Athena
~Book III of the Winter Series~
Sequel To "The Changes In Winter" Book II
~Springs Eternal Beauty~
With thy love my heart is bursting,
A flower in Spring, blossoming,
Exploding with joyfulness, trembling with energy,
I turn toward your warmth, reaching.
Your love is powerful, consuming, addictive.
Brighter is the world, bolder in beauty,
Confident in its allure, as is my beloved.
Your power enslaves me, Willingly.
CW
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ATHENA
I keep the love note from Christian in my purse and read it before the beginning of each shoot. It's such a sweet poem and it makes me feel needed and loved.
Thinking of Christian always makes me smile. When I’m away from him I miss him so much that it hurts.
Today just the thought of him is getting me through this exhausting day, the last of a five week campaign of shooting for my boss's biggest client. Six hours of posing per day wears on my nerves and my aching muscles, that's not counting all the time in hair, makeup and wardrobe changes. It's been a brutally long contract.
Jason called out my name making me look at him. I sighed as a burst of light blinded me, making my eyes water. Thankfully it was the last shot.
"That's a wrap!" the photographer called.
Jason is the new head photographer since Cameron is gone. I have to say I like him a lot. He's been one hundred percent professional, keeping his comments and suggestions respectful and asking my opinion of my favorite shots and poses. For the first time it's like working as a team, instead of being bossed around all the time by Cameron.
Groaning, I wrapped the silky kimono around myself, stretching my aching neck muscles. My body was so stiff it felt caked in cement. Annoyed, I pushed a strand of hair out my eyes, fatigue was finally taking over. I'm so glad this day is almost over.
All I wanted was to get home to Christian and into a soothing hot bubble bath. But I have take care of business here first. I have to finish on a professional note and make sure that Winston, my boss, and the clients are happy with the results.
In this business it's all about demand, and recently I have been in very high demand these last few months. I have to admit I do enjoy it, but between wardrobe changes and hair and make up it's been long weeks of ten to twelve hour days with only Sundays off. I'm eager to be finished with this client. I'm sure they've taken a million shots. It’s been exhausting physically and emotionally.
But I'm so much happier than I was a year ago. It's been six months since my life changed for the better. I had been desperately lonely and utterly bored of my career, ready to give it up for something new, but that was before meeting Christian. Now I feel like a giddy school girl, free and happy…all the time. And that makes my job as a model more tolerable.
Christian, my beautiful soul mate, is the love of my life. He's heartbreakingly gorgeous, with his dimpled smile and beautiful blue eyes. His thick shoulder length dark brown hair that I love to run my fingers through. But his deliciously muscular body makes my insides quiver.
I hug myself in anticipation of seeing him very soon. A knowing smirk stretches across my face and I can't help thinking. He's all mine!
Meeting Christian had been an unexpected surprise. I'd been exasperated with my life and decided to sit on the beach to contemplate my future when Christian showed up out of nowhere. An angel come to rescue me from myself. He had captivated me from the first moment I saw him running across the beach to the water without a care in the world. Then I found out what a special and unique person he was and I was smitten.
He's brought the excitement back into my life.
His poem makes me feel as if I'm the sunshine and he, the flower. Like he needs me to survive, but the truth is I need him just as much.
I know it sounds corny.
But that’s the way I feel.
When I get home and I'm greeted with his brilliant smile just a little more turned up on the left side, the side with the dimple, it makes me forget all my worries. The way he looks at me with so much love is utterly irresistible. His whole face lites up, his smile extends into his gorgeous blue eyes so completely that they sparkle. I think of it as my own private smile. He certainly doesn't smile that way for anyone else.
I clench my thighs together to suppress a tingling in my core. Just the thought of him does that to me.
“Athena, love, we’re finished for the day. You can wrap up.” Winston said, interrupting my thoughts.
I felt my cheeks heat at being caught daydreaming about Christian...again.
"Thanks Winston."
"Is the client happy with the campaign?" I asked quickly to cover up my embarrassment.
"Yes love, they are thrilled. As I knew they would be. The shots are stunning, we're just going to go into do today's edits now. Did you want to join?"
“Yes, thanks Winston, I know you'll pick the money shots. But I would like to see them. Are you and Todd going to the banquet tomorrow?” I asked, changing the subject.
It was a silly question and I knew it. The banquet is one of the most important functions of the year. Anyone and everyone involved in the world of couture would be there so it is essential for a model to be visible and available for appointments. Many models have skyrocketed to fame from one correctly suited match with a prosperous atelier, or designer.
I'm still trying to figure out how I can avoid the event entirely. I know I should go, it's important for my career, but I really just want to skip it and cuddle on the couch with Christian.
I shoot Christian a quick text to let him know I'm nearly finished here. Then as an afterthought, I tell him I'm going to pick up some Italian food for dinner. That sounds really good!
A part of me is hoping that Winston will tell me I don’t need to go.
“I wouldn’t miss it, and neither should you. I know what you’re thinking,” Winston added, “don’t even consider staying home. Bring Prince Charming along too.”
I snickered, seriously doubting that Christian would be caught within five miles of anything having to do with paparazzi, which will be swarming around us like flies the entire night.
“I’ll ask him. I’m sure he’ll be thrilled,” I commented, sarcastically rolling my eyes. “What about that dinner we talked about? I’m sure he would much prefer a quiet evening among friends.”
Christian considered Winston a dear friend ever since Winston had charged in, saving me from being sexually assaulted by Cameron.
Christian had thanked Winston personally for all he had done to help me that awful day by painting a portrait of Winston and his soul mate Todd.
The painting was stunningly accurate and a flattering rendition of both men’s personalities. Christian had an uncanny knack for interpreting body language and then translating it onto the canvas. He was truly a gifted artist and deserved more recognition for his amazing talent. But after the incident six months ago, he still insists on keeping a low profile.
“Yes, love. We really need to do that soon.” Winston said sincerely. “You go on get changed, we'll get through these shots quickly and you can go home. I know that’s where you’d rather be. Don't forget to email me your voucher for the week. And then tomorrow you’re mine for at least two hours, you’ll have to decide whether you can stay away from lover boy that long.” Winston winked, he loved teasing me about Christian.
“Real funny Winston, I remember you being lovesick over Todd when you first met. Don’t you remember? I think it took you about six months to stop giggling uncontrollably after you two met. Have a heart, I’m in love, what else can I say?”
It's true. I admit it.
I changed as quickly as possible and rushed to Winston's office for the preview and edits. It took about thirty minutes to go over everything. Then when Winston gave me the nod, I didn't wait another second.
“See you tomorrow” he called, as I bolted out the door.
During the drive to the restaurant I began thinking about Christians' unique situation. Admittedly I'm beginning to worry about him. He's closed himself off from the world. Ever since his face appeared on the front of the Star Gazer, he's avoided going out and it's starting to wear on him. I can tell from his demeanor. He's never complained, but the only time he will go outside is when he's phased into Chris, his beautiful, sexy female self.
It still blows my mind to think of it. Before meeting them I'd never heard of anyone who could shift genders. Not medically, but somehow biologically it happens to them naturally. How they'd managed to live on their own with such a secret is beyond comprehension. Still, I know I'm lucky to have two wonderfully different and unique people in my life and I would do everything in my power to protect their secret from being discovered.
I know they trust me and had willingly re-adjusted their lives to accommodate my crazy lifestyle. For the first time in my life I'm truly happy, and looking forward to an exciting future with both Christian and Chris in it.
