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“Don’t be. I feel the same way. I was just hoping you weren’t going to find out my ulterior motives for wanting you to do this.” I couldn’t hold back a laugh.

“You aren’t as stealthy as you think you are, Lacey Cole.”

“I know. But I was hoping you’d let me get away with it.” I took a breath, stood up and dropped the robe.

“Maybe I will.”

I sat back down and tried not to think about all my flaws that were now on full display.

“Holy shit,” she said in hushed tones. “Holy fucking shit.” I’d never really gotten that reaction before. Lacey sort of tipped over and sat on her ass, holding her camera up so it didn’t hit the floor.

“Are you okay?” I asked, trying not to fidget.

“Yeah, I think so. I’m not really sure.” Her voice had a dreamy quality to it and her eyes were wide.

“Seriously, are you okay?” I was starting to get worried.

Lacey nodded slowly.

“Yup. Just fine. I’m just staring at the most beautiful human I’ve ever seen and I can’t believe you’re real, but sure, totally fine.” I looked down at myself. Just a regular body. A little chunkier than I’d been a few years ago. A few scars. Stretch marks. Uneven boobs. Chunky legs. Nothing special. I wasn’t a radiant beauty. But she was looking at me as if I was a priceless work of art.

“You’re stunning. Absolutely stunning.” She finally got up and aimed her camera again.

“If you say so,” I said.

“I do.” She started clicking again and I followed her instructions, looking in a few different directions, playing with my hair, moving my hands. I got more comfortable as the time ticked on and she actually got me to laugh a few times by making funny faces at me. Things got less serious and I started to have fun and loosen up.

She had me do some standing poses and I felt kind of silly trying to be alluring, but she assured me that I was doing a good job.

And then, we moved to the bed. She had me start off sitting and then resting against a pile of soft white pillows.

The more I’d watched her work, the more turned on I’d become and I seriously wanted her. Everything she did was erotic and she was in her element. I couldn’t stop myself from reaching out and taking the camera from her hands.

“What are you doing?” she asked, but she let go of it.

“Turning the tables,” I said, figuring out which button to push to take the picture. She seemed hesitant at first, but I got a few shots of her and then I stood up.

“Come here.” I patted the bed and she sat down on it. Today she wore a faded t-shirt and jeans and the shirt clung to her body so perfectly. She was a stunner.

“Relax,” I said, brushing my hand through her hair.

“I’m not good at this,” she said nervously.

“You’re doing fine.” I took a few shots and then made a face at her to get her to laugh. I had no idea if I was doing this right, but that didn’t matter.

“Okay, okay,” she finally said, taking the camera back, but it was to set it on the floor.

“I need to kiss you,” she said, reaching for me.

“If you must,” I said, leaning down. She pulled me onto the bed and I squealed a little. Lacey rolled me until she was on top and I was pressed against the bed. Oh.

“Hello,” I said, a little breathless.

“Hello,” she said, her voice low. She braced herself on her arms, but there wasn’t much between us. The scraps of lace I was wearing seemed insubstantial at the moment.

“Fuck, I want you so much,” she said, just barely pressing her hips against mine. Just enough to make me moan.

“I want you, Lacey. So much.” So much I was losing my mind. This was torture. Pure, irritating torture.