Chapter 3
Zayn reclined on the couch. He put both hands behind his head and closed his eyes. Tia turned to look at him and rolled her eyes.
“Zayn!”
“What?” he asked turning his head towards her and smiled.
Damn him, she thought.
“Not like that!” She walked over to him in a huff.
Tia arranged his legs the way she wanted. Touching him again was hell on her.
Making her think about things other than taking pictures.
She knew that he was watching her. She didn’t want to look up at him.
“Stop staring.” She snapped.
“Oh love, you are still so easily frustrated.”
Tia turned to glare at him.
“I am not. Will you please shut up so I can work?”
“Yes boss.”
She glared at him once again. Tia walked over to the camera and bent to look through the lens.
She suddenly found it extremely hard to concentrate. Zayn had readjusted just a bit and was reclining perfectly. And looking very sensual.
Damn him she thought
“Don’t move.” She snapped once again. She quickly began taking pictures. The lighting was perfect. The aura of the studio was perfect.
He was perfect.
Then it suddenly hit Tia. She still loved him. She had never stopped. And now, it was too late.
She felt her heart begin to race. She continued to take pictures. She felt her cheeks flush.
Was it warm in here she thought.
Zayn watched Tia as she worked. What was she thinking? What was going through her mind?
He had missed her. Missed her since the day she walked out of his life.
He tried dating others. Even got engaged. But the others weren’t her.
They weren’t Tia. The day she left was the most miserable day of his life.
Time seemed to be moving at a snail’s pace, but an hour had already passed.
It was still storming. The lights began to flicker once again.
“Bloody hell.” Tia swore.
She glanced at Zayn and saw him smirk.
“What?”
“You still swear like a Londoner love.”
“I was never a Londoner and you know it.”
“True. But you loved it there.” He said.
His mind went back to happier times. The times they shared in their flat.
Tia looked at him. His face softened by the glow of candlelight. Flooding her mind with thoughts of the past.
“I did love it there.” She said in a quiet voice. “Um, you can get up now for a bit. I need to reload.”
“Okay.” He said quietly.
Zayn stood up to stretch his legs. He continued to watch her.
Watch the movements of her body. The way her hair hung around her shoulders. Blonde curls. He ached to run his hand through it.
“Tia.” He said.
She looked up at him. Her heart began to race once again as he slowly walked towards her.
He stood in front of her. Her camera fell to her side. He reached up and caressed her cheek with his finger. “Tia, I….”
Tia closed her eyes at his touch. How easy it would be. They were alone. A summer storm. Romantic setting. It was perfect.
And as far as she knew, he was engaged. What they once had was over a long time ago. She quickly pulled away.
She needed to do her job. No matter how much the subject affected her.
She bent to retrieve another camera, as she did, she brushed away the tears that were threatening to fall from her eyes.
Zayn watched her. He knew something was wrong. He could always tell when she was upset.
“Tia?” She turned back to him.
“Zayn, can you please unbutton your shirt a bit more and get back on the couch?”
He raised an eyebrow at her. She was shutting him out. Shutting him away.
“Sure.” He turned and got back to the position he was in earlier.
Tia looked through her camera once again and then readjusted the lighting a bit. She tipped her head at him.
Something wasn’t right.
She walked up to him and began to adjust his shirt a bit. She leaned over him to grab a pillow. As she did, he reached up and pulled her to him. Her hands came to rest on his partially bared chest.
“Zayn!”
“Talk to me love. Tell me what’s wrong.” He said. His lips mere inches from hers.
Her eyes bore into his.
“I can’t.” she said. Her voice a whisper.
