Page 16 of Pose for Me

"Why?" I ask, though I already know the answer. Still, hearing it from her feels different—like proof of how far she’s come.

"Because I was… just so broken," she admits, her fingers tightening briefly around the base of her glass. "I didn’t think there was anything left worth capturing. But then you…" She pauses, exhaling softly. "You saw me differently. You made me feel like I could be someone again."

"That’s because youaresomeone," I say firmly, setting my glass down. "You always have been, Kahlee. You just needed a reminder."

"Well, you gave me more than that." Her lips spread into a warm smile, genuine and filled with gratitude. "You pushed me to pick up my camera again. Do you know how hard it was to even look at it back then? Let alone start shooting again?"

"Now look at you," I say, gesturing toward her with an exaggerated flourish. "The go-to family photographer in town. Everyone wants Kahlee Pearce to take their Christmas card photos."

"Stop it," she laughs, swatting at the air between us, but there’s a pink tinge rising to her cheeks. "It’s not like that."

"Yes, it is," I insist, grinning. "Don’t argue with me. I’ve seen your calendar. Booked solid through next spring, aren’t you?"

"Okay, fine," she concedes, laughing again. "But seriously, Rayne… Thank you. For everything. I don’t know where I’d be if—" She cuts herself off, shaking her head as if to banish the thought. "Anyway, enough about me. What about you? How have you been? Anything exciting happen since we last caught up?"

Her question catches me mid-sip, and I nearly choke on my wine. I set the glass down carefully, avoiding her gaze as I try to compose myself. My mind races, images flashing unbidden—Knox’s piercing eyes, River’s wicked grin, the heat of their touch. My cheeks burn, and I press my lips together tightly.

"Wait a minute," Kahlee says, narrowing her eyes at me. She points a finger in my direction, a teasing smirk spreading across her face. "That hesitation. That’s new. Something happened, didn’t it?"

"Uh…" I start, but the words won’t come. How the hell do I even begin to explainlast night?

"Spill it," she demands, leaning forward eagerly. "Come on, Rayne. Don’t leave me hanging. You know I live for drama. Did you meet someone? Go on a date? Hook up with some ridiculously hot stranger?"

"Not… exactly," I mumble, feeling the weight of her expectation pressing down on me.

"Notexactly?" she repeats, her grin widening. "Oh, this is going to be good. Tell me everything. And don’t you dare hold back."

"Alright, fine," I say, setting my glass down and leaning in so Kahlee can hear me over the hum of the bar. A sly grin is already tugging at her lips, anticipation glinting in her eyes. "You’re not going to believe this."

"Try me," she says, her voice dripping with curiosity as she rests her chin on her palm.

"Okay." I take a breath, trying to decide where to even begin. "So, last night, I had this… photoshoot. A couples' erotic shoot."

"Wait, wait—" Kahlee sits up straighter, her hand flying out to stop me. "I knew you did boudoir stuff, buterotic? Since when?"

"Since forever," I reply with a shrug, though I feel the faintest blush creeping up my neck. "It's rare, but yeah, I do those sometimes. Anyway, this couple comes in—two men."

"Two men?" Her brows lift, intrigued. "Hot?"

"Beyond hot," I say, and immediately my heart kicks up a notch just thinking about them. My fingers toy with the stem of my wineglass as I lean closer, dropping my voice. "One of them was this tall, brooding type. Gruff, commanding, the kind of guy who doesn’t need to raise his voice because one look does all the talking for him. And the other—" I shake my head, a small, involuntary laugh slipping past my lips. "Mischievous as hell. Wicked smile, sharp tongue. You could tell he loved stirring up trouble. Both muscular and tattooed, and did I say hot?"

"Good God," Kahlee breathes, her eyes wide. "That’s not fair. That’s too much sexy for one relationship. Let me guess—they seduced you during the shoot?"

"Ummm, actually yes," I admit, biting my bottom lip before continuing. "Somehow, before the photoshoot had even gotten fully started, I ended up in the bed with both of them. And let me tell you"—I pause, meeting her gaze firmly—"it was the most erotic experience of my life."

"Shut up," she whispers, her jaw dropping slightly. Then, as if catching herself, she lets out a dramatic sigh and clasps her hands together like she’s praying. "Rayne, you won the goddamn lottery. Two insanely hot guys, and you got both? Please tell me you’re about to give me every single dirty detail because I need to live vicariously through you."

Her enthusiasm bubbles up, pulling a laugh from me. "Alright, alright," I say, holding up a hand. "Where do I even start?"

"Anywhere!" she insists, practically bouncing in her seat.

I’m about to dive into the memory, the heat of it still fresh enough to make my skin tingle, when something catches my eye. Movement, a flicker in my peripheral vision. My words falter, and I glance toward the far side of the bar.

For a moment, it’s like the rest of the world goes out of focus. My breath hitches, and I swear my heart skips a beat. There, weaving between the tables, is a tall figure with cropped dark hair that’s just long enough to curl at the top. His broad shoulders and muscular frame are impossible to mistake, even under the dim lighting. Hazel eyes, piercing and intense, seem to flash in my memory, and I feel the ghost of his touch on my skin.

"Rayne?" Kahlee’s voice tugs at my attention, but I barely hear her.

I blink, forcing myself to focus, but the figure is gone. My gaze darts around the room, scanning for him. Knox. It had to be Knox. But how? Why would he even be here?

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