Page 95 of And Then Came You

Grabbing her hands, I pull them from her face with a grin. “The whole point is for it to haunt your dreams. You have to watch this scene.”

Lexi struggles to return her hands over her eyes, but I’m holding firm, my body pressed against her. “I will bite you.”

Never one to back down from a challenge, I move my hand to her lips. “Do your worst.”

She grasps my finger between her teeth, surprising the hell out of me when I feel her tongue glide along the length of my digit.

That did it. No way in hell my cock isn’t gunning for attention now.

Pushing myself off the couch, I note her confused expression, and realize that once again, I’m sending mixed signals.

Why would a man learned in all things sexual, send mixed signals to the only woman he desires? Because I’m scared as hell that she’ll reject me. All my bravado and smooth talking doesn’t help a damn bit when a rejection from Lexi would leave me mortally wounded.

“Had to throw you off a bit,” she jokes with a wink. “That’s for making my scared ass watch a horror flick. Come on, lie back down. I’ll behave. Even try to open my eyes once in a while.”

“I have a better idea.”

“Do I want to know?”

“I brought my camera.”

Her face scrunches in confusion. “I didn’t know you worked both sides of the lens.”

I nod, pulling my Canon from its bag. “Several years now. When I had breaks during shoots, I would badger the photographer, asking about lighting and placement. I invested in a camera and proceeded to take the worst photos imaginable.”

“We all suck when we first start. What do you photograph?”

“People. Women, mostly. Don’t give me that look. It’s not a sexual thing, but rather a sensual one. The female form is exquisite, all curves and soft lines.” Staring down at my camera, I work up the courage to speak the next words. “I want you to pose for me.”

Those amber eyes widen, her head shaking back and forth in a definitive no. “You’re joking.”

“I’m not. I want to take your photo, Lexi.”

Tucking her legs under her, she releases a nervous giggle. “Sam, I’m not photogenic.”

“Yes, you are. Look.” I grab my phone, pulling up the photo of her in the wide-brimmed hat from our first adventure together.

A soft smile crosses her lips as she looks at the photo. “It’s a good photo. A good memory.”

“It’s a great photo.” I show Lexi a few more shots that I’ve taken recently, mostly with fellow models while on location, but her smile fades with each picture. “These are just a few that I’ve done.”

“They’re wonderful. You have immense talent, but I’m not posing for you. I don’t look like those women. I’m shorter and curvier and… no.”

“You see yourself through your eyes. But you’ve never seen yourself through mine.” I can’t explain it, but I need to capture the magic that is Lexi. The magic that I see every moment I’m with her, that she always fails to see in herself.

“What do you see?”

“An exquisitely beautiful, shapely and sexy as hell woman.” I set down the camera, determined to earn her cooperation, even if I have to bargain. “I got you something.”

Her brow quirks. “Really? Did you bring me back Swiss chocolate?”

“No.”

“Damn.”

Sliding the necklace box from my bag, I hold it out to her, snatching it back before she can grab it. “This is for your birthday, which I swear I will never forget again.”

“You didn’t need to get me anything.”

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