“You’re not dating right now, huh?”

I knew those words were going to come out of his mouth the minute we left Hawk.

“We’re not dating.”

We’re walking down a short, empty hallway and he stops, prompting me to face him.

“Look, you don’t need to lie to me. If you’re not interested, cool. I’m a big boy. If you are, say that - I don’t chase women who play hard to get.”

“Maybe I just don’t want you.” The words fly past my lips automatically, mainly because his confidence is slightly annoying.

“Great. Then let’s get this shoot done so I can find a woman who does.” He lifts his shoulder in a dismissive shrug and begins walking away, and I stand there for a few seconds.

Clearly, I got too used to Hawk being persistent.

He’s really letting it go so easily?

“That’s it?”

“You’re one woman.” He laughs, not turning around. “An alluring woman, sure, but still just one woman.”

“So there’s no other connection for you? You can move on so easily?” I move after him, keeping my voice low.

“It’s not like I know you. We would maybe get dinner, fuck, and that would be it. Maybe we’d fuck regularly, maybe we wouldn’t. But that’s all I’m looking for, not any extra work.” He slides his blue gaze over, perusing my body slowly so that I feel like I’m wearing much less than a dress that covers the important parts. “Let great sex be great sex, nothing more.”

“And you just know it would be great?” Some part of me is screaming red alert because his attitude is almost callous.

But he’s honest…and it’s exactly the way I used to think. It feels familiar.

Find the middle ground between who you think you need to be and who you were.

“I don’t like extra work outside the bedroom.” His lips tilt into a confident smile. “I save it for when it matters.”

I can’t deny that he’s attractive. He’s in a simple white t-shirt that fits his chest, khaki shorts, and white Adidas. His hair is haphazard but manages to not look sloppy.

He screams low-maintenance. A good time man. Something very different from what Hawk says to me.

Hawk says commitment. He says “I’m going to demand everything from you, but I’m going to give you even more in return.” He’s patient and kind and the type of man I’d probably be lucky to spend my life with.

Something I’m not sure I’m ready for…yet alone deserve.

Maybe Liam would be good to cut my teeth on. I could…make sure that part of me is really finished before I try to commit to Hawk.

Part of me feels like I’m betraying Hawk, even thinking about it. Do I owe him anything when I’ve been clear about not being ready for more?

Yeah, it seemed clear when you were just kissing him and accepting his support.

Okay, so maybe I haven’t been as clear as I think. I’m honestly not sure anymore.

“I need to…discuss the possibility with someone. If your offer is still open.” I twist my skirt in my hand, taking a deep breath.

“With the guy back there?” He questions.

“Yeah. We aren’t together per se, but I think there may be expectations and I don’t…I don’t want to hurt him.”

“As long as you’re not pulling me into a messy situation, take the time you need.” We turn the corner and he opens the door for me, where the atmosphere completely changes.

There’s color, people, lighting, assistants, makeup artists, garment racks everywhere and Leslie’s standing in the middle of it.

Her eyes widen when she sees me walk in and she comes over. “Mickey! Did you decide?”

“I did. Thanks to no heads up from you.” I scold lightly but soften it with a small smile.

She grins sheepishly. “I was freaking out this morning and when Hawk suggested it, well it sounded just perfect, and I couldn’t believe I hadn’t thought of it sooner.”

“Thought of what?” Liam interjects, looking between us.

“Liam Daniels, right? Leslie James, I help with a bit of the marketing & advertising for Bold.” She sticks out a hand and he shakes it firmly.

He gets a mental point for seeming to treat her with the same respect and grip that he would a man.

“And to answer your question, Mickey’s going to be your co-model.” She beams, blonde ponytail bouncing as she turns her head because someone’s called her name. “Excuse me. Uh, check in with makeup Mickey- you too, Liam.” She rushes away.

He turns to me with raised brows.

“You’re about to be practically sitting in my lap with lingerie on?”

Well, when he says it like that…

“This is a purely professional shoot and setting, and I expect you to behave accordingly.” I fall back onto professionalism because otherwise, I’ll start imagining him in just boxers before we even get there.

He backs away with a knowing expression. “Remind yourself of that when I take my clothes off, alright?”

I watch him walk away and my gaze automatically drops to the firm ass in his shorts.

This might’ve been a terrible idea.