“Oh!” She thought for a moment and then frowned. “I didn’t know you were coming. We already have a model and besides?—”
“I’mactually your model.” I grinned, all too proud of myself. “I called ahead and made the arrangements.”
“You’rethe model?” She clapped a hand over her mouth, concealing a laugh.
I shifted uneasily. “What’s so funny?”
She chuckled with pure amusement. “Carter, this is anudecomposition class.”
Oh fuuuuuck.
“Nude?” I puffed out my cheeks before blowing out a heavy breath. “No shit.”
She shook her head, already composing a text as she chuckled like an adorable little gremlin. “It’s alright, I’ve got a few models on standby, you’d be surprised how often they back out. Even when theyknowit’s nude.”
I dragged a hand over my face.Shit-mother-fucker.This was my moment. Buck up or walk away.
“Hey now,” I grabbed her phone before she could send the message. “If you need me to strip, then I’ll strip.”
She crossed her arms and skeptically nodded towards the podium. “You’re going to stand up there, butt naked, for an hour?”
“I was not aware that’s what this class was, but yes.” I started pulling my hoodie over my head before I could change my mind.
“Woah there, flyboy, slow your roll. The models definitely don’t strip down in the middle of the room.”She practically dragged me towards the small ensuite bathroom. “You can dress down in here. There’s a locker for all your stuff, and you’ll use the robe until it’s go-time.”
“So proper.” I chuckled. “But dressing room or not, it doesn’t change the fact that you’re about to see me in my birthday suit.” Her gaze dropped to my crotch and then snapped to my eyes in realization, like she hadn’t fully processed what was about to happen.
Which made it all the more satisfying as her neck went redder by the minute, visible to me by the compliments of her skimpy little tank top. I stifled a groan, realizing her black bra was visible through the too-thin fabric. Instead of staring, I offered her a lazy grin while she desperately tried to regain her composure.
“Carter, I appreciate the gesture, but you really don’t have to do this.” She was nervous, wringing her hands. “I’ll call for a backup, yeah, that’s probably for the best.”
“I said I would do it, and I will.” I was not about to let her down because of my poor planning.
“Oh God. Oooookay.” She laughed maniacally and clapped her hands together, rambling nervously as she slowly backed away. “Okay. Yup. This. Is. Happening.”
I followed her like a magnet who had no other choice, because I didn’t.
“I think you’re forgetting,I’mthe one who’s gotta get naked.” It was too much fun watching her unravel.
Her voice went up an octave. “I have to finish prepping for the class.” She motioned over her shoulder. “Yes, I’ll be over here.” She walked away and then abruptly turned back to me, trying to get back into professional mode. “But please let me know if you need anything.”
“I like you, swirly.” I said with a chuckle.
“I amnotswirly.” She argued as she proceeded to actually twirl a loose curl around her finger—her expression went glazed before she abruptly turned on her heel, leaving me with just my nerves and my quickly dwindling gumption.
I had never been particularly prude or shy about my body, and frankly, I was pretty happy with how I looked these days, but as I stood there on that platform—I realized I had a big problem on my hands. How the hell was I going to look at her for an entire hour without getting hard? I shouldn’t have watched her, looking so goddamn sexy, for so goddamn long before I’d come in. Total. Rookie. Move.
“Hey.” Sara crossed through the circle of easels, voice low. “Are you totally and completely sure about this?”
“I’ve never been so sure of anything in my life.” I winked, and she rolled her eyes at me, but honestly, she looked even more nervous than I felt.
“So I’ll give everyone instructions and then, when you’re ready, you can give me your robe. Just try to find a position that’s comfortable, since you’ll be standing in the same pose for a while.” She was tryingsohard to be all business. “For this particular class, we’ll do four poses, so you won’t be stuck in the same position for the entire hour.” She nodded, assuring herself more than me.
“You good?” I asked.
“Great.” She swallowed thickly. “You?”
I grinned, “You know, I actually woke up this morning and thought, I’m in the mood to flash someone.” I bobbed my head back and forth. “I wasn’t, however, in the mood to get arrested, so you’re really solving a problem for me.”
