Page 139 of The Desire Variable


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I take well over thirty pictures, trying different poses, kimono off the shoulders, off only one, without it… I try different angles, from the front, slightly to the side, completely to the side… I try to hide my face with the phone, hold it up, at chest level…

It’s my first attempt at sexy pictures, and I never realized how complicated the ordeal is. Nudes arehard, and I have all the respect in the world for the women who do it regularly. It’s so much simpler for men. Lex removed his towel, snapped his junk, sent it, and it was enough to make me weak in the knees.

I keep the best pictures as I go and delete the ones I never want to see again. After maybe twenty minutes of this laborious photoshoot, I accept I won’t do better. I have five shots to go by, one of which I like a lot more than the others. I’m angled slightly to the side, the kimono falling off one of my shoulders, with my hand on my hip. The pink ensemble is very much visible, and the phone partially hides my face.

Me

Do you have a moment?

I message him, my thumbs trembling a little. With my legs crossed in the middle of the bed with all my purchases, I wait, biting my nail. What am I doing? I’ve seen too many stories of revenge porn to be doing this. Even for Lex.

His answer is simple and efficient.

Lex

I do.

Alright, I can do this. A little quid pro quo.

Me

No screenshot.

Before he can ask what I mean, I select the picture. My heart is beating so fast that I wonder if I can die of a heart attack at twenty-six. The moment I hit the send button, a shiver runs up my arm to die in my chest. This goes against all of my beliefs, my education, and my comfort zone.

Everything stills as I wait, and when the seen checkmark appears, all my fears become too loud.The fuck am I doing?He won’t like it. I look ridiculous.I count to ten internally and then delete the picture for both of us. Shortly after, he starts typing. With each second that passes, my anxiety grows more intense.

Lex

When I picked Wednesday to bring you home, I thought it would be a nice, reasonable day in the middle of the week. I should have gone with Monday. You’re stunning in that.

Relief floods me, and I let out a heavy sigh, my shoulder collapsing as the tension leaves my body.

Me

I’m still trying to decide which one I should wear for Wednesday.

I half-expect it when he calls, so I pick up, acting innocent. “Yes?”

“Maybe you should send me more pictures so I can help you choose.”

“Nice try, but no. That was a teaser. I bought about half the shop, and you’ll get some sweet surprises in all that, as promised.” I lie back on my bed on top of some panties and bras.

“Fuck, Andrea,” he groans. “You have to stop making me hard like this when you’re not here to take care of it.”

“You’re a big boy. Take care of it yourself.”

“I have been. I don’t think I’ve ever fucked my fist so much in my life. Maybe in my teen years, but I’m not even sure.”

“Have you jerked off thinking of me?” I ask, almost honored by the thought.

“Is that weird?”

“Lord, I hope not. I’ve been putting Idris through overtime since I met you.”

Lex lets out another groan, and I press my knees together, feeling like a temptress. I’m enjoying all this buildup immensely, this anticipation, this tension…

“And what were you thinking of as you made yourself come with me on your mind?” he asks, the low tone of his voice somehow finding its way straight to my clit.