Page 179 of My Real Love Affair

“What’s the last outfit?”

Her smile turned wicked. “You’ll see.”

She disappeared into the bedroom again, and I fiddled with the camera, scrolling through the photos we’d taken. She looked confident and beautiful and completely herself in every single one.

“Okay,” she called out. “Close your eyes.”

“What?”

“Close your eyes!”

“Little hard to take pictures with my eyes closed.” I laughed.

“Close them.”

I obeyed, grinning. I heard her footsteps approaching, felt her presence close by.

“Open them.”

I opened my eyes and nearly dropped the camera. She stood there in matching lace lingerie. A deep burgundy number that contrasted beautifully with her skin. The bra showcased her curves, and the high-waisted panties sat perfectly on her hips. She also wore thigh-high stockings with a delicate lace trim.

“Holy fuck,” I breathed.

“Too much?” she asked, suddenly looking uncertain.

“Don’t change a thing,” I managed to say. “You’re stunning.”

Melody smiled and rolled her eyes, pretending she didn’t love it. “Are you ready with the camera?”

I shook my head. “No, ma’am. Not going to do it. I am not taking pictures of you looking like that so you can post the pictures.”

She grinned and popped her hip. “Why not?”

I put the camera down and walked to her, placing my hands on her hips. “Melody, I’m not playing. This is mine. I don’t want you flashing this body to the world. It’s mine.”

She arched an eyebrow. “Oh yeah?”

“Yeah.”

“That’s very caveman of you.”

I shrugged. “I suppose it is.”

“It’s not fair that I’m the only one half-naked here.”

I helped her pull my shirt over my head, and her hands immediately went to my chest, tracing the lines of muscle. She made an appreciative sound that went straight to my groin.

“Your turn to model,” she said, reaching for the camera.

“You want to take pictures of me?”

“Fair is fair.” She gestured to the backdrop. “Go on. Work it, Bancroft.”

I laughed but moved to the backdrop, striking an exaggerated pose. She snapped a photo, giggling. I tried different poses while she clicked away, both of us laughing. This was ridiculous and perfect and exactly what I needed.

“Lose the pants,” she said.

“Excuse me?”