Page 75 of Picture Us

Looking up from her laptop, Rose raised an eyebrow. “Actually, I was gonna ask you about that.”

Taking a seat on the stool, Drew nodded. “Sure.”

“So I was looking through some of the shots at the picnic bench at the top of the cliff…” Rose started. Recognition immediately washed over Drew’s face.

Rose took in a breath. “So you knew it was there?”

“The tent?” Drew asked.

Nodding, Rose rested her head on her chin. It was hard to imagine why Drew wouldn’t bother mentioning something so small. Maybe Ellen was right, maybe she was ignoring their orange flags.

Drew sighed. “Yeah I did. And I wanted to tell you but I didn’t want you to think I was trying to backseat drive you. I really thought it’d be easy to Photoshop if I was wrong.”

Well that’s annoying.Groaning, Rose pursed her lips. “So the tent isn’t in any of your shots?”

Simply shaking their head, Drew shrugged. “I know it was dumb, I just know how important it was for you to have the lead on this.”

Rose nodded. “Yeah but that doesn’t mean you have to cost me hours of work in post.”

“You’re totally right.” Standing from their stool, Drew walked closer and met her eyes. “I’m really sorry. I thought it was dumb in the moment and I didn’t even think it through. I won’t do that again.”

“Okay, fine. But just to be clear, good collaborators and partners can talk… about anything.” Rose eyes Drew, watching their face carefully.

Smiling, Drew leaned in and kissed her cheek. “Partners?”

“Creative partners.” Rose winked, not wanting them to get the wrong idea.

They stood abruptly. “Want to help me in the dark room?” The smile plastered to their face was too charming for Rose to ignore. How could she? They looked incredible and she couldn’t have asked for a better apology.

Rose followed behind them, bringing the canister with her.

Inside the darkroom, the red light had already warmed up. Drew had set up the baths while Rose was working on her laptop. They grabbed the photo clamps and set Rose up at the enlarger.

Watching her work, no longer having to guide her, Drew leaned against the steel table next to the baths. As she worked, Rose couldn’t stop her eyes from wandering to Drew’s toned arms.

She licked her lips as she turned on the enlarger’s timer, having set focus already. In the seven seconds the white light was on, Rose turned to look at Drew. Their eyes were hungry for her.

“Does watching me print photos turn you on?” Rose shook her head.

With a shrug, Drew smirked. “Would that be a problem?”

Looking around the room, Rose settled on, “No.”

Drew raised a finger. “Actually, I’ve already printed most of Lauren's pictures. But I do have another roll that needs to be printed.”

Her interest peaked as Drew headed to a drawer and pulled out a string of negatives, already cut perfectly into sleeves and placed them on the table as the enlarged clicked off.

Placing the finished photo into the development bath and letting the liquid wash over it. Rose used her spare hand to hold the sleeves up to the red light. Her mouth dropped open as she realized what they were.

“Drew Hudson, you’re sick and twisted.” She swallowed the excitement that rose in her throat. “You want me to develop my own nudes?”

When her eyes met Drew’s, Rose’s center pulsed. She had almost forgotten about the photos but it was a thrill to see them now. Just from the bague shapes in the negatives, Rose could tell just how well Drew had shot her.

Drew leaned closer and whispered. “I’d like you to choose which ones you like the best and develop them for me.”

A moan caught in Rose’s throat as Drew’s warm hand pressed against her back. It was maybe the hottest thing anyone had ever asked her to do. And as she looked through the images, she finally saw exactly how hot Drew thought she was.

She selected a few of each pose, the ones of her on her back the clear favorite. Just looking at them brought back the feeling of the rope burning against her skin as Drew touched her. Before she knew it, her slit was slick with excitement.

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