Page 34 of Sapphire

“You don’t need to be nervous. There is no right or wrong way to pose,” I try and reassure her.

“I know, it’s just … you know … I’m not a model.” She waves her hands around the studio.

“It was your essence that has inspired me to paint today. Being around you, your light, your joy has lit a fire in me that won’t stop burning until I’ve got it out on the canvas,” I explain to her.

Zoe nods and bites her bottom lip. “I’m worried about not being good enough for you.”

I rush toward her and wrap my hands around her trembling shoulders. “You’re so fucking perfect, Zoe. I wish you could see what I see.”

Zoe’s sapphire eyes soften as she stares up at me.

“You can go as little or as far as you want today.” I explained to her that I paint a lot of nudes in my studio and that if she felt comfortable, I would love to paint a nude of her. At first, she was reluctant, but the more I showed her my work, the more she embraced stepping out of her comfort zone. But now that she is here it looks like she might regret her decision.

“Hold on, give me a sec,” I tell her as I rush out of my studio and into the small kitchenette next to it where there’s a drinks fridge. I grab a bottle of champagne out of it, pop the cork, grab two glasses, then hurry back, spilling champagne all over my hand in my haste. “Here, have one of these,” I say, giving her the glass.

“Thank you,” she says with a smile, bringing the glass to her lips and throwing back the entire glass.

I guess she’s nervous.

“It’s just you and me. Tomas is in Barcelona, so no one other than me will be here today while I paint,” I reassure her.

She gives me a nod, and I hand her another glass. This time she sips it. Her cheeks are pink from the earlier glass.

“How about some music?” I suggest as I walk toward where my phone is docked and press play. Sensual Spanish music fills the little studio. My fingers are itching to start, but I must wait for my muse. She finishes her second glass, so I pour her a third.

“Are you trying to get me drunk, Mateo?” She giggles.

“I’m trying to get your nerves drunk not you.” I hand her the glass which she takes from me. Her fingers touch mine and sparks of white heat sizzle between us.

“I like this music,” she says, taking a sip.

“Will you dance with me then?” I ask, holding out my hand to her, hoping it will release her nerves.

She shakes her head. “I’m not a good dancer.”

“Just follow the rhythm,” I say, grabbing her hands and pulling her to me, making her squeal. I turn her around so my front is to her back and place my hands on her hips, moving her with my own to the seductive beats. She giggles at the movements, but I can feel her body press back against mine, the couple of glasses of champagne loosening her up. I move her around the studio to the beats as we laugh and enjoy the moment.

“That was fun.” She giggles, her cheeks flushed after the dance.

She looks so beautiful in this moment. I want to grab her and kiss her, and I want Tomas to as well.

Shit. That is not an image I need right now. It’s been a while since Tomas and I have shared a woman, and now looking into the sapphire eyes of this one, I can’t stop thinking about what it would be like if the three of us were naked in bed together.

“I need a drink after that,” I say, shaking my head after those naughty thoughts invaded my mind. I pour myself a glass of champagne and throw it back in one large gulp.

“You ready to get started?” I ask her. My fingers are primed and ready to go.

Zoe tenses for a moment, I notice her hand shaking as she goes to untie the knot of the robe.

I will not have her nervous around me. I grab the back of my shirt and pull it up over me.

“Mateo, what are you doing?” she squeals as my T-shirt hits the floor.

“What?” I say as I start unbuttoning my jeans.

Her sapphire blue eyes widen. “Why are you taking off your clothes?”

“I didn’t want to make you nervous. So, I thought why not take off my clothes too. Seems only fair seeing as I am asking you to do the same.

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