Sexy Wreck

Chapter 20

As for today, the afternoon had passed much too quickly for her liking, but the memories dancing in her head were one she'd cherish for a long time to come. They'd returned from their photo session after making love outdoors not once, but twice, and shared a nice, long hot shower together. Then, with a blanket tucked around the two of them, she'd snuggled up to his side and they'd taken a nap in the hammock. He'd made spaghetti and garlic bread for dinner, then afterward fed her his chocolate fudge brownie ice cream. They played a few games of cards, drank hot cocoa with marshmallows, and discussed recent movies, books and other personal favorites.

And then he's regaled her with amusing tales of his brothers and cousins, and his larger, happy family that made her laugh, but also made her all too aware of the fact hat sh had no lighthearted stories of her own to share in return.

No, her own childhood had been emotionally painful and unstable and there weren't a whole lot of cheerful moments to recall. From the loss of her brother, to her mother's withdrawal and depression, to the father who hadn't been there for her when she'd need him the most. She'd been forced to grow up much faster than any teenager should have to, and had learned to guard herself from any more pain and loss by keeping people and men at a distance. And so far, those barriers had served her well and had kept her heat protected.

She envied Zeke his close-knit family, the stability an unconditional love and support he'd grown up with. It was something she'd always dreamed of, wished for, but her past was unchangeable and she accepted that. She's made the best of the hand she'd been dealt, and she was proud of her accomplishments. She had a thriving photography business, her best friend Sofie, and all the kids that became a part of her life during her stay at the Children's Hospital.

And now, there was Zeke, a man who had an effortless way of filling the vast emptiness inside her with laughter and fun and incredible, vibrant feeling.

"Hey, you ready to call it a night?"

Startled from her thoughts, she met Zeke's caring gaze, and knew how easy it would be to drown herself and her painful past in those velvet blue depth. But not yet, she told herself. This mad had let her into his life in so many ways, and had shared his family with her in those humorous, uplifting storied that had given her such a deeper insight into him as a man, a brother, and a son. And while she might not have fun, amusing childhood tales to entertain him with, there was a private part of her life she wanted to share with Zeke in return. A piece of herself she'd never allowed another man close enough to see or be a part of.

"I want to show you something." she said, and before she lost the nerve, she moved odd the couch and retrieved a pocket folder from her backpack. Then she joined Zeke on the mattress, crossed her legs and opened the portfolio.

She spread out a few dozen different snapshots that encompassed people of all ages, genders and ethnicity most which had been taken candidly ow with a telephoto lens so as to keep her hobby discreet, and without rudely intruding on a stranger's life. There were photographs of people in Lincoln Park, others at Navy Pier and many she'd taken while strolling through the city on a Saturday afternoon, She rarely left home without her camera, and she'd learned that anything could become a photo opportunity at any given moment.

"Did you take theses pictures for clients?" he asked curiously.

"No, I took there photographs for my own personal collection." He appeared confused as to why she's taken pictures of virtual strangers, and she explained. "When I first started taking photography classes in high school, I'd spent my afternoons and weekends practicing by taking pictures of everything, but I was mostly fascinated by people, because their pictures always seemed to show so much emotion. Taking candid shots turned into a hobby for me, a way to escape the world which I lived and wonder about the other person's life."

Zeke picked up a photograph she's taken at a Little League game she's happened by one morning. "How about this little guy? Is he someone you know?"

"Nope. Another casualty of my trigger finger, I'm afraid" she said jokingly. "I was out one Saturday morning and came across this ball game in progress, so I stopped to watch the kids play. This young boy was up at bat, bottom of the ninth with the bases loaded. He was so disheartened after two consecutive strikes, and you can tell he didn't want to disappoint his teammates by striking out and losing the game. No matter the outcome, I knew this was a picture I wanted for my collection."

She smiled, remembering how the boy's expression and attitude had changed to determination and what she's ultimately captured on the film. "On the next pitch, he smacked the ball over the fence, and her he was, still standing at home plate, the bat in his hand, his eyes wide with awe and disbelief as he watched the ball soar through the air. The crowd behind him was standing and cheering, and in a split second, he became the hero who saved the game." She cast Zeke a sidelong glance to gauge his response. "It's one of the neatest photographs I've ever taken."

"It's pretty amazing, actually." He met her gaze, the bright firelight causing his irises to glimmer with blue heat. "I can actually feel that kid's excitement."

"Exactly." Elated that his own emotions had been touched by a snapshot she'd taken, she sought out another picture to show him. "I was at the mall one day, strolling along the upper level, and I happened to glance down and saw this mother and daughter standing outside an accessory store. As you can see, the girl is showing her mother her new belly button piercing and trying to convince her that it's the 'in thin' right now, but mom's not going for it."