Page 114 of Camera Shy

My fist is raised at the door, but it opens a sliver before I can knock. I hear her step away, her soft footsteps on the hardwood floor, so I push it open and enter. Avery omitted the robe but is doing everything she can to cover as much of her naked body as possible. Her forearm is wrapped tight around her breasts, nearly smashing them into flat disks. She also has her thighs pressed together so tight her legs look flushed. Her other hand is sprawled out in front of her pussy like I haven’t seen it before.

Perhaps I should be aroused. I thought I’d be fighting a hard-on this entire shoot, but Avery looks so nervous at the moment, all I feel is protective.

“Deep breath,” I instruct, but she doesn’t obey. In fact, it looks like she’s holding her breath. “Avery,” I say again. “Take a deep breath. It’s okay. It’s just me and this shouldn’t be news to you by now, but you look incredible. So sexy and powerful.”

“How long will this take? Ten minutes or so?”

I exhale. “I’m going to do something I normally would never offer a client, so you’ll have to pardon the lack of professionalism.”

Her eyes light up, no doubt thinking I’m going to omit the photos and throw her onto the bed. Incorrect. “Come here,” I say, pulling her against my chest. She’s so much shorter than me without heels, so I can easily rest my chin on her head. “Hey, shrimp, can you see over my shoulder?” I wrap my arms tighter around her, trailing the divot of her spine with my fingertips.

“I can,” she mumbles against my pec.

“What’s that sign say?”

She mutters something incomprehensible.

“One more time?” I ask.

“You’re beautiful,” she grumbles, fully agitated.

“And?”

“You’re worthy,” she says in a huff.

“And?”

She leans backward and tilts her chin up to find my eyes. “That’s all it says. You’re beautiful and you’re worthy.”

“And you’re mine,” I add. Hooking my finger under her chin the way I’ve done a dozen times by now, I rub my thumb across her cheek soothingly. “I take really good care of what’s mine, Avery. I promise you.”

It takes her a while to speak, and then finally she drops her arms and buries into me. Her head knocks against my chest. Her freed breasts press against the top of my abs. She wraps her arms around my neck and speaks into my shirt quietly, maybe hoping I can’t hear. But her words ring through clearly. “You…are…overwhelming, Finn. I never stood a chance.”

“I know,” I say. It’s how I intended it. From the moment I learned her name, I wanted to make Avery Scott fall for me. “Now, if you really are uncomfortable, I do actually have some brand-new lingerie you could wear.”

“You do?” She looks at me, her brows furrowing.

“I took your advice and called some of those boutiques to see if they would carry my business cards in exchange for showing off their collections for my clients. They donated a few sets and I asked for everything in your size.”

She narrows her eyes. “Being?”

“Hey, now. We don’t talk numbers in the studio. I just asked for everything in a size beautiful. Do you want to try it on?”

Peeling herself away from me and taking a giant step backward, Avery’s entire body is in plain view. Every soft bow and fleshy curve of her body has me mentally salivating, especially because now she looks more determined than I’ve ever seen her.

“No, I’m okay. Let’s do this.”

“Good girl,” I say and pump my brows.

Her jaw drops as she scoffs. “So much for keeping this professional.”

I chuckle as I spin her around and pat her bare ass. “Last one. I promise.” Grabbing my loaded camera from the table behind me, I continue in my most business-like tone. “Now, Ms. Scott, could you take a seat on the floor with your back against the footboard of the bed?”

She does as I ask and I resist the urge to call her my good girl once again.

“Bend your knees and arch your back a bit—there. Good, that’s perfect.”

I cross the space between us and adjust her long hair. Avery has the perfect hair and style for a boudoir shoot. I can strategically hide her nipples underneath her long locks. When I’m satisfied with her pose, I step back and allow myself to admire the view.

---