Page 33 of Her Every Fantasy

‘Every season I pick one outfit that highlights my theme for the season. On launch day there will be a live model under a spotlight wearing it. The runway winds around the centrepiece and once the show finishes there will be a few models positioned strategically around the showroom. Using traditional mannequins would take attention away from the model. This way only the lingerie is on display making it easier to imagine an item of clothing on yourself.’

He nodded, his eyes gleaming as he eyed the platform and the metal frame. ‘Very effective. A stunning concept.’

I couldn’t stop myself from beaming at the compliment. ‘Thanks.’

He strolled back to where I stood and stared down at me for several seconds. ‘So you want to explain that look on your face when I walked in?’

I didn’t want to ruin the moment with thoughts of my myriad insecurities or, worse, my family. A little hypocritical considering I’d grilled him about his family last night, but, hey, I wasn’t perfect. ‘I’m more interested in what you brought in that bag with you.’

His speculative gaze didn’t lessen but he gave me a pass. ‘You can have it on one condition.’

My whole body tingled at the possibilities throbbing behind his huskily voiced statement. And the more we traded that charged, silent stare, the more intense that tingling grew. I knew my nipples had turned diamond-hard. That my breathing was erratic and my panties were damp.

‘Name it,’ I replied, my voice a husky mess.

He twirled an index finger around the room. ‘You let me stay to help with whatever you’re doing here after we eat.’

My lungs deflated. ‘Oh. Sure, if you want.’

He nodded, thankfully turning away before I crumbled in disappointment. I watched him pick up the bag, look around for a flat surface.

‘Here.’ I pulled over a thick plastic cover sheet the crew had been using and spread it out beneath the window. It was wide enough to seat both of us with space in between for our makeshift picnic.

Bryce smiled. ‘Perfect.’

He fetched the takeout bag, folded his large frame into one corner and extracted heavenly smelling food boxes from the insulated bag. The smell of miso soup and duck spring rolls made me groan.

His smile turned into a chuckle. ‘Sit down before you fall down with gratitude.’

I sat, folding my legs in a casual lotus pose that gave me closer access to the food.

Bryce glanced at my folded legs, then up at me. ‘I always found it fascinating how easily you can do that.’

‘Years spent as a yoga disciple will do that. You would be just as limber if you’d taken classes when I asked you to.’

He grimaced. ‘You know how much grief I’d have caught if my rugby team knew I was doing yoga on the side?’

I couldn’t help my own grin. ‘Point taken but we both know you have a devil-given talent for talking people into anything. I bet they’d have all taken up yoga if you’d encouraged it.’

His grimace turned wry. ‘You set too much store in my abilities. But you can feel free to strike the Downward-Facing Dog position for me when I have you naked.’

I was thankful I hadn’t taken a bite of my spring roll because I was sure I’d have choked to death. ‘Seriously, you need to give me a heads-up before you drop sex into our conversations.’

He looked at me as if I were certified. ‘Where’s the fun in that?’

‘Watching me choke to death is your idea of fun?’

‘I’m experienced in the Heimlich. Besides, some people find that sort of thing erotic.’

‘I don’t! Jesus. Bryce!’

This time he gave a full belly laugh, the sound and sight of him amused, even at my expense, so damned sexy I stopped breathing for a full ten seconds. Could our different path include this weirdly wonderful openness about sex where I’d desperately suppressed it before? My stomach flipped with excitement. As landscapes went, I wasn’t displeased about it. At all.

‘Calm down. I saidsomepeople, rosebud. I would very much prefer you present and conscious when we fuck. Miso soup?’

The hand I raised to accept the offering shook wildly. He saw it, smiled a little too smugly about it, and when his fingers lingered on mine, they told me he knew exactly what he was doing to me and was thoroughly enjoying ramping up my engine.

We ate the first course in silence, even while his gaze returned repeatedly to my folded legs.

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