At the end of our class on Friday, I'm pretty pleased with the still life that I managed to draw. In fact, everyone seems generally happy with their work.

Mr. Prince makes a final circle around the room, giving a few tips and pointers, and also compliments. "Next week," he says, "we'll be starting life drawing. Unfortunately, the subject I usually use for these classes is unavailable. Due to the late notice, I can't go through traditional casting processes. If any of you know someone who would be able to pose for our class, please let me know. Dismissed."

I turn to grab my bag and see that Christian is leaning in the doorway. I freeze because my worlds are clashing a little bit. A second later, I’m glad they have. I can't think of anything that would be more perfect. I approach Mr. Prince, and wait while he finishes talking to another student. When he's finished, he spots me waiting. "Yes, Miss Audrey?"

"I have someone who can pose."

He raises an eyebrow. "Really? They're available on short notice?"

“Yes they are."

"And they are comfortable posing in the nude?"

"It won't be a problem," I assure him.

He smiles. "Well then, I look forward to seeing both him and you on Monday."

"See you then," I say, heading toward the door. I gather my things, and he waits for me, smiling.

“So I signed you up for something,” I say.

“Oh?”

“You may not be a fan of it, but you can consider it repayment for everything you made me do this week.”

His jaw drops. “Made you do?”

“Yes, made me do.”

He looks hesitant but he still gives me a small smile. “Okay. What will I be doing as penance?”

“The life drawing model for next week dropped out suddenly.”

“And you volunteered me as a replacement?” He raises an eyebrow.

“I did.”

He waits for a couple of people to pass us through the door. “Will I have to be naked for this?”

I start walking out of the gallery, and I don’t keep my voice down as I say, “Absolutely, completely, buck naked.”

He catches up to me just as I reach the door. "Audrey, are you serious?"

"No, I just like to bluff about things."

Christian sighs. "You want me to pose naked in front of your entire art class?"

"I already volunteered you, and I honestly didn't think you'd have a problem with it," I say. "We both know you have no problems with body image, and frankly I thought you might like the attention."

He laughs. "My main concern isn't being naked in front of people, it's being naked in front of you."

"It's not like I haven't seen you naked," I say, snorting a laugh.

"Of course you have, but it's not that either. It's that… With me naked, and you looking at me, I'll have a very hard time keeping myself… Soft."

I can’t help it, I burst out laughing. People passing us on the street look at me like I'm crazy, but then again, this is New York City, so I can't be that far off the mark. I have to stop and sit on a bench, on the verge of collapsing into hysterical giggles.

Christian is laughing too, but not quite as hard as I am. "Okay, it's not that funny."

"It really is though."

"It might be better this way though," he says. "I'm much more impressive when I'm fully erect."

"And just think, I'll have to draw you in whatever state you're in."

"I do like that," he says.

“You haven’t told me why you’re here.”

“I thought I might come by and convince you that we could head uptown.”

I shake my head. “I have a date with Ellen. Besides, business only, Christian. And our business is finished for the month.”

“And the art class?”

“That is pure pleasure.”

He shakes his head, taking my avoidance in stride. “I’m not so sure about that.”

“I am. I'll see you on Monday at seven."

He watches me until I can’t see him anymore.

* * *

I spend the weekend painting and sketching, experimenting to make sure I have the style I want solidified before class. Obviously I knew I was going to have to draw Christian when I volunteered him, but it didn't fully sink in until the next day. I'm going to have to draw him. Look at every detail of him, and lay it to paper.

I now understand why he’s so worried about getting aroused, because I'm probably going to have the same problem. Looking at him like that, analyzing him, dwelling on the lines of his body, it's going to remind me of all the things you can do with that body. It’s a good thing that we’re meeting up afterwards.

I spend Monday strangely anxious, wondering how the class will go. Will he be a good model? What if he's not, and Mr. Prince thinks less of me because I chose poorly? I'm hoping he's not that petty, but you never know.

My nerves are so bad that I barely eat, by the time I get to class I'm starving. But still, even though I'm hungry, there's no way I'm going to be able to eat before the class. I'll throw it all up. Hopefully this isn't what morning sickness is going to feel like.

I get there early, and wait for Christian outside the building. He's prompt, arriving fifteen minutes before the class starts. He walks down the sidewalk in New York like he belongs there, and he does. I remember that he’s a CEO now, and I'm not sure how I didn't catch the subtle changes in his movements and appearance. The way he walks—it's a lot more confident then when we were together, and thinking back on our recent interactions, his clothing has been impeccable.

Even now, he's wearing a suit that was clearly tailored to his body. The Christian I knew didn't care very much about clothes, and wouldn't be caught dead in a fitting for suit. Clearly, more has changed than I even realized. And if simple things like that have changed, what else has changed?

He approaches me with a small smile. "Hello there."

"Hi."

“So, I guess I'm getting naked, then?”

“Yeah, I guess so." This all feels incredibly awkward because it's not every day you set somebody up be naked in front of a group of strangers

“Shall we?"

I nod, nerves still gnawing in my stomach.

Inside and upstairs, Mr. Prince is waiting for us both. “Ah, I'm happy you're here. Ms. Audrey tells me that you're willing to be our model." He extends his hand for Christian to shake, and Christian takes it.

“Yes, sir," Christian says. "I can't say that I've done any nude modeling in the past, but I'm certainly willing to give it a try. I hope I don't disappoint you."

Mr. Prince laughs. "I'm sure you'll be just fine." He then points to a little room off to the side. "You can remove your clothes and leave them in there. And when you come back, I'll set you up with a pose for the artists. Posing is difficult at the best of times, so we’ll want to give you a pose that you'll be able to easily hold for the duration of the class."

Christian chuckles. "I appreciate that."

He goes off into little dressing room, and I take my seat, readying my station. All of us have already moved our finished still-lifes to hang on the wall around the studio, so I'm faced with the fresh, blank, piece of paper.

Mr. Prince approaches me. "I think he'll do quite well," he says. "He seems to have the physique that we usually like to have in a model."

"Oh, he definitely does," I say, instantly blushing when I realize what I've just admitted to.

Mr. Prince laughs. “Good for you."

I flush an even brighter red with embarrassment, and duck my head, which just makes him chuckle more.

A few minutes later, Christian comes out to the room, and as promised, he's completely naked. Knowing somebody's going to be completely naked and seeing them naked in a strange setting are two very different things. He seems taller, more wild, and somehow, more defined. I glance at Mr. Prince, who I can see does a quick assessment of Christian, even though he's pretty good at hiding it.

"Where do you want me?"

"On the platform, if you please," Mr. Prince says. "Now, this class is three hours long. And you're going to have to do this three times this week. Do you think you can hold a standing position for that amount of time? Or would you prefer to be reclining. Unfortunately, once you choose, you can't change your mind.”

“I can stand," Christian says. "I used to work construction and stood for hours. I'm sure I can do it for three.”

“Excellent," Mr. Prince says. "In that case, step on up."

Christian gracefully steps up onto the platform. He turns toward me and says, “As long as I face this way, you can pose me however you like."

Mr. Prince glances my way, smiling knowingly. He gives me a wink, which only makes me blush more, but I know he means it as a lighthearted joke.

I watch as Mr. Prince carefully arranges Christian's body. Legs slightly apart, one arm folded up and back behind his head, the other hanging by his side. Luckily, Christian’s fear of getting hard hasn't happened yet. I don't know how hard he's working to keep that from happening, or even if he's been tempted, but I’m relieved for him.

Even though I told him this was revenge for him bailing on me, I really don't want to humiliate him in front of a group of people. As a final touch, Mr. Prince tilts Christian’s head down a little bit at an angle. That angle is looking straight at me. I know it's no accident, but I also can't say that I don't like it. I meet Christian’s eyes, and they are filled with heat. Frankly, I really do think that I'm going to be more aroused then him.

Regardless, I have a perfect view of him and his cock, and I’m going to for the entire class. Although he’s not hard, he’s still impressive, no matter what he thinks. This is only confirmed by the gasps and stares of the women in the class as they come in, and the sullen grumbles of the men. I’m glad I have a standing arrangement with Christian, otherwise I might not be the one going home with him. There are plenty of beautiful women in this room, and they’d all be lucky to have him. Too bad for them he’s already agreed to our deal.

Once everyone is seated, Mr. Prince clears his throat. “Welcome to life drawing week. This is Mr. Rollins, who graciously agreed to step in to be our model, and what a model he is.” He winks at me again. “Again, feel free to use whatever medium you wish. Today, please at least get a basic outline drawn so I can consult with you on accuracy and style. You can begin.”

Glancing around the room, I can see that several of the women eagerly leap for their supplies. They’re practically salivating, and I don’t blame them. I wonder what it would be like to see him through their eyes, like a stranger. I decide to try it.

I imagine walking into this room and seeing him standing there, utterly naked and waiting to be drawn. I can’t imagine that I wouldn’t be turned on. Hell, I’d think that it was my lucky fucking night. And I don’t think I’d care which angle I got to see of him because Christian is hot from every angle.

I would spend the entire class not only drawing him, but probably fantasizing about the way he was going to pick me out of the crowd of students and approach me afterwards. I’d be swept off my feet by him, and we’d retreat to my apartment to have amazing, hot sex. And then we’d do it again after the next two classes and live happily ever after.

I can't help the smirk on my face because I know that's going to happen with us. Minus the happily ever after. He's going to sweep me off my feet. We’re going to have amazing sex, and none of the girls in this room are going to get their fantasy. I know it's a little vindictive, but it makes me grin.

Finally, I pick up my pencils and begin to focus on my drawing. It's hard to separate myself enough to look at Christian's body with any objectivity. That's something I didn't consider when I volunteered him for the gig. How can I look at his legs, and just see the lines of his legs without remembering them on either side of my hips? The same thing goes for his lips, his hands, his eyes, and of course, his cock.

His eyes are still on me, and I try to not look directly at him. Even though I'm avoiding his gaze, I feel his eyes on me. Blood rises to my skin, and I blush because I know exactly how he's looking at me.

Daring a glance, I raise my eyes to his.

It's a mistake.

Christian’s eyes are so full of fire that it makes my blush worse. Not only my blush, but my arousal. All I feel is heat, everywhere. His eyes make me relive every, perfect, excruciating, pleasurable moment that we've had together. I’m trapped in a flurry of images. Us tangled together on the bed, his face between my thighs, him watching me through the computer screen. I’m suddenly finding it hard to swallow.

When he sees my face, and the way I'm blushing, there's just a ghost of a smirk on his face. I glare at him and shake my head. He needs to be professional. But because he’s Christian, he allows himself to smirk a little more before fading back into his model stillness.

Across the room, I catch Mr. Prince watching our interaction, which does nothing for the state of my face. It does however make me focus. Taking a deep breath, I start with Christian’s torso, and then his legs, very lightly outlining the shape and the way he's posed.

Once I feel I have the proportions and shape right, I slowly start sketching in more careful details. The slope of his shoulder, the curve of his hip, the midline of his chest. I let myself to be enveloped in the process of drawing him.

It takes a while, but eventually I feel the awkwardness disappear. I feel that rare harmony when everything else fades away, and it's nothing but you and your subject. It's been so long since I've spent any time drawing, that I had forgotten that this peace existed.

When Mr. Prince announces that our time is finished for the day, I am surprised. I have to blink, breath for a second, and come back to reality. I glance up at Christian, who still staring at me with the same passion he started with. I give him a small smile.

Mr. Prince says, “Let's give a big round of applause for our model, Mr. Rollins." Everyone around me claps, and I clap too. Christian rolls his shoulders, smiling at the class, and stretching. He must be exhausted after holding the same position for three hours, but he doesn't look it.

Mr. Prince dismisses the class, and Christian climbs down from the platform. I can tell already that there are several women in the class who would love to be able to speak with him, but he saunters directly over to me. “So, now what?"

I look around, painfully aware that he is still very naked. “How about you go put your clothes on?"

"Where's the fun in that?" He winks at me. "I'll be out in a few minutes. Do you want to get something to eat?"

“Absolutely."

"Great," he says. "I'll be right back."

He disappears into the little dressing room, and the girl who sits next to me in the circle stares with jealousy. "Is he with you?" she asks.

I can tell that she's hoping my answer will be no. “Sort of,” I say, giving her a small smile.

She narrows her eyes slightly. “You're very lucky."

Explaining the infinitely complicated and tangled relationship that Christian and I have isn’t an option, so I just start to gather my supplies. “I know.” She leaves too quickly, and I’m sure that I haven’t exactly made a friend in her.

Slowly, the rest of the class filters out of the room until I’m the only one left. Even Mr. Prince wishes me a good night. I sit and wait for a few minutes, but Christian doesn’t come out. It seriously doesn’t take this long to put on clothes. I’m hungry, and horny, and I’m not the most patient person. Grabbing my bag, I go knock on the door. “Is there a hole you fell through? What’s taking so long?”

The door opens and Christian pulls me inside, still completely naked. Then the door is closed and he has me up against it before I can blink. He’s close, and I can’t breathe, that same heat I felt in his gaze slithering up and out and I feel it pulling us closer together. “You’re not dressed,” I manage to say.

“No, I’m not.”

He’s staring at me, our faces close enough that he could kiss me if I hadn’t already told him that he couldn’t. “Why?”

“Because,” he says, pulling my bag off my shoulder and dropping it to the floor, “I just had to spend three hours staring at you, and now I want what happens next.” Christian leans forward, pressing his lips to my neck, and my eyes close in spite of myself.

“Christian…”

“You’re going to say we can’t. But you’re wrong.”

I don’t open my eyes, because I don’t want to see how convincing he can be. “Why’s that?”

His lips brush up to my ear. “You can get pregnant any time. Maybe you’ll get lucky. Plus, we both get pleasure. This is a win-win.”

The way he’s pressed up against me, it’s hard to argue with. “We’re supposed to keep some distance,” I say. “This isn’t part of the deal.”

“So?” he smirks. “Audrey, we’re not dating. We’re fucking. I want you, and there’s no downside to this.”

He runs his hand up my side and I shudder. “We can’t,” I say. “Not here.”

“There’s nobody left, why not?”

Teeth on my skin as he pushes my top off my shoulder. “There are people downstairs. The gallery—God…” The way he licks across my collarbone renders me speechless.

“We can go to the apartment if you like,” he says, “and I can take my time with you. But I want you here. Now. And to sweeten the deal, you know that twice the sex means twice the chance you get pregnant. Though I’d be willing just to do it for fun.”

Those words startle my eyes open. I’ve barely thought about that. This whole class and the way he pulled me in here, pregnancy has only just now passed through my thoughts. It’s been mostly him. What does that mean? He releases the top button on my shirt, mouth dipping down to my breasts, and I lose all the thoughts in my brain. “Christian,” I say, but I don’t know where I’m going with it. All I know is that I want more. “We shouldn’t.”

“Then tell me to stop.”

I sigh, relaxing into his arms, and reaching up to undo the rest of the buttons myself. Christian practically growls, catching up with me and undoing my belt, shoving my pants off my hips. I catch a glimpse of him, fully hard now. We don’t bother with the rest of my clothes, and Christian picks me up, pressing me against the door. I reach between us, fitting him against me and he slides in. I let my head drop onto his shoulder, moaning.

Every bit of arousal I’d been pushing down during the class floods through me, and suddenly I’m so wet I’m dripping. Christian thrusts, hard and fast, fingers digging into my hips as he holds me against the door. We’re pressed so close, every movement of his hips grinds against my clit. So fast—I’m close, so quickly, it makes my head spin. I squeeze down on him and Christian groans, moving faster. The door behind us might as well be a headboard the way we’re making it bounce, and I don’t fucking care. Everyone in the gallery could be waiting outside the door and I wouldn’t care, I don’t want him to stop.

I’m panting now, pleasure building to that moment where I hang on the edge and everything is perfect before the storm. It’s swirling in my gut and through my core and oh—

I let go, break open, and I’m holding my breath so that I don’t scream. Christian’s there too, and he makes a low sound as he comes, heat filling me up and making me come again. This closet is dim but it’s brilliant behind my eyes. All I can see is light, all I can feel is light, and it burns for another fierce moment before abandoning me.

I lean my head back against the door as we both come to stillness. Christian is still stiff inside me, and he doesn’t move. Holding himself in place so every bit of his sperm has time to sink into me. “That was nice,” I say.

Christian chuckles. “I think we both know it was more than nice.”

I raise an eyebrow. “You’re very impressed with yourself.”

That smirk is back. “I made you come in less than five minutes with no foreplay. I’m very impressive.”

“Asshole,” I say, and he laughs. “I do want to know though, if you were this horny how you kept from getting hard the whole class. You were worried.”

“I kept counting backwards from 100. Over and over. For three hours.”

I start laughing as he pulls out of me and sets me down. “And here I thought you were staring at me like that because you wanted me.”

“Oh, I was,” he says, pulling on his pants. “Believe me. But it was also a little concentration.”

We both get ourselves together and I wince as we open the door, expecting someone from the staff to tell us we’re banned from ever coming back. But there’s no one, and it makes me wonder how often stuff like this happens and goes unnoticed. Does that mean I should do it a little more? More of Christian’s little adventures.

“Still hungry?” he asks as we leave.

“Hell yeah.”