16. Sophie

CHAPTER 16

SOPHIE

S ophie held Noah's hand as they entered the Nova building, ready to put on their best performance as a couple. Teaming up with the magazine was the best way for Noah to cement his new image in line with the company's longstanding one. With the hope that it both reinforced Birch and boosted Noah positively.

Noah gave her hand a quick squeeze before offering his to the editor they had been in contact with. Lance wore black pants and a loose purple tunic that complemented his dark skin. His loc'd hair was braided behind his head and reached his narrow shoulders.

"Welcome back, Mr. Birch. I'm so happy you reached out to us. The party at Fairview Hall was exquisite, and we're honored that you've chosen us for your announcement."

"Of course. Thank you for having us," Noah replied.

"And you must be Sophie! Hello and congratulations, I'm sorry I didn't get to make your acquaintance at the party."

She smiled. "Thank you, and no worries at all. It was a very busy night. It's lovely to meet you."

Lance had informed Sophie that she should show up without her hair and makeup done, that they would take care of everything. Sophie had been hesitant but had followed his rules. Noah had never seen her without makeup before. Not that she was self-conscious, but it felt casually intimate.

She figured that Lance had told Noah the same thing, as he sported unstyled hair for the first time. It caused his short brown hair to fall boyishly onto his forehead.

For the first time, she felt truly attracted to him. Not lustful but genuine, warm, and heartfelt. She took this as a good thing; maybe it was the beginning of a less sexually driven relationship. Friendship, perhaps.

"Okay, well let's get started," Lance said. "I will take Noah and Sophie, you can head over to hair and makeup with Tracy. She will be your stylist for today."

A woman she assumed was Tracy stood behind him. She was wearing a black pantsuit and had voluptuous curly hair.

Sophie shook Tracy's hand. "Follow me."

The hair and makeup room was exactly what she pictured it to be — a small room with large vanity mirrors, chairs, and a rack full of clothing items.

Tracy started by adding curlers into Sophie's hair and then turned her away from the mirror as she worked on her face. She asked a few questions about her everyday routine before she started.

Usually, Sophie kept her makeup routine pretty basic, besides the eyeliner she used to highlight her eyes. She liked looking fierce, fiery. So when Tracy turned her around, she was shocked.

Sophie didn't look fierce or fiery but rather, soft and maternal. It appeared like she was wearing almost no makeup at all. The changes were subtle yet incredible. Her cheeks looked more rounded thanks to the light rosy blush. Her eyes were painted a soft pink, and her lashes were coated in a way that made her eyes appear bigger, almost innocent.

"Do you like it?"

"It's beautiful. You did an amazing job." Sophie tried not to laugh at herself for being painted as a picture of innocence, given the nature of how she had gotten pregnant.

"Great, let's get you dressed. I was thinking, since you're not showing yet, that we should stick to a more basic look," Tracy said as she rooted through the rack of clothes.

She pulled out a long satin green dress and presented it to Sophie, who went to try it on.

Once changed, Sophie approached the large standing mirror.

Tracy gasped, "I love it!"

The dress was ethereal and earthy. It clung to her body in all the right places. And once Tracy removed the rollers from her hair, she was the image of Mother Earth.

Confidence radiated off her as they went to meet Noah.

She found him dressed in an earthy brown suit, with a white tunic unbuttoned beneath it. His hair was now gelled but not in the corporate style he usually wore — it still looked soft and boyish, tousled with small curls.

Lance smiled widely, his hands held out in awe as he took them in, standing side by side. He kissed his hand, "Perfection. Both of you."

Sophie had to admit that he was right. Together, they looked elegant and regal but also secure and grounded. Connected. It was the perfect look to show Noah as a man who was laying down roots. Who was adding a name to their family tree. And Sophie was the leaves, the fertile growth of new life.

It was completely and subtly brilliant.

Lance introduced him to the photographer who gave them the rundown of the shoot. After that, Lance guided them to the large white canvas and posed them.

"You look incredible," Noah murmured.

"Thank you," Sophie said, blushing.

His eyes explored her dress, the fabric clinging to her hips. Sophie pretended not to notice, instead focusing on the orders Lance shouted at them from behind the camera.

"Noah, cup Sophie's cheek. Sophie put your hand on his chest. Show us that ring!"

Flashes went off.

"Great. Now grip the collar of his suit. Noah, wrap your hands around her waist."

Sophie pulled back.

"Yes! Now, look into his eyes."

They did as instructed. Their faces were still about a foot away.

"Closer!" Lance shouted.

They leaned in as if to kiss but hovered there, their lips only an inch apart. Noah's breath was cool and minty. His boyish charm from earlier melted and that aching desire slowly began to creep in.

A few more flashes went off.

"Okay," Lance said. "Now Noah, move behind Sophie."

He did so, maintaining a respectable distance.

"Maybe wrap your arms around her a little more? Really bring her into you."

Noah wrapped his arms around her waist from behind, pulling her backside against him. His breath swept over her ear and neck.

Sophie let out a soft sigh. Thankfully it was only audible to her and Noah.

They stayed huddled like that for what felt like forever, Lance directing their hands into different positions to best capture the ring.

"Great, why don't you place your hand over her stomach?"

Sophie felt Noah tense slightly before slowly sweeping his hand over her satin dress, from her hip to her middle.

It was the first time he had touched her stomach since she became pregnant. There was nothing there, not even a hint of a bump yet. And yet, Sophie felt a wave of emotions pass over her. She placed her hand over his as instructed and her heart began to pound.

"Awesome. Sophie, can you lean a little to the left and look up at him for me?"

Sophie shifted and tilted her head to gaze up at Noah. It felt like they were the only people in the room. His lips were closer than they were last time, as if only a strand of hair or a deep breath stood in the way of their lips meeting.

Her eyes flickered from his mouth to his eyes, and she realized then, what a good actor Noah was. He was, in fact, much better than her. Because he was looking at her in a way in which she'd never been looked at before. His eyes were sparkling the way that the men in the movies did. How did he play his part so well?

"All right, now how about a kiss?"

"A kiss?" Sophie asked nervously, looking over at the photographer. Thankfully, it came out as more of a whisper. She felt foolish. Of course they were expected to kiss.

Noah reached out and caressed her cheek, turning her head back towards him slowly.

"It's just a kiss," he whispered, so that only she could hear.

"Right, just a kiss," she mumbled.

Noah leaned down excruciatingly slowly and Sophie closed her eyes in anticipation. She was already pinned against him but his arms wrapped more tightly around her waist.

The moment their lips met, she felt him rise against her backside.

Excitement electrified her veins, carving more out of that aching void that had been building over the weeks since they last kissed.

The flash of the camera erupted. When it stopped, they pulled back, breathing irregularly. His cheeks were pink and Sophie didn't have to look to know that heat burned in hers as well.

She stood in front of him for a moment while they collected themselves and the photographer viewed the photos.

Noah cleared his throat. "Thanks," he murmured.

"Yeah. No worries," she said quietly.

It was natural. Sophie was sure it would have happened with anyone.

Lance walked over and smiled. "The photos are looking great so far. We just want a few more maternal-looking shots and then we can finish up."

Two men from the camera crew carried an antique couch, with white and green fabric designs, onto the canvas. Lance directed Sophie to stand by the edge of the couch and have Noah bend before her. Noah took her left hand and kissed it. He placed a hand on her satin thigh, pushing the fabric up slightly. It was meant to be the picture of devotion, of worship.

But when Noah looked up into her eyes, they were darkened in lust. Most likely he was remembering their first night together. Sophie certainly was. Remembering the way he bent before her, the way he kissed his way up her thigh, and the way she leaned against the wall as he feasted between her legs in pleasure.

The moment vanished when he stood.

Next, they were seated on the couch and placed in very simple poses. Safe poses , thought Sophie. Exactly the kind of celebrity couple shots she saw in magazines.

And then Lance told Sophie to lay down and rest her head on Noah's lap.

"These are the last few shots, just have fun now. Try some laughing, show a little humility." He winked.

They both snickered slightly at his comment. But Sophie found it difficult to force a laugh, especially at this angle. She didn't know which way to tilt her head, back or forward. Did it look like she had a double chin? Could he see up her nose?

Noah's hand caressed her temple. "Just think about Matt. The look on his face."

Sophie smiled. "I thought you were just going for the wine at first. Honestly, pulling the tablecloth was a nice touch."

"He ruined your dinner. I just thought I would return the favor."

They both laughed, then, loudly and joyously as they recounted the events of that night. Noah's laugh was electric and his smile contagious. Sophie was wiping tears out of her eyes by the time Lance announced that they were all finished.

For a moment, she had forgotten that anyone else was there.

Sophie sat up, the blood rushing from her head. She and Noah shared a small smile before going to get changed.

She had forgotten what it was like to let her guard down around Noah. How easily they got along. How much fun they had together. It was a shame that the same night they discovered it, they had decided to smother it. That they chose to be formal and rigid for the sake of this agreement.

Was this how it was going to be? A couple hours of false intimacy, shared only for the purpose of producing a false image? Was it worth the few moments of real connection that broke the surface during that time?

"Ready to go?" Noah asked as she met him back at the front door.

Sophie planted a smile on her face, shoving down her emotions. "Yeah, let's go."