Photo Opportunity by Jess Dee Read Free Book Online

inside her. Spend the rest of the evening ravishing her, making love to her.
    “So, tonight’s the night.”
    Daniel whipped his head up. “What?” How did she know what he had planned?
    “It’s your big night. How are you feeling?”
    Ah…she was referring to the exhibition. “A little nervous.” The show was only partly responsible for the jittery sensation in the pit of his stomach.
    “A little nervous? You’re wound so tight you look ready to snap.”
    “I’ll be fine.”
    “Would you like a drink, something to help you loosen up?”
    He nodded. “Yeah, please. Scotch, straight up.”
    Amy poured them each a whiskey then clinked her glass against his. “To my best friend.”
    Four little words and they left him winded. Maybe because she knew how important tonight was to him. Maybe because they typified how much she cared. Whatever the case, she took his breath away.
    He tried not to stare at her. Luminous green eyes watched him with concern. Full, moist lips covered in a sheer gloss curved into a troubled smile. How would she react if he leaned over and nibbled on the corner of her worried mouth?
    Would her breath catch? Would she surrender her mouth to him? Would blood pulse through her veins and moisture pool between her legs? Would desire build and pound through her, like it did through him?
    “I’ve never seen you like this, Dan. You seem…I don’t know. Tense doesn’t begin to describe it.”
    He held his shoulders stiff, determined not to kiss her. Not yet. “I’ll be okay. You ready to go?”
    “Just let me grab my wrap.” Amy walked out of the room.
    Daniel followed her with his gaze and a deep longing overpowered him. The gentle sway of her hips and the seductive slit in the side of her skirt, offering a delectable view of her thigh, were so inviting he had to fight down the urge to reach out and haul her back to him.
    He downed his scotch in one mouthful and prayed the alcohol would burn away his feverish hunger for her. The drink didn’t make a difference. His body was in overdrive. The only heat that could touch him now was that of Amy pressed up against him.
    Tonight he would hold her in his arms again. And the heat of their desire would sear them both.
     
    ***
     
    Daniel held the gallery door open and Amy walked into the cavernous room, its walls lined with his beautifully framed photographs. A huge color picture of a group of doctors holding up champagne glasses hung on the wall opposite the door. The caption underneath it read All in Good Health. The blurb below welcomed guests to the exhibition.
    “A posed picture,” she noted. “Not your usual work.”
    “Yeah well, it was appropriate for the purpose of this exhibition. The rest of the pictures are more natural.” Daniel paused then added, “If you can call photographs of sick kids natural.”
    Amy was worried. He’d been quieter than usual in the car. Distracted. Now his voice was strained. Nervous tension radiated out of every pore.
    She touched his shoulder. “Would you like to take a few minutes before you have to face the crowds?”
    He gave her a tight smile and shook his head. “Nah, I’ll be fine.”
    “I know you will. More than that, the exhibition’s going to be a huge success. Just wait and see.”
    He looked at her with a tenderness that softened the stress lines around his eyes. “How is it you always seem to know the right thing to say?”
    She shrugged. “How is it you always seem to know the right picture to take?” She could have said something more, perhaps wished him luck, but there were times when words just weren’t necessary between them. Instead, she stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek.
    Since their encounter on the beach, she was careful to keep their interactions touch-free. But Daniel needed her and she could hardly refuse him a little physical support.
    She reached up to wipe the lipstick off his face and he trapped her hand against his cheek, holding it there. His eyes filled