A/N- This started out as a fic that I wrote for Guiding Light characters and I could not find the inspiration to finish it. I changed the characters and some of the plot and was finally able to keep going with this.
Let me know if this is something you think I should keep working on! Oh, and I own nothing. This is all for fun.
"How much experience do you have with fashion photography?"
Callie paused to take in the other woman's bewildered expression before continuing, "I don't ever do this but I am desperate, and considering the circumstances under which we met, it does seem ironic that I met you, and…well... you do seem somewhat normal."
"Desperation... my all-time favourite quality in a woman," sarcasm laced Arizona's voice. "How does anyone ever resist your charm?"
"Awww, you think I'm charming!" Callie cooed, tilting her head to the side and batting her eyelashes purposefully. Arizona glared at the other woman. "Okay, as much as I enjoy this witty repartee," Callie started in a business-like tone, "I'm kind of on a tight schedule. Are you interested in working for me or not?"
"The woman who has just spent the past fifteen minutes annoying me WHILE I AM ON A PHOTO SHOOT is on a tight schedule?" Arizona sighed heavily and collected herself.
"Your reputation precedes you, Ms. Torres. Of course I'm interested. But I am going to need some time to think the offer over."
"I am offering you the opportunity of a lifetime. What is there to think about?" Callie asked incredulously.
"Well, first of all, taking the job would mean that I would have to work under you," Arizona began.
"Most people find that being under me isn't much work at all," Callie interjected, shooting the blonde an exaggerated wink. "And don't worry…once in awhile, on special occasions—like your birthday—I'll let you get on top." Oh this is so much fun, Callie thought wickedly. She is much funnier and smarter than that toddler in designer briefs I wasted my night with.
"You are incorrigible," Arizona said, trying to hide the smile playing on her lips.
Callie grinned. "And you love it. You're intrigued by me, admit it. You've already told me that you find me irresistible!"
"There are many words that I would use to describe you, but irresistible is not one of them."
"Why don't you enlighten me then? What words would you use to describe me?" Callie asked knowingly.
"Trust me, I would love nothing more than to deflate your enormous ego, but I'm afraid it would take me an entire afternoon to compile a list of all of your flaws," Arizona replied with a satisfied smirk.
"Right. I am sure that you have much better things to do with your time. You should probably get back," Callie said, pointing to the women sitting on the pink blanket, brushing their pooches in unison. "I wouldn't want to keep you from your big photo shoot—or is it more like doggy day care?"
Arizona took a step towards Callie. "Doggy day care?" She raised an eyebrow. "Is that the best you can do?" Arizona asked, defiantly taking another step forward. Noticing Callie's sharp intake of breath, she leaned in close to her ear, tucked a strand of hair behind the designer's ear, and whispered, "you know... for a self-proclaimed comedian, you're really not all that funny."
Callie fought to maintain some semblance of her composure. She would not give Arizona the satisfaction of knowing the effect that the younger woman's actions were having on her. She was Callie Torres after all... the wildly successful, incredibly talented, insanely seductive, Callie freakin' Torres, and she was being outplayed by one Arizona Robbins.
The blonde watched intently as Callie's eyes shifted up to meet hers. There was something hidden deep within those chocolate orbs, a silent determination, and it took only a fraction of a second for Arizona to realize that she was playing with fire.
Callie reached forward slowly, and lightly brushed the back of her hand across Arizona's cheek before running her fingers through soft, golden locks. The younger woman shuddered under Callie's tender touch. Smiling victoriously, Callie pulled her hand back and flicked a small tuft of dog fur into the air. "Job perk, or tip?" She asked, arching a perfectly shaped brow. "Boathouse Grill. Today. 4pm. Don't be late. Oh, and bring your portfolio." Callie spun around quickly and sauntered away, leaving a very stunned Arizona to process what had just transpired.
"4:02, Robbins, not bad at all—I like a punctual staff member, although I'm habitually late. How was the rest of the puppy party? Did'ja have fun? Did Fluffy make a wish and blow out all of her candles?" Callie teased looking up to the woman standing before her.
"Again with the jokes. You know, you should consider taking your show on the road... possibly playing in traffic while you're at it," Arizona quickly retorted.
Callie slowly trailed her eyes up the younger woman's thin but perfectly curvaceous body, pausing briefly when they met the deep V plunging neckline of Arizona's navy sundress. Almost on cue, Arizona cleared her throat and dropped her portfolio onto the empty plate placed directly in front of Callie. Taking a seat across from the designer, Arizona placed her elbows on the table and leaned forward, giving the other woman a delicious view of her ample cleavage. "This is what you wanted right? A reason to hire me... A reason to believe that I would be an incredible asset to you." Arizona's voice was dangerously low.
Callie tore her eyes away from the enticing view and met the other woman's gaze with an unwavering resolve. "Sweetheart, just because you have incredible assets, doesn't mean you are one." She reached down and picked up the other woman's portfolio. She flipped through several typical architectural shots before coming to a stop on a picture that literally took her breath away. "This photograph is exquisite," she stated sincerely, unable to hide the raw emotion in her voice that the photograph had evoked.
Reluctant to give the other woman any ammunition, Arizona hesitantly replied, "I was in Kenya at the Kakuma Refugee Camp." She looked to Callie, awaiting the sarcastic quip that she was certain would follow. She was pleasantly surprised when the brunette remained quiet, her silence prompting the younger woman to continue, "Africa is incredibly beautiful and the camp was completely isolated, I had never seen anything like it before. I was completely overwhelmed by the whole experience. That picture is from my very first day in Kenya. I was..."
"Ms. Torres, it's great to see you... again. You look amazing! What can I get for you this afternoon?" The young waiter interrupted, openly undressing Callie with his eyes.
"The usual," Callie responded with a sexy wink.
"And for you, Ms...?" The young man kept his eyes on Callie the entire time.
"Robbins. And I'll have a glass of Pinot Grigio." Arizona breathed an exaggerated sigh.
"Can I bring you something to eat as well?" He asked, still enthralled by the designer.
Callie's eyes danced back and forth between the extremely annoyed Arizona and blissfully ignorant waiter. "I don't know. Arizona, are you hungry?"
"No, but I am parched. Do you think that you could convince your boy toy to stop ogling you for long enough to bring me my drink?" Arizona narrowed her eyes at the older woman.
"I...uhh...of course, Ms..."
"ROBBINS!" Arizona's voice was much louder than she had intended.
"Ms. Robbins. I'm so sorry. I will be right back with your drinks," the young man finished before hastily walking towards the bar.
Callie folded her hands together and placed them behind her head before leaning back in her chair with a satisfied smirk playing on her lips.
"Don't look so smug. I am pretty sure that the waiter is sporting diapers under his khakis," Arizona deadpanned.
"Prude!"
"Cradle-robber!" Arizona shot back.
"Listen, just because I actually enjoy sex doesn't make me a cradle-robber," Callie argued.
"And just because I don't sleep with waiters that resemble a member of the Jonas Brothers, doesn't mean that I don't enjoy sex!"
The dark haired server returned and set the women's drinks down on the table. "Can I get you ladies anything else?" He asked professionally.
"Thank you, Nick, but we're good," Arizona said with a smirk.
"Nick? Who's Nick?" The confused man asked.
"I think she's referring to you, sweetheart," Callie chuckled.
"I...but my name is Alex." He pointed to his name tag. Arizona looked up to the waiter, clearly unimpressed. Noting the lack of acknowledgement on the blonde's face, he quickly retreated to his other tables.
"Somebody is jealous," Callie said in a sing-song voice.
"And somebody else is delusional!" Arizona mocked Callie's tone.
"You think I'm hot. Go ahead, admit it! I promise I won't hold it against you. In fact, I find it very flattering coming from a woman with your…assets."
"You are not without certain attributes that many people would consider appealing," Arizona began.
"Was that an admission?" Callie interjected cockily.
"No, and if you had let me finish speaking you would have heard that I'm simply not one of those people." Arizona sipped her wine.
"You're not?" Callie asked incredulously.
"No. I'm not."
"I see," Callie said, nodding her head as she reached for the speared olives that were submerged in her martini. She slowly, deliberately brought the garnish to her mouth. Callie licked her lips before expertly wrapping her tongue around the olive closest to the end, moaning audibly as she savored its salty taste. Arizona's eyes were glued to Callie's lips as her body reacted involuntarily to the soft moan that the other woman had just emitted.
Callie's lips quirked into a knowing smile. "Okay, so here's how this is going to work. I was actually impressed by your portfolio, and I am not easy to please. I take my work extremely seriously. I am truly only satisfied with the best. So, that being said, tomorrow night you are going to come to my place for dinner and I am going to have you do a practice shoot on my new line. If I like what I see than you have the job, if not, then at least you get a free meal out of it."
"I will agree to your terms on one condition," Arizona began, standing to move to Callie's side of the table.
"Name it," Callie replied confidently.
Arizona bent down and slowly but purposefully brushed the backs of her fingertips against the soft skin of Callie's cheek. She lightly pressed her chest into the other woman's shoulder as she leaned in close to whisper, "That we order take out." She glanced to the side and noticed Callie fidgeting with the stem of her martini glass before exhaling a warm breath of air down the designer's neck. The martini glass slipped out of Callie's trembling fingertips and its contents spilled out onto the table. "A woman with such clumsy hands shouldn't be allowed anywhere near a kitchen. Thanks for the drink, Calliope!" The blonde threw a smile over her shoulder as she walked out of the restaurant triumphantly.
