“So, would you say you’re a bit of a risk taker, Eli? Is that why you’re here?” I ask.
“You could argue that.” He chuckles. “I’m pretty new to the area, so I haven’t met many people outside of work. I saw the post online about the session and thought, “Why not?” I didn’t think I’d actually get selected though, so it’s pretty cool we’re both here.”
I feel that in my chest. It sounds like he’s got a similar outlook on life as I do with the “fuck it, it’ll all work out” mentality.
“And I’m glad I did,” he adds, smiling at me.
It’s impossible not to smile at that. I don’t even bother trying to bite it back, grinning right at him.
“What about you?” he asks, smiling back at me. “What made you sign up to be photographed with a total stranger?”
“It sounded fun. Plus, I’ve seen these on my feed from other photographers, and the strangers always seem to have so much chemistry.” I hesitate for a moment, but decide to share the other reason. “And I’m kind of a hopeless romantic. I liked the idea of meeting someone new and experiencing that. But don’t tell anyone; my brother and cousins would have a field day with that nugget of information,” I joke.
“Your secret is safe with me.” Eli grins. “Would you say that this is filling your hopeless romantic heart?”
“You could say that.” I bite my bottom lip, blush creeping up my cheeks. He definitely seems to be feeling the same level of attraction that I am as he smiles back at me. Or that’s what I tell myself.
I completely forget that we’re being photographed for a moment until we fall quiet and the sound of Sadie’s shutter fills the room.
Click.
“Pause there,” Sadie calls from behind us. “Collin, lean against the wall. Eli, step in front of him.”
I do as told. Leaning against the wall closest to me, Eli steps forward in front of me. His cologne is barely there, but it still smells so damn good, with a warm, woodsy aroma. He lifts his arm over my shoulder, essentially caging me in against the wall, and heat is pumping through my veins. I’m not sure if this was what Sadie meant, but I love the feeling of him closing in on me. Eli is maybe an inch or two taller than me, and slightly more muscular—probably because of his training as a firefighter, which is hot as hell. I can’t help but picture him sweaty and shirtless with a helmet and suspenders hanging low at his hips. Obviously not the standard uniform, but that doesn’t stop my imagination from running wild with it. I wonder if he’s in a calendar? I should look into that.
I shake the thought away before it spirals too far. We just met. This is astrangerphotoshoot, and I can’t be getting hard thinking of him half naked or that’ll surely send him running out of here. But the way his green eyes are locked on mine are not helping. I don’t know if I’m the only one affected by the tension in the room, but I’m going to have to adjust myself in my jeans before all of Sadie’s photos feature me with a hard on.
I’d hoped I’d enjoy this new experience and have fun, maybe make a new friend or form some type of connection, but as hopeful as I was, I still wasn’t expecting this full-blown, instant attraction. I’d thought the other sessions I’d seen online before were just the photographers being amazing at their jobs, but maybe photographers are also secret matchmakers. We did both have to fill out an application to get selected.
The hopeless romantic in me is completely swooning.
CHAPTER 02: ELI
When Sadie first texted me that my match would be late, my heart sank. I told myself it was fine—life happens—and honestly, it was better that he said he’d be late than leaving us to wonder if he’d stood us up completely. Sadie was able to adjust the studio time, and knowing it was still happening eased the disappointment more than I expected.
Looking at him now, I’m glad I waited as Sadie’s moving around with her camera, giving light directions, but all I can focus on is the way Collin’s eyes crinkle at the edges when he smiles. The way he keeps glancing at me like he can’t quite believe this is happening either.
It’s funny—most people think firefighting is about adrenaline, but it’s not. It’s about being calm, about learning how to breathe and steady yourself when everything else is chaos around you. Maybe that’s why this moment feels so disorienting. It’s quiet, still, and my pulse is racing because of him. No one teaches you how to relax when nothing’s actually wrong and it’s been a long time since I’ve felt nerves like this just from being around someone.
I can’t help but think… Maybe showing up today was my version of running toward a different kind of fire.
But I’m getting far too ahead of myself. We met mere minutes ago, and I don’t know if he’s even attracted to me.
It’s just that, leaning into him like this while his back’s against the wall and I’m essentially caging him in with my hand against the wall, is overwhelming my senses in the best way. He’s got a little more than a five o’clock shadow covering his face, and his eyes are an amber color, unlike anything I’ve ever seen before.
“Okay,” Sadie says gently, “we’re going to try a closer shot. Collin, keep leaning against the wall, but bring your other hand up now and put it on Eli’s arm. Remember, if anything feels like too much, please say it.”
Collin lifts his hand slowly and rests it against my bicep as he lets out a shaky breath. My bicep twitches where we’re now connected, touching for the first time as my heart climbs into my throat at how intense and electrifying this is. It’s such a simple touch, yet it feels like being zapped with lightning.
“You okay?” I whisper.
“Yeah,” he breathes out.
Click. Click.
“Beautiful,” Sadie compliments. “A little closer now, foreheads almost touching, if you're comfortable.”
He leans in, and I do too, as the space between us thins.
