Page 53 of Blue Line

The assistant appears again, a pair of folded-up pajamas in her hand. “You can get changed. Your fiancée is already getting ready.” She points toward some black curtains that section off part of the warehouse.

“Thanks.”

“We’ll be waiting for you over there.” She points over her shoulder, and I see a guy with a camera and a few other people holding various bits of equipment. She walks away, leaving me to get changed.

Hadley steps out of the makeshift dressing room at that moment, and fuck me, I’m convinced she could make a paper bag look sexy. Not that the pajamas aren’t cute, they are, but she is drop-dead gorgeous. Her blonde hair has been styled into gentle curls, and she’s got makeup on. It’s subtle, but it makes her green eyes pop.

I whistle, and she blushes, running a hand down the front of her green and red plaid top that matches the shorts she’s wearing.

“I like it,” I tell her, leaning down and dropping a kiss on her cheek. She stiffens. “Relax, fiancée,” I whisper into her ear.

I take one more look at her before disappearing behind the curtain to change my clothes. Once I’m in my pajamas, I take Hadley’s hand and lead her over to where the photographer and his assistants are waiting for us.

He has me pose by myself in front of the Christmas tree for a few pictures, some of them where I’m leaning against a hockey stick that appeared out of nowhere. Why we didn’t do this while Hadley was getting her hair and makeup done is beyond me.

After he’s satisfied with what feels like a hundred photos of just me posing in different ways, he beckons Hadley over. We spend the next hour posing in front of the decorated Christmas tree and on the couch before we’re asked to change into another set of matching pajamas and do it all over again. My face starts to hurt from all the smiling.

“Now, I want you two sitting in front of the fireplace.”

The photographer points to where he wants us and waits while we take our spots. One of the assistants hands Hadley a box with the words Slumberly Apparel written on the top. The light is adjusted, and someone fixes Hadley’s hair.

“Hold the box like this.” The photographer demonstrates how he wants Hadley to hold it, so the company’s name is facing the camera. “And you.” He points at me. “Lean closer, and rest your hand on her thigh.”

I do as he says and can’t help but notice the way Hadley’s eyes widen when I touch her.

“Perfect. Now, on three, lean closer and kiss,” the photographer says before beginning to count.

I barely hear the word three before Hadley’s lips are a whisper against mine. It takes all of me not to move my hand and pull her closer the way I want to. Flashes go off, and then we’re pulling apart.

I turn to find the photographer frowning down at his camera. “That was good but not perfect …”

He has us stand up and try a few different poses, and every time Hadley and I kiss, it feels as though a fuse has been lit inside my body. The kisses are short and sweet, but every one of them makes me want more.

“One more shot,” the photographer says as his assistants place all the “opened” gifts around us. “Kiss her with passion.” He winks at me before adjusting his camera and lifting it to his face.

I glance at Hadley, silently asking if she’s comfortable with what we’re being asked to do. She steps closer to me.

I don’t think, I just act, cupping her chin with my hand, leaning down, and kissing her. I swear a full-body shiver racks through her, then she fists the front of my shirt and kisses me back. Everything around us fades, and it’s just her and me and this kiss.

“That’s a wrap,” the photographer says, clearing his throat after a few seconds. “Thank you.”

I give Hadley one more peck on the lips before tearing myself away with a quiet groan. She peers up at me, her face flushed, pupils blown, lips swollen from our kiss.

“If you want to follow me, you can go get changed,” the assistant says, and I force myself to turn away from Hadley and head toward the changing area.

“Thank you for your time today,” the assistant says, coming over to us with two bags when we’re back in our street clothes. “These are for you. I put both sets of pajamas in here as well as a few other items from one of our other lines.” She holds out the bags, and I take them. “We’ll be in touch with your agent once we have pictures for you to approve.”

“Sounds good. Thank you.”

“Bye,” Hadley says, the first word she’s uttered since our passionate kiss.

We head out the door and get into my Jeep. When we’re buckled in with the air conditioning going, I blow out a breath, unsure of how to proceed. Was she as affected by our kiss as I was?

“I’m exhausted,” she says, breaking the silence.

“Same. Want to order delivery and watch a movie?”

“Yes, please.”