Fernandez” was on the second floor. He sprinted up the stairs and pushed open the glass door that led to a small reception area. Examples of Joey’s work filled the walls and Jeff took a moment to look them over. No doubt the man has talent , he thought, admiring some of the black and white studies of people, buildings, and vistas of oceans and mountains. He was startled momentarily as his eyes met his own, gazing at him from one of the mounted portraits.
God … yes … Joey had taken this photograph of him when they were living together . Must have been at least seven or eight years ago. He was shirtless in the portrait. His naked torso gleamed under the dramatic lighting that revealed every well-honed muscle of his chest and abdomen.
“Sexy guy, eh?”
Jeff turned to see Joey standing behind him, a lazy smile playing around his lips. He came forward and embraced Jeff.
“Thank you for doing this for me.” His lips fluttered over Jeff’s ear.
Jeff disengaged himself from Joey’s arms. “Your landlord here yet?”
“Relax, Jeff…” Joey bared his teeth at him. “I won’t molest you—unless you want me to.” He stepped back. “Come on, I’ll give you the Cook’s tour while we wait for the vulture to arrive…”
They walked into the small studio and Jeff once again found himself face to face with his own likeness. This time it was a full-length portrait. He was standing; his arms and legs spread wide apart, his face upturned. He was naked, but clever lighting shadowed his crotch, leaving what was hidden to the viewer’s imagination. Jeff felt a flush of embarrassment as he gazed at this picture.
“You were so beautiful,” Joey murmured, standing close to him. “Of course, you still are. Only now, you are more the man .”
“It seems like a lifetime ago.” Jeff’s voice was hoarse as he turned to look at some of the other portraits on the wall. Joey’s physical nearness was having an effect on him that he knew was trouble . Deliberately, he walked to the other side of the studio away from where Joey stood; a knowing smile on his lips.
“Who’s this?” Jeff pointed to a picture of a young woman holding a rose between her bare breasts.
“No one.” Joey crossed smoothly to Jeff’s side. “Just a model I use now and then. This one was for an advertisement; can’t remember for what.” Impatiently, he took Jeff’s arm. “Let me show you my latest conquest. He is almost as beautiful as you, almost .” He led Jeff over to a table where several prints were lying. “I only developed these yesterday. What do you think?”
The young man Jeff now looked at spread before him was indeed blessed with an extraordinary beauty. He was naked in every picture; his symmetrical, perfectly sculpted body shown to great effect in the poses Joey had chosen for him. His close cropped black hair gave the planes of his face a harder edge than Jeff cared for, yet something about the face made him lean forward to get a better look.
“Oh, you like this one?” Joey laughed, misinterpreting Jeff’s interest. “It’s a magnificent body, eh?”
“He’s remarkable, that’s for sure. He reminds me of someone. Can’t quite get it. Anyway, where’s that landlord of yours? I have to get going shortly.”
He breathed a sigh of relief when the door to the reception area opened. A short, stocky man in his late thirties appeared in the doorway. He had a thatch of thick red hair, a moustache that needed trimming, and bushy red eyebrows. His icy blue eyes narrowed speculatively as he looked Jeff over.
“Jeff Stevens?”
“That’s right.” Jeff walked forward to meet the man.
“Bob Thomson.” He shook Jeff’s hand coolly. “Well, you must be a good friend to do this for him.” He threw Joey a cold glance. “You can kiss your money goodbye though. He’ll never pay it back. Believe me, I know.”
Joey’s face flushed with anger. “Okay, Bob ,” he rasped. “Just take the money and save us the
Kathleen Fuller, Beth Wiseman, Kelly Long