I wondered what it would take to get her to agree. She didn’t seem to want money, nor did she bite when I’d offered to write her a letter of recommendation. I’d spent all afternoon wracking my brain for ideas of things I could offer her.
I started on dinner, chopping the vegetables. I still sometimes struggled with simple tasks since my accident, my wrist refusing to bend like I wanted it to. I gripped the knife tighter at the reminder, trying to force my wrist down even though that was probably the last thing I should do.
My phone rang from the other room, and Theo called out, “Want me to answer it?”
“Sure.” I tossed some vegetables into the pan, and they hissed when they hit the hot olive oil.
“Hello?” I heard him say. A moment later, he peeked his head in the doorway to the kitchen. “Some girl named Kate says she wants to speak with you.”
“Kate?” My voice came out at an embarrassingly high pitch, and I cleared my throat. “Did you say Kate?”
“Yeah.” He drew his brows together, one hand still covering the speaker on the phone. “Why? Who is she?”
I wiped my hands on the towel and rushed across the kitchen. “Just give me the phone.” I grabbed it from him with a huff, walking down the hall for some privacy.
“Kate?” I spoke into the phone, scared to get my hopes up. But why would she be calling other than to agree to my proposal?
“Xander? Do you have a minute?” She sounded breathless or nervous or…something. I understood. I felt just as anxious, though perhaps for different reasons.
“Does the fact that you’re calling mean you’re going to pose for me?” I held my breath, waiting for her answer.
“I’m considering it, yes.”
Okay, well, that wasn’t a yes. But it wasn’t a no either. I wasn’t sure what to say. I wasn’t sure what she wanted from me. I didn’t even know what more to offer at this point.
“I want to ask you for something,” she said. “But I’m not sure you’re going to like it.” Her voice was quiet.
“Okay.” I swallowed. “You’re not going to ask me to be a hit man or something, are you?”
“No.” She laughed, and the sound was musical—like wind chimes. “God, no. Nothing like that. Though, my parents may kill me if they find out about this.”
This was good. It sounded like she was close to agreeing. Perhaps she just needed a little nudge. A little reassurance. “No one has to find out,” I said. “If it would make you more comfortable, I won’t exhibit any pieces where your face can be identified.”
She let out a breath. “That…” She swallowed. “That would definitely help.”
“Is there anything else?” I asked, wanting to get this nailed down.
“I wantyouto pose forme.”
I choked on air if that was possible. When I could finally breathe again, I said, “I’m sorry. I think I must have misheard you. Did you—” I glanced over my shoulder, walking farther down the hall as I cupped the speaker of the phone with my hand. “You want me to pose for you?”
“Yes.” Her voice wobbled.
I wasn’t sure whether to laugh or, well… I wasn’t quite sure how to respond. She’d completely blindsided me with her request. She wanted me to pose for her?
She groaned, and the sound went straight to my dick. “God. I knew this was a terrible idea.”
“What? No. I just… I’m surprised, that’s all,” I admitted.
“Well, then you know how I felt when you asked me to pose for you,” she said, which made no sense. She was gorgeous. Surely she knew that, right?
My heart was pounding. I wasn’t one to shy away from nudity, but I’d never posed before. This wasn’t supposed to be about me. It was supposed to be about her, but—
“Look,” she huffed. “Just forget I said anything. I have to go.”
“I’ll do it,” I blurted.
There was silence, and I almost wondered if she’d hung up until her quiet voice asked, “You will?”
