to laugh. “Come on. You looked so cute. I couldn’t resist.” He strode over to me, picked me up so that he could sit down, and set me on his lap.
“You’d better hope no one else took a screenshot of that.”
He kissed my neck. “Or what?” He kissed it again and sucked on my skin.
A shiver went through me. “Stop trying to distract me.”
He cupped the other side of my face and drew me closer as he pulled the top of my shirt off my shoulder. “I can’t help it. You taste so good.” More kissing and sucking and licking ensued.
“You’re too good at that,” I whined but didn’t stop him because I loved when he kissed and touched me.
“Let’s get naked.”
“No way.”
He pulled back to look at me. “What do you mean, no way?”
“That’s your punishment.”
His brow furrowed. “You’re not really mad, are you? That wasn’t my intention.”
I ran my fingers through his hair. “No, I’m not really mad. A little embarrassed but not mad.”
“I’m sorry, sexy.”
I kissed him. “Apology accepted.”
He grinned, and I knew he was going to kiss my neck again.
“Who was on the phone?” I quickly asked before he could make his move.
“Do you know who Robert Hahn is?”
“Does a bear shit in the woods? Of course I know who he is.”
“That was him on the phone. He asked if I would fly out to do a photo shoot.”
My mouth dropped open. “Shut up. That is awesome.”
Travis grinned. “I take it, you’re a fan?”
“Yes. He takes stunning photos. I love his work.”
TRAVIS
I was overcome by the joy in Sydney’s face that I opened my mouth and said, “Do you want to come with and watch?” before I actually thought about what I said. I usually had a better brain-to-mouth filter.
But, when she jumped off my lap and shouted, “Are you fricking kidding me? I will clear my calendar to go with you. I don’t care if it’s someone’s wedding. I will be there,” I really couldn’t regret asking her.
I laughed. “Okay then. I’ll make sure to book you a ticket.”
“Ooh, we’re flying? Where are we going? California? Florida? New York?”
I laughed. “Sorry to burst your bubble. We’re going to Denver.”
“Colorado? I guess that works.” She sat back down in my lap and threw her arms around me. “I’m still excited. Thank you for asking me.”
I squeezed her tight. “You’re welcome. But you’re going to have to put up with me while I prepare for my shoot.”
Sydney leaned back. “What does that mean?”
“Working out every day for longer than I do now. And eating a lot of boring food. No cheat days from now until then.”
She ran her hands over my chest and stomach. “I think you look great now, but I understand. When is then?”
“The end of July.” It was June, so I had a little over a month to prepare.
“I’ll make sure and eat the yummy food for you.”
I chuckled. “Thanks.”
“I can’t wait. It’ll be fun.”
I hoped so.
Later, as Sydney lay beside me, fast asleep, I couldn’t help but remember the last time I’d let someone I dated go with me. I really hated how my mind always went back to the time I’d dated Christy, but I’d been told it was natural since we’d dated for some time. She’d obviously left an impact on me.
I’d taken my ex to a local photo shoot, thinking she would have fun and enjoy watching me work. She pouted and acted bored the whole time I took my solo shots. And then, when I teamed up with another model to take a couple of pictures, Christy freaked out. She yelled at the photographer for even suggesting I pose with someone. And then she yelled at me for not refusing to do the couple photos. The photographer ended up kicking her out, and I had been embarrassed and felt guilty for bringing her along.
Later, after the shoot was over, Christy apologized. She explained that she had been jealous. I understood where she was coming from. Everyone got jealous of something or someone sometime. It was a natural human emotion, and emotions couldn’t be controlled. Otherwise, everyone would be happy all the time. But what Christy had chosen to do with that emotion was something she could have controlled.
So far, Sydney had been nothing but supportive of my career. Maybe because, as an author, she understood the business a little. But, more likely, it was because she was a completely different person than Christy.
I rolled over and gently pulled Sydney