“This isn’t right,” Tate commented. “It’s too boring. Hold on,” he said and pulled out his phone. We all stopped to watch him. He synced his phone with the speakers that were placed in all four corners of the room. We heard the beep as it connected and a few moments later Guns N’ Roses was playing throughout the room. I lit up as I lifted Cara up a little higher and sang the lyrics of ‘Sweet Child O’ Mine’ to her.
Everyone relaxed almost instantly as we started the photoshoot back up, this time with all of my favorite metal bands in our ears.
We posed standing up, sitting down, and laying down in some. The backdrop was just a stark white. The photographer, Molly, assured us that the photos were going to look fantastic with the colors we had picked for our outfits and my makeup.
Both me and Cara went through a half dozen outfit changes. I was worried she’d start to get fussy and shut down but surprisingly she was a happy baby through most of it. We did give her a pacifier halfway through, and by the end of the shoot she was asleep in my arms. Molly made sure to get some pictures of us posed in that position.
“What about you Dad? You want to get in there for some?” she asked. I looked up from Cara and found Tate watching us beside his mom. He raised his eyebrows and pointed to himself.
“Me? I didn’t really plan on it today. I’m not dressed for it.” He pulled on his tight black t-shirt. Molly laughed.
“Honey, with your tattoos you don’t have to be dressed well to look good.”
“I think you’ll look fine, sweetie. Go on, get in there with your wife and daughter,” his mom added. Tate looked at me and I smiled encouragingly. I saw his Adam’s apple dip as he nodded and came forward.
I was sitting, legs folded under me. Tate came and crouched behind us.
“See, you look great all together. Her outfit is perfect.”
I glanced down. I had changed into a black shirt and a green cheetah print skirt that went to my knees. The tattoos on my arms and legs in full view.
“You guys look like you were meant to be together. All those tattoos. I love it. You should be on a magazine cover,” Molly mused as she moved around us, clicking furiously. “Can you guys stand up?”
We did as asked, and she took a few more. She then paused and looked up us.
“One last small round. Tate, take off your shirt. Jimmy let him hold Cara.”
Tate laughed as he slid his shirt off in one quick move.
“Ugh, I love a man with ink,” Molly sighed.
“Hey now, that’s my baby boy,” Gabby laughed. Molly waved her off like a fly.
“Oh hush. I can appreciate a good-looking man without wanting him. I like my men dark and usually in sets of three’s.”
“I know, I’ve been on set with you.” The two older women erupted into laughter and it hit me what they were talking about. Molly was an adult film star, just like Gabby. We let them have their little joke before continuing the shoot.
Shirtless Tate took his sleeping daughter in his arms and together they took a few photos. They looked absolutely adorable together. I couldn’t wait to see the pictures in print. I wanted them hung all over my apartment. Moments later Molly called it a wrap and we finished.
Cole and his assistant came forward and told us that they were excited and confident that Tate’s reputation was still intact.
“There’s no way they can spin the incident badly after seeing you guys together.”
We all left the studio room, dropping Cara off in her nursery to continue her nap. The others were already downstairs when we left her room. Tate took my hand and we went to join them.
“Molly and I are going to have dinner here tonight. Are you two going to join us? Your dad won’t be home until late,” she explained. I looked up at Tate expectantly. Dinner didn’t sound too bad. The Whitlock’s had a fantastic chef. I squeezed his hand to indicate that I’d be down to eat here. Tate shook his head and looked over at his mom and Molly.
“We’ve actually got an anniversary of sorts to celebrate tonight.”
“Oh? Do you two want some time alone? I would love to have Cara for the night. She’s such a perfect baby,” she told Molly. Molly agreed with her.
“Would you? Thanks Mom.”
“Of course. You two go, celebrate whatever it is you two are celebrating.” She winked at me and I flushed.
“Mom, no. Gross, stop.”
The three of us giggled as Tate’s cheeks turned pink. He took a step towards the front door, holding my hand tightly. I followed him, waving goodbye to the pair of old friends.
“We’ll be back in the morning. Call me if you need to,” Tate tossed over his shoulder.
“Sounds like they’ll be making their own tape tonight,” I heard Molly say to Gabby. They both erupted into a fit of giggles as Tate sped up, practically dragging me behind him. We exited the large home and hurried to his car. He didn’t speak until we were inside and the doors were closed.
“Why are you freaking out? Where are you taking me? What exactly do you have planned?” I laughed. He leaned across the center counsel and held my face in his hands. His green eyes were alight with something I couldn’t describe. His lips turned up on one side, making my heart skip a beat and my stomach churn with excitement. I moved forward an inch and he smoothly bridged that gap, engulfing me in an earth-shattering kiss. My lips parted to let him in. I was left gasping for air when he pulled away and started the car.
“I was freaking out,” he started, and he pulled out of the driveway before continuing. We got onto the road and he looked over at me. The cockiest look on his face made my entire body pulse with an eagerness only Tate could create within me. He bit his lip and smiled. “Because wearemaking a tape tonight.”
