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“What is it?” I studied the pink box with the satin ribbon from The Style Palette, a popular boutique in Providence.

“You’re going to experience a holistic healing session today. It’ll remove your phobia, any residual trauma from the abduction, and when you had the plastic bag over head. These are all intense moments in your life. Sometimes, trauma seeps into our cellular memory, and we don’t realize it until later. I want to make sure you’re cleansed from that darkness.”

Whenever I thought about the lack of air and how I’d trembled against the plastic bag, my body shook. So yes, I knew my body still remembered that event even though my mind had made a decision to move on. But to be aware of that weakness was already a step toward healing.

I appreciated his thoughtfulness more than he knew. “I don’t know what to say to you.”

“Say you’ll do as I ask for this photo session.” His eyes twinkled with mischief.

I was going to tell him I was already healing from the blood phobia, but I was curious what he’d planned for me, so I kept quiet.

My jaw dropped when I opened the box and I pulled out very provocative red lingerie where my nipples and sex would be exposed while still wearing the small pieces of fabric. I might as well not wear anything. The photo shoot he had in mind was a lot sexier than the boudoir I’d done.

“What kind of kinky healing is this?” I arched an eyebrow.“I’m not sure if I’m comfortable exposing myself in this way for pictures, Forrest.”

“The camera won’t capture those parts. Those are for my eyes only. We’ll be strategically placing props in areas and angles that would keep those gorgeous parts out of view.”

“You got props too? How long have you been planning this?”

“That’s not important.” He smiled. “What’s important is we’re going to have fun.”

Being with him was fun, but I’d never imagined him to be planning a boudoir photo session. Then again, I didn’t peg him as a guy who would grow his hair long because he thought I’d find him more attractive.

Even though I knew he could be lethal, I loved this sweet and adorable side of him. Perhaps a man needed two opposites to balance his energy.

He ambled over to the closet and took out a bag of props that ranged from realistic to artificial-looking flowers, mushrooms, and ferns.

“I had a healing day planned for you today, but you beat me to it with your doctor’s examination. Today’s holistic session is called a boudoir healing.”

I laughed. “I’ve never heard of such a thing.”

“That’s because it’s a new therapy created just for you, love.”

He walked over to the bookcase where I’d put some of my books and pulled out my boudoir photo album.A crease formed on his forehead as he flipped through the book.

“This boudoir collection of you is in black and white. Ours will be in color. Who’s the photographer?”

“My friend, Zach.”

Irritation flashed in his eyes. “Where is he?”

I placed a hand on his arm and glanced at the page with me on the bed in lacey lingerie that seemed tame compared to the set he’d gotten me. “Zach’s gay. He now lives in Europe with his boyfriend. Audri knows him. He’d gotten her jewelry into a fashion show in Boston when she was just starting out.”

His expression relaxed. “Europe is good. He should stay there forever.”

I kissed my adorable jealous boyfriend. “He was the perfect candidate when I needed someone with great photography skills.”

“From now on, you have me. I’m the photographer.” Heat flickered in his eyes. “I plan on a photo op.”

“Wait, you want to be in it too?”

“Why not? I’m the biggest prop. You’re developing these images in your darkroom. No one will see them but us.”

I didn’t know what to say. “Where’s the darkroom?”

“Being added on to the side of the house. Grayson’s firm will take care of it.”

No wonder there were a few men browsing around the house the other day with him.