Free Rag Doll by Ava Catori Page A

couple more headshots and round out your portfolio. I’d like to do stark black and white portraits.”
    She nodded. “Okay.”
    “In fact, let’s take a few with your hair like that, wet and finger combed.”
    “Like this?” She scrunched her nose, amused at the thought.
    He smiled. “I find when you’re at your most basic, raw level, the camera loves you. It’s intoxicating to see you through the lens.”
    Kendle blushed and looked down.
    She had a little more spark today. It was as if her guard was dropping the slightest bit. She was learning to trust him. It made a difference in how she spoke to the camera. She was more engaged with it this time… or maybe with the man behind the camera.
    Graham snapped some shots, and then put the camera down. He couldn’t help himself. He walked up to her, his hand cupping the side of her face, and pulling her closer, he kissed her lips.
    “What was that?” She pulled back, startled.
    “I’m sorry. I…I’m so drawn to you,” he apologized. The last thing he wanted to do was scare her away.
    “What do you want from me?”
    “Only all of you.”
    Kendle swallowed hard. “What’s in it for me?” She had to be clever, she couldn’t throw away an opportunity like this. It pained her, but what if he could make a difference in Cree’s world, too?
    “All of me. All of my resources.”
    Kendle took a deep breath and nodded her head. She’d sold her body before, this time she’d sell her soul. “Okay.”
    Graham’s arm wrapped around her slender body and swept her in. Kendle tried not to stiffen at his touch. Closing her eyes, she let her mind drift to take her away from the moment. He kissed her gently, his tongue probing her mouth. She’d done these things before, but rarely kissing. They didn’t kiss out on the streets, usually just other sexual acts. Kissing was intimate. He wanted intimacy. She wasn’t sure she could give it to him, but she’d try. She’d do it for Cree.
    Graham bent down and wrapped his other arm under her legs. He lifted her and carried her to his bedroom. He hadn’t been with a woman in ages. He’d lost the desire, to be honest. It took him by surprise to want her so badly, but maybe it’s what he saw in her eyes. He could save her, make things better. And maybe if he saved her, he’d save himself from the loneliness and misery he’d felt for far too long.
    As their bodies clung together, emotions swept through Graham. Kendle, however, didn’t know how to feel anymore. At least she wasn’t alone. She was tired of being lonely. Maybe he could fill a void, while she worked to help her sister. It wouldn’t be all bad.
    Lying beside one another afterward, their bodies sweaty from the passionate activity, Graham turned to look into Kendle’s eyes. He wanted to melt into them, but all he saw was vacancy. She’d checked out during and after the moment he touched her. It was too difficult to see the emptiness.
    “You should go.” His heart shattered. He thought maybe he could force things, help her open up, and maybe she’d share in the growing feelings he had. But he was a fool. She would use him just as he had planned to use her earlier. If only they could use each other in perfect harmony and balance. It wouldn’t happen. One of them would end up hurt, and he couldn’t risk it being him. He’d already thrown his future away once, he couldn’t do it again.

Chapter 12
    When she returned to the truck stop, Kendle hated herself. She had a chance and she threw it away. He knew she felt nothing. She couldn’t even fake it. He shut down in that instant. He never said she had to be emotional. She didn’t know how. Those feelings were locked away.
    “You’re back.” Stavros said. “Did he hurt you?”
    “No. We were just finished.”
    “These promises, will he give you a better future?”
    She shrugged. “I don’t know.”
    His concern was apparent on his face. “Take the day off. I have someone filling in for you. Take