Page 73 of Dirty Shots

Eric was setting up hisstudio in preparation for Logan’s arrival, while Anya stood in the bathroom, anxiously applying and reapplying her make-up. She’d already shaved her skin smooth, and then coated every inch of herself in moisturizing cream. Now she stood naked in front of the mirror, examining herself. Would Logan find her sexy? What if he didn’t and it was obvious that he didn’t think she was attractive? She’d be mortified.

She palmed her naked breasts and gave her nipples a pinch between her thumb and forefinger, making the pink nubs stand erect and sending a frisson of pleasure down to her groin. It was strange how much more nervous she felt at the idea of exposing herself in front of Logan like this, when she hadn’t experienced anything like such nerves at getting naked in front of Eric. Perhaps she’d always felt more predatory with Eric, knowing exactly what she wanted, where Logan was something different altogether.

She tried to push all thoughts of her parents—her father, in particular—to the back of her mind. Yet, despite her best efforts, she couldn’t help wondering if she was doing all of this to spite him. Though she told herself she was the one in control of her life now, and she would do what she wanted without being emotionally blackmailed by her father, the thought of him never wanting to see her again saddened her. But there was nothing more she could do. She had two choices—censor herself to please her parents, or live her life to its full potential.

Anya couldn’t imagine living a single day with the first option.

She applied a final slick of gloss to her lips, gave her hair another fluff, and then wrapped herself in her robe. She’d decided wearing a robe and being naked underneath would be less intimate than if she actually needed to undress herself in front of Logan. At least this way she could just whip off the robe and be done.

The buzzer for the front door rang, and her heart leapt into her throat. Shit. He was here.

“You okay in there, baby?” Eric called out. “I think Logan’s here.”

She forced her voice to be bright. “Coming.”

By the time she made it out of the bathroom, Eric was already opening the door to Logan.

He stepped into the apartment, a wide smile on his tanned, handsome face, showing off those straight white teeth. He pushed his blond waves back with one hand while his blue gaze met with hers.

“Hey, Anya.”

“Hey,” she said, smiling back. Butterflies danced around her stomach.

Logan lifted the other hand which held a paper bag wrapped around a bottle. “I figured we could do with some fizz.”

Eric took the bottle from him. “We’d already come to that same conclusion. I just opened a bottle of Dom Perignon.”

Anya noticed the three glasses sitting on the kitchen island. Golden bubbles rose and popped to the surface. Eric placed the new bottle in the refrigerator, and then handed each of them one of the glasses he’d already poured.

Logan’s gaze flicked to the pile of boxes and bags still unpacked by the front door. “Are you moving out?” he asked Eric.

Eric smiled and slipped his arm around Anya’s waist. “Nah, Anya is moving in here. It seemed crazy to have all her stuff somewhere else when she’s spending all her time here.”

“Wow, that’s fast.”

Eric handed him a glass. “Yeah, but it feels right, you know? Life is for living. There’s no point in hanging around.”

“Well, congrats,” he said, lifting his glass in a toast. “And here’s to a great shoot.”

Eric clinked his glass to each of theirs. “Hear, hear.”

Anya took a sip, the bubbles bursting in the back of her nose. She took another, larger gulp, wanting the alcohol to take off the edge.

Logan turned his attention to her. He really was crazily good looking, not in the classic, sophisticated way Eric was, but in more of an easy going way.

“So I hope you’re not feeling too put out by Eric wanting to do this shoot,” he said.

She blinked. “What do you mean?”

“Well, I’m sure you could think of better things to do than have my hands all over you all afternoon.”

She risked a smile. “It’s okay. It’s not such a bad way to spend my time.”

He turned to Eric. “So, what’s the plan?”

“I suggest some artistic nude shots, initially. I want you both to feel at ease with each other’s bodies before we move on to anything more erotic. How does that sound?”

Logan seemed completely unfazed. “Sure, sounds good.”

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