Page 94 of Show Me How
She tightens her gaze, dragging it over my jaw and up to where a mustache would grow if I weren’t so diligent in shavingit off. I tilt my mouth in response to her staring, biting back a taunt.
“You’ll have to show me how you use it one day,” she says.
It’s too hard not to tease her. Not when I enjoy doing it so much.
“Curious? If you need help shaving, I could just lend you a hand instead.”
Her cheeks flush. “You’re not getting anywhere close to me with a blade like that.”
“Are you planning on using my lesson to shave the face of your future husband, then?” It comes out harsher than I mean it to.
I grind my teeth slightly, frustrated at myself. Curling my fingers into my biceps, I press my side harder into the door frame.
Millie watches my every move as if she’s categorizing them in her head. There’s got to be a spreadsheet up there by now with every one of her reactions linked to what causes them so she knows exactly where to push to get the one she wants out of me.
“I wasn’t thinking that exactly. But it’s not a bad idea,” she answers, lips pursing around the words like she’s trying not to smile as she says them. “For now, I’ll stick with just watching you.”
“Great,” I mutter, cock twitching in my jeans. “I’ll leave you to unpack.”
She tips her chin, her gaze still flickering with light. “Try not to imagine the poodle wallpaper on the kitchen walls while you’re out there.”
I almost laugh. Of all the things I’ll be imagining, it won’t be fucking poodles.
27
MILLIE
I didn’t anticipatemy first time living with a man to be so . . . normal.
It’s only been two days, but they’ve flown by with no issues. I can’t tell if Shade’s truly this easygoing or if he’s putting on a front for me so that I don’t run screaming. The worst part so far has been the occasional grunts from the living room every night while he works out.
I make sure to be in my room with the door shut during that time. I’m positive that I’d take one look at his shirtless, sweaty torso and drop to my knees right then and there. The only time I should do that has already passed. Doing it again outside of a lesson would be unwise.
That doesn’t mean I don’t still bury my head beneath my pillow and imagine that every grunt he makes isn’t because I’m pleasuring him, though. But that’s a secret I’m taking with me to the grave.
I drag my finger over the screen of the iPad Bryce dropped on the desk for me earlier and squint. The logo is still rougher than I’d like, but I’ve cleaned up the edges and gotten the drop of ink beneath the gun needle as perfect as it’ll get. For my first time using this kind of set-up, I think I did pretty good.
But is it good enough to show Shade? I don’t know.
With the tip of the pencil, I finish up the lettering a bit more, stalling. He’s already done with his client today, and I can hear him putting everything he used away. I’ve gotten pretty familiar with his set-up now, so I’m also aware he’ll be done in about . . . five minutes. Then, I won’t be able to stall any longer.
There’s a calmness to the studio today. I noticed it from the moment we came down from the apartment together and he got started without me having to ask what I should do. It’s become habit to start up the computer, turn the built-in speakers on, and double-check his appointments before confirming with him. Bryce comes in an hour later, a frown on her face as she grumbles about missing her fiancée. It’s adorable, but I don’t tell her that.
She never needs me to tell her the appointments she has for the day, but I do anyway, and she’s stopped telling me that it’s a waste of time. I think she’s warming up to me the way Shade said she was, and I’m trying not to get ahead of myself with hopes of us being best friends.
Shade’s taking up more than enough of my time here anyway. Between him and Lacey, I’m never alone for too long. I’m still trying to get used to that.
“Princess,” Shade grunts, drawing my attention from the iPad. “Come here.”
My stomach flutters despite my efforts to act unbothered. “For what?”
“Just come here. And bring the iPad.”
I push away from the desk and cross the studio, clutching the tablet like it’s going to be some sort of shield. Spoiler alert: it’s not.
Shade spreads out on his stool and takes the tablet. He stares down at the design I’ve been working on for what feels likeforever and smirks. It’s not a dirty look, but almost proud, in a devious way.
“This is what I was waiting for. It looks finished, Millie.”
