Page 103 of Lush

“The lighting on your shoulders will help capture the contrast better.”

“Just looking for an excuse to see me shirtless again?”

Her cheeks flushed. “Just take it off and shut up.”

“Anything for the art.” I tugged my shirt over my head and tossed it onto my jacket. “I know I’m sexy, but show restraint, okay?”

“Hush, fool.”

Her brushstrokes were precise. Her lips parted slightly as she concentrated, and her hand paused before each stroke and her eyes darted between me and the canvas.

“What’s going on in your head right now?” My voice was low, breaking the silence.

She paused, her brush hovering midair. “I’m trying to get this right.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

Her eyes flicked up to meet mine. “You make it hard to stay focused.”

“Hard to focus, huh? I’ll take that as a compliment.”

She shook her head, biting her lip. “You’re impossible.”

I inched closer, almost touching, but still keeping some distance.

“I think you’re the one making this impossible,” I murmured.

Her brush stilled in her hand, her gaze darting to the canvas like it held all the answers. “It’s not that simple.”

“What’s not simple? Finishing a painting, or us?” I tilted my head, studying her.

“Both,” she finally said, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Then tell me how to make it simple.”

She set the brush down, her hands trembling for a moment before she hid them behind her back. “That’s the thing. You can’t make it simple, Reese. You just…make it harder to ignore. I have to make a decision.”

“And what do you want?”

She stepped closer, closing the space between us, her hand pressed over my heart.

“I’ve spent my whole life being what everyone needed me to be. What my family needed me to be.When I tried to stand up, I failed. Choosing something for myself… It still feels selfish, even though I have every right.”

“It’s not selfish to want something for yourself, Laurene. It’s human.”

She shook her head. “I need to finish this.”

I didn’t know if she meant me, the blackmail, or the painting.

“You always have a choice. You just have to decide if it’s worth it.”

Her jaw clenched, but she didn’t back away. “And what if it’s too late?”

I reached out, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. “Then finish it. The painting, us—whatever you’re so afraid of. Just don’t leave it undone.”

Not being able to resist, my lips found hers, and I didn’t even try to deny it.

I broke the kiss for a moment, my forehead resting against hers, breath coming in short gasps. “I’m not leaving.”

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