Page 46 of Finding Haven (Haven #2)

It’s taken a few months to find the perfect studio location, and after endless hours stressing over the smallest details, opening day is finally here.

I wasn’t sure I would ever find exactly what I was looking for until Zack and I were out driving around town one day and happened to pass a corner space with a large “for lease” sign in the window.

The lease includes both levels of the two-story building.

I’ve turned the ground level into an office space as well as a showroom of sorts.

A small navy blue couch and two accent chairs, along with a glass coffee table displaying two different photo albums, form a seating area for clients.

Some of my more modest client portraits decorate the walls as large framed prints.

I felt a bit weird about displaying them at first, but they were a huge conversation starter at yesterday’s grand opening party, which was Hailey’s idea.

As an event coordinator, she helped spread the word and was graciously able to donate certificates to the hotel’s Elysian Spa for anyone who booked a session and paid their retainer fee during the grand opening.

The upper level is the designated studio space, and it’s big enough that I was able to create a few setups, including a bedroom, living room, and even a faux-shower.

Getting all of the furniture and decor hauled up the stairs was a hassle, but Zack, Austin, and Ethan all made it seem like a piece of cake.

I had my camera with me during the grand opening and made it a point to photograph each person who showed an interest in booking and signed up for my email newsletter.

Granted, given the nature of the party, all of the photos taken were business headshots or simply posed couple portraits, but it still gave me a way to show off my work and make a potential connection.

Now that the high of yesterday’s party has officially worn off and it’s time for my first in-studio client, the nerves have begun to set in.

I debated on what I should be doing when my client arrives.

I couldn’t decide whether I should be sitting in one of the chairs and looking through the photo albums, sitting at my desk, or standing.

. . somewhere. The indecision led me to my current state of pacing while my mind fills with dozens of what if scenarios.

What if they don’t show up? What if they do show up but I suddenly forget all the poses I typically run through?

What if I say something stupid while attempting to make small talk to help them feel more comfortable?

What if I get so caught up in the chit-chat that I forget to collect payment for their session?

My rambling thoughts come to a sudden halt when Zack walks through the studio doors.

His dark hair is styled in that effortlessly tousled look that I love, drawing my attention to his warm whiskey eyes as a smile curls at his lips.

He’s dressed as though he’s headed to work at the hotel, wearing black dress slacks that hug his strong thighs, a dark gray Oxford shirt with the top button undone, and a black leather belt cinched around his waist. “Hey there, Sugar,” he says, strolling in with a confident swagger.

As much as I adore him for wanting to surprise me on my first official day in the studio, my client is going to be here soon.

Making sure that whoever I’m working with feels safe and comfortable is one of the most important aspects of boudoir photography.

While Zack would never harm someone without cause, I don’t need him hanging around the studio.

Besides, if he was concerned for my safety, he could simply monitor the security cameras that have already been installed on the first floor.

“Babe, I love you for coming to see me, but you can’t be here right now. My client’s going to be here any minute,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady as I fight against the nervous energy coursing through my body.

A devious smile curls his lips as he slips his hands into his pockets. “I’m your client today, baby,” he says, shrugging his shoulders.

“Um, no, you’re not.” I pull open the calendar app on my phone to check the details for today’s session.

“I have a woman named Shannan scheduled to come in.” My eyes lift to his, noting the way his smile only seems to grow wider with each word that falls from my lips.

“She filled out the client questionnaire at the party.”

He shakes his head as he crosses the room towards me, his hands finding my waist as he pulls my body against his. “I wanted to surprise you, so I had Hailey fill out the form for me and use a false name.”

“You’re serious?” I ask with a laugh, wrapping my arms around his neck. Of all the potential scenarios that ran through my head for how today could go, Zack being my first in-studio client definitely wasn’t one of them .

“I am.” He reaches up to cup my face in his palm, his thumb stroking across my cheek. “You’ve been in front of the camera for me so many times, I figured it was about time that I return the favor.”

We’ve been together for over a year now, and he’s still finding ways to surprise me and show me how much he loves me. “And you’re actually going to listen to me and pose the way I tell you to?” I ask, not bothering to conceal the amusement in my voice.

“I promise, baby. I’ll listen and do whatever you tell me to. Today, right now, I’m at your mercy.”

I shake my head, laughing as I lean in to press my lips against his. I can feel his smile as his hand slides around to the nape of my neck, tilting my head as he swipes his tongue against the seam of my lips. Reveling in his kiss, my body sinks into his as a groan rumbles in his chest.

The outfit he’s wearing is something I’ve seen him wear countless times, and yet knowing that this time I’ll get to photograph him as he slowly discards each article of clothing has heat pooling between my legs.

Pulling away slowly, I take a step back and clear my throat, repeating the words I said to him right before our first private session on Frisk. “Well then, Z. Are you ready?”

His hands slip into his pockets, his arousal evident behind the thin material of his pants. “When you are, Sugar.”