Total pages in book: 141
Estimated words: 128313 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 642(@200wpm)___ 513(@250wpm)___ 428(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 128313 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 642(@200wpm)___ 513(@250wpm)___ 428(@300wpm)
Sage growled.
It was gonna be a long day.
I told myself I’d never think modeling was an easy job again. Nine hours in and a billion outfit changes later, every muscle was screaming more than it ever had sitting in a saddle. My cheeks ached from smiling, and I wasn’t sure how I’d ride Hux tomorrow for the action shots.
Sarah refreshed my makeup for the billionth time while Jamie fluffed Sage’s hair and added another squirt of hair spray. Even Atticus’s never-ending energy seemed to be waning. He and Sage seemed to have agreed on a temporary ceasefire to their incessant bickering a couple of hours ago when we’d all begun to flag.
“Almost done,” Marco said, ticking something off his clipboard. It looked to be near the bottom of his list, which made me beyond relieved.
We crawled up from the break section sofas and posed one more time. This time it was just me and Sage. Atticus was excluded from this shot, as we were dressed in the Team USA KE apparel. We weren’t Team USA members yet, but as Americans, it made more sense to model those outfits. Atticus already rode for Team GB, another notch on Sage’s rivalry checklist.
“I think that’s it,” Steve, the photographer, said.
I exhaled a long, relieved breath, when a voice from the back said, “No. I want Hallie on her own again.”
I squinted over the studio lights to a dark corner. But I didn’t need to see into that darkness to know who was there.
How long has he been watching?
Jasper stepped forward into the light. He’d lost his gilet and was in his jeans and plaid shirt, his sleeves rolled up to the elbows, showcasing his muscled forearms. That sight shouldn’t have been as hot as it was.
Everyone in the room locked in on his commanding presence. He had an aura about him that made everyone stand up and listen. Marco cleared his throat, obviously intimidated. “We have gone through all the listed shots, sir,” he said nervously.
Jasper still hadn’t removed his piercing stare from me. I felt flushed and wasn’t sure if it was the heat of the lights or his attention. My heart kicked into a sprint, and I breathed slowly to try to calm it down. “I want single shots of Hallie,” he said, his voice brooking no argument.
Marco went a little pale as he said, “We only have Steve booked for the day and his hours are pretty much done.”
Jasper turned to Steve. “I’ll pay you double if you stay.”
Steve looked elated. “I can stay.”
“The car is outside for Hallie and Sage. To take them home,” Marco said, almost apologetically. “The driver can’t wait, as he has another booking tonight for a nearby wedding.”
Sage opened her mouth to say something when Jasper beat her to it and said, “I’ll take Hallie home. Sage can leave now as scheduled.”
My heart practically lurched out of my chest as he said that. Jasper’s arms were crossed over his chest and his jaw clenched, as if he was internally warring with himself over his out-of-the-blue offer. I’d noticed around me, his hands tended to tighten into fists. As though he fought himself about any interaction with me. Was he feeling similar feelings to me? At times, I thought I saw heat in his stare, but . . .
No. I couldn’t go there.
“Great!” Sage said overbrightly. I snapped my head to my best friend to find her grinning like the Cheshire cat. She squeezed my arm. “I’m wiped, Hals. You stay and get the extra shots, and Jasper can take you home when you’re done.” She discreetly winked at me.
I was going to kill her. I was actually going to murder my best friend.
“You can catch a ride with me, Miller. I have my car here too,” Atticus said.
Sage patted him on his hard chest as she passed him. “I’d rather eat a bowl full of horse shit than ride with you, darlin’, but thanks for the offer!” Sage left to get changed. Atticus watched her go, molten lava in his eyes.
“Catch you at home, Jas,” Atticus said with a wave, and made his exit too.
Then it was just the few of us left. My head was spinning. I stayed rooted to the spot, no idea what to do. I can do this, I told myself. Just get the shots and get home. He’s your boss. That’s it. This is just work. There’s nothing more to it.
Marco went to Jasper, and I heard him say, “What shot are you wanting to get, sir?”
“The main campaign shot,” Jasper said after a few silent seconds’ pause, and my eyes snapped to his. The main campaign? As in the lead shot that would be on billboards and magazines. On my own? I’d understood it would have been the three of us for the main shot when we were briefed.