Jiselle's POV:

"Did you see Niall's Instagram Live last night?" Sara asked the second I answered the phone.

"Yes!" I practically squealed, earning a curious glance from one of the assistants standing nearby. I lowered my voice, although my grin wasn't going anywhere. "I still can't believe what he said before he signed off. I'm so happy for her."

"It's a good thing she doesn't bother watching his livestreams," Sara laughed. "Otherwise, he'd be completely exposed."

I laughed with her, switching my phone to my other ear as I watched the chaos unfolding around me.

People hurried across the studio carrying racks of clothes, adjusting lights, checking cameras, and shouting instructions back and forth. In the middle of all of it stood Liam, looking entirely too comfortable while a stylist adjusted the waistband of his Hugo Boss underwear.

My eyes narrowed when I noticed two girls near the monitors staring at him.

Not looking.

Staring.

"So," Sara continued, "what are you up to today?"

"Liam and I are at a Hugo Boss photoshoot." I leaned against the wall and crossed my arms. "And my lucky ass gets to stand here all day watching a bunch of women drool over my boyfriend while he poses for cameras in his underwear."

Sara burst out laughing.

"So you're having a terrible time, obviously."

"Oh, I'm enjoying the view," I admitted, letting my eyes wander back toward Liam.

He was standing beneath the lights now, one hand resting casually against his thigh as the photographer gave him instructions. His hair was perfectly styled, his tattoos were completely exposed, and every time the camera flashed, he somehow managed to look even better.

It was honestly irritating.

"I just wish these girls wouldn't look at him like he's their first meal after a month-long diet," I continued. "At this point, I'm about to replace the entire crew with men."

"I wouldn't worry about it, Jiselle. We all know Liam only has eyes for you."

As if he could somehow hear her through the phone, Liam glanced across the studio and found me immediately.

The serious expression he'd been giving the camera disappeared for half a second.

He winked.

I shook my head, trying not to smile.

"Yeah," I sighed. "You're right."

"Of course I'm right."

"By the way, when are we all getting together again? I feel like it's been forever. I miss you girls."

"I'm not sure. I'll talk to Lyndsey, and then we'll figure something out."

"Please do. You guys can always come out here. Everyone can stay with me."

Sara gasped dramatically.

"Oh my God. We get to stay in the penthouse palace?"

I rolled my eyes.

"Haha. Very funny, Sara."

"I'm serious! Do you have any idea how normal people live?"

"You're ridiculous."

"And yet you love me."

"Unfortunately."

She laughed.

"We'll put something together."

Before I could respond, two strong arms suddenly wrapped around my waist from behind.

I didn't even need to turn around.

The tattoos covering the forearm resting against my stomach told me exactly who it was.

Then Liam's lips brushed against the side of my neck.

My smile immediately returned.

"Okay, girl," I said into the phone. "Keep me posted. I'll talk to you soon."

"Alright, Jiselle. Have fun at the photoshoot."

Her tone made the meaning behind have fun extremely obvious.

"Sara."

"What?"

"Goodbye."

She laughed. "Bye!"

I hung up and lowered my phone as Liam tightened his arms around me.

For a moment, I simply relaxed against his chest.

"Hey, sexy," he murmured near my ear. "Who was that?"

"Sara. We were catching up and trying to figure out when all of us can get together again."

"Ah, cool."

He rested his chin on my shoulder.

"So, what are you dressing me in next?"

I turned around in his arms and looped mine around his neck.

"Ooh. That's difficult."

"Why?"

"Because I really like the white Hugo Boss shirt and hoodie..."

Liam raised an eyebrow.

"But?"

I smiled.

"I think I like my alternative options better."

His expression immediately became suspicious.

"What alternative options?"

Instead of answering him, I looked over his shoulder toward the crew.

"Let's move the next setup to the roof," I called out. "And get Liam changed into outfit four."

Almost immediately, everyone sprang into motion.

Equipment was packed up. Clothing racks were rolled toward the elevators. Assistants began coordinating the rooftop setup while the photographer checked his camera.

Liam stared at me.

I gave him my sweetest smile.

"You better go get changed."

The rooftop was even better than I'd imagined.

The city stretched behind Liam while the late-afternoon light created the perfect backdrop. He had changed into black, and the darker outfit against his skin made every tattoo stand out.

"Chin down slightly," the photographer instructed.

Liam lowered his head.

"Eyes here."

Flash.

"Good. Turn your shoulder."

Flash.

"Perfect."

I stood behind the monitors, studying each image as it appeared on the screen.

This wasn't helping my concentration.

At all.

The black outfit hugged Liam perfectly, and there was something about the combination of the clothes, his tattoos, and that ridiculous confidence of his that made it nearly impossible for me to look anywhere else.

He changed positions again.

Flash.

I pressed my lips together.

Professional, Jiselle.

Be professional.

I walked over to the photographer.

"Try a lower angle."

He adjusted his position.

Flash.

"Now get a few from the side. I want more of the skyline behind him."

Liam turned slightly, looking over his shoulder toward the camera.

Flash.

I looked down at the monitor.

There it was.

"That's the one."

We took several more shots before I finally felt satisfied with what we had.

"Alright, everyone," I called out. "Take a break while we get Liam set up in the next outfit."

The crew scattered almost immediately, grateful for a few minutes to sit down.

Liam walked straight toward me.

"What's next?"

I slowly looked him up and down.

His eyes narrowed.

I bit my lip.

"Follow me, Mr. Payne."

"Oh, no."

I turned toward the door leading back inside.

"What?"

"I know that look."

I glanced over my shoulder.

"What look?"

"That one."

I smiled innocently.

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Sure you don't."

I led him downstairs to his private changing room and stepped inside.

The second Liam followed me, I locked the door.

His eyebrows rose.

"Should I be worried?"

"Probably."

I walked toward him and grabbed the bottom of his shirt.

Before he could say anything, I pulled it over his head.

Liam laughed.

"I thought there were people whose job it was to do this."

"There are."

"Then why are you doing it?"

I tossed his shirt onto the nearby chair.

"Quality control."

"Right."

I placed my palm against his chest and slowly dragged it downward, following the lines of his tattoos until my fingertips reached his stomach.

His smile disappeared.

I could feel his muscles tense beneath my hand.

For a second, neither of us said anything.

Then I stepped away.

Liam stared at me in disbelief.

I walked over to the clothing rack as if absolutely nothing had happened.

"Here."

I grabbed a black hoodie with a white Hugo Boss logo and tossed it toward him.

"Put this on."

He caught it against his chest.

"You're evil."

"I've been told."

While Liam pulled the hoodie over his head, I grabbed a black leather jacket from the rack.

The moment he was dressed, I slowly circled him.

Liam remained perfectly still, watching me with amusement as I inspected the outfit from every angle.

"Hmm..."

"What?"

I ignored him.

I adjusted the hoodie slightly, stepped back, and studied him again.

Then I held out the leather jacket.

"Put this on too."

He slipped his arms through it and adjusted the collar.

I froze for a moment.

Something about seeing him in the jacket stirred an old memory.

A smile slowly appeared on my face.

"What?" Liam asked.

"I remember the first time I met you."

His expression softened.

"You do?"

"Of course I do."

I stepped closer and ran my fingers along the edge of his jacket.

"You were wearing a black leather jacket. It looked a lot like this one."

"I remember."

I placed both hands against his chest and looked up at him.

He looked down at me.

Suddenly, the playful atmosphere in the room changed.

Our faces were inches apart.

Then centimeters.

His eyes dropped toward my lips.

Mine did the same.

Liam leaned closer.

I let him.

Almost.

Just before our lips touched, I leaned backward.

His eyebrows shot up.

I smiled.

"I think I've figured it out."

He stared at me.

"Figured out what?"

I reached behind his neck.

"This."

I pulled the hood over his head and carefully adjusted it beneath the leather jacket.

Then I stepped back and admired my work.

"Perfect."

Liam blinked.

"Seriously?"

"Very."

I clasped my hands together.

"Well, Mr. Payne, you are officially ready to continue your photoshoot."

I turned around and headed for the door.

"Jiselle."

I unlocked it.

"Yes?"

"You can't do that."

I opened the door.

"Do what?"

"You know exactly what."

I walked into the hallway, laughing as I heard him following me.

"Jiselle!"

"You have a photoshoot to finish, Mr. Payne."

"You're going to regret this later."

I glanced back at him.

The look on his face sent a pleasant shiver down my spine.

"Is that a promise?"

Liam's mouth curved into a slow smile.

"Absolutely."

I turned away before he could see just how much that answer affected me.

The rest of the shoot went exactly how I'd hoped.

Liam delivered every shot we needed, the rooftop photos came out better than I'd imagined, and by the time the photographer finally lowered his camera, I knew we had everything.

"That's a wrap!" I announced.

Applause broke out around the set.

Liam looked past everyone until his eyes landed on me.

That same dangerous little smile appeared on his face.

And suddenly, I remembered what he'd promised me in the changing room.

The Hugo Boss photoshoot was officially over.

Something told me my day with Liam wasn't.