AN: New week. Time to aim for top 10. As for bonus chapters. Not today since I don't have enough in stock, been busy with Brooklyn 99 (Next month). But tomorrow I'll drop 2 chs. So, don't hold back on the powerstones.🫡
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Janice Winston stood behind the main camera, her hair pulled back in a loose braid and a pencil tucked behind her ear. She watched as Alex walked her through the vision for the opening shot.
"It's going to be black and white in post," Alex explained, his tone calm but precise. "But we keep the clothes and the perfume bottle in color. That means the red tie, Max's blue velvet dress, and the gold-and-black bottle are the only color accents in the frame. Everything else stays black and white."
Janice nodded, already visualizing the final image. "Got it. Classic elegance with a modern twist. I like it." She glanced at Max. "And you, sweetheart, are going to own this frame."
Max smirked, running her hands down the curve of her dress. The deep blue velvet clung to her like it had been poured onto her body, the neckline dipping just enough to make a statement without losing sophistication. "I usually do."
When they stepped onto the backdrop together, the lights caught the texture of the velvet and the sharp lines of his suit, creating an immediate visual pull.
Janice adjusted the lighting, narrowing the beam so it fell directly over them, leaving the edges in a softer haze. "Alright. Max, you're going to be leaning into Alex just enough to make the chemistry obvious. I want heat, but keep it classy. Alex, I want you looking at her like she's the only thing in the room."
"I can do that," He whispered.
"Did I tell you..." Max whispered. "...that you are looking so hot right now in that suit?"
"And you look ravishing," He replied.
Max tilted her head toward him, her perfume bottle cradled in one hand. Alex's gaze locked on her instantly, his eyes moving from her lips to her collarbone and back up again. The subtle flicker of amusement in his expression sent a ripple of awareness between them.
"Perfect," Janice said as she took a couple of quick snaps. "Max, turn your hips slightly toward him. Alex, take her wrist and guide her hand up so the bottle catches the light."
He followed the instruction, his fingers curling around her wrist with a slow, deliberate grip. Max's lips parted just slightly as she let him position her. The bottle tilted forward under the light, the gold-and-black glass gleaming like treasure against the monochrome backdrop.
"Closer," Janice instructed. "I want it almost like you're about to kiss, but don't close the gap."
Max leaned in, her breath mingling with his. Alex's thumb traced a light stroke along the inside of her wrist, completely unseen by the camera but enough to make her spine tingle.
"Hold it… right there," Janice said, snapping a rapid series of shots. "Max, look at his lips. Alex, keep your eyes locked on hers. Beautiful."
The camera clicked in a steady rhythm.
Janice circled them slowly, shooting from different angles. "Alright, now I want the power shift. Max, step in front of him. Alex, place both hands at her waist like you're claiming her. Keep the bottle in her right hand, raised slightly."
Max slid between him and the camera, her back against his chest. He lowered his hands to her waist, his fingers pressing into the curve of her hips just enough to make her exhale. His breath grazed her ear, and she shifted her stance, arching slightly so the lines of their bodies matched like puzzle pieces.
"Perfect tension," Janice said. "Now, Max, tilt your head back against him. Alex, lower your face toward her neck. I want to see the suggestion, not the act."
Max let her head rest against his shoulder, her eyes half-lidded. Alex lowered his mouth until it hovered just above her skin, the faintest whisper of contact passing between them.
The final shutter clicks sounded almost reluctant, as if Janice herself didn't want to break the moment.
"That's it," she said, lowering the camera. "We've got the opener. It's gorgeous."
Max stepped away slowly, smoothing her dress, while Alex adjusted his tie. The heat between them lingered like the last trace of a fragrance in the air.
...
[15 minutes later] [Bedroom setting] [Perfume targeted for couples]
The crew reset the lights while Max disappeared into the dressing room.
When she emerged, the room seemed to stop breathing. The blood-red dress clung to her in a way that made every step deliberate. The fabric shimmered faintly under the soft amber lighting, the slit high enough to reveal the smooth line of her thigh when she moved. Her lips, painted the same deep red, curved into the smallest hint of a smile as she caught Alex's gaze.
Alex had changed too. Black trousers, polished shoes, no jacket. The crisp white shirt clung across his shoulders, the sleeves rolled halfway up his forearms. He walked into the set with slow, confident strides, his eyes locked on Max as though the rest of the world had ceased to exist.
Janice's voice was low but firm. "Alright, Alex, you enter the frame from the left. The camera will follow you in one slow pan. The energy needs to be intimate, like you're in your own world. Max, you're already on the bed, one leg bent, holding the wine. Let your eyes follow him the moment he walks in. Let's roll."
The red silk of Max's dress caught the glow from the bedside lamp as she shifted on the plush white bedding. The glass of wine tilted lazily in her hand, her gaze trailing over Alex with the kind of heat that made the air feel thicker.
'I'm gonna eat you up right after the shoot, Moneybags,' Max thought as she took a deep breath. 'So freakin' hot!'
'Holy Christ! We are so having sex after this shoot," Alex thought as he took in Max's beauty.Â
He stepped closer, loosening his tie without looking away from her. He took it off and tossed it to the chair without breaking eye contact. His hands went to the buttons of his shirt, undoing them one by one.
'Lord have mercy! Take it off, take it off.' Max's lips curved, her gaze lingering on the lines of his chest as the shirt fell open. She took a slow sip of wine, letting the stem of the glass rest against her fingers as her eyes met his again. 'Oh, my. Ain't ya lookin' dashing hot? I'm gonna lick you up like a popsicle, babe.'
Janice murmured from behind the camera, "Beautiful. Now, both of you… let the scent pull you in."
Alex's eyes softened, then narrowed with intrigue as though catching the first trace of her perfume. His steps brought him closer to the bed, the faintest lift at the corner of his mouth betraying his curiosity. Max tilted her head slightly, her gaze sharpening as she breathed in the air between them, catching the warmth of his scent.
He stopped just beside her, leaning down enough for his shadow to fall over her. She placed the glass of wine on the nightstand, her bare shoulder brushing the open edge of his shirt. Her voice was low, almost teasing. "That scent… is that you or am I imagining it?"
He smiled faintly, close enough for her to feel the whisper of his breath. "It's me. And you're not imagining anything."
Max's lashes lowered as if savoring the moment, then she rose to her feet. She moved behind him, her hands smoothing over the planes of his chest from the sides before sliding to his waist. Her body pressed lightly to his back.
She lowered her face to the curve of his neck, inhaling deeply. The camera caught the subtle arch of her body, the way her fingers curled slightly into him as though she couldn't help herself. Her lips brushed just close enough to suggest a kiss that never landed.
"Cut," Janice called softly. "That… is going to sell out the second it airs."
Max lingered against him a moment longer before stepping back, the hint of a smirk on her lips. Alex straightened, buttoning his shirt halfway again, though the air between them still carried the pulse of what had just happened.
...
[Max's dressing room]
Max was still tugging at the zipper of her red dress when the dressing room door creaked open. She glanced up to see Angelina stroll in like she owned the place, leaning her shoulder against the frame with a lazy smirk.
"So," Angelina said, drawing the word out like she was tasting it. "Someone looks very pleased with herself. Finally got your couple shoot with Alex, huh?"
Max arched an eyebrow. "What gave it away? The fact that my skin still smells like his cologne or the part where my knees went on vacation halfway through the scene?"
Angelina chuckled, stepping inside. "Just remember, sweetheart… I had the first couple shoot with him."
Max turned fully toward her, one hand on her hip. "Oh? Are we doing this? The 'I got there first' game?"
Angelina's smile widened. "Yes. We are."
Max let out a dry laugh. "So you're bragging."
Without missing a beat, Angelina nodded. "Yeah. I'm bragging."
Max grabbed a makeup brush from the counter and pointed it at her like a mic. "Well, congratulations. You're the Neil Armstrong of Alex Wilson photoshoots. First one to plant the flag in Angelina Jolie's heart. I'll make sure the history books remember you. Oops! I almost forgot that he planted his flag in my heart, soul and hole first." She gave her a wink.
"You are impossible," Angelina crossed her arms, grinning. "You know, most people would just say 'thank you' and move on."
Max sat on the vanity stool and tossed her hair back. "Most people haven't met me. I don't do 'thank you.' I do 'try and top this.'"
Angelina laughed again, shaking her head. "You're impossible."
"And you're jealous," Max shot back. "But it's fine. You can come to the premiere of the perfume launch and watch me on the big screen while you remember your little 'first' moment."
"Well, I'll send you a ticket for Mr. & Mrs. Smith premiere," Angelina said with the same wink that Max gave her. "Oops! I almost forgot, I took his first acting debut too."
Max took a deep breath and calmed his nerves because she was about to have a quick catfight with Angelina. And she knew why Angelina was trying to make her jealous.Â
"You read it?" She glared at Angelina. [Note for those who don't remember: Max's boobs ranking list.]
Angelina folded her arms tighter and tilted her head just enough to look smug. "Fourth place, huh? That is not exactly a medal position, Max." She read Max's boobs ranking list. How? Caroline sent her that. Why? Because thanks to Max ditching all her work on Caroline and enjoying a vacation with Alex, she's working twice as hard as before, and yeah, it was just a revenge on Max. Everything personal.
Max swiveled on the stool to face her fully, the corner of her mouth curling up. "Oh, honey, fourth place on my list is still better than ninety percent of the world. But yeah… those three ahead of you? Legendary." She tapped her temple. "Scarlett's number two spot is all about symmetry and bounce factor, Alex's words. Rachel's number three has the most adorable freckle placement you have ever seen. And me? Well, I am basically the Mount Everest of boobs. You can try to climb me, but only Alex has ever reached the summit."
Angelina rolled her eyes, though her lips twitched. "You seriously keep a ranking?"
Max picked up a lip gloss and swiped it on slowly. "Of course I do. A girl's gotta have hobbies. Yours are cute, by the way. But in my system? They scored points for perk and lost points for… how do I put this… horizontal ambition."
Angelina laughed despite herself. "Horizontal ambition?"
"Yeah," Max said, leaning forward conspiratorially. "When you lie down, they migrate like tourists in July. You wake up and they're on opposite sides of the bed."
Angelina covered her face with her hand, groaning through a laugh. "You are evil."
Max grinned, setting the gloss down. "Evil… and undefeated. Now unless you plan to campaign for a recount, I suggest you accept your fourth place with grace. Hey, fourth is still respectable. It means you almost made the podium."
Angelina gave her a mock salute. "Fine. But one day, I'm stealing that silver or at least bronze."
Max smirked and flicked her hair over her shoulder. "Sweetheart, you would need a miracle bra, divine intervention, and a panel of very generous judges to even sniff that medal."
Angelina shook her head, still smiling, and walked out. Max sat back, satisfied, and whispered to herself, "Still the queen of the mountain."
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[6 advance chs] [All chs available for all tiers] [No double billing.]