Page 74 of Cruel Dominion

James was a six-foot-tall med student who had not only agreed to join Summer’s photoshoot without question, but he also brought her coffee and two different dress shirts in case the one he had on clashed with her outfit or didn’t photograph right.

“Umm… maybe, like, frolic a little? Try and look natural, though. Just give me some movement.”

Summer obediently took James’ hand and led him to the edge of the water. I followed them into the water, making sure I caught a good shot of them as she playfully pulled him along to a slow run, kicking up water.

I wanted the natural sandstone bluffs in the background of the shot, so I had to angle it just right. This beach wasn’t large, just a sandy crescent bordered by rocky cliffs on each side, but the small cove in the morning with no one around was breathtakingly beautiful. The blue water sluicing over the rocks and sand was probably the kind of peaceful you experienced when you died.

I’d always thought so, anyway.

In some of my bleaker moments, I didn’t think drowning would be such a bad way to go.

Summer stopped to pull James in for a quick kiss before spinning out with his hand still in hers. I snapped every facet of the movement, knowing in every shot she would look absolutely gorgeous.

I suspected that she saw an engagement on the horizon and wanted to have some professional photos ready for the big day.

It was almost…unsettling watching them.

Things seemed so easy between them.

Unforced. Unhurried. Unfrantic.

Just…easy.

Was this what it was supposed to be like?

James let go of Summer’s hand and splashed water at her. I snapped a couple of shots, shaking off the sour thoughts. I caught a shot of the water midair and Summer at just the moment before she covered her face with her hands.

James grabbed Summer around the waist and hoisted her up to his chest. She wrapped her arms around his neck, squealing. I was about to take the shot but my finger stopped midway, almost jarred by the intimacy as he let her slip lower so their faces were inches apart.

He said something to her, too soft for me to hear which made her laugh. She threw her head back. Click. And then she kissed him.

I looked up from behind my camera with a fake sneer. “You guys are disgusting.”

Summer looked over first.

“What? You said frolic. This is frolicking,” she said, her feigned pout unable to hide the smirk pulling at her lips.

“Okay,” I said over a laugh. “Well, I think we’re good. You can stop frolicking now.”

“You’re going to look so hot in these photos, babe,” James said, coming up out of the water with Summer.

His arm went around her waist and he pulled her into him. The movement was so fluid and automatic, like he was blinking, or swatting a fly away when it landed on his leg. They were so incredibly in sync and natural together. It was adorable and yes I was jealous.

But only of some parts.

“I bet my girl Anna can make a street cat look like a lion if she wanted to,” Summer said with a giggle.

“Well you are far from a street cat,” he joked, and she raised her hands, curling them into claws.

His other arm went around her, and he pressed a kiss to her forehead, erasing her faux feline snarl.

Summer and James really were adorable together. They were playful, flirtatious, respectful, and kind. Why couldn’t I just be attracted to guys like James?

Instead, bad guys seemed to draw me in like a moth to a fucking blowtorch.

And then there was Carter, who literally threw me in the trunk of his car two days ago. I should have been running for the hills, but instead, I was obsessing about when I could see him again. I tossed and turned all night, remembering how relaxed I felt when he spanked me.

If anyone else threw me over their shoulder and locked me in their trunk, I’d have been traumatized.

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