Page 98 of Owned
“Ria, you’re a natural.”
“What are you on about?” I turn to look at them.“These photos.” Jade passes the camera to me. “You are always blooming gorgeous, but you blow me away in these and they aren’t posed. They’re test photos.”
Scrolling through, I can’t believe the shots that Kenya has taken. I look relaxed and something I haven’t in a long time—happy and free. “How?”
“An artist works with what she’s given, and babe, you’re the easiest canvas to work with,” Kenya says, and I pass the camera back to her. “I’m launching a private studio to run alongside my professional shoots, and I need to have you pose for some shots I can use to market it.”
“Me?” Jabbing my finger into my chest, I look at her in disbelief.
“Yes, you.” She giggles. “I’ve got a few ideas and you’ll be perfect.”
“Hey there, little bro.” Hunter spins quickly to face me in his perfectly tailored navy suit, and he beams a wide grin as he takes me in.
“Ri.” Reaching for me, he clasps my hands in his and kisses my cheeks. “Ri, you look beautiful.”
The dresses Jade picked out for us are all a deep green and each cut to suit our individual body shapes. Mine hugs my body, giving me a nipped and tucked waist, and the skirt flows in waves with a slight slit that allows movement, and I feel sexy and feminine in it. “Thanks, look at you.” My smile broadens as I take him all in. “You ready for this next step?”
“So fucking ready.” He releases a long breath and his smile matches mine. “Is she ready?”
“She is.” I nod. “She’s going to blow you away.”
“She did that months ago.”
“Perfect.” Kenya’s voice comes from behind as her camera clicks. “Your whole wedding party is just perfection. Honestly, you’re all a photographer's dream.” She moves closer as her eyes flick back and forth around the space. “Okay, can I just move you both in front of this window? The lighting here is just divine.”She ushers us in front of the huge window with the beautiful backdrop of the stunning gardens where I sat with Leo in the early hours of this morning. “Stunning.” She snaps away as Hunter loops his arm around my waist, and I rest my hand on his chest, my new ring catching the light from the midday sun causing me to smile wider.
“New ring?” Hunter mutters out the corner of his mouth, a teasing lilt to his words.
“You could say that.” I grin up at him and he gives me a soft smile and squeezes me tightly.
“You sure about this?”
“I really am.”
Kissing my cheek, he says gently, “Then I’m happy for you.”
“Yeah?”
“I am, but it will just take me a while to get my head around it.” He huffs out a laugh.
“I’m still trying.”
“Jesus, you guys are gold,” Kenya pipes up. “Now if I can have the groomsmen and bridesmaids in this shot.”
Tearing my eyes away from Hunter, my gaze instantly falls on Leo, and my breath is snatched from my throat as his intense gray irises lock on mine. Noah, Deacon, and Beck move to stand next to Trixie, Lily, and Grace, but Leo doesn’t move. Frozen in the entryway, his hands flex at his sides. Ignoring everyone behind me, I glide over to him and take his hands in mine, feeling them tremble and shake in my hold. “You okay?” I say quietly.
“No.” He lets out a long breath. His hands continue to tremble and his eyes are flicking around the room.
“Look at me. Focus on me.” I watch as his Adam's apple bobs as he swallows roughly and brings his eyes back to me. “Eyes on me.” I give him a half smile that he returns.
“That’s the problem, baby; you’re all I see. God, I want to kiss you right now. You look so goddamn beautiful.”
“Thank you.” I reach up on my tiptoes and kiss the corner of his mouth, whispering, “You look fucking hot.” He laughs and brings his forehead to rest on mine.
“This is still real?”
“Still real.”
Chapter 44
