“And you do it very well.” Her smile was filled with gratitude. Nice, but not nearly enough. He wanted to see desire bursting from her mocha eyes.
“I’m glad to help you out.”
They arrived at the Botanical Garden and he searched for a parking spot. After finding one toward the back of the lot, he shifted his attention to her. His heart pounded hard as they stared into each other’s eyes. Zander wanted to brush her bangs away from her eyes, capture her face in his hands, and kiss her. But now she really was off-limits. His chest tightened. “Let’s get to work.”
The morning sun beat down on them, but the cool, dry, morning air whisked away the heat. He breathed deeply, savoring the moment.
He’d never been to a place like this and had no idea what to expect. Why anyone would drive here to check out flowers was beyond him, but the parking lot was almost full.
Like yesterday, she discussed each setup and explained what the art director might want out of a particular picture at a specific location.
“Oh, these blanket flowers are magnificent.” She switched lenses and began shooting. When finished, she stepped back. “I love the pop of yellow on the tips of the petals.”
To Zander, it was a bunch of wildflowers. “What would you do with that photo?”
“Frame it and give it to someone as a gift or keep it and admire it on my wall. It’s not just the beauty of the flower, but a reminder of today. Every day is special. It’s the little things that set it apart.”
Zander blew through weeks, months even. Head down, focused on his projects, he measured time by the deals he closed or the projects he completed. The past several years had been a blur of activity as he grew his business, but no day stood out as a special one.
He stared at those vibrant flowers like they held the secrets of the universe, but he couldn’t shake the emptiness that consumed him. Savannah slid her arm through his and held out the camera, plucking him from his lonely thoughts.
“Smile.” She leaned close, held out the camera, and snapped a selfie.
An older gentleman walked over. “You guys want me to take your picture?”
“Sure.” Savannah handed him the camera.
“Can you get these flowers in the shot?” Zander asked.
Savannah smiled up at him and he turned toward her while the guy snapped a few pictures. Then, Zander stepped behind her, pulled her flush against him, and wrapped his arms around her. The friendly tourist snapped a few more.
He handed her the camera. “You want to check them out?”
Savannah flipped through the shots on the viewfinder. “They’re great. Thanks for stopping.”
With a smile, the man wished them a good day and moseyed on.
“Those flowers don’t make the day special,” Zander said. “You do.”
She stilled for a beat, then she lifted her gaze to his. “I’m…so…I like being with you, too.”
The atmosphere became charged. He drank her in, trying to memorize every feature, every nuance. It would be effortless to lower his head and kiss her. But he wouldn’t disrespect her wishes and cross that line.
“Let’s keep going,” he suggested.
With a tight nod, she walked ahead. He followed, determined to make the most of their last day together. But those swaying hips and tight ass hijacked his attention.Dammit. She doesn’t want you. Let it go.
A roadrunner raced past and he pointed it out.
She snapped several shots. “Great sighting.”
The sun grew hotter, so he rolled up his sleeves, popped on his shades. Savannah set up test shot after test shot. Her ability to find the right light or the perfect balance of nature continued to astound him. More than once, he found himself mesmerized by the fluid way in which she blended into her surroundings and became one with the environment.
Hislife revolved around the computer or checking on building structures to ensure they met code. He never stopped long enough to notice a flower or how the breeze cooled his moist skin. Aside from his concern over Kent’s health, today was the second day he wasn’t plagued with anxiety over finding a new deal or pushing hard for the ones in play to close. Being outside freed his soul and buoyed his spirits. Savannah had given him a gift by sharing her passion with him.
As he shifted his attention to her, he was surprised to see her taking pictures of him. Assuming she needed him in the picture, he basked in the sun’s rays.
She approached him and unzipped the bag slung over his shoulder. “You’re a beautiful man. The camera loves you.”
