He couldn’t believe his eyes. Brendan was hard-pressed to believe the svelte young woman with the luscious curves that stood before him now was the same person. But it had to be.

He had to get a grip before she turned around to see the expression on his face. Right now, he only had a side glimpse of her profile, but it was more than enough. She was laughing unabashedly at something the makeup artist said, with her head thrown back. He hadn’t heard that laugh or seen her smile in quite some time. He was glad to see that side of Ava again. Maybe things would be all right after all.

When Rick had agreed to send in their hair and makeup team and the band’s stylist to give Ava a makeover, he wasn’t sure what he had expected to happen, but the woman before him surely wasn’t it.

Gone were the sweats and long-sleeved shirts that she had obviously been hiding within.

Every pound of extra flesh he recalled from a couple of years ago had turned into fully-formed, soft, womanly curves. As he had hoped, the stylist had convinced her to get rid of the grungy, unflattering casual wear that had become a constant companion of hers.

Now she was swathed in an olive green, floor-length halter maxi-dress with a slit up to her upper thigh that draped closed. The low neckline showed off just enough cleavage to make her sensual without being overtly so. A gold belt around her midsection drew attention to her tiny waist. A matching gold bangle on her arm and black diamond drop earrings dangling from her ears were her only other accessories. Black and gold strappy sandals adorned her feet, and her toes were now colored a bold shade of red.

Her heart-shaped baby face looked more mature, where their makeup stylist had carefully applied contour to bring out the apples of her high cheekbones. A light brushing of blush maintained the soft, rounded appearance of her face, making sure not to leave her with a hardened look.

The hairstylist had done wonders with her thick tresses. No longer slicked back in what had become her signature, severe ponytail, beautiful, luxurious brunette hair now framed her face, falling in waves around her shoulders and back.

However, the most startling change, other than her figure, had to be her eyes. When she finally turned to look at him, he was rendered speechless. Thick eyeglasses no longer covered her eyes. Obviously, they had convinced her to wear contacts in place of the glasses, because the way her eyes used to squint whenever she didn’t have them on as a kid, that effect was no longer in play.

Lightly rimmed in eyeliner with a coat of mascara applied to her long, curvy eyelashes, her sea-green eyes were striking. They somehow drew him in in a way he didn’t care to put words to. A pale red lipstick transformed her normally full lips into a perfect pout. She was smiling at him, as though she was pleased for him to see her this way.

When she shifted slightly, as though uncomfortable at the way his gaze lingered on her hips and slowly made their way up her face and down again, he pulled his gaze away. Turning to Roxanne, who sat on the couch opposite where Ava stood, she smiled knowingly at him.

“So, what do you think, Bren?” Roxanne asked.

He felt as if he were being called out, but just as quickly Roxanne threw him a lifeline. “You think she’s ready for the photo shoot you two will be doing?”

“Uh…yeah…I, uh…she’s perfect. Um, perfectly ready for the shoot, I mean,” he said, scratching his head. He hated that he sounded like a fool, unable to articulate his true feelings.

“So, when do we start?” Ava asked, all cool business once again.

The voice was Ava’s, but Brendan didn’t see her as Keith’s little sister anymore. Yet, she was still the sister of his best friend, no matter how gorgeous and hot she had become. As she walked in his direction, he couldn’t help but allow his eyes to be pulled into the swaying movement of her curvy hips. How in the world would he make it through this photoshoot? The clean crisp scent of cotton and vanilla intermingled in a fragrant perfume she wore making him want to take a step closer to her.

“Um, they’re ready for us now. I was just coming to get you for that,” he said, jerking his thumb behind him.

A long row of trees lined the walkway, creating a nice, cool refuge from the scorching sun beaming overhead. The aroma of fresh herbs, such as lavender, sage, and rosemary scented the air. They had taken several pictures in front of the old sandstone building that looked like a miniature castle. Only recently had the photographer moved them to the archway created by the vines that produced the champagnes and wines, people drove hundreds of miles to for a single sample of Castleberry wines.

His arms nestled comfortably at her waist, and Brendan was surprised by how she seemed to fit perfectly in his arms.

“Brendan, lean in as though you’re about to share an intimate moment with her, instead of as if you’re afraid of her,” London, the photographer, called out.

Smirking, he leaned towards her only to try to calm his nerves at her harsh glare.

“Don’t even think about it!” she hissed.

Brendan leaned towards her, appearing to nuzzle her neck from the photographer’s viewpoint, but he was whispering in her ear.

“Perfect!” London called out, capturing various shots, before he moved to get a different angle.

“Ava, remember, we’re supposed to act as if we’re a couple. That’s the purpose of this photoshoot. The entire plan is about convincing people we’re engaged. And that starts now, with this photographer,” he hissed back.

“Fine! But just remember, I’m doing this for Roxi and Keith. Not for you!” she reprimanded.

A warmth stirred within his belly, as he pulled her closer to him and held her hips firmly in his hands. “Fine, I’ll take whatever I can get.”

“I bet you will,” she whispered back guardedly.

“You two look so enamored with one another! So full of passion! That’s what I’ve been looking for. The thing that’s been missing all along. Good! Good!” London coached, still switching positions.

Brendan was growing hot and was glad he had ignored his stylist who had wanted him to don a brown leather jacket to complete his outfit. The city was called “Hotlanta” for a reason. And although they had traveled a couple of hours outside the city to visit the winery, the heat had followed them there.

He was comfortable keeping it simple in his dark denim jeans and a white button-up shirt that was rolled up at the sleeves. His casual look was completely opposite Ava’s, but they complemented one another perfectly.

“See, this wasn’t so difficult now, was it?” he asked, goading Ava. He didn’t know why he wanted to see her riled up. It was different than before…before she had shed the look that she had always worn that kept her as little sister material in his mind. Now, he had just wanted to get back on the same level they’d always been on.

Now that she was standing in his arms, looking the way she did, he had a desire to get her heated. There was something passionate in the glare of her almost translucent eyes. It made him realize there was so much about Ava he didn’t know. And he wanted to get to know her. Maybe, just maybe, they could be friends again. Maybe they could call a truce to whatever walls they had erected, but in the meantime, he could learn what excited her, what angered her, and why she chose to hide the beauty that she was away from the world. Didn’t Ava Cullen know she was a siren? And if not, why not?

“Now, let’s give the world what they’ve been waiting to see. You two are the hottest couple to grace the magazines in a long time, Brendan and Ava. So, share a kiss.”

Brendan lowered his lips and lightly pecked Ava on the forehead.

“Come on, man!” London called out. “She’s not your kid sister for crying out loud!”

Closing his eyes, he softly pecked her lips, causing a low growl of warning to emit from Ava’s throat.

“Brendan!” London roared, holding the camera down at her side, one hand planted on her hip. She wore her natural hair in short twists. No makeup graced her face, because London was a naturally beautiful woman. Yet, as the sun glared down on her mahogany skin and her chocolate brown eyes narrowed in a searing glare, she was anything but pleased. She was a ball of fire, and he had caused her ire to rise.

“Look, Brendan, I am getting paid to do this job. Rather handsomely I might add. But this is my work and I don’t take it lightly nor for granted. You wanted pictures to share in a magazine article that Kit Swanson is doing on you for People Magazine. I need something to give to Kit, and this isn’t it. You’re not about to make my work look bad, nor waste another minute of my time. So, either you get your act together and make this happen, or I’m flying back to New York. Which one is it?”

He sighed, placing a hand on his hip, standing back on one leg. Shading his eyes from the sun, he angled his head down at London. “We’re very private people obviously. No one knows about our relationship, because I’ve done all that I could to protect it. So, forgive me if it’s a bit hard for me to open up in front of you.”

“Then how do you plan to open up to the world?” she challenged.

Sighing, he conceded she was right. “What am I not giving you, London?”

“I need a steamy kiss. I need that same passion I just saw between you two to be shown in the kiss in these photos. I need one that shows the passion and love you feel for one another, as well as hints at the romance you two might share privately,” London urged, as the whirring of her camera’s shutter continued to flicker.

Brendan’s jaw clenched tightly, as he became aggravated. Instantly, he wanted to call it quits. After all, this was his best friend’s baby sister. Yet, when he looked at her, that wasn’t what he saw. And he didn’t want to keep looking at her as just that. After all, it hadn’t been his idea to put her in this position. Her own brother had been the one to suggest it. And when Brendan figured she wasn’t going for it, she had shocked him by coming to him later and saying that she would do it. Just as Roxanne had predicted. Ava had almost seemed angry that she had agreed, but she was adamant that she was certain it was what she wanted to do.

He searched Ava’s eyes for some hint at what she was feeling. Finding nothing but a curious stare, he leaned in to her. “Look, I will never force you to do anything you don’t want to do. And I don’t want to place you in a compromising position or make you more uncomfortable than you already are. So, please—”

“Just do it already! Yes, it’ll be awkward, but just get it over with already!” Ava groaned.

Instead of diving in, Brendan took his time, placing one hand at the nape of her neck softly rubbing the swirls of hair there. His gaze gently caressed her face as he tried to read her mind but came up lacking. Lowering his head slowly, he kissed her just on the edge of her lips in the corner. He heard a sharp intake of breath and felt bad for taking her through this. After all, it wasn’t her fault he was in this predicament.

Brendan rubbed her lips with the pad of his thumb, before leaning in to catch the other corner. She smelled so sweet, and the flesh at the corners of her lips was so soft and tasted like strawberries. Brendan lifted his head slightly, biting down on his bottom lip and searching her face for any clue as to how she might feel about all this. If she became too uncomfortable, he would just pull the plug.

He was surprised to see that her eyes were closed. Probably trying to pretend he was someone other than her brother’s best friend, someone who had been like a big brother to her for so many years. Closing his eyes, he leaned in again, and this time he softly kissed her lips, his one hand still massaging the nape of her neck.

His kisses were sweet and gentle, yet exploratory in nature. For a moment, he forgot this was little, sweet Ava. Ava, who used to run around with thick glasses and bandages on her scraped knees. Ava, who used to prefer to read a book in the corner of a room than go outside and play with the other children. Ava, who pestered him and Keith so badly when they were younger, trailing behind them wherever they went.

But when he opened his eyes again, that’s exactly who he saw. Ava. Ava with the beautiful, kind heart. Ava, who had always been willing to do whatever needed to be done to protect those she loved and cared about. Ava, who sacrificed for the greater good of those around her. And now here she was, showing him that same side of her he had always known existed, but in a different facet.

The rush of emotions that flooded him at his realization scared him. He swiftly released his hold on the nape of her neck and moved back as though scalded.

“Is everything okay?” London asked, standing again with a frown on her face.

“Uh…yeah…yeah, I’m just getting hot in this sun and underneath these lights,” he said, wiping at his forehead.

Looking down at her camera, London muttered, “I’m good. I’m sure I have more than enough shots, and this should be fine. Besides,” she said, glancing at her watch, “Kit’s waiting for you guys.”

Turning away, she led the small entourage, including Roxanne, who had accompanied them on their little venture back into the winery.

“Hey,” Brendan said, tugging on Ava’s arm and pulling her away from the group.

She turned a searing gaze on him that caused him to drop her arm.

“I…I just wanted to apologize. I didn’t mean to drag you into that, and I know that was uncomfortable back there for you. If at any time you want to stop…trust me, I understand.”

The look that colored her eyes was a look of hurt. But what could she possibly be hurting about?

“I said I’d do it, and I don’t go back on my word. I am a woman of integrity.” She lifted one eyebrow at him in a challenging way.