as both eating space and workspace. It felt more like a comfy bar or diner than a kitchen in someone’s home.
To the right of the kitchen was a wall of windows. Another seating area in a light brown suede style that looked perfect for lounging on and watching a TV, one of which I didn’t see. I’m not sure what the open space was for actually. Past all that there was another staircase that led to an open room. From where I stood, I could see there were doors at the top of that staircase that slid open and closed like shoji screens. That was where I believed I could see a king-sized bed against one wall. I’d need to climb the stairs in order to see the rest.
Under the bedroom section were where there were two other doors completely closed off. I could hear barking from one of them, and the other was the one Cameron exited from, which I’d already ascertained was the bathroom.
In the last corner I saw a huge white photo backdrop and lights with a series of what I knew to be props huddled all around it. Different seats, stools, blocks, two clothing racks that were already filled with bagged items, and a ton of unopened boxes. That must be where we were going to work. I also noted a space heater, giant lights all the professionals used, and some other pulley systems that hung from the open ceiling.
“This place is tits!” Cameron spun around, and I focused on him and his outburst. “I can’t believe we’re in the home of Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Killian Fitzpatrick! Isn’t it just so extra?” he gushed.
Pulitzer Prize-winning… Say what?
I frowned and looked at Blessing. Her eyes were as big as mine, conveying she hadn’t known that tidbit of information either. What the heck was he doing taking fashion photos?
Now I take pictures of things that are beautiful. Things that bring me joy, not pain.
His words ran through my mind. He’d spent a decade photographing war. That had to be tough, but perhaps there was more to it than that.
I spun around when I heard Mr. Holt’s and Killian’s footsteps coming from where I believed the bedroom was.
“All clear. I’ll be doing recon around the building, checking in with my team, and coming in and out. Will that be a problem?” he asked.
“Actually, it will,” Killian noted. “I can’t work with disruptions. Once Addy and I get in the zone, I’d rather not be bothered. She’ll be perfectly protected here with me, my dog, and this.” He pulled out a handgun he had tucked in the back of his jeans, then tucked it back at the small of his waist. “She’ll be wearing lingerie and I don’t want her to feel uncomfortable.”
He sure didn’t know me. I was the least modest woman of all my sisters. Even Simone, and she let it all hang out. Me, I made my money based on my body and what it looked like clothed and unclothed. If people didn’t like it, they could cease looking at it. I didn’t go flaunting it out in my everyday personal life, but I wasn’t insecure in the least. A man or a woman for that matter liked my curves or they didn’t. Why should I try to fit in some box to make others happy? And clearly as proven by my success and the waiting list I still had from designers across the globe, there was a place in the fashion industry for a woman of my size. But I appreciated his concern for me.
I took in the man as he stood with arms crossed over one another staring Mr. Holt down. A scary thing I wouldn’t have recommended. Sylvester Holt looked like a defensive lineman. He had control of that massive frame and used it easily to intimidate. And yet, Killian was no slouch. He was definitely a force to be reckoned with. His size may have been more athletic than huge and beefy like my new security guy, but no less strong.
Killian wore an incredible pair of form-fitting jeans that hugged his body to perfection. His thick, muscular thighs strained against the denim deliciously, as did his rear end. I sucked in my bottom lip, appreciating the tight white T-shirt that left nothing to my imagination. The man was blessed with lean, tightly packed muscles that my fingers tingled with the desire to touch.
I swallowed down my nervous response to the gun and his