Laura Wren paid the taxi driver and wrapped her coat tighter around herself as she launched out of the car and towards the door of the of the old warehouse building. She hated the cold which was a fact that she found mildly amusing since her nickname was the Ice Queen.

Laura knew she was beautiful because she had been told she was since she was a very little girl. Not that her beauty had made her life any easier. In some ways it had, but for the most important things in life it had little meaning, if any, and it actually made life a little harder where the opposite sex was concerned. Most men she encountered thought they were going to be the one to thaw the Ice Queen.

The chill followed her into the building's lobby and elevator as she pressed the button for the top floor. Today was her first day working with a new photographer, Davis Stevens. He was supposed to be the best, most sought after photographer in the business, and it was a feather in the cap of the Landau Company to have him doing their latest add campaign.

Landau was one of the most popular cosmetic brands in the world and Laura had been their spokes model for the past three years. She had just about saved enough money to retire and never have to worry about her finances again, which meant independence from her family's money.

Her plan, after her five year contract with Landau was over, was to retire south somewhere where it was warm and sunny all year long and finish her education. She had always wanted to work in a library and be surrounded by books, not people, all day.

As the elevator came to a grinding halt she put on her game face. A look that had taken her years to perfect. Her chin held high her eyes and face devoid of all emotion, she walked into a massive room with windows running the entire length of one wall and so much sunlight that took very little conditioned air to warm it.

Quickly scanning the room, she saw that there was a line of dressing tables in the center of the large room where fellow Landau model Kelly Harper was already sitting and working on her makeup. Walking over to an empty table, Laura sat her large bag down and began to remove her outer layers.

"Isn't it divine that they got Davis Stevens to shoot the catalogue this year?" Kelly asked as Laura sat down next to her.

Kelly was a beautiful brunette with hazel eyes and a warm skin tone. She filled the all American girl next door niche in the catalogue every year. She was a few years younger than Laura, but was much more experienced in some areas.

Kelly overdressed for every occasion and today was no exception; she was wearing three inch heels and a tight cut business suit. She was out to make an impression.

"It couldn't be worse than last year." Laura said as she remembered the photographer that had shot the previous year's catalogue. He had been very hands on with his models which had made Laura extremely uncomfortable. The only reason she hadn't complained was because in the modeling business you were not supposed to be private with your body.

"Oh, but I liked Roger, he was wonderful." Kelly smiled remembering.

"That's probably because you and he had a heated affair." Laura grimaced inwardly at the thought. Why anyone would want to be close to him was beyond her, she had always had the feeling that he didn't bathe much.

"Well, wait until you meet this year's photographer. Everyone in the business is itching to have their picture taken by him. They say it's amazing what he can capture through his lens. I've only met him once and ohhh..." Kelly fanned her face and rolled her eyes.

"And I bet he knows it."

"Who cares... as long as he's willing to share the goods, and I hear he isn't stingy. Kelly laid her long body out over her chair making her short skirt ride up her long legs and her dark hair cascaded over the back of the chair. She was in her pose ready to make an impression.

Laura shook her head, silently laughing at her antics, before turning to look at her own reflection as she took out her cosmetic bag. Her pale blond hair was pulled back in to a tight and low ponytail and her pale blue eyes reflected no emotion back at her. She had always thought her pale pink skin was her finest feature. It was like porcelain without a blemish in sight.

Unlike Kelly, she was not out to make an impression, but she was dressed impeccably. She had on a wool dress with a cowl neck that was the same color as her eyes, knee high black leather boots and a matching black belt that rode low on her hips.

Her makeup didn't need refreshing so she reached into her bag and pulled out her tablet to read. If she looked busy she wouldn't have to make much conversation. She had always found idle chit chat to be uncomfortable and awkward. One could only discuss the weather and the state of the economy so many times before they used up all of their knowledge on the subject.

After a few minutes, when Kelly was growing restless, Carmen Morales walked into the studio, taking all of the attention away from Kelly.

Laura had never had any trouble getting along with Carmen. She was a bit standoffish but never rude. Laura had often wondered what her story was, but neither she nor Carmen were the type of person who could trade confidences lightly.

Kelly on the other hand detested Carmen. How Carmen felt about Kelly had never been clear.

Of the three of them Carmen was definitely the most beautiful. She had tawny skin, golden eyes and her hair was an unusual shade of blond that wasn't quite red or brown making her Latin heritage very evident. Carmen was wearing a simple dress in a crisp white that made her skin glow, and her four inch heels made her stand over six feet tall.

Always one to assess the situation, Carmen looked at Laura, who just nodded and then Kelly who looked sullen. She took the table on the other side of Laura and the three of them sat there in silence.

"Well this is a rowdy bunch," said a deeply amused masculine voice from behind them.

The three of them looked up in their mirrors to see a smiling face looking at them, and there was a quick click of the camera just before Kelly jumped up gushing.

"You must be Davis." She held out her hand. "I'm Kelly Harper."

"Hello Kelly." He smiled taking her hand.

"I'm so excited that you're going to be shooting this year's ad campaign, last year we had Roger and he was such a bore."

Not a muscle in Laura's face twitched as she remembered Kelly's early comment about Roger being wonderful.

Both she and Carmen had turned to face him, but neither one stood to greet him, and with his smile still in place he approached them. He held his hand out to Carmen first and then Laura. Laura was thrown by the callouses on his hands as well as their strength. Most photographers, in her experience, had weak handshakes and soft hands.

Laura looked up into his vivid sky blue eyes and felt at a disadvantage. He was huge. She should have stood. He had jet black hair and it looked as if he hadn't shaved in a few days. He was wearing a pair of well-worn blue jeans, a black t-shirt, and cowboy boots.

Her eyes narrowed. He didn't look like he had just entered the studio which meant that he had been somewhere listening to them talk all along. He caught the sudden change in her expression and his grin grew as he released her hand and stepped back.

"I appreciate you all coming today. I know we don't officially start the shoot until next week, but I wanted to get a few preliminary shots to see who I was working with. You all look lovely."

He took Kelly's hand and led her over to a desk in the corner. "I think this is a good setting for you with that getup."

Kelly preened as she sat in the desk chair.

"Just mess about and have some fun," he instructed as he started to shoot.

He spent about twenty minutes with Kelly, the two of them laughing and flirting outrageously, before he called it. He put his arm around her waist as he led her back to the other two women.

Laura tried her best to continue with her book as he focused on Carmen.

"Thank you Kelly, there is no need for you to stay. I'm sure you have plenty to do before we leave on Monday." It seemed Davis was done with Kelly, but Kelly was not too disappointed as she winked at Laura. "This will be fun."

He decided to keep Carmen where she was and use the mirror and dressing table to his advantage.

Laura rose and moved her things to the table that Kelly had just vacated then pretended to focus on her reading again.

Davis was different with Carmen. He didn't flirt and actually said very little as he gave her different angles and tasks to do. Carmen was not as much of a free spirit as Kelly and he got that. Laura couldn't help being impressed. He read people well.

After about half an hour he shook Carmen's hand again and thanked her, and Laura actually saw Carmen smile shyly at him before she left.

"And last but not least we have Laura Wren, The Ice Queen." He straddled the chair next to her, grabbing her tablet and looking at the story she was reading.

Laura could have objected and snatched it back but that would have given him more to tease her about. She got the distinct impression that he liked to tease. "That was a little high schoolish wasn't it?" she asked, leaning back in her seat.

"Maybe, but I don't think you would have admitted to reading, 'The Last Love', whatever that is." He handed her back the tablet. "You can tell a lot about a person by what they read."

"And what does my choice tell you?" She placed the tablet in her bag.

"That you're a closet romantic. I bet you like to bake, knit, and watch old movies too."

He was so close to the mark that she couldn't help the blush that stole up her neck and cheeks.

His look changed from amused to thoughtful as Laura remained quiet. Davis Stevens had learned more about her than any other person, and it had taken him only five minutes and one stolen tablet.

He handed her a tissue. "Take off your makeup, please," he requested as he rose and walked over to his desk. Laura didn't question him but did as he asked. In her profession you never questioned the photographer. Five minutes later she was bare faced.

"Take off your boots and stockings." He only gave her a brief glance as she rose from the dressing table.

When that was done he crossed the room towards her, walking around her as he assessed her appearance. Laura was used to this and normally it didn't bother her, but this time it felt as if he was seeing more than just her face and body. It was as if he was seeing her.

Suddenly, she felt a tug at her hair as he released it from its binding and it fell around her shoulders. He came back in front of her and nodded, approving of what he saw.

"Come over here." He walked towards the windows. "Sit on the ledge." There was a ledge about four feet up where the window started.

It was a bit too high for her and she looked around for something on which to stand. Seeing her dilemma, he walked over to her and lifted her onto the ledge as if she weighed nothing. He didn't linger as he stepped back, but she was again aware of how large he was. Laura herself was five foot ten and he was easily six foot two. Laura wasn't used to looking up at men.

He stepped back and took in the scene.

"Hug your knees," he ordered as he took the first photo. "Who's you favorite author?" he asked.

Laura just shot him a look, not answering. He laughed, "I'm guessing Jane Austen. What's your favorite movie?"

Laura turned away from him looking out of the window. He had guessed one of her favorite authors.

"Music, how about that, anyone you like?"

"Cassandra Stevens," she said against her better judgment.

Laura wasn't looking at him as he stilled. "That makes sense, she likes to sing the old stuff," he said as he started to take photos again.

Laura nodded, already uncomfortable with sharing that little bit.

"You have fabulous legs," he said as she leaned against a column behind her.

"So I've been told."

"You sound bored."

Laura pushed her hair back off her shoulders and shrugged as she turned towards him.

"Stand up," he said. When she went to jump down he shook his head. "No in the window." She looked at him like he was crazy and he grinned again. "Come on, hurry, I have to leave soon." He looked at his watch.

Sighing, Laura rose slowly, finding her balance and looking down at him from above.

"Good, now turn and face the window."

She did so slowly, minding her feet. When she wobbled a little she reached out and grabbed the column to either side of her then looked down at the city below. It was a bit thrilling to know the only thing that separated her from the street below was a pane of cold glass. Her breath had fogged up the window and she reached up to wipe it clean so she could see the view.

She felt free and it made her smile. She turned and looked at Davis over her shoulder. "It's a little bit like flying."

"I'll take your word for it. I'm afraid of heights."

Laura was shocked. "Then why are you on the top floor?"

"The light is the best."

She turned around and crouched on the ledge, feeling daring. She rested her chin on her knees as she gripped her toes with her hands. "My feet are cold, are we done?"

"Just one more thing."

Laura looked up at him, resigned that she was going to have to do something else silly, as he walked towards her while shooting. When he got to her he let his camera fall around his neck as he took her face between his hands and kissed her.

"It was a sweet and gentle kiss. Like nothing she had ever experienced. It wasn't her first kiss but it felt like a first kiss should. Most of the men who kissed her took, but Davis seemed to be giving. His hands didn't stray, they cupped her face and he nibbled her lower lip slightly before releasing it. As soon as he did he took her picture.

"Done."

She was still holding her toes as she looked at him dazed.

He walked back to his desk quickly, looking at his watch. After a moment Laura recalled where she was and jumped down from the window, walking back towards her things. It took her only a few minutes to gather everything.

Kelly had thought this was going to be fun, but Laura was unsure about the whole thing, and she didn't like being unsure about anything. She left the studio without saying a word of goodbye. She still wasn't sure what she was feeling other than it had been the oddest photo shoot ever. Davis Stevens was going to be a handful, but it was clear to her that he was just one more man who thought he could thaw the Ice Queen. The scary thing was that he actually had, even if it was just for a moment. 

Laura would have to be on her guard the next time.

*******

As soon as he heard the large metal door slide shut behind her he fell back into his seat.

He was in love. It was that simple.

The Ice Queen, was the one. He had been warned about her from some of the other photographers who had worked with her. She was professional but cold. It was like working with a beautiful ice cube and good luck to him if he could get more than one angle on her.

One thing Davis had always prided himself on was reading people. He truly believed that no one was un-photogenic, you just had to get them to let their guard down.

Laura was photogenic no matter if she had her guard up or not, but when she let her guard down she was magnificent.

She had intrigued him from the first, when the three women had looked up in the mirror they had had similar surprised looks. He put the SD card in the computer and brought up the photo, it was strikingly wonderful.

All three women were so different but Laura drew the eye with her perfection. He pulled up her photos and he caught his breath at the one where she was looking over her shoulder smiling. She looked like a girl. She had let her guard down for just a moment and he had caught it on camera. It seemed oddly private and he felt suddenly possessive of not only the picture but the moment.

In that moment he had had to kiss the girl and not the woman. It had been and innocent kiss for an innocent girl. Who knew The Ice Queen could blush and was a closet romantic?

He agreed with Kelly, this was going to be a fun assignment.