ISOBEL STARLING

Schnling
(Pretty Boy)
Isobel Starling

Copyright 2015 Isobel Starling

Published by Isobel Starling at Smashwords
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ISOBEL STARLING

Copyright 2015 Isobel Starling

All rights reserved.
All rights reserved. This book may not be reproduced, in whole or in
part, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form by any
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without the prior written permission of the Author, except for the
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review to be printed in a newspaper, magazine or journal.
The characters and events described in this book are fictional. Any
resemblance between characters and any person, living or dead, is
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The mention of or reference to any companies, products or names of
songs and lyrics in these pages is not a challenge to the trademarks or
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Because of the mature themes and strong language presented

within, reader discretion is advised.

ISOBEL STARLING

Dedication:
P.B
Vielen Dank fr die ahnungslosen inspiration.

ISOBEL STARLING
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1-TRAIN
CHAPTER 2-SHOOT
CHAPTER 3-SCHNLING
CHAPTER 4-STUDIO
CHAPTER 5-ALL NEW
CHAPTER 6-THE CALL
CHAPTER 7-BERLIN
CHAPTER 8-THE DEAL
CHAPTER 9-LAST TIMES
CHAPTER 10-FIRST TIME
CHAPTER 11-THE TALK
CHAPTER 12-SIMPLE THINGS
CHAPTER 13-AGENCY
CHAPTER 14-LITTLE WONDER
CHAPTER 15-UNREQUITED
CHAPTER 16-GF/BF
CHAPTER 17-BOUND
CHAPTER 18-DRIPPING DREAM
CHAPTER 19-INTO THE WOODS
CHAPTER 20-14 HOURS
CHAPTER 21-AWAY
CHAPTER 22-HOME
CHAPTER 23-SURPRISES
CHAPTER 24-KEEP YOUR FRIENDS CLOSE
CHAPTER 25-AFTER ALL THESE YEARS
CHAPTER 26-THE HEART ASKS PLEASURE FIRST
CHAPTER 27-THE SPACE BETWEEN
CHAPTER 28-PMS
CHAPTER 29-TEMPTATION
CHAPTER 30-A BAD DAY
CHAPTER 31-AFTERMATH
CHAPTER 32-THAT JIGSAW SPACE
CHAPTER 33-FILLING IN THE BLANKS
CHAPTER 34-BRUISES
CHAPTER 35-GIFT
CHAPTER 36-RAVENSCROFT
CHAPTER 37-HIGHLANDS
CHAPTER 38-NORTHERN LIGHTS
EPILOGUE
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
CHAPTER 1

ISOBEL STARLING
TRAIN
Emily Raven sat and rested her head in her hands. She sighed deeply. Everything
had gone wrong from the moment she stepped out of bed and found an unwanted
gift left by the cat, Major Tom. The bloody cat wasnt even hers. He had been left
behind by an errant housemate and now proceeded to act out his abandonment
issues on Emilys brand new furnishings.
The day became progressively worse after Emily left the house. Her PMS
rage grew as she navigated the Tube to her London riverside Artists studio. She
was greeted by the alarm blaring and found someone had been tampering with the
door security pad in an attempted break in. Emily phoned the security company
and she wasted more of the day waiting outside the studio in the November chill for
the Security man to arrive and let her in.
She grudgingly allowed Dave from Timelok Security to sit in her studios
kitchen filling in forms for his report and scurried off to her small office. Emily
sorted through her full email inbox, finding far too many requests for Portrait
commissions. She was flattered by their interest in her work but she had no interest
in them, no time. Emily spotted an email from her Art transit courier hidden
amongst the inbox detritus informing that one of her canvases destined for the
Lichtern Gallery in New York had been damaged in transit. She was furious. Emily
was adept at juggling lots of problems at once but not today, not after such a bad
nights sleep. She phoned the Art transit courier who told her they were still trying
to figure out just how her painting was pierced through with a knife blade. Emily
despaired, rushing out identical copy and paste emails to all the portrait enquiries
and calling her agent to put a hold on any more commissions. She hadnt even laid
brush to canvas yet that day. Emily was building up a head of steam and needed to
be away from her studio. When did the business take over from the Art? She
wondered. Deciding to pack it in and go for an early train, Emily grabbed her coat,
hat and bag and rushed back out into the biting November breeze and the noise of
the City of London.
Emily strolled along the paved walkway beside the River Thames, heading
toward London Bridge. The sky was a beautiful wash of painterly pinks and
orangey hues as the autumnal evening drew in. The low pervasive background hum
of traffic faded from Emilys awareness as she obsessively mulled over the
frustrating events of the day. She hadnt realised how late it was. The day had
gotten away from her and as Emily entered London Bridge underground station
amongst a throng of scurrying commuters, she realised her early train was in fact
the start of the rush hour. A Jubilee line Tube train to her destination was waiting at
the platform for her 20 minute journey home to Dollis Hill. She ran, squeezed
herself into the last carriage and breathed a deep sigh of relief. A force from behind
sent her barrelling into the commuters all ready squashed past capacity in the
carriage.
For fucks sake she exclaimed out loud, not caring who heard her.

ISOBEL STARLING
That was it, the day had broken her and her rage was now to be directed at
the idiot who tried to squeeze into an already full carriage behind her. She heard the
doors slowly; painfully whoosh closed and felt the person pressed bodily, tight
against her back. With the doors firmly closed it was immediately stiflingly hot in
the carriage. The air was a putrid concoction of the sweat of business men, cheap
aftershave and floral perfumes. The people were suffocatingly close. She hated this
enforced intimacy. Enraged, Emily slowly manoeuvred herself around with a plan
to give the idiot the evil eye and make them uncomfortable for her whole journey.
Emily found herself staring at the chest of, by the look of the style of the
winter jacket, a young man. She glanced up to meet the gentle blue grey eyes of a
man in his early to mid twenties. She observed him with a discerning Artists eye.
He was of slender build, just over six feet tall with shoulder length platinum blonde
hair secured by a black beanie hat. His face was almost androgynous, porcelain pale
skin, deep set eyes, sharp high cheekbones leading to sculpted hollows and a strong
angular jaw line. He had a well proportioned straight nose and full lips. The Tube
train shuddered and moved off into the tunnel. Commuters behind Emily shifted
positions, trying to reclaim any tiny bit personal space. The rhythmic clickerty clack
of the train on track, the soup of perfumes and bodily odours, Emily hated the Tube.
She was jabbed in the ribs by an unknown elbow; her calf was kicked by an
unknown foot. Awkward silence filled the carriage full of swaying people. Emily
seethed as the train stopped at the next station and no one moved to get out. Five
stops into the journey and she was still pressed to the chest of the young man. She
timidly looked up and met his eyes. He met her gaze head on and spoke with
German accent.
Are you Ok? Im so sorry, I know there was no room but I really couldnt
miss this train. he offered apologetically.
Pressed to the strangers hard chest in such an awkward intimate way Emily
noted he smelled incredible, especially when compared to the sweaty office workers
standing directly behind her! His scent was a citrus tang and a hint of musk. It
made something primitive inside her growl.
No, Im not Ok, but Ill live! This has just topped off a bad day. She replied
sullenly.
The train lurched to a halt at Baker Street and Emily was shouldered deeper
into the strangers chest. He reached out a hand to steady her. She smiled weakly in
thanks. Its not as if there was any space for either of them to fall. The train door
opened and a whoosh of fume filled air entered the stuffy carriage. The young man
stepped backward out on to the platform to allow a black youth wearing
headphones pushing through the throng to leave the carriage. Passengers on the
platform mulled around the door, knowing there was no way they could squeeze in.
When no one else moved to gain egress, the young blonde man stepped back in,
taking the same position in front of Emily. The doors closed and they were crushed

ISOBEL STARLING
intimately together once more. After a moment of silence Emily decided that they
may as well kill the awkwardness with conversation.
So do you have an important appointment to get to? You dont have to
answer, just being nosey! She asked conversationally.
Sort of, Ja. Its a shoot for a new campaign. He replied
Oh! So are you a photographer, stylist, model, Art director? she queried
glancing up at his face. The young man was striking. It was blindingly obvious; she
already knew the answer before he said the word Model
Oh model, thats great! So whos the Art director on the shoot? Im an
Artist; I have friends in the business.
Emily extracted her hand from her pocket and, nudging a suited business
man to her right; manoeuvred her hand up to shake the male models hand. She
introduced herself Emily Raven. The young man took her small delicate hand and
wrapped his long elegant fingers around to shake firmly. A good, sincere hand
shake. Emily noticed he was all soft skin, manicured nails on lithe fingers. Her
bitten nails put her to shame!
Pieter Bayer, pleased to meet you, Emily Raven. His eyes flashed a smile as
his mouth gave an impish grin and Emilys stomach flipped over. His smile made a
tingle curl down her spine and after the day she had just experienced, such an
attractive young man offering her a smile put her quite off kilter.
Its a night shoot for Lucien Finch, Darien Holgoode is Art directing. Pieter
added casually.
Are you serious? Darien is one of my oldest friends; we were at Art School
together. I didnt know he was back in the country. she gasped with exasperation.
When the hell did Darien get back? The sneaky little shit!
Ja, hes super. Hes got some great campaigns this year; this is my second
with him. Hes got a fantastisch concept for the Lucien Finch collection. Theres a lot
of prep involved and he said hell kill me if Im late.
They shared a knowing grin, obviously both having witnessed the wrath of
Darien Holgoode. Lucien Finch was an internationally renowned brand, a good gig
for anyone involved in the shoot, Emily mused. Silence returned with sidelong
glances stolen and shy smiles given as the train shunted from stop to stop, St Johns
Wood, Swiss Cottage, Finchley Road, West Hampstead; no one getting in or out of
the door Pieter was jammed against.
Hey, what stop are you getting off at? You could come say hallo! Pieter
ventured suddenly.
Oh, that would be fun, to see the look on Dariens face! The rogue owed
Emily fifty quid and had left boxes of belongings, including that bloody cat, at her
house. She wondered if he would stump up the cash!

ISOBEL STARLING
I was getting off at Dollis Hill, wheres the shoot? Emily enquired
I have to get off atWillesden Green a stop before yours I think.
Yeah, cool, Ill come say hello. Emily said nonchalantly.
Cool . . . so what kind of Art do you do? Pieter asked inquisitively. He was
feeling a tingle of something, fascination maybe.
Ive tried it all, but I paint now, nudes mostly. Im obsessed by the body in
motion. I love dancers, athletes, but I also do portrait commissions. I open at the
Franzen Gallery in Berlin in a couple of weeks. She relayed. Pieters eyes went
wide at this information.
Are you serious? Thats amazing! Im only here for the shoot; Ill be back in
Berlin tomorrow. When do you open? How long is the show up for? Pieter asked
with marked enthusiasm.
I open on the 20th December and the show closes on 22nd January. I have to
go over in a couple of week to hang the show and then back to oversee taking the
show down. I usually leave that kind of thing in the hands of the gallery staff but I
had some work shipped to the states and found out one of the canvases was
damaged in transit today. I need to do it myself to see its done right. Ive been in a
blind fury most of the daysorry if I came across as aggressive at first. She
explained
No need to apologize that would make me furious too. You should see me
when the airline looses my bags, Im like a dmon! (Demon) Ill go check out your
show when Im home. His grin made Emily feel like shed been lit up like a
Christmas tree!
You probably hear this every day, but you do have the most incredible bone
structure. Id love to paint you sometime. Pieter actually blushed.
You would be surprised. Fashion is not all glamour and beaudiful people.
Models are just frames to hang product on! I dont believe a word anyone in fashion
says any more. Everyone just says what they think you want to hear, everyone
wants a piece of you and thinks they can manipulate with words. He said darkly.
Emily was taken aback by the negativity.
Dont count me in with those people. I dont do bullshit; you get what you
see with me. And Im serious Pieter, if youre interested, any time you have a free
day, look me up. Emily countered fiercely.
Pieter gave the woman a discerning thoughtful look. He realised after a few
moments actually believed her. Damn! And he thought he was so screwed up,
cynical and jaded. Pieter found himself watching Emilys mouth as she spoke. Such
perfect seductive lips; well proportioned top lip with v indent and a full lower lip
flushed dark pink and wet from the tongue that he saw dart out and caress with a
flick. The train shuddered to a halt and people started to push forward even before
the doors opened.

ISOBEL STARLING
Willesden Green Station the driver informed over the tanoi.
This was their stop. The doors whooshed open and Pieter was forced
backward by the weight of passengers seeking exit. Emily reached out to grab his
hand so he didnt land on his ass and get trampled to death. She was shunted out of
the carriage without a choice, so moved with the flow of passengers behind her
seeking a way out. Pieter happily claimed Emilys small hand in his and led her
through the crowd toward the exit sign. She submitted to the intimacy of possession
as they weaved and bobbed through the mass of people, made it to an exit and onto
a side street in silence. Emily noted the first inhalations of icy air burning her lungs,
the twilight fading to darkness. They walked, still hand in hand along the street.
God, I hate people sometimes! Emily exclaimed, breaking the silence.
There is really no need for behaviour like that. Were all getting off the
damn train eventually, its not as if the doors will close with passengers wedged in
them! Emily glanced up at Pieter, his easygoing smile made her feel a little over
dramatic.
No worries, I was happy to save you from being crushed instead of being the
one crushing you! She extracted her hand from his. Pieter looked at the movement
as if he had forgotten he was holding a strange womans hand for a moment.
Oh sorry I.... Pieter began.
Hey, no problem, you saved a few commuters from getting beaten to death
by me! They laughed together.
Silence stretched as they walked the back street. Emily realised she didnt
actually know where they were going, but for some reason she felt comfortable with
the man she had met a mere twenty minutes ago. Walking a few steps behind him,
she admired the view and revelled in how the day had flipped on its head from
hellish to heavenly. Pieter stopped at the corner and palmed his top of the range
phone from his leather messenger bag. He flicked a fingertip over the screen and
made a pincer gesture. Emily saw he was consulting a map.
Whats the address? She enquired.
Oh, its on Trenton Road. Pieter said, bringing the screen down for her to
see.
Silverton Studios, oh yeah, Ive done gigs there before. Were here and we
have to get tohere, its easy, just follow me! she said pointing at the map. Pieter
sighed with relief; he was obsessive about getting to jobs early. Lateness was the
kiss of death for many a modelling career.
Emily led Pieter through the back streets toward the industrial estate where
Silverton Studios was located. The silence was companionable, as was the
smattering of conversation. She had garnered he had to be on site by 6 pm and it
was 5.30pm when the security guard let them through the gates. The security guard
had told them they were in studio 2B, so they followed the signs through the large

ISOBEL STARLING
complex, rounding a corner to see a white Royce Royce silver ghost parked outside
the studio. Emily immediately recognised the sound of Darien Holgoode barking
orders. Hed always gotten off on having authority over people. This would be fun!

ISOBEL STARLING
CHAPTER 2
SHOOT
Forty two year old Darien Holgoode was a charming rogue, plain and simple. Emily
recognized this fact when she was 18, on the first day she met him at Art School.
Even back then he had a rakish twinkle in his hazel eyes, unkempt thick wavy black
hair swept off his high brow and a devilish grin. He reminded her of a portrait of a
young Dante Gabriel Rosetti she had seen in the National Portrait Gallery on a
family trip back in the 80s. Dariens life was pleasure. He was a devoted hedonist
and he didnt care about the carnage that he left in his wake, as long as he got what
he wanted. He fooled women and men in to his bed in equal measure with his
romantic profile, only to ruin the illusion when the lust faded and they realised he
was just another flawed, promiscuous commitment-phobe with an ex wife and two
children.
Emily paused at the wide bay studio entrance doors as Pieter swaggered in,
delighted at being early.
Bloody hell Bayer! Who kicked you out of bed? Darien blurted out with
amusement. Pieter laughed and they did the forearm-grip-pull-to-chest bump hug
that men do as greeting.
I met an old friend of yours Pieter relayed glancing behind at the open
studio doors. Emily took her cue and sauntered in to a yell of
RAVEN! What the bloody hell are you doing here? Darien gathered Emily
into a firm embrace.
You owe me fifty quid, you fucker! This lovely gentleman has helped me
track your ass down. She replied, giving Darien a playful jab to the ribs. Pieter
blanched wondering if there was something else going on that he wasnt party to.
Darien shook his dark mane and chuckled. He pulled out his wallet from his back
trouser pocket and produced a crisp fifty pound note.
Fair enough, so this means were quits yeah? he said holding the note up
higher than Emily could reach.
Darling, you and I know we will never be quits! she replied playfully,
arching her brows and snatching the note from his hand. Emily glanced at Pieter,
who appeared a little non plussed at witnessing the exchange of cash.
Known each other since we were teenagers, shared a house at Uni and he
stayed at mine last year when he had relationship issues. The shit never pays his
bills! she explained.
Oh Pieter grinned with relief.
Well dont just stand their looking pretty Pete! Anya and Johann are hair
and make-up today and Franco and Mat are dressing. Darien explained.

ISOBEL STARLING
Nice to meet you Pieter. Emily groped in her handbag for a business card
and offered it to him.
Oh cool Pieter said chirpily, flashing his eyes at her as he took the card. He
glanced at the number on the card and immediately began imputing numbers into
his phone as he walked away. Emilys phone rang. Pieter turned, walking
backward for a few steps.
Now you have mine! Good to talk, ja! Sorry again for crashing into you, let
me know if your find any bruises before you sue yeah! He hollered.
Will do! Emily grinned, marvelling at the sinuous willowy lines of the man
as he sauntered to the hair and make up station. She caught Dariens eye watching
her watching Pieter.
Gay Im afraid! he said solemnly, wearing a fake frown.
Figuresalways the fag hag! Emily observed darkly.
Dariens phone rang and he stepped away from Emily to take the call. Emily
glanced around the studio, seeing the set up for the first time. To her left there was a
screened off hair and makeup area with the dressing room and racks of clothing set
further into the space. To the right there was a green room area with black faux
leather sofas and a refreshments table. The wall was covered in prints of the Lucien
Finch menswear collection and Polaroids of male models matched to the garments.
Then there were the props and accessories tables, where a young girl was
meticulously setting out her wares. Ahead there were three photographic sets, two
ready to go and one in disarray with plastic crates and boxes on the floor and desk.
It looked like a 1920s-30s concept, Emily strode to glance at the sketches of the
collection and saw she was right. Clean lines, classy, sophisticated clothes with
mainly muted tones and the odd flash of vibrant colour.
Darien was shouting at his phone now. Emily grimaced, sorry for the poor
bugger on the other end. The conversation ended and Darien let out a load roar of
SHIIIT. Emily glanced over to meet his eyes, Dariens gaze transformed on
meeting hers, from enraged to delight.
Raven, do you have any plans? He called as he gambolled over to her.
N Emily didnt even get the word out before Darien gripped her
shoulders and lead her to the incomplete photographic set.
My set dressers stuck in traffic with the bloody photographer in the carI
need to get this last set dressed before they get here. The kids a fucking asshole;
hell never work for me again!
I havent agreed to anything! Emily exclaimed in protest, feeling badgered.
Darien always did this, always had an emergency that Emily fixedlike his
Graduate show. She hung his show when he was so ill with alcohol poisoning he
couldnt get out of bed. Four years of study would have been down the toilet if his
work has not been exhibited and the idiot goes on a bender the night before hanging

ISOBEL STARLING
a show! Darien had his hands firmly on her shoulders now and that pleading hound
look in his eyes. It suited him perfectly, he was an absolute dog!
Pleeese Em, just think, youll get to see young Mr Bayer in action! he added
waggling his brows suggestively. He knew she had a thing for beautiful young men.
Damn, you got meam I getting paid for this? she concluded, disgusted
with herself for being manipulated so easily by Darien again.
With hugs and kisses, invoice me! Emily shook her head in feigned
disbelief.
Emily had dressed hundreds of Theatrical and Film sets in her time. Having
so many arty friends at University bought experience in Theatre, film and on photo
shoots. She was happy to help in those days, just happy to be a part of the creative
community. But that was nearly fifteen years ago. Helping a mate was a rare thing
these days. Most of the people at Art School who said they would owe a favour,
disappeared once their degree course was done and the debts remained unpaid!
Darien Holgoode was no different. He was a scheming manipulative little shit of the
highest order with a list of favours he could never repay, and if Emily didnt love
him like a brother she wouldnt give Darien the time of day. He knew it and knew
hed always find a way to twist her arm!
Darien vaguely explained his concept of 1920s- 30s Murder Mystery and
what needed doing on the set, then they both got to work. The incomplete set
design was of a country house gentlemans study, inspired by the game Cluedo. A
huge desk was central to the design with bookcases behind and mock sash windows
to the right with green screen to Photoshop in a countryside vista. Most of the major
work was done; it was just the final dressing that needed to be completed. Plastic
crates of books and ornamentations including the dagger, candlestick, rope etc, had
been rented from a prop store. The contents of each box had to be verified, ticked off
the list and then set out. Between the two of them they did it in and hour and a half
and then the lighting technician were permitted to have the space. The final piece of
the design was to secrete twenty Lucien Finch logos around the interior set as the
shots were to be used for a spot the logo competition in the glossy magazines as
part of the campaign.
The second set concept was a black wall with a huge distorted white spot
painted in the centre and over the floor, mimicking a spotlight. Books open like
birds wings were suspended by invisible thread over the space. It had a
Hitchcockian feel to it. The third set was another black wall, this time with a series
of murder scene white body outlines. The forth set up was to be shot outside in the
dark parking lot using the Rolls Royce silver ghost. That would be an Agatha
Christie concept. They would shoot green screen too, so that all of the looks could
be catalogued and photo shopped.
There were many long hours of work ahead for Pieter and his five fellow male
models. Emily caught a side long glance of him when he stepped out of the dressing

ISOBEL STARLING
room area, looking incredibly handsome in a modern twist of top hat and tails. His
blonde hair had been slicked back making his cheekbones appear more defined and
a small black curled moustache had been painted above his upper lip. When he
smiled at Emily, the moustache grew too. He waggled his brows and lifted the top
hat to bow. Emily laughed as he shuffled in a goofy Charlie Chaplin walk toward
her.
He roped me in to set dressing! Emily offered.
Oh, ja! I wondered why you were still here. Im sorry, I know you had a
long day, dragging you here has just made it longer.
Pieter, stop apologising! Not everything is your fault. His set dresser is
delayed. I used to dress sets with Darien, we know how each other works. Helping
was the easiest optionits all good. she placated.
And I wouldnt miss seeing this. You look positively delightful dahhling!
Emily purred flirtatiously in a clipped English accent. There were sparks when their
eyes met, Emily was sure of it.
RAVEN Darien yelled from set one. Emilys browns rose and Pieter
nodded in understanding, she went to see what Darien wanted. The photographer
Bruno Schneider and the errant set dresser Jay Blake arrived two hours late.
Its my fault Darien, dont blame the boy. Schneider bellowed when
accosted by Darien. They took the argument outside and returned scarlet faced but
ready to work several minutes later.
Pieter was up first, suited and booted. Emily observed he wasnt arrogant or
demanding at all. The young man was a consummate professional, listening and
taking direction well. She liked the way he moved, using his whole slender body to
make interesting shapes and sell the look. But it was his eyes that really sold it for
Emily. There was a soulful depth to them. He could use them with shattering
precision. Emily stood beside one of several monitors set up around the studio
space with Darien watching as each shot went directly from camera to the monitor
screens. Throughout the shoot for this first look, items of clothing were being
undone, first the jacket, then the ascot, the waistcoat and finally shirt buttons
revealed pale taut hairless flesh. God, he was angelic. The camera really did love
him.
So is he successful? Emily asked Darien conversationally.
Uh! Yeah! In the worlds Top 50!
Oh, not surprising really, hes fucking gorgeous! she exclaimed dreamily.
Pieter met her gaze as she said those words. His eyes lit up and the camera flashed
at the same exact moment. Had he heard her? Dariens attention had been taken by
the petite girl assisting with accessories. The photograph popped up in the monitor.
Christ, his eyes are incredible Emily thought, feeling herself blush like a teenager.
She was overcome with a compulsion. She needed that image. Emily knew it was

ISOBEL STARLING
frowned upon, but still pulled her phone from her pocket and took a photo of the
image on the monitor making sure no one saw her do it. A feeling of guilt and
inadequacy flowed through her. She saw herself through strangers eyes for a
moment. Foolish forty year old fawning over twenty something gay male model, ridiculous!
Why do you always like the young unobtainable ones? She scolded herself.
It was 9 pm now; that was enough for one day! Emily moved to Dariens side
and told him she was going. She waved to Pieter, who flashed a moustachioed
smile at her before his attention was taken again by direction from Bruno.

****
Emily returned to the Tube station and caught a train one stop to Dollis Hill,
arriving home after 10 pm. She picked up Chinese food on the way and strolled
nonchalantly down her street with her phone glued to her ear, deep in conversation
with her best friend Louisa. Emily told her about the frustrations of the day and
warned Louisa that her ex-husband Darien was back in town. Emily always gave
Louisa the heads up. She felt slightly guilty for getting them together in the first
place. The fact that Emily had known what Darien was like, that he couldnt keep it
in his pants and never did for the whole of the eight year marriage to Louisa, riled
her. Maybe she felt sorry for the two gorgeous kids Ellie and Jack, Darien left
behind to return to the bachelor ways that hed never really left!
Louisa and Emily had been best friends at University too, Louisa was
studying Public Relations and had been unrequitedly lusting after Darien for years
when they were students, but he wasnt interested until years later. Emily and
Louisa were on a girls night out in London celebrating Louisas return working in
the States. Louisa had blossomed in that time, and when they bumped into Darien
in a Gay club Emily pretended that Louisa was hers. It was a lie; she had no sexual
interest in women. Emily had cottoned on to the fact Darien would shag anyone she
was interested in when they shared a house. Many possible boyfriends had been
swept from her mind when she found herself awkwardly breakfasting with them
after a night of pleasure with Darien Holgoode!
Emily finished her phone call as she stepped on to the path up to her front
door. The banished cat Major Tom sat smugly glaring at her from the doorstep.
Ill let you in and feed you, but if I wake up to a pile of sick again, youll be
made into a handbag, you hear! She scolded. The long haired black and white cat
looked up at her regally as if she should be honoured to be in his presence.
Emilys house was a Victorian terrace in a quiet ordinary street, close to Dollis
Hill High Street. When her paintings started to sell for five figure sums she decided
to invest in property. She bought the Riverside studio and a house. The house had
been in a state when she bought it and the renovations had only been completed a
few months ago. It still didnt really feel like home yet. Things were not in their
place and boxes remained unopened. With her current workload all she needed was
bathroom, bed, kitchen to be in order and she could ignore the mess of the other

ISOBEL STARLING
rooms. The room she spent most time in was her bedroom. Emily had invested in a
fantastic king size bed with amazingly luxurious mattress. She believed that lots of
sleep and dreaming was vital for her work.
When Emily got in she shed her coat, hat and the stresses of the day. She
plated her food, made a cup of tea and took them up to her room. The bedroom
smelled vaguely of detergent and cat sick still, but there was no way she would
vacate her beloved bed for that devil with claws.
After a quick shower Emily went to bed with luke-warm food on a plate on
her lap, tablet computer resting on a pillow. She knew her first search would be for
images of Pieter Bayer. He was every flickering image in her mind, stuck in a loop
of rewind and replay. Sinuous movements and poses, long blonde hair, a flash of blue grey
eyes, sensuous full lips, the fall of light and shadows on the ridges and hollows of his cheeks,
the curve of his slender hips and the way fabric clung to his torso, those long legs. Just the
rush of images in her head made her feel incredibly turned on.
Emily put the plate of Chinese food on the bedside table and focused on the
image search. Immediately he was there on her screen, mercurial, looking curiously
different in each photo, as if hed donned an appropriate mask for each individual
campaign. He could do androgynous, pale and willowy. But could also pull off the
more sophisticated, arty, dangerous and rough looks too. Emily found Pieters
portfolio was vast. He had been a muse for many creative people and was dressed
in some stunning and hideously outlandish clothing. Amazingly hed been in the
industry for 12 years, he didnt look old enough. She clicked on a video of the
spring/summer collection for Jayko van den Steiner. Pieter was one of an army of
forty chiselled faced young men parading with almost military precision. He was
completely self aware, fiercely confident. Pieter Bayer stalked the runway with a
nonchalant gate, lips pursed, blue grey eyes staring straight a head at the bank of
photographers seated in the pit at the end of the runway. His stare was an arrogant
call to arms, a challenge.
Then Emily saw some more candid back stage footage of the models lining up
before they went on. Pieter looked so nervous and almost shy. But still amongst the
line of all those attractive young men he stood out as being special. Pieters on
runway persona was at odds with the unassuming, excessively modest, grounded
young man Emily had met on the train. There was an aura of something about him
that she found compulsively endearing.
Emily had a love/ hate relationship with the Internet. She saw it generally as
a soul sucking waste of time, but did have a generic website for displaying her work
and professional resume. Most of all Emily abhorred social media. To her mind it
was an insatiable beast, unthinking and uncaring in its need for content, most of it
being just vacuous gossip. Emily steeled herself and searched on, plunging into the
realms of the gossip sites she so detested. She found to her distaste there was a
disturbing wealth of personal information about Pieter on them too. Private details
for the dedicated stalker she had suddenly become. He was 28, twelve years

ISOBEL STARLING
younger than her. He didnt look his age but then again neither did Emily. Pieter
could pass for early to mid twenties, where as Emily was always mistaken for being
in her late twenties, early thirties.
Emily entered the search Pieter Bayer and boyfriend and several images
appeared. Pieter looked a lot younger, 18 or 19? He was draped in the arms of
another pretty dark haired, hollow cheeked, young male model. An intoxicated
smile plastered across his face and lust in his sparkling eyes. Scrolling down the
images, she saw several closely cropped photos of him with other young men, but it
was unclear whether they were general friend photos, behind the scenes fashion
show images or of a more private nature.
Then Pieter was pictured with a skinny young girl at some sort of Fashion
event party. The most recent image of the two of them was dated just over two and
a half years ago. She clicked on the link to a blog, written by the girl, it seemed.
Avril Duval, model, French, now twenty three, oval shaped face, thin lips, flawless
skin, dark doe eyes, long straight dark hair, waif body. She was eerily beautiful,
even if Emily hated to admit it! From browsing her blog it seemed Pieter had dated
Avril for a year and from reading the updates she kind of got off on dating a famous
male model. The sickeningly love struck updates ended abruptly just over two years
ago with just an image of a dagger in what appeared to be a pigs heart. It looks like
it didnt end well. Emily absent mindedly gathered her long auburn hair into a tail
and her mind zoned out to images of him, now with relief that Pieter was Bi, not
gay.
The plate of Chinese food was getting cold and Emily suddenly felt
uncomfortable with her behaviour, prying into the private lives of strangers. She
deleted the search history and clicked on a news TV channel on her tablet computer.
She ate her cold Chinese food and watched the images of death and destruction on
the world news, not listening to a word the newsreader said, just hearing the
German drawl coming from sensual full lips when Pieter pronounced the word
fantastic as fantastisch. The memory sent a shiver down her spine.
Emilys was distracted. Her interest in a male model twelve years her junior
was unnerving her. She hadnt been interested in anyone for such a long time. Emily
reminded herself she was not actually in her twenties and the likelihood of him
being attracted to her was, quite frankly laughable. His boy and girlfriends had all
been waif like with dark hair, whereas Emily had the lumps, bumps and curves a
real ordinary woman possessed. She had been told by an ex that she had a Pre
Raphaelite look but she knew it was because he was trying to charm his way into
her knickers! She had the long red hair but definitely not the square almost
masculine chin of a Pre-Raphaelite model! The truth was that Emily went up and
down between sizes 12/14, had fringed auburn hair that fell past her shoulder blades
and a heart shaped face. She had flesh on her hips, an ass and real breasts, not the
swollen pre-pubescent nipples pretending to be breasts that Pieters waif-like ex
possessed. There was no point over thinking this, but Emily knew she would, she

ISOBEL STARLING
always did when she was attracted to a new man and it drove her mad. It was one
thing on the long list of reasons Emily avoided intimate attachments. Emily had
been celibate for six years after she dumped her last boyfriend Leon Markham. She
just couldnt cope with the highs of illusion and disappointing lows of reality in her
love affairs. Leon had been the last and most troublesome boyfriend and the end
was traumatic. But curiously, the end of that relationship had been the best thing
that had happened to Emily. The grief and loss had sparked inspiration the likes of
which Emily had never experienced. It was through painting out her pain that
Emilys work began to improve and her career at last began to take off.
Emily curled up and tried to sleep, hoping to banish the silly thoughts of the
beautiful young man from her mind.

ISOBEL STARLING
CHAPTER 3
SCHNLING
In the ten days since meeting Pieter Bayer on the train and Emilys workload had
snowballed. She was in the small office at her studio having returned from hanging
her exhibition featuring nudes of athletes and dancers titled E: Motion at the Franzen
Gallery in Berlin the day before. Her agent Lynzee Fortescue called with details of a
commission for a prominent member of the government that she didnt feel she
should refuse. The portrait was to be painted from photo only, with collection in six
weeks. It was just long enough for the oil paint to dry! For the price tag of 60.000
she couldnt complain. It was close to Christmas and Emily would stop for a few
days, visit her brother Thom and his family and then it would straight back to the
studio.
In the new year Emily would have to fix the canvas returning from the US,
hang her exhibition of portraits titled Inter/FACE in the City of London Heliotrope
Gallery, finish working on several portraits and then fly to Berlin to oversee the take
down of the exhibition at the Franzen Gallery. Emily hadnt been on a night out
with the girls in months, let alone had a holiday. There was no balance to be found,
she felt overwhelmed. The business was taking over from the Art, and the Art was
her life.
It was early January. Emily had thought about that evening shoot with Pieter
Bayer a lot through out the biting days of December. Neither had attempted any
contact. To avoid temptation Emily wouldnt allow herself to even text him. The
man was only 28 and obviously not attracted to her. But Emily couldnt deny she
hadnt felt such a buzz of inspiration in years. She longed to work on her new muse.
She couldnt recall ever feeling such strong attraction to a subject either; printing out
the image taken at the shoot and taping it to the wall in her studio. Knowing he had
looked at her that way for even one second gave her a warm tugging sensation in her
womb. It was powerfully alluring and she just wanted to say to hell with everyone
elses needs and draw him over and over again to release the pent up desire.
Emilys phone sprang to life; it was on silent mode but vibrated aggressively
around the wooden office desk. She glanced and saw it was a text message from
Pieter Bayer.
P: Flying to London today, free tomorrow, can you paint me in one day?
Emilys heart beat so hard she could feel it trying to escape through her ribs.
The rush of exhilaration was incredible. The voice of negativity piped up inside her
head. It mocked her, telling her she was being foolish, ridiculous, infatuated with a
young man. Whatever happened to professionalism? That though was like a bucket
of icy water in the face. Yes, Pieter was a subject and must be treated like all other
subjects, with objectivity and respect. She waited 10 minutes and then replied.

ISOBEL STARLING
E: YES!!! Millbank studios beside the river. Which hotel are you at?
Ill book you a taxi on my account. Is 10am too early?
Pieter replied within a minute of the text being sent
P: 10 is super. Am at Kensington Townhouse Hotel. Cant wait to see you!

Emilys whole body fizzed with exhilaration. Smiley face, really? This was
too much excitement. She read his words over and over again. The young man she
had known for maybe two hours in total couldnt wait to see her? It was crazy,
maybe he was mentally unwell or on drugs! Her mind went blank and she stared at
the pile of paperwork on her desk. When Emily clicked back to awareness she didnt
know how long she had zoned out for, she checked her phone. Pieters message had
arrived at 11.32am, it was now 12.05pm. She laid her head in her hands and rubbed
her face.
God, this always happens when I like someone! she groaned to herself.
The feeling of being overwhelmed dissipated to be replaced by the need to
present the right impression to her muse. Everything would be dropped for one
day. Come on, you need to prep the studio she badgered herself.
Leaving the office and moving into the studio, Emily glanced around. The
place was a mess. What sort of impression would this make? The walls were a
patchwork of images, sketches of bodies in motion, entwined, dancing, jumping,
running, fucking. Half finished paintings were laid out on the floor, there were
containers with murky turpentine, water and other indiscernible liquids crystallized
at the bottom, multicoloured rags, spent brushes and torn paper and mangled tubes.
She looked in the kitchen cupboard for a roll of bin bags and got to work tidying.
The paintings were propped against the wall with many others; everything else
liquid was poured down the sink and binned. There was a single bed on a high dais
that was used to pose reclining life models, the sheets needed stripping and washing
and the scene set with drapes for Pieters painting. Would he pose nude or just do a
portrait? Whatever, it didnt matter; she would have one whole day observing that
striking face.
Emily spent the rest of the day tidying her studio, she re-made the bed with
fresh sheets and set up a screen at the side of the dais with a robe and slippers in
case he decided to pose nude. She set up her easel with a large primed rectangular
canvas and set out new brushes and new tubes of oil paint on the industrial looking
wheeled tea lady trolley she had picked up at an Antique shop some years ago.
Emily cleaned the bathroom and kitchen, went to the supermarket and bought food
that would suffice for lunch and snacks. She had no idea if he was vegetarian or had
any allergies. Bread, mozzarella, avocado, tomatoes, salads, cold meats. She hadnt
gone to this much trouble for a man in years! Finally with everything done she
moved her special chair back into place. The chair was a wing backed antique chair
that had been re-upholstered in Prussian blue velvet. There were streaks of paint
encrusting the arms of the chair where Emily had touched over the years; she liked

ISOBEL STARLING
to pick at these patches when she was deep in thought and staring at the painting
she was working on. Emily sat down and stared at the bed on the dais, imagined
him, long willowy limbs of pale flesh being observed by no one else in the world but
her. Mine for one day! Take what you can get, the negative voice reminded her, hes
young and has a whole wonderful life dallying with the beautiful people ahead of him. You
are just a momentary fascination. Emily had to agree with the inner voice. It was
practical, more than anything. They would be friends and that would have to be
enough.

ISOBEL STARLING
CHAPTER 4
STUDIO
Emily slept in the bed on the dais, it was 9pm by the time she had finished up and
the thought of the train home and then travelling again in the morning was not
something she relished. She kept some spare clothes and basic toiletries there for the
times she slept over; it wasnt something she did often as the fumes from the turps
affected her chest sometimes.
Emily woke at 8.30am and threw herself into the shower. She put the
thermostat up to take the chill out of the frigid winter air, dressed in simple leggings
and black over dress, tied her auburn hair in a tail and hooked her work apron on
the corner of the easel. After tea, a slice of toast and a great deal of insecure pacing/
fretting about him possibly forgetting/not turning up, the buzzer sounded. Emily
rushed to the intercom.
Hello
Hi its Pieter Bayer for Emily Raven
Hi Pieter, come on in. Emily buzzed him in.
Even the sound of his voice over the intercom gave her palpitations. She
rushed to use the bathroom and then skipped, yes skipped to the front door of the
studio to let him in. Emily stood with the door wide open listening to his booted
footfalls on the long wooden corridor.
Millbrook studios had once been a Victorian Primary school house. The
classrooms had been opened up and the space made into three large high end single
story Artists studios. They had state of the art insulation and all mod cons. Emily
saw Pieter before he saw her and her heart fluttered in her chest. He stalked and
gazed at the dark wood herringbone floor as if he walked the runway. He looked
up, his blue grey eyes flashed a smile and his mouth followed suit. Emily grinned
like an impish child, she couldnt stop smiling.
Hello stranger she called to him.
Pieter was beaming when he reached the door. He leaned down to kiss Emily
on both cheeks, embracing as if they had been friends for years.
Come in, Im glad you found the place. Pieter strode into the kitchen and
dropped his messenger bag on a chair.
Ja, thanks for the taxi. Im glad he knew the route by heart.
Would you like tea or anything else to drink?
Tea is good; do you have English breakfast tea? She had bought a box in the
supermarket, it was her favourite.
Yes, go have a look around, Ill put the kettle on. Pieter removed his black
coat, scarf and beanie hat and laid them over the kitchen chair. There was electricity

ISOBEL STARLING
in the air, just being alone in the same room as the man. Emily felt like a giddy
teenager. She would have to simmer down and get the painting started; after all he
was giving just one day. Emily heard the clap clap sound of canvases being sorted
through. She strode into the studio to see Pieter looking intently at one of the
canvases. His face was fixed in deep in concentration and he didnt hear Emily
approach.
Thats Max Dimitri, a dancer with Nouveux Dance.
Ja, I know Max. We said hallo at a couple of Fashion parties. You really
captured him, its quite beaudiful.
Max had a stunning physique, was a sweet guy and had been a delight to
paint. Emily looked up at Pieter; she had forgotten quite how tall he was. She took
his forearm and led him to another pile of stacked canvases. Pieter browsed through
them and Emily blushed when he shook his head in disbelief and said
Mein gott, you are such an incredible talent. Are you sure I shouldnt be
paying you for today? She laughed and brazenly suggested
Dahling, you couldnt afford me! Pieter followed Emily back to the kitchen
and muttered
Im sure I couldmany times over!
She gave him a coquettish grin. It was probably true; he appeared to work all
the time, so probably had a very healthy bank account. She asked him to sit and
gave him a mug of tea and put the sugar bowl and carton of milk on the table.
So what would you like to do? I can do a portrait or nude, whatever, your
preference is fine with me. Pieter sipped his tea and glanced up over the rim of the
mug.
You want me nude Ja? Is ok with me. I have no problem with the nudity.
He said with a directness that Emily found intriguing and refreshing.
Thank you, really, you have no idea how happy this makes me! There is a
robe and slippers behind the screen, please wear the slippers when you walk around
the studio, theres been glass and all sorts on the floor over the years, dont want
your beautiful feet getting cut! When youre ready come on through. Emily
directed. She rose from her chair and to her surprise Pieter followed her
immediately.
Emilys heart was pounding with nerves. Pieter put his mug down beside the
dais and sat on the bed. He removed his black leather boots and grey socks, sliding
his sculptural size 11 feet into the one size fits all slippers that Emily had purloined
from a hotel stay in Europe somewhere. The silence in the room was so intense
Emily was sure she could hear his heart beating.
What kind of music do you like? she asked as she browsed through her
music files on her phone.

ISOBEL STARLING
Rock, jazz, dance, classical, everything!
Emily searched through the music files on her phone and found a play list of
Gentle songs to start the day. The loping melody of Arcade Fire The suburbs filled
the space. Pieter smiled knowingly to himself and began undressing by the bed.
Emily was a little surprised when he didnt go behind the screen and use the robe
she provided. She felt almost dirty when she found her eyes magnetized by the
view of Pieter undressing in front of her. It shouldnt be so erotic, he was a subject:
shadow and light, lines, curves, angles. Emily chided and reminded herself to focus.
The bathroom is through there. she gestured pointing to a door beside the
screen.
Tell me if youre cold or hungry or want to stop or hate the music, anything.
I just want you to be comfortable, ok? I usually take a break every hour or my arm
locks!
Pieter nodded, naked now he turned and walked to the bathroom, shuffling
on slippered feet. He had stunning flawless small peaches of an ass. Apart from a
smattering of sandy hair on his calves, thighs and a small darker bush of public hair,
Pieters body was boyishly hairless. Emily loved that! Hairless subjects made the
play of shadow and light on their skin so much more appealing. Emily sat down in
her velvet wing backed chair and nervously picked at dried paint. She couldnt
believe her luck, she felt like lottery and Euro Millions tickets had won on the same
day. Pieter swaggered out of the bathroom looking incredible. He had unbound his
blonde hair and it flowed to rest just above his shoulders. The long willowy lines of
his torso met trim narrow hips, that jut of sharp hip bones was something that Emily
loved, along with his ivory pale skin and his sizable slender flaccid cock! She felt
spoilt for choice; there were so many poses to choose from, so many ways she could
arrange that stunning body. Pieter stood nervously waiting for direction. Emily was
lost in thought for a moment, she glanced up.
Oh, Im so sorry, here She said as she rose from her chair
Could you lay down on the bed for me onyour belly? Pieter did as he
was told.
Are you nervous? Theres really no need. Can I touch you, arrange your
limbs? Pieter glanced up and said
Sure, do what you want with me.
Emily generally preferred to keep a professional distance with nude models.
She had never slept with any of her models as a rule; it made the artist/model
relationship far too complicated for her liking. Ironically Darien had no problem
with complication or sleeping his way through Emilys whole model list when they
were at Art school. Emily tried to look at Pieter dispassionately; he was a form, an
arrangement of bone, muscle, sinew and flesh. She would not flirt with him while
he was posing for her. She moved her hands to either side of his slender hips; his

ISOBEL STARLING
flesh was cool to the touch, almost transparent in its paleness. Beautiful. She pushed
a small pillow under his belly, so his ass rose a little. She noted he had adorable
dimples of Venus either side of the base of his spine. His head lay on another pillow
and Emily propped his right elbow up and repositioned his head resting on the
forearm. Pieters left arm and leg fell over the edge of the bed. Emily moved him
back a tad, so his limbs rested on the mattress. He faced out, watching Emily
observing his pose. Up close Pieters face was not as flawless as photos suggested.
Like all models, his skin and hair had to go through a lot of punishment and without
Photoshop he did have blemishes and his hair was a little dry. But there was
something deeper about him, an aura that Emily was drawn to even more than his
body. This was what she wanted to capture in her painting.
Ok, wriggle about and find a comfy spot, I want you to look natural. He did
as directed his body settling into the mattress.
Do you mind if I take a couple of reference shots, as I only have you for a
day? She asked
No, its cool, just for your eyes though! he said plainly
Definitely, its reference for when we stop for a break, just to put you back in
the same pose Emily picked up a Polaroid camera and took a direct shot. She put
the picture on her table and took another, from a different angle, and then a third.
She shook the first Polaroid image and gazed at it for a few moments. God, he was
beatific. She moved closer and knelt by his head, showing him the pose.
Schn
You can sleep if you want ok, or talk, sing, just dont move your body!
At last Emily stepped behind the canvas. She stared at the white expanse and
then at the vision on the bed. Her fingers were shaking with nervous energy. Pieter
had closed his eyes. Emily was glad she had chosen a gentle play list. The Long and
winding Road- Paul McCartney. Emily automatically began to tear up hearing those
opening bars. She picked up a fine charcoal stick and started to channel all the
feelings into the canvas. She traced Pieters form with her eyes and hand working in
unison, her gaze flitting from canvas to subject and back as she energetically
roughed out his form. Emily saw Pieters mouth moving and then tuned in to the
fact he was singing along Leads me to your door Pieters eyes opened and met
Emily's exactly at the moment she glanced back at him. The intensity in that gaze
and him mouthing those lyrics made her gasp and take a step further in to hide
behind the canvas.
Emily chose a long handled flat brush to begin colour blocking the subject.
She liked to get rid of the white canvas surface as quickly as possible and so began
thinning blobs of oil colour and roughly blocking in the form. White with a hint of
ochre and madder rose for the flesh. She worked feverishly for over an hour. When
the last song on the play list finished Emily quickly stopped the phones MP4 player.

ISOBEL STARLING
Pieter snored softly and Emily decided to leave the music off for a while and let him
sleep.
Emily paused, lay down her brush and wind milled her arms. She worked
through a series of Yoga stretches to ease the discomfort in her back and arms. She
hoped the silence would help ease her sexual tension, so for the next hour and a half
she studied the way the natural light fell on Pieters alabaster skin, the curve of his
back to his buttocks, his slim corded thighs and calves and that beatific sleeping face.
She took another couple of shots of him on her phone camera, a close up of his
sleeping face and a full length shot. She hid them guiltily in a private fileIf this
was all she was to have of him...
It was nearing mid day, the whole canvas was now filled with colour, the
image of the young man in post coitial slumber rising from the myriad of colours.
Emily decided she would paint his open eyes last, she wanted to capture that gaze,
wanted the longing in his eyes. She put down her brush and reached for a wet wipe
to clean paint of her fingers. Emily untied her apron, carefully removed it and hung
it on a hook on her easel. Striding to the dais, Emily retrieved a blanket, laid it
gently over Pieter sleeping form and then went to use the bathroom.
Alone in the bathroom she stared at herself in the mirror. She knew that look
of ravaged desperation in her own eyes. Knew how much pain having feelings for
someone who was unobtainable gave her. It had happened too many times before in
her life. There are too many beautiful men, too aware of the spell they cast and eager
to use it. Six years and not even a kiss had passed her lips, six years of longing
driven into her art by brush on canvas. She had caught on to something by denying
herself. Her work began to fit with her feelings and the confusion she felt all the
times she had been in relationships melted away. By not having a lover, life was
simpler and even though she had painted many beautiful men in the past six years,
she never completely desired any of them enough to do anything about it. Pieter was
different and it scared her. For someone who spent his whole life in front of the
camera having to look perfect for photographers, he was unassuming, almost
unaware of his beauty. His personality was so endearing, easy going, so trusting
and playfully childlike. Emily had also discovered he was fiercely intelligent from
reading his blog. She wished she hadnt read his blog, his words burrowed under
her skin; he had a gorgeous turn of phrase, especially as English was his second
language. He was hinting at disillusionment with the Fashion industry and the
search for meaning, for a simpler life from what she had read; and Emily could relate
to that.
After using the bathroom and washing the remaining paint from her hands
Emily decided to prepare lunch. She made Insalata Caprese-with Mozzarella,
tomato and basil, laid out fresh rye bread, butter, a bowl of salad leaves, Olives,
cheese and plate of cold meats. She didnt even know if Pieter was a big eater, or
would be hungry; its not as if hed done much that morning! Emily laid out the
food and two clean wooden boards as plates on the table. Glancing over at the

ISOBEL STARLING
sleeping study, Emily felt guilty that she would wake him from his peace. She
strode into the studio and knelt down beside the bed.
Pieter, hey, Pieter wakey wakey. He didnt stir. Emily fingered a few stray
strands of blonde hair away from his face to behind his ear and then caressed his
warm flushed cheek with the back of her hand. She traced the shape of his full lips.
This close she could see elegant long golden lashes on his closed, heavy lidded eyes
and light blonde stubble on his chin. Her face was a hands breadth away from his.
Pieter she said in a soft sing song voice.
Wakey wakey sleepy head A sleep twitch made him shudder and he
opened an eye to see Emily gazing at him lovingly.
Time for lunch if youre hungry. she announced softly.
I can move ja? he asked in a slumberous timid voice.
You can dance, jump, whatever!
He beamed a wide sleepy grin, rolling over. The blanket fell beneath his
buttocks and his sizable semi hard erection came into view. He stretched his limbs
and groaned as if he was unaware of his revelation. Emily turned and walked back
swiftly to the kitchen biting her lip and smiling wickedly to herself. She heard Pieter
shuffling in the slippers toward the bathroom. After a few minutes he walked into
the kitchen, his blonde hair tied up in a tail, not wearing his own clothes or the robe.
He had donned one of Emilys comfy oversized jumpers. It was a huge teabag knit
purple chenille number that fell just past his crotch, it covered nothing, but she was
relieved to see hed put his underwear back on. He looked too cute.
WOW! Did you do all this for me? he asked in genuine amazement at
seeing the spread of food on the kitchen table.
I like to treat my models well. She said.
Ja! And theres nothing like hard work to make me hungry. he grinned
wryly.
I am actually very impressed with yourhard work. Emily jested and then
realised what she had just said. Pieter blushed.
They sat opposite one another at the table, a cup of English breakfast tea
beside their boards. The silence was a little intimidating so Emily reached behind to
the work top and put talk radio on to give a low background murmur.
How do you know what foods I like? he asked as he loaded his board.
I dont! I just guessed and I like these too. So are you veggie or allergic to
anything? I really have no idea. Pieter glanced up as he buttered a slice of black rye
bread.

ISOBEL STARLING
I have an allergy to alcohol; I got real sick with it when I was younger. My
mother saw to it that I would never touch cigarettes or drugs. I dont think Im
allergic to any foods. Pieter replied
Im not a veggie either. I LOVE my meat too much. he added playfully with
a wolfish salacious grin.
I dont drink either. My father was an Alcoholic so booze isnt on my radar.
I tried to smoke dope at Art school but it just made me sickand when it comes to
meatthat makes two of us! Emily countered keeping direct eye contact for
moments longer than necessary. So much for not flirting with him! She beamed,
popped an olive playfully into her mouth and crunched down. Pieter watched her
mouth intently and took an olive for himself. Her lips were perfect. If he were to
draw a pair of perfect lips they would be exactly the same shape as Emilys he
thought dreamily. And her eyes, what colour do you call that, silver grey? The way
she looked at him went straight to his cock.
Pieter hadnt felt so reckless in years; he had been thinking about Emily
obsessively for weeks. She had no real online presence so he only knew what her
Art website has told him. She fascinated him. So after a quiet, introspective
Christmas he made a decision to pursue her in the New Year. He couldnt believe
how crazy he had been. Pieter had phoned in sick, telling his agent he couldnt
make a go see for a major campaign with Calvin Zoroz just to get time to see Emily
for this one day. His agent Veronik was livid. And now Pieter sat half naked in
Emilys studio kitchen watching that mouth open and bite and chew. He realised he
felt envious of her sandwich.
Are you seeing anyone? He just came out with it. Emilys eyes darted up
to meet his; she coughed and paused to take a sip of her still too hot tea. His
directness went straight to her groin.
No she replied hastily to see Pieters eyes widen and brows arch with
pleasure. You? she countered.
No, not for more than two years now. Emily nodded seriously, disguising
her elation.
Ive been celibate for six years, butits a fluid thing. If I meet a good guy,
who knows. she admitted casually. I dont do one night stands; I dont do
casualanything really. Im an all or nothing kinda gall! She added. Shut up, shut
up! Why are you talking about this? She chided in alarm at her flapping mouth.
Ja, Im the same now. In the fashion industry there are so many lonely
insecure people, you know he said between bites. Ive worked hard for the past 12
years. I have good contacts and am well thought of, but Im so aware there is always
another pretty boy to be discovered, I just keep working, working. The lifestyle is
just so crazy just doesnt allow for a deep connection with anyone. He paused and
sipped his tea.

ISOBEL STARLING
When I was young I was very nave, slept around, beaudiful men, it was all
new and exciting. But I realised I wanted more and I just didnt get that with the
boys I met. I found a steady girlfriend and thought it could be, you know,
something moreI discovered out our agents had conspired to get us together and
groom us to be some kind of fucking fashion power couple and Avril was in on it. I
was furious. I had never felt so manipulated in my life. I ended with her and the
agent. Pieter confessed.
I have a strong enough career that I have the pick of agents all over the
world and now its better. But I decided to not have a relationship for a while. I
didnt like how it made me feel. It was too destructive and painful. You know,
when relationships end, friends of mine who have been modelling since they were
kids have taken to booze and drugs and then its the spiral down. They just cant
cope emotionally. Thats not my scene, dont want that for myself. I have good
parents who try to keep me grounded, I dont want to disappoint my family, you
know, so its all or nothing from now on!
Emily was endeared by his honesty and, swept along on a wave of openness,
she didnt pause for a moments though before she matched his confidence.
My last boyfriend, Leon, was six and a half years ago, he was a sculptor. We
were together for around 2 years until I found him fucking our neighbour. Pieters
eyes widened and he gasped
Mein Gott
Yes, actually in the act, he had her over the kitchen table for god sake, and
when I found them all he could say was 10 minutes10 minutes! He wanted me
to let him finish, can you believe that! Anyway, long story short I finished with
himit was very messy, we had just bought a flat together. Then I just kind of cut
myself off after thatfrom feelingsyou know. I just focused it all into the work
and then my paintings started selling and I couldnt keep up with demand. Its
crazy how a relationship can suck the life out of you.
Pieter nodded seriously in agreement and took another bite of his sandwich.
They sat watching one another eat for several minutes. Pieters eyes rose from his
food to meet Emilys.
What did you mean when you said your celibacy was a fluid thing? He
enquired.
Well, I please myselfIm not frigid or anything. she paused to sip her tea.
Its just that intimacy appears to mean more to me than the boyfriends Ive
had in the past. Being close to a lovers body, being inside a lover and letting him
inside me. Its a gift, you know. Sex can be so disposable. I dont want that, I cant
offer any man one night; its not in my nature. If I care about a man enough to sleep
with him that will never be enough. I know I must sound like a romantic fool, but

ISOBEL STARLING
want to be with someone who wants to know me, gets me and wants to share
something deeper and longer lasting than a quick shag.
Pieter nodded again in agreement and wished he could tell Emily how
aroused he was at hearing her speak so passionately. He did not believe he would
be able to move from the table, not for many, many minutes!
And what about you? All that time around beautiful people at Fashion
shows. Are you really not tempted to even have one night stands again? Emily
prodded.
Ja, I still get propositioned all the time. It gets boring after a while. At
shows Im surrounded by say 40 guys with hot bodies. I love the cock and assof
course I still look! he grinned saucily. Emily laughed out loud.
It used to be easy to reach for a guy who wanted to hook up after a show,
even for an hour to feel good. I did that a lot when I was young. Before Avril, there
were all the one night stands with guys, it was fun but eventually it just left me
feeling emptyin my gut, you know! And then there is all the whispers back stage
at the shows about who fucked who. I just couldnt take it any more. When it
started to not make me feel anything good I stopped. I have some great friends in
Fashion. Id have gone crazy without them. But there are too many people out to
manipulate something from me, people who dont have my best interest at heart.
Ive been far too easy going in the past. People use anything, connections, gifts, sex
to get what they want. I was so horrified when I found out what Avril was doing. I
was young and naive, thought maybe I was in love, but I wasnt. She was just eine
intrigante Hndin (a scheming bitch) who got off on hanging on my arm. You know
she got a lingerie campaign with Flche vers le Cur because she was with me! The
client loved on the fact we were a real couple. All I had to do was drape over her
like a fucking accessory. Pieter stopped and took a sip of his tea.
After I ended it, I kind of broke for a while, I couldnt function. I got really
depressed and had to go to a therapist. I still go some times; its good to talk about
things with someone who doesnt know me professionally. She advised me to take a
break and let my heart heal. I havent even kissed anyone in more than 2 years. Its
pathedic Ja! He said glumly
No, its kind of wonderful Pieter. I admire a man who will fight for his own
heart. Its too easy to give in to peer pressure and be in a relationship because its
expected. You dont need to settle for second best and neither do I!
Ill drink to that! he said holding up his mug. Emily laughed as she clinked
mugs with him and sipped her tea. Pieter couldnt believe he was having such an
intimate conversation with a woman he barely knew. He hadnt spoken about this
stuff with anyone, really, not even his therapist. Emily was grounded, honest, and
so easy to talk to. He felt electricity thrumming in his blood. He liked her, very
much.

ISOBEL STARLING
I want to try a few short poses when youre ready, minute sketches just to
loosen me up again and maybe five minute poses after that. Ill give you a stop
watch, you set it to sixty seconds, pose and then after the minute, move and then
reset the watch. You do whatever you want, be spontaneous! Well use the studio
floor. Its great fun, keeps me on my toes and Ill give you some good music to work
with. Emily explained. Pieters eyes lit up in anticipation.
Emily rose and strode into the studio to begin prepping for the short poses.
She turned the thermostat up again to take the recurring chill out of the air and then
arranged some padded mats and a large white blanket on the studio floor. Emily
laid out two mats for herself to kneel/stand on and spread large sheets of paper over
the floor. She got out oil bars, thick graphite sticks, charcoal, Japanese brush ink
pens and watercolour paints, water and white spirit. She visited the bathroom and
then returned to the studio.
Pieter was sitting on the bed, watching the preparations unfold. He got up,
visited the bathroom and returned naked to sit in the centre of the blanket on the
floor and play with the stop watch. Emily sat cross legged on her padded mat and
removed her shoes and socks.
Do you want my hair up or down? Pieter asked conversationally.
Down please
Pieter removed his hair band and was surprised when Emily stood and
pulled her black dress over her head. She was wearing a blue lace fringed camisole
top and a red lacy bra underneath. The skin on Emilys bare arms was as ivory pale
and flawless as Pieters. Her leggings and camisole top silhouetted the outline of her
body, she was a European size 14, Pieter decided. Serpentine feminine curves, a
small paunch of a belly, fleshed out hips, full breasts. He couldnt help looking at
her and tried to stop the ache in his groin. He had never been with a woman with
real breasts. Emily reached for her phone and chose some music.
Right, are you ready? Remember, energy, spontaneity, nothing you do is
wrong! Just let the poses flow and Ill work with what you give me Pieter nodded,
Oh can I film this on my phone? he asked hurriedly.
Sure, just dont set your phone directly at my ass! Emily suggested with a
chuckle. Pieter laughed.
But your ass is so schne!
Emily let the flirtatious complement wash over her, she needed to focus. She
didnt have him for much longer. Pieter set his phone camera leaning between two
bottles on the work trolley. He checked the screen and the view would be side on of
him and Emily. He touched the screen to start recording and then took his position
back on the blanket. Emily pressed the button on her phone to start the music and
then propped it on her chair.

ISOBEL STARLING
The opening bars of the first song from the album Yeah Yeah Yeahs Its Blitz.
Zero made Pieter jump to his feet.
I fucking love this album he yelped, grinning at Emily with curiosity. It
was like she had raided his music files. Ready? They both nodded and Pieter
posed and pressed the stopwatch. He stood with his left arm in the air, the right
crooked with the hand at a jaunty angle; his legs were slightly apart, bent at the knee
and one hip raised. He found it achingly difficult to stay still to that song, but
focused on how Emily moved. She sang along and he could see in her dancing on
the paper with her water and brushes. There was an aura around her, he was sure of
it. The stop watch buzzed on the blanket. Emily paused, moved the sheet of paper
aside hurriedly as Pieter changed his pose and reset the stop watch. She used oil
bars this time with white spirit and brushes. Pieter watched vibrant splashes of
colour appear on the page, red and orange and then black ink on top. She worked
with such speed. There was sensuality to her movements and the way she looked at
him, the intensity in her silver grey eyes darting to and from his, tracing the outline
of his form. He felt pierced by the gaze, felt like dropping to his knees in surrender.
The buzzer sounded again, that was no time at all! Move, reset.
This time Pieter did choose to kneel and lean back resting on one hand, his
hips and torso thrust forward. This was so fucking hot; he had to admit to himself,
the whole process fascinated him. Testing himself, trying to keep the pose without
shaking, watching her marking the paper with fluid gestures in time to the music.
She was so caught up in her art; it was like he wasnt even there. He was a thing, a
form, caught and pinned on paper. Pieter felt in some way like he was being taken,
it was so erotic. He met her gaze at every moment she looked up now, like a
challenge. He wanted her to drop her brush and come to him, pin him to the floor,
arrange his limbs. He could see it in his minds eye. He began to harden, but didnt
flinch. He studied her face and there was no sign shed even noticed. Buzz, move,
reset. He went for a yoga crab position, lay supine and pushed himself up on his
hands and feet, growing erection standing proud. He clicked the stopwatch and
turned to gaze triumphantly at Emily. She was using charcoal taped to a length of
bamboo and standing a far step back from the paper.
You are so fucking beautiful she yelled over the top of the music. Pieter
grinned straining to keep the pose. Emily meant every word. She was so turned on,
she thought about stopping and relieving her tension in the bathroom.
The drawings were fluid, energetic and intensely sexually charged. They
were by far the sexiest life drawings shed ever done. Buzz, move, reset another sheet
of paper. Would his erection ever go down? She wondered with a smirk. It was nice
to know he was feeling it too!
After 20 minutes they moved on to 5 minute poses, continuing new poses
until the end of the album. Emily stopped the music player. Pieter dropped from a
complex twisted pose on to his ass and panted. It was stiflingly hot in the room. He
beamed widely.

ISOBEL STARLING
That was so fucking intense he said, trying to catch his breath.
Pieter stood, strode to his pile of clothes and began to dress. Pieter noticed
Emilys almond scented sweat mingling with the scent of oils and turps as he passed
her. Emily shuddered for a second. Was he leaving? It was only 3.30pm. She
looked up with questing eyes.
I need a cigarette he said.
Oh, I didnt know you smoked! Emily replied with genuine surprise.
I dont! Can we go for a coffee or something, my nerves are all jangly
withtension. he smiled wryly and moved to Emily. She had slipped her socks
and shoes on and stood to pull the dress over her head. Pieter ducked in and kissed
Emilys mouth. She gasped in surprise, allowed herself to revel in the feeling, the
taste, sucking his full soft bottom lip between her own lips for a moment suspended
in time. She pulled away.
Pieter, I dont sleep with my models. Its a rule of mine and I stick to it, Ok!
she relayed softly, amazed she could even speak at all.
Sure he murmured, unconcerned.
Im your model for one day only, you know. Who says what happens
after? Pieter locked her in his gaze as he moved to sit on the bed to put his socks
and boots on. Emilys body was aflame.
What time can you stay until? She asked almost absent mindedly.
Whatever you need. Midnight, I turn into a pumpkin! Emily let out a
barking laugh.
The carriage turned into a pumpkin, Cinderella reverted to wearing rags!
she corrected, doubled over with laugher.
Ah, its a different tale in German! he said blushing meekly. He stood and
brushed back his blonde hair with his fingers. Emily directed her glance towards
Pieters phone. He rushed to pick it up and stop the video.
Oh shit! I filmed proof of my rejection. he said solemnly, a hand rose
dramatically to his brow.
Oh Pieter, dont! Emily begged. She grabbed her hat, coat, purse and keys
from the office. Pieter followed suit collecting his coat and hat and met her at the
door.
As they walked down the corridor to the front door of the studio complex
Emily was pleased to see Pieter had left his bag behind. He would have to return
with her. Emily opened the front door and keyed in the alarm for her studio. The
front door faced the River Thames and on a good day the view of the city was
amazing. Thin wisps of white cloud were rolling in and there was a brisk chill to the
January air. The nearest coffee shop was only 200 meters away. They ordered hot
chocolate and warm Apple Danish to go and found an empty bench beside the river.

ISOBEL STARLING
This far down the river was quite deserted at this time of day, apart from a
multitude of pigeons and seagulls. Emily and Pieter sat cross legged facing each
other and unwrapped their purchases.
Ill be in Berlin in two weeks, on the 22 nd. I have to take down my
exhibition. Will you be around? Emily enquired. Pieter gave Emily a long
speculative look and pursed his lips. He pulled his phone out of his pocket and was
silent for a minute while he checked his schedule.
My schedule is crazy at the start of the year, you know! I generally cant
plan more than a few weeks ahead. I got runways in Berlin 19th to 22nd January,
then a shoot in Tokyo. New York 12th-19th and then Paris 21st to 25th Feb. Im
contracted with a lot of designers at the moment, is good! Im not doing London
Fashion Week this season, it was just too complicated. Pieter took a well needed
breather.
SoJa! I have, like, three days off from 23rd January. He glanced up, eyes
sparkling.
I cant believe it, perfect Ja! You can stay at my apartment.
God, Pieter! Your schedule is crazy! How the hell do you ever work a
relationship around that? Emily exclaimed thoughtlessly. Pieters brows rose and
he glared. She remembered what he had told herhe didnt! Emily back tracked
Oh, I was going to book a hotel. Are you sure that would be ok?
Eh, Ja! I have this fucking huge four bedroom penthouse overlooking the
Spree and Im never there. Well, I sleep there when Im home. But its there for you,
you know. Message me the day before to remind me to leave a key with the
concierge.
Emily was touched. That would save a few hundred Euros and the company
would beinteresting.
Iehsaw your show at the Franzen. Gott, the work is beaudiful. Imade
an investment while I was there. Pieter let slip. Emily gawked at him. An
investment?
Four pieces
Jesus! Emily spluttered and spilled her hot chocolate. Pieter reached for a
paper napkin and helped her clean up.
I never spend my money on anything, Im always too busy. I bought the
triptych of dancers in motion and the nude of the wrestlers. Gott that one is so zotig
(obscene), I had to have it!
Emily spluttered again. He had bought her favourite pieces costing a total of
60.000. Kissing him now would be inappropriate right? He had her already,

ISOBEL STARLING
without the purchases.
quickly.

This mutual fascination was getting very intense, very

Kind Sir, you have rendered me speechless!

Pieter grinned widely like a little boy who had just won a prize. Emily bit
into her Danish, hoping that the sweetness of the apple and pastry would take her
mind of the sweetness of the man in front of her for even a moment. Hes 28 for god
sake!
Do you know how old I am? she asked him between chews of sweet pastry.
Tell me! he commanded with a stern Terminator style accent.
Guess she retorted.
Pieter studied Emilys face, she had better skin than he did. She was wrinkle
free, no crows feet, the hair was dyed, butmmm she was a tricky one. Emily had
been at university with Darien and he looked forty five, but maybe he went to Uni
later
Dont hit me if Im way off in the wrong direction, ja He pleaded. Emily
agreed.
OK! Lets say early 30s? Pieter grimaced and flinched away, expecting a
rebuke, but Emily smiled widely.
Young man you have no idea who youre dealing with do you! she said
with pride.
Im 40. Emily announced. She was prepared for the negative reaction, glad
in a way this would knock his flirtation on the head and she could focus on the
work. Pieters eyes widened in surprise but he didnt change his demeanour at all.
This was not the reaction Emily had expected.
I guess that makes you even more fucking incredible then. he said.
Pieters eyes pierced Emily with a steady glare of predatory interest. It was
almost obscene. Emily felt it in her groin, a mingling of sharp pain and pleasure, like
a thread had been pulled from her most intimate places. She blushed crimson.
What are you doing to me? she gasped as she stood swiftly, flushed and
breathing hard.
Nothingyet! Im just your model Ja! he waggled his brows in jest.
Emily turned and walked off hurriedly back down toward the studio. She felt
like she had been smothered in sex. He was everywhere, it was almost primitive. At
that moment Emily just needed to be away from him, she was overwhelmed and he
could see it. Emily was furious with herself; she had been far too open with him
earlier. She felt vulnerable. Would he use the knowledge to play mind games?
Emily arrived at the front door of the studio and Pieter was a minute behind her.
Look Pieter called as he caught up

ISOBEL STARLING
Whatever I did or said, Im sorry, you know. Ive been having the best day
in, like years. I dont want my stupid mouth to make you sad. he pleaded.
Emily wanted to scream. He was so endearing and she was sure his stupid
mouth could make her so, so happy. But not now, not on this first day together!
After years of longing it felt like everything she had missed had been dumped in her
heart on this one day. It was too much. They entered the studio complex and
walked in silence down the corridor to Emilys rooms. Back in the studio with all of
the familiar sights and smells Emilys heart calmed a little.
Do you want me to go? Pieter asked solemnly.
God no, please sit, talk, listen, whatever. Emily said gesturing wildly with
her hand. She sat with her elbows on the table and the heals of her hands to her
eyes. She was silent for a few minutes. Pieter sat opposite watching her. Emily felt
his gaze and could hear him breathing steadily.
Im sorry, Im so fucked up. A barely audible admission.
This is just really intense. I havent felt attracted to anyone in years. I dont
know how to do it any moreIm so pathetic. Pieter sat calmly, watched her and
waited for her to continue. She looked up to catch his eye, a look of shattering
fragility
I like you and it scares me. Emily admitted. He could see the fear in her
silver grey eyes; it broke his heart a little.
I like you and it scares me too! Pieter replied automatically. Their eyes
remained locked together for what seemed like ages.
What would make you happy today? he asked finally.
I need to paint, can we just be friendly and finish the art?
Yes I can do that for you.
Pieter wanted her with a fierceness of passion he couldnt ever recall
experiencing, but she was broken, worse, it appeared, than he was. He knew he
would have to be gentle with her, let her call the shots. Pieter stood removed his
coat and hat, pulled his shirt over his head and then unbuttoned his jeans. Emily
moved away from the table. Returning to the studio the sketches and paintings
spread around the floor were, on second viewing even better than she though. They
were so good, raw, dynamic and very very sexy. She couldnt move them yet; some
patches of wetness still had to dry.
Well continue on the same pose as this morning, if thats ok Emily said.
Sure, no problem. I get to have the afternoon nap like der grobvater
(grandfather) Pieter mused dryly. Emily laughed out loud. The sound of laughter
shattered the atmosphere. Pieter looked at her with a what did I say that was so
funny look. He stood naked and a little confused.

ISOBEL STARLING
You can assume the position anytime today she prompted her eyes full of
mirth. Pieter lay down on his belly and Emily picked up the Polaroid photograph
she had taken in the morning. She shut down any thoughts of attraction and
arranged Pieters limbs exactly as they had been place in the photo.
Do you want some music? She asked.
Something soft, classical perhaps? he suggested.
I have the Piano soundtrack? His eyes flashed open
Do we have the exact same taste in music? He asked with bemusement.
She smiled and pressed play.

Three hours later Emily was sitting in her blue velvet wing backed chair staring at
the painting. She was exhausted. Pieter was snoring lightly and his closed eyes
flickered in REM sleep. Emily really didnt want to wake him from a dream so she
sat on the dais and sketched him in her notebook. Small detailed, intimate pencil
sketches of his lips parted in sleep, the curve of his jaw and sharpness of his
cheekbones, close eyes with long golden lashes. She stared at him for a long time,
indecision roiling in her belly. Never on a first date! Never a one night stand. But
he was so adorable. And he could take it and never see you again. He could be lying about
everything he said today. He could be sleeping with any number of models and just saying
what he thinks you want to hear. But look at him, look at him. Does he look like a liar?
What does a liar look like?
It was nearly 9 pm and Emily decided shed had enough. Any longer in his
presence and shed mount Pieter and ride him through the mattress.
Pieter, hey Pieter, wake up honey. She purred giving his shoulder a shake.
He flinched awake, long golden lashes on heavy lidded eyes flickering dozily.
Adorable.
I have such good sleeps today. he said sounding like a little boy. Emily had
to get away from him.
You are free to go, Im done for the day. he instructed sternly.
So Im not your model any more? Emily stood and moved away from his
grasp.
Thank you for today, its been wonderful and overwhelming. Please dont
hate me for being a fuck up, I just need time.
Pieter sat up and Emily handed him his clothes. He dressed in a hurry and
then went to the bathroom. When he came out his hair was damp and he had
washed his face.
Can I take a look? he asked, eyes directed toward the canvas
Of course, its not finished but close enough Pieter walked around her to
stand behind the canvas. FUCK! he exclaimed.

ISOBEL STARLING
The painting was so erotic. Pieter looked like he had just been fucked hard to
within an inch of his life. Deeply satiated, with that distracted well tumbled look in
his eyes. Pieter was stunned.
II dont know what to say he murmured, but he couldnt stop looking. It
was a mesmerizing image, like she had read what he was thinking and translated it
on to the canvas.
Is that what Ill look like after you fuck me?
Emily blushed crimson to her cheeks, she was speechless. He caught her eye
and grinned as she shook her head in disbelief that hed actually said those words.
So when will you finish it? Pieter enquired, striding to the kitchen to
retrieve his messenger bag.
Ill let it dry for a week or so and then go back to it. Ive got a lot to catch up
on first Pieter nodded seriously.
So when do you fly back to Berlin?
In the morning, 6am flight. Is ok, Ive slept most of today Pieter chuckled,
Ive had a blast, you know. Thank you for everything. He added. Emily
was pinned to the spot by a hungry flash of soul drenched eyes. It was the winning
look he used for his most intimate of photographs. A spark of heat leapt between
them.
Pieter almost reluctantly dragged on his coat, scarf and beanie hat. They
moved to the studio front door.
Oh sorry! Do you want a taxi, I could call one for you now. Emily offered
apologetically.
I need to walk, is no problem. They both paused by the open door, Emily
looking up at the tall blonde man. They held each others gaze in silence for an
awkward moment.
Can I kiss you, please? Pieter begged.
Emily gazed up into Pieters eyes. It was the pleading, the please that made
the breath of reply catch in her throat. She made to step aside as she said,
Pieter, you know what a kiss would mean to me I
Emily didnt get the chance to finish her sentence. Pieters willowy arm
scooped around her waist and pulled her into the arc of his embrace. Emily found
herself pinned bodily to the open door, Pieters messenger bag thudded to the floor.
They explored each others mouths, open and gasping like landed fish. A dance of
writhing tongues and clashing teeth. They were gasping, gasping for breath. Pieter
heard Emily begging for him in those gasping breaths and he couldnt deny her.
Emily gripped Pieters ass with both hands and pulled him to grind against her,
feeling the length of hard flesh through his jeans against her soft belly. Emily

ISOBEL STARLING
wanted this so much. This was enough, just enough. After several thought
shattering minutes Emily pulled away and Pieter offered final teasing nips to her
swollen lower lip. He rested his brow on hers and waited for their raspy breaths to
settle.
Fuck he exclaimed in a shuddery gasp. Emily looked up meeting his deep
blue grey gaze, he was a talented kisser, sensual with lots of tongue, just the way she
liked it.
See you soon yeah? she panted. Pieter took it as direction to leave. He
reached down, retrieved his messenger bag from the floor and stepped away from
the warmth of her body. He felt elated and strangely quite bereft as he walked out
of the building and back through the streets of London to his hotel. He knew deep
down what that kiss had meant for both of them.
An hour after Pieter had left; Emily had tidied the stale remnants of lunch
away in a haze of remembrance. Her lips felt bruised and her mouth still tingled.
The kissing had made her so incredibly happy and his leaving, so indescribably sad.
He knew what that kiss had meant, right? Emily had told him she was all or
nothing. The tingle of elation was twisted into confusion. Emily decided she was
just not cut out for relationships. She was a mess, a fuck up and this reinforced her
conclusion. Emily dimmed the lights and undressed completely. She sank naked in
to the bed, directly where Pieter had slept for hours as she observed and painted
him. Emily could smell him on the sheets, on the pillowcase. She nestled her cheek
into the pillowcase, pulled the duvet over her head, inhaled his scent and began to
cry in self pity. This was all she was to have of himshe was sure of it. The sound
of her phone vibrating on the floor beside the dais made her reach out in the dark.
After groping blindly she located it. She saw a text message from Pieter.
P: Back safe at the hotel
Good, that was one less thing to worry about. She was about to put the phone
back down when it vibrated in her hand. She looked and saw another message from
Pieter.
P: You blow my mind
Emily was speechless. Her phone vibrated again, Pieter.
P: Are you at home?
E: Still at studio
P: Working?
E: No, sleeping on sheets that smell of you.
P: Sweet dreams. X
E: You blow my mind too. X