Page 35 of Four on the Floor: A Menage Romance

“Absolutely,” I tell her, and head into my room as they go to the elevators, my heart pounding.

This could work.

It could really work.

* * *

I bringher tea just like I promised. I do it almost every day, as long as we’re not rehearsing. I like it, and I can tell that Larkin gets a kick out of being brought tea by a guy with a real live British accent.

And I get a kick out of her, so it’s perfect.

“That was a nice thing about being in school, actually,” she’s saying. “College students are always broke, and most of them are ready to take their clothes off, so it’s easy to find models.”

I take a long sip of my tea and look at her over the mug. After a moment, she looks away, laughing.

“You have a hard time finding people who’ll take their clothes off?” I ask, teasing.

Larkin turns hot pink, the flush spreading up her neck and to her cheeks.

It’s incredibly appealing.

“Being a nude model is a skill,” she says, avoiding the question.

I take another sip, and she finally looks me in the eyes.

“And yet nearly any college student would do?” I ask.

“Well, I also can’t just ask someone to come to my studio and get naked,” she says. “When you’re asking a twenty-year-old to do it in the context of an accredited figure drawing class, it’s one thing. Just asking someone to get naked is creepy.”

She takes a sip, still bright red.

“Besides, posing and staying still for long enough is harder than you’d think.”

It’s not the only hard thing right now.

“Have you tried it?” I ask.

“Asking someone to pose nude?”

“That’s right.”

“I’m not even working on nudes right now,” she says quickly, her mug to her lips. “I’m working on an abstract figuring of — what?”

She stops because I’m grinning.

“I personally know four people who’d strip instantly if you only asked,” I say.

Her eyes widen a bit atfour.

“Truth be told, Lark, I’m a bit wounded you haven’t asked me yet,” I tease. “I’d be an excellent nude model, I’m sure. I’m brilliant at holding still.”

“I don’t even need a model right now,” she protests.

“Only because you haven’t seen me nude. Might change your mind then,” I say.

Larkin blushes even deeper.

“Just say the word,” I go on.

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