by Petrova, Em
She leaned into the warmth, unable to hold back her amusement. “Do we have plans?”
“We most certainly do.” He stopped next to his truck and held the passenger door open for her.
A brief image raced through her thoughts, of him pressing her against the door, pulling her hair, and kissing her hard. It sent a tingle to her belly. She tried to push the feeling aside but didn’t manage completely. She slid into the seat.
“Do I get to go home and change first?” she asked as soon as he was seated.
“Nope. I can’t give you a chance to decide not to go.”
“I can’t decide not to go if I don’t know what we’re doing.”
He nodded to something behind the seats, and then backed the truck out and navigated with the rest of the after-work traffic. “Drawing.”
She arched her brows when she saw what he was talking about. “Why do you have my sketchpad?”
“You mentioned the other day that you were stuck. That you were trying to draw poses you couldn’t see clearly in your head. I’m going to help you picture them. Where to?”
She was doing just fine right now, visualizing him in a number of poses. Towering over her. Sliding up behind her. Pinning her arms back… That wasn’t what he was talking about. “Copperton.” She wanted to be irritated he’d sprung this on her, but at the same time, it warmed her that he remembered, and she’d already put off getting more reference photos for too long. “I don’t need my sketchbook for that.”
He glanced at her longer that time, something unreadable in his expression. “Really?”
“You know I always draw from photos.” Fortunately she could take those with her phone. “You can still model for me.”
“See?” He turned down a highway, taking them away from the rush hour traffic and heading toward the destination she’d given him. “So it’s not a bad idea.”
“Not even close.”
He tapped out a tuneless rhythm against the gearshift. “Once you have these, how long until you finish your portfolio to a point where you’re comfortable sharing?”
Her gut clenched at the question, chasing away some of her fantasies of the kinds of poses she wished she could put him in. It wasn’t the asking that bothered her; it was the actual doing. Submitting meant showing new people her work. What if she got her stuff out there and realized she was average at best? “I don’t know.”
“You have some idea.”
She trailed her thumb over her fingernails one at a time, and then repeated the gesture. “I have an entire graphic novel finished, except for some clean up. The reference shots are for Book Two.”
He nodded toward her sketches behind the bench seats. “It’s all in there?”
She tried to force away the nervousness the idea filled her with. “It is.”
“Do it.” There was a stern edge to his teasing.
She flushed, not sure which to focus on—the pleased feeling of the encouragement or the terror of showing a stranger her artwork. “Soon.”
The conversation shifted and tripped from topic to topic, as they navigated the back roads. When they reached Copperton, she gave him a series of twists and turns through the small town. She’d always loved it up here. There were trees everywhere, and the surrounding mountains drowned out the heavy noise of a growing city. Most of the roads were two-lane, and she didn’t know if there was a stoplight in the entire place.
Several years ago, she found a spot away from it all. A clearing with packed dirt, surrounded by trees, and devoid of anything but nature. She was surprised but pleased it had remained untouched after all that time. She directed him to park as close as he could without leaving the packed dirt path that led past it.
He stood at the back of his truck, hands shoved in his pockets. “Where do you want me, boss?”
Wherever you want to have me. She pushed the thought aside with a flush and pulled down the tailgate. “Sit.”
He flopped into the back of the truck, kicking his legs back and forth, and resting his elbows on his upper thighs. “You have to be more specific.”
In the past, she’d always just asked him to send her photos. Then again, he hadn’t been right there to pose as she needed, and she did have a couple of specific angles she really wanted to get. “Pull your knee up.”
He pulled his knees to his chest, and rocked back and forth.
“Not like that.”
“Show me.”
She closed the distance between them and tugged one leg down, then pushed the other back up so his foot sat on the truck bed. He hissed when she ran her hand along his thigh. She was tempted to move higher rather than lower, but that wouldn’t accomplish what they were there for. Next, she trailed her fingers along his arm and draped it over the knee.
She forced herself to step back, rather than feel him up. She pulled her phone out and snapped photos from as many different angles as she could. Moving around him, studying the way the sun caught his form and cast shadow and light in all the right places, was enough to draw her into the moment.
That was the easy shot, though. The reason she liked the isolated clearing was the ground was almost always covered with leaves or pine needles, and though there were houses and streets just a few blocks away, they weren’t visible through the trees.
If she could capture the silence of the area on camera, she’d do that as well. There was the occasional roar of a distant engine, but for the most part, only the squawk of birds pierced the air.
“Over here next.” She spoke softly, not wanting to disrupt the ambiance. When Zane was within reach, she tugged him to stand next to her. His warm palm against hers was a pleasant contrast to the creeping chill, as the sun drifted behind the mountains.
“Crouch down.” She nodded at a pile of pine needles nearby.
“Like this?” He crossed the short distance to the new spot and sat on his heels, arms on his knees.
“Not quite, but good start.” She had an image in her head, and she knew he was capable of pulling it off. But it wouldn’t be easy to describe. She knelt in front of him. “Don’t fall.”
“Why would I—whoa.”
She trailed a hand down his left leg, pushing until it was almost straight behind him. His muscle was taut under her grip, and when she pulled away, she did so with reluctance.
She shifted to crouch behind him and nestled her chin on his shoulder. His familiar scent taunted her, as she glided her hand along his arm. Her chest molded against his back, as she finished posing him.
“I can think of someplace else for that other hand, if you want.” His voice was low and deep.
Her laugh faded into a sigh when he grabbed her free wrist and tugged it over his shoulder.
He kissed along the inside of her wrist, his mouth soft and undemanding. His breath tickled her senses. “If I’d known you were going to twist me into so many angles, I might have negotiated to do the same in return, before I agreed to this.”
“This was your idea.” It took all her willpower to extract herself and stand. It wasn’t the kind of pose she wanted him to have to hold for long. “But you should have negotiated. I would have agreed.”
“Oh.” His disappointed groan mingled with a wounded laugh. “Now you tell me.”
She winked before she took more pictures. “Something to keep in mind next time.” This was too easy with him, and she didn’t mind a bit.
The evening light vanished, and they had to pull a lantern from the back of his truck, to keep working. That was fine with Riley. She used the new lighting to grab shadow effects that would make for fantastic references.
A breeze swept over her, and she shivered. She glanced at her phone. “Holy shit. It’s after nine.”
Zane climbed to his feet and stretched his arms above his head, elongating every muscle in his torso. “I think I owe you dinner.”
She strolled toward the truck, saying over her shoulder, “You did me the favor. Doesn’t that make it my treat?”
“Not su
re I follow your logic.”
“All right. Whatever.”
He grabbed her wrists, and pulled her toward him. “You’re sure you got everything you need?” His breath brushed the outside of her ear.
“Everything art-related,” she said. His warmth flooded her, his scent summoning the images that had taunted her off and on since he’d picked her up.
He pressed his entire frame against hers, nudging her back a step but not letting go. “Promise me you’ll do something with it.”
“Of course.”
“Soon. Like actual soon. Not like a generic thing you keep putting off one more day.”
“I promise.” She probably would have promised him anything just then, with the power in his grip and his genuine interest in her work. The heat between them called to a growing need between her legs.
“Good girl.” He smirked and spun, twirling them both so her back was to the side of the truck.
She squealed in surprise. Her laughter caught in her throat when she realized how serious his expression was.
He dipped his head and ran his lips up her neck, barely brushing the skin. “Since you think you owe me something, can I call in a favor besides dinner, for being a good sport?”
She sighed and tilted her head back, sinking into the feather-light kisses. “It was your idea.”
“So you’re not grateful?” His hurt tone was disrupted by the tease running underneath.
“I’m incredibly grateful.” She shifted her weight from one foot to the other, rubbing against him. “Name your price.”
He let go of her wrists without warning, moving to tangle one hand in her hair. He tugged her head back and grazed his teeth over the sensitive skin of her throat.
She whimpered at the hunger and aggression, digging her nails into his back, to keep her balance. He pulled her hair harder, pressing his mouth to hers and muffling her moan. He plunged his tongue into her mouth and danced it around hers.
She caught his bottom lip between her teeth when he pulled away. Pressing against him, she rubbed her hip against his hard arousal. Going down on him the other night had been fun, but she wanted to know what it felt like to have him inside her.
He dropped his hands to her hips, guided her to the back of the truck, and lifted her up to sit on the tailgate.
“My price is steep.” He sucked and bit hard along the soft flesh of her neck. He pushed a knee between hers, forcing her legs apart and her skirt higher up her thighs.
“It’s worth it.” Her response was breathy.
He slid his fingers down the front of her shirt, undoing buttons as he went, and drew a wet trail with his mouth on the now exposed skin. She reached for the waistband of his jeans, and he grabbed her wrists again and pinned her hands to the bed of the truck.
His growl echoed in her head, and his mouth grazed her ear. “Not yet.”
“Yes, Sir.” Her pulse raced in response. Her sex grew slick.
He pressed his lips against her chest, his chuckle rumbling through her skin. “I like the way that sounds.”
So did she.
He let go of one wrist, to glide his rough palm up her stomach, until his thumb brushed the bottom edge of her bra. She whimpered and arched her back, to get closer. They might be out of the main flow of traffic, but they were still in public. The realization notched her heartrate higher.
He pushed up her bra, elastic scraping her skin. Cold air rushed in around the exposed region. Her whimpers blended into a gasp when he wrapped his lips around her hard nipple. Desire thrummed through her at the hunger in his movements. Each new suck, nibble, and flick of his tongue drove her senses wild.
He moved his mouth to her other breast, licking and biting the tender flesh. She scooted her butt forward on the tailgate, her skirt sliding up to her hips when she wrapped her legs around the back of his knees and drew him closer.
His laugh vanished into a groan when she pressed against him through his jeans. He kissed her hard, crushing his mouth against hers.
Lost in the onslaught of sensations, she was only vaguely aware of him pulling a condom from his wallet, his mouth never leaving hers. Part of her wondered why he’d been prepared with protection, the rest of her didn’t care.
His hand brushed her mound through her panties when he reached between them to undo his jeans. He held her in place while he rolled on the rubber, and swallowed her moans when he pushed her underwear out of the way with the head of his cock and nudged her slick opening.
“I love how wet you get.” He bit into her shoulder, drawing another gasp, and then plunged inside her.
She tightened her legs around him at the sudden penetration, and ran her nails sharply up his back. He dropped his hands to her waist and held her as he rocked against her slowly at first but steadily increasing his pace.
Each time he moved inside her, he hit her G-spot. As the rhythm increased, her climax built. Her breath came out in short gasps as she drew closer. He pumped harder against her, pushing her over the edge. As her orgasm washed over her, she tightened her grip, milking his cock.
His breaths became grunts, and she recognized the sound of him getting close. She kept pace with his thrusts, as he peaked and then slowed.
He buried his forehead against the still-tender skin on her neck, and she gasped at the whisper of pleasure and pain.
“I think I left a mark.” His chuckle was tired, his voice muffled.
She leaned more of her weight on her hands, slowly unwinding from him. “I hope so.”
He tangled his fingers in her hair again and pulled hard to press his lips to hers. When he let go, he didn’t move away. “Feel free to use me any time.”
“For modeling,” she said.
A heavy flush tinged his tanned cheeks from exertion and the chill of the creeping night. “Sure. Whatever you want to call it.”
She wanted to stay wrapped up in him forever. The moment the thought passed through her mind, she regretted it. That wasn’t what this was about. There was no way she was falling for Zane. She’d promised herself. She’d promised him. This feeling was misplaced. She wasn’t making that mistake again, especially since another good friendship was at stake. It wasn’t love; it was incredible sex with a guy who understood what she wanted.
Her phone buzzed, the vibration rolling through the truck bed and startling them both. She laughed, as much at her own response as to push away the downward spiral of her thoughts. “Completely forgot about the real world for a minute.”
He tugged her skirt down. “Do you think it’s important?”
She grabbed her phone from her purse. A hint of her euphoria evaporated when she read the text. “Archer.”
Zane sighed and turned away, to strip off his protection and make himself decent. “And?”
She looked between the message and him. The space between them was cavernous, and she wanted Zane back by her side. Wanted to bury her face in his chest again. She shook aside the longing. This was sport sex, and they were in the middle of nowhere. It wasn’t like they were going to cuddle after. “He wants to know if you asked me and what I think. Asked me what?”
He clenched his jaw.
She didn’t like the reaction, but she wasn’t letting herself pretend they were a couple. Another friend asked for her attention. “I can find out from him.”
“He’s got midnight premier tickets tonight, for the new superhero movie. When I was on my way out, he asked if we wanted to go.”
She’d been to all of those movies with Archer. She’d completely forgotten about this one. “Do you?”
“You’ve seen all of them, and I know you weren’t just being polite.”
“We’re all going, right?” She texted a reply to Archer as she spoke. They were acting normal. That meant she’d go.
Zane pursed his lips, and then a smile forced its way out. “Of course.”
Chapter Eleven
Hot to friend in two-point-three seconds. Riley had filled the empty space with chatter since t
hey left the clearing forty-five minutes ago. Every time Zane glanced at her, she was staring out the window. He gripped the steering wheel and kept his attention on the parking lot, scanning for a spot in the sea of cars. It was probably a good thing they decided there wasn’t enough time to stop for dinner. He was tempted to skip the movie and rediscover the moment they had up the clearing, but he knew Riley was looking forward to the film.
She was out of the car the moment he parked, a skip in her step as they made their way to the theater. Except he saw the stutter to her gait, as if she was trying too hard.
He wanted to wrap his arms around her and hold her close and tell her whatever it took to calm her down. Except that wasn’t his role or his right. Spending time with her when she was diving straight into the world around her and laughing and living was respite for Zane. It chased away the dark shadows always lurking at the front of his mind, and made him think life went on.
The way her mood shifted to awkward and unsure after they had sex, or when he pushed her too hard to pursue her dreams, made the demons and doubts race back. Not only because his mind was free to trip over the past again. Her change in behavior haunted him with a single question—Am I being selfish again? Nudging her toward discomfort just to distract himself?
He shook the thoughts aside, though not as effectively as he had the last few times, and focused on Riley again.
Her forced skip slowed when Archer came into view. She crossed the last few feet to him, already talking, a lilt to her voice. “I can’t believe you got tickets. You. Rule. Me.”
Relief trickled through Zane when she didn’t throw her arms around Archer’s neck, but he still wished she wasn’t so on edge.
Archer shoved his hands in his pockets, looking between the two of them sheepishly. “It didn’t make sense to ignore this one. I’d have been wounded if you couldn’t make it.” He fixed his gaze on Zane for a minute, eyes hardening, before turning back to Riley. “Tori’s holding our place in line. Did you already eat?”