“Well, I know you didn’t make me orgasm at all while we were in Kruger,” I deadpanned.
Alex huffed a laugh before tearing open the condom and rolling it on. He climbed up the bed between my legs and settled his weight on my hips, his cock long and hard against my core.
“My god,” I said, exasperated. “You are such a tease, Alex.” I pinched his side, and he squirmed against me, laughing. I pinched again, and whilst trying to fend me off, he grabbed my leg and hiked it up around his waist, plunging in with one stroke.
We both sucked in air, our laughter disappearing. Alex brought both hands up to my face, and I let my legs curl around his, keeping us locked together. Feather-light, he dusted a kiss across my lips.
“You feel so good,” he whispered, starting small rocking motions.
I pressed my lips against his, and his hands swept up into my hair as he deepened the kiss. We rocked together, kissing when we could, breathing when we had to.
I traced the bumps of his spine with my fingertips, feeling the muscles flex around me. Alex’s skin became slick, his kisses less frequent.
“Nikki,” he breathed. “I’m not going to last.” He pressed his forehead against mine. “Are you close?”
“No, but that’s okay.”
He closed his eyes, nodding slightly. “I’ll take care of you, I promise.”
“I know,” I whispered.
A few more thrusts, and Alex tensed up, grunting out his orgasm. His feet scrambled at the sheets for traction, pressing himself deep into me. I held him tight, rocking with him as he came.
A few hours later,after four more orgasms—one more for Alex, three for me—we ate takeaway on my bed, naked.
“It’s not my fancy French place, but it’ll do,” I said, slurping up a noodle.
Alex looked at me with such fondness. “Who would have thought I’d have Nikki Kozlova slurping my noodles?”
I smiled, close-lipped.
“Actually,” he began, setting his food down, “I wanted to show you my new camera.”
I paused in digging for my next noodle. “Wait,” I said, dropping the carton down in my lap. Surely I hadn’t heard him correctly. “What did you say?”
His face brightened. “I got a new camera. I was hoping you could take a look at it and tell me what you think, maybe give me some pointers.”
I gathered the sheets at my waist, my heart pounding and dread settling in my stomach. “Show me.”
Alex left the room, retrieving the small bag he’d left by the door. No longer distracted by a handsome date, I could see it for what it was, a camera bag. He unzipped it, pulling out a Sony, the latest model that had sold out instantly and had a months-long waiting list. I hadn’t even planned on upgrading yet, as my camera was only a few years old, but I’d thought about it. Was tempted by it. And here was a shiny brand-new model flush with the latest stabilizing technology and an even higher f-stop.
I reached out reverently, and Alex placed the camera in my hands. I zoomed in and out, the motions of the lens smooth and graceful. I flipped it on, pivoted the screen, tested the buttons, even took the lens cap off and took a few shots, aiming randomly around my flat.
It was a gorgeous camera.
And once again, Alex was busting out of the gates bigger, better, faster, all the things I wasn’t. Sure I could upgrade my camera to match his, but what was the point? I knew Alex wouldn’t be taking trips with me, but the next time we’d travel together, it’d be a complete competition. Even with my experience, Alex would hire an instructor, take a course, devote himself entirely to the camera and chasing the shot.
I could picture this future, us fighting for position to get the best shot, his brilliance leading him to all kinds of creative ideas. Then we’d compare notes, and he’d gloat—sure, my shots were great, but his were better.
Worst of all, this was my career. It was still a budding one, but I just couldn’t stand the thought of being bested at yet another thing, especially something I wanted to make my living at.
“Alex, what are you going to do with a camera?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know. I thought we could take some courses together, maybe do some photography challenges. Who knows, you might finally get me interested in my Instagram account.”
I closed my eyes. “Why do you do this?”
He responded, and I could hear the bafflement in his voice. “Do what?”
