“With Micah’s help,” Axel nodded. “But yeah, this has been our life for the past few weeks—and my life for the past couple of years.”
It was impressive. A lot more impressive than the threadbare reception area had indicated. And considering that all the work had been done by just two guys?
“Wow,” was all I said as I walked around, almost speechless. I examined all the equipment and the set pieces that they’d assembled. “This is just... wow.”
“Told you he was being modest.” Micah grinned as they both followed me around the cavernous space. “Pretty cool, huh?”
“Yeah,” I nodded. “I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect, but this setup is better than some of the established independent studios I’ve worked with. Y’all have a lot to be proud of here.”
“Thanks,” Axel beamed. “I appreciate that, Jasmine.”
There was something about the way he said it—or maybe it was the way he was looking at me like I was the only thing in the world he could see—that made me stop for a moment and meet his gaze. “I’m glad you brought me here,” I said, meaning it. “And not just because it’s nice to finally get out of the rain, even though that definitely helps.”
He and Micah both laughed, but they continued looking at me in that same way. If it hadn’t been for so long and if they both hadn’t been watching me so intently, I would have thought that I’d imagined it. However, there was no mistaking it. The expressions on their faces were more than just pride at the work they’d done. It was deeper than that. Sexier than that.
And those looks were making it hard for me to concentrate on anything else.
“Speaking of the rain,” Axel said, finally breaking the stares and the silence that had started stretching out between us, “there are some heaters over here along the back wall. Maybe we can start to dry off now that we’re indoors.”
“Yes, please,” I said without hesitating. “I’ve never looked forward to having dry clothes as much as I am right now.”
I followed them over to the old-fashioned heaters—that were probably fire hazards in their own right—and hovered above them, grateful for the warmth after spending so much time out in the storm.
“Damn, this feels good,” Axel’s voice rumbled right next to me as the three of us took up every available inch of heated space. “Not quite sure how efficient this is going to be, though.”
“I was just thinking the same thing,” Micah said. “Still a hell of a lot better than walking around through the wind and the rain.”
I pulled my top away from my skin, suddenly very aware of the way it clung to me. If the circumstances had been a little different, I would have probably stripped out of my wet clothes right then and there, to be fully dry for the first time in what seemed like forever.
But I wasn’t sure if that would be weird, given that I’d only been on speaking terms with Axel and Micah for a minute.
Axel looked thoughtful for a moment, then gave a half-shrug as if he’d been silently debating something in his head. “There are a few costumes over on the wardrobe rack. We might all look a little ridiculous, but it’s gotta be better than this.”
It was also a better idea than stripping down to my bra and panties, so I was immediately on board.
“Point me to the clothes,” I said, scanning the room. “It doesn’t even matter what the costumes are. At least they’ll be clean and warm.” I shot him a sideways glance as I spotted the rack tucked behind some props. “They are clean, aren’t they?”
Axel laughed. “Washed them all myself—some of them by hand.”
I was so miserably wet that I probably would have worn them regardless, if I was being completely honest. Not that I was going to offer up that particular piece of information.
I’d only made it about halfway to the rack when I spotted the perfect dress for the occasion. For any occasion. With a full hoop skirt and a corseted top that I knew from experience would make my boobs look amazing, the dress practically begged me to wear it from the moment I laid eyes on it.
“She’s smiling again.” I heard the grin in Micah’s voice even if I didn’t take my eyes off the dress.
“Ah, it’s the Victorian dress.” Axel stepped up on the other side of me as I carefully pulled the dress from the rack. “It came with a bunch of other historical costumes, but I never imagined you’d be the girl to wear it first.”
Once it was up close and in my hands, I could tell it was just a costume rather than an authentic piece of clothing from the nineteenth century, but it was still pretty and looked intricate enough at first glance to remind me of all the things I loved about working with historical pieces like that.