Page 19 of In the Safety's Zone
She seemed happier taking photos now than she did with her pops but I still needed to get her consent on what they wanted us to do.
“No, I mean with what they’re asking. I get that you want to get the shot or whatever but not if the physical aspect of it creeps you out. I’m not trying to push up on you or do shit that makes you uncomfortable.”
They’d tried to say they wanted the two of us to be more affectionate with one another. I had no issues with it, but that didn’t mean that she would be fine with it. And I didn’t want to get swept up in the moment and do some shit that had her wanting to slap my ass.
She glanced up at me and then looked around at the people before looking at me again. “You think there’s some type of hardship of being around you?”
Now it was my turn to blush because she was being smooth with her words. “I’m not saying that. I’m a stranger and have someone touching on you—”
“Okay and mostly, I am to you too. I chose you so I was definitely going to be game for whatever they had us doing. And like I said, it’s not hardship.”
“If that’s what you think then we’re good.”
Her hand on my bicep stopped me from turning fully. “Thank you for caring enough to ask. Most people wouldn’t do that.”
I shrugged because I didn’t want to think about somebody putting her in a weird-ass position. “Yeah, well, I’m not most people. And you never have to thank me for doing what’s right.”
“Then I guess that was a good pick on my part.”
“Of course I’m going to say that, but then again I’ve been arrogant every once in a while.”
“Channel that shit to what we’re about to do then. If I make history I need these pictures to look good as hell.”
I thought nothing of tilting her chin so she was looking at me. “When. We always speak positives into your life, Aphrodite.”
That earned me another smile and I led her back to the set. Without missing a beat, I pulled her closer to me, wrapping myarms around her waist and nuzzling my head into her neck. The heels they put her in were tall enough to shrink the over half a foot difference in our heights. I could feel her body tremble but when I went to pull away she kept me in place.
Part of me was cheering but the other part was silently screaming because I was bricking up. I felt like a kid waking up from a wet dream but I took a deep breath and just let it ride.
“That’s right, Aphrodite. Throw your arms around his neck.”
She did what was asked and we pulled one another closer. The people seemed to fade away as we just stared at each other intently.
“This is going to be the money shot. Keep your arms around my neck, I’ll keep my head down but turn to the camera and let them see your fine ass. I can’t wait to see this shit on the cover after you make history this year.”
CHAPTER THREE
Gotham
ANTHONY
“THAT WAS FUN!”
Aphrodite’s eyes were bright like she genuinely meant it and I was surprised that something like this would have her so happy.
I could only nod ‘cause the whole photoshoot thing was a vibe. It had been a few years since I had to do promo for anything or be dressed and it came back like it was second nature. Shit had my mind conflicted again because holding her felt natural and again I was wondering if I was imagining this shit and just getting caught up in the moment.
“It was.”
Her smile dimmed slightly and her head tilted like she were attempting to understand the hidden meaning in my words. “Why you say it like that?”
“I would just think that you were used to stuff like this.”
I pointed with my thumb over my shoulder at the building behind us. It was cold as fuck so we needed to get moving before my ass froze to the ground. It was just over forty degrees and she looked right at home in the cold. The tip of her nose was flushed and her coat looked like it would block out all the elements. But she grew up in this area so I was sure this cold ain’t bother her. But I felt like my left nut was about to be in my chest if I didn’t start moving.
Her smile perked up again and those tilted eyes went back to sparkling. Aphrodite’s features reminded me of the San people of Africa with her extra high cheekbones and slanted eyes.
“Oh, I mean kind of, but it’s never with someone cool like you. I normally do editorials or try to fake playing so they can get candid shots. And then of course the shoots I have to refuse for moral reasons.”
