Player Loves Curves Box Set #1-3 by Hope Ford
Holly
Blowinga lock of red hair from my face, I’m busting ass to get the props for the photoshoot off the elevator and into the staging area. I’m a mess, drenched in sweat and huffing and puffing, but I’m determined to get everything set up on time. Normally everything is set up in the studio, for the most part anyway, but we had a shoot outside earlier so now I’m rushing to get set up for the next one. I grunt as I bend down and pick up the heavy piece of lighting. I’m not the newest member of the team of interns working for famed photographer Troy Gunther, but I am the youngest. So I have to work harder than the others to make sure I keep my coveted spot. Meanwhile, my female coworkers are gushing about getting to meet Shawn Cannon. He’s the model for today’s show. He’s also the third baseman for the Tennessee Mavericks and one of the hottest players on the team. He’s older than most of the other guys, but there’s something about him. I’ve found any time I’m watching the game, either at the stadium or on television, I can’t take my eyes off the field for waiting to see him.
I’ve worked hard to get here and even though I’m looking forward to seeing the hot third baseman, I still have to do my job. But I can’t help but look at the other interns with a little bitterness. They are all clean and fresh looking while I am rumpled and a mess. I look down at myself, ignoring my extra bit of pooch around my middle and my thicker thighs. But I can’t help comparing my T-shirt, jeans and sneakers to the other two that are supposed to be helping me. I must have missed the memo on dressing up because they are all decked out in skirts with full hair and makeup. Did they really think they could move equipment in that? I guess they weren’t too worried about doing their jobs today.
I barely finish getting everything set up before a commotion comes over the room. Even before I see him, I know he’s here. Everyone is loud and the murmuring of He’s here, he’s here can be heard from the women waiting in their bathing suits. However, as soon as he steps in the doorway, the room becomes quiet and everyone stares at him. I’ve imagined what it would be like to see him up close and personal, but all my daydreaming and imagination couldn’t have prepared me for this right here. He’s big, so big he has to duck his head and turn sideways when he comes in the doorway. His hair is dark brown, except for the soft threads of gray that are seen throughout. His jawline is hard, intense and his eyes are large and unreadable as he gazes around the room. A burn deep in my belly starts to ignite and I slide my legs together at the new feeling. His presence is commanding and every pair of eyes is on him.
Taking a deep breath, I drag my eyes off of him, because I’m afraid if I don’t, I will spontaneously combust. Whatever it is about him, if he could bottle that, he would make millions. All my coworkers who have been useless before this have completely forgotten what they are supposed to be doing. They can’t take their eyes off the star baseball player and I can’t really blame them. In between moving a few pieces of equipment around, I keep glancing at him. He’s distinguished looking with a deep lumbering voice that I’m sure vibrates to the core of every woman within hearing range. I could stare at him all day, but I know I can’t. My boss Troy calls over to me. “We ready, Holly?”
Immediately, I nod my head. Everyone knows that you don’t keep Troy Gunther waiting. Usually I have things set up way before time, but the lack of help today caused me to be right on time. “Ready.”
He doesn’t wait for my response, however. He is striding over to Shawn and I can tell he’s going over what is expected of him today. When Troy points toward the models, I watch as Troy nods his head and wariness fills his face. I look between him and the models to try and see what the problem could be. The models are all beautiful, scantily clad and they are all preening at him. I’m sure as soon as we get started, he will be surrounded by them. Most men in his position would be thrilled to be matched with them, I would think. But not him, it appears. He’s eyeing them warily and looks like he wants to be anywhere but here. Today is a shoot for the sexiest bachelor edition of Upscale magazine, all the women have already been covered in baby oil, and I’m sure my coworkers will be knocking each other over to be the one to wipe Shawn down. I let my camera fall from the strap around my neck and wipe my sweaty, nervous hands down the pant legs of my jeans.
Marcie, the makeup artist, sets him down in her chair and starts talking to him, so I have a few minutes to prepare myself. I take an elastic band from my pants pocket and pull my hair off my face. An excitement fills me. Sure, because I’m getting to shoot Shawn Cannon, but also because this is my favorite part of the job… actually taking pictures.
“Let’s go. Everyone take your places,” Troy hollers to the room. My usually professional coworkers are now fumbling and flirting with Shawn and I can tell that Troy is losing his patience with his team. He finally sends them across the room and both of them look like they just lost their puppy. I try to keep the smirk off my face, but it’s hard to do. I know they had been looking forward to this shoot for a while now.
Now, I’m not only doing my job, I’m doing theirs too. Shrugging my shoulders, I move the lights around a little before I go over and grab a camera. Usually, once everything is set up, Troy lets me take some photos too. He’s even been known to use a few of them, and I have to admit, it’s the best feeling ever. I love being behind the camera. Plus, I know there’s not a snowflake’s chance in hell that Shawn would even notice me enough to even give me an autograph, so I don’t give in to the attraction that I feel. I’m determined to keep my wits about me and not screw this up.
