6. Chapter Six
Chapter Six
The park buzzes with life as the photoshoot takes place.
The sun dips low, casting a golden glow across the sprawling green grass, and a faint breeze dances through the trees, rustling leaves and giving the new sportswear worn by the models a natural motion.
The models are scattered everywhere in different scenarios. A few are on a running track, a couple more on a basketball court, while the rest strike poses with the props we’ve provided for them, such as dumbbells, yoga mats, and bikes.
The park setting was Hailey’s idea and even though I won’t tell her, it turned out to be a pretty great idea.
From the scattered joggers to the kids playing nearby, their laughter punctuating the stillness between shots, the entire scene screams liveliness and I’m almost tempted to join in on the fun.
“I think we should take a couple more shots!” I hear Hailey say from a distance.
She’s standing next to one of the team of photographers taking shots of a model stretched by a graffiti-covered wall.
The model is the center of attention to anyone who passes by, but Hailey is the only one I can look at. The only one I can see.
She’s been doing well to avoid me since work started today. We didn’t spend much time at the office before arriving at the park and it’s been over an hour since we’ve been here.
Yet, we’ve not said two words to each other. And those words were a forced ‘Good morning’ when she walked into the office earlier today.
I guess the silent treatment is a bit understandable, especially after what happened last night. Or almost happened.
If I hadn’t spoken when I had last night, I was certain that I’d break the rules again. If she had let me kiss her I was so sure that she’d end up in my bed again.
So, I tried to be reasonable, even if it felt like the hardest thing to do in my life.
I still remember the realization on her face when she leaned back, when our senses knocked right back into our heads.
The instant regret in her eyes was a harsh reminder of why not kissing her was the best decision.
Hailey and I have already crossed the line once. We shouldn’t do it again.
I’ve always had a strong faith in my self-control. But lately things are starting to change. Especially when it comes to Hailey.
When I’m around her, the nerves in my brain start to tangle into a big pile of mush. It usually takes everything in me not to become a mindless drone around her.
And that’s bad. This is the worst side effect I’ve ever experienced from a one-night stand.
Hailey folds her arms as she watches the model strike poses against the wall. Matteo, the overly familiar teammate, says something that makes her laugh.
She shakes her head and playfully shoves him away. He leaves eventually and I naturally gravitate towards her.
She’s scribbling down in her clipboard as I approach.
I replace Matteo by her side and she looks up. “How’s the cold?”
“Besides the faint headache, I’m as good as new.” She clears her throat. “Um, thanks for the tablets by the way. They work wonders.”
I nod.
We’re silent again, watching the model fiercely gazing at the camera. The bold colors of the mural complement the clean, distinct patterns of the sportswear.
“It was careless of me to leave my scarf at yours,” she casually says. “Thanks for keeping it.”
“It’s okay. We were distracted anyway.”
Fuck. Why did I have to say that? We tell ourselves not to talk about that night, and somehow, it manages to sneak into every conversation we have when we’re alone.
Very faintly, she agrees with me. “Yeah.”
One of the photographers turns to look at us. “I think we’ve got it.”
Hailey heads over to them and I follow suit.
She beams in satisfaction as she goes through the photos, before clapping for the team.
"I think you’ve done a great job," Hailey remarks. "Does that wrap up today’s session?"
"Well, yes," one of the photographers chimes in, "but since all the shots so far have been solo, we were thinking of adding a partner workout theme—something that conveys intimacy while highlighting both the athleticism and chemistry between the models."
Hailey looks down at her clipboard. “That sounds like a good idea. I could round the models and partner them up – ”
The head photographer, Felix, abruptly stops his movement behind the lights. His sharp-eyed gaze shifts to us and he randomly snaps his fingers.
He says his face lighting up. “You’re perfect.”
Hailey looks up from her clipboard with a raised brow. “Excuse me?”
“The shoot,” he explains, pacing around us. “You both embody the brand more than anyone here. You’re fit, you’re passionate about the product and to be honest – you both look amazing in the merch.”
Hailey’s eyes go round. “Felix, we’re not models.” She glances at me for some kind of help but unfortunately for her, I’m finding this interesting.
Felix gestures towards me. “You’re not but he is.
He’s also the Matthew Pierce. I think it should work perfectly for this shoot.
Besides Hailey, you don’t have to be a model.
You’re real, authentic. People don’t just want to see models – they want to see people who actually live the lifestyle.
And from what I can see, you two live it. ”
I shrug. “I don’t mind.”
Felix’s eyes shine with pleasure but Hailey hesitates.
“I don’t know. I’ve never been in front of a camera before. I can get you someone else right now and – ”
“Perfect,” Felix says with a grin, “It’ll make you more relatable. Besides, you’ve got the chemistry. That’s exactly the vibe we want for this shoot – connection, teamwork, passion. It won’t feel forced or pretentious.”
“Sounds like a good idea, Felix.”
Hailey glares at me like I’m not helping matters. “But – ”
“Trust me, Hailey. You both are the faces this campaign needs,” Felix says. He turns to his team who are watching us with collective amusement. “Does everyone else agree with me?”
Of course, they do. The positive collective response causes Hailey to reluctantly change her mind.
“Fine,” she says, tossing her clipboard aside. “But if I look awkward, it’s on you Felix. And we’re only doing this because we’re short on time.”
Felix claps his hands together, beaming. “That’s the spirit. Now, let’s make magic happen.”
It turns out that magic involves a more secluded section of the park with skin contact that slowly drives me crazy.
Felix has us entangled in a close contact drill. I’ve been asked to strike a push-up pose, except that I have to carry Hailey on my back.
Physically, this has positive and negative effects.
Our form looks great. She’s almost as light as a feather, so I can carry her easily.
Negatively, the feeling of ass against me and her legs snugly wrapped around my hips makes me slightly dizzy with want.
I can feel every dip and curve of her legs around me, especially in the seamless leggings she’s wearing. Every time she shifts, my muscles tense in response. More specifically, my dick.
“Yes, that’s it,” Felix cheers behind his camera. “Hailey, I need you to get a little closer than that.”
Hailey grits her teeth from where she’s nestled on my back. “If I get any closer, I might melt into him.”
The team laughs but she’s serious. I’m the only one who hears her rapid breathing and sees the goosebumps that scatter across her ankles when I adjust her form above me.
At least, I’m not the only one feeling the heat between us. And I don’t know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing.
“Alright,” Felix calls out. “Switch poses.”
Hailey quickly climbs down my back like if she stays any longer, she’ll burn to a crisp. Her cheeks are beetroot red.
“Can we take a little break?”
“One last pose, Hailey,” Felix responds before directing someone to us to help us with the final pose.
“He’s been saying one last pose for the last thirty minutes,” Hailey mutters under her breath.
I clean the sweat on my forehead with the face towel. “What’s the matter, Hailey? Can’t keep up?”
Her competitive side speaks for her. “Funny. I was about to ask you the same thing.”
“I’m not the one who is dripping in sweat.”
She subtly flips me the bird as she listens to what the instructor says to both of us concerning the final pose.
“The final shoot will be simple,” The instructor says.
“It’s going to be a little forehead-to-forehead moment and since you’re both exhausted already, it will work out perfectly well.
You’ve just finished a tiring workout challenge and you’re both slightly breathless.
Pretend like you’re having a conversation about it while your foreheads gently touch. ”
“Is this really the last one?” Hailey questions seriously and the instructor chuckles.
“Yes, it is.”
“Alright then,” Hailey mumbles while stretching her arms behind her neck. “I think I’ve got it.”
The instructor glances at me and I shrug in agreement.
I get to my feet and dust my hands behind my back. I know signs of dehydration when I feel them and right now, I’m starting to match Hailey’s enthusiasm for the shoot to be over soon.
“Are we ready?” Felix calls from behind. “Don’t forget to smile!”
Hailey shoots him a tired thumbs up before coming to stand in front of me.
She places her hands on her knees like she’s trying to catch her breath and leans towards me with an arched brow.
“You’ve got to look like you’re exhausted.”
“I am exhausted,” I say, leaning forward as well. “On the other hand, you’ve got to smile.”
Her lips stretch into a thin line. We’re whispering to each other’s faces. “I am smiling.”
“Even a kid would know that that’s a fake smile. Come on, where’s your authenticity?”
Our foreheads touch and sparks run through my skin like tiny bolts of lightning. Just like last night, our gazes remain fixated on each other, tense and unwavering and I’m transported to the last time we were in such close contact.
The last time we weren’t putting clothes on. We were drenched in sweat as well, but it was a good kind of sweat.
She had her arm around my back, forming crescent moons on my skin with her nails. Our foreheads were pressed together and her lips formed a delicate O when she came.
“You’re smiling.” She says, snapping me out of my reverie. “What were you thinking about just now?”
Our noses brush. “The look on your face when you came.”
Her eyes widen in shock and she turns scarlet. “Are you out of your mind?!”
“You asked me a question.”
“What if someone heard you?”
I grab her arms with a grin. “Relax. No one heard me but you.”
She grits her teeth but doesn’t shrug out of my hold. She’s so flustered that it’s cute to watch. “How can you be thinking of something like that while we’re in the middle of a job?”
“I can’t always control what I think of Hailey.”
“Clearly,” she fires breathlessly, before abruptly leaning away. “I need a minute.”
But then she stumbles on the uneven ground. Her foot catches a loose stone as she shifts her weight.
My hand instinctively shoots out before she can fall, grabbing her waist and steadying her with firm hands. Hailey gasps, quickly clutching my arm for balance.
Our faces are just inches apart. “You okay?”
She nods with a shaky breath. “Yeah, thanks.”
Without another word, I kneel, gently tugging her foot forward.
She places her hands on my shoulders and looks down at me. “What do you think you’re doing?”
“Your laces are untied. This is an incredibly rough surface, Hailey. You really could have hurt yourself.” I ignore her clutching grip on my shoulders and deftly tie up her shoes. “I should be responsible for you at the very least.”
“Why?”
“The idea of returning to the office with a concussed partner doesn’t sit right with me.”
When I finish, I glance up and find her momentarily stunned.
A small smirk tugs at my lips. “There. Safe to keep up with me now.”
She catches herself and leans away from me. “Get up. Everyone’s watching.”
Just then, I hear light clapping from behind. And when I turn around, I see Felix and his team nodding to themselves in approval.
Felix grins and slings his camera over his shoulder. “I think we’ve just got the perfect shot.”