Page 136 of Deacon

I was leaning against his chest, enjoying the quiet and the intimacy growing between us, when my phone buzzed.

Sue’s caller ID flashed across the screen. I reached over to answer, hoping she had a gig for me other than another couture pitch.

‘Ana, darling, I have GQ chasing me,’ Sue said. ‘They’re pushing for a sleek Manhattan studio feature with Conn Graham, last year’s Oscar-winning actor. Minimal effort, maximum payout.’

‘No, Sue.’ I sighed and rubbed my temple. ‘I’m turning it down. I can’t work with a sterile backdrop. You know these assignments hold no interest for me.’

‘I’ll look around for something more challenging,’ Sue said, releasing a breath. ‘Honestly, Ana, do you always need an edge? Why can’t you take the easy win?’

I smiled and leaned into Deacon as he nibbled on my ear, sending arcs of desire through me.

‘Because I can’t do any more soulless work with mannequin-like models; it’ll be the death of me.’

Deacon listened, sipping his coffee.

When I ended the call, he lifted me off his lap and turned me to face him.

‘Raff is heading to that two-week school camp on Monday,’ he said, his eyes roaming over my face. ‘Come on the road with Six Sinners as our exclusive photographer. Record our raw, gritty, stadium-rock reality.’

My chest tightened as adrenaline rushed in at the tempting proposition.

‘Vega, that’s the best spiel I’ve had since Ethiopia. Are you serious?’

He winked and nodded. ‘As fuck.’

‘Do you think the rest of the guys will be okay with it?’

‘Why wouldn’t they be? I’ll clear it with Mason and Jude.’ He pulled me into a brief hug. ‘They’ll be thrilled to have your lens on us.’

True to his word, he called Jude and Mason and got their approval.

I contacted Sue to pitch the project.

She listened to the concept, released a delighted gasp, and worked her industry magic within a few hours.

‘Ana, this is gold,’ Sue said over the speakerphone. ‘I’ve locked in a massive multi-page feature for you in Rolling Stone to showcase the tour.’

Deacon and I were both over the moon.

We gave Christine the two weeks off with full pay and spent the weekend preparing, with all three of us packing our gear for our various adventures.

Monday morning came fast, and soon we stood beside a fleet of yellow buses at Raff’s school, seeing him off to wilderness camp.

Our small family wrapped ourselves in a tight hug, Deacon and I pressing kisses to our son’s cheeks.

‘Don’t do anything foolish, kiddo,’ Deacon warned, nudging Raff playfully under the chin. ‘Like getting lost in the woods.’

‘I’m the king of the wilderness, Dad, trust,’ Raff retorted as he marched up the bus steps and gave us a cheeky wave.

‘Listen to your counselors, don’t leave your cabin at night, and always walk with a buddy,’ I called after him.

‘Yes, Mum,’ Raff groaned. ‘I’ve heard you say that fifty times.’

‘We love you,’ I called out.

Deacon and I waved until his transport pulled away, carrying him towards his camp adventure.

Back home, we finalized the last of our prep for Six Sinners’ upcoming run through New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles.