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“Who?” Ali asked.

“It’ll come to you.”

Ali’s hands trembled as she marked Charlotte’s position on the couch in blue painters tape.

The look on Ali’s face when she rounded the corner of the living room to find Charlotte stark naked filled her with a deep sense of satisfaction. Half-surprised, Ali managed not to drop the little foldable table and glass jar full of paint brushes.

Eventually she grew brave enough to approach, eyes never wandering or lingering too long. A valiant attempt at remaining professional which Charlotte respected. If she were anyone else, it would have set Charlotte at ease. But Charlotte wanted to know what specific thoughts had Ali’s hands trembling.

“What are you thinking?”

“I’m excited to finally get to paint you,” Ali said, a breathy laugh rushing past her lips.

“Now, the real answer.”

“It wouldn’t be professional to say.”

“Well then, definitely tell me.”

Ali’s teeth dug into her lower lip. No doubt, contemplating how honest she should be.

“I was thinking that your body is kryptonite.”

Ali placed a bit of tape on the couch in line with her thigh.

“Endlessly long slender legs I want wrapped around me. An ass and hips poets would write sonnets over.”

Piece after piece formed an outline of dark blue against the ivory of the couch, fingers ever so careful not to touch.

“Thighs bearing lean muscle which I often feel called to bury my face between.”

A rasping groan sounded in Charlotte’s throat as images bombarded her mind of Ali on her knees, face buried in her dripping heat.

“Soft, sun-kissed skin I want to leave my mark on.”

Ali gathered the rippling cascade of Charlotte’s inky curls, pulling them into a loose thick messy bun, fastening it with the band slipped off her wrist. She tugged a few strands loose, creating a delicate frame around her face, freeing a few more to brush her shoulders and neck… leaving her back and the henna tattoo on full display.

“I will never get over how lovely your back is.” Ali’s warm breath brushed across her shoulder. Goose-flesh skittered across her skin just as a shudder rippled down her spine. “The definition of your muscles, my hands ache to trace them and kiss a path along your spine.”

Now Charlotte was aching.

Ali’s words struck a match, igniting Charlotte’s entire body. There seemed a permanent thrum of need between her thighs while the rapid beating of her heart thundered in her ears. Curtains drawn, and lighting set up just so, Charlotte remained perched on the edge of her couch… naked and wanting.

“Beautiful,” Ali whispered in adoration, more so to herself than Charlotte when she stepped back to appraise her.

Charlotte studied her with intrigue, watching as she rolled her shoulders and pressed her fingers rhythmically against her thumbs before choosing a paint brush and tapping it against her palm. The same rhythmic beat that accompanied her anxiety. But Charlotte wondered if this was more of a ritual designed to center her spirit as she descended into whatever mental space she went to when she painted with purpose.

During their time together, she witnessed different versions of Ali as her moods shifted. But this… this was by far the most exhilarating.

The most captivating.

Charlotte never lacked confidence in her body or her good looks. But Ali looked at her like she was something rare, and she wondered if she’d ever felt so beautiful.

She’d forgone looking at the piece of blue tape on the wall, choosing instead to watch Ali. How could she not? This was Ali, in her purest element, humming along to the music playing from hidden speakers around the room, putting her vision down on canvas. Charlotte couldn’t deny the desire it ignited to peel away all of Ali’s layers and defenses to reveal every piece of her. But she relished the slow revelations and discoveries of her heart and soul… it was its own kind of beautiful adventure.

Time passed in a haze and she lost count of how many times the timer went off. Too enamored with watching her.

“I think I’ve reached a good stopping place. I need—can I… take a picture—for reference.” Ali asked, shifting from foot to foot, nerves jumping in her dark eyes.