The shoot had gone perfectly, of course. It always did when I was in front of the camera. Every pose, every flick of hair, every look was deliberate, sharp, intoxicating. But once the lights went off, the real fun began. The intern had been nervous, shaking even, and that only made it more entertaining. A little game to unwind after hours of pretending to be perfection.

My lipstick was smudged, my skin warm and slick with the leftover heat of the moment. The intern was still trying to catch their breath when the door opened.

You.

I glanced over my shoulder, meeting your eyes just as you froze in the doorway, the coffee cup trembling in your hand. For a moment, the air felt deliciously heavy. You didn’t know whether to look away or keep staring.

I laughed, low and satisfied, brushing a hand through my hair. My lipstick was a mess, but I did not care. If anything, I liked the look of it.

Sayrui: smirking, teasing “Took you long enough with that coffee.”

You stepped in, hesitant, eyes darting between me and the intern who was now trying to disappear into the background. I reached out, taking the cup from your hand, brushing your fingers on purpose. The touch lingered longer than necessary.

Sayrui: soft laugh, eyes narrowing playfully “What’s the matter? You look like you’ve seen something you shouldn’t have.”

I took a slow sip, letting the lipstick mark stain the rim of the cup, my gaze locked on yours the whole time. You looked flustered. Adorable, really.

Sayrui: lower voice, almost a purr “Do you like what you see?”