Leigh Hays - Providence

Rebekiah Kearnss passion is photographyerotic images ofsex, love, and the boundaries between them. Still wounded by the death of herbest friend, shes locked her heart away and forges her only meaningfulconnections through the lens of her camera.

Lindsey Blackwell never stops. Her work as a wealthmanagement consultant takes her all over the world, and she just doesnt havetime to make a relationship work. Women always end up asking for more than shecan give.

When Rebekiah receives a huge inheritance, all she wants todo is get rid of it, but Lindsey has other ideas. Their professionalrelationship quickly turns personal when Lindsey agrees to pose for Rebekiah.With every click of the shutter, Rebekiah finds it harder and harder to keep Lindseyin focus without getting too close.

Providence

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Providence

2020 By Leigh Hays. All Rights Reserved.

ISBN 13: 978-1-63555-621-6

This Electronic Original Is Published By

Bold Strokes Books, Inc.

P.O. Box 249

Valley Falls, NY 12185

First Edition: February 2020

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, andincidents are the product of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously.Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments,events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced inany form without permission.

Credits

Editors: Barbara Ann Wright and Stacia Seaman

Production Design: Stacia Seaman

Cover Design by Tammy Seidick

I wrote the first draft of this story over ten years ago, sothere are a lot of people to thank.

Barbara, Sandy, Radclyffe, Ruth, and the small army ofpeople who make the books happen at BSB. I cant wait to see what happens next.

My two writing groups, both past and present. NORWIG, whoencouraged and nurtured early versions of this story through thoughtful andgenerous criticism. Splendid Tribe, who supported me in the process ofrevising. Its a solitary job, and it helps to have coworkers along the way.

My coworkers both past and present whove supported methrough this process.

Aurora Rey for keeping me honest by kicking my ass when Ineeded it. I continue to grow as a professional with your friendship andguidance.

My family, in particular, my mother, and my family ofchoice. My life is richer with you in it.

My wife for finding space in our life for me to write andreading all the drafts. Not bad for a wet noodle.

My son. Because you make everything better.

Rebekiah had been pleasantly surprised when Nicole emailed her afew days ago, asking for more details. Theyd met for coffee, and after a fewminutes of casual flirting, got right to the point. Just to be clear, this isnot a boudoir shoot. Youre willing to have sex on camera.

Nicole had flushed. Well, not on video.

Rebekiah had frowned. Did she think she was doing porn? Herinitial confusion turned to irritation. This isnt porn.

Nicole had held up her hands. I didnt think it was.

Whoops, she must have sounded as irritated as she felt. Well,whatever her reasons, she needed to trust Nicoles intentions if she wanted toshoot her, so shed outlined her general approach and ended with, Im not surewhat Im looking for. Are you willing to take my lead?

Yes.

Now, a few days later, Rebekiah called, Hows it going? over hershoulder as she tucked a piece of paper into Nicoles file. It was a standardconsent and release form that allowed her to display and alter images from thesignee. She was pleased Nicole had the foresight to read and sign it beforecoming. Having it out of the way beforehand set the mood earlier. As far asRebekiah was concerned, nothing happened until it was signed. Shed been aroundthe art world and worked in it long enough to know how to protect herself.

Good. Nicoles voice emanated from behind the deep blue drapehung on an L-shaped rod in the corner.

Are you warm enough? Rebekiah asked as she paused at thethermostat. Sera snorted and snuffled in her bed behind Rebekiahs desk. Notyou, she whispered. The russet American Staffordshire terrier twirled andturned her butt toward her owner. Really? Rebekiah rolled her eyes andglanced toward the dressing area. Raising her voice, she said, Nicole?

Nicole pushed back the heavy curtain with a muted whoosh. Shecrossed her arms over her chest and shuffled her feet.

Rebekiah studied her, a grad student standing in expensive blacklingerie in her studio. She wasnt built like those skinny girls starving theirbodies until every single bone stuck out, defined and prominent under theirskin. Nicoles breasts were average size with a bit of droop, not perky but notsaggy. The stomach above her pubis bulged slightly but in a way that gave hercurves a sensuality lacking in the current definition of mainstream femininebeauty. Rebekiah turned the thermostat up another degree and crossed to her.

May I? She slowly pulled Nicoles arms away from her chest,smiled, and said, You look lovely.

Nicole blushed and ducked her head.

Rebekiah felt a slight tug on her hands and stepped back. This isabout you, Nicole. If youre not comfortable, you need to let me know.

Nicole nodded. Im okay.

Good. Then lets get started. Rebekiah backed up into the openfloor plan of her photography studio. Sunlight filtered through arched windowsand bounced off the pale hardwood floors and bright white paint that bookendedthe studios long end. Brick walls and heavy black shades provided contrast inthe room. Her current work area was centered around a low bed covered with awhite sheet and a collection of gray cushions. A couple of white and gray lightumbrellas surrounded the bed.

Rebekiah gestured toward the cushions. Why dont you getsettled? She stopped behind a camera on a tripod and took a few shots to testthe exposure settings. She adjusted the aperture for more light and made surethe shutter speed and the ISO matched the aperture change. Then she started grabbingthe light umbrellas by their black stands and positioning them.

While she worked, Nicole sat down and shifted, moving a pillowhere and there. She fumbled with her hands, looking unsure about covering up ornot. Rebekiah took a few more shots. She had no intention of using them, butshe needed to get Nicole into the space of being photographed. Why dont youmove your hands away from your chest?

Nicole stared at her. Where do I put them?

Rebekiah kept her eye against the camera and gestured above herhead. Put one across your stomachright theregood. And the otheryeah just alittleperfect. Okay, now why dont you lean back?

Like this?

Rebekiah pulled the camera from the tripod and cradled it in herhand. She nodded. Yeah. Perfect. Pull your leg up. Chin on your knee. Shebrought the camera up and bent back to her work.

Nicole nodded and situated herself. The position opened her legs abit more, and her face changed.

Rebekiah lifted her head away from the camera and knelt in frontof her. Are you okay with this?