Chapter 9
“Would you mind moving a little closer?” Cherry, the photographer, smiled as she adjusted her camera. “Perhaps place your hand on her waist.. yes, just like that.”
Izzy stiffened at the suggestion. She and Liam had been standing apart, awkwardly, as if an invisible wall separated them But now, with Cherry’s request, Idam slid his hand around her waist, pulling her closer until their bodies touched. The warmth of his hand on her back sent an unexpected jolt through her.
Izzy’s breath caught for a second, but she kept her face neutral. After her meeting with Maria, her second task for the day. was taking photos for Liam’s grandfather–a necessary part of the facade she had to maintain. This was just part of the act. Nothing more. She glanced up at Liam, who was watching her dosely, his expression unreadable.
“Good, now hold it there,” Cherry instructed, snapping a few shots. She circled around them, camera clicking “Perfect. Let’s try another pose. How about Mr. Horvath, tilt your head toward her, just a bit. Mrs. Horvath please, look up at him.”
Izzy resisted the urge to roll her eyes but did as instructed, raising her head to meet Liam’s gaze. His eyes bored into hers, and for a brief moment, she was tempted to look away. She immediately reminded herself that she was doing this for his grandfather. It was part of the deal.
In fact, Liam meticulously organized everything, even booking a private villa and hiring a photographer to ensure their privacy remained intact. They had both agreed to keep their marriage under wraps until Izzy had achieved the revenge she sought
“That’s it,” Cherry said, moving around them. Now, let’s get something more intimate. Mr. Horvath, why don’t you close, like you’re about to kiss her? Like married couples?”
hold her
Izzy froze. What? She glanced at Cherry, the photographer. She had been told this was going to be an intimate photoshoot, but had Izzy given something away? Had she been too obvious: Doubt crept in, making her wonder if her true feelings were starting to show.
That wouldn’t be good, would it? She couldn’t afford to let anyone see her disdain for her own husband, especially not in front of his beloved grandfather. Maintaining the facade was crucial, and any slip could jeopardize everything.
Before she could protest, Liam’s hand tightened on her waist. He pulled her even closer, so close that their faces were only inches apart. His other hand came up to rest lightly on her cheek. She could feel the heat radiating off him, the firmness of his grip on her body. Her pulse quickened, and she hated that it did.
“Are we really doing this?” she muttered under her breath, her eyes locked on his and, for the first time, she noticed how beautiful his brown eyes were.
Liam’s lips curled into a smirk. Then he whispered. “Come on, Darling. You agreed to this. No half–measures, remember? Besides, isn’t it a litle late to play modest in front of me?”
Izzy gritted her teeth but didn’t pull away. The other night, she’d been so drunk that she’d thrown up all over his place, leaving him no choice but to help her clean up. That had, unfortunately, involved him getting her into the bathtub without her clothes on. Though he swore he’d had a female helper, take care of it, the memory still made her cringe.
Izzy held her ground, refusing to let him see how much this was affecting her. She could play this game just as well as he could.
“Alright, now a little closer,” Cherry chimed in, clearly pleased with the chemistry she saw through the lens. “Mr. Horvath, lean in just a bit more. And yes that’s it, Mrs. Horvath, place your hand on his chest.”
Izzy lifted an eyebrow as she placed her hand flat against Liam’s chest. He was right. It was indeed a little too late for her to play this game with him.
She could feel the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath her palm, and for a moment, the closeness of it all became too real. Her fingers twitched, but she kept them steady.
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Chapter 9
“That’s it,” Cherry encouraged. “You two are naturals at this.
Natural Izzy almost scoffed. Nothing about this felt natural. It felt charged And Liam wasn’t helping. His eyes never left hers, that infuriating smirk still playing on his lips, as if he knew exactly what this was doing to her.
After a few more clicks of the camera, Cherry paused, tilting her head to the side. “You know, I’ve done a lot of wedding shoots, and I have to ask..” She lowered the camera, looking between them. “Are you two really married?”
Izzy opened her mouth to argue, but before she could say a word Liam’s arm tightened around her waist, pulling her flush against him. The sudden movement startled her, and her breath hitched as she looked up at him.
“We are.” Liam said smoothly, his hand sliding to the small of her back, holding her possessively. The gesture was so natural, so practiced, that Izzy momentarily forgot it was all for show,
Cherry raised an eyebrow, clearly still curious, but she didn’t press further. “Well, you’ve got the chemistry down,” she said with a chuckle, raising her camera again. “Let’s get a few more shots
Liam didn’t let go. Instead, he leaned down slightly, his lips hovering dangerously close to Izzy’s ear. “You heard her,” he murmured, low enough that only she could hear. “We have chemistry.”
“Fine, Izzy steadied herself. If Cherry wanted a photo, she’d give her one. Slowly, she tilted her head up until her lips just barely brushed his–more gentle touch than an actual kiss. The action clearly caught him off guard but Izzy was certain the man wouldn’t back down. So she was not surprised when he suddenly captured her lips.
What did surprise her, though, was the intensity behind it. His hand slipped to the back of her neck, pulling her closer as the kiss deepened. For a second, she almost forgot it was just for the show, just for a photo.
The click of a camera jolted her back to reality. She pulled away, her breath uneven as she glanced over at Cherry, who stood. frozen, staring at the display with wide eyes.
“That enough for you? Izzy asked, forcing her voice to stay steady.
“Perfect!” Cherry finally reacted. “Now.. one more time!”
Cherry clicked a few more shots, moving them into different poses. Each one seemed more intimate than the last. At one point, she had them seated on a small couch, with Izzy sitting between Liam’s legs, his arms wrapped around her shoulders. His touch lingered longer than necessary, and despite herself, Izzy couldn’t ignore the warmth of his body pressing against,
hers.
“One more,” Cherry said, repositioning them. “Mr. Horvath, how about you kiss her on the forehead? Something sweet to
end with.
Izzy stiffened again, but Liam didn’t hesitate. His lips brushed against her forehead lightly, but the simple touch sent a shiver through her that she couldn’t suppress. She clenched her hands in her lap, trying to keep her composure.
“Perfect,” Cherry said, satisfied. “That’s a wrap. You two did greatl
As soon as the camera was down, Izzy pulled away from Liam, standing up quickly. She needed space, needed to shake off the lingering feeling of his hands on her body.
Liam stretched casually, looking far too relaxed for someone who had just spent the last hour pretending to be madly in love. “See?” he said with a grin. “That wasn’t so bad, was it?”
Izzy shot him a glare. “Don’t get used to it.”
I
Liam chuckled as he stood up, brushing off his pants. “Oh, I’m sure we’ll have plenty more practice, Mrs. Horvath.”
She wanted to argue again but had to stop herself. Those photos are for his grandfather. She had to look the part. It was indeed part of her deal. She took a deep breath.
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Chapter 9
“Should I call your secretary, once the photos are ready Mr. Horth?” Cherry asked.
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“No need.” Liam said with a charming smile toward Cherry before reaching out to take Izzy’s hand. “My wife and I will pock them up together.”
Izzy forced a smile at the photographer, quickly pulling her hand free. Liam chuckled softly but didn’t bother trying to hold it again.
“Dinner?” Liam casually asked as he removed his white suit. “I could have Mondo book any restaurant that my wife wants”
Izzy smirked. How could someone manage to be both bossy and smooth so effortlessly? “I’m fine. I’ve got an appointment,” she replied.
Liam raised an eyebrow and pushed his hand into his pocket How about tomorrow night then? Surely dinner with your husband isn’t too hard to swallow, right?”
She turned her head, the irritation building. When she first walked into this villa, she was sad and angry. Now, all she felt was a deep annoyance toward the man standing in front of her. “Fine Izzy answered curtly. Funny how one person could turn her emotions upside down so quickly.
But f
But for once, Izzy wasn’t truly upset. “Only if you let me pay half she added.
Liam smiled, his eyes glinting with amusement. “If my lovely wife insists, she can pay for all of it.”
Izzy blinked, momentarily caught off guard. For a moment, she had no idea how to respond.
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