I grab my camera bag, my mind already spinning with ideas.
They lead me through the gates that section off the building from the outside world, and it’s even better in here than I imagined.
“We thought,” Ace says, “that maybe we could give you something. A new memory.”
Rhodes pulls out the masks.
I stare at them for a moment, processing. They brought the masks.
“Is it okay?” Rhodes asks, and I can hear the vulnerability in his voice. “We thought maybe you might want to take some pictures of us.”
“This is the best surprise ever,” I say, lifting my camera. “Put on the masks and take off your shirts.”
They pull off their shirts, and suddenly going slow seems pointless. I want them, and they want me. How we got here is irrelevant. I could stay mad at them and miss out on getting to know these men, or I could take the bull by the horns—so to speak—and live out my fantasies the right way this time.
I move around them, photographing different angles, different perspectives.
They stay still, letting me direct them and control their every move.
After what feels like hours, I lower my camera.
“I want another shot,” I say. “Vander, come here.”
He steps forward, and I guide him to stand near a window—the light for this shot is perfect.
“Rhodes,” I call out. “I need you to take the camera.”
Rhodes moves to me, taking the camera with gentle hands. “What do you want?”
“I want a picture of Vander with his hand around my throat,” I say, and all three of them go completely still.
“Maddie,” Ace warns.
“It’s okay,” I say. “I want it. Can you take the picture, Rhodes?”
Rhodes looks at Ace, who nods slowly. Then he looks at Vander, who’s already moving toward me.
Vander raises his hand and wraps his fingers around my throat.
I tilt my head back slightly, so the light hits my face perfectly. “Take the picture.”
The camera clicks.
I look up at Vander as he pulls his hand away.
He leans down, his masked face close to mine. “Good girl,” Vander murmurs, and it’s nice to hear his real voice and not one that’s distorted. “Now you’ll remember who had his hand around your neck first.”
He steps back, and I clear my throat. Is it hot in here, or is it just me? Damn, the number of times I conjured up moments like this in my head... but none compare to how I feel right now.
I take the camera back from Rhodes with trembling hands and check the image. It’s perfect. Vander’s masked face, his hand gripping my throat, the light streaming through the window playing across us both. The vulnerability in my expression contrasts with the strength in his towering physique. It’s intimate and powerful, and it’s exactly what I wanted.
“Thank you,” I say, looking at all of them.
“For what?” Rhodes asks.
“For doing this my way.”
I take in the three men in front of me, and smile.
