Page 32 of Overtime

“Yes, but no…” I know what he means because now that I’m thinking about us switching places, I don’t know how I’m going to survive it.

“All right. Then you’re up.” I stand up next to him and grab my phone and robe off the bed, making a point of bending over right in front of him. Just before sliding the robe back on while he watches only a foot away from me. His eyes drop to my breasts and then back up to my lips and every thought is written on his face like he’s not even trying to disguise it.

His eyes come up to mine and there’s a question in them. Like maybe he’s ready to cave or ask for some sort of temporary detente in our little war game. He starts to form a word, hesitating ever so slightly—

Then the doorbell rings, loudly, echoing through the house.

“Dinner,” he says instead.

“Dinner,” I agree, wrapping my robe and tying it around my waist. I follow him out into the living room.

“You can grab some plates and forks if you want. Cabinet there, and drawer there,” he says and points to them as he walks toward the foyer to answer the door.

He returns a few minutes later with the bags and a couple of drinks to where I’ve already set things up for us at the counter.

“Don’t think this gets you out of it.” I point to the food. “You’re still getting naked.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He nods.

When we’re doneand heading back to the bedroom, I frown at the scene because it’s not what I imagine for him.

“I really think we need to get you into a proper studio. Where I can control the light and we can do some backdrops that will highlight your eye color.”

“Don’t tell me you’re chickening out.”

“I am not chickening out. But I want the best shots possible for this book. The light and the angles to be perfect. I’ve got one I’ve already toured, and I’m just waiting to hear back if I can rent the space for the next couple of weeks. Can we do it once I’ve got the studio now that I’ve held up my end of the bargain?”

“Sure. In the meantime, you going to edit those for me, so I can get them printed?”

“I’ll get them printed and framed for you.” I counter. “They can be an early Christmas gift from me.”

He grins in response. “All right. I still think you should take a couple of test shots though. It’ll help you figure out what you want to do when we get to the studio.”

“I’m exhausted after the game, pretending to understand football, and then posing naked for my ex-fuckbuddy… That takes a lot out of a girl, you know? There’s a deep soak in a bathtub that’s calling my name right about now.”

“I can draw you a bath here.”

“Here?”

“I have a huge one in the master. Has a great view if it wasn’t already dark out. But you can use it.”

“Yes, but do you have bath bombs and bubbles? Because Violet has lots.”

“Actually yes. I just got one of those grab bags from an event that’s filled with bath stuff, so you can have your pick of bath bombs and bubbles.”

“Tempting.”

“I thought so.”

“I feel like I’m being tempted into some inner circle of hell though. Trying to wear me down while I’m tired?”

“I just want another glimpse of you naked, and I figure there probably won’t be another good excuse any time soon.”

“Unless you cave.”

“Which I won’t.”

“I think this is cheating a bit.”