After a few shots, the rest of the models have already started to make their way into the studio. Alex was standing by her computer next to the cameras looking at the pictures she just took.
I start talking to a girl named Poussey. She's short and petite with a buzzed head but her smile is dazzling. Before I can get to know her more, I hear her voice again and my head immediately turns to it.
"Hey kid, come look at these" she says without looking up from the screen.
I give Poussey a nod and walk over to the brunette and stand in front of the computer facing her.
"You aren't going to be able to see them from there. Get over here"
I let out a nervous chuckle and walk around the stand so I'm standing right next to this woman. I can practically feel the heat radiating from her body.
"I gotta say, these pictures are good. You're going to be great for this line. How do you feel about working with the other models?" Alex turns her head to look at me but then quickly looks towards the other side of the room where the rest of the women are conversing.
"They're great, I can't wait to work with them. Do I need to change first or is this the first outfit I'll be wearing?"
"For now, stay in that. I'm going to bring a few of the girls over here with you and we'll get started. Don't be nervous kid, it'll show in the pictures"
With that, she winks and makes her way over towards the group and starts talking to a few of them pointing towards my direction. A few moments later, four other women are standing next to me.
I met them briefly before so I already knows their names: Poussey, Lorna, Daya, and Janae. They are all beautiful and have been working for a while. They are very well known and liked.
"Okay, Lorna stand front left. Daya stand behind her a little. Janae and Poussey, mimic their positioning on the other side. I want to bring a lot of different emotion in this shot. And Piper, go in the middle and bend over slightly. Be carefree and vibrant alright. Change your poses as we go, drape yourselves over one another."
They go on like this for a good hour before they are swapped with other models. Everyone changes and then does individual shoots, couple shoots, and group shoots. A lot of the models here are incredibly popular in New York. They are favorites. I can't believe I get to work with them. There's Poussey, Taystee, Janae, Maritza, Flaca, Daya, Maria, and Lorna. They are all beautiful and different. So diverse and perfect when combined.
The day goes by fast and all of models have finished up their shots and have headed out. The crew packed up mostly everything besides Alex's camera and her laptop. The lights are lowered and now it's only Alex and I left in the studio. I'm the last to be shooting. It's late, around 9 pm and I'm just about ready for my final shots.
I just changed into my final outfit of the day, wearing a black strapless and cropped bustier bandeau with white shorts and an oversized purplish grey cardigan that falls off one of her shoulders. My hair is slightly tousled and makeup is dark.
Alex is looking through some of the earlier pictures when I walk out and sit cross legged in the middle of the floor. I sit up straight with my arms extended down holding on to one of my ankles. One leg is bent up more and I look down waiting on Alex. I don't say anything. For some reason that I don't know, I want to stay here with the brunette. I like that it's just the two of us because all of my nerves aren't as heightened since the other experienced models have left.
"Hey, are you ready?"
"Huh?" I look up "Oh, yea sorry. What do you want me to do"?
Alex slowly walks up to me and crouches down in front of her. She touches my knee and brings it up more and pushes it outwards. My eyes follow her every move.
"Hold your arms straight down and on your ankles for the next few shots and then bring one up on your knee later. Since we had your hair tousled a bit, you'll run your hands through it for a few shots later, okay" Her hand is still on my leg and I can't help but focus on the warmth of her touch.
I nod and look up at Alex. I study the brunette's features and I don't care that she knows I'm staring. It's insane how incredibly attractive she is. She smiles softly and picks up her free hand and moves a strand of blonde hair behind my ear. Her hand lingers on my cheek while she keeps eye contact. I slightly lean into the touch almost instinctually.
Time seems to not exist. It could have been a minute or an hour or a whole day, but I'm not sure. Green stares at blue and blue stares at green. Both bright and full of wonder.
Alex is the first to break the silence, "Stay just like that" Her voice has dropped to a whisper making it sound even huskier.
I can't bring myself to say anything, I just continue to study her. Alex removes her hand from my cheek ever so slowly, dragging the tips of her fingers tracing down my jaw with featherlike touches that sends shivers through my spine.
"Beautiful" Alex mumbles so quietly that Piper isn't even sure the brunette said it. But she did.
Alex drops her hands and I instantly miss her touch. She stands up never dropping her gaze. My eyes follow her as she rises and makes her way back to her camera.
I shake my head and smile realizing that I completely zoned out and she had already started. Alex takes more shots before I finally realize I actually need to pose and well, model.
When I look up again I start posing, giving Alex my best sultry and sexy look.
Seeing Alex flex her jaw at my change in demeanor, sends a new wave of confidence through me. And it starts to show the longer we continue. I part my lips and bring my hand to my hair as my elbow rests on my knee that's bent up and I tilt my head. After about 20 minutes, I decide to pick it up a notch. I bite my lower lip and look down and as I slowly start to pick up my head and look straight into the camera, I wink and give a devilish smile. I change poses and expressions going from painfully adorable and beautiful to drop dead gorgeous and seductive. I'm quite pleased with myself.
Another 20 minutes goes by and we are done.
"Okay, that should be enough for today." She pauses and looks at the pictures loading onto her laptop screen. "These are…great. You really do have a natural talent kid"
"Why do you call me that?" I stand up and walk up to Alex keeping a little distance because the pull between us is anything but minimal.
"Call you what" She looks up at me.
"Kid"
She lets out a chuckle, "I don't know, I just say it" she's smiling, clearly amused.
"Do you think of me as a child because I look like one or because I'm new to modeling?"
"You're young and a fresh face in this business, but no. I don't think of you as a child. A child wouldn't be able to produce pictures like these" she turns her head to the laptop where the shots of me looking incredibly seductive and confident are displayed.
"So then what do you think of me?" I take a step closer to her, testing the waters, and lock eyes.
"I think you got some serious talent… kid" she smirks
That fucking smirk
I take a breath and get even closer. Only a couple inches are between us now. My voice drops an octave, "That's not what I meant." My voice is a whisper and I search the bright green eyes in front of me.
"What do you mean then" Alex steps even closer. Our lips only a few inches apart and our bodies nearly touching.
Feeling bold, I reach up and place the tips of my fingers on the older woman's jaw. It's a light touch, featherlike.
"Does this affect you is what I mean" I keep my eyes on her lips.
Alex doesn't say anything and she flexes her jaw. It's surprisingly hot. The way her jaw tightens when I touch her. The way she is restraining herself. She's losing control. There's obvious chemistry between the two of us. A pull towards one another. Even if I wanted to, I couldn't stop this connection or ignore it. It's too palpable.
I see her lips curl into her signature smirk as she also raises an eyebrow
"Well wouldn't you be affected if a model was mere inches from you"
How does cocking her eyebrow drive me insane?! Remain calm, Piper
I look up after watching her lips. My fingers are carefully moving their way down her neck and making indescribable patterns by her collar bone.
"Considering I am a model, no, but I am when it's an enigmatic and hot photographer" I speak slowly
"So, you think I'm hot" she replies without missing a beat.
She grins again. Good god.
I stop moving my fingers and back up. This banter is something I like and I want to keep it up but at the same time I don't want to be talking at all.
Get it together Chapman!
"Are you kidding?! Have you ever looked in the mirror?"
"I did this morning. In fact, I do every morning." Her grin widens.
"You're literally sex on legs!" I immediately regret my inability to appear calm, collected, and smooth. My foot-in-mouth disease is quite severe and I'm internally punching myself in the face.
"Do you really want to know what I think of you?" She takes a step towards me and she tilts her head.
"Yes" my voice is barely above a whisper.
"I think you don't actually know the affect you have on people." She pauses. "You make me lose control" Her voice is low and before I can even think of a reply both of her hands are cupping my cheeks pulling me into her, crashing her lips against mine.
The kiss isn't soft or sweet. It's intense. I instantly kiss her back. Her hands move down my body until they are firmly gripping my hips. She pulls me impossibly closer to her as my hands go to her hair. Her lips are soft and she glides her tongue against my lower lip asking for entrance. I give it to her and moan as her tongue slides into my mouth. Our mouths meld together and we fall into sync. I have never been kissed like this or felt this way simply from a kiss.
After what seems like a few minutes she breaks away and presses her forehead against mine. Our breathing is frantic as we catch our breath. I can feel my heart pounding in my chest. My head is dizzy and it takes another minute before I come back. I finally open my eyes to see her already staring at me. She's the first to break the silence.
"Come home with me"
"Okay" is all I manage to say as she takes my hand and pulls me towards the door.