“A guy can do whatever he wants.” I placed my hand on my hip, popping it out to the side. “But you’re not usually in Appleridge. What kind of photo are you looking for?”
“Just a head shot, you know the standard package or whatever.” Zion grinned and his intense gaze bore into me. “I’m home for the holidays. Actually, it might be a little longer than that.”
My heart picked up speed. “Oh yeah? How long?”
“Forever.”
My eyes caught his and all the air rushed from my lungs. “What?” I choked out.
“Yeah. It seems there’s some business I needed to take care of. I was also offered a steady job with a plumbing company in town with a package of benefits too good to turn down.”
My insides went haywire.
He was here for good?
How was this happening?
He hadn’t lived in Appleridge in a few years, moving away for a job and plumbing classes at a local trade school. He visited, sure, but I barely saw him.
My love for him never stopped, though.
It kept beating his name, day after day, night after night.
There had always been something between us. A spark we never acted on, unspoken words, and hidden feelings.
So to find out he was back…
“Wow. That’s great, Zion. I’m happy for you. I’m surprised April didn’t tell me.”
“I told her not to.”
He stood beside me now, so close I could touch him if I wanted. I could feel his warmth, and breath in his scent, woodsy, musky, with a small hint of mint.
“Why not? You wanted to surprise me here?” I let out a soft, anxious chuckle.
“Sort of.”
I couldn’t do this. I couldn’t play these mind games.
“I’m glad to see you back home. Why don’t you go sit on the stool and we’ll start with some head shots?” I said, hoping to ignore the building sexual tension.
Nothing could happen between us. Nothing.
It would never be worth risking my friendship to April.
Hence why being around him became increasingly difficult. When he left town, I was devastated yet relieved at the same time, hoping my desire for him would wane.
But it never did. It only got less intense.
Until now.
Zion did as I asked, taking a seat on the stool and turning to face me. The air around me eased slightly. But not enough, my breathing still tight.
His effect on me was uncanny. And it drove me fucking wild. In both good and bad ways.
We’d never confessed our feelings to each other. Hell, I still didn’t know if he liked me. Nor had I ever told anyone how I really felt about him.
I focused the camera, busying myself with it like I needed to change a ton of settings when in reality, it was ready to go.
