0.1

"So, what do you say?" Jabari asked me, oceans of hope in his brown eyes.

I sigh. "Whatever, fine." I agree with a huff. "So who am I gonna be working with?" I ask.

A wide smile crept onto his face. "I think you'll be very satisfied with my selection." He purred turning to his assistant.

"Call him in." Jabari announced.

The door slid open and I barely contained a gasp --- he was tall, very, very tall. A tribal sleeve tattoo covered the entirety of his muscled left arm.  Long black hair framed his face, blessed with a chiseled jawline and eyes that looked like they could pierce through mine. 

"This is Kai, Kai Henderson. And Kai, this is Raine Drew."  He introduced.

Kai nodded stiffly and I returned the gesture.

"Why so stiff?" Jabari purred. "I need chemistry, mind blowing chemistry always makes for mind blowing photos."

"I have to go." I excused myself.

"Alright, we're running a shoot tonight, I'll text you the location, be there at 7:30." He shouted after me.

"Right." I shouted back, trying to get away from Kai as fast as possible.

No, no, no... not him. I had a strict rule that prevented me from having any romantic relationship with any of my coworkers. Made things less messy, but I was a hundred percent sure that I couldn't work with Kai and not fuck him. It was humanly impossible; he's a weapon fashioned against me.

I got out my phone and called my roommate - Josette.

"Ho, you need to get your ass out of that studio, now." I said as soon as she picked up.

"Why?" She asked, her voice filled with worry. "Are you in trouble? Cause I can't bail you out, I'm high as shit right now."

"No, nothing like that." I clarified. "It's fucking Jabari."

"Alright, meet you at home." He said before hanging up.

A ding on my phone drew my attention. It was a message from Jabari.

JABARI: I gave your number and social media to Kai. Play nice ;)

YOU (RAINE): Fuck you, fr.

JABARI: Lol. 7:30, don't be late.

YOU: Whatever.

Another notification popped up just then on my Instagram.

New Follow: Kai Henderson now follows you.

New message: It's Kai. Jabari said to contact you about the shoot location.

Fuck you, Jabari.

YOU: It's over in Manhattan.

KAI: I don't know how to get there.

YOU: You're not a local?

KAI: No.

YOU: When should I pick you up then?

KAI: 6:00, Autumn Court hotel 

He's so monotone. I bit my lip and went to his Instagram page.

Zero posts, zero likes, 103k followers, 4 following.

I groaned, tossing my phone onto the passenger seat as I slid into my car. The universe was clearly conspiring against me today. I turned the key in the ignition, the engine rumbling to life as I pulled out of the parking lot.

The drive home was a blur of honking horns and city lights, my mind racing faster than the traffic around me. 

By the time I stumbled through the door of our apartment, Josette was already sprawled on the couch, a half-eaten bag of chips balanced precariously on her stomach.

"Spill," she demanded, her eyes glassy but attentive.

I collapsed next to her, stealing a handful of chips. "Remember that guy I told you about? The one I saw at that gallery opening last month."

Josette's brow furrowed in concentration. "The walking wet dream with the tattoos?"

"That's the one," I sighed. "Well, guess who Jabari paired me up with for tonight's shoot?"

Her eyes widened. "No fucking way."

"Oh, it gets better," I said, pulling out my phone to show her Kai's Instagram. "Look at this. Over a hundred thousand followers, and not a single post. Who even does that?"

Josette whistled low. "Damn, girl. You're in trouble."

I buried my face in my hands. "I know. And now I have to pick him up in..." I glanced at the clock, "less than an hour. How am I supposed to survive a car ride alone with him?"

"Simple," Josette said, sitting up and sending chips scattering across the floor. "You don't."

I peeked at her through my fingers. "What do you mean?"

A mischievous grin spread across her face. "I'm coming with you."

"Jo, you're high as a kite right now."

She waved her hand dismissively. "I'll be fine by the time we leave. Besides, you need a buffer. I'll keep things from getting too... intense."

I hesitated, weighing my options. On one hand, having Josette there might help keep things professional. On the other, knowing her, she might just make things worse.

"Fine," I conceded. "But you better be sobered up by the time we leave. And no embarrassing stories!"

Josette's grin widened. "Wouldn't dream of it, darling. Now, let's get you looking irresistible."

As she dragged me towards my closet, I couldn't shake the feeling that tonight was going to be a disaster. But with Kai's piercing eyes burned into my memory, I wasn't entirely sure I minded.

---

The studio lights were unrelenting, spotlighting every inch of the space with a golden intensity that felt suffocating. I stood rigid, arms crossed tightly, trying to ignore the magnetic pull of Kai's presence a few feet away.

The car ride here was an absolute disaster. Jo and he seemed to hit it off almost immediately. He smiled, like actually smiled, and he spoke in words larger than monosyllables. I almost ran into a sidewalk when I saw him smile, all his piercing features took on a child-like vibe, and like he wasn't beautiful enough, he had to have goddamn dimples too.

"Alright, let's get started!" the photographer called out, already buzzing with energy. "Raine, Kai, step in. We're going for something raw, something intimate—electricity that makes the viewer feel it."

I rolled my eyes, muttering under her breath, "No pressure."

Kai moved first, his long strides measured, his confidence palpable. She followed reluctantly, determined to keep things strictly professional.

"Closer," the photographer said, circling them like a predator. "No, no, not like that—Kai, hold her like you mean it. Raine, stop stiffening up. He's not gonna bite... unless you want him to."

My cheeks burned as I shot the photographer a glare. "Seriously Dylan?" I scolded

"Seriously," he shot back, unfazed. "Now, Kai, hands on her waist. Raine, lean into him—give me that vulnerability."

Kai's hands settled on her waist, firm but not demanding. His touch burned through the thin fabric of her dress, and she swallowed hard, fighting the flutter in her chest.

"Relax," he murmured, his voice like velvet.

"I am relaxed," I hissed back, my voice tight.

He scoffed. "Sure, you are, you're acting like I've got shit on my clothes."

"Closer!" the photographer interrupted. "Kai, pull her in—Raine, trust him, let him ground you."

Kai didn't hesitate. He tugged me forward, our bodies flush, and the breath hitched in my throat. I could feel the heat radiating from him, the way his chest rose and fell in tandem with mine.

"Look at each other," the photographer demanded, snapping photos like a man possessed. "Eyes locked—this is a story about connection. Yes, just like that. Breathe her in, Kai."

My heart thundered as Kai's gaze locked on mine. His dark eyes bore into me, searching, daring me to look away. My breaths grew shallow, and I swore he could hear the way my pulse raced.

"Perfect! Now, Kai, tilt her chin up—closer, like you can't get enough of her."

His fingers brushed my jaw, the touch so light it was maddening. My stomach flipped, defenses crumbling under the weight of his intensity. 

It's just a stupid shoot, Raine, not that deep. Comport yourself, get it together for fucks sake.

"Good," the photographer praised, but his tone was sly. "Raine, you're holding back. Let him in."

I gritted my teeth, my pride warring with the undeniable pull between us. Kai leaned in, just enough for me to feel the heat of his breath against my skin, and I knew—he was enjoying this way too much.

"You're a professional," he murmured, his voice low enough for only me to hear. "Act like it."

The challenge in his tone sent a jolt of irritation through me, but it was no match for the flush spreading acrossmy skin. I glared up at him, but my body betrayed me, softening under his touch.

"Beautiful," the photographer said, still snapping away. "This chemistry—ugh, it's magic. We're getting gold here."

By the time the shoot ended, I was trembling with tension. The second the photographer called it, I pulled away, trying to steady my uneven breaths.

"Good work," Kai said, his voice steady, infuriatingly unaffected.

"Thanks. "I avoided his gaze, grabbing my things and heading for the door. But as I walked away, I swore I could still feel his touch, the heat of his breath, the weight of his stare.

It was going to be a long night.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***