Worth It (Damie)

Part 23

A/N: I'm sure most of you have seen the leaked pictures from that infamous photo shoot for Freed by now... Well, here's my take on that day, and where it led ;) As you know, I'm not shy about sex scenes, so that's your warning for the content ahead. Enjoy, and thank you for all the love you give me and this story! Xo

***

I'm in my dressing room getting ready for our Freed photo shoot. Dakota's in the room next to mine, and I'm trying to resist the urge to catch a peek at what she's wearing. She was whisked away the moment we arrived by her hair and make-up team. I take a long swig of the bourbon an assistant delivered upon my request. I need something to calm my nerves. It's always hard for me to dial back how I feel for Dakota in both pictures and interviews. My body language is a bitch that betrays me. Doing this shoot with Dakota acting as my wife might send me over the edge. It's even harder to pretend now that we spend every day together. It's abnormal not to show my true feelings.

There's a knock on the door, and Nino lets himself in without my answer. Good thing I'm fully dressed—he better not do the same to Dakota and catch her naked, or he'll catch my hands.

"Time to get started," he says. "Dak is taking solo photos first, so I can spare you a few more minutes."

Dakota hates being called Dak, and I cringe for her at his nickname.

"I'll be right out." I want to see what she's wearing so I can prepare my body to behave once we're up close.

"Perfecto." He kisses two of his fingers, blowing them at me before he departs.

I chug the last bit of the amber liquid in my glass and tighten my tie. Deep breath, James. Put your game face on.

I head out into the open studio where I can hear Nino encouraging Dakota that she looks sexy, and telling her how to pose. There's a group of helpers around him, prepared to step in and straighten anything misplaced. Mark and Kate are standing toward the back on their phones, and my stylist, Jeanne is with them. They all three look up when I approach as if they have some sort of radar for their clients.

I give them a nod, but keep walking. I want to see the woman behind the lens. I come around the corner and she's standing there posing in a black lace nightie, her bottom lip pinched between her teeth. Sweet Jesus take the wheel.

"Oh darling, you're gorgeous," Nino coos.

I swallow the lump in my throat when she looks over at me. Nino follows her gaze to me and he snaps his fingers.

"Let me have your tie, Jamie." He outstretches his hand, so I quickly undo it and pass it to him.

"Here, sweetheart. Hold this. You're the boss now."

She chuckles, wrapping my tie around her hand and posing with it. She's wearing the stunning diamond ring from the movie, causing my heart to skip a beat. How I wish it could be my ring and this could be an engagement photo shoot, not one for a movie that won't let us live our lives. I adjust the white gold band on my own finger, loving how it feels.

I sense someone at my side. I look down to see Jeanne smirking. "She's gorgeous, good luck."

I snicker. "Shut up, Jea."

"You see that bed?" She points off to the side of the studio. "You're gonna need a miracle."

Fuck. He's going to have us all over that thing in compromising positions. There are zero ways I'll make it out of this without an embarrassing erection none of us can do anything with.

"Good thing these pants are black," I mutter.

She cackles so loud everyone's eyes shoot to us. I feel my blush when Dakota's gaze meets mine. She already knows the power she has over me. And I know with everything in me she's going to take advantage of the situation. I laugh to myself and she looks away, trying to keep it together for the camera.