Model Perfect

Chapter 15: The Sleepover

It's midnight and Arlo is still with me. He hasn't left my side since Hunter attacked me. Flashback of the Haunted House breakthrough. I don't know what to do now.

Breaking up with Hunter is risky business, but staying with him was dangerous for my body. I can still feel his hands inserting themselves into places I never agreed to, but despite it, I have to stay with Hunter. He and Model Perfect are a package deal because Aftershock is owned by them. All these decisions make me never want to become an adult.

"Emma, do you want to go inside? We've been sitting here for an hour? I don't mind sitting all night if that's what you need?"

He grabs my hand, and a part of me is hesitant to ever be touched again. I'm still a bit shaken from Hunter putting his weight on me. Was he lying that he hurt Tanya? I am so mind f****d with and toyed with I don't what's real anymore. With Arlo, my life is reflected in a camera lens, and with Hunter, the hall of mirrors is a guessing game of truth or dare.

"Would you like to come upstairs? My parents aren't home. They are hardly here anymore, honestly."

"Why aren't your parents around?" Arlo's the first to ever ask the truth. The truth I keep hidden away, along with my feelings for him.

"Well, to tell you the truth. My parents are in the middle of a divorce. My mom cheated on my dad with Freddie, my agent. Then dad decided to be on an endless business trip to be with his other family in New York. My mom is a doctor and has weird hours. She sleeps during the day and works at night. But I'm eighteen now, and they decided I can take care of myself...which after tonight is garbage. I still can't believe Hunter tried to...and if you hadn't...Thank you...Arlo."

I can't find words, my lip quivers and trembles with my shoulders. Arlo puts his hand on my face.

A serious expression meets his eyebrows, as gentleness takes over.

"I'm glad I found you. If Hunter tries to hurt you again, I'll be there. You have nothing to be afraid of when you're with me. I'll always protect you, Emma Rhodes."

His lips almost find mine.

"Arlo...we can't kiss." He presses his lips on mine and his smirk calms me down. His soft kisses make me want a little bit more.

We don't make out. It's gentle and calming. I've fallen for Arlo Finch, I know I have. Because even on one of the most terrifying nights of my life, I feel safe.

"Would you like to come up?" I ask, hoping he won't resist. I don't want him to leave and I hope I don't give him a reason too.

"Sure. I'm actually hungry. Would you like me to order a pizza or something?"

When I was five years old my grandma bought me a small unicorn lamp that I kept on my bedroom desk. I was so proud of that lamp, and always smiled when I saw it. That's how looking at Arlo feels. He is safe, warm, and he's the brightest light in my life.

"Sure, a pizza sounds great."

He orders a pizza on an app, and I don't care if it goes against my contract or is on the list of things that I am not allowed to eat. Tonight that contract means nothing to me, because it got in the way of my safety. If a company contract is more important than my body is it time to move on?

The door bell rings and its now two in the morning. I never want Arlo to go home. Every topping is on the pizza and I eat six slices in ten minutes.

"Wow, they must starve you for your job if you're eating that much. Why do you do it? Why do you model?"

"I loved it at first. I loved the attention and being told I was pretty was flattering. But now it all feels fake and never-ending. Unfortunately, this job is what will pay for my college and Hunter is a part of that. Or he was until I broke up with him tonight. What about you, why do you want to be a photographer?"

"The smiles. I love seeing people smile like they mean it. Senior pictures are fun to do too. I avoid weddings to much estrogen for me. New born babies are fun, they don't yell at you. They only poop when they are done with taking pictures. After you graduate what type of modeling gigs does Model Perfect have lined up for you?"

My face turns completely red, I don't have the heart to tell him I've signed a deal that starting in June I will be doing nude photos. I can technically due them now, because I am old enough. But they thought it might look weird if a girl who hasn't graduated yet poses like that.

"Trust me, you don't want to know."

I pull my lips into my mouth like I am keeping a secret. It was fine until he asked. I don't want him to think less of me, but with the summer coming up it was the only way to expedite the money for my college funds. Nude photo sessions with Model Perfect and being their it-girl pays a lot of money.

"Well...yes I do," he shrugs his shoulders and lifts his hands like he's given up.

"Okay, well don't think less of me when I tell you. I've signed a deal to have a couple nude sessions over the summer. It pays a lot and I need help with college."

"So, porn. You're going to be a porn star?"

"God, Arlo you make me sound like I'm a horrible slut or something."

He laughs a little and eats another slice of pizza. I take a few sips of my mother's secret vodka. The vodka she bought after dad went to New York for the first time.

"You're not a slut. I just have to know. Have you ever posed for pictures like that before?"

"Why are you going to keep them if I have?" He blushes. I know he thinks I'm beautiful. But this conversation has us both a little flirty and a little heated. The alcohol has my mind running a little loopy. I stop drinking before I've lost control. He puts the bottle away for me. .

"No, I was just wondering if you have experience with nude sessions."

"No, and do you have experience as a camera man with taking nude photos? New born baby sessions don't count by the way."

"No, of course, I don't. I've only just started my career. I'm nineteen for christ's sakes. What girl in her right mind would let a newbie photographer, like me, get experience taking photos like that?"

"I would," I say almost instantly.

He's lucky I'm falling for him and that I think he's hot as hell. Never in my life did I think I would volunteer to shoot nudes with a budding photographer.

"Wait...what? You would? Are you being serious?"

I bite my lip and know that the words I am about to say will mean, I trust him. I completely and utterly trust him.

"Arlo Finch, I want you to take nude pictures of me. It will help me gain confidence for my summer photo sessions, and I don't know you're a guy I am sure it's good for you too."

He doesn't say anything. He knows I am being serious. I want him to look at me the way he is now, but with nothing on. I want his eyes to trace every inch of me and I want to watch him blush as he does.

"Wow. I wasn't expecting this at all. When did you want to do these pictures exactly?"

"My parents are gone all day tomorrow and its Sunday all day tomorrow. Why don't you spend the night tonight and we can talk about it in the morning?"

"Okay, sure. We can definitely talk about it after you sleep that vodka off. Where can I sleep?"

I grab his hand and lead him to my large canopy bedroom. He's never been in my room before. It's big enough for him to move in.

"You can sleep here, next to me." I remove my clothes and put a tank and shorts on in front of him.

"Are you okay?" He asks.

"Oh yeah, sorry. I guess I'm just comfortable around you. I like you, remember?" I'm pretty sure the alcohol's talking.

"I guess I'm sleeping over." Arlo says as he crawls in bed beside me.

As much as I want to turn around and make out with him I don't. If I ever have s*x with Arlo I want it to he when I don't have alcohol pumping through my veins. Arlo's big hand tucks itself under my left breast. It's almost a natural sleeping position that I let him and I get comfortable. Arlo holds me all night long and I fall asleep in his arms.