Page 32 of The Model

He quirked a perfectly shaped brow. “How did you know?”

“Because that’s who Lana is. She wants to fuck you and be your girlfriend to further her career. I’m sure she’s noticed how popular you’ve become since your last shoot with her.”

Ryder’s forehead pinched together. He stared at me for a moment and then looked over his shoulder toward Lana. The moment she saw he was looking at her, she smiled and batted her eyelashes at him. Did she really think that would work?

“She’s delusional. I wouldn’t have anything to do with her if she wasn’t put right in front of me. What can I do to get her to leave me alone?”

“You’d have to be an asshole, and we both know that’s not you.” One shoulder lifted in an attempt to say, ‘what can you do?’ “I suggest trying your best to ignore her.”

The usual light in his eyes dimmed as he hung his head. “I hope I don’t get any more jobs with her.”

I did too because if I knew she was going to be there, I wasn’t sure I would be making any more trips to see Ryder.

Feeling bad, I stepped into Ryder and wrapped my arms around him to give him a hug. “Me too.” An idea popped into my head. “Hey, do you want to have a little fun while you wait?”

He gave me a half-assed shrug but said sure.

“Good, because this place is beautiful, and I want to capture some pictures of you here. I want you to go out until you can’t touch the bottom, and then I want you to start coming back toward me out of the water slowly. Can you do that?”

“Anything for you.” He dipped down again and brushed a sweet kiss to my lips.

He strode out into the crystal-clear water in only his tiny navy trunks. Looking over his shoulder, he called out. “Are you ready?”

I gave him a thumbs-up as I looked at the LED screen, my finger on the button, ready to take his picture. I could feel that we had everyone’s attention, but I didn’t care. By the time they were done, the lighting would be all wrong for what I wanted. These were for me and me alone. They’d be my spank bank material if they came out the way I thought they would.

Ryder disappeared into the water for only a moment, and when he reappeared, it was like a dream or a sexy commercial. He moved in slow motion; his eyes locked on me as my finger held down the shutter button. If we didn’t have an audience, I would have dropped my camera to the ground and jumped him. Water trickled down his torso, and my eyes were riveted on each drop as they moved down his body.

Snapping out of it, I ordered. “Push your hair out of your face.”

I saw a twinkle in his eye, but other than that, Ryder seemed unfazed as he did as I told him. The crowd moved in closer to watch, their shoot forgotten, and for a split second, I felt bad, until Ryder’s eyes heated and he bit his lower lip. My ovaries let out a sigh, and my sex clenched in need. Dear God, he was otherworldly; he was so gorgeous and perfect.

“Come to me. Large strides,” I commanded. I squatted down to get him from a new angle. I wished I had another camera to get him in at least one other direction.

Ryder walked to me like he was on the catwalk. My body rose, the closer he got to me. His stare was directed at me until he was right in front of me. Taking my camera, a smile danced on his lips, and when those dimples popped out, I was done for. One big hand reached out and grasped my waist, pulling until every inch of skin from my waist up came into contact with his. Dipping down, his soft lips found mine in the single best kiss of my life. It was the perfect mixture of soft and hard, passion and need with a dose of possession. It ended far too soon, and when Ryder’s lips left mine, I let out a soft cry. I wanted to pull him back to me, but when someone cleared their throat, the world that had disappeared suddenly came rushing back.

“That was fucking hot,” Parker whispered none too quietly.

A round of chuckles filled the air, further breaking the spell. Ryder and I pulled apart with his hand still on my hip. He handed me back my camera like the last few minutes hadn’t occurred.

“I’m sorry if that took too long, but I wanted to get Ryder in the water when the lighting was just right.”

“You have nothing to be sorry for, young lady. It was perfect. In fact, I’d love to use the shots you took and what Rob got of the two of you for Romadi.”

I blinked back at the man Rob had said was the client. “I’m sorry. You are?”

“Carlos Antonio.” We shook hands as I stood there in a daze. “That was the most natural and insane chemistry I’ve ever witnessed, and we managed to get it all. I’d love to discuss buying your photos and paying you for—”

“You want to use us?” I blurted out, interrupting him.

“If you could have seen your…” Parker bit on his fist, making everyone laugh.

“I think I need to see these pictures before…it was a personal moment.”

“In front of a dozen people.” Lana rolled her dark evil eyes.

“Can we negotiate a price on your photos? Rob told me you’re a famous photographer.”

“I’m not really famous,” I argued.

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