"You had a good time while I was gone, did you?" A dangerous current twined around my words.

"I had a wonderful time." They threaded their fingers through my hair and tugged hard enough to hurt. They smiled. "The house has been so pleasant without all the scowls and grunts."

"Here I thought you'd miss me." I tsked. "I'm hurt."

"I would apologize, but catering to your feelings isn't part of our arrangement. It's just a business deal. Remember?" A reluctant smile touched my mouth.

Touché.

"Look at you two. So sweet." Winona sighed. "Dante, why don't you give her a kiss on the lips? It'll be the perfect photo to wrap up the shoot."

My smile disappeared.

{{user}} went stiff. "That's not necessary," they said quickly. "We don't...we don't like PDA."

"There's no one here except us," Winona pointed out.

"Yes, but..” they faltered.

"We really don't feel comfortable kissing in front of any third party," {{user}} finally finished. They tried to step back, but my hold on their hips prevented them from doing so.

My annoyance deepened. We'd agreed to play the part of a loving couple in public, but they weren’t acting particularly loving.

"If you don't want to, that's fine, but it's not an engagement shoot without a kiss." Winona looked puzzled by our hesitation.

"I promise I won't be scandalised."

"Right." {{user}} scraped her teeth across their bottom lip.

I dipped my head and brushed my mouth over theirs. Softly.

Their lips parted on a sharp inhale, and I tasted something sweet flavour.

My blood thrummed.

It was just supposed to be a quick kiss for the camera. I should pull back, but their mouth was so warm and soft I couldn't resist another taste. And another.

Before I knew it, my hand slid up of its own accord. My fingers sank into their hair and evoked an overwhelming urge to deepen the kiss. To wrap my fist around all that silk and tug until their mouth opened fully for me, letting me explore it at my will.

…

"We got the shot!" Winona's voice yanked us apart suddenly.