He'd titled the series “The Claiming of Her,” though he assured me that, in his mind, I was the one doing the claiming. I wasn't sure who was more nervous about their first reveal to the public, him or me. Sure, it was my body, but when it came to art, that was a matter of soul.
Still, my skin flushed as I saw on the walls what I'd only seen before in Cade's studio. I reached up with my free hand to self-consciously pat down the up-do I'd managed to wrangle my curls into. I'd started letting my hair grow out again just before I'd done the photoshoot and it was now long enough now to pull back. I'd originally started growing it because Cade had asked if I would, but I had to admit that it helping to disguise me from the woman in the pictures was an additional benefit.
“Relax,” he murmured as he squeezed my hand.
I didn't get a chance to respond as Alejandro, the gallery's owner, approached. He was a handsome older gentleman, probably in his mid-sixties, thought I was too polite to ask. He'd also made no bones about the fact that he found both Cade and I extremely attractive. I'd almost been put off by his open comments when we'd first met, but it hadn't taken long for him to put me at ease, and the flirting was just part of the usual banter now.
“Bree, darling!” He kissed both my cheeks, letting his hands linger on my shoulders until Cade glared at him. “Cade, darling!” He repeated the embrace. “Have you decided to allow me to paint you?”
Cade rolled his eyes and I laughed. From the moment we'd met, Alejandro had been trying to convince Cade and I to pose nude for him, a process that they both informed me would result in the three of us sleeping together. We'd declined and he'd respected our decision, but he still liked to tease us with it every once in a while.
“Looks like a great turn out,” I said as I looked around, trying not to think about what all of the people around me were looking at.
“It is,” Alejandro said, his dark eyes sparkling. “Everyone has been practically breathless with anticipation over this exhibit.”
“Only because you promised them the most sensual pieces they'd seen in years,” Cade countered.
My blush deepened and I hoped Alejandro would mistake it for anything other than what it was. Judging by the way his eyes widened ever so slightly, my wish hadn't been answered. He knew. To my surprise, however, he didn't say anything about it, but continued on as if he hadn't just figured out who Cade's model was.
“I did,” he admitted. “And these are. Everyone admired your paintings and I've already had offers on three separate pieces.”
“Really?” Cade sounded completely caught off guard.
Alejandro smiled. “I told you that you're quite good.”
“See,” I said. “It's not just me who thinks it.” I wrapped my arm around his waist and he put his arm around my shoulders. I leaned against him, enjoying the solid warmth of his body.
“As for these,” Alejandro continued, gesturing to the pictures all around us. “I've been hearing words like 'alluring,' 'seductive' and even 'captivating' being thrown around.” His eyes sparkled. “And more than one person wondering just who these amazing models could be.”
Cade stiffened slightly. He'd just realized that Alejandro had figured it out.
“I tell them that the anonymity is what makes them so wonderfully mysterious.”
My boyfriend relaxed. “Thank you.”
Alejandro made a dismissive gesture. “Now, there is someone I need for you to meet. Please come with me.”
Cade and I followed Alejandro across the space, weaving between the small groups that were forming at each of the photographs. I kept my chin up and a smile on my face, willing myself not to blush as I heard men and women alike complimenting my body.
“Daniel Rickman.” Alejandro stopped next to a short, stocky man with an expensively tailored suit and rings that were too ostentatious to be anything but real. The man turned towards us. “I'd like you to meet the artist, Cade Shepard, and his girlfriend, Aubree Gamble.”
“Mr. Rickman,” Cade said as he shook the other man's hand.
“Daniel, please.” He smiled and then turned to me. “Miss Gamble.”
“Bree,” I said. His handshake was firm, not too clingy but also not too abrupt. This was a man who spent a lot of time shaking hands.
“Daniel is an art dealer,” Alejandro explained. “Actually, he's the premiere art dealer for the entire east coast, and one of the most well-known dealers in the entire country.”
I expected some sort of false modesty from Daniel, but he didn't say a word, just accepted the compliment like a fact and moved on.
“I've been looking for an exciting new piece to display,” he said. “And I think this is it.” He pointed to the picture in front of us.
Of all the ones Cade had submitted, this was probably the most risqué. The full series of shots had been of me on my hands and knees, coming while he pulled a string of small metal balls out of my ass. He'd managed to find one where my arm covered my nipple, though the curve of my breast was fully visible. He'd then cropped it so that it showed my face half-turned towards him, pleasure contorting my features, the side of my naked body back to my hip, stopping just before revealing what he'd been doing. What really had completed the shot, however, had been the metal balls lying across my hip, just visible enough that people could guess why I looked like I was enjoying myself. I still remembered how nervous he'd been asking me if he could use the picture in the show. It was the one I'd been the most anxious about too, though now I was glad I'd agreed.
“This is exquisite,” Daniel said. “The way you captured the desire, the pleasure.” He glanced at Cade. “I must ask. Your models, Alejandro said they aren't professionals?”
Cade shook his head. “No, they're not.”
“Are they a couple?” Daniel took a step closer to the photograph, his eyes now fixed on the mask.
“Why do you ask?”
I tightened my arm around Cade. His voice sounded a bit sharper than was probably a good idea.
“Her face. Her eyes. I don't just see lust and desire there. I see love. Either they're a couple or she's an amazing actress who should consider modeling or acting as a profession.” His gaze slid down my body and came to rest on the metal balls.
“They're a couple,” Cade answered. “Who agreed to allow me to photograph them under the condition of anonymity.”
Daniel nodded. “Understandable, though a pity. They are both quite beautiful.”
“I thought so as well.” Cade's voice had returned to its usual charming tone. “After all, it's the artist's job to find the beauty in life.”
Daniel smiled as he turned back towards us. “I wish to purchase this piece. As I didn't see a listed price, I took the liberty of making an offer.” He held out a folded piece of paper.
I was still trying to process the fact that a man was trying to purchase a picture of me having an orgasm when Cade opened the paper. I glanced down and my eyes widened. I wasn't stupid. I knew how expensive some art could be, and I had a true appreciation for what Cade could do, both with a brush and with a camera, but I'd never considered the photographs could be sellable art.
“I would also like to take the entire line on a tour of various galleries across the country,” Daniel continued. “And I've no doubt that you'll receive many more offers like this one to purchase other pieces. For a modest fee, I would be happy to broker such deals and arrange for deliveries once the tour is completed.”