As I wrapped a large terrycloth towel around my waist, Mr. Brewer doled out instructions to the class then added, “Since a couple of you are new in here, I also want to point out that we’re all adults. The human body is a beautiful specimen. I’m certain that most of you ladies have seen a naked man before. Therefore, refrain from giggling and talking and concentrate on the model.”
“Oh, we will,” a girl with a high-pitched voice said.
“Ms. Davenport, I warn you.”
Ugh! Trudy Davenport was an uppity bitch who thought her daddy’s money could buy her anyone and anything. I had to give her props though. Once she’d heard Chloe and I were no longer an item, she’d tried to get in my pants on several occasions. She struck out each time. Sure, I could get off on screwing a beautiful redhead with legs that went on forever, but I knew my limitations. One night with her and she’d dig her claws in and not let go. Or maybe I was afraid I’d want more. Either way, I didn’t want to find out, especially since her father owned one of the biggest law firms in Boston. The same law firm I’d applied to for a summer job. The job I needed to add to my résumé for my Harvard Law application. Sure, several other law firms in the city would suffice, but none had the clout Mr. Davenport’s did.
I walked around the partition and over to the platform in front of the room.
“Drop the towel, Kelton,” Trudy shouted.
“This is your last warning, Ms. Davenport,” Brewer said as he circled his desk. “One more and I’ll give you an F on this assignment.” His long stride ate up the space from the back of the room to the platform, and he tapped on Trudy’s desk twice as he passed.
Trudy mumbled under her breath, and the crimson-faced girl next to her giggled.
I winked at an auburn-haired girl who was sitting in the first row. When I did, I got a strong dose of jasmine, and my heart sped up. Suddenly, I had a strong sense that I knew her.
“Mr. Maxwell, let’s try a different pose today. I also want you to leave the towel on for now.” He waved long, thin fingers at the velour chaise longue on the platform.
“Sorry, ladies,” I said as I scanned the disappointed faces, finally settling my gaze on the auburn-haired girl.
She peered up at me then looked away. She must have been one of the newbies since I didn’t recognize her, and most who took this class were shy on the onset.
Mr. Brewer climbed up on the platform and spoke in a low voice. “Sit. And don’t make the new girl nervous. And keep your dick from making an appearance.” His voice dropped even more as he shifted his back to the class. “I don’t need you with an erection when I have twenty-five females with raging hormones ready to attack you. Even though you’re one lucky bastard.”
“That would be difficult since I think it’ll be shrunken for a week after standing out in the cold.”
He chuckled.
I eased down onto the soft fabric. “Besides, that only happened once. Over a year ago.” Since then I’d learned how to control myself. Fuck. With beautiful women, flowery scents, porcelain skins, long hair, thick lips—the list went on—they made it difficult for me not to get a damn hard-on.
“Kelton.” Mr. Brewer’s gaze dropped to my dick.
“Sorry. You started me thinking about… Never mind.” I closed my eyes and thought about who was going to win the Super Bowl. The Patriots or the Panthers.
Mr. Brewer went over to the far end of the platform, lifted the wooden screen, and brought it over to block us from the class. “Take the towel off. Then I want you to sit up against the back of the chaise and angle your body toward me.”
I went through the motions. “I thought you said towel on.”
“Extend both legs then raise your left knee. Drape your left arm casually over your leg.”
After several more instructions about positions and angles, he moseyed over to a small round table next to the chaise longue and collected a cowboy hat.
“I don’t do bright-blue cowboy hats,” I said. The accessory was downright ugly.
“It will bring out your blue eyes against your black hair. And it will also showcase the colorful lizard tattoo on your abs.” He set the hat so it covered my dick.
The tat was inked in blues, reds, and greens with a hint of brown.
He scanned my body. “This pose should be perfect.” He rubbed his unshaven jaw. “I think you’re ready.” Slowly, he slid the panel open. “Don’t move or sneeze. Or the hat will fall.”
“Thanks for the warning.” Not that I cared. Most of the people in here had seen me naked already. Still, sometimes the poses were hard to hold for the entire class, but sitting wasn’t as difficult as the standing ones.
“Come on, Brew,” a female student piped up. “Don’t keep us waiting.”
Mr. Brewer moved the panel. “I want you to put all your effort into making this piece your best,” he said to the class.
Ooohs and aaahs and swear words were muttered by just about every person, except my little friend in the front row. She lowered her gaze, her long lashes fanning out into the shape of a perfect crescent moon.
“Get to work,” Mr. Brewer said as he returned to his desk.