Chapter 1
“Dude, you’re seriously turning your bedroom into some kind of sexy shoot?” AJ’s grin was so wide it could’ve split his face in two as he helped me unfold the big white panels.
I shot him a look, tugging the last panel into place. “Chill, man. It’s not porn—it’s art. Erotic photography. Big difference.”
He snorted. “Art or not, you’re literally paying some model to strip in your room. You gonna join in or what?”
I rolled my eyes, though I couldn’t hide the thrill coiling in my chest. The kind of buzz that made my hands itch to hold the camera. “Not strip, strip but I booked someone professional, not some random girl from school. This is for my portfolio.”
“What’s her name?” AJ asked, whipping out his phone.
“Luna—Luna Ray,” I said, trying to sound casual even though just saying her name sent a strange pulse through me.
He scrolled through her pictures, low whistle cutting the air. “Wow… She's hot! She looks like she owns every damn frame. That’s gonna be one hell of a shoot.”
I adjusted my camera on the tripod, checking the settings for the hundredth time. “Yeah. And it’s gonna be a challenge. I’ve never worked with a model like her before. But I’m ready.”
A soft knock on the door interrupted me. “Hey, you in there?”
It was Maya, my sister, shuffling in with her usual relaxed, couldn’t-care-less vibe—messy curls framing her face, oversized sweater hanging off one shoulder, barefoot on the floorboards.
AJ raised an eyebrow. “Yo! Why does Maya look like she just stepped out of a vintage rock band?”
I didn’t like the way he was staring at her, or the way Maya was biting her lips.
“Aren’t you supposed to be somewhere?” I asked hastily.
Maya smirked. “Nah. Mum’s gone. She asked me to tell you. She’ll be gone for the whole summer. So you’re stuck with me. Plus, this place is a whole mess. Clean it up!”
“Yeah, that’s my space queen,” I said, shaking my head.
I wanted to ask her where Mum had gone, but we weren’t exactly talking much these days. I waited until I was sure Maya’s footsteps had faded down the stairs before turning back to AJ.
“Man! Don’t look at her that way. That’s my sister. Maya.”
AJ grinned. “Relax, man! Maya is like my sister too…”
“Yeah.” I said, relieved.
I've known AJ since Pre school and he has known Maya just as long as I've known her. So, she's practically his sister, as much as his sister Joan, is mine.
“So, when’s the big day?”
“Tomorrow,” I said. “Right here. Renting a studio was gonna kill my budget, so… this will have to do.”
“Miss Linda?” AJ asked, curious.
“She doesn’t care. As long as I don’t bring trouble, she’s chill.”
None of this was a lie. My mum had been my buddy since forever, but lately, we'd argued lot—mostly because she thought I was ruining my life by ruling out college. But I was determined to make it in photography. I would be the baddest photographer in a few years.
AJ wandered closer, eyeing the camera with mild interest. “You think you’ll handle it? Working with someone like this?”
I swallowed. “I want to keep it professional, but… yeah. It’ll be hard not to get distracted. I mean, she’s hot, but a client is a client.”
AJ smirked knowingly. “Business is business, my bro. But you can pass her on, I won’t mind. Look at her! She’s stunning.”
I laughed, shaking my head. AJ was still scrolling through Luna’s Instagram when my phone buzzed.
Unknown number.
I answered. “Hello?”
A low, smoky voice spilled into my ear. “Is this the Ethan?”
“Yeah. Who’s this?”
A pause. The faint sound of laughter, then “Luna Ray. I just wanted to confirm our shoot tomorrow… and to tell you I don’t like working with clothes on for too long. I hope you can handle that.”
Before I could form a reply, the line went dead.
AJ was watching me like a hawk. “Well? What did she say?”
I looked down at my phone, the screen still glowing in my hand. My heart thudded once, hard.
“Nothing,” I lied.
But in the quiet hum of my room, I wasn’t sure if it was excitement or trouble I’d just let in.
