Total pages in book: 117
Estimated words: 113142 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 566(@200wpm)___ 453(@250wpm)___ 377(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113142 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 566(@200wpm)___ 453(@250wpm)___ 377(@300wpm)
“Ally,” I groaned. “You need to slow the fuck down.”
“No,” she panted. “Now, Adam. I need you now.”
She clutched me harder, her head thrown back. She cried out, and I rose, wrapping her in my arms, crushing her to my chest as she orgasmed. I buried my face into her neck and gripped her as I heaved and throbbed, lost in the moment. Lost in her. My world narrowed, funneled into one powerful pinpoint of pleasure. I rode it out, breathing her name, the intensity of my release exploding behind my eyes in sharp ribbons of ecstasy.
With a quiet murmur, I lowered us to the mattress, our bodies still joined. Ally lay on my chest, her breathing ragged and warm on my skin.
“Welcome home, Adam.”
CHAPTER
FOURTEEN
My thoughts ran rampant as I gazed outside the window of Sean’s office. I hadn’t been able to relax since arriving home yesterday. The images I had seen had shaken me to the core, and my camera had captured the darkness of the event.
He made approving noises as he scanned the pictures on the iPad. “These are brilliant, Adam. Horrific, but brilliant.”
“It was a brutal trip,” I stated, not turning away from the window. Below me, the streets bustled with people coming and going—living their lives, safe and unharmed.
“Are you all right?”
I didn’t answer for a moment.
I didn’t know how to explain it to him. My priorities had changed, because of Ally. The excitement I used to feel was gone. Now I dreaded his phone calls.
The longing I felt when I was away from Ally grew every trip, and I knew she was suffering as well. I felt the devastation around me more as I would capture the images with my lens. She lost some of her strength when I was away. I experienced the sensation of knowing how short life was—how time slipped away. She longed for the time to pass so I would come home to her.
I didn’t want to be halfway around the world and away from her. I wanted to build a life with her, and I knew she wanted that as well. I wanted our walls covered in memories we had created together. I wanted to watch the wonder on her face as she discovered the beauty of the places I’d talked about. I wanted to share the world with her—not be parted by it.
I turned to face him, crossing my arms, deciding to lay it on the table. “I’m done, Sean.”
“What?” he asked, laying down the iPad.
“I need to walk away before this consumes me.”
And Ally. She was always emotional, gripping me tightly and unrestful in her sleep when I first got back. When I left for this last trip, she had sobbed when I walked away. I had turned around to wave, only to see her leaning on the car, her head in her hands as her shoulders shook with the force of her tears. Seeing what my leaving did to her when she thought I wasn’t looking had shaken me. I stepped back, observing her as she cried. Then she pushed off the car and slid into the driver’s seat, slow to drive away. That image stayed with me my whole trip.
“What I want from life has changed. I can’t do this anymore. It’s not just about me any longer.”
“I’d hate to lose you.”
I shrugged. “We both know it’ll happen sooner rather than later. You have other photographers younger than me wanting to do this stuff.”
Sean nodded, leaning his head back on the chair. “Businesswise, I hate it. Personally, I’m happy for you. You’re certain?”
“I am. I don’t want to leave you in the lurch, so tell me what I can do to make us both happy.”
He indicated the chair across from him, and I sat, watching him think. He steepled his fingers, his lips pursed. His silver hair, combed to perfection as usual, gleamed under the lights, and his dark eyes were contemplative.
“I admit, I thought this might happen. I’ve seen a change in you.”
I lifted one shoulder. The change was obvious to both of us.
“What do you think about Chris? He’s itching for a shot.”
“He’s got a good eye. A little green, but he’ll learn.”
“Would you consider taking him under your wing for the next while—give me some more time before you do this? Share your experience?”
I eyed him knowingly. “You want me to teach him the ropes?”
He nodded, not at all ashamed of his plans. “I need you. I need you to pass on your knowledge and help Chris—which, in turn, helps me.”
I thought about it. “I’ll give you six weeks.”
“Fair enough.” He paused, stroking his chin. “I have one other favor. I want you to do a feature edition with a writer on staff before you go.”
“Of?”
“I have a friend—a doctor. Peter Conrad.”
“And?
“He went to Africa with Doctors Without Borders over two years ago. He hasn’t come back. He opened a clinic and an orphanage which he runs with his wife. He’s constantly trying to get supplies and help. He’s desperate to garner more attention. I thought I’d send a team in to do a story—stay with them for a while and see how they do it. I was going to devote an entire issue to it. Your photos would be an amazing addition to the piece.”