Free Touch of the Camera by Anais Morgan Page B

I did. Drop a shoulder an inch or two for that frame, raise my chin for the next. Always keep the light on my face. Focus on what I was selling. Keeping the fluidity wasn’t easy sometimes. There were days when I wanted to be like Bam , Bam! and strike those poses. But simple was key.
    When the camera stopped, I shook out my body and attempted to take a few deep breaths before diving back into it. Jacque was humming—I wasn’t sure if that meant he was pleased—his sound echoing throughout the open stage. I started by hunching my back and wrapping my arms around myself, using my thumbs to caress my skin. I had to pretend my lover, at least the made up one in my head, was touching me, bringing me to life. I puckered my lips a bit and I felt…off. I wasn’t sure if it was because this was new to me or what, but I was forcing it. Shang put down his camera then came over. He saw it too.
    Shang shook up my hair a bit, ruffling it before dragging his thumb down my cheek. He smiled at me, breathed deeply, then rubbed his index finger over my chin and said, “I know this is your first major shoot. Mine too. Well, at least with people. So how about I help you out and you help me? We both need this. Like, need this. So relax and pretend I’m your boyfriend. Okay?”
    Like that was going to be hard.
    I nodded, again my only way to respond to him, and breathed the same way he did. I stared into the lens and started to feel the connection, like it wasn’t a lens but a friend, or in this case, a lover. Pretending Shang’s my boyfriend. My mind rolled with fantasies of him coming up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist, pulling me to his body. I envisioned the kisses being placed down my neck as I used my hand to caress the other side. I envisioned him smoothing my hair, lips brushing down my collarbone. My fantasies made my skin burn. I blamed it on the lights.
    I placed my hands over my body, in theory to tantalise the camera but in truth to calm my skin, which was electrified knowing Shang was looking at me. Was he feeling it? I wanted him to. Cocking an eyebrow, I tried to beckon Shang with my eyes, to invite him over to me. All my inhibitions were flushed away with each click of the camera. Shang pulled away for a minute, glanced over his lens and analysed me. In my gut, I knew he felt the connection. Shang winked before going back to the camera.
    More fantasies flashed before me of Shang’s lips on mine, Shang’s head moving between my breasts while his hands massaged my neck. The visions became so real that I felt the ghost of them on me. My body suddenly became ready. I wasn’t a virgin, but I hadn’t experienced that kind of intensity of any sexual nature before. My breath quickened and I clamped my legs together to stop myself from getting more excited.
    The room became silent as the snapping of the camera stopped. Shang laid it down. I relaxed, waiting. Waiting for what? Was I waiting for Shang to come over and touch me again? Maybe kiss me? Or was I waiting for Jacque to tell us we got our shot? Yeah, that was it. I went with that.
    “ Excellente !” Jacque said, clasping his hands together.
    Shang walked over to me and took my hand. He led me to the computer so we could see how things had gone. He rubbed my palm and the ache between my legs doubled. As we clicked through each shot, I became aware of the cologne Shang wore. Everything inside me awakened and I took a step back out of fear. Would Shang notice me in such lust? I walked on shaky feet around the equipment, trying to gather myself. When I looked back, Shang’s eyes were on me. Worry consumed his gaze.
    He called out, “Luna, you okay?”
    I nodded.
    “You look…flushed.”
    My voice cracked at first but I managed to say, “Sorry. I was so nervous about today that I only had a light breakfast.
    Shang checked his watch. “I guess we can go to lunch. Is that all right?” he asked Jacque.
    Jacque nodded, his eyes never leaving mine.
    Shang