Chapter 33: Return to the meadow

"Gezz Mich!" Tony drawled, glancing finally the general direction of the mini. "How much longer do I got'ta stand over here?" Wondering how long he was supposed to wait, listening to the giggling under the comforter spread over the car's right side?

"Take one step closer Tony..." Came the response. "N' that camera will get stuffed where daylight won't find it!"

"Sheesh!" He moaned, turning back away. "What a grouch!"

Tony occupied the time then by again looking slowly around. Even this early in the year, the valley was a place of unrelenting beauty.

"Sort of like Miho." He thought pleasantly, then frowned.

He liked to think of himself as a consummate professional. Always He had prided himself at keeping a proper distance of attitude. How was this any different? Mihoshi had an appealing, unassuming quality that made staying objective difficult. Unlike so many beautiful women, Miho seemed somehow unaware of her effect on the male of the species. Maybe she was raised in a sheltered environment? She also gave indications of having a strict upbringing, a father or mother who'd demeaned her self-image.

Of course, he was guessing and frankly slightly ashamed of himself for the effort. It was none of his business! One thing Tony did find more than passingly strange, he'd also always prided himself on being worldly enough to peg someone's point of global origin by their accent. Thus far he was having no luck what so ever with Mihoshi!

"Reah-deee!" Michele finally sang, beckoning while giving ground. Wasting no time, more than slightly curious what they had cooked up, Tony walked over as she was pulling away the comforter.

Mihoshi regarded him slyly from the driver's seat, slightly reclined. Its position swiveled and locked facing the cars, open door, wearing only the seat's five-point racing style safety harness and a slightly shy little smile.

Even with legs casually parted, the lower release buckle neatly hid her groin. The vertical acceleration straps covered her ample breasts like wide suspenders where they ascended connecting to the integrated roll cage above. The whole effect was breathtaking, and sexy in the extreme.

"Well?" Mihoshi blushed. Tony suddenly realized he had been standing there staring like an idiot.

"Whoa." He finally managed, numbly bringing his camera into play once more.

Tony spent the next few minutes 'playing with the shot' Having Mihoshi fluff her hair while he experimented with the angle.

"Tony?" Mihoshi asked suddenly, choosing her moment to speak when the digital 'imager' beeped.

"What's on your mind angel?" He asked absently, mesmerized on his viewfinder. It was through its electronic window however that Tony realized her expression had grown serious, perhaps even a little sad.

"Am, am I going to regret doing this?" She asked quietly, actually frowning, summoning a sudden chill along his spine.

"Miho." He breathed, lowering camera, now actually 'looking' at her. Seeing she seemed suddenly on the verge of tears! Letting the camera fall against his chest, reaching out Tony then stopped, just shy of brushing her cheek, Seeming to consider his extended hand for a moment.

"Did I do something wrong?" He then asked.

"Are you using me?" She asked flatly.

"WHA?!" He mouthed.

"Maybe, I'm just a little slow." Mihoshi then told him, eyes growing hard. "Or like Kiyone tells me, hopelessly naive. But I was just wondering how any of these 'shots' we're doing now could possibly be used to sell products!"

Tony stared at her for a moment, stifling the urge to smile. It didn't take a keen sense of business to see. Even in a market over saturated with beautiful women, Mihoshi could write her own ticket.

From her clear blue eyes, large and expressive to that honey gold mane almost exploding away from her angular face. The smooth buttery tones of her chestnut skin ... and those ears! Long, graceful and definitively pointed, striking a perfect, sensual balance between the familiarly beautiful and the bizarrely erotic.

He wasn't sure exactly how to answer. Truthfully, of course! However, that didn't change the simple fact that he had made a tragic mistake. Grasping the camera with a sigh making his decision, Tony proceeded to lift its strap from around his neck. Flashing Miho what could only be called a grim smile as he then handed it to her.

"Here." He said quietly, turning it over for her view. "The controls on the back are very simple" Tony indicated a series of arrow keys. "Just page up or down, to select an image to review or left or right to access the main control menu." Mihoshi received the camera from him, holding it a little awkwardly.

"I don't understand." She asked slowly, confused. "Why are you giving me?"

"That's every shot I've taken over the last hour." He gently interrupted.

"I, I'm afraid I don't..."

"Delete them." Tony told her flatly.

"Are you serious?" She gasped unable to believe what she was hearing.

"As a heart attack." He eyed her grimly, totally serious. "You see Miho," Tony paused. "That is if I can still call you that?" He then waited, watching her reaction.

"First off," He continued when she at last slowly nodded. "You're right about the series of shots I've taken over the last hour." He continued to study her expression.

"Th-then why... ?" She stammered.

"I wanted them more for my private collection." Tony paused again, giving her a chance to speak.

"I, I should have talked to you about it before." He pressed on as she continued to stare. "Was, planing to ask you afterwards about it, but to be honest, lame as it sounds right now. I just plain forgot!"

He then stopped, chewed his lip before taking and releasing a breath.

"Guess I'm just used to working with pro-models." He added apologetically. "I really screwed up!"

"However, Miho!" Tony told her emphatically. "I swear I am not! Never would think, of using you!"

"Well..." Mihoshi murmured, regarding the back of the camera she still held.

"Can I ask you something?" He asked after a moment watching her 'fiddle'. "If you were so concerned about that?" He gestured at the safety harness currently constituting her only attire. "Why'd you let Michele talk you into..."

"Cause I felt real bad about not..." She paused, biting her own lip. "Taking off the suit when you asked me to." Tony just shook his head, unable to keep from smiling at that.

"Honey..." he sighed, looking at her fondly. "You shouldn't EVER feel like that! You're a beautiful young lady! And while I've only known you a few hours, I'm positively crazy about you!" Tony then leaned close.