The Exposure

   Construction in Delaware might throw a kink in his plans.

   His phone rang as soon as he sat down at his desk. “Nathaniel, hello.”

   “Hey, Luke. Thanks for agreeing to talk on such short notice. We’re heading out this afternoon and I’m not going to be easily accessible for the next week.”

   “Going somewhere fun with Abby?”

   “And the kids. We’re going to our chalet in Switzerland. First time we’re taking the kids.”

   He felt a ping of jealously. Nathaniel was one lucky SOB with his gorgeous wife and submissive, and they had two great kids. But he also knew that, just like anything worth having, the Wests worked hard on their relationship.

   “I hope you and Abby manage to get some alone time,” he half joked.

   “That’s what nap time is for, my friend.”

   Luke laughed. “I hear you. So tell me what’s going on.”

   He heard Nathaniel sigh and a chair squeak as he leaned back. “I heard back from Fritz Brose.”

   Fritz was the contractor they wanted for the Partners Club in Delaware. He’d been recommended by Cole Johnson, one of the senior group members. Luke had never worked with Fritz, but had heard of him and, after talking with Fritz in person, both he and Nathaniel knew he was the man for the job.

   “What did he have to say?”

   “His schedule isn’t going to allow for him to be in the States for any length of time, much less to start on the club, for at least another six months.”

   Luke breathed a sigh of relief. “To be honest, that’s not bad news for me. I potentially have a project that’s going to take up a lot of my time. Six months would allow me to complete it.”

   “Same for me. I’m rearranging my executive staff in New York and I need to focus on that. Well, when I get back into the country, that is.”

   “Do you want me to call Fritz back and tell him we’re okay with the time frame?”

   “No, I can take care of it.”

   After he got off the phone with Nathaniel, Luke leaned back in his chair and smiled. For the moment, everything was going his way. Now he just needed to get Meagan on board. . . .

   * * *

   That night, Luke sat in a Manhattan deli waiting for Meagan to show up. Everything had been her idea, from the time they met, to the location. Had it been up to Luke, he’d have picked her up and taken her to a nice restaurant. But instead, he’d let Meagan have her way and that meant the entire vibe for the evening screamed, This is not a date!

   As if he needed the reminder.

   She must have felt the need to prove she wasn’t lying the least bit, because she walked in ten minutes late, talking on her cell phone, and barely acknowledged his existence. Without giving any sort of indication that she even knew he was there, she slid into the corner booth he’d selected, sat down, and continued her conversation.

   “Right,” she was saying to whoever was on the phone. “That’s the angle I thought we should take.” She paused to let the person on the other end talk. “But what else would you expect?”

   Luke cleared his throat. She glanced his way for the first time and held up a hand.

   “Yes,” she continued. “I agree. Talk it over and call me back.”

   “Don’t let me keep you from anything,” Luke said.

   “You’re not.” She put the phone in her purse, and placed her hands in her lap. “Thank you for agreeing to meet with me.”

   “I’m at your disposal whenever you need me.” Was it just him or did she look uncomfortable? She fidgeted in her seat and her eyes swept the deli. “Are you okay?” he asked.

   “Yes. Sorry. It’s been a strange week. Nothing major.”

   He didn’t believe her. There was something going on. Something more than just a strange week. But for the moment, he would let it slide.

   “I was surprised to get your call,” he said, bringing the conversation back to why they were sitting at the same table on a definitely not a date get-together. He passed her the envelope containing the nude pictures he’d taken of her years ago. “That’s all of them. I don’t even have copies. Now, what additional information can I give you about the art project?”

   “Can you give me a feel for the pictures? Will I be alone or will there be a Dom in the scene with me? Will I be naked? Is there any way to conceal my identity? I really don’t want people to know I’m doing this. If I agree, that is.”

   Luke bit back his laugh. “One question at a time, sweetheart.”

   She flopped back in her chair and crossed her arms, but didn’t say anything. Clearly, she was waiting for him to say something.

   “You’ll probably be naked for some of the photographs, but don’t worry. This isn’t pornography. It’s an art book. And as of right this second, I don’t foresee bringing a Dom in, but you never know. And we can work it out to where your name isn’t listed and your face isn’t visible.”

   She nodded. “What’s your time frame?”

   “I would like to get the project wrapped up in the next few months.”

   “And if I agree to this, how long will it take and when will you need me?”

   “I know you’re busy and have a demanding job. I think we could get together weekends only. Maybe Saturdays?”

   “It’s because of my job that I don’t want it public that I’m the model.”

   Her request made perfect sense and shouldn’t be a problem. He could only imagine how difficult it might make her job if word got out she’d posed for a BDSM photography book. No matter how artful it was. “Of course, Meagan. I wouldn’t want to do anything that caused you trouble or made you uncomfortable.”