Read Clifftop Fantasies [BDSM Menage Fantasies] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) for Free Online

approve—”
    “Of course he would. He’s a male, isn’t he?”
    She wanted to stamp a foot in her frustration, but she made an effort to calm down. “Not all males are perverts, Charlie. Some are normal and don’t appreciate the kind of smut you deal in. Now, if you will go away, we can get on with trying to run our business here. I don’t need you coming back and babbling about the past.”
    “It isn’t smut,” Charlie said, looking indignant. “We’re not just snapping off pictures in some basement. There’s real technique and true artistic quality at work here.”
    Allie groaned. “I wish people would quit telling me how ‘artistic’ pornography is! I’ve got real problems here. I don’t have time for this shit.”
    “That’s the point, though,” Charlie began. “I can help you—”
    “You can help me?” Allie squeaked. “I don’t think so. You can ruin my life again, maybe, but I’ll be damned if I’m going to let that happen.”
    He started to speak, but she went on. “And another thing. I want you out of here. Tonight. I don’t care where you go, but I don’t want you anywhere near my boyfriend or my new life. I’ve worked hard to get beyond what happened—”
    The screen door banged, and they both looked up to see Brad coming toward them, followed by Jane. Allie fought down the panicky urge to turn and run. Instead she took a step toward them, trying to get between Brad and Charlie, and forced a smile on her face.
    Jane was chattering happily as she and Brad approached them, and Allie noticed that she had a hand on his arm. Brad didn’t seem to mind. He was laughing at something she’d said, and when they approached, he nearly pushed Allie out of the way, holding out his hand to Charlie with a smile.
    “Hi, I’m Brad McCarthy,” he said pleasantly. “It’s so nice to meet you. Jane tells me you’re a photographer, too, like Allie’s dad.”
    Charlie beamed at him. “Charlie Wayne,” he said, shaking hands. “And I am a photographer, yes. I had the privilege of taking some classes from Mr. Walker many years ago. His work influenced me enormously, and he gave me some assistance in building my career.” He turned to smile at Allie, who was nearly dancing with agitation. He winked again, something that made her want to claw his eyes out, and turned back to Brad. “But why are we standing around here? I would be honored to take all of you out to dinner. I know Ms. Walker here has been working hard all day, and I’m sure you have, too. Is that great steakhouse still open?”
    Brad’s eyes lit up, and Allie knew it was a losing battle. Brad dearly loved a good steak, but money had been getting so tight that it had been a long time since they’d splurged to that extent. She briefly debated bowing out herself but quickly dropped that idea. She would be on pins and needles wondering what stories Charlie would be telling over dinner. At least this way she could attempt to change the subject if it got too alarming.
    She followed the group into the house and went to change.

Chapter 5
     
    Allie couldn’t help feeling like a small, trapped rabbit in the lion enclosure at the zoo. Sitting between Karl and Brad, she was directly across the table from Jane, who kept asking questions about Allie’s life. Her life was not something Allie was particularly interested in talking about, especially since she didn’t know how much Jane and Karl knew about her past experiences. Well, experiences wasn’t quite the right word, she corrected herself. It was more like her past mistakes. She had sent her high school graduation picture to her father, and he had encouraged her to pursue a career as a model. She hadn’t really thought she could make it big, but college was looming and she had no way to pay for it. So she’d asked her father for help getting started. He’d introduced her to Charlie Wayne, who he said was excellent at portfolio photography. Allie had never been able to tell if