EXTRACT FOR
Alpine Nights (Jessica's Seduction #2)
(Darren G. Burton)

Chapter 1





Austria had to have some of the most beautiful countryside on earth, Jessica thought as she looked through her camera's viewfinder. Preston had bought her a second-hand Canon 50D to practice with. It had just a basic zoom lens, but was easily good enough for her skill level. She was still learning how to use many of the camera's functions, so most of her photography was experimental. Preston had been guiding her, though, teaching her some tricks of the trade and she was learning fast.

She took the camera away from her face and adjusted the aperture setting. Looking through the viewfinder once more, she zoomed out to wide angle and snapped off a photo of Kitzstenhorn Mountain in the distance, then studied the results on the camera's LCD screen.

"I quite like that one," she said to herself, satisfied.

Preston was busy setting up a tripod, planning to take a series of exposures of the same scene in order to create a HDR image. Whatever that was.

Jessica turned her head and admired the view. They were situated about halfway up Schmittenhohe Mountain. It was mid-December and the air was cold. No snow was falling and none was forecast until tonight, but the mountains in the region were capped with fresh white snow. There was a light dusting of snow where Jessica stood, but not enough to cover the green. She knew that would soon change, according to the locals. By Christmas time the place should be painted white with thick, fresh powder.

Below was the quaint town of Zell am See, nestled on the edge of pristine Lake Zell, which sparkled in the afternoon sun. It was a bit of a gateway to the ski slopes in the region and was a popular tourist destination in both winter and summer. To the right she could see the village of Kaprun at the foothills of those mountains they were photographing.

She and Preston were currently staying in Zell am See at a small boarding house. Unfortunately none of Preston's international friends lived here, so they didn't really know anyone. The local Austrian people were friendly, and many spoke at least some English, but they hadn't really connected with anyone. Preston spoke and understand some snippets of German, but not enough to indulge in a full-on conversation.

A breeze swept across the hilltop. It wasn't brisk, but was chilly as hell and Jessica put the hood of her jacket over her head to help ward it off.

It was a huge contrast from Australia, where it was now early summer. They'd arrived in Europe less than a week ago, after visa and travel arrangements had been made. They spent a few days in London before coming to Austria, where Preston was required to shoot the towns in the area and the scenery. The streets of Zell am See and other towns were adorned with Christmas decorations and Jessica couldn't wait to spend a white Christmas in Europe. They would be in Switzerland by then, staying at a ski chalet with some of Preston's friends. Jessica planned to do some skiing there, and hopefully get Preston on the slopes. She knew he wasn't keen, but she'd talk him into it.

Preston removed his camera from the tripod and aimed the lens in Jessica's direction. "Hold that sexy pose," he said and snapped off a shot.

"What sexy pose?" she replied with a grin. "I'm sure I look really hot standing here in my bulky, puffy clothing with a hood over my head."

"Red looks great on you," he said, in reference to the colour of her jacket.

"You think anything looks good on me."

"True."

He packed up his tripod and slipped it into a bag and zipped it closed. Jessica stowed her camera into a shoulder bag and Preston did the same with his. He slung the tripod over one shoulder and the camera bag over the other, then the pair started the descent down the picturesque mountain to the town below.

"I just can't believe how beautiful this place is," Jessica said in admiration as her eyes drank in the view yet again. "I thought Hayman Island was stunning, but this is unbelievable."

"I told you. Remember?" Preston reminded her. "When we were on the island last month. That there were so many awesome places in the world to see."

"And you've seen so many of them."

He nodded and stepped around a clump of rocks. "I've been blessed, that's for sure. Photography's given me so many opportunities; opportunities that most people, even most photographers, don't get."

"And now I'm cashing in on that."

"You know what they say. It's who you know. That's how I got this gig. Remember?"

"So, how do you think my photography's going?" Jessica wanted to know.

"I think you're doing really well. You've got a good eye for a shot. The rest is simply mastering technique. Post processing has a lot to do with the end results, too, but we'll work on that part down the track."

"I've watched you work with Photoshop, so I've got a bit of an idea about it already."

Preston nodded. "Most of it's just pretty basic retouching, really. Nothing too complex.."

Jessica took a deep breath and watched clouds quickly forming above the mountains in the south-west. Could be a snow storm brewing. It was forecast for some light snow sometime tonight.

"The walk back down is certainly a lot easier on the legs than the walk up was," she noted. "At least I'm not panting now."

Preston grinned and said, "But hopefully you will be later on."

"Says he with the dirty mind."

"You love it."

"Maybe. I'm not going to admit to that."

"You don't have to. I already know you do."

"Sure of yourself, as always."

"You like confidence."

"I do, but yours often borders on arrogance."

"You love it," he repeated.