Page 39 of Tequila Lime and Sunshine

“How so?”

I shrug. “I don’t know. It just is.”

He unlocks the door and pulls me inside. “Stop being a baby. This will be fun. Go call Asher, and I’ll get you when I’m ready for you.”

“Oh god,” I moan. “The surprise isn’t your dick is it?”

He chuckles. “That would be an amazing surprise, wouldn’t it? No, Sunshine, this isn’t about my amazing dick. But you can definitely have that later. Now go.”

I grab my laptop and phone and head to the balcony, the lock clicking behind me. Geez. He really doesn’t trust that I’m not going to peek. To be fair, I probably would try to peek.

I click Asher’s name on my phone, and she answers almost immediately. “Well, if it isn’t my favorite boss. How are things in Mexico?”

I smile. “Hey. Things are good here.”

“I bet they are. I’m surprised Hawke let you come up for air. I saw him in another Instagram story yesterday. That’s pretty major for you.”

I typically don’t post my private life online. At least not until I know a relationship is serious, which it rarely is. But I posted a video from the market yesterday, Hawke clearly visible, his dimple on full display as he smiles at some prints in a vendor stall.

“It was the only video I took. I wanted my followers to get the full experience.” It’s a lie. I took more videos, but Hawke made my stomach flutter at that moment, and I guess I hoped he would see how he affected me. I don’t know why. So he knows I’m thinking about him or something? Ugh. I’m in too deep here.

“Sure, Summer. Sure.” I can hear the smile in her voice.

“Anyways,” I say, trying to change the subject. “I called to talk about Arizona.”

“Ah, yes. You’ll be spending the weekend there. I’ve booked you at a bed and breakfast, and the trip is being sponsored by a spa. Poor you, you’ll have to get pampered.” Asher knows I’m not a huge fan of spas. I’d rather be out doing something. “But, the B&B is really close to a hiking spot everyone raves about. Great views. I think you’ll love it. And it’s a short trip. Fly in on Friday, fly back Sunday night.”

“Alright.” She reminds me a little about the contract for the sponsorship and what I’m required to post and on which platforms, etc. It’s so nice having Asher for this part of the job. When I first started, I had to do all the booking myself, plus create the content, reach out to brands, and explore the locations. It was a lot of work. Looking back, I’m not sure how I survived without Asher.

Hawke still hasn’t come to get me when we hang up, so I set my laptop to the side and lean my head back, soaking up the sun’s warmth.

I almost drift off to sleep when the lock clicks and the door slides open.

“Ok, you can come in now.” He has a mischievous grin as I stand and walk back into our room. The first thing I notice is the bathtub full of bubbles with a bowl of rose petals on the side.

“What’s all this?” I ask.

“You said I could take pictures of you. And after I first saw you in that tub, I’ve been dying to do it. I promise they’ll be tasteful. No nudity. And no one will see these. They’ll be just for you. . . and well, me since they’re my pictures. But I won’t show them to anyone.”

His cheeks are flushed, making my heart skip a beat. I can tell he’s excited about this, and I kinda am too. Hawke’s pictures are beautiful. I’ve always secretly wished I was the focal point of one of his shoots, and now he’s doing it for me.

“What do I need to do first?” I ask. He visibly exhales, and his shoulders relax, almost like he was worried I would say no. He should know by now that I can’t seem to say no to him.

He steps toward me and lifts the hem of my shirt. I raise my arms for him, his movements slow as he reaches behind me and unclasps my bra, letting it trail down my arms before tossing it on the bed. My shorts are next. He unbuttons them while keeping his eyes on mine. Usually we’re ripping each other’s clothes off, but his deliberate movements confuse me. This doesn’t feel overtly sexual, even though I’m already really turned on. But it relaxes me and makes me more comfortable taking these pictures. It’s just me and him. Having a moment together.

My panties are the last thing he slides off, and then I’m standing completely naked in front of him. He steps back, his gaze roaming over my body. I fight the urge to cover myself. Normally, I would feel uncomfortable standing here naked, but I like when he looks at me. His eyes are never critical or judgmental. He always looks like he wants to devour me, and it makes me feel undeniably sexy.

“Fucking perfect.” Then he says things like that to boost my confidence even more.

“Are you going to draw me like one of your French girls?” I joke, trying to break the tension in the room.

He chuckles. “No, I’m going to photograph you like you’re my girl.” His girl. His words send a shiver down my spine.

He hands me one of my big hair clips. “Clip your hair up until you’re in the water. I want it to hang over the back.”

I do as he asks, clip my curls on my head, and step into the warm bubble bath. He opens the balcony door for more natural lighting. I lean back against the edge of the tub, relaxing into the bubbles. Hawke makes sure the bubbles cover all of my important areas.

Then he grabs his camera and stands behind me. I can’t see him, but I hear the clicks of the camera, so I know he’s working.