Kai’s arm slides around my waist, not my shoulders. His hand settles on my hip. He draws me into his side until there’s no space left to pretend I’m unaffected. The solid heat of him at my flank turns my thoughts soft.
“Like this?” His voice drops low, meant for me, not the audience.
“Good start,” Hazel says, snapping a photo. “Carter, get in there.”
Carter steps in close behind me, all broad chest, his presence filling the air at my back. His hand finds my other hip, fingers spreading like he’s claiming a right to the shape of me, and suddenly I’m held between them. Framed. Pinned in the sweetest way.
I’m breathless.
“How’s this?” Carter asks, his mouth near my ear, his breath warm where my skin is already too sensitive.
“Perfect,” Hazel chirps, snapping another shot. “Now let’s try something more… intimate.”
“Intimate?” My voice comes out rougher than I want.
“Trust me,” she says, grinning behind the camera. “Kai, put your hand on her stomach. Carter, lean in like you’re about to tell her a secret.”
They do it without hesitation.
Kai’s palm presses flat to my belly, warm through my shirt, steadying me and undoing me in the same breath. Carter leans closer, the brush of him almost a touch, almost a kiss, and thenot quiteis what makes my knees threaten treason.
“You smell incredible,” Carter murmurs, so soft it feels like he’s speaking directly into my bloodstream.
I inhale, then forget what I meant to do with the air.
“Good,” Hazel calls. “Now Kai, turn her toward you. Carter, stay close behind her.”
Kai’s hands guide me, slow and deliberate, until I’m facing him. His gaze locks on mine, pale gray and intent, like he’s taking count of every reaction I’m failing to hide. Carter stays right there, chest to my back, crowding my space in a way that makes me feel sheltered and owned at the same time.
Kai’s thumb strokes my hip. “You’re blushing.”
“Just feeling hot,” I answer.
Carter’s quiet laugh ghosts my ear. “You are.”
Kai’s smile turns sharp, satisfied. “We should do this more often.”
“Keep talking like that and I’ll step on your foot,” I assure him out loud.
“Promises, promises.”
Hazel snaps photo after photo as we cycle through poses—Kai dipping me slightly while Carter steadies my shoulders, both of them leaning in like they’re about to kiss my cheeks, Carter lifting me off the ground while Kai pretends to be jealous. Each position presses me closer to one or both of them, and by the time Hazel calls for a break, I’m flushed and breathless and my heart is doing things it absolutely should not be doing.
“That’s perfect,” Hazel announces. “Don, Connor,that’sthe energy we need. Make every fan feel like the most important person in the world.”
The guys nod, looking slightly intimidated.
“All right.” Hazel checks her phone. “We’re about to open. June, help me with something in back.”
I follow her behind the backdrop, still overheated, still trying to pretend I’m normal. The second we’re out of sight, Hazel grabs my arm.
I huff out a laugh. “What now? You want to take another hundred photos? Maybe keep going until my face freezes like this?”
Hazel’s grin goes bright. “Oh my God. June,” she whispers, urgent. “June.”
“What?” I say, glancing toward the front like someone might be listening.
“You were glowing out there,” she says. “I’ve never seen you like that.”
