He was tired of being fluffed, patted, and sprayed and more than a little impatient. There were too many people fussing over him. He thought he was being a good sport in filling in for the good-for-nothing former groomsman but posing for a boutique brochure? He had a good mind to seek out Lucy and let her know exactly how he felt...until he saw Sue. She looked adorable in her oversized robe and completely overwhelmed. He smiled as he brushed aside the woman working on his hair and made his way toward her, Lucy all but forgotten.

"It's a good thing Lucy isn't around right now," Sue muttered, wrapping her arms around her waist self-consciously. "I don't remember her asking me if I wanted to do this. I thought we were going to have a free afternoon. Can we just change and leave?" she pleaded, finally glancing up to meet Jack's gaze.

"Leave? Did you say leave?" Natasha asked, making her way toward the couple. "You can't leave. This photo shoot is going to be fabulous," she promised. "Come; let's go down to the water's edge. The photographer is waiting."

Moments later, they found themselves in the midst of a busy crew with several people barking out orders. Sue glanced around, becoming more and more uncomfortable, before turning to Jack and imploring once again to leave. Capturing a hand in his, he raised his other to his mouth and gave what Sue guessed to be a sharp whistle, instantly stilling the surprised workers.

"I need you all to quit shouting out orders like we are professionals and understand what you are saying. We aren't and we don't. And you all should be aware of the fact that Miss Thomas is deaf. She reads lips very well if she can see you. Anything you need to relay to her for this shoot should be told to me and I will pass on the message." He shifted his eyes back to Sue, pleased to see a glimmer of relief reflected there. Making the R hand shape, he moved it to the side, a question on his face.

"I'm ready to leave," she countered, watching him snort with laughter at her one track mind. "And what about you?" she questioned, accusation in her tone.

"What about me?"

"I didn't think this would be something that you would enjoy," she said, waving her hands around, indicating their surroundings. "Why did you agree to this?"

"I agreed because I thought you agreed," he told her, rubbing the back of his neck. "No way I'm going let you take these kinds of pictures with anyone else."

"Really?" The question escaping her lips before she could stop it. She blushed and looked away, totally disarmed by the possessive glint in his eyes. Feeling a gentle tap on her nose, she looked back, focusing on his lips.

"Really!" he confirmed, stepping closer and running his hands down the lapels of her robe until he reached the sash. "They want our robes," he explained when she made to take a step back. "It's picture time!"

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

His heartbeat was erratic, hammering against his chest. He was having a difficult time listening to the photographer, much less relaying his instructions to Sue. How he thought they'd breeze through this, he didn't know. She'd stolen his breath when her robe slid away to reveal a glimmering white swimsuit that looked as if it had been made especially for her. She was modestly covered, but parts of the suit gave a different illusion. She was currently standing less than a breath away, her hands gripping his waist as she struggled to remain still. His hands were loosely cupping her face as the camera clicked out a steady rhythm.

She was concentrating on breathing, making sure she didn't collapse at Jack's feet. His nearness was throwing her off kilter, chasing away any consciousness of the crew hovering in the background and zeroing in on him. His breath was tickling her cheek and his scent was wrapping her in a cocoon of awareness. She barely restrained a groan of protest when he lifted his head and began to speak. "He...uh...the photographer...wants you to put your hands on my chest and lean into me for a kiss. We're to um, freeze with our lips hovering inches apart."

Sue nodded her understanding. Taking a much needed breath of air, she glanced around, hoping her color would quickly return to normal.

"Sue?" Jack asked after leaning over into her line of vision. "Is everything okay?" He glanced from her to the photographer and back.

"Oh, yeah," she assured him, guiltily glancing at the man waiting to take their picture. "I was just um, just...yeah, everything is fine," she repeated, running her hands up Jack's muscled torso from where they rested on his waist. Gazing at her hands resting on his sculpted chest, she stymied a shiver and steeled herself to meet his eyes. She was drawn inexorably closer by the desire she saw swirling in their depths, her mouth absently parting as she leaned toward him, yearning for what she could not have. Lowering her lashes, she stared not at his eyes, but at his lips.

"Excellent. Hot. Smokin'," Jack heard the encouraging words in the recess of his consciousness as he held her chin up towards him, his universe spiraling in on the woman within his embrace. "You two are setting the camera ablaze. Natasha, darling, you won't be able to keep your swim line in stock." Letting the conversation fade completely, his eyes roamed her delicate features, recommitting each element to memory, choosing the path he wanted his lips to follow when the opportunity presented itself, before settling on her lips. Her full, parted mouth was too much of a temptation and he leaned in to satisfy his longing just as he was slapped on the back, startling his attention away from Sue.

"Great! Give me 5 to change my lens and lighting, and we'll take some more. Sally," Nate, the photographer, bellowed, turning from Jack, "Get them seated. We'll start again in 5."