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Chapter 32

Author: Aurora Lee
last update Last Updated: 2024-08-10 08:17:15

Valentine

To say I was nervous would be wrong. I was apprehensive, at best. It would be easy. Just go in wonder around a bit until I saw her and then just apologise. I was still a little unsure about this but I felt like I owed it to Adira to at least make an effort. Chances were with her being friends with my father and Adira that we'd be running into each other more frequently and I didn't want those situations to be awkward. If she really was everything they said then she'd understand and would forgive me.

I had only scheduled myself an hour to be here as it was still a work day for me and I had some things to wrap up with before the weekend. I handed over my ticket and entered the gallery. There were more people here than I had anticipated and I slowly made my way around the room. There was a lot of small conversations going on around the displays, blocking part of my view. What I could see though were well thought out portraits of people, her models, in a variety of pos
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  • Love Behind the Lens   Chapter 34

    AdiraThe wedding weekend went off without a hitch. I actually had a really good time and I couldn't wait to get home and get everything edited for them. This had to be hands down the best wedding I'd ever been to and I'd told them as much. I had gotten so many good shots for them, wonderful pictures of their guests as well. I told them that I'd have everything for them ready when they returned from their honey moon, but had already given 10 of the best I could quickly touch up for them to release for publicity. It was actually a pretty smart idea - selling their own wedding photos to the media. It would help them recoop some of the cost of their wedding. I had flown back in on Sunday afternoon and instead of heading to my gallery apartment I decided to spend some time at home. The weather was finally warm enough to spend some time in the pool and that's exactly what I wanted to do for just a little bit. Before I jumped in the pool I sent Sebastian a message letting him know

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  • Love Behind the Lens   Chapter 35

    AdiraIt was mid morning before my phone beeped again. I had already arrived at the gallery and was corrently editing pictures with Adrian by my side chatting about the wedding. I picked it up and saw that it was Sebastian. I had completely forgotten that he hadn't messaged me back yesterday. I had mixed feelings about that - both towards myself and him. Usually he was the one messaging first and last. I would sometimes leave him on read when I was in the middle of a shoot and then remember later. 'Hey sweetheart. I'm sorry I had a family thing and didn't have my phone on me. I'm glad you're back and I hope you had a good time there. I'd love to see you for dinner tonight?'I sat there for a few minutes as my brain processed everything. I'd agreed to dinner with Valentine without even giving Sebastian much of a chance to answer. I mean we were just going as friends but things with him were kind of messy because I had some unresolved feelings for Valentine. But at the same

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    ValentineI watched as she stepped out of the cab and she was just as beautiful as I remembered. I secretly enjoyed that she did not give in to me entirely, that she kept her own mind. I met her there and took her arm conversing as we walked in. This resturant was actually owned by me, though I was the silent partner. I had only provided the financial backing for the business and the decor which allowed Vicente to do his thing with the menu. Because of this I had a permanent table here, one that I could use like tonight or that I could loan out to friends if the occasion called for it. The server greeted me instantly when we walked up and showed us straight to the table. I could feel Petra's questioning glance, but I wasn't ready to show all my cards. The resturant was busy tonight and I felt hundreds of eyes on us as we moved through the crowd. I was not surprised as looking down at Petra we did make a striking couple. I loved her elegant look, classy. At least until I r

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    AdiraI blame it on the wine. There's no other explaination for me willingly allowing this man's tongue to invade my mouth and fight for possession with my own. After a few minutes I pulled away to catch my breath, glad that he was still holding on to me. Chances were I would have fallen over if not supported by his strong arms. I stared up at him breathlessly, and he returned that with a look that spoke of secrets whispered in the dark. The lust in his eyes had shivers running up my spine. This was not why we came out to dinner. it was supposed to be a friendly thing - just getting to know each other and moving past prejudices. I certainly felt like I knew him better though, and he definately knew part of me better. I blinked rapidly before looking away and gently pushing myself out from his arms. Valentine was a no go. Not only was I seeing Sebastian - oh god poor Sebastian- but I knew Valentine was a playboy and he was Gio's son. I would never want to jepardize mine o

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    SebastianIt was 5 minutes til 8 and I was headed down to the lobby to wait for Adira. I had missed my little sunshine this weekend and had been disappointed when she'd turned down dinner. What I had told her wasn't a lie. I did have a family thing. I'd gone to see my brother after his divorce and we ended up drunk at a bar in Austin. I woke up in a strange girl's bed the next morning, my phone dead in my pants that were on the floor with the rest of my clothes. I had a killer hang over and high tailed it out of there and back to my brother's just in time to grab my stuff and make it to the airport in time to make my flight, which luckily had been delayed. I'd seen Adira's message when I was waiting to board and was secretly glad she said no to dinner last night as it gave me time to figure shit out. I couldn't remember the last time I'd been black out drunk. She didn't seem suspicious and I hoped to keep it that way. What I did was a mistake and when I'd gotten home I'd call

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    AdiraI drove to back to the gallery a little lost in my mind. Something was off with Sebastian. Maybe something really did happen with his family. I definately shouldn't be the one to judge seeing as how I had just been on a date with Valentine.My brain couldn't help but compare the two. Valentine was the dark to the light that was Sebastian. He demanded and commanded where as Sebastian asked and waited for my lead. Even their kisses were so vastly different. Valentine possessed and demanded dominance in a way that left me almost boneless. Sebastian's was sweet and inviting, encouraging mutual exploration that left me wanting to know more. I don't know what these men were doing to me and I was more confused now than ever before. This is a time when I missed the fact that I didn't really have any girl friends to ask questions of. Or maybe I didn't need them. I pulled into my usual spot and walked into the gallery seeking out Adrian. I needed to know how things went afte

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  • Love Behind the Lens   Chapter 40

    AdiraWith that settled, I returned to my office to continue working on the wedding pictures. I had put the folder of contracts aside to look at later and set my phone on top of it. I hadn't realized I'd gotten a message earlier and when I opened it I saw that Valentine had messaged me earlier.'Good morning bella. I hope you slept well and are feeling refreshed this morning.'I sent him a message back. 'I'm sorry I didn't see your message sooner. Good morning to you too and I am feeling well this morning. How are you?'Not even a full minute later my phone rang. It was Valentine.I aswered. "Wow. I feel special getting a call from the Valentine Rossi."He chuckled and said "You are special bella. It is good to hear your voice again."Now I laughed at his cheesiness. "You heard my voice just yesterday," I replied. "Many hours have passed since then. What are you up to today ?" he asked."I am actually going over some potential contracts I received from the showcase. What

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    AdiraWe watched as Valentine stormed out. At this point I think numb is the only way to express how I felt. Gio sighed and ran his hand through his hair. "He always was a hot head. It's the Italian blood. Well, let's not waste the food especially since you haven't eaten today," he said grabbing the food and wine and bringing it to the small coffee table. I watched as he went to the kitchen and returned with some glasses and silverware. I was grateful I was here with Gio right now as I'm not sure how I would handle this on my own. He handed me a container and a fork before pouring us each a glass of wine. I heard the TV come on and glanced over to see that he'd put on NCIS - another one of Charlie's favorite shows. We ate in silence and finished off the wine. At some point I nodded off and only woke when Gio laid me down on the bed in my room. I felt Charlie jump on the bed with me and I was out again.I woke early and laid there in bed with Charlie contemplating my next

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    Valentine"Valentine, son, wait, listen," Gio said standing and holding his hands out towards him in a calming manner. My brain was still trying to process what I'd just heard. Petra and Adira were the same person? But why? I mean, I was attracted Adira that night in the kitchen, the way that her shirt lifted revealing her cute purple panties and her giggling with Charlie. But why lie about it? Why wait so long after everything before saying something? Hell I'd been feeling guilty as hell about our kiss. But Adira had been dating Sebastian. Was that real? Was he just the cover or was I? When she wasn't with me was she really working or was she with him?I set down the food and the bottle of wine. I couldn't stay here right now.I had come to surprise my father with dinner since we'd missed family dinner on Sunday. Family dinner with Adira. Fuck.I looked around the room taking it all in, my brain still trying to piece it all together. I loved her, I loved Petra or so I

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    AdiraI ran like the devil straight to my room and locked the door before heading to the bathroom. I didn't care who he thought I was or what reasons he had, what he did was not ok. I felt dirty and angry and sad and guitly all at once as I started the shower. I threw my clothes straight into the trash knowing that I'd never be able to wear them again without thinking of this moment. I shot a quick text to my team apologizing, but asking if they can pack up the set and my cameras and just leave them outside my door. I cited an emergency and that I would return to get them. I turned the shower on scalding hot and stepped under it, scrubbing all traces of him off my skin. Once out I booked a return flight for less than two hours knowing that I needed to get home before the panic fully set it. I took one of the pills I carried for emergencies and packed quickly. My cameras and gear were in the hallway ready so I was able to make a quick get away. By the time I got to the air

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    SebastianHer body felt so familiar against me, her smell and taste one that had been seared into my mind forever. In one hand I held her arms above her head, holding her upright and bowed slightly while I cupped her pussy with the other. I could feel the heat of it through her tight pants and I groaned into her neck. I couldn't wait to slide into that warmth again. I nuzzled the side of her head in the spot I knew she liked before whispering to her "I'm sorry for last weekend. My brother had called to tell me that this fucking woman was going around our home town telling everyone that she was having my baby. I didn't remember sleeping with her, only waking up next to her naked. Even months later I couldn't remember a thing from that night and I knew something had to be wrong."I ran my teeth along her collar bone and felt her squiming. "You like that huh?" I said before doing it again. She froze and I continued, "Well long story short I went down there and confronted her wit

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