Page 102 of Honest With You

“I really should go down there and remind them to be professional.”

I huff out a breath, ready to march over when Jesse grabs hold of my elbow and expertly twirls me around so my back is to the pissing contest happening on the dock between Andrew and Chuck.

“Nah. It’s helpless.” He looks over my shoulder with a grin while he keeps me steady, his hand on my back not letting me look back. “He’s just doing that because he knows it gets under Chuck Assner’s skin.”

My head tilts back in his direction and I raise an eyebrow at him.

“Maybe it’s you that needs reminding. It’s LASSNER.”

He smirks. “That’s what I said.”

My eyes narrow at his sarcasm. “What’s your problem with him?’

“He has a tendency to claim what isn’t his, Ava.”

I roll my eyes, muttering. “What does that even mean?”

Jesse leans over, his eyes trailing down to me.

“It means he happened to mention that you two dated.” His breath skims over my ear and I suppress a shiver.

Scoffing, I wave my hand in dismissal. “I wouldn’t call it dating.”

We had one night out and spent half the time drafting a contract between TEG and Lasso Talents.

Apparently that was the wrong thing to say. Jesse’s eyes darken, his gaze on my lips as he glowers down at me.

He puts me off balance when he takes a step closer to me, and I grab his sleeve to steady myself. The corner of his mouth curls as his hand trails the curve of my waist and he leans over to whisper, his voice rasp with need and longing.

“Hold on tight, spider monkey. I’m not letting you go this time.”

A memory flashes in my brain: the day we made it official between us. Heat curls low in my belly, making my skin pebble as every single moment together plays like a movie in my head.

I’m so lost in them that it takes me a moment to realize that Jesse has walked away and is standing with Andrew, who has retaken his position next to the monitors again and the shot has already been called out.

I press my hands to my flaming cheeks before I turn to join them just as Andrew calls action.

* * *

I tuck the polaroid in the sleeve, hanging my camera around my neck. I spin around in a circle, taking in the scenic view.

"You know, I've never been here. I’ve only seen it in pictures but wow, they never did this place justice. I can't believe how beautiful it is up here."

"Yeah..." Jesse murmurs. "Truly beautiful."

I look over my shoulder at him, stopping in the middle of the Cabrillo bridge. He's stopped a few feet away. His jaw is slack, his eyes dancing with mirth but he's not looking at the view. He's looking at me the way he used to look at me all those years ago. I’m not sure what shifted between us or when it happened but right after the shoot, he hasn’t let me out of his sight. Even after I told him I wanted to visit the location to take some test shots, insisting on chauffeuring me around. He’s also taken every opportunity to tease and touch me.

I flush and before I can give him the satisfaction of seeing me blush, I turn to the bridge and lean over it as I take in what will be the backdrop of the cover art for Mickayla’s single.

I gasp when I feel his arms wind their way around my waist and he pulls me flush against his chest with a frustrated grunt.

"Careful. I lost you once. I'm not about to do that again."

I suck in a breath as he slowly turns me in his arms. Somehow, my hands find their way to his chest.

His hand comes up, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear, almost reverent in his touch.

We stare at each other for a moment before his whisper dances on my skin. His words are filled with longing and pain.

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