Austin, Texas

"What the hell are these?" JR threw an envelope of pictures down on the coffee table and Sue Ellen suddenly wished she hadn't asked her mother to give them time alone, JR was angry and she was scared. As she picked up the pile of photographs she realised exactly why he was so upset, these pictures weren't at all what she'd agreed to model the last time they'd gotten in an argument and she was almost ashamed of herself that she'd even allowed herself to pose like that. "How did you get these?" JR was livid, that wasn't the question that needed answering right now, "never mind how I got them, what the hell were you thinking? How could you let yourself be seen like this?" Sue Ellen was speechless; she didn't really have an answer. "I…I'm sorry JR. I didn't want to, but the photographer he…" JR cut her off, his protective side had changed the focus of his attention and his general mood from angry to defensive. "The photographer did something to you? What's his name? I'll deal with him", Sue Ellen had no doubt that he would deal with the photographer, he was definitely angry enough; "well, I didn't want to pose like that, but he said that he'd call my agency and tell them I was uncooperative. JR, I just got back to doing my regular work, I can't have negative feedback now, I didn't feel like I had any other choice", she was close to tears now, defensive of her actions but only because she felt like she had to be, she didn't actually think what she'd done was the right thing. JR was relieved that the photographer hadn't physically touched her, he had just threatened her; though that wasn't much better and wasn't going to save his career. "Sue Ellen, you always have a choice. You do not need to be a model, you choose to. I don't like that you're choosing your job over your dignity. You are my girlfriend and I would gladly provide for you if it meant you didn't have to sell yourself like this. Hell, I bought you an apartment for graduation, you don't need to work, I can give you all the money and things you'll ever need and want. I let you model because it seems to make you happy, but from the sound of all the stories you've been telling me lately, it isn't making you happy anymore. I don't think you should do it any longer; I'll set up a fund for you and you'll have everything you need", he finished speaking and waited for her to react, it would go one of two ways and he wasn't sure which one she would choose.

Sue Ellen was a little surprised, was he suggesting that she quit modelling? "I'm not going to quit, I like modelling, especially now that I'm back doing fashion. I was complaining these past few weeks because I wasn't getting the work I wanted, but I am now and this is just one small bump in the road. I didn't want to pose like that, but you're going to deal with the photographer and I'm sure that you'll never let anyone see those, so it's like it never happened, right? I promise, I know my limits, this was just one little mistake. I love you for offering to provide for me, but until we get married, I'm not sure that I want to quit modelling just yet", she didn't want to admit it out loud, but she liked modelling because it made her feel special and important. She actually like that people recognized her from magazines and gave her attention that other girls didn't get; she wouldn't say it out loud because it would make her seem narcissistic and conceited, but attention was one of the things she loved about modelling. JR listened; this wasn't as easy as he'd hoped, "let me explain more clearly. When I said that I didn't think you should model anymore, I meant that I don't want you modelling anymore and you won't be modelling anymore, I was trying to be as kind as possible but you're being argumentative. We've had this discussion before; those bikini pictures? Remember? You told me that I was being overprotective about harmless pictures and that you knew your limits; that you'd never pose immodestly. I think these pictures prove that you don't have quite as much self-control as you originally thought. I'm standing by my position, modelling is just too provocative these days; I won't have you in that environment anymore", he was determined; she would not argue with him and would not get her way. There was too much at stake for her to ruin everything over a few silly pictures, she did not need the money and she didn't need the infamy that would come if he allowed these pictures to be used, it would ruin the good-girl image that she had.

"You won't have it? JR, you are not my husband, you have no authority to make those demands. I told you, I won't do it again, but please, give me another chance, I don't want to quit modelling now", she was no longer apologetic, she was angry; he really wanted her to just quit. What was she supposed to do with her time if she stopped modelling? He hadn't even proposed, she was nothing and no one yet, she had to be a model if she wanted to stay relevant. JR didn't like that she was arguing, "you may not be my wife, but if you ever do want to be Mrs JR Ewing, you'll take my suggestion and quit. Otherwise, you'll be single and jobless, because mark my words, these are the last pictures you will ever pose for. Your career is over; your modelling days are through. If you'd like our relationship to be over too, then keep arguing", his eyes were full of rage and she'd never seen him like this. No wonder he was so feared in the oil community, when he wanted something, he got it; he didn't quit at the first hurdle. Sue Ellen could tell that he was completely serious; she'd just ruined her own career with her inability to say no when her gut feeling was telling her to. There was no doubt in her mind that JR wouldn't follow through on his threats to make sure that she never modelled again, she didn't even know that he was already in control of the work she did have and she was on the losing side with either decision she made. "Fine!" she yelled, JR had won and she really was not happy with the situation; she turned and started to walk away, determined to make him suffer at least a little bit; she wouldn't stay there and watch him act pleased with himself. "Where do you think you're going?!" he shouted and grabbed her wrist, he wasn't going to let her get away that easily; for some reason, the way she had just screamed at him was very attractive, he was turned on by this side of her. "Upstairs, I don't think you need me here to celebrate your victory", she spoke bitterly, "not until I say so" he pulled her back to him and she was confused, she couldn't quite read his emotions, there was anger, but there was something else. Was it lust? "This is my house, I can do what I like!" she was arguing just for the sake of arguing now, interested in why he wanted her here, "I think we've determined that I'm the one in control here" he spoke in a low, husky voice before he kissed her. She was shocked, how did they go from arguing about photographs to arguing about their relationship to this? This wasn't a romantic kiss, it was demanding and filled with raw emotion, as much as she hated that he'd won, she loved that she was seeing a different side of him and she loved how he was making her feel right now.

To be continued…