You mentioned...

Laura took a deep breath before answering. "You mentioned... or rather joked, about maybe paying me for my photo," she asked, her eyes flicking to the photos on Amanda's wall. The seemed more erotic now than they had before.

Amanda stared at her for what felt like an eternity. Laura felt judged and weighed. She was about to say she didn't mean it when the beautiful redhead stood. "Follow me," she simply said and walked toward the red curtains.

Laura hesitated before rising and walking toward the unknown. She suddenly felt ****. Behind the curtain is what she expected to see. A large, fancy four-postered bed and a door to what he thought would be a bathroom, just like in their apartment. What she didn't expect to see was another door beside the one that would lead into the bathroom. Amanda walked to the black door and opened it.

"As I said, Mack and I have an arrangement. I rent out this unit and have put in a door so I can come and go as I please," she explained.

Inside was an identically large room, except this time it looked like she'd stepped into a movie set. In each corner had a different style of decorations set up. The one closest to her might have fit in a horror movie or a sex dungeon. Her flicked his eyes from the sawhorse to the next set against the far corner. It looked like something she might see in an old-timey movie, complete with painted wooden paneling along the wall to sell the look. The other two sets were a bedroom and a kitchen. She could imagine a popular cook standing behind the granite countertop island as they taught an audience how to cook.

"This is impressive," Laura gushed. "I assume this is where you take your photos? Your studio?"

"I have one other place, but most of my work is here. I do a lot of shots here," Amanda said as she turned to look at her. "Come, this is my album collection."

Amanda walked to the center of the room. Laura had seen the display racks in the middle of the room, but the fake sets drew her attention more. Now, she took a good look as she approached. Each display rack had large volumes of leather-bound books in neat rows. Under the racks, she saw a wide range of expensive cameras, video cameras, and what looked like a projector.

"This is my most recent set," Amanda called as she took down a book from the middle shelf. She eyed Laura before pursing her lips. "I do not like to share my collections with others, if that is what you are afraid of. What you give me is for my eyes... and maybe a select few people. Only those I trust. If I show you this, you will not attempt to take or tell anyone about what you see. I want your word on it."

"I understand that," Laura answered. "I won't tell anyone what I see."

Amanda stared at her for a long minute. She seemed content with whatever she was looking for. "I like each of these models. Have a seat," she instructed as she pointed to a large black leather armchair. "I have a little work to do," she said before turning toward the door.

"Uh, okay," Laura said as she looked around.

Amanda clapped her hands, making Laura jump. Runner lights from overhead lit the entire room in a soft red glow. "Oh, and Laura, do not go looking through my other albums. That... is your only warning," she warned before heading toward the door to her apartment.