Addison Albright - Snippet

Blurb:

Eddie has reluctantly agreed to pose for some artsy nude photos that his best friend Trent needs to take for a photography class portfolio. Poor Eddie doesn't think he's the best man for this kind of modeling job, to say the least, and is feeling rather mortified.

Excerpt:

Eddie kicked out of his sneakers and shed his sweaty workout clothes in record time. He questioned his sanity as he headed for the shower. Trent was nuts. Eddie wasn't a model. Why did Trent want him to pose for photos at all, let alone artsy nudes? And what the hell had he been thinking agreeing to that crap?

He reached into the shower stall and turned on the water. He'd caved because Trent was his best friend and needed this for a large class project. But he'd only agreed on the condition that Trent give him a month to get into a little better shape first. He'd never spent so much time running or working out at the fitness center. Damn, or nursing sore muscles.

The month was up and it was way too soon. Eddie turned and looked at himself in the mirror. He saw nothing that appealed to him. He wasn't overweight by any stretch of the imagination, but there still wasn't any real muscle definition. He was just -- there. His face wasn't anything special to look at either. Again, it was just there.

A guy would have to be pretty desperate to ask him out. Okay, so maybe his situation wasn't that dire, but he was in one hell of a dry spell. Eddie sighed and stepped under the hot shower spray.

Trent, on the other hand, was on the wrong side of the camera. He sure didn't lack for dates. Although to be fair, Trent didn't have much luck with boyfriends, though.

In Eddie's dreams -- well, in his wildest dreams -- Trent would look at him and suddenly discover the error of his ways and see how perfect they'd be together. Okay, so it was beyond his wildest dreams, but definitely another good reason why it was a big mistake to get naked and pose his scrawny ass for Trent. Shit.

Even dragging his feet it only took him twenty minutes to shower, get dressed, and find himself standing in front of the door to Trent's loft. Please don't be home. Please, please, just don’t be home.

No such luck. The door swung open, and Trent's smile beamed at him. "I knew I could count on you, Eddie. I can always count on you."

There went Eddie's resolve to try and beg off. He couldn't do that to Trent. Double shit.

Trent led him toward the back of the loft where there was a bare brick wall. There was a professional looking lighting set up aimed at the wall. Lights? Couldn't they just do this is some kind of subtle gloom?

Trent must have sensed Eddie's nervousness, because he kept his tone light. "It'll be fine, Eddie. You look great."

Bullshit. Eddie had a mirror. He shook his head dejectedly. "I don't look great, Trent. I don't know why you'd want me for this. I'll probably trash your grade."

Trent's tone turned serious. "Eddie?"

Shit. "What?"

"You look great. You're exactly what I want for this. You have a grace that muscle bound oafs only wish they could duplicate. You're perfect -- a normal guy that people can look at and relate to, only with a poise that'll make 'em green with envy."

Huh? Eddie didn't ask -- didn't want Trent to think he was fishing for phony compliments. It helped hearing that, though. He supposed he was average enough. Not hideous anyway, but grace? Who was Trent trying to kid with that?

Trent cleared his throat, obviously wanting to move things along. "Well, um, can I get you something to drink or are you ready to get started?"