Devil Mine (Walk Through Shadows Book Two)

Chapter Two

How did I let myself get talked into this?

She sat on stool in Balthazar's living room turned studio applying another layer of black eye shadow arguing with herself.

You know exactly how you got here and what you're hoping for.

Oh shut up.

Behind her he was laying black fabric over several cushions and pillows he had stacked up strategically. She peeked over her shoulder at him biting back an appreciative sigh as he bent over.

I'm going to hell but god I hope he wants to take things too far.

After his unexpected visit the other night she'd looked over the pictures he'd left and had to admit the guy had actual talent. The ideas he had texted her were a bit risqué but being exposed in public had been a part of her life for so long as a dancer if she could control her errant thoughts it wouldn't be so bad. At least that's the argument she given herself as she texted her agreement.

"Almost ready," he called.

That makes one of us.

"Okay. Do you want to check to make sure I've got this right?"

He'd asked her to use very dark eyeshadow to create an exaggerated smoky eye with heavy blush and dark red lipstick. Instead of her usual ponytail he'd had her curl and pin her hair in a loose up do. To make it easy to take down if needed he'd explained.

Behind her he tucked the fabric in a couple places and then came to look her over.

"That's perfect. Although, if it wasn't for those incredible blue eyes I probably wouldn't recognize you." She blushed behind the heavy make up.

Say more things like that.

"It's been a while since I've had to do stage makeup." She took his hand when he offered it to her.

"It looks like you're a pro at it."

"Thank you." She let him lead her to the pile of cushions. "Where do you want to start?"

"Here in the middle. I'll grab the rest of the fabric if you want to take off your robe?"

"Sure." She untied the belt with shaking hands, draped it over a stool near the pile and then knelt on the cushions.

He came back to drape a wide piece of white fabric over her. She tried to ignore the little whiffs of his cologne that swirled around her as he moved.

Damn he smells good.

"Okay, stay like that. I'm going to take a couple of test shots." He walked over to the table to scoop up his camera. She waited patiently as he found a good angle and then snapped a few pictures. He looked at the screen carefully. "I think we have a bit of a problem."

She frowned. "Did I do something wrong?"

I knew it! I'm all wrong for this.

He looked up. "No, not you." The tension went out of her back. "It's the underwear." He came closer to show her the screen. "It's cutting into your hip and the bra is pushing your breasts together. I was looking for something more natural. To showcase your fantastic curves."

"Natural?" She swallowed. "So take them off?"

"Would you mind?" He smiled and held out a hand to help her stand.

Don't be a chicken Em.

"No. It's fine." She let the fabric fall to her feet. "Can you just—?" She made a little motion with her fingers.