by M. Clarke
I jabbed his chest with my index finger. “Slow.”
He nodded with understanding.
Logan wasn’t the only one who got compliments.
“Nathan. You’re the sexiest man alive,” a female hollered.
“Sexiest Couple Alive. Nathan and Olivia. We’re your number one fans.”
Then the male fans shouted proposals to Olivia and me. We brushed it off, giving them no response, as we were instructed. Thankfully, we didn’t have to call the police again, but we did have security stationed throughout.
Tom adjusted his camera and spat out directions to the lighting crew. They shifted some equipment that didn’t shine lights but instead took away the brightness. Tom also asked for more security and to push back the tape to create an even wider distance. I hadn’t anticipated the huge crowd. But then again, if I were a tourist or even a local, I would be drawn to sexy-looking people too.
“I’m doing test shots first. Stay still on your mark and face me.” After Tom did his testing, we were set to go.
Chapter 14
Isla
“Nathan, wrap your arm around Olivia and face me,” Tom ordered. “Good. That’s it. Look at me. Both of you make love to the camera. Very good.”
Click! Click! Click!
“Nathan. Olivia. Don’t move. Isla and Logan. Stand next to the sexy couple and match their posture.”
Logan slipped his arm around my waist, pulling me in closer. The warmth of his contact sent pleasant tingles through me. Focus on the camera and not on his bare, ripped chest, Isla. Not how his body is making you feel. I’ve always had my head straight and focused, never feeling all mushy and confused. Then I became aware of the root of my problem. Josh Bennett. After I scolded myself and brushed the thought of him out of my mind, I blocked out the temptation and became professional.
“Closer. Press your bodies closer,” Tom barked.
“I don’t think we can get any closer,” I groaned and blinked from the sun.
“We might as well take off our clothes if he’s asking for anything more,” Logan whispered.
I giggled, my body shaking a little.
“Isla, don’t move. Toss your hair,” Tom snapped. Click! Click! Click!
I did what he said. A job was a job. I wanted to get the pictures done right and get the hell away from Josh, who had been glaring at me or Logan or both. I scowled. Josh should pay attention to something else because he had no right to care. He was making it hard for me to concentrate on my job.
“He’s kind of bossy compared to others I’ve worked with.” Logan’s comment drifted through my mind, lost in the wind.
I didn’t respond, too busy concentrating on Tom’s requests, however ridiculous.
“Good. That’s it, Logan. Twist your shoulder a little bit more. Isla, shove your breast to his chest. Logan, go behind Isla.” Click! Click! Click! “Logan, back away a little. You’re not fucking her.”
I gasped, and Logan’s face flushed as if he had a bad sunburn. I’ve had photographers spit out directions, but Tom out spoke them all. He didn’t care what he said or if he offended anyone. Tom was there to get his shots any way he could.
I giggled, my body shaking lightly, and then I couldn’t stop. Nathan, Olivia, and Logan joined me in my concert of giggles. Thankfully, Tom was looking through the pictures he had taken, so we had a mini break.
“Tom is rude, but it’s kind of funny.” My giggles lingered.
“I agree with you one hundred percent,” Logan said, his eyes on Tom, waiting for his torrent of demands.
And then they came.
“Okay, face the other way.” Tom positioned his camera. “We’re doing back to back. Then I’ll need to get closer to the water.”
After an hour, the other group switched places. I was grateful Josh ended up with the second group. To be polite, we exchanged a smile when we made eye contact, but other than that, I tried to avoid him. I knew he had things to tell me, but we needed to be professional, and keeping away from each other would help. We took an hour break for the catered lunch and waited for our next instructions.
“Hey.” Mia smacked my arm. “Oh my God. Is that Matthew and Max Knight? Cause if I’m right, they’re wearing swim trunks and no shirts, and they’re heading our way.” She jolted up, fanning her face with her hand. Everyone gathered around us with wide grins, waiting for the two figures.
“Isla.” Matthew shook my hand, and then his brother Max shook it. They took turns greeting everyone. I tried desperately not to stare at their hard-defined, sculptured chests, but Lord have mercy, did they come to punish us? They needed to put on shirts. The ladies behind the yellow tape couldn’t stop taking pictures and asking for autographs, but the Knight brothers ignored their pleas.
“Everything going smoothly so far?” Max asked as we stood around him. Though they wore sunglasses, I recognized Max’s darker hair.
“Yes.” I thought I answered, trying to meet his gaze through the heavily tinted sunglasses.
“Yes. We’re taking a break. The lunch was excellent, Mr. Knight.” Avery stepped beside me, casually bumping me to get in front. That sly whore. I cracked up inside.
“What brings you here besides your family vacation and our swimwear shooting?” Carter asked.
Max rubbed the back of his neck, and his lips curled deliciously. “Actually, Matthew and I will be doing a photo shoot for a different magazine.”
“Really?” Logan inquired.
“It sounds out of character for us, but Max and I decided it was good for our Knight Fashion line,” Matthew explained. “The article will be published worldwide. Your swimsuit photos will also be included.”
Mia clapped her hands together. “That’s wonderful. I can’t wait to see it.”
“So does that mean you’ll be doing this session with us?” Carter asked.
“That’s why we’re here.” Max grinned. He peered over Carter. “Tom. Let’s get this started. Both of the Mrs. Knights want us back promptly.”
Carter turned his back on Max and Matthew, but I caught a glimpse of his blush.
For the eight of us, shooting with the Knight brothers would be in our memory history forever. We watched in delight as Max and Matthew took individual shots, and then we took a group picture, Max and Matthew situated in the center. And then the brothers took pictures with the women models surrounding them, and then a separate pose with the male models adjacent to them in a line—definitely the highlight of our trip.
Surprisingly, Tom’s mouth stayed PG and sounded less hurried and more patient. Of course he would. The Knight brothers were paying him. After the brothers left, leaving us hot and bothered … well, leaving Carter, Avery, Mia, Olivia, and me a tad sweaty, Tom told us to switch partners. I prayed I wouldn’t have Josh. My prayer didn’t get answered.
“Closer, Josh. Put your back hand lower,” Tom barked. “I’m not asking you to grab her ass. But I can see your elbow.” I cursed God for not listening.
Apparently my friends and I weren’t the only ones hot and bothered. Josh seemed uncomfortable, unable to focus. With his hands on my bare skin and my front pressed to his chest, desire flared everywhere, to every nerve ending in my body. My mind whirled with the scent of his cologne, taking me back to the night when we first kissed and his tongue devouring me. Oh dear God. No amount of the cool breeze could burn off the flaming heat.
“That’s much better.” Tom clicked away, his eyes disappearing behind the lenses.
The tighter our bodies aligned, the harder and faster my breaths came.
“Raise your leg to Josh, bend your knee, Isla, and look at him. Josh, you make sure to hold onto her leg, or she’ll fall on her ass. I don’t understand why you have to put on those ridiculous high heels. We’re at the beach, for Christ’s sake.”
Carter, partnered with Avery three feet from where we posed, busted out laughing. I almost did too, and so did Josh. Biting his bottom lip, he desperately held his laugh in. Grumpy Tom glared at us.
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“What’s so funny, Carter?” Tom spat.
“Nothing, Tom. Avery is tickling me.”
Avery slapped Carter’s arm. “Shut up. I am not.”
“How old are you? Twelve? Grow up,” Tom grunted.
I closed my eyes and giggled softly, holding in as much as I could. Tom acted like a dick, but it was hilarious. He wasn’t rude to a particular person, and for that reason alone I cracked up many times. It shouldn’t be funny, but his reprimands and then encouragement was like an oxymoron.
Tom shifted his attention to me and directed everyone. “Isla. I don’t have all day. Lift up your leg like a dog taking a piss. Right now.”
I did as he told me, but my body shook a little from holding in the giggles. Josh making a goofy face didn’t help the situation either.
“Stop it,” I whispered sharply. “You’re going to get me in trouble.”
“You’re already in trouble, Isla, with me. Why are you ignoring me?”
When Josh slipped his hand under my bent knee as instructed, electric tingles shot through my veins. And my mind went to the naughty place as I imagined him fucking me in that position on his bed.
“I’m not ignoring you.” I smiled at him so Tom could get a shot, even though I wanted to either kiss Josh or punch his face for not telling me the truth. The fact that he thought I wasn’t strong enough to hear the truth about him seeing someone drove me to another level of hurt and anger.
“Good,” Tom roared with exhilaration. “That was perfect. I like you two paired up. You’re natural together. Look at me. Good. Now to each other.”
As Tom clicked, I locked eyes with Josh. Sparks flew, glistening like the sunlight bouncing on the ocean water. I buried our attraction in the sand, and anger resurfaced.
Josh’s jaw clenched, his muscles hard on his face. “So is Logan your new best friend now?”
“What?” My eyes narrowed, my pitch higher than I had intended. Crap!
“Is everything okay?” Tom’s tone was so soft and caring. I almost laughed at his odd personality, shouting at us one second and then showing praise or concern the next.
“Yes. Sorry.” I brushed my hair back. A rush of wind tousled my hair. Giving Josh a death-stare warning, I regained my composure. It was my turn. Petty and childish of me, but I wanted to say my piece. So I waited patiently for my opportunity.
“No problem, Isla. Let’s do another pose. Put your hands through Josh’s hair from behind, drape the other hand on his chest, and lean into him.”
I did as told and relaxed my body into his. Josh heaved out air, my hand moving with his breath. His heart hammering faster from my touch made me smile. I affected him too.
“So, who’s Shelly? Your new best friend?” I seethed, venom in my tone.
Josh’s muscles tensed. His hand on me tightened. “You have it wrong, Isla. There’s more to this story than you think. I’ll explain everything when you and I have time alone. But I’m not going to tell you anything until you answer my question.”
“Stop talking, you two,” Tom stressed, coming closer and then moving back to get different angles. “I need more smiles not frowns. Where’s your professionalism?”
I ignored Tom’s comment. “You’re not being fair, Josh.” Josh’s head jerked back when I yanked at his hair from the back where my hand still remained.
Josh growled. “Why don’t you pull harder if it’s going to help you get your anger out of your system?”
My whole body burned in rage. “Anger out of my system? How about yours?” I did what he suggested.
“Ouch.” Josh whipped around and picked me up, tossing me over his shoulder.
“Put me down, you beast,” I yelled.
“Are you done, Tom? Cause we’re really tired, and I think you’ve got all the shots you need. Besides, this one here needs to cool down.”
From upside down, Tom looked dumbfounded. “Um … sure. I’ll move on to the next models.”
For the first time, I wanted Tom to be an ass and tell Josh to stay put, but Tom complied. He fuckin’ complied, leaving me baffled.
“Put me down, Josh Bennett. Right now.” My voice became lost to the breeze as my hair whipped around my face, covering it completely. I had no idea the direction Josh was taking us. I assumed near the canopy. I assumed wrong. Josh kept walking, my body bopping to the rhythm of his steps across the sand, moving away from the canopy, moving to the … oh no, he wouldn’t. Shit!
I smacked his ass. “Where are you going?” Stupid question. I knew where he was going. “I demand you put me down.”
“No can do.” Josh smacked my ass in return. “And that’s what you get for smacking my ass first.”
Oh my God. He smacked my ass? It turned me on, but more than that, it made me furious. “You’re a big baby, you know that? Just tell me—what the hell is your problem?” I couldn’t stop. I rambled on and on, and damn did it feel so good to let it out. And I became braver when I didn’t have to spew out my anger face to face. My emotions and words poured like a broken faucet. “Why are there so many secrets about you? I’m supposed to be your best friend, and yet you act like I’m an acquaintance. You’re an ass, Josh. Friendship is not a one-way street. You can’t just expect me to give and give. Sometimes you need to give a little of yourself too. You need to trust me. Let me in.”
I stopped talking, my head spinning from the blood rushing down my head. Water splashed as Josh kicked up his feet to reach deeper and deeper. Holy shit! There was no stopping him.
“Josh!” I screamed from the shock of the cold water when he placed me down. We stood in knee high water, my eyes throwing daggers at him. My chest heaved up and down to the motion of the waves. And then I shoved him hard. Josh moved a step behind, but I dropped to my ass from the intensity of the impact and dunked under water.
“Isla.”
I got up and whipped the salty water off my stinging eyes. “You’re an ass. Why did you bring me out here?” I started to punch his chest.
Josh seized both of my hands and wrapped them behind me. “Stop it, Isla. You’re acting like a spoiled brat.”
My mouth hung open so long a bee could’ve flown in, and no words came out. I’d acted immaturely, but I couldn’t help myself. Josh dragging me out into the ocean fueled more fire to the already burning fire pit.
“I’m not acting like a child!” I lowered my tone to a softer one when I realized our bodies were pressed together, and though we wore swimwear, too much flesh touched.
“Fine. Then we’re acting like children. I brought you here so we could both cool down.”
“We?” I roared. “You mean you, not me.”
“I understand you want some questions answered, and I’m going to give them to you right now, but you have to calm down.”
I pushed him away and paced, trying to tame my anger. The refreshing water helped, no longer cold after I went under, but … I couldn’t. Ugh! I started to kick the water and smack it toward Josh. I wanted to hurt him, punch him, and at the same time, I wanted to kiss him. My emotions whirled, exploding inside me. And I had no clue what to do.
“Stop, Isla.”
It felt so good to let out all my frustration that I ignored him and continued to pummel the water.
Josh lifted his arm to his face. “I’m warning you. You’re going to get what’s coming to you.”
Swoosh. Swoosh. Swoosh. My arms and legs spun, rotated, and I became a water weapon.
“That’s it,” Josh growled.
Those were the last words I heard before Josh tackled me.
Chapter 15
Josh
Anger and jealousy brewed in the space between Isla and me while we posed at the photo shoot together. Though Tom kept his camera on us, Isla and I managed to remain professional until we started to argue. At that point, my pent-up frustration for the entire week detonated. Partly, the tension was my fault. My emotions were all over the place between trying to figure out the kind of relationship I wanted with I
sla and finding out I had a daughter. Worse, when Isla started to pay more attention to Logan, it felt like I could lose her all around. I lost my shit.
Seemed like Isla had some emotion she needed to let out too. At first I chuckled inwardly as she splashed, finding it cute how she acted like a stubborn, pouting child. But then she wouldn’t stop. I worried she would make a fool of herself in front of strangers. So I did what I thought was best, and I also wanted a little revenge of my own in a fun way. I tackled her.
“Josh!” Isla screamed when her head popped out of the water.
I anchored myself over her and cradled her head in my hands to give her enough room to breathe. To shut her up, I dove in to take her lips. At first she seemed hesitant, but when I pressed my body to hers and kissed her deeper, she reciprocated.
Isla’s salty lips tasted so divine and so fuckin’ delicious. I sucked all the salt off those lips as my hand trailed over her breast and down to her ass. She moaned at my touch, moving her hands down the length of my chest and then to my ass. Fuck! I wanted more than anything to take her. Right there. My body colliding with hers perfectly didn’t help my lust or my dick.
We kissed, sucked, and tasted, our hands unable to stop until our passion flared hot enough to boil the ocean water. My mind and body recalled the first night we had kissed, and it wanted that feeling back. Urgently.
“We need to fuck. Shit. I meant we need to talk,” I murmured between devouring her lips.
“We do?” she asked, panting, moaning. “I mean, we do.”
“I think we need to stop.” My hands wouldn’t listen to my brain. They loved touching Isla, the feel of her as the ocean water waved over and around us with erotic strokes, undoing me even more. Damn, I wished we were on a private island. I would make love to her out in the open air.
“Look, Mommy. What are they doing?”
A child’s voice smacked me alert, and I thought of Emma. I froze, unable to turn to the source of the voice. Isla and I locked eyes, panting in unison, and then recognition took hold. We finally had a hold of our minds and realized what we were doing.