Page 70 of Claim to Fame

She released a sound that was half laugh, half sob. “I know. How am I supposed to compete with a Victoria’s Secret model?”

His grip on her tightened. “No, Han. You misunderstand. There is no competition. They are them and you are you, and you are fucking gorgeous.” He kissed her forehead, her brow bone, her cheeks. “There’s no comparison because there’s no need to compare. Your beauty is not diminished by being in the presence of other beautiful women.”

She was warm all over, like he’d shone the sun on her and her alone. Smiling, she spoke against his lips. “You have to say that because you’ve seen me naked.”

“You should believe me more because I’ve seen you naked. The only thing they have that you don’t is the confidence to stand on that carpet and know those photographers are damn lucky to be allowed to take their picture.”

“I want to feel that way,” she said, her voice small, like maybe if she spoke softly enough, she wouldn’t scare away the tiny spark inside her that thought maybe, just maybe, with this man looking at her this way, maybe she could be confident enough for that.

He kissed her again, a soft, lingering kiss, then stood, pulling her up with him. “Come with me. I have an idea.”

Twenty minutes and a few cryptic phone calls later, after Ethan encouraged her to change into one of her sundresses and a pair of heels—and she, of course, complied, just to see the way his eyes darkened when she came out in the curve-hugging dress—Ethan turned his truck into the parking lot of a giant stone church with large stained-glass windows. He was out of the truck and opening her car door before she’d fully registered where they were.

“You took me to church?” she asked as he helped her down from the passenger seat. “You want me to pray for confidence?”

“Not exactly.”

But he didn’t explain any further. Instead, he took her hand and led her up the stone steps to the medieval-looking front door. One side swung open, revealing Caleb, the scowl on his face and the wild way his hair stood up in all directions, as though he’d been tugging at it, jarring against the staid beauty of the building. “Place is all yours,” he said, stepping aside to welcome them into the dim narthex. He glanced over his shoulder at a woman sitting at the far end of the sanctuary. “I’ll be in my office.”

Hannah watched the priest’s retreating back. “What was that about?”

“I don’t know.” Ethan frowned, his attention focused on the woman as she stood, straightened her dress, and quietly slipped out the side door. His frown deepened as he watched her go, but from this distance, Hannah couldn’t make out her face before Ethan took her hand and led her into the sanctuary. “I’ll find out later. Now, we have a mission.”

“We do?”

“Damn straight we do.” Jo burst into the sanctuary behind them, pushing open the doors theatrically as she strode towards them. She twirled her finger in a circle. “Let me see what I’m working with.”

Hannah shot a confused look Ethan’s way but she did as Jo asked, her skirt flaring out around her knees. “Is someone going to tell me what’s going on?”

Ethan leaned against the wall, crossing his arms over his chest, his eyes roving over her as her dress settled. “You’re nervous about walking the red carpet with models. Who better to prepare you than an actual model?”

“That’s me,” Jo said with a little wave and a smile.

“And we’re in a church because...?” Hannah asked.

“Red carpet.” Ethan tilted his head towards the aisle and the plush red carpeting that ran the length of the sanctuary.

Hannah couldn’t help the laugh that bubbled up in her throat and burst from her lips. It was ridiculous and wonderful and so thoughtful it made her want to wrap him up in her arms and never let him go.

Jo hooked an arm through Hannah’s and began pulling her towards the front of the sanctuary. “Oh, no. I know that look. You save those horny thoughts until later. We’ve got work to do.”

Chapter Twenty

Ethan watched from the back of the church as Jo taught Hannah how to strut the length of the aisle, moving with purpose but not rushing, like she knew exactly where she wanted to go but wasn’t in any particular hurry to get there.

She was captivating—the way she slowly unfurled as Jo taught her what poses to strike on the red carpet, how her spine straightened and her shoulders relaxed, the sway of her hips and curl of her smile. She was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen, and each laugh, each smile, hit him like a punch to the chest. He rubbed his hand over his heart, as though he could ease the ache behind his rib cage that only intensified as he watched Hannah come alive before his eyes. What he wouldn’t give to be able to make her this happy every day…

“Now here’s what you do if you find yourself in a group photo situation,” Jo said, moving to stand beside Hannah. She slid her arm around Hannah’s waist and angled herself just so. “Bend the knee, and make space. Don’t smoosh yourself up against each other like this,” she said, tugging Hannah closer. “You want room for the lines to breathe.”

Ethan caught Hannah’s eye from across the room as she followed Jo’s instructions, and her smile turned shy, like she’d only just remembered she had an audience. Jo followed Hannah’s line of sight and leaned close, whispering something in Hannah’s ear that had her blushing and laughing breathlessly, a little flustered but still smiling.

“Don’t believe a word she says, sweetheart,” Ethan called. Hannah’s eyes snapped to his, the laughter there like pure sunshine.

“Come on, foxy. You know you love me,” Jo said with a wink.

“I’d love it if you wrapped things up here so I can take my girl out like I’d originally planned,” Ethan said.

“Then you’re in luck, because I’ve taught her all I know.” Jo turned to Hannah, taking her hands. “You’re gonna rock this, babe. Remember, chin up, tits out. It’s all about the angles.”

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