must be something that appeals to you. What about your art?" she exclaimed.

Now it was Calvin's turn to smile in satisfaction.

"Yes, if I could afford to do so, I would spend my days immersed in the creation and appreciation of art. Nothing brings me more joy."

He took a moment to consider the idea, then smiled self-consciously.

"I was once told I was a man born outside of my era. In ancient civilizations, artists were seen as people with value. If they had talent, they were guaranteed a career and were highly respected. Not so much anymore."

"I understand you took the opportunity to make sketches during our stay. May I see them?" Harper asked.

Calvin looked at her in surprise, then stood up to take his sketchpad from his carry-on.

He handed it to her, then sat across from her and did his best not to watch her as she flipped through the pages.

He wondered why he had such trouble remaining calm when people reviewed his work.

"These are really good! I mean, I'm no expert in art, but I know what I like, and these are beautiful. I especially like this one of the mother and daughter doing crafts on the beach," she said as her eyes drank in the detail and texture he'd included.

"I was going to give her that drawing, but they packed up and left before I realized they were gone," he said with a wistful tone.

Harper smiled and closed the sketch pad before handing it back.

Calvin felt his body relaxing once he had his art back in his hands. He tucked the sketchpad back into his suitcase and took his seat again.

Harper locked her eyes on his. "I'd like to talk to you about the new ad campaign. From what I've seen from the stills and the rough video footage Julian captured, I have a very good feeling that the campaign will be very successful."

Calvin smiled and nodded, pleased to hear she was happy. She continued.

"This is the first time we've ever done this kind of campaign, using a central model to represent the brand. I mean, we've had sports celebrities in our campaigns, but they represent themselves and their sport. You'll be a new face for everyone, and you'll be associated with our products.

There will be a lot of curiosity about who you are, and the press will be asking about you."

Calvin's smile was draining away. "Uh, that doesn't sound very pleasant."

"You might want to lay low while the campaign is being actively promoted, which should begin in a couple of weeks," she suggested sympathetically. "With your help, we'll prepare a press kit with a little information about you to keep the hounds at bay. It would also be helpful if you avoided speaking to the press without someone from our public relations department to assist." She stopped when she saw his discomfort.

"I have no problem with not speaking with the press, but I'm going back to my job at the spa when I return. I'm not going to be accosted at work, am I? My boss and the managers of the country club would not be pleased with such disruption," he said anxiously.

"I may be overstating the attention you'll face. Maybe that's a worst-case scenario." She smiled. "I'm just a little pumped by what I saw and the vision Carmen and Julian presented."

Calvin nodded to her, feeling a little better.

"This should have been done when we first asked you to model for us, and I blame myself for not understanding the ramifications of doing this kind of campaign. This said, I'd like to sign an exclusive contract with you. I don't believe the one we had you sign protected us sufficiently from campaign dilution and exposure to detrimental messaging," Harper said.

"Dilution and detrimental what?" Calvin asked in confusion.

She nodded. "Let's say a competitor hired you to wear their sportswear for a campaign for them. This could conflict with our branding and reduce the impact of our campaign. You've mentioned you're not interested in a career in modeling, but they may offer you a lot of money to do it. Under the exclusive contract, we're offering you a monetary incentive not to model for anyone other than us for a period of time."

Calvin suddenly understood the significance of their mistake in not doing this earlier. With such a short deadline for their new campaign and their gamble of focusing it on him, he could hold out for much more money to protect their investment. If he wanted to.

"Ah. Well, lucky for you, I'm okay with signing the new contract," Calvin said with a little smile.

Harper froze as she held his eyes with hers. He saw her acknowledgment of his awareness. A small smile slipped back onto her face with a hint of relief.

"Thank you," she said, and he nodded.

She pulled the new contract out and explained the difference between the original and the exclusive one.

"This contract covers a one-year exclusivity with an option for a second year at our discretion," Harper said. "The Scope of Competitors covers Clothing, Lifestyle, and Sporting Goods. As we are a global company, the territory is Worldwide Exclusivity, and our campaign will cover all media formats, so we need the same for the exclusivity."

Calvin chuckled as he grasped what they were asking for. She looked at him cautiously.

"So, for one to two years, I could not model for anyone else for Clothing, Lifestyle--that's an enormous category in itself, and Sporting Goods, anywhere in the world, for any kind of media. Does that cover it?" he asked.

"Yes," she said.

He nodded to himself. "What compensation are you thinking this is worth?"

"We'd be willing to pay you a fifty-thousand-dollar bonus per year, on top of any additional modeling contracts we might offer you during that period," she said.

Calvin did his best not to be dazzled by the biggest amount of money he'd ever been offered. Instead, he focused on the second half of the offer.

"What are these additional modeling contracts?" he asked.

Harper's smile widened as she seemed impressed. "If the campaign does as well as we think it might, we may decide to do additional shoots to highlight a specific line, like beachwear, for example."

"So, for these other shoots, I'd get paid for being a model at the same rate I received for this one?" he asked.

"Exactly," she said.

"So, I get the bonus and the payment for this shoot, and should you decide to do more shoots, I get paid for those. If you decide no more shoots, I'm still prohibited from modeling for anyone else for the year, or maybe two if you pay the additional fifty-thousand-dollars."

Harper nodded.

He nodded to himself as he knew he wouldn't be looking to model for anyone else. "Where do I sign?" Calvin said with a smile, and Harper relaxed, but held up a hand.

"There is a non-disclosure clause in this contract, which states you cannot speak to anyone regarding the bonus paid for the exclusivity. You may mention that you are under an exclusive contract with Altrea Wear, but you must not mention the compensation. Breaking the contract would also be very costly due to the penalties you would incur, which are listed here," she said, flipping to the page and pointing it out for him to read.

"Understood," he said with a nod when he'd finished reading, then he paused. "Are the three ladies also being offered exclusivity?"

Harper shook her head. "No. Just you. That's something you shouldn't discuss with them."

Calvin felt his excitement deflating.

Harper noticed his smile slipping away. "The ladies have previous exposure in other campaigns. Exclusivity isn't an option for them as they have modeling careers. They will benefit from the exposure in this campaign and will take other assignments, just not from us, and not while this one is being promoted."

Calvin nodded slowly as he let that idea sink in.

An odd idea came to his mind as he imagined being followed in his daily life by paparazzi. He recalled that he'd promised he'd go on dates with the ladies when they got back to the States.

"What... would there be any issues with me going on dates with them?" he asked.

Harper's eyebrows rose. "A date? With which one? All of them?" she said a little stiffly.

Calvin watched Harper cautiously as he nodded. "Well... I told them we couldn't be anything other than friends while we were on the shoot. They asked if we could date when we got home. I said yes."

Harper stared at Calvin until she realized he was waiting uncomfortably for a response.

"Uh, I'm not sure how to respond to that. For the campaign, it would be better if you weren't involved with them once the campaign goes live," she managed to say.

Calvin saw she was still uncomfortable, so this topic would have to be put aside. He just nodded to her.

"Do you still want me to sign this?" he asked hesitantly.

"Yes! I mean, yes, it would be helpful for the campaign," she insisted.

Calvin nodded and quickly signed the contract.

Harper tucked the paperwork away and smiled at Calvin with a brief nod. Then she looked out the window. She seemed awkward, and he certainly felt that way.

"I-I don't have to go on the dates at all if you feel it would interfere with the campaign in some way. I don't know how these things work. I'm sorry if I've made you uncomfortable," he offered gently, and she looked back at him in surprise.

"No, it's all right," she said and took a slow breath. "I don't mean to interfere with your... relationships. We're making such a large investment in... you. I didn't think through what it might mean for you personally. I was just thinking of the impact on my company. It's all I think of."

She seemed surprised after she said that.

Calvin watched her and nodded. "It's fine. I don't really have a personal life. My job at the Spa and my beach portrait sessions are very low-profile and keep me busy. After we land, I'll speak with Steph, Nina, and Lamai and let them know we'll need to postpone our dates. Besides, they may not want to date me after they learn I've been given an exclusive contract, and we'd have to stop in two weeks anyway."

Harper stared at him in shock. "Now I feel terrible for asking you to put your life on hold!"

Calvin grinned and shook his head. "Nothing is really changing for me. As I said, to date, my life has been very low-key. This photoshoot has been the most dramatic change of pace I've ever experienced. If you find other work for me, I'll be available. Otherwise, thank you for the opportunity to step outside my comfort zone."

He turned his face to look out the window at the big fluffy clouds they were flying amongst. His fingers twitched as he thought of sketching them.

He did his best not to upset Harper any more than he had.

Chapter 12

Calvin's life went back to its usual routine when he returned. Patrick was delighted to have him back, as he'd been fielding questions from his clients as to Calvin's whereabouts.

He'd earned himself some extra shifts as the guys who'd covered his shifts took some days off to recharge.

He hadn't heard from the three lovely models since his conversation with them at the airport. Steph and Lamai had been less than pleased by his new exclusive contract and directed some hurtful words his way, but Nina just walked away.

He felt bad about that, but he knew with his new restrictions, it was likely for the best.

Then came the day when Calvin arrived at work, and Patrick pulled him into his office before he even made it to the spa.

"What's up?" he asked.

Patrick smiled at him. "Now I know what you were doing during that time off you requested."

Calvin raised his eyebrows in question, and Patrick's grin widened.

"You're not aware of the ads?" his boss asked with glee as he spun the monitor on his desk to face Calvin. On the screen was a video of Calvin and three lovely women relaxing by a pool, laughing, and playing. He looked away as he felt himself cringe. He didn't want to see himself on the screen.

"Ah! The campaign launched," Calvin said calmly.

His boss was surprised by his lack of enthusiasm. "You didn't tell me you were going to be the spokesperson for Altrea Wear!" the man said with a grin.

Calvin leaned back and held his hands up. "I'm not! I just modeled their clothes. No speaking was involved. It's probably a one-time thing." He looked at the surprised expression on Patrick's face. "Is that all?"

"Yes... that's it," the man said, his excitement for his employee's good fortune fading due to the man's lack of enthusiasm.

Calvin nodded and left his office to start his shift.

-=-

By the end of the week, Calvin wondered when his life would go back to normal. More and more of the ladies who came to the Spa for their sessions had seen the ad campaign, and all they wanted to talk about was his modeling career. He assured them he wasn't leaving to become a famous model.

Their husbands, who came to the club to golf or play tennis, were beginning to give him scowls, and he had no idea why.

He'd also faced teasing from his coworkers, but he did his best to just smile and let it roll off his back.

At the end of each day, he'd quickly escape and drive home to hide. He avoided watching TV with his mother and uncle just in case the ad played.

So far, the only thing he'd seen was a bit of video on his boss' monitor. He'd managed to avoid seeing any of the TV, print, or social media ads.

On his first day off, Sunday, he drove down to the beach with his art supplies. He thought his large, floppy hat would be sufficient to disguise himself.

Then he saw the huge billboard near the spot he normally set up his easel. There he was, larger than life. He immediately turned around and headed home.

He parked his car in the garage and stepped outside as the door closed.

"Excuse me! Are you Calvin Lane?"

He turned in surprise at the sound of a voice behind him and saw a woman standing in the driveway.

Her smile widened as she saw his face. "Mr. Lane, I'm Sandra Dresden, LA Times Entertainment. We'd like to speak to you about Altrea Wear's new advertising campaign, which features you significantly."

A man standing next to her with a professional-looking video camera was focusing the lens on him.

Shit.

The media knew where he lived! Luckily, Mavis Tillisbury had coached him on how to deal with this situation.

"You should speak with Altrea Wear's Publicity department. I'm a private citizen and have nothing to say to the media. Goodbye."

With that, he turned and let himself into his house, ignoring her attempts to get him to talk.

"Who was that?"

Calvin turned to see Doug standing in the hall with a curious smile. It slipped off his face as he saw the younger man's frown.

"A reporter. I told them to leave as I won't talk to them."

Doug's expression became grim. "They found you? Who told them where you live?"

Calvin rubbed his face. "I have no idea. I'll be in my room."

"I'll get them off my property." He held up his hand to assure Calvin. "I won't say anything about you, or me, for that matter. They simply need to move back to the sidewalk."

With a nod, Calvin rushed up the stairs to the sanctuary of his room.

-=-

Doug watched his nephew hide in his room. Once more, he wished he'd been part of the young man's life as he grew up, so he could understand the inner workings of his mind.

He knew Calvin was quiet but smart and strangely shy. He was definitely not an extrovert. That made his recent modeling job such a surprise departure.

With a sigh, Doug stepped out of his front door.

"Hello--" the attractive reporter began with a smile.

Doug pointed to the sidewalk. "Please remove yourselves from my private property. You will not be talking to anyone here today, so feel free to leave. If you do not leave my property, I'll be forced to file trespassing charges. Consider yourself warned."

He turned and went back inside.

He sent a quick text to his sister, warning her that she might see the press camped out in front of the house as their interest in Calvin was growing.

He'd have a talk with her when she got home to see if there was anything he could do.

-=-

Calvin sat in a plush chair before the desk of the country club's General Manager, Walter Masterson. He'd spoken briefly with the man on a few occasions, but otherwise, they were largely strangers to each other.

This was why sitting in the man's office was a very bad sign.

He had an idea why he was here, but he wasn't sure what the outcome would be.

The press who'd waited for him outside his home, and people who claimed to be influencers, had begun showing up at his workplace and had become a nuisance. This wasn't missed by his coworkers, his boss, and it seemed upper management.

"Thank you for staying after your shift to speak with me," Walter began, and Calvin just nodded.

"I believe we're both aware of the circumstances that have led to member complaints. I've spoken about this extensively with Patrick, who is firmly in your corner, as are many of your coworkers and some vocal clients of the spa who overheard my conversation with Patrick. You are highly appreciated at the Spa," the man said with a smile.

Calvin couldn't stop a smile from reaching his lips, but the manager's expression showed his discomfort, so his news wasn't all good.

"However, the complaints I've received cannot be ignored either. What I'm proposing to you is that you take some time off until this celebrity-status infatuation wears off."

"I'm not a celebrity! I did one modeling shoot. I'm not even a real model!" Calvin insisted.

Walter nodded sympathetically, but his expression showed he wouldn't be swayed.

"We're not firing you. We just cannot allow this interference with our club members to continue. Until you are no longer attracting this kind of attention, you won't be allowed to return to your position at the Spa."

"I don't have another job. I can't afford to lose this one," Calvin said.

Walter locked eyes with him. "Didn't you receive payment for the modeling assignment?"

Calvin nodded. "Yes, and I received a bonus for signing an exclusivity contract with them. But this doesn't mean I made enough to stop working for an extended time. I have no idea how long it will take for this stupid fame to wear off."

Walter's eyebrows rose. "You signed an exclusivity contract?"

"Yes. Not that I have any interest in it, but I basically can't model for anyone else for a year, possibly two if they pay me another bonus amount. Again, the amount isn't enough for me to retire on, and the contract has an NDA, so I can't mention the amount I received."

"Son, it sounds like you signed a bad contract," Walter said with a frown.

"I'm not interested in doing any more modeling, so it didn't seem to matter. What I hadn't counted on was the attention it would get me and how disruptive it would be. I never wanted this!"

He rubbed his face in his hands and looked at the older man. "I'm not blaming you for this. I understand what you need to do, but I don't know what I'm going to do."

Walter seemed to relax as he heard Calvin's acceptance. Then he offered a suggestion.

"Depending on how ironclad the terms of your contract are, you might be able to sue them for more money to compensate for this disruption in your life. Maybe you'll get enough to let you retire."

Calvin nodded slowly, but he really didn't want to go down that path. He believed they'd dealt with him honestly, but he'd been too naïve to understand the repercussions of being part of this campaign.

He nodded to himself. He needed to speak with the people at Altrea Wear.

Calvin stood as Walter did, and they shook hands.

"I hope you can find a means to resolve this, as we'd welcome you back if you can," Walter said sincerely.

"Thank you very much," Calvin said and left the office feeling the weight of the world on his shoulders.

He knew what he had to do.

He just didn't know if they would do anything to help him.

.-.

Calvin arranged a meeting with Mavis Tillisbury after he called Altrea Wear. He'd had to wait for two days as she wasn't in the office. He'd spent that time in the house hiding from the nutjobs camping out in front of his home. The police carted away two young women who got into a fistfight over who was going to marry him. They'd begun their battle after they knocked over each other's ring light as they recorded their vlogs from the sidewalk outside the house. The neighbors called the police in this instance.

Doug found the video of their battle online, and that just seemed to fan the flames.

As Calvin walked into the lobby of Altrea Wear, his hood was pulled forward to hide his face. His eyes flicked to the people waiting in the lobby, and he saw them looking at him. A chill went down his spine.

He stopped before the desk and recognized the receptionist from his earlier visits. Her eyes widened as she saw who was standing before her.

"Calvin Lane, here to meet with Mavis Tillisbury," he said softly.

The receptionist nodded and dialed the lawyer's office to speak softly to her assistant. After she hung up, she turned back to Calvin. "If you'd like to take a seat, someone is coming to bring you to Mrs. Tillisbury's office."

Calvin nodded and moved to the edge of the lobby to lean up against a wall with his head down to hide his face in the hood.

Someone must have overheard his name as he saw feet stop in front of him. He looked up to see a smile blossom across the face of a young woman standing before him.

"It is you! I love your ad campaign!" she squealed.

This made the others waiting get to their feet to see who she was, so excited about. By the time Mavis' assistant arrived to collect him, security had been called to the reception area to separate Calvin from the people mobbing him. They passed Calvin to the assistant, who guided him into an elevator.

Calvin leaned back against the wall and slipped his shaking hands into his hoodie pockets, only to pull them out with notes that had been slipped inside. Then he noted one of the pockets had been torn.

"What the hell?" he sighed.

He glanced at the woman next to him and saw her sympathetic expression.

She led him to Mavis' office and gestured for him to enter. She shut the door behind him.

Mavis smiled as she walked around her desk to shake his hand, but her expression turned to concern. "What's happened?"

"I was just mobbed in the lobby. They stuffed notes in my pockets and tore my sweater," he said in shock.

Mavis looked at him closely. "The price of fame."

"I NEVER WANTED THIS!" he snapped, then held up a hand. "I'm sorry. You didn't deserve that. I'm just completely out of my element and shook up."

"Modeling is a public-facing occupation. It generates exposure and fame or notoriety when it goes wrong. From what I've heard from Harper, the campaign is producing very positive feedback. It's highly successful, and we are already seeing increased interest in the product lines," Mavis explained as she gestured to a chair before her desk for Calvin.

He sank into it and put his head in his hands for a moment. Mavis took this time to return to her chair.

When he got his wits back, he faced her. "I'd never modeled before and obviously knew nothing about the attention it draws. When we shot the images and video on location, there were just a few people, and it was so casual and fun. Nothing chaotic about that at all. Now I have fist fights happening in my driveway at home!"

Mavis looked at him skeptically.

He sighed. "Search for Battling Influencers online, and you'll see it. My uncle told me he found it this morning."

The lawyer turned to her computer with a frown but did as Calvin said. Her eyes widened as she saw the two young women screaming and pulling each other's hair as onlookers filmed them and cheered.

"That was last night in front of my uncle's house. The police have to clear the sidewalk so we can drive out. These people camp out on the sidewalk, and the neighbors are complaining. I have to move, as I'm causing too much grief for my uncle and mother! Except I can't move out because I lost my job due to the trouble these people are causing the members at the country club."

Mavis turned to look at Calvin, and her expression closed up. "What are you expecting Altrea Wear to do to remedy this?"

Calvin looked into her eyes and saw that her defenses were up. He shook his head. "I'm not blaming the company for this. This is entirely my fault. I went into this blind to the ramifications. I had no idea that modeling for a single campaign would draw this much unwanted attention. Now I can't leave my house, I can't work, and I can't even make portraits at the beach."

He saw that Mavis wasn't going to offer any suggestions, and a sense of defeat settled over him. She had a company to defend, and this was how that was done.

"Right."

He stood and walked to her door.

When he opened it, a smaller man stepped forward and wrapped his arms around him in a hug.

Calvin's body immediately tensed up as his mind returned to the crowd in the lobby, but he suddenly recognized it was Julian. He wrapped his arms around the man and felt his emotions take a hit.

He began to cry.

Carmen stepped into the office and wrapped her arms around them both. She glanced over at Mavis, who was trying to control her own emotions, so Carmen nodded and gently pulled the two men from the office.

"Come on. Let's go to my office," Carmen suggested, and they nodded.

When they were comfortable, sitting behind the closed doors, they listened to Calvin as he explained what had happened to him since the campaign went live. They gave him time to get it all out, and he managed to rein in his tears this time.

Carmen looked him in the eye. "So... you came back to speak to our lawyer?"

Julian grinned, and Calvin sighed, rubbing his face with his hands. "I have no idea what to do. She was so helpful in explaining the contract, I thought she might have an answer for this.

"You can stay at my place if you need a place to hide out. I have an extra bedroom," Julian offered.

"Uh, don't you also have a jealous boyfriend? Enrique?" Carmen said.

Julian looked at her with a frown. "Calvin is straight! There's no issue--No, you're right. What was I thinking? Sorry, Calvin." He said with an embarrassed wince.

"I don't know what you're thinking, dating that hot head!" Carmen scolded.

Julian looked defensive. "He's not a hot head. He's passionate!"

"The first time you come to work with a black eye or a bruised cheek, I'll scratch his eyes out to show you true passion!" Carmen insisted with fire in her eyes.

Julian gave his friend a loving smile, then turned back to Calvin. "This doesn't solve Calvin's current dilemma. He needs a place to lie low."

There was a knock on the door.

"Come in!" Carmen called out.

The door opened, and Harper stepped inside with a smile on her face. It froze as she saw Calvin's expression. "What's happened?" she asked immediately.

"Pull up a chair," Carmen said, gesturing to the one next to her.

Carmen nodded to Calvin to fill Harper in, so once more, he went through his experiences since the campaign went live.

"I had no idea I would have this much attention on me. That's my fault, my ignorance of what being a model would entail. I just don't know what to do now. I don't want to be a burden on my uncle and mother. They suggested I do an interview to get the media to back off. If they knew I'm not that compelling, then they'd find someone else to chase."

Carmen and Harper shared a glance. Neither believed this was a good idea, but their reasons differed.

The creative art director knew a gentle soul like Calvin would be eaten alive by the press.

The CEO was concerned about the damage Calvin would do in his desperate state of mind to a campaign that was proving to be the most successful they'd had to date. She didn't want that to happen. She needed Calvin to stay out of the spotlight, and she had an idea for how to do that.

"I think I can help you with a place where you can lie low," she said, and all eyes turned to her. She ignored Julian and Carmen's surprised expressions and focused on Calvin.

"You've been to my home. You know how large it is. I have plenty of spare rooms. You're welcome to stay at my place until things settle down," she suggested.

Calvin's mouth was hanging open in surprise, so he closed it when he got his brain back on track. "That's incredibly generous of you, but I don't want to be a burden on you either! I just need to earn my keep. Maybe a janitorial job at Altrea Wear or something in a warehouse?"

In her mind, Harper could see the headlines: Altrea Wear CEO Forces Top Model to Clean Toilets!

"No! I can't have you working menial labor after you've been showcased in our latest ads!" she insisted.

"It's okay! I've worked those kinds of jobs before, and I'm not proud. It's honest work," he assured her.

"If you stay at my place, you keep your room clean, do your own laundry, and make your own meals. I have a cleaning service, but you can maintain the space you use," she suggested.

He struggled to find some other way to repay her generosity. "I'm good at gardening!"

She smiled. "I have a service for that."

Then an idea came to her. "There are some upcoming functions that are tied to the campaign. I usually attend these by myself, but with Carmen and Julian's help with styling, you could attend with me as my guest. That will help the campaign greatly, and I'll pay you modeling wages for each event."

She glanced over at Carmen and was surprised to see that the woman was giving her a suspicious look. Julian was watching her closely, too! She raised her eyebrows at them, and they looked away, embarrassed.

Harper refocused on Calvin. "I also have a dinner with some potential new clients at my home. You could attend this as well."

Seeing she was beginning to sway him, she brought out the big guns.

"The light is lovely in the garden. You could bring your art supplies and create some art for me. You know from my collection that I love good art," she suggested, and saw his eyes light up.

She could see his mind returning to his memories of her home, and the wheels were turning. She flicked another look toward the others and saw Carmen nodding, and even Julian was grinning.

So, they were finally on board with her plan.

Harper felt like she'd dodged a bullet.

"It still feels like I should be contributing more--but I'll accept your offer!" he finished quickly as he saw she was preparing to argue some more.

"Good! Go home. Pack your suitcase for an extended stay. Pack your art supplies, too. What time do you think you can be at my place?" she asked.

Calvin's head was spinning as he tried to estimate the time and effort it would take to do all that and get to her place. "Nine? Nine-thirty?"

"That works for me. I'll see you then." Harper stood up, and Calvin did as well.

"Thank you!" he gushed, and she paused before smiling. She gave him a nod before leaving.

Calvin turned back to smile at Carmen and Julian. "Thank you both, too! I feel so much better now that I got to talk to you." He shook his head in surprise. "I really wasn't expecting this."

Carmen burst into giggles as she flashed a look at Julian, who looked equally stunned and laughed.

"Neither were we!" Julian said. "The boss lady is full of surprises!"

"I'd better go. So much to do!" Calvin said with a smile.

"I'll walk you out," Julian said.

Carmen stood and gave Calvin a warm hug before the two men left her office.

As they waited for the elevator, Julian pulled out his phone. "Add my number to your cell phone in case you need anything," he said, and they added each other to their contacts, with photos.

The lobby was mostly clear of people as they stepped from the elevator, but Calvin pulled up his hood just in case.

Julian gave him a hug, and Calvin quickly made for his car. He had packing to do.

-=-

His mom and uncle grilled Calvin as he packed his clothes and art supplies. He let them know he would be all right, and they could contact him anytime on his cell. He promised to return once this crazy attention on him settled down.

It was a quarter to ten by the time Calvin parked his car before the garage at Harper's home. He grabbed his duffel bag with his clothes and kit and left the rest in the car. It would be safe until the morning, when he could unpack the rest.

Harper met him at the door, and he smiled shyly at her as she was wearing her comfy clothes.

"NW1!" Calvin said as he recognized the outfit from their new collection.

The woman looked at him in surprise, then glanced down at her clothes as it finally clicked. She smiled. "Yes! I find them very comfortable too. If I'm going to market the clothes, I should be willing to wear them."

He nodded. "They look great on you, too!"

Harper paused as her suspicion flared at what sounded like a pick-up line, but his smile remained open and friendly. She nodded as a smile slipped onto her lips.

"Come inside--That isn't everything, is it?" she said, staring at his duffel.

He shook his head. "No, the rest is in my car, art supplies and such. I can unpack that tomorrow as it's late."

She closed the door with a nod and gestured for him to follow her.

Calvin admired the home as they walked past the living area, especially the art she displayed on the walls.

They entered a hallway, and his eyes jumped from painting to painting. It was soothing.

He stopped himself abruptly before walking into her back as she'd stopped next to a door. She looked at him in question as he blushed.

"Sorry, I got lost in the art," he said quietly.

She nodded with a crooked little smile and gestured to the door. "This guest room overlooks the garden. It has a south-facing window, so it has lovely light. You can use this room."

She opened the door and flipped on the overhead light as she walked inside.

He followed and gaped at the lovely décor. The furniture looked expensive and top quality.

"It's a beautiful room!" he gushed, then he looked at her in concern. "I don't need something so nice. A fold-out couch in the basement would do."

The comment caught Harper by surprise, and she laughed.

"I don't have a fold-out couch. This house doesn't have a basement, either," she added with a grin.

"Ah!" he said in embarrassment.

"So, you'll have to make do with this," she finished.

He gasped. "It's lovely! Thank you!" he quickly added.

She smiled with a nod, then pointed across the room. "That door leads to your ensuite. As mentioned, it's up to you to keep that clean as well as this room."

"Yes! I will!" he insisted.

"Drop your duffel, and I'll show you where the kitchen and gym are," she said, and he set it next to the canopy bed as he stared at the tall posts.

He followed her out and down the hall to an expansive kitchen, where she pointed out the locations of the dishes, cutlery, pots, pans, and how to use the fancy gas stove.

"I don't do much cooking, but I have all the tools," she admitted. "I have a service that delivers the ingredients for meals I can cook for myself with recipes and instructions. I try to keep up with that while cramming in all the work on my business."

"I can cook!" he offered as he scanned his eyes over one of the recipes and found it pretty straightforward. "Let me try tomorrow!"

She smiled at him and paused a moment. "Okay, we'll give it a go."

He nodded to himself as he realized he'd have to go through each drawer and cupboard as well as the fridge and pantry to ensure his memory knew where everything was. A project for tomorrow.

Harper moved on, and he followed her to the end of another hallway off the kitchen to open the door onto a fully equipped gym. Machines of all kinds lined the outer walls, which were floor-to-ceiling windows.

"This is amazing!" he said.

"Make sure you wipe down the contact points on the machines after you use them," she said. "Towels are there," she said, pointing to a closet.

"Next door in the hallway is the laundry room. You know how to use those machines?" she asked.

He nodded. "Yes, my uncle bought himself a very advanced washer and dryer. He taught me to use them."

Harper walked back down the hall to the kitchen.

"I work out in the gym between six and seven AM. Then I shower, get dressed, and make myself breakfast at seven-thirty. I leave for the office at eight AM. I'm usually home after six-thirty."

Calvin nodded. "I'll make dinner for seven? Or seven-thirty?"

She smiled. "Make it seven-thirty."

"Great! Thank you again for this!" Calvin said sincerely.

Harper nodded and realized it would be nice to come home to a house that wasn't empty. Her previous experience had been living at home, and her family had spoiled this for her with their constant infighting and one-upmanship. The vicious competitive drive among her siblings, and even her parents, soured the idea of the family home.

Living alone was blissful in comparison... until it wasn't.

Surprised by this epiphany, she needed to retreat to the solitude of her room. "See you in the morning!"

She began to walk away, but stopped at the entrance. "I arm the house alarm at night, so don't open any windows or outer doors. I'll show you how that works in the morning."

"Thanks!" he said, and she left with a nod.

Calvin walked back to his room and closed the door behind himself. He unpacked his duffel in the dresser and the closet.

He found an available outlet next to the bed and plugged his cell in to charge it overnight. Smiling, he took a picture of his room, attached it to an email to his mom, and told her he was settling in and that it was a lovely home. He told her he loved her, wished her good night, and pressed send.

The ensuite washroom was so nice, he didn't want to sully it with his clutter, so aside from his toothbrush, he kept his bathroom items in his kit and tucked it into a drawer under the sink.

He undressed, putting his clothes into a laundry bag he'd brought, and pulled on his sleep shorts before slipping between the decadently soft sheets.

He'd never felt anything so wonderful against his skin.

Then he recalled the feeling of a woman's skin against his.

He agreed that feminine skin felt a little better than this.

Trying to fall asleep with a boner wasn't so easy.

Chapter 13

Calvin's life moved into a new pattern. It took a few days to organize himself and get the hang of the placement of everything in the mansion, but he figured it out.

Dinners were the highlight of his day as Calvin quickly learned how to prepare their meals, and Harper was delighted to have company who was such a good listener. Aside from being a good cook, he proved he wasn't judgmental, didn't try to diminish her success, or insist he outperformed her in any way. It was nothing like the dinners she'd had with her family.

Early in his stay, after he'd brought his art supplies inside, he realized he couldn't paint in the room Harper set aside for him. He was too conscious of dripping paint on anything in the room.

Harper suggested he check out a small shed built on the east side of the property next to the garden. Its original purpose was for gardening projects she'd intended to do, but she'd eventually given up on the idea and hired a service to manage the garden for her. The ten-by-twelve cabana remained empty, without purpose. Centered on the twelve-foot front of the building were two four-foot doors that swung open to let light into the building.

This became his painting studio, and he loved the peace it gave him to express his artistic side.

Harper had trained him to use the house's security panel and access code, so he could spend hours in the garden studio while the home was locked and secure. She informed him of when the cleaning staff was scheduled to visit and when the gardening crew worked. Luckily, they came on different days, so Calvin stayed in the studio on cleaning days and in the house when the gardeners visited. This kept him out of their way.

She'd forgotten to tell him when the food delivery service arrived, so he met them at the front door one morning. That had been a shock for both of them, but Calvin figured it out in a quick text exchange with Harper to set his mind at ease.

He was going through the canvases he'd brought as well as his sketchpads, so he knew he'd have to make a run to his go-to art supply store eventually. Discussing this with Harper at dinner, she suggested he place the order for everything he needed, and she'd have someone pick it up and deliver it to the house.

"This weekend is the dinner with the prospective clients. Julian will come over tomorrow afternoon with an outfit for you. I'll ask him to collect and bring the art supplies too," she suggested.

"It will be great to see him again!" he said.

Harper paused as she looked at him seriously. "Are you lonely here, alone all day?" she asked in concern.

Calvin didn't want to upset Harper as he felt privileged to have this opportunity. "No! It's fine! I keep myself busy with my art most of the time. We have great conversations at dinner! I have calls with my mother and uncle and get updates on their lives." At her nod, he felt the need to expand on that. "I don't have friends I hang out with, so the quiet is nice."

"But you'd like to have friends--" she began, and Calvin chuckled. She looked at him.

He shook his head gently. "I've had coworkers in all the jobs I've had, but I was never invited to hang out with them after work. You know how mentally exhausted I get from being social over a long period. Maybe they picked up on that. But going further back, I never had friends growing up. I never learned how to make them... or keep them, maybe. I wasn't like any of the other kids I grew up with, and I never fit in. Maybe I don't have what it takes to have friends." He glanced up at Harper and saw a sad expression. "No, please! I'm not complaining or looking for pity. My life is good. I've never had much, so now it feels so much better! It's just a matter of perception."

-=-

Harper had a life filled with everything she wanted, surrounded by people who wanted to be part of it, so his perspective felt shocking to her. It triggered feelings in her that she was still trying to identify. All she knew for certain was that she felt somehow protective of him.

Even that felt out of character for her, so she kept it to herself to study in the quiet moments at night.

She gave him a smile and a nod, and that seemed to do the trick as he gathered their finished plates and headed to the kitchen. She heard him begin to wash them by hand. She smiled and shook her head. He never used the dishwasher. Another example of a benefit unfamiliar to him.

It helped make him feel like he was contributing, so she wouldn't argue with him about it.

She needed him to be happy. The campaign was doing wonders for their bottom line. Interest in their new line was skyrocketing, and their products were flying off the shelves. Manufacturing was barely keeping up with the demand.

A meme had been created of Calvin smiling and saying, "These feel so good!" This was clipped from a new ad her creative team had released from the behind-the-scenes video Julian had made. Granted, the sampled meme began with him running his hands over his ass, suggesting it was his ass and not the clothes that felt so good. She was assured by her marketing people that the meme was helping their brand recognition, as their logo was front and center in the clip. They claimed they couldn't have created a better marketing tie-in and were thrilled!

She wasn't worried that Calvin would see the meme, as he never used his cell phone for social media, avoided TV to prevent seeing himself in the ads, and never paid any attention to print media.

The mystery of 'Who was the Altrea Wear model?' was contributing to the frenzy. As Harper could see Calvin seemed to be thriving in the environment she'd created for him, she was content that no harm was done.

She just needed to keep him happy.

-=-

Calvin woke with an inspiration. He quickly prepared Harper's breakfast and left a note saying he was in the studio, then hustled into the garden to get started on the painting he'd dreamt of.

He pulled out his largest blank canvas Harper had picked up for him: a monstrous, pre-stretched five-foot by six-foot expanse of white canvas.

He set it up on the easel outside the open doors of the cabana and began frantically sketching his ideas onto the canvas before they faded from his mind.

Morning sunlight filtered through the surrounding trees to dapple the surface. It took him almost ninety minutes to complete the rough outline, but when he stood back to take it all in, he smiled to himself as it touched something in his heart, and his need to complete it flared once more.

He returned to the cabana and began to prepare his paints. This one was going to be one of his brightest, most colorful pieces.

The prep work consumed him, and he was lost in his world of art as the crew of gardeners arrived to attend to the property.

-=-

Val walked through the expansive garden and wondered who she'd have to fuck to have such an excess of property just for some fucking flowers.

"Valentina Lucia Gonzalez Fernandez! What are you doing?" her father's rough voice barked, cutting into her musings.

"I've got a rake! What the fuck does it look like I'm doing?" she snapped back.

"Watch that smart mouth of yours! That's what got you in trouble in the first place!" he returned and pointed to her ankle bracelet.

Courtesy of the LAPD, Val had a lovely new accessory that was all the rage with delinquents and public enemies, even when your crime was only public drunkenness and resisting arrest when the pigs got a little handsy.

"Use the rake, don't just lean on it! We have two more properties today!" her papa stiffly reminded her.

She began raking enthusiastically, and he walked away, shaking his head.

Val sighed and slowed down, but she didn't stop. She didn't really want to piss off the last relative she had who'd speak to her. If he hadn't stepped up to take her in and give her this job, she'd be on the inside, and that was a place she didn't want to be.

She raked up the leaves along the spaces between the flower beds as she worked her way towards a building on the east side of the expansive garden. She admitted to herself that the garden was lovely and her efforts were helping.

As she came into view of a lovely cabana, she caught sight of the broad back of a man standing before an easel. He was topless, wearing only a small pair of black running shorts. Sunlight passing through the leaves above dappled across his smooth skin. His long, wavy blond hair swung across his back as he lifted a paintbrush to touch the canvas before him delicately.

Val moved back, hiding behind the foliage as she admired his physique. She hadn't seen his face yet, but she was impressed with everything else. He had a hot body!

Slipping her cell from her pocket, she framed her shot to capture him reaching up to touch the painting with the tip of a fine brush. She took a few more of him working, then her eyes finally made sense of what she was seeing on the canvas. She brought up one of the pictures she'd taken and zoomed in to see the details. There were people amongst the bursts of colors and forms. Beautifully detailed portraits. Then she recognized the surrounding colors as flowers, plants, beach umbrellas, quaint cottages, and beautifully lit restaurants at night. It was a tropical setting and made her think of her home country. Her eyes picked out animals, birds, crabs, fish, dogs, and cats.

Before she knew what she was doing, she found herself walking up to take a closer look at this stunning painting. He hadn't finished it yet, but she was captivated. The colors seemed chaotic, but only when you didn't see the underlying life that wore those brilliant shades.

The people in the painting were happy, content, and hopeful. Some were larger than others, but each was exquisitely captured.

"Hello?"

Val jumped slightly as she heard a voice close by. She turned her head and saw the topless man watching her curiously.

Suddenly, she remembered she shouldn't be here. "Ah! Sorry! I-I was working! The garden. With the team!"

"Oh! I completely forgot it was that day! I normally stay in the house when the gardeners come to do their work," he said.

She was looking at him as something was screaming at her in the back of her mind. "Do I know you?" she asked quietly.

He shook his head. "I don't think we've met. I'm sure I would remember you," he said with a kind smile.

That statement threw her for a moment. "What do you mean?"

"You have so much lovely art on you!" he said with an admiring look.

She glanced at her tattoos. Art, as he saw it, but marks of disgrace as her mother called them. Her eyes went back to his familiar face. She knew him.

"You like my art? I love yours!" she said with a grin, pointing to the canvas. He smiled... shyly.

Recognition hit her between the eyes like a hammer.

"OH, MY GOD! IT'S YOU! YOU'RE HIM!"

He was looking down at her hand, which was pressed against his bare chest, fingers spread wide as if to pin him in place so he wouldn't fly away.

He looked back into her eyes. "I'm him?"

"The 'Feel-So-Good' Dude!" she exclaimed, but he just shook his head slowly.

"My name's Calvin."

She lifted her cell and did a quick search on a social media app. It didn't take long to find the post. She played it as she turned the screen to him.

"These feel so good!" he said, smiling off camera.

Calvin leaned away from the screen as if he didn't like seeing himself.

"I wasn't aware that was being used as an ad," Calvin said uneasily.

Val snorted in amusement. "Ad? It's become a meme! It's everywhere!"

He shook his head. "I don't really know what that means, but I'll assume that means it's helping the campaign."

"You're a model, and you aren't aware of the success of the campaign?" she asked in confusion.

Calvin shook his head gently. "I'm not actually a model. I mean, I modeled once, and I signed an exclusive contract with Altrea Wear, but aside from the shoot we did that week, I've done no other modeling." He smiled gently and gestured to the canvas. "I'd much rather just paint."

She was staring at him in surprise and couldn't wipe the smile from her face. "What are you doing here?" she asked.

"Avoiding that, I suppose," he sighed, gesturing to her cell. "The publicity the campaign created was... too disruptive on my life and too much for me to handle, so I was allowed to move here until it settles down.

"You got mobbed? I can see that! You're too good-looking!" she said with an admiring look.

He blushed and glanced at her. "You're very beautiful, too!"

She chuckled. "You're not that smooth, though."

He looked at her in confusion. "Smooth? I-I wasn't trying to be smooth. I think you're lovely. I'd love to sketch you."

"Sketch me? That's a new line," she said with a smirk.

He gave her a frustrated look, then walked into the cabana to return with his pencil and sketchpad. "May I make a sketch of you?"

Her smile was replaced by surprise. "Oh! You mean it."

"Yes, can I?" he said.

She blinked at him in shock. "I-I don't know why you would, but... if you want to, go ahead. Will it take long?" she asked, looking back toward the garden in case her father was looking for her. She could hear the sounds of the machines, but they weren't close.

He shook his head, set a stool on the edge of the patio, and gestured for her to sit. Then he sat on another and began to draw. At first, she was stiff and nervous, but he talked with her, asking questions about her life, but nothing too invasive. He complimented her on her black-painted nails, which she took good care of. He asked which of her tattoos she liked most and which had special meaning to her.

Twenty minutes had gone by when he leaned back and smiled at the page. He pulled it from the pad and handed it to her.

She was expecting a cartoonish caricature, so she froze when she saw how perfectly he'd captured her.

It didn't overemphasize her feminine features but captured an innocence she'd thought was long gone. Her tattoos were included in some detail sketches along the border, as was her smile, the row of earrings on one ear, and her hands. The sketch was a deeply personal celebration of who she was.

"Oh... oh, my god! I love this!" she gushed, never taking her eyes from the page. This was how he saw her, and she was shocked to see how pretty she was. She began to cry.

"Hey, are you okay?" he asked gently in concern.

She turned and hugged him as her tears fell. "Thank you," she said again and again.

She heard a gasp from behind her and recognized it as her father's voice. She pulled back from the hug and turned to face him. She held up the page.

"Papi, look! Look how beautiful I am!" she said in a little girl's voice.

Her father looked at the art, and his eyes widened. "There's my Valentina," he said in a loving whisper.

She wrapped her arms around him, and they shared their tears.

When he recalled the bare-chested man standing with them, he pulled back and nodded to him. "Thank you! You are a masterful artist!" Just then, he noticed the large painting, and his eyes were captured once more. "Oh! This is magnifico!"

"Thank you," the man said with a shy smile.

"Papi, his name is Calvin," Val said, then turned to look at Calvin.

"May I take a picture with you?" Val asked eagerly.

"Uh, sure. Just... please don't share where you took the picture. I don't think my host, Harper, would appreciate that," he said.

Val's eyes widened as she nodded, then she moved to his side and wrapped an arm around his back. She held the phone out as she took the picture. Her father took the phone from her hand and took a full-body picture of the two of them to prove Calvin wasn't naked.

Calvin gestured for the father to get on his other side, and the next shot had all three of them in it.

"Again, please don't reveal my location, okay?" he said.

Val nodded. "I won't. Thank you for the beautiful sketch! Good luck with your painting!"

He nodded, then went into the cabana and returned with a cardboard tube to store the sketch of her. He rolled the page and slipped it into the tube for her.

Val hugged Calvin again and followed her father back to rejoin the team.

"You recognized him from somewhere?" her father asked as they walked.

"He's the 'Feel-So-Good' Man!" she said and watched her father recognize the reference.

"Ah! He is so famous! This is why he hides!" the man said. He glanced back with a concerned look. "Is there no happiness in his fame?"

Val clung to the tube in her hand. "I think he creates his own happiness with his art!"

The father watched his daughter with a new appreciation of her intuition. He gave her a proud smile.

"Now, we must hurry as we have two more properties!" he said.

"Yes, Papi," she said with a smile.

Chapter 14

Calvin didn't have to cook dinner for the party being hosted in Harper's mansion on Saturday night. She arranged catering and brought in a service to serve and clean up afterward.

He was wearing the outfit Julian brought him when he dropped by late Friday afternoon. He'd enjoyed his friend's visit and showed him some of the art he'd been working on, just not his latest painting, since it was still a work in progress.

Calvin wasn't sure what he was supposed to do during this business dinner. He wasn't modeling any Altrea Wear clothing. He had no part in the business, and the two couples joining them were the heads of two major distribution chains, headquartered in Germany and Japan.

Not wanting to make a cultural faux pas in front of the guests, Calvin had done some research on greetings and etiquette.

When the first car arrived before the home's entrance, Calvin took his place next to Harper. She glanced at him and gave him a confident little smile.

He wished he had a fraction of that.

"Mr. Yoshito, I'm honored by your visit to my home," Harper said to the man once he stepped from the rear door.

Calvin guessed the man was in his mid to late forties, but he had a pleasant smile on a friendly face.

He waited for a woman to step from the car as well, then presented her to Harper. "May I introduce my wife, Hikari."

Harper bowed to the woman, then shook her hand. "You are most welcome to my home."

Hikari had to be fifteen to twenty years younger than her husband, but she also had a friendly smile until she saw Calvin waiting to greet them, and her expression froze.

"Ah!" she exclaimed, then broke into rapid and excited Japanese as she gestured at Calvin for her husband. The man glanced at Harper, a little embarrassed.

Harper gestured toward Cal. "This is my good friend Calvin Lane. He was featured in our latest advertising campaign."

The lights came on for the man, and his smile widened. "Feel So Good!" he said with a wide grin, and his wife burst into giggles. This pleased the husband.

Calvin saw Harper was frozen and trying to hide it. She obviously knew about the campaign extras and the meme, but she hadn't spoken to him about it and didn't know how he'd react. He let her off the hook.

He smiled at the couple. "Feels so good!" he repeated, as close to what he remembered from the meme. It was close enough for the couple, who both burst into delighted laughter.

Harper smiled at them and flashed a thanks with her eyes at Calvin.

"Could you bring them into the living room?" she asked him, and he nodded to her.

"If you could come this way," he said to them, and they followed. The wife's eyes were on his ass the entire way, which was awkward for Calvin, but he reverted to his waiter mask and asked them if they'd care for a beverage. After getting their order, he stepped up to the bar and told the man behind it what he needed.

Soon, he returned to them with their drinks. Calvin was told to use his first name since they were now friends, so it was "scotch" for Hashimoto-sama. He surprised and pleased the man with the suffix.

His wife had a fruity wine. Hikari-chan burst into delighted giggles when he said her name as he presented her with her beverage.

He smiled at Hashimoto to ensure he hadn't gone too far and got a pleased smile and nod from the man.

Calvin stuck with cranberry juice for himself. He needed to keep his wits sharp, as it felt like he'd been dropped into the advanced class for diplomatic socializing.

Harper entered the room, leading their second guests. She made the introductions for the German visitors.

Dieter Schmidt and his wife, Elke, were dauntingly tall and fit, though they showed small signs of being in their early sixties at least. Dieter was a bear of a man, broad-chested, with arms and legs like tree trunks. It didn't help that they were both wearing what looked like form-fitting black leather.

Calvin actually felt petite next to him.

Elke wasn't much smaller, and her eyes were cold, though her thin lips held a permanent smile.

When Harper introduced her good friend Calvin to them, he noted that Elke's interest piqued, and her eyes were drinking him in. Then Dieter's hand swallowed his, and he got an uneasy but undefined feeling about the couple.

Calvin got Dieter a dark beer and Elke a dry white wine.

Harper made small talk with the two couples regarding business, advertising campaigns, and the success of her recent one, and their eyes turned to him. He raised his hands in surrender, insisting that he had just worn the clothes.

"Feel So Good!" Hikari sighed and got polite chuckles. She watched Calvin shyly and giggled when he gave her a smile and nod.

Then he felt Elke's eyes on him, and it felt predatory. He glanced at her, but she'd turned to whisper something to her husband. He smiled and flicked a brief glance toward Calvin.

Dinner was served, and they went to the dining room.

Calvin was impressed with the food, and the other guests seemed to enjoy the meal as well. Perhaps the others were a little more jaded than he was, as he was far less traveled than the others.

"Calvin, how long have you been a model?" Dieter asked out of the blue.

He looked at the man in surprise as he hadn't been following the conversation, but he was sure it wasn't about him.

Dieter was on his fourth dark beer, but he'd shown no sign of inebriation.

"Ah, Altrea Wear's campaign was my first, and it's uncertain that I'll do another."

All eyes turned to him, including Harper's.

He hastened to get out in front of any misinterpretation of his answer. "I am grateful for the opportunity the modeling brought me. I'm glad I got to do it for a company with such high standards of quality that I feel proud to stand behind the products I modeled. I met a lot of wonderful people, and I got to travel to a beautiful tropical country for the shoot. The fame experience was not something I was expecting or prepared for."

"What did you do before you were discovered?" Dieter asked bluntly

"I, uh, worked in a Spa as a customer service attendant. Basically, a waiter," he admitted.

"Good money in that?" Dieter pushed.

"Not really," Calvin admitted.

"Then you should stick to something you are good at. Tough it out!" the big man insisted, then snorted in amusement. He turned his head to face Hashimoto. "So many of the younger generation are ready to give up so quickly."

When the man didn't respond, Dieter tossed back the last of his beer and gestured to the bartender for another, but Harper signaled a veto on the order.

She locked eyes with the big man. "When we engaged Calvin for this campaign, we were aware that he had no previous experience with modeling. Our creative people saw something in him that we needed for our campaign. Authenticity. Honesty. Integrity. He certainly delivered, and the campaign is by far our most successful.

Our products are in high demand, and we're here tonight to explore opportunities to expand our reach into markets we currently have no representation in through strategic partnerships. You're both highly respected distributors in your respective markets, and we've heard good things about you.

If Calvin eventually decides he can no longer be our spokesmodel, then we'll part ways as the best of friends. He took a chance with us as much as we did with him. We learned a great deal with this campaign, which we'll use for future product lines."

Dieter looked Harper in the eye and nodded. Harper signaled the bartender to deliver the beer.

This brought a smile to the man's face, and he raised his beer to her.

Dinner was cleared, and dessert was served, but Calvin passed as his stomach was unsettled by the tension.

Hashimoto came to his rescue. "What do you like to do?"

Calvin smiled. "Art. I like to create art."

"Calvin is a brilliant artist!" Harper said with a proud smile.

"Did you go to art school to learn this?" Hikari asked.

He shook his head. "I taught myself. I like to do sketches. We didn't have a lot of money when I grew up, but all I needed was a piece of paper and a pencil. I learned how to make my pencils last, as I drew a lot. In high school, we had art class, and I learned how to paint, but I could only do that during class as I wasn't allowed to paint at home."

"You had strict parents?" Dieter asked.

"The man Mom and I lived with after my father died when I was two was very strict. Life wasn't easy, but we got by," Calvin explained.

"May we see your art?" Hashimoto asked.

Calvin smiled at the man as an idea came to him. "May I sketch you and your wife? It won't take long, I'm pretty fast." He turned his head to face Harper as he suddenly realized he was diverting her party. "If that's okay with you, of course."

Elke made a small, odd sound that might have been a low moan. It was quiet enough that only Calvin and Dieter heard. Her eyelashes fluttered as she watched him, then she looked at her husband, and Calvin focused on Harper.

She smiled at him, then looked at her guests. "It's fine with me. Calvin's sketches are in high demand as well. All our senior executives at the office have been begging for him to visit and create one for them."

Calvin's eyes widened. "Oh! I didn't know! I could, I suppose..."

Harper smiled. "When they aren't quite so busy with managing the release of the new line."

"I would very much like that!" Hashimoto said, so Calvin quickly left the table, collected his sketch pad, a travel tube, and his pencils from his bedroom, and returned.

"Should we move?" the man asked.

Calvin smiled. "Maybe move your chairs a little closer together. That's it. I won't take me long, and you don't have to hold a pose after I see the pose I need."

He opened the page, saw their smiles, and began to draw. Harper took him at his word and lobbed a few business-related questions at the two men.

Twenty-three minutes later, Calvin smiled and set his pencil down. He removed the sheet and handed it to Hikari, who held it up before her husband.

Neither spoke as their eyes traveled over the paper, soaking in all the fine details.

Hashimoto was speechless for a moment as he looked at Calvin. "This is so well done. I will frame this and hang it in our home for all visitors to see. You have captured the essence of us as a couple. I am eternally grateful!"

Calvin's face heated up. "Thank you."

Dieter nodded in approval. "It's not the kind of art we'd hang in our home, but I'm impressed you created it so quickly."

Calvin just nodded as he was grateful that they hadn't insisted on getting one too. He knew when he offered one to Hashimoto, he would have to do one for Dieter, but he was worried his true impression of them would come through in the art. The couple made him uneasy.

They left the dining room and went to the lounge to continue their after-dinner conversation and drinks.

Harper slipped into her office to collect some papers.

Calvin stepped out to take his sketch pad back to his room.

When he stepped out into the hallway, he came face-to-face with Elke. She was a little taller than he was and maybe a little more muscular. He wondered what kind of lifestyle led to that.

"Ah, Calvin! Which of these doors leads to a bathroom?" she asked, and he relaxed.

"It's this one here," he said, opening the second door in the hall.

Suddenly, he was being pushed into the room as Elke followed him in. She pressed him against the countertop, facing the mirror as she ground her pelvis into his ass. She had one hand gripping his hair as the other one struggled to get into his pants.

"Settle down! You don't want to upset your mistress when she'd invited us here to play!" Elke insisted.

Doubt and confusion flashed through Calvin's mind. Was she implying Harper knowingly invited them here to have sex with him?

No!

He suddenly leaned forward over the sink to make it harder for her to get her fingers into his pants. When she leaned over his back, he straightened up quickly and cracked her nose with the back of his head. That hurt them both, but at least it made her let go of him.

When she stumbled back, he rushed for the door, yanked it open, and ran into Dieter's palm, which covered his entire face.

The colossal man smelled of beer and sour sweat and pushed him back into the bathroom, closing and locking the door behind him. Elke was leaning back against the counter, dabbing at her nose, which wasn't even bleeding. She smiled hungrily at Calvin, then stuffed the facecloth into his mouth.

Dieter pulled his arms up behind his back and wrapped one big fist around both arms to pin them there.

Fuck, he was strong!

Then he seized Calvin's long hair in his other fist and pushed him up against Elke. He could feel his groin pressing against hers, and she trembled with a slow smile spreading across her thin lips.

"I like them feisty. They break slowly but sweetly. You're going to be mine, Calvin. Just like Dieter is mine," Elke said softly as she stroked the bridge of his nose.

He realized everyone had missed the true power dynamic of this couple. She was the leader.

He was pinned between them as her smile grew. She was pushing her knees between his legs as she pulled his zipper down.

He felt Dieter's belt under his hands, so he grabbed it to brace himself.

Then he suddenly spread his legs wide and pulled them up quickly. He bashed his knees on the edge of the vanity countertop, but he didn't stop lifting his legs until he could brace his feet against the marble top. Then he pushed with all his might, launching Dieter and himself backward until Dieter's legs hit the tub and his back crashed through the sliding glass doors. The noise of the falling and breaking glass was incredibly loud.

Kicking the counter also broke the large mirror mounted above it. Huge, jagged pieces of glass exploded as they hit the marble and stabbed into Elke's back and ass. She screamed.

The bathroom door suddenly exploded inward as Hashimoto opened it with a savage kick. Calvin was deeply impressed.

Standing behind him were Harper and several of the workers she'd hired.

Dieter threw Calvin aside with a roar, and his head struck the tank on the toilet.

A flash of white light filled Calvin's vision, then it felt like he was trapped inside a church bell.

The ringing went on and on, and his vision blurred. He knew he was lying on the cold floor, but the room was moving, so all he could do was moan and try not to throw up.

Distorted shouts faded in and out, and a dark shape was thrashing and screaming until he fell as well. Then, grey shapes came into the bathroom and touched Calvin.

That's when he lost his dinner.

-=-

Calvin woke up in a hospital bed in a quiet and private room. A machine next to his bed announced his waking with a gentle Bing, which drew his eyes up to look at it. He was relieved to see clearly this morning, and the ringing was gone. The night before, his vision remained blurry as the ambulance arrived, and the intolerable din of the church bell in his head droned on and on.

He'd managed to stay conscious all the way to the hospital and through all the tests the doctors subjected him to. Afterward, he'd somehow fallen asleep with all that noise going on. This morning, it felt like he was returning to a state of normality.

Except for the left side of his face, which felt swollen and stiff. His arms ached from being forced up behind his back. His knees ached, too.

A few minutes later, a doctor entered the room and smiled at him. "Mr. Lane. I'm Dr. Lewis. I took care of you when you arrived last night. You said your vision was blurry and your ears were ringing. How are you feeling this morning?"

"The blurriness is gone. I don't hear the ringing either. My face feels stiff and sore, and my arm muscles and knees are sore," he said.

The doctor looked into his eyes and measured his pupil responsiveness, then leaned back with another smile. "Yes, you took a bit of a beating last night, so you'll be sore, and it will take time for the swelling in your face to go down. No permanent damage to your money maker, though."

Calvin stared at the man in confusion until the man circled his own face with a finger. "Models need to keep this intact, right?"

"Ah, right," Calvin said, not bothering to correct him.

"There are two detectives who are asking to speak to you. Can I send them in?" Dr. Lewis asked.

"Detectives?" Calvin asked in surprise.

"Regarding the attack last night, I assume," the man clarified.

"Ah, okay. Sure. Thanks!"

The doctor nodded and left. A minute later, two plain-clothed detectives entered and showed him their badges. They had him describe the events of the night before from his perspective. They asked him some rude questions regarding his relationship with them and Harper, which made him think of Elke's implication that Harper had invited them to do this to him. Once more, he pushed that thought away and kept it to himself.

Then, they left.

With nothing else to do, he dozed. Then a visitor arrived. It was Harper.

"I'm so sorry about your bathroom!" he immediately said.

"What?" she said in surprise.

"I heard all that glass breaking--"

"Calvin! You were attacked! You defended yourself! The Schmidts will be paying for the repairs as they were at fault! I had no idea they were like that! I never would have invited them over otherwise.

He felt a wave of relief sweep over him as the last of his doubts dissolved.

She must have seen something in his expression as her focus on him sharpened. "What was that?"

He glanced up at her, seeing her doubt and anxiety, and felt the need to explain. "She... she said you'd invited them... to play."

Harper's hands flew to cover her mouth as her eyes widened. "Oh, Calvin! I'd never--Please believe me, I would never treat you like that! I'm not such a monster--"

"I didn't believe--didn't want to believe, but she said it so confidently, like it was natural for... that level of society...." His expression twisted in his guilt for allowing the woman to warp his perspective. "I'm so sorry! You've been so good to me, protecting me, taking me into your home, and I let her confuse me out of ignorance...."

Harper reached out and took his hands in hers. "No! Calvin! Please don't. You're not to blame for any of this! She's a wicked bitch for manipulating you like that! She needed you to be confused so she could take advantage of you!"

A stricken expression suddenly froze on her face as she looked down at him, and her grip tightened.

"Calvin... Oh, God... I... I see now that I have been taking advantage of your good nature," she said, and his eyes widened in surprise. "I've been keeping you in the dark, isolated from the impact the ad campaign is having in the world. You have a meme! It's the most successful set of ads we've ever made, and the attention you've created for us is priceless. I didn't want that to stop!" She looked away as her guilt flared. "I even told you not to see the models you did the shoot with, then hid you in my home so the public couldn't see you. I... I wasn't thinking of you. I was trying to protect my company's interests! I've become just like my family. I... am a monster!"

She pulled her hands back from his and rushed from the room before he could speak.

Calvin felt lost. It felt like his only sanctuary had slammed its doors in his face.

Chapter 15

After spending three days in the hospital, Calvin was sprung by Julian. Calvin relaxed back against the comfort of the leather car seat in a sports car that barely contained his large frame.

"Thank you for picking me up and for taking me in. I'm not going to get you into trouble with your boyfriend, Enrique, am I?" he asked hesitantly.

Julian flashed a smile in his direction but maintained his attention on the road.

"Enrique no longer lives with me. I deserve better," he said.

Calvin glanced at the smile on Julian's face. "He didn't hurt you, did he?"

Julian spared a second to glance at the concerned look on Calvin's face and shook his head. "No, I just realized what I'd taken for passion was actually insecurity and low self-esteem. I explained that we weren't compatible, and he had to go."

"And he did?" Calvin asked in surprise.

Julian smiled wickedly. "Carmen's three brothers helped him pack his shit."

Calvin chuckled at the look of satisfaction on the man's face.

They enjoyed the car's smooth, quiet ride as Julian skillfully guided them through traffic to his condo. He used a fob to open the security gate and pulled into the parking lot.

"I wasn't able to score a prime spot in the basement, but at least the surface spots are covered," Julian said with a smile as he tucked the car under a metal awning designed to look like waves. Solar panels covered their surface.

As they got out, Calvin noticed a handsome Hispanic man outside the security fence staring daggers at Julian, who was obliviously collecting the suitcase from the trunk.

Could this be Enrique? That seemed like trouble.

When Julian returned to join him, Calvin surprised him with a full-body hug, causing him to drop the suitcase.

"Thank you for taking me in. I'm sorry for putting you in the middle since Harper won't see me," he said, keeping Enrique in the corner of his eye.

As they released the hug, Calvin pretended to just notice the man watching them and turned to face him. He raised a brow in question. He saw a flash of recognition, then a look of utter defeat crossed the man's face as he turned away and left.

Finally, some actual benefit to his fame.

Calvin turned his attention back to Julian, who was smiling happily.

"It's not a hardship! I hate being alone, and with Enrique gone, I welcome the company." A frown of worry briefly appeared on Julian's face. "As long as he stays gone."

"He won't be back. He knows he was out of his league," Calvin assured him confidently.

"Okay, talk like that will inflate my ego to intolerable levels. Not that I'm complaining!" Julian said with a joyful smile as Calvin picked up his suitcase. They entered the building and went up to the tenth floor.

Calvin was impressed by the building's clean, bright interiors and nodded appreciatively.

The condo itself was lovely, and Julian's style was apparent in the colorful yet calm aesthetic touches throughout the space.

"You have a beautiful home," Calvin sighed.

Then he noticed the drawing he'd made of Julian. It was beautifully framed under glass, lit by a soft spotlight on a ceiling track. It was the nicest presentation of one of his art pieces he'd ever seen.

"Wow! I'm really impressed with how you're showing this!" he said.

Julian chuckled. "Hey, it makes me look good, too!"

He showed Calvin the spare bedroom, where he left his suitcase, and showed him where the guest bathroom and towels were. "The laundry is off the kitchen. Let me know if we are running low on supplies."

They walked back and took seats in the living room. "Thank you for picking up the suitcase. I've tried to reach out to Harper, but she won't speak to me. I don't know why, and I don't know what to do about it."

Julian looked sad. "Yeah, our leader hasn't been herself the last few days at the office. When I went to her home to get your clothes, she'd packed them, leaving the suitcase by the front door. When I tried to speak to her, she just told me that she'd make arrangements for you to come by to pick up your art supplies and car. She was really subdued.

Calvin frowned. That didn't sound like the dynamic woman he'd come to know... and grown fond of, if he was being honest. He wanted to help her break free from this funk.

"Carmen will be joining us for dinner. She's bringing her brothers," Julian said with a cheeky smile.

Calvin smiles at the man. "You seem happy about that."

"You can never have too many hunky men at the dinner table," Julian said with a grin.

-=-

Carmen gave Calvin a firm hug and gently turned his face to examine the last remnants of his bruising. No long-term damage had been done, thankfully.

"Pretty as ever!" Carmen teased, then she introduced her three brothers, Miguel, Javier, and Adan.

Calvin shook hands and then turned his face back to their sister. "They're models, too?"

That got chuckles from the men. Carmen did the introductions.

Miguel was the oldest and had taken over the family landscaping business, working with their father. He had a wife and two girls.

Javier, the middle son, studied finance and worked in an investment company. His wife owned and operated an art gallery. She was keen to see more of Calvin's work after seeing the portrait he'd done of Carmen.

Adan was a year younger than Carmen and was an architect. He was single, very attractive, yet had no current prospects, according to Carmen. Adan shot her an annoyed look, but there was no real fire in it.

As the men entered the condo, they took a moment to admire the décor. Their last visit had been brief and strained due to Enrique's eviction.

Javier stopped before Julian's portrait and stared at it. After a moment, he turned to Calvin. "My Angelina is the true expert when it comes to appraising art, but I have to say, your work is remarkable."

Calvin smiled shyly and nodded his head in thanks.

Dinner was served as they sat around the dining room table. Calvin allowed himself one glass of wine to be social as the others enjoyed theirs.

Julian was apparently quite a chef and had prepared the meal. Adan was particularly impressed.

Miguel pointed to the pale-yellow bruising on Calvin's cheekbone. "Carmen hasn't told us anything about how that happened. Can you tell us?"

"Ah, well, I was attacked by some guests at a dinner party Harper had at her home. There was a husband and wife from Düsseldorf, Germany, who decided they wanted to have sex with me and weren't interested in my consent. In the struggle, the husband threw me across the room, and my face struck the tank on the toilet. I can't tell you much after that, except help had arrived at that point," he admitted.

They were quiet as they contemplated the violence that night.

"Why would they assume you would go along with this?" Javier asked incredulously.

Calvin shook his head slightly. "The wife was... extremely dominant, and her brute of a husband was her slave, willing to do anything she said. She wanted me... to be like him."

A shudder went down his back, and Carmen placed her hand on his arm as she'd seen him twitch slightly. He looked into her compassionate eyes and gave her a little smile.

"It was my first business dinner party. I didn't know how to behave or what to expect." He went silent. "I certainly wasn't expecting that."

He looked at Carmen. "Harper visited me in the hospital the next morning and apologized, but it wasn't her fault. She was so upset about how she'd treated me, but I don't understand! She's been nothing but kind! She compared herself to her family, but I don't know what that means."

Carmen's expression changed dramatically as she stared at Calvin with a dropped jaw.

Her brothers scowled at her until the eldest spoke up.

"Don't keep us in the dark if you know something!" Miguel insisted.

"Comparing herself to her family makes her current behavior make sense!" Carmen blurted, then saw the frowns on everyone's faces.

She raised her hands to calm them as she gathered her thoughts. "The St. Clair family fortune is old money and blood money at that. Even before they arrived at the dawn of this country, they've been exploiting their workers, destroying their competitors with every dirty trick and shady political back-door deal, all in the name of power and profit. Family after family was destroyed in their quest to be the top of the pyramid. There were other equally brutal and corrupt families fighting for that position, but when Harper learned how her family made their fortune and how much damage they did along the way, she promised herself she wouldn't follow in their footsteps."

Carmen focused on Calvin. "She must see how she's treated you as an example of how her family exploited others."

He shook his head slowly as he tried to recall something to show this. He remembered her words in the hospital room. "She said she isolated me from the world so I wouldn't see the campaign, but I wanted that. She also said she'd prevented me from dating the three ladies I modeled with for the campaign. I thought that was due to how it might impact the image of the campaign, and I agreed to it."

"Dating three models?" Javier asked with an impressed expression.

Calvin nodded. "They were really great to work with, and we all had a really good time. We'd arranged to go on dates when we returned after the shoot, but Harper gave me the exclusive contract and let me know it wouldn't be a good idea to date them during the campaign." His expression froze. "Was that not true? Is that what she meant about exploiting me?"

Carmen shook her head gently. "The image of you dating three models at the same time would have definitely impacted the campaign. Your... disappearance from public view has just inflamed the public's curiosity about you."

Javier nodded. "It's true! Angelina says the ladies in her gallery frequently mention you. The ads are keeping you top of mind, and the clothing is so high quality, people are not disappointed when they are swayed by the campaign." He paused for a moment. "I suppose if you were to suddenly appear in the media doing something people disapproved of, it might impact the brand as well."

Carmen gave her brother a skeptical look. "Do you really think society would think less of him, or the brand, if he were seen dating more than one gorgeous model? If anything, his popularity amongst men, and women, would increase. It's still a man's world." She paused for a moment while she tried to work out what had been going on in her boss' mind. Finally, she shook her head.

"I'm not sure why Harper thought otherwise, but she did, and here we are."

Adan looked at his sister. "How has she been at work?" he asked.

Carmen gave him a troubled look. "She's lost her confidence. That's what Harper was most respected for. Her undaunting confidence and drive. This made her undefeatable."

"I need to speak with her," Calvin said.

Carmen gave him a sad look. "She's not easy to see."

"I need to speak to her tonight!" he insisted.

Eyes locked on him, and they saw his fierce determination.

Smiles appeared, and heads nodded.

"I think you're right," Carmen said. "Let's go!"

Next came a mad scramble to get shoes on, and they rushed downstairs.

"We're taking my truck!" Miguel insisted.

They squeezed into the big vehicle. Miguel drove with Carmen riding shotgun in the front passenger bucket seat. The rear bench only held three, with Adan, Calvin, and Javier squeezed side by side. Julian ended up on Adan's lap, much to their embarrassment.

Miguel gave no one time to get settled, keeping them rushing across the city until he pulled into the gated community. Luckily, Carmen was on the officially approved list, and they were allowed to enter the neighborhood and up Harper's driveway once they punched in the code on the access panel to open Harper's gate.

They parked in the driveway and unloaded from the truck, standing before the front door.

"How are we doing this?" Carmen suddenly asked, as she hadn't thought this through.

"What do you mean?" Miguel asked incredulously.

"I can't believe you leapt without looking again!" Javier groaned.

"Please, just get Harper to open the door and let me speak," Calvin said earnestly.

Carmen gave him an embarrassed smile and a nod before pressing the doorbell.

Calvin stepped to the side, and moments later, the small screen next to the doorbell lit up with Harper's face.

"Carmen? What are you doing here so late, and who are the others?" Harper asked with a subdued voice. Carmen's stomach ached from the sound of it.

"Sorry for the late hour, but I was out with my brothers... and Julian. I really need to speak with you for a moment. It's important," she said, looking beseechingly into the door cam.

Harper looked reluctant, then sighed. "Okay, give me a minute."

The little screen went off.

"Now what?" Carmen asked.

Calvin took her hands in his. "Now, you leave. I will speak with Harper and try to straighten out her misconception. If I can, hopefully everything goes back to the way it was. If not, at least I tried to make her see the truth. Maybe it will sink in later. My car is here, and I can collect the rest of my stuff and drive back to Julian's."

Carmen quickly kissed Calvin's cheek and pushed her brothers and Julian back to the truck. They piled in and looked back just as Harper pulled her door open.

Calvin looked into Harper's stunning blue eyes. Faint bruises surrounded them from tears shed. They widened in surprise as she looked into Calvin's equally blue eyes.

He waved behind himself, and the truck engine started, and they drove back down the driveway.

"But, she said--"

"I need to speak with you. You fled my hospital room before I could respond to what you said," he said gently. "May I come in so we can talk?"

Her mouth moved, then she nodded and stepped back.

Once he was inside and she'd closed the door, she led him into the living room, where they sat on the sofa.

"I'd like to say a few things that might clear up some misconceptions, so please bear with me. You'll have an opportunity to respond, but please let me get out what I need to say first," he said, watching her eyes, and she nodded.

"For most of my life, I drifted forward while I struggled to find my place in the world. I wasn't as smart as my classmates, didn't relate to them, wasn't as coordinated as them, so they kept me at arm's length. I survived all this as I had something that kept me sane.

Art.

It was in my high school years that a wonderful art teacher showed me I had something to offer. Even though I struggled with all other classes, I immersed myself in art, and it saved me.

It wasn't going to save my life as it couldn't put food on our table or pay our bills, so I found basic work I could do to earn some money. Loading bags of soil into cars in a garden center, making take-out deliveries, washing dishes in restaurant kitchens, working in stock rooms, being a waiter, and performing other menial labor.

I was still drifting forward when Carmen and Julian found me. They offered me an opportunity to earn more money than I typically make. That's always welcome. It was something I'd never tried before, and I had a good time doing it. I had no expectations of continuing in this field and believed I'd go back to my existing job.

On our flight back from the shoot, you offered me an exclusive contract, and I understand it was to protect the campaign your company was investing in. I understand the importance of that. Many people depend on your company's success. A lot of them are people I've come to know and call my friends.

As we discussed the new contract, we talked about the three ladies I'd agreed to go on dates with after we returned. On your suggestion, I let them know we wouldn't be able to do that until the contract expired. They were upset as I'd broken a promise, but I understood it was because of how important the campaign was to the business."

Harper's expression was very bleak, and her eyes began to well up fresh tears.

"Please, there's no need for tears. I haven't finished, and I don't mean to make you sad," he pleaded. She grabbed a tissue to dab her eyes and looked at him. He gave her a gentle smile, and she nodded.

"We're both aware of what happened when the campaign went live. I wasn't prepared for it, as never in my life have I ever had that much attention on me. I went from being invisible to being the total focal point for too many. I didn't cope well. I almost had a nervous breakdown.

But you saved me.

You offered me the sanctuary of your home--I know you had your own reasons for doing it. I know keeping me out of the public eye guarantees the campaign continues to draw feverish attention, which generates interest in the company and its products. I want you to understand that you could have told me of your ulterior motives, and it wouldn't have made any difference to me.

You saved me.

You brought me into this oasis of calm and gave me purpose and the freedom to express my greatest desire, creating art.

I don't mind that you were taking these steps to ensure your company was successful.

You seem to think you've done me some great harm, but I'm telling you that you're wrong.

The fact that you believe you did means you have a compassionate heart, and that's proof that you're not like your family."

Harper sucked in a sharp breath as her eyes widened.

"Carmen filled me in on the background of your family and how you tried to separate yourself from them and their ways of doing business. You told me in the hospital that you think you're a monster like them. Did they show any concern for the bad things they did, as you did? It didn't sound like they did, and I think you were exceptionally brave to separate yourself from them. Did you use their methods to grow your business?"

She shook her head stiffly as she watched him with wide eyes.

"Then you should remain proud of your achievements. Nothing you've done since I've been involved with your company leads me to believe you emulate your family in any way other than succeeding. That you can achieve it without resorting to their methods tells me you are better at business than they are.

Your company needs this. Your people need this. You need to continue this for their sake."

He smiled at her, and she realized he was done.

"You don't hate me?" she asked with a little girl's voice.

He smiled as he shook his head. "Not in the slightest. If it makes you feel better, you can feel free to tell me all the reasons for your decisions about the things you ask me to do. I won't feel hurt."

She sucked in a shaky breath. "You aren't mad I isolated you from the world?"

"You say isolation. I say sanctuary." He nodded to himself. "Speaking of which, after the dinner party last weekend, I'd planned to give you something I've been working on. I'd like to do it now if you don't mind."

She looked at him curiously, so he smiled. "It's in the cabana."

Her eyebrows rose, and she stood immediately. He followed her with a smile on his face as she headed for the door. She turned the lights on in the garden, then they stepped outside and followed the path through a lovely garden they could barely see, even with the accent lights along the walkway.

They reached the cabana, and Harper pressed the code on the small panel to unlock the doors. She went inside, turned on the overhead light, and saw the back of a large canvas resting on the easel. She looked back at Calvin and saw that he was a little nervous.

"I hope you like it. I had a dream of our time in Costa Rica. What it meant to me and who I shared it with," he said.

Giving him another look, she moved around the easel and gazed upon the painting he'd poured his soul into.

Her first impression was the chaos and beauty of the colors and the sense of movement. The colors coalesced into shapes, and she saw that the painting was filled with nature. The flowers, monkeys, trees, crabs, vines, cats, fruit, dogs, seaweed, strips of pristine sand, and crystal blue waters.

People! On the beaches, in the shops and restaurants--the three models from the shoot, the crew! Her eyes were jumping from highlight to highlight.

Lamai, Nina, and Steph walking along a dark road with flashlight beams pointing up to the canopy above.

Julian and Carmen, laughing over drinks in the bar at sunset.

Starlight glowing on a face both familiar yet strange to her. The eyes were picking up the glitter of the stars above, yet they showed such determination, strength, and drive.

The eyes were so blue.

Harper froze. She was looking at herself... as Calvin saw her.

She turned her face to look at him and saw that he was holding his breath.

"It... It's incredible," she said in awe.

Calvin exhaled as a shy smile appeared on his face.

Harper turned back to the painting and let her eyes float over its surface. It was such an explosion of color, but when she focused on a spot, she'd lose herself in the details and the exquisitely captured life in every inch. She realized she could spend hours traveling within the borders of this art.

Then she noticed that the paint's texture on the canvas, its varying thickness, and the direction of the strokes were what gave the painting its sense of motion, like waves on the ocean. They suggested paths for the viewer's eyes to follow.

"I've never seen anything so beautiful!" she breathed.

"I painted it for you. To show my appreciation of the sanctuary you gave me... when you saved me," Calvin said.

Harper turned to him and pulled him into a hug. It felt so right!

She was so grateful he forgave her for the terrible way she treated him. She vowed she'd never forget to think of his needs again.

"I understand you never expected someone to invade your space and disturb your peace. I should have been stronger. I survived a toxic high school experience, being thrown out of my home, and starting over in a new place halfway across the country. I should have toughed it out. I'll let you get back to your life. I'll get my stuff, but this painting is yours."

She pushed back to look into his eyes. "What? You're leaving?" she gasped.

He looked at her cautiously. "I understand the reason you invited me to stay here was just because I was a danger to the campaign. Julian said I could stay with him until the contract expires. You can have your privacy back. I don't want to be a burden to you."

"I don't want you to go! You're not a burden!" she insisted.

Calvin was lost once more. He wasn't sure if she was still feeling guilty about her behavior.

"It's okay. I truly do understand why you had me live here. You no longer need to," he said gently.

Harper was becoming frustrated that he didn't understand at all. She pulled him closer and looked into his eyes. "I want you to stay. I've discovered that I don't like coming home to an empty home. I... I really enjoy your company. I like you!"

She huffed in embarrassment. "I have trust issues. I've never met a man I could trust... until you."

"Oh! I really like you, too! Actually, I think I'm in awe of you. You are so much in control of your life, and you have so much drive and ambition, and you're so incredibly smart!"

Blue eyes locked onto his. "But... do you think I'm pretty?" she asked with her little girl voice again.

His smile was warm and genuine. "Harper, didn't you see yourself in that painting? I think you put the Heavens to shame with your beauty."

Harper's mouth found Calvin's, and after the briefest pause due to his surprise, he kissed her, too. They couldn't get enough of each other's mouths.

Then Harper frantically tried to peel Calvin's clothes off.

Again, he was only half a step behind her due to his surprise, but he caught up quickly and helped her with her clothes once his clothes were in a pile at his feet.

They faced each other in their mutually naked states, and she took his hand and led him to a large chaise lounge at the back of the cabana.

He let his eyes roam over her body, and he liked what he saw. She was fit and took excellent care of herself. Yet another example of her control over her life. "You are so very lovely!" he sighed.

Harper was very pleased with Calvin's body. He hadn't overdeveloped his muscles, like some of the athletes she'd dated, but he looked strong and fit. She suddenly became conscious of their age difference.

"Do you mind me being older than you?" she asked quietly.

Calvin stopped ogling her breasts and locked eyes with her. "I have no issues with age. Besides, we can't be that far apart.

"I'm thirty-two," she said nervously.

"Seven years is nothing," he insisted with a smile. Before she could speak, he leaned forward and captured her lips with his. The kiss went on until they pulled back, gasping. Every nerve felt like it was tingling.

She stretched out on the lounge, and he followed her to rest his body over hers.

Something very hard and hot was pressing on something very wet and hot.

"Ah! Calvin!" she gasped.

"You feel incredible!" he moaned.

Rocking his hips, he slid his cock between her lower lips until he was well lubricated with her juices. He dipped back a little extra on his last stroke and tucked himself down to press the head of his cock into her pussy until he could feel her inner muscled tugging on him.

"Oh, yes! Calvin!" she moaned as she felt his heat entering her body. They were a perfect match. There was no ache of a thrust being too deep or being stretched too wide. She could feel him filling her with his heat and strength, and it was driving her mad with tingles.

"Fuck me!" she begged, and he began to stroke in and out with more energy. She liked that, so he increased his speed and strength.

She was crying out with joy, and he could feel himself getting closer as she was too damn sexy.

He added a little grind to the bottom of each stroke, and this was exactly what Harper needed to race up to her release.

"Oh, God! Cal! Harder!" she cried out, so he began to slap her body with his on every thrust.

He felt her pussy clamping down on his cock in pulses, and that was too much for him. Hot cum surged into her body as she wrapped her arms and legs around him to hold his body tight against hers.

They remained pressed together while they tried to catch their breath.

Eventually, Calvin pulled his face back to look into her eyes. She was smiling sweetly up at him.

"I wasn't expecting this tonight!" Calvin sighed.

"Neither was I, but I'm far from disappointed," she said.

"I'm delighted--No! That's too weak a word to describe how right that felt," he gushed.

Harper giggled, and then they both moaned from their intimate connection.

"Should I pull out?" he asked, and she locked her legs behind his.

"Don't you dare!" she said playfully.

"Okay! Okay!" he gasped as he throbbed.

After a few minutes of basking in the afterglow, Harper released his legs, and he eased his relaxed cock from her.

"So, you'll stay with me?" she asked.

"Yes, please," he responded.

"It's not always going to be this sexy, but I can see it happening often," she said seriously, and he burst into laughter. That brought a smile to her face. She liked the sound of his joy. He had an open and honest laugh. That made her feel... safe.

The heat in his eyes made her feel desired.

They'd work out the rest over the next few weeks.

He was right in that she had certain habits she'd developed from living alone for so long. She might not be able to adapt to having him in her life so completely.

He leaned forward and brushed her lips with his. Her mind went on holiday for a moment.

Maybe she could adapt to him after all.

Chapter 16

Calvin nervously checked his jacket once more for loose threads or wrinkles.

A soft hand slipped into his and firmly but lovingly squeezed it. He looked up into brilliant blue eyes.

"Calm yourself, Cal. There is nothing to be nervous about," Harper said to him with a brilliant smile.

He nodded, then looked out the front window of the art gallery and saw that the guests were beginning to arrive and would soon enter.

The security teams were fully deployed, but that was more for the guests. He'd been informed that requests for invites had come in from the agents of some famous actors, musicians, and professional athletes. Even a few politicians tried to crash the party, but you had to have standards. The line had to be drawn.

All these movers and shakers were friends and acquaintances of Harper.

On his side, his mom and uncle would be coming, and Cal had sent an invitation to his trade school electrical engineering professor and his wife as a thank-you for ensuring he didn't put anyone at risk. If anything, it would be a nice night out for the couple.

His friends from Altrea Wear were also invited, and he expected to see many of them.

At the designated time, Angelina opened the gallery doors and shook hands with her first guests, Melinda Lane and Doug Prentice. Calvin stepped forward and gathered his mother and uncle into his arms to hug them.

Once he released them, Harper was there to press cheeks with the two.

"It's so good to see you again," she said with a genuine smile.

When they'd decided to make their living arrangements permanent, Harper visited Doug's home to talk with Melissa. Harper and Calvin had come to the decision to live together in her home. While they intended to be life mates, they would not be marrying, and there would be no legal link between their estates. When they chose to have children, Calvin would be their legal father, but the children would be linked to Harper's estate.

Calvin would want for nothing, and his modeling contract would be increased and set with a yearly renewal. He would remain the fashion spokesperson for Altrea Wear. Future campaigns were already being designed.

Harper would also be a patron of his art, but anything he made from its sale would be his. He could use this income at his own discretion.

While theirs might not be a conventional relationship, it met their needs, and they were happy.

When they'd had the conversation about children, Calvin had confessed to Harper about the child he might have had with his neighbor's wife before she disappeared at three months pregnant. She said she'd have her people investigate, but if she hadn't attempted to contact him already, she wasn't likely to.

His mom really liked Harper, and Doug was a little dazzled by her.

Melissa's eyes swept across the paintings hanging on the gallery walls as her eyebrows rose.

"Calvin, they're beautiful! You've been so busy!" she said in awe.

Harper smiled proudly as she saw Calvin's face warm up. "This doesn't even include the sketches he's been producing. Dozens of them! He's in high demand for portrait sketches."

Carmen entered the gallery and pressed cheeks with her sister-in-law before rushing over to hug Harper and Calvin.

"This is so exciting!" She looked around. "Angelina wouldn't stop gushing about your paintings! Now I finally get to see them!"

Miguel kissed his sister-in-law's cheek at the door and walked over with his wife, Lucia, on his arm.

Calvin shook the man's hand and pressed cheeks with Lucia. "How are the girls?" he asked.

Lucia answered with an annoyed glance at her husband. "They were not happy they didn't get to attend, so Papi made promises that you might visit again."

Calvin looked the man in the eye as he raised a brow. "Oh, did he?"

Now Miguel looked embarrassed. "You won't make me look bad in front of my girls, will you?"

Calvin rolled his eyes dramatically, and Lucia burst into giggles.

"Fine! But only if Lucia makes that amazing dish again!" he said. That got him a hug from the woman.

They turned to see Javier kissing his wife, with Julian and Adan right behind him.

It had come as a huge surprise to the family when Adan announced that he and Julian were a couple. No one had even been aware that he was gay. They all loved Adan, so the family adjusted and welcomed Julian into the fold. It was harder for the grandparents, but they didn't want to lose access to the family and played nice.

Calvin smiled as he'd never seen Julian so happy. There was a calmness to him now that looked good on him.

A few members of the press had been invited to shed some light on the mysterious Feel-So-Good man, finally. Harper's people had put together a thin release for them, but they'd meet with Calvin later to ask their questions.

A short time after Calvin officially moved into Harper's home permanently, some images of him appeared on social media--a rare event due to his isolation.

It was a series of him wearing only the briefest of shorts as he painted a large canvas. He'd been unaware of these pictures.

The last shot was of the pretty photographer, her arm around Calvin, as they smiled at the camera.

He'd wondered when that image would surface. From the series of pictures showing a lot of skin, none showed what he was painting, as she'd cleverly blurred the canvas, so that became another meme with all kinds of silly or naughty subjects appearing on the front of the canvas.

Tonight, the reporters would see the actual painting.

Guests he didn't recognize began entering the gallery, and he cast a nervous glance toward Harper. Strangers judging his art was still a difficult experience for him. It had made choosing the painting for this show more difficult than he'd expected.

Harper and Angelina had been with him during the selection process, and the ladies quickly discovered that the more sensitive he was about a piece, the more thought and effort had gone into the art. These were also the ones Angelina wanted for the show. She ended up with twenty-four paintings and a group of sixteen sketches.

A special piece was on loan from Harper and was showcased in the best spot in the gallery.

Out of the Blue was Calvin's gift to Harper the night they discovered their love for each other.

Harper took Calvin's elbow and guided him forward to meet his guests. It was showtime!

-=-

After the last of the guests left, the only people remaining were family and close friends. Chairs were dragged into a circle, and the chatter was excited and happy. Meeting celebrities was a novel experience for most. Angelina's head was spinning as this had been her most successful event. She'd also given two separate interviews with the reporters who grilled her for insight into Calvin's life and talent.

The man in question cast his eyes around the gallery to take in all the red tags affixed to the nameplates next to the paintings. These indicated sold items. Of the twenty-four paintings selected, only three were coming home with him, not counting Out of the Blue, which had generated a tremendous amount of attention.

All sixteen of his sketches had been purchased as well.

"So how does this work, now?" Miguel asked with a little smirk on his lips. "Calvin's art gets sold for high but not astronomical prices. Some of those buyers turn around and resell the art for even higher prices, which then gets sold again, driving the prices ever higher. The next time Calvin has a showing, the prices are already adjusted up to those stratospheric prices."

Javier grinned and added his two cents. "It's called Perceived Value Evaluation," he added smugly.

"Stick with stocks and bonds, dear," Angelina sighed, and Javier stuck out his tongue with a fake pout.

Harper stood before the group and tugged Calvin to his feet as everyone turned to face them.

"Firstly, I'd like to thank you all for attending Calvin's first art exhibition. It meant a lot to both of us."

"Yes! Thank you, everyone!" Calvin gushed, realizing belatedly that he should have been the one making this speech. He gave Harper a loving smile.

Harper smiled at him. "This is such a close group. You've all become like family to us, and some of you are family to Calvin!"

That got some chuckles.

"With that theme in mind, I think this is the perfect opportunity to announce the family will be getting a little bigger." Harper took Calvin's hand and placed it over her tummy. She watched his eyes widen, then he pulled her into his arms and kissed her face until she was laughing and couldn't catch her breath.

"Stop, you silly man!" she chuckled, and he moved to kiss her lips.

The others cheered happily.

Calvin pulled Harper over to his mother and uncle, who both gave her hugs.

"How far along are you?" Melissa asked.

"Twelve weeks," she said, and eyes widened.

"You waited three months to tell me?" Calvin gasped.

Harper looked into his eyes, surprised by his tone. "At first, I wasn't sure. Then it felt too soon, and something might go wrong. My checkups have all gone very well, and the most recent one showed the baby is healthy. It felt like it was time."

Calvin looked at his mother, stunned.

Melissa just shook her head at him. "A woman knows when to announce these things. You were a trouble-free baby as well."

He turned back to Harper. "Please! Feel free to lean on me for anything."

She nodded, and her contrite expression told him she realized she should have informed him earlier.

Melissa gestured to the door with a look at her brother. Then she gave Calvin and Harper more hugs.

Doug joined her. "It was a delightful evening, and I couldn't be happier with your good news! Thank you for inviting us!"

Calvin walked them to the door, then took his mother's hand and turned her to face him. She gave him a puzzled smile.

"Mom, the money I made from the sales tonight is yours," he said, and Doug's eyes widened in surprise, but his mom looked confused.

"I never want you to worry about money again. I don't want you to work terrible hours or do backbreaking tasks. I'm going to take care of you as you did for me for so many years," Calvin insisted.

Doug faced his sister. "Listen to your son. You wouldn't listen to me when I told you to look for a less draining job. I even told you that you didn't have to work at all! I earn enough to support us both! If you won't listen to me, listen to your son. He wants to take care of his mother. I want to take care of my sister. Let us!"

She blinked tearily at the two men. "You're both too good to me."

"No, we're just the right amount of good to you," Doug insisted. They had a group hug, and Melissa promised she would submit her resignation the following morning. There was a flower shop in the neighborhood that had a help-wanted sign in its window. She thought that might be something she'd like to do. She wasn't ready to retire!

Calvin locked up after they left and rejoined the others. He helped clean up, stacked the sold art in the vault for shipping the following morning, and then they left the gallery.

Harper relaxed back in the limo they'd arranged and cuddled all the way home.

His hand rested on her tummy, and he couldn't wrap his head around the idea that his child was growing in there.

It was such a... miracle.

After that first night together as a couple eight months ago, he remembered her telling him that she used birth control pills. He cast his mind back to the intervening months, but he couldn't recall her saying anything about going off the pill and having to be careful.

"Uh, aren't you on the pill?" he asked.

She looked up at him curiously. "I stopped taking it six months ago."

"Oh! Did you tell me? I don't remember if you did," he asked carefully.

She was quiet for a moment. Then she looked up at him with a guilty expression. "I guess I didn't."

"I'm not mad. I'm not. I'd like to participate in some of these important decisions. I know you're not used to sharing responsibility, but can you try when it affects us? For me?"

"I'm sorry," she said with a little girl's voice.

He hugged her and kissed her temple. "I'm not mad, and I wouldn't have said no."

They finally got home, and Harper led him inside and locked up for the night.

Calvin followed her into their bedroom, and they quickly undressed, though Calvin could see she was still thinking about how she'd forgotten to take his concerns into account.

He understood. She did try... most of the time, for the little things.

It was only when the decisions had significant repercussions that she'd slide back into her old way of thinking.

She trusted her own intuition and judgment and relied on no one else.

He wasn't mad. He trusted her intuition and judgment, too.

It was just that whenever this happened, he felt like a passenger in his own life.

But perhaps that was just his perception of her actions, filtered through his experience.

They crawled under the covers, and she pressed her body up against his, and her eyes sought out his, begging for his forgiveness, needing his understanding, and he smiled.

Unlike the family she was born into, which raised her to be this strong, independent woman, to crush all who stood in her way, he knew there was no malice in her soul. Every day of her life, she'd been trained to win. She was the product of that environment.

Then, she broke away from her family's rules.

They'd failed to make her like them, as she was better than they'd ever be.

He knew in his heart that the torment she was feeling now was undeserved.

"Harper, I love you no less than completely, and I always will. I won't ever give you a reason to doubt that. You can trust that I will always be in your corner. I can't wait to have a child with you!"

Her lips found his, and by the time they pulled back, it felt like they were sharing souls.

"Are you okay with us trying for a second shortly after the first is born? I'd like to have three, fairly close together in age," she asked.

He chuckled in amusement. Her plans were made, but she needed him to carry them out.

"Yes, that sounds like a wonderful plan. I can't wait!"

Images of the paintings and sketches he'd do of Harper with their babies glowed in his mind.

His muse was smiling upon his life, and he was so grateful for her, too!