The photo shoot.......with extras

Nervously I entered the office. A young red haired woman sat behind a desk thumbing through a fashion magazine. Her ample breast filled the lace bra that flashed from beneath her tight white blouse. She must have noticed me looking as She looked me straight in the eye, smiled seductively and said "Are you here to see Ralph?". The word seemed to stick in my mouth. "Yes" I croaked."Take a seat, he'll be ready for you soon"
I thought "Ready for me! Oh my God, what have you got yourself into now woman"? Taunts remembered from the past ran through my head."Your fat","No-one will want you","Your ugly".
The outing to this studio was the first time I had been out in ages. Normally I'd hide away from the camera but not tonight. Tonight I didn't care,Tonight he was out of my life, Tonight the weight had gone and for the first in ages I was happy in myself and comfortable with my body. Not only did I feel more confident, I wanted to be seen, to be noticed, to be desired. Looking back to when Karen first showed me the photo's, I
realised, it was then, I decided to go for it. To have some professional photographs taken. Tasteful ones of course. So I rang the number from the paper and booked a session.

As I sat in the corner, fiddling with my handbag straps, it dawned on me that the old me was creeping back.A voice in my head said "thats where you used to sit, not anymore". As I stood up to move, a woman came out of the studio and as she passed me she said "You can go in now". As she went by, I noticed a strange glow about her,
like a cat that got the cream. I wanted that look and more...Gathering my stuff together, I went into the studio. It was a huge room divided into different sets. I stood looking around me, the walls were drapped in sheets of
fabric creating different backdrops. Fur rugs were thrown over a chais longue and there were bean bags and plush
pillows scattered about. One set had a four poster bed with folds of sheer material hung over and around it to create a romantic scene. In the shadows of a corner, a tall figure of a man leaned overa work table studying
proof shoots of his previous sitting. The light from his table lamp put his face in deeper shadow, and his hair
tussled forward hiding his face from view.

He raised his head slightly to acknowledge my presence and then pointed to a screened off area. "There's a mirror
behind there too if you need to add or remove any make up". His voice was soft and calming. "You'll find a robe
on the coat stand, just undress and we'll take a look at you". "I bought some things with me" I stammered nervously.
"Your receptionist said to bring anything I felt comfortable wearing for the shoot". "That's cool" he said still
checking his previous clients pictures. "Right" the voice came from behind me, I turned sharply losing grip of my
robe. I saw his face clearly for the first time, "sorry did I make you Jump? I'm Ralph". I could feel his eyes
tracing the lines of my body under the silk garment. I held out my free hand "Lee" I said coyly. His face was
rugged but as he smiled his eyes lit up his face and softened the lines.

The butterflies in my stomach had made their way into my throat and my feet felt like lead weights as he beckoned
me closer to him. "Ok, let's get started, Take off the robe and let me see you". As my robe slipped to the floor,
I noticed how warm it was beneath the studio lights,"Take your underwear off too". Looking over my shoulder, I
could see Ralph already behind his camera. I felt my body flush with anxiety as my bra and panties joined the robe
at my feet. And there I was, standing before him, trying hard to cover my dignity..

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