Christian had his arms folded during the debrief. It was always the same when working a detail. It took him back to the days with Craig when they'd be closing in on a target, except now that he worked security he was in the protection business - not the alternative.
Once they got the boring stuff out of the way, he tied his hair into a ponytail and followed another of the guys out into the main area.
"So it's mainly the photographer, right?" he made obvious he hadn't really been listening.
His partner for the afternoon smirked.
"Yeah. Some French guy who thinks he's already the next big thing. Never heard of him myself. But best to keep an eye on the girls too, if you know what I mean," he winked.
"Uh huh," Christian looked bored already as he took up his post by the back door into the main studio.
Avery
"Hold for a second, Avery," the make-up artist said, quickly fixing up the smudge on her lip gloss. "Ok go."
Avery was wrapped in a light robe, and she kept the cord tightly wound around her waist as she made her way to set. Her bare feet made no sound on the tiles.
"You're up," the assistant photographer said to her, helping her out of her robe.
Avery shook her hair free, unsnagging it from the robe as it was taken off her. It fell in long natural waves (that had taken an hour to style into her hair) down her back and she stepped into the black strappy pumps that were on the sidelines for her. Apart from the heels, she wasn't in much else, a black and white lacy underwear set.
Christian
Christian had been watching the models come and go, not overly interested in the process. He couldn't comprehend how photography was considered an art form. It must be pretty hard to put focus and meaning into clicking a button and watching a picture come up automatically on a screen.
The next model in line caught his eye. He had to wait until she was actually in the spotlight, but by then his suspicions were confirmed.
His heart leapt part way to his throat.
Avery
"Lift the chin a little, darling," the photography drawled, clicking photos from different angles.
Avery did as she was told, moving fluidly between takes into new positions. She was on autopilot, mind a million miles away but still focusing enough to know what they wanted, when something caught her attention. It was coming from the back of the room, and she concentrated on the mental thread to find out who it belonged to.
"Come back to me, darling," he said, noticing her eyes had glazed slightly.
Avery nodded and got back to work, but her attention was still elsewhere. For different reasons this time.
Christian
Christian knew it was probably the worst idea in the world, but on the other hand... he had a job to do. And watching the girls was part of that.
Appreciating his line of sight was a perk.
And damn did she grow up.
Avery
"Turn to the side," the photographer instructed her.
Avery turned, putting on display half of her toned butt, partially covered by the lace cut of the panties. She brought a finger up to her lips, smiling flirtatiously.
"Gorgeous!" the photographer yelped. "Back to the front and put your leg up on the box there?"
Avery did as instructed, one hand on her hips, the other hand near her mouth, and she bit her index finger coyly.
Christian
Christian leant to the side a little, so that he could see past one of the light fixtures.
Avery
"Right, that's a wrap on Avery!"
Avery kissed the photographer on the cheek as she put her robe back on. "Thanks."
"Thanks babes," he replied.
She waved and then head out the back to change back into her own clothes.
Christian
Christian took a deep breath once the show was over and went back to his duty, a little unnerved.
Well that was an unexpected turn of events.
The next model had a much less attractive ass.
Avery
Avery turned the key in the lock, holding a coffee in one hand. She had been putting off coming home, not really knowing how things were going to be when she saw Christian.
She head straight for the kitchen, intending on making some food.
Christian
It was an hour or so later when Christian was making his way up to the apartment, armed with a few days' worth of Chinese takeout. Opening the door in his usual way, he stepped in and took his loot to the kitchen.
Not seeing Avery, he couldn't help but feel relieved, idly hoping she was in bed already or at least in the shower.
Picking out one of the containers and placing the rest in the fridge, he headed over to the window to study his latest painting.
Avery
Avery came out of her bedroom, freshly showered and dressed in a pair of skinny jeans and a long sleeved shirt. She headed for the kitchen, intending to get some food and retreat back to her room before Christian got home.
She opened the fridge and saw the fresh takeout containers and almost groaned. She quickly laced her boots up, then grabbed her jacket and wallet off the back of the chair in the kitchen, trying to sneak out without Christian noticing her, when her bag fell off the table, falling to the floor with a loud thud.
Christian
Christian looked up.
"Hey," he said by way of greeting, "weren't sure if you were home."
Avery
"Yeah, I was just in the shower," Avery said, looking over at him. "I'm going to run out and get some sushi, did you want anything?"
She decided just not to talk about the shoot.
Christian
"Nah, I'm pretty well stocked," Chris held up the container he had for emphasis.
He hesitated.
"So... have a good day at work?"
Avery
"Yeah, it was ok," Avery replied. "Standard shoot."
She put her handbag over her shoulder.
"How was your day?"
Christian
Christian considered for a moment.
"Visual," he smirked.
Avery
Avery blushed slightly and broke eye contact with him.
"I know, I know, it's gross, I should wear clothes, blah blah," she said, shrugging. "But it pays the bills."
Christian
"I couldn't help but notice there was no 'underwear' prefix to your 'model' occupation," Christian teased.
Avery
"It's not always underwear," Avery replied, still blushing.
"Why did you look?!"
Christian
"Hey!" Christian went on the defensive.
"I was doing my job. I was paid to be watching you guys. And, you know, the photographer dude. But whatever. Paid-to-watch."
Avery
"As soon as you realised it was me, you should've just... looked away," Avery told him.
"Because now I just feel weird."
Christian
Christian shrugged.
"Would you have preferred I waited for the magazine to come out? Maybe left it strategically in the bathroom?"
Avery
"Ugh," Avery said, wrinkling her nose up.
"You look like Taylor. It just makes me... ugh."
Christian
Christian hesitated, once again cursing the fact that he looked like Taylor.
"Well, that's not my problem," he shrugged, "I'm just admiring a hot chick. Genetic squeamishness - nothing to do with me!"
Avery
Avery's nose stayed wrinkled up. "I'm just... can we just not speak of this again?"
She crossed her arms over her chest.
"It's just too weird for me."
Christian
"Fine," Chris waved her off.
"I promise I will never speak of it again."
Avery
"No thinking about it around me," Avery said, pointing at him.
"No loopholes."
Christian
"Hey," Christian raised his hands in surrender.
"You'd know better than the next person that you can't control what thoughts just pop into your head."
Avery
"Oh, you'll control them," Avery told him.
"Or I'll telepathically neuter you."
Christian
Christian blinked.
"Excuse me?"
Avery
"It's all connected," Avery said, tapping the side of her head.
"All I have to do is block off certain centres in your brain."
Christian
Christian's eyebrows rose.
"You wouldn't dare," he said flatly.
Avery
"Wouldn't I?" Avery smirked.
"I might just be tempted."
Christian
Chris squinted at her.
"No, you wouldn't," he said decidedly, putting his dinner to the side of the easel.
"But fine. I will try and keep myself under control. Within reason."
Avery
"Good," Avery said, hitching her bag up again.
"Let's just forget it happened."
She turned to leave the apartment.
Christian
"Yes ma'am," Chris saluted, obviously not happy with the situation.
He picked up his paintbrush and started mixing some greens.
Avery
Avery wrapped her jacket a little tighter around her body as she left the apartment, bracing herself for the cooler weather, and also to hide any shape of herself from Christian.
So awkward.