Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 86422 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 432(@200wpm)___ 346(@250wpm)___ 288(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86422 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 432(@200wpm)___ 346(@250wpm)___ 288(@300wpm)
“Oh yeah?” I lean in. “What kind of stuff?”
She ducks her head and looks up at me from under her lashes. “I illustrate some of her spicy scenes.”
“Really?” I’ve read Cammie’s stuff and it’s…explicit and stimulating. “I’d love to see some of those.”
“I can show you, later. Some of it is pretty spicy, fair warning.”
I waggle my brows. “I can be pretty spicy.”
“I know. I like it.” She drops her gaze. “What about you? I don't want to make assumptions, but are you hoping to get called up?”
I tap on the edge of the table. “It’s the dream, but a lot of careers aren’t always long, and if I’m not a top player in the league after five years, I could be looking at shifting gears so I’m glad I have my degree to fall back on.” I want to ask her how she feels about a long-distance relationship, but it feels too soon to navigate that.
“The degree is smart.” Fee props her chin on her fist. “Imagine you, Brody, and Chase on the same team.”
“That’s a one in a million chance but it would be so cool,” I agree.
“You guys are amazing when you’re on the ice together.”
“Thanks.” I glance at her painting. “Maybe one day you’ll let me watch you create.”
She bites the corner of her lip. “I could draw you.”
“On the ice?”
“I mean sure, but also off it.” She tugs on the end of her ponytail.
“I’m not shy.” I push back my chair. “Let’s do it.”
“Here? Now?”
“You’re already set up.” I motion to the painting across the room.
Her eyes spark, and a devilish smile tips the corner of her mouth. “Yeah, but for the sake of shadowing and contour practice, I want to draw you shirtless.”
I arch a brow. “And you can’t do that here?”
Her eyes flare in mock horror. “When just anyone could walk in and see you in all your shirtless glory?”
“You don’t want anyone else ogling the goods?”
She shakes her head. “I want you all to myself.”
“I love it when you get all territorial.” I extend my hand and she slides her fingers into mine so I can pull her out of her chair.
“I had to spend all of first semester retracting my claws.”
“Same.” I kiss the end of her nose. “Let’s go home, so you can take my clothes off.”
She grins. “Say less.”
CHAPTER 27
FEE
Thankfully, the living room is empty when we get to Mac’s, so we don’t have to make nice with Brody and Gage and can go straight to his room.
The moment we’re alone and his door is closed, I turn to Mac, giddy with anticipation. “Can I take your shirt off?”
Mac’s dimple winks at me. “You’re really excited about the shirtlessness.”
“It’ll give me a chance to practice shadows and lighting.” I slip my fingers under the hem, pulling it up to reveal his six-pack abs, one delightful ridge at a time. “Also, you shirtless is a visual delight.” He bows forward, so I can pull the fabric over his head. I drape it over his computer chair and run my hands through his hair to neaten the messy strands before I let my palms drift across his chest. This feels like foreplay, but better. More intimate.
“Where do you want me, sweetheart?” Mac’s voice is a deep rumble that echoes in my core.
That’s a loaded question. I survey his room, considering the space. “Your bed would be the most comfortable, and it’ll increase the perspective challenge, which I could use.”
“Okay.” He lithely hops up onto his bed and stretches out on his comforter, propping his cheek on his fist. “How’s this?”
“Great but holding that pose for any length of time will suck. Let me set everything up and then I’ll position you.”
I quickly arrange my easel and sketching pencils, then return to Mac. I adjust the pillows so he can recline against them and he moves into the space.
“I like watching you in your element,” he says gruffly.
“I like you watching me.” I lean in and kiss his cheek, then step back to make sure he’s positioned perfectly before I turn on the bedside lamp, creating shadows that lick at the dips and planes of his many muscles. “Thanks for letting me do this.” I have an upcoming project that this would be perfect for, and the ideas are popping in my head like excited bubbles.
“Seriously, I love seeing you like this.”
I pause. “Like what?”
“Excited. You’re glowing. You’re gorgeous.”
“Well, you look delicious.” I grab my phone and snap a few pictures for reference when I’m rendering, and also because my boyfriend is hot, and he looks exceptionally yummy when he’s shirtless on his bed. “I can send you the link to one of Cammie’s fics to read while I sketch if you want.”
“Sure. Go ahead.”
His phone pings and he pulls up the fic while I cue a quiet playlist and move to my easel. I start by outlining Mac’s general figure and the background elements as he scrolls the short story. I love that I can gauge his reaction without being sneaky.