The photographer calls for everyone to come up, and soon, I’m joined by two women and three men. We are all posing for pictures, doing what we’re told.
This is all second nature for me, so I do what is asked, but all the while, my mind wanders to last night and this morning.
Dillon slept in my bed all night long. It was innocent, nothing happened, even though a part of me wished it would.
This morning, Dillon cooked me a huge breakfast, and even though I knew I shouldn’t eat it since I would be bloated, I ate anyway. Hell, I would have done anything to get that worried look off Dillon’s face.
Another thirty minutes go by, and the photographer finally comes forward. “Okay, I think we got it. Great job, everyone.”
I hug the other models and then I walk off the staging area to Dillon. He has a soft smile on his face. “You did good.”
I tilt my head to the side. “You think so? At one time I thought I heard you grumbling over here.”
He nods, looking at me intently. “I was. I don’t like other men touching you.”
My eyebrows lift. “Why?”
He takes a step toward me and puts his hand to my cheek. “I think you know why.”
My heart skips a beat. “You want me?”
He nods. “I do.”
I search his eyes, waiting for him to tell me that we can’t be together or some other excuse, but he says nothing. “And?” I ask him.
He looks over my head. “What do you say we get out of here and talk about it.”
“Okay. I’m going to get changed. I’ll be right back.”
He follows me to the dressing room. He looks inside, and when he finds it empty and safe, he waves for me to come in.Sometimes I think he’s overcautious, but after last night, I can appreciate how protective he is.
I change into my regular clothes, hanging up the outfit I had on.
After getting ready, I walk out of the room to find Dillon in the same spot I left him in. “Well…”
He puts his hand out, palm up, and I’m not sure which one of us is more surprised. I gently put my hand into his, and his fingers wrap around mine.
We’ve held hands before, but this time feels different. He guides me through the building and toward the exit.
“Where are we going?”
“To North Carolina.”
I stop walking. “To North Carolina? My next event is tomorrow in Valor Springs.”
He puts his hands on my shoulders. “I need to tell you something. I moved some of your shoots and cancelled one of your events.”
I shake my head. “You had no right to do that.”
He nods. “I know I didn’t. It was after you passed out. I’ve seen how hard you’ve been pushing yourself. You need to take a break.”
I put my hands on my hips angrily. “Dillon, you had no right.” I shove my finger to my chest. “I may only be twenty-three years old, but you can’t just tell me what I can and can’t do. You can’t cancel meetings or…”
He blows out a breath. “I know. I was wrong, and I fucked up.”
I open my mouth to yell at him some more, but seeing the regret on his face has me snapping my mouth closed. I shake my head and pull from his hold, putting some distance between us. “Why? Why did you completely rearrange my schedule?”
He stares at me with a worried look. “Because yesterday scared the fuck out of me.”
