Zac chuckled, and the sound was rich and raspy, like warmed body scrub that Tabitha yearned to rub all over herself. “Yes, I have experience with a camera.”
“I’m talking beyond a dick pic.”
“Oh-ho! Look who’s come to play this morning,” he teased right back.
Tabitha shrugged. “We might have differing opinions of experience.”
“Fair enough,” he replied with a lingering chuckle. “While I am guilty of sending . . . intimate images . . . to a few lady friends in the past, willing recipients, might I add, I’m talking about real photography. The kind I can show to anyone without getting arrested.”
The pinch of jealously was an uncomfortable reminder of her attraction to Zac. But she continued to remind herself that he wasn’t for her, and that this article, and in turn her career, were far more important than a fling with her ex. But holy hell the fling would feel great in the moment, if yesterday was any indicator.
“What kinds of things do you like to take pictures of?” But when he opened his mouth, she cut him off by adding, “And I’m not talking boobs.”
“Miss Handcock, what do you take me for?”
“Same as the day I met you, a scoundrel.”
With a hand over his heart and mouth hanging open, his mock offense was cute. But she knew the seducer that lay beneath the playful scamp schtick.
“I happen to be reformed,” he insisted. “And besides, if you’ve paid attention in the OtB office you would have noticed my work. Thank you very much.”
“The photographs in the lobby?” she asked flabbergasted. “You took those?”
“Don’t sound so shocked.”
“Sorry, I’m not trying to be rude, it’s just . . . even Lark was impressed with those.”
“Well, if blondie likes ’em, then I’ll take that as high praise.”
They turned at the base of the wall where a small clearing was carved out in the dirt. Tall trees at the perimeter paired with the astoundingly high granite wall ahead of them gave Tabitha a mild sense of claustrophobia. She craned her head back and looked up the rock face. They should clear the trees by the end of the first pitch, and from there the rest of the climb would be fully exposed to the sun. She pulled out a bottle of waterproof SPF for a final coat before starting the climb.
“Need a hand?” Zac asked as she tried and failed to reach the keyhole detail at the back of her bra-top tank. “I’d hate for you to have a big, sunburned diamond shape between your shoulder blades.”
“I’m fine,” she said primly while also failing to convince herself she didn’t need the help.
“Tabby cat.” He sighed softly. “I’m not trying to cop a feel. Will you please let me help you?”
She really didn’t want that goofy sunburn. She took extreme care preventing sun damage as best she could and it would suck bearing the mark of her own stubbornness for an entire week.
With a sigh, she handed over the little tube. “Would you? Please?”
He could have been sassy about it. Could have declared that he didn’t want to help her anymore. Could have made some comment about how she’d have to beg now that she’d said no. But instead he accepted the sunscreen and tipped his head to indicate she turn around. She obeyed and was rewarded with a strong, warm hand sliding under the back of her top to reach the center, all while the other hand gently held her long ponytail aside. His movements were purposeful, perhaps only lingering a moment, but Tabitha found herself craving more by the time he pulled away.
“That should do it,” he murmured, handing the bottle back to her.
“Thanks.” Tabitha ignored the hammering in her chest.
“Anything, tabby cat. You only have to ask.” He held her captive with the intensity of his brown eyes, twinkling with amber flecks from the sunbeams that the sparse tree limbs had failed to block. His words held so much more meaning than the simple assistance he appeared to offer. She believed him. He would do anything for her.
Thankfully she was strong enough not to ask for an encore of the day before.
“Ready to get to it?” Zac asked as he strode to his pack.
Tabitha nodded and walked toward him.
“Since I leave tomorrow,” she said, reminding herself more than him, “it’s now or never.”
Chapter thirty-seven
