Page 64 of Pressure Point

“Oh, that is where you are mistaken, love, because I very much want to see that.”

A flush rose up her cheeks, making Liam’s chest swell with pride. He liked knowing that he got to her like that. Liked knowing that his words meant as much to her as hers did to him.

Hopping up into the makeup chair, Avery gave him an impish smile. Right about now he would have given pretty much anything to know what was going through her head, but he would settle for simply watching as the team that Felicity had recommended worked their magic. He’d given them a basic idea of what he had thought would look good but had let them know this was really about her and what she wanted. And if what she wanted was gobs and gobs of makeup, rather than the fresh-faced look he was fond of, then that is what they would do.

Thankfully, she did not opt for that look. Instead, she asked for it to be as natural as possible, with a smoky eye—whatever that was. Liam tried to busy himself while they worked on her, scrolling through his phone and checking stats. When he finally looked up a while later, Avery beamed back at him, the end result of her makeover making his heart skip a beat. She looked incredible, her emerald eyes sparkling like the sun, her lips a pretty pink that made him want to kiss her. Her hair was in loose waves that begged to have fingers run through it, and it was all Liam could do to stop himself from doing just that. Maybe if he played his cards right, he’d get the chance later.

“Do I look alright?” she asked, making her way toward him.

“Stunning.”

It was the only word he could find to describe how beautiful she looked. He liked the everyday Avery, but this version was a knockout.

“Boudoir photography is about empowerment,” the photographer said, walking over to them, stopping in front of the locker. “So we won’t do anything you aren’t comfortable with. In fact, you don’t have to put on this lingerie. If you want to remain fully clothed, that’s fine. This is about you and what is going to make you feel your best.”

“And if I want to wear it?”

“Your call. We can do anything from fully dressed to fully nude.”

Fully nude…hadn’t been expecting that…

Avery nodded, turning back to the locker. She pursed her lips, and she gazed at each outfit that was in there, like she didn’t know where to start.

“Do you have a favorite?” she asked, turning to look at him.

Her question caught him off guard. Of course he had a favorite item in there. He’d spent the last day and a half thinking about her in all those different items, and each time, his mind kept returning to one thing. He just hadn’t expected her to ask his opinion.

“I am rather fond of the purple dress thing,” he said, trying not to choke on his words.

“This?” she asked, holding up the rich purple satin item. Dress was probably too generous a word for it, as he highly doubted it went much past her butt. At least he hoped it didn’t go much farther. The front of it dipped low and was sure to show off her small, pert breasts. Liam was starting to get hard just thinking about it, and she hadn’t even put it on yet.

“I thought you drew the line at underwear,” she teased, shimmying out of her jeans. She reached for the hem of her shirt next, pulling it over her head with ease, revealing that she wasn’t currently wearing a bra.

"I did…I do,” he said, stifling a groan as he drank in her beautiful tits. They might have been small, but they were perfect. “I had to call in some reinforcements to help me with that part of it.”

“Well, it’s all so beautiful.”

Yes, you are…

Slipping the nightie over her head, Avery turned back to the photographer, seeking further instructions. Liam shifted himself, trying to hide his growing erection. He hadn’t thought about this part when he’d put this plan together.

“I was thinking we would start here in the locker room, then make our way into the medical room, if that works for you,” the photographer suggested. Avery nodded, her wide smile taking up her whole face. “Great. One more question before we get started. Boyfriend, does he stay or go?”

Boyfriend? Liam’s stomach lurched at the term. He needed to correct this woman before she got the wrong idea. He was just here to be Avery’s cheerleader. These photos were for her, not for him.

“Stays. He absolutely stays.”

* * *

Avery looked over at Liam, hoping that she hadn’t overstepped by not correcting the photographer. Sure, he wasn’t her boyfriend per se, but she didn’t have another word for him. Best friend? No, that wasn’t quite right. Male companion? This wasn’t Victorian England. For lack of a better word, boyfriend worked.

The smile that he returned to her now helped ease her worry. No part of him looked worried or concerned that she hadn’t corrected the photographer. In fact, he looked more than happy to hold the title. Avery’s heart fluttered at the idea. Liam, her boyfriend? That wasn’t the craziest thought ever, was it?

With each day she wondered more and more if she really had feelings for Dash, or if it was just some kind of insane attraction. He was exceptionally good-looking, there was no doubt about that. But she also knew almost nothing about him. And what she did know, well, it wasn’t all that appealing. He didn’t seem like the kind of guy who would prefer to stay in on a weekend night just hanging around. He was all about the parties. That wasn’t her and never would be. No matter how much “sexy” she found deep in herself, there was little to no “life of the party” to go with it.

“First shot, let’s have you lie on your back across the bench in front of the lockers,” the photographer said.

Avery did as instructed, lying down, turning her head to face the camera. She felt more than a little ridiculous, dressed in a deep purple baby doll nightie and her hair teased, splayed out on the bench her players used when dressing for practice. But at the same time, it sent a thrill through her. This might just be the naughtiest thing she’d ever done.