Picture Perfect Temptation - Chapter 3
RJ Gold eyed Lina questioningly. Or was he considering Carver’s idea to put her in the photo shoot? Carver couldn’t tell what the guy’s furrowed brow meant, and while focusing on this job and the future opportunities it could provide should’ve been his priority at the moment, it wasn’t. Not taking advantage of this moment to be with Lina was.
“She’s the message you want to convey,” Carver continued, glancing at RJ and then back to Lina. RJ Gold—or Ronald Jr.—was next in line at RGF, though his father, Ron Gold, was currently CEO. Being the right-hand man in the family business had undoubtedly created the arrogant swagger RJ had entered the studio with a few hours ago. The guy was everything Carver expected and despised in a rich city suit, but he was also smart, so Carver continued with his impromptu pitch.
“Everything you want these photos to say is standing right here.” With an open hand, he extended his arm in Lina’s direction as if presenting her to an audience.
“No,” she replied, looking from Carver to Gold and then back to him again. “I’m not a model.” With her brow arched and that instant edge to her tone, she stared at him as if he should’ve known that.
“You could’ve fooled me.” Carver grinned. He could take pictures of her all day. The way her amber eyes sparkled when she smiled and the riot of sandy-brown curls that fell to her shoulders were only part of the tug he’d always felt toward her.
She was shaking her head when Gold said, “He’s right. You should be in the shoot.” The words weren’t spoken as a compliment but more like an authoritative statement—which didn’t matter to Carver either way.
“No,” Lina whispered, her eyes still wide with shock. “I can’t work with him.”
*
Not Carver. Please, don’t let it be Carver.
Lina prayed with her eyes shut just like she’d been taught to do, but seconds later when she opened them, Carver—the guy who’d witnessed one of the most embarrassing moments of her life—was still in front of her, staring down at his camera.
“You ready?” he asked when he looked up a few seconds later.
He’d filled out more. The tall, athletically built body she recalled from high school now looked as if it’d benefited from lots of time at the gym. He had a goatee now, and he’d let his curly black hair grow about an inch. The dark, jagged scar above his right eyebrow still marred his almond-toned skin. What shocked her most about his new grown-up appearance, though, was the unmistakable flush of heat that filled her. Carver looked good. From his hands to the curve of his lips as he smiled at her, she couldn’t help but wonder how he’d feel against her.
“No,” she snapped and then inhaled deeply. Exhaled slowly. “I mean, sure. Let’s get this over with.”