Page 20

CALEB/AMELIA

CALEB

I kissed my best friend.

For a split second, I thought maybe she felt something real, but reality came crashing in reminding me it was all for practice. Am I an idiot for leaving like that?

Yes. But I didn’t have a choice.

Pretty sure she would not have appreciated her friend having a full hard-on in her goddamn kitchen.

So yes, I had to leave. In dire need of a cold shower.

The moment I get home, I head straight to the bathroom. The freezing water pours over my shoulders doing next to nothing to wash her out of my head. I close my eyes, tilt my head back and yep. There she is. Clear as day. Those gorgeous brown eyes, the way she kissed me back.

It’s too much for one man to take.

I flip the water off, the cold air hits me as I step out, wrapping a towel low around my waist as I curse under my breath.

I’m screwed and now I have to go kiss her again for a damn campaign that I agreed too in an instant without even looping in my manager first.

Fuck me.

AMELIA

I’m setting up the ring light in front of the white backdrop in Luxe’s studio. Maya gave me the pin code so I could set up everything for the shoot.

I twist the maple wood tray at an angle on the table, lining up the five new lip balms from Soft Muse’s flavored collection. There’s cherry, mango, vanilla, cinnamon, and my personal favorite scent...strawberry.

My lips still tingle from the way he kissed me earlier, the way he claimed my mouth like it belonged to him. It was the polar opposite of the Caleb I knew growing up, he was the one who never pushed boundaries, and never crossed lines. It makes my heart race all over again just thinking about it.

“All set up,” I announce, placing my phone on the mount and flipping the camera around.

He walks over and before he can scan the flavors I block his view and step in front of him as I reach for the blindfold on the table.

“You need to put this on first.”

“Now I’m being blindfolded?” He grins, takes it from me, and slips it over his eyes.

“Yes, you have to guess the flavors. It’ll be easy.” I adjust the mask, my fingers brushing against his smooth skin.

After hitting the record button and guiding him to the stool beside me, I grab the first balm and pop off the gold cap. I slap on the fakest PR smile I can offer as I talk into the camera. It’s a very strange, but new feeling.

“Kiss test time! Caleb’s going to guess every flavor of Soft Muse’s lip balm collection. Should be pretty easy if he kisses me right.” I cringe speaking into the camera as I hear a snicker from him and I nudge his arm.

I glide it across my lips, rub them together, and lean in just enough to hear him suck in a breath. His finger lifts my chin, then he kisses me. It’s not rushed, just slow and delicate.

I pull back, my breathing uneven and shakier than I intended. I can’t help but stare at his mouth. “Well?”

He licks his lips slowly. “Can I try again?”

“Only one guess.”

“Vanilla.” He smiles downward.

“Correct.” I nervously laugh, reaching for the second balm. This one’s my favorite, its sugary scent hits my nostrils, sending a warm rush through my body. I rub it on and lean in again. “Next.”

This time, he inclines forward, parting his lips and I press mine against his. His hands grip the stool beneath me, right between my legs, not touching me as he pulls me closer.

A breathy sound slips out of me before I pull back quickly, the sudden awareness of the camera snapping me out of the moment.

“Easy.” He clears his throat, voice gone quiet. “Strawberry.”

By the time we finish the video, I can barely look at him. Not because it’s awkward but because every time our eyes meet, something in my lower belly stirs in a way I don’t appreciate.

We clean up in silence as I drop the lip balms into my purse while he coils the cord.

“Was that good?” He asks, flipping the light off and plunging the studio into a softer dimness.

“It was perfect, thanks.”

“The kiss or the video?” he adds, sneaking a quick glance my way.

Both, I want to say. I want to admit that he’s the best kisser I’ve ever had, but unraveling that thread would be the worst idea.

“The video.” I force a laugh, keeping my cool as I shove the maple tray back into my bag a little too roughly. “The kiss was…okay.”

Translation: best kiss of my life.

“Mhm. I’ll grab the car,” he says amused before disappearing toward the entrance.

Once he’s gone, I pull out my phone and send the video to Maya.

Heaving a sigh, I sling my purse over my shoulder and double check the studio to make sure we didn’t leave anything behind.

Caleb’s already waiting at the curb and I take a deep breath before walking over.

This is too much already…I’m not supposed to feel like this. This is fake.

Fake.

“That video was hot.” Maya whispers into my ear making me jump and squeal.

I’m halfway down the hall early this morning with my overpriced iced coffee in hand and I whip around so fast I nearly spill it. “Jesus, you scared me. And seriously?”

When I was watching the video back… it was hot, I won’t lie. Something about him being blindfolded was a sight for sore eyes to say the least.

She laughs, following me into my office. “Oh 100%, it’s probably my best edit yet. Soft Muse is going to love it.”

My cheeks burn as I set my coffee down and place my keys on the desk trying to ignore the pit in my stomach.

“Jess saw it too, she’s just as obsessed with it,” Maya adds just as Jess waltzes in like a tornado, clutching her tablet.

“Congratulations,” she announces. “Amelia, you have earned yourself a raise.”

“What?” My eyes widen.

This is what I’ve wanted. To do well at work and build something for myself.

“You have a bright future in this company. That video was exactly the vision they wanted and you captured it perfectly.” Jess flashes me a smile. “They’re posting it after the Viper’s game.”

“Wow, thank you! That means a lot coming from you.”

“Keep up the good work.” She beams as she spins on her heels out of my office.

“Told you. You and Caleb are hot together.” Maya grins and traces a heart in the air with her fingers. “Lovers.”

I roll my eyes. “Not even.”

I doubt he’s thinking of our kisses the way I have. I’m the one who brought this whole thing up and he’s probably waiting for the day we can put an end to this.