Page 41 of Picture Us

Rose fumbled with the negative, trying to find the edge quickly. But as Drew’s body pressed against her back, she couldn’t think. Reaching their other arm around her, Drew placed their left hand over Rose’s. Their slender fingers threaded between Rose’s, pulling her hand to the edge of the film.

Rose nearly jumped when her fingertips found the edge of the film.

Drew laughed in her ear, the deep rumble from their chest sending a wave of pleasure down to Rose’s already throbbing clit.

“Let it slip into the spool.” Drew lightened their grip on her hands. There was no way for Rose to hide her rapid breathing. If Drew was going to notice how hot this made her, there was nothing she could do to stop it now.

The film slid into place, this time with no resistance. A pleased hum almost escaped Rose’s throat. But she swallowed the impulse.

“Now, twist.” Drew grumbled into her ear. Their hands twisted together. Rose could feel Drew’s arms flexing along with hers as they moved in tandem, slowly drawing the tail of the film into the spool.

Drew’s biceps tense against Rose’s skin, the warmth of their body a sharp contrast to the chilly air conditioning.

The spool made a shuffling sound once all the film was wrapped up. It was over. Drew stretched their finger from Rose’s hand to the edge of the spool, the sharp metal familiar to the tip of their finger.

Rose expected Drew to pull away, to remove their arms from around her. But once they had confirmed the spool was rolled, Drew lingered. She could feel their chest rising and falling against her back. Their head fell slightly, their lips hovering over the exposed skin on Rose’s neck.

Opening her eyes slowly to the bright light, Rose looked down at the strong hands holding hers. It was exactly what she had feared after Henrietta’s: that all she would want was to feel Drew against her. To feel them touch her the way only they know how.

She took a risk, twisting her neck to peek at Drew, who was still gripping her hands.

When she met Drew’s eyes, they were already open, looking down at hers.

Rose felt her throat tighten. Drew’s eyes begged to fuck her. Begged to see her. And Rose wasn’t strong enough to deny either of their desires.

Setting the spool down, Rose took a deep breath, giving her body one more chance to change its mind. But the rush of electricity to her clit was all she needed to whip around on her stool to face Drew.

Drew raised an eyebrow, asking Rose if she was sure with their eyes.

With a nod, Rose gazed up at Drew.

Placing their hand where Rose’s jaw met her neck, Drew’s long fingers sunk into Rose’s hair. With a light tug, Drew brought Rose’s lips toward theirs. Rose couldn’t stop the moan from leaving her throat as she felt Drew’s lush lips against hers.

A part of her had convinced herself Drew’s lips weren’t as nice as she remembered – that the alcohol was doing Drew some favors.

But sitting in Drew’s loft, in the bright light of day, Rose knew it was exactly how she remembered. Which is why she was so scared of it.

She stood from her stool, unable to pull her lips from Drew’s. Wrapping their spare hand around her waist, Drew pulled Rose closer. Their fingers desperately gripped at Rose’s head and waist. It felt like they didn’t ever want to let Rose go.

Their eyes close to level, Drew paused and pulled away to meet Rose’s gaze. “Are you sure?”

Rose licked her lips as her eyes flitted from Drew’s warm, earthy eyes to their full lips. “Shut up and kiss me, please.”

“Well, at least you have manners.” Drew laughed into Rose’s mouth as they allowed their tongue to tease her lips.

Rose stepped forward, prompting Drew to follow her lead. She looked for the bed, trying to figure out how to get in it without taking her hands off Drew. Drew got the message and started lightly pushing her toward the bed.

They guided her body around the work table and across the open floor of the studio. Before she knew it, Rose could feel the platform bed frame pressing against her calves. She moaned as the wood pushed into her skin.

Drew’s hands had drifted down to the hem of Rose’s shirt, their fingers lightly lifting the fabric to meet her soft skin.

“I want this off.” It wasn’t quite a question: moreso a request.

Rose smiled and laughed as she pulled Drew in for another kiss. Drew pulled the t-shirt over Rose’s head, their jaw dropping at the sight of her body. A simple pink bralette with a lacy trim cradled Rose’s breasts as she watched Drew look at her.

Drew shook their head. “Wow.” They brought their lips from Rose’s lips to her jawline, slowly making their way down… down… down to Rose’s sensitive neck. She felt the hair on her body stand on end as Drew gently pressed their lips into the exposed skin.

But after a moment, their kiss grew rougher. Rose felt their teeth starting to nip at her neck.

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