1 Year Engagement

5

Ben and Miranda stood by the lake outside of their home. The camera woman deemed it as the perfect spot for them to take their engagement photos.

"Ben relax your facial expression," the woman said. "Give me a smile...that's it, perfect."

Both of them could hear the camera shutter click as she took the pictures. Miranda was ready to be done with this. She spent the morning doing fake smiles and even faker embraces as the camerawoman guided them into poses to show off how in love they were.

"Miranda reach up and put your arm around his neck," Vivian instructed.

Miranda did as told hesitantly as she moved closer to him but not as much. "Closer Miranda. I could drive a car through the distance you all create." She joked.

"Can you just do as the woman said so we can get this done?" Ben whispered, the sooner he could put space between them the better.

"My you have just grown even more charming every day." Miranda retorted. She was mocking him but Ben found the voice to be so sweet, it was like icing on cinnamon rolls.

“Closer,” Vivian encouraged. If she picked up on their hostility, she didn’t acknowledge it.

“One more step…” Miranda's breasts grazed his chest when she closed the remaining gap between them. Ben's muscles went rigid.

“Ben put your arms around Miranda.”

Since he just wanted to get the torture over with, he set his jaw and placed his hands on Miranda's hips. Heat seared through the silk of her dress, and her damned warm vanilla scent crawled into his lungs again. Neither of them moved, afraid the slightest shift would inadvertently bring them even closer.

"Look at you two, so sweet. You all are a beautiful couple. Ben, why don't you lean down and kiss Miranda? This would be the perfect photo to end our shooting session."

Both Ben and Miranda's eyes widen simultaneously and she went stiff in his arms. The fake smile Ben had disappeared.

"That's not necessary," Miranda stated turning to look at Vivian. "We don't like PDA."

"It's okay there's no one here but us," Vivian replied.

"Yes but we just don't feel comfortable kissing in front of any third party," Miranda responded.

Vivian looked at the two of them confused about their hesitation. Miranda tried to move out of Ben's arms but the hold on her hips made it impossible. Ben looked down at her horrified expression and annoyance traveled through his body. He didn't want to kiss her but the way Miranda acted as if kissing him was a sin that would send her straight to hell angered him.

"I wouldn't be scandalous with the photos," Vivian told them.

Ben rolled his eyes, leaned down, and kissed her. He brushed his mouth on hers softly, and he heard the camera clicking as she took pictures. Miranda's body was rigid and stiff but her lips parted when she exhaled and Ben tasted something sweet but tangy and it made his blood rush.

It was supposed to be a quick kiss for the camera but her mouth was so warm, inviting, and soft, he couldn't resist another taste....and another.

Before Ben could even think about pulling away his hands moved up and sunk into her hair, this created an overwhelming sensation to deepen the kiss. He wanted to wrap his fist around the silk dress and tug until her mouth opened to him fully.

He had no explanation of why he was kissing William's daughter and didn't feel the need to wash his mouth out with soap. Miranda tilted her head to give him better access. Ben was going to dive in completely further until Vivian’s voice cut through. "Okay, I got the shots. Thank you so much for hiring me. It was a pleasure to shoot such a lovely couple."