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10
Jase
There were only three more shoots, including today’s, left before we wrapped up the catalogue. Time was running out for me to get Kelendria Towers in my bed. It didn’t help that today’s photo shoot was on the tamer side.
We were shooting a romantic walk in the park and had met Slade Rinestone, another author from the boxed set, when we first arrived at the San Francisco Botanical Gardens. The SFBG was gorgeous. So gorgeous, that even me, a dude who couldn’t care less about plants and shit, appreciated the serene beauty the place held.
It was a perfect May day and everywhere you looked, there was either lush green trees and grass or wide-open stretches of impossibly clear blue sky. I was gazing up at said sky when I felt someone come and stand beside me.
“It’s so beautiful here,” Kelly said in a whimsical voice.
I shifted my eyes from one beautiful thing to another. “Almost as beautiful as you.”
She cracked a smile, her first one of the day. Ever since the historical-themed shoot, she’d been a little distant. I hated how needy I felt because technically, she wasn’t mine, so how could she be distant? But I did need Kelly. I needed her in my bed so I could stop obsessing about her. Especially when our days of working together were numbered.
“You’re not so bad yourself,” she replied, surprising me. She wasn’t usually so outwardly flirtatious.
The wind blew, gently rustling her hair, which she was wearing straight today. I reached out and brushed a stray strand away from her face.
“Look at you two,” Leonard’s disembodied voice suddenly called. “Getting started without the photographer.”
I chuckled, letting my hand drop to my side when Kelly moved out of my reach. Her work wall was back up.
Together, we watched Leonard ascend the small hill we were standing atop.
“You guys ready for a romantic day in the park?” he asked with his usual high level of enthusiasm.
“Yep,” I replied. “It’s a nice day for walking around the Botanical Gardens.”
Kelly murmured in agreement.
“Perfect. Give me two seconds to talk to Lani and then we can get started.”
I waited until Leonard walked away before turning my attention back to Kelly. She looked stunning, as usual, in a yellow sunflower dress. It was on the short side and hugged every single one of her curves. The flower pinned in her hair matched the ones on her dress to the letter and, as usual, Lani had hooked up her hair and makeup. When she gave me a strange look, I realized I was staring too hard and averted my eyes.
I didn’t know why, but she had this…effect on me. Anytime I was around her, I felt both turned on and shy. Yeah, I wanted her physically, but something non-physical about her made me blush.
“Only two more shoots left,” Kelly said. “I can’t believe we’re almost done. That itinerary was ten pages long.” She giggled and her melodic laughter danced through my ears.
“I know, right? Time is flying.”
“You almost sound sad about that.” She was joking, but she was right.
Still, I played it off, shrugging and turning to gaze down the hill at the windy path that sliced through the Garden, leading all the way to the lake on the other side.
Lani and Leonard joined us a few minutes later, lightening the awkward vibe that had fallen over Kelly and me.
“All…done!” Lani said, after applying a fresh coat of gloss to Kelly’s lips.
“Great,” Leonard exclaimed, clapping his hands together. “Now, here’s the game plan for today. It’s much more lax than the other shoots, and with our setting being so effortlessly gorgeous, literally all you guys have to do is walk, talk, and play the part of a couple in ‘like’ or in love.” His spectacle-covered eyes bounced back and forth between us. “Sound good?”
Kelly and I nodded. I couldn’t be happier. A few hours spent walking and talking with her were just what I needed to get one step closer to my goal of us ending up in bed together.
“I’ll be hanging out by the lake,” Lani informed us. “I need to answer some emails from prospective clients. See you guys in a bit.” She waved and took off down the hill with Leonard on her heels.
“You guys can start walking and talking. I’ll be shooting the whole time, but you might not always see me. Gotta get those angles,” he called.
I smirked. The older man clearly had a thing for Lani and was always trying to get next to her. I hoped he succeeded just like I hoped I succeeded with Kelly.
