Page 17 of Camera Chemistry
Turn me into a withering, spineless mess, probably. I’d be grateful, the sensible part of my brain giving way to lust and attraction, a convoluted flurry of satisfaction.
“Open up,” Aiden says. His command is low and silky, exquisite velvet wrapped around my waist. My mouth parts, and he sets a cracker topped with cheese on my tongue. In a moment of bold spontaneity, of a woman in charge, I lick the pad of his thumb. He lets out a soft groan. “Dammit, Maggie,” he mumbles. “You’re driving me insane.”
“A bad insane?” I ask. His eyes follow the bob of my throat as I swallow, and his jaw flexes with restraint. He looks like a man in pain, forced to control himself instead of doing what he really wants to do.
“Are you kidding me? Agoodinsane. I feel like I’m losing my mind around you.” His hand drops to my knee, palm splayed out over my jeans. His pointer and middle finger hook under my thigh, and he pulls me toward him. “Is this okay?”
No, I want to shout.It’s not nearly enough.
“It’s perfect,” I say instead, content to soak up the remaining hours I get with Aiden Wood.
ELEVEN
AIDEN
Jesus Christ.
I really am losing my mind.
The feel of Maggie under my palm is intoxicating. It’s like knocking back too many shots at the bar and trying to stand. Everything is a little hazy, a little wobbly, a little uneven. The world tilts, turning on its axis, and I tilt with it.
Her lip is caught in her teeth, eyes dancing with wonder. Her pulse drums under my thumb, and my grip tightens. I hear her breathing become shallower, a sure sign of attraction and arousal.
And,fuck, I’m turned on just touching her over her clothes. We’re going to have a serious problem when we transition to the more intimate shots, because I’m not going to be able to hide how much I like her staring at me. I’m already hard, my dick stiffening in my briefs and making my jeans tight and uncomfortable. If she keeps looking at me with her mouth parted and her pupils blown wide, like she needsmeto survive and is seconds away from launching herself into my arms, I’m a fucking goner.
“The chemistry between you two is sizzling.” Jeremiah is practically squealing. He bounces on his feet as he draws toward us, snapping an up-close shot.
“He has to be talking about you,” I say to Maggie out of the corner of my mouth.
“You don’t think you’re sizzling?” Her head tips to the side. She’s cute when she’s inquisitive; her nose scrunches and her lips wiggle from side to side, contemplating.
“Nah. I’m a realist, not self-deprecating. Put the two of us side-by-side, and it’s obvious you’re the one carrying our good looks.”
Maggie’s laugh tumbles out of her like spilled wine. It’s popped champagne at New Year’s Eve with gold confetti around us, sticking to our sweat-covered skin. It’s iridescent and all consuming, a sound I want—Ineed—to bottle up and replay on my worst days.
“I think we might be having our first fight as friends,” she says.
“The first of many, I hope.”
“Yeah.” A nod and a smile, sure and certain, answer me. “I hope so, too. For what it’s worth, Aiden, I think you’re attractive.”
“It’s worth a lot. And I hope you know how beautiful you are.” She blushes and dips her chin, hiding her eyes.Well, that timidness won’t do. “Hey, Maggie. Look at me.” Slowly, she complies. I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from slamming her lips onto mine, a reward for how well she listens. “You really are a stunning woman.”
“Thank you,” she whispers. “I’m not used to compliments, so it’s a little foreign to hear so many in a row.”
I frown. “I’m sorry. You deserve to hear them. And not just as a one-off, either. Frequently and often.” I squeeze her thigh and let my hand move an inch up her leg. “You’re definitely the hottest woman I’ve done a photo shoot with.”
Maggie pushes my shoulder gently, palm lingering on my arm. “What a terrible argument. I’m the only one you’ve done a photo shoot with.”
“You haven’t seen myGQspread? The one where I wear my dinosaur tie the kids love? You’re missing out.”
“I know you’re lying, but I’m picturing you with a dinosaur tie. It’s really freaking cute.”
“That part is true. I have a whole collection. It’s a hit on the floor. Gotta find the good in every day, you know? Especially for those who have a hard time finding it for themselves. Sometimes it means wearing a silly tie with T-Rexes in top hats.”
“You’re a good man, Aiden Wood.” Her hand moves to a box of candy hearts. She opens the package, extracting a few of the sugar pieces and reading the message. “This one says hottie. I haven’t called anyone that since Y2K, but it’s fitting. Your turn. Open up, Doc.”
Fuck me.
