The Photoshoot (TBBT RPF, oneshot)
A/N: The idea for this fic was inspired by my epic love of Rolling Stone magazine’s hot X-Files photoshoot with Gillian Anderson in bed with Chris Carter and David Duchovny. That was an amazing cover and I thought - why the heck not TBBT? The idea came to me this morning while I was still in bed - it had to be written now, else I wouldn’t have been able to continue with my Shenny stuff.
Thanks to arctic_fox for her pioneering fics in Jim/Kaley RPF. So you can all blame this on her ;o)
Comments = Love
Title: The Photoshoot
Warning: RPF
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 3,552
Disclaimer: No offense intended. I just love the thought of Jim and Kaley as a couple.
X-Posted to The PC Ship: http://community.livejournal.com/the_pcship/14181.html#cutid1
The Photoshoot
“You’ll be in bed with all four guys.”
“What?!” Kaley did a double take and nearly dropped her bottle of water in surprise. She stared at the Entertainment Weekly’s star photographer - the Cleo Hartley - in shocked surprise.
“Yeah, yeah - it’ll be totally hot! And in keeping with the new relationship development this season with Leonard and Penny!” Cleo exclaimed enthusiastically as she smirked at her, her mouth going a mile a minute. “For the cover - you’ll be in the middle with the four guys flanking you,” she looked at Johnny, Simon, Kunal and Jim - all of whom looked distinctly perturbed, especially Simon and Jim.
“Huh,” Kaley muttered for wont of something to say.
“Will we be clothed?” Simon asked.
“I was thinking - no,” Cleo informed him.
“You want us to be naked?” Jim’s voice pitched into the high range and Kaley giggled. Sometimes - it was like hanging out with Sheldon.
“Just from the waist up,” Cleo reassured him with a flirtatious smile. He continued to look at her in horror. Kaley shook her head - it was always that way. Could the man be any more oblivious to women? Especially since most of them figuratively had “Take me, Jim” signs flashing in neon across their foreheads?
“Err... have you seen the show?” Simon countered. “Have you seen us - we’re right here. Naked - really? Kaley - I understand and even encourage...” He paused to grin at Kaley.
“Simon!”
“But me? Oooh -I don’t think so.”
“I second that,” Jim vehemently declared.
“You wuss,” Kaley couldn’t resist teasing in an undertone, only for his ears. He was standing right next to her and the look he gave her was priceless. She hid her face in his arm to smother her giggle.
“Well, actually Jim - I was hoping you would wear a Sheldon shirt.”
“Hey, how come he gets to wear clothes?” Johnny protested.
“Because I have big pantless plans for him,” Cleo murmured, her eyes zoomed in on Jim. Kaley snorted and then faked a cough to cover it up. Jim glared daggers at her.
“Oh - I’m down with that!” Kunal grinned at Jim.
“Okay - that might just be a fair trade-off,” Simon chuckled. “I’m in.”
“Just point me in the direction of the dressing rooms!” Johnny laughed.
“Excellent, excellent!” Cleo rubbed her hands together in diabolical glee.
“Wait!” Kaley stopped her before she could move away. “I am not doing naked from the waist up. I’m sorry but that’s just not going to happen.”
“Oh no, honey - not you. I have this sexy little black, lace-trimmed, spaghetti-strapped silk tank/shorts combo for you to wear - so don’t worry,” Cleo reassured her and then walked off, barking orders about lighting and props as she went. A legion of crew scurried off to do her bidding. Johnny, Kunal and Simon trailed after her.
“No, I’m not worried,” Kaley mumbled to herself, tongue firmly in cheek.
“That’s makes one of us,” Jim muttered as he followed the guys to the dressing room.
***
Jim stared at the big - no, that wasn’t quite the appropriate adjective - humongous - yes, that was it - the humongous bed in the middle of the cluttered room.
He grinned with he saw the sheets and matching pillowcases. No black silk or even the usual crisp, white cotton for the Big Bang Theory shoot - no, these sheets were emblazoned with superhero logos from the DC universe. The bed stood on a raised dais surround by lights and other paraphernalia generally associated with photoshoots.
He himself stood there feeling awkward - well, more awkward than usual - and wished he had paid more attention to the fine-print when it came to agreeing to do photoshoots. Still, he was generally a good sport, and Cleo Hartley was supposed to be the best celebrity photographer around, so he supposed he could trust her vision.
That didn’t make him anymore comfortable standing there in Sheldon’s red Flash t-shirt, with its requisite long-sleeved undershirt and boxer briefs. Well, he did have a robe on for the moment but he dreaded the pantless plans Cleo had for him.
Kaley came to stand next to him - as always invading his personal space, not that he minded very much though. She leaned closer and he took in a deep breath as her vanilla-lemon scent wafted over him.
“Ready, cowboy?” she winked playfully up at him. He tried to focus but it was so difficult with her sometimes. It was why he always tried to keep his distance from her.
“As I’ll ever be, I guess.” She leaned even closer, and he bit his lip in consternation.
“I can’t wait to see what she has planned for you,” she giggled. Jim stifled a groan.
Did she always have to look and smell so delectable? Granted, she was wearing a robe but he wondered at what lay beneath it.
And damn his sweet tooth, but whatever perfume she always wore made him think of dessert. Dessert and Kaley. He took a healthy swig from the designer water bottle EW had provided.
Luckily the rest of the guys chose that moment to join them, and Cleo was not far behind.
“All right - everybody in bed!” She shouted commands to her lighting crew before she approached the still-empty bed with the five hesitant people gathered around it. She grinned. “Robes off!”
The robes - very reluctantly - came off.
There were times when Jim had - in the past - questioned his choice to become an actor. Those were the dry spells - things were always rosy when he had an acting gig. One thing he had never questioned though, was his ability to act - but right at this very moment, that ability was sorely put to the test.
As Kaley dropped her robe, he felt his breath hitch in his chest, and he looked away from her almost instantaneously - but it was too late. The image of her was indelibly burned into his mind, from the backs of his retinas all the way to his long term memory banks.
She was dressed in exactly the outfit Cleo had described to them, but those had been mere words... just words. They did not even begin to describe the reality of seeing Kaley in that lacy black silk tank with the matching short... shorts. Sure, Penny’s wardrobe hardly left much to the imagination at times, but Sheldon had never been required to get into bed with her.
Unless the “Shenny” fandom somehow managed to take over the collective minds of the powers that be on the show - and then he would be in serious trouble.
Dear God - how was he to survive this with day with his mind and faculties intact?
No one was that good an actor.
Cleo caught his gaze and smiled. He presumed it was meant to be reassuring, but his stomach roiled further. There were times he wished he were Sheldon and this was definitely one of those times. If ever there had been a moment to throw a hissy fit - this was it. Cleo approached them - studying the bed - and the five of them - with an almost clinical intensity.
“All right - this is going to be in character - for the most part. So let’s have Simon - you’re going to be on my left - the left end of the bed. Er... I think I want Johnny next to him. Kaley - you’re in the middle of course, and then Jim and Kunal.”
Here we go, Jim thought. Why did they always have to put him next to her? Couldn’t they give someone else a chance? His heart started to pound, slowly and heavily for now - like the opening beats of a tribal war drum. He took several deep breaths, trying to will his pulse to slow.
Kunal nudged him and he realized that the other three had already scrambled beneath the sheets. Kaley’s gaze briefly collided with his, her face flushed, her smile equal parts shy and bold.
He sent a prayer heavenward and climbed in next to her, taking exquisite care that no part of his body touched hers. Kunal slid in next to him, and playfully draped his arm and leg over him as he gazed into his eyes with a sigh.
“Oh, Jim, this is like a dream come true for me.”
Jim guffawed as the rest of his cast-mates joined in the laughter. It was a smooth tactic on Kunal’s part - the tension dissipated - but only slightly for Jim.
“Okay, guys - this is how I see the cover shot,” Cleo knelt on the bed before them, her knees narrowly missing his toes. “So Simon - you’re going to have the sheet pulled up to your chest...”
“Thank you!” Simon smiled and everyone giggled nervously.
“For now,” Cleo laughed. “I want you looking at Penny - a real Howard leer on your face.”
“That won’t be too hard,” he leered at Kaley. She mouthed a pouty kiss back at him.
“Minx.”
“Tease.”
This time most of the crew joined in the laughter.
“This is why I was so psyched for this shoot! You guys are such fun!” Cleo exclaimed happily. “Back to Johnny - seeing as how Penny and Leonard are a couple now - I want you to turn on your side facing her. Curl up your arm underneath your head. Perfect. For the first few shots I want your eyes closed - you’re sleeping.”
As he faked a couple of snores, Cleo turned to Kaley who looked expectantly at her. Then she gestured to a nearby crew member who came running over with some do-hickey that he held up by Kaley’s face.
Slightly startled, Kaley leaned back against Jim - who bit back a groan just in time.
“Now do Jim,” Cleo instructed, and Jim blinked when the crew member’s hand positioned itself all about his form.
“Good - excellent. Kaley, I want you on your side facing Johnny. I’m just going to rearrange this sheet here - can you stick out your hip a little bit higher?” Cleo positioned the sheet so it rested just below Kaley’s hip bone. “I’m just taking this up a little,” she continued as she lifted Kaley’s tank so that skin showed between the lacy edge of the tank and the waistband of her shorts.
Jim swallowed convulsively.
“Great - oh, that’s perfect right there.” Cleo scooted a little closer. “Now - even though you’re turned towards Johnny - I want you looking over your shoulder at Jim.” Kaley cleared her throat, and nodded - doing exactly as the photographer instructed. Jim kept his eyes on Cleo. “Oh good - yeah just like that. Now Jim, I need you to turn towards Kaley - basically kind of spooning her.”
Jim blasphemed inside his head, but outwardly he was a picture of concentrated calm.
Yes - because he was concentrating on very calmly going about losing his mind.
He turned - and spooned - taking care to keep his hips the hell away from hers.
“Now - give me your hand,” Cleo grabbed his left hand before he could even move. And then she stared at it. “God - I love your hands.” Laughter spurted out of his bedfellows. “Oh - first off - could you prop up your head on your other hand. Yeah - exactly like that - and when I call the shots I want you to lean over her face. This hand stays right here,” she said as she - no doubt artistically - arranged his hand on Kaley’s hip - directly over her bare skin. He felt Kaley twitch slightly as his skin touched hers, and his immediate thought was that his hand was cold, so he brought his hand up to his mouth, fisting it so he could blow a few hot breaths into it to warm his skin. Then he replaced his hand.
The look he gave her was somewhat apologetic but the look he received in return was... fiery.
He snapped his attention back to Cleo as she told Kunal that she wanted him leaning back, both arms linked behind his head, looking at Jim and Kaley with his mouth formed into an “O”.
Cleo sat back to survey the scene she had created. Then she jumped of the bed and grabbed her camera, clicking away like crazy. Then she abruptly stopped.
“Hmm... it’s good - but not quite there yet - Oh! That’s why! Kaley - your hands aren’t doing anything. That’s what’s wrong with this picture,” Cleo’s eyes darted from Jim to Kaley and then back again. “Kaley - honey - could you lean back against Jim. I want your back to be flush against his chest. Stick out your chest a little bit more too.” Jim almost whimpered as Cleo continued to direct them. “Reach over with your left hand and grab his t-shirt near the collar - like you’re yanking towards you. Ohhhh. Yessss. That’s it, right there,” she took several short breaths as Jim stared at her like she had lost her mind. “Jim - could you scoot a little closer to her? In fact all of you need to scoot closer...”
“It’s a really big bed - is scooting really necessary?” He asked, breathless and out-of-sorts.
“It is if we want this to be the bestselling issue of the season, baby! Now scoot, Jim!” Cleo looked at him in exasperation. “Your hips are like on another planet! Squish right up next to her.”
“Wait a minute, wait a minute!” Kaley suddenly protested. “I thought this was supposed to be about Penny and Leonard - why is she... squishing with Sheldon?”
“There’s a TV show somewhere in there,” Kunal quipped. “Squishing with Sheldon.” Everyone cracked up, Jim and Kaley more involuntarily than not.
“I would so watch that show,” Simon added his two cents.
“What do you think the rating of that show would be?” Johnny mused.
“R for raunchy, dude,” Kunal deadpanned, channelling Raj.
“Guys - can we focus, please?” Kaley pleaded. She looked at Cleo. “Again - I thought this was about Penny and Leonard?”
“Well, you’re facing each other,” Cleo said, somewhat defensively.
“But Leonard’s asleep.”
“But you’re awake with a geek god right next to you in Sheldon. How can Penny resist?”
“But...”
“Oh honey - you’re not going to win this argument. And don’t worry - I’m taking several more shots with just you and Johnny so I’ll make it up to you then.”
Kaley deflated slightly next to Jim, but she was a good sport too - and when she looked - sexily - at him over her shoulder, she grabbed his t-shirt and yanked him closer.
“Peldon fans all over the world are gonna die in ecstasy when they see this.”
“That’s Shenny fans to you,” he retorted, helpless to do anything but smile down at her.
“Oh God - that’s hot,” Cleo moaned. “Hold that look!” There were several clicks. “Simon - could lean over Johnny a bit more - I want you to look at Kaley and Jim and I want jealousy and desperation on your face - like you would give anything to be Sheldon right now. That’s it! Johnny - Leonard’s just awakened - I want to see shock on your face. Completely taken aback by Sheldon and Penny - but a little intrigued as well. Fantastic! Kunal - if I can get your hand on Jim’s shoulder as you lean over to look at them. I want to see fascination on your face - like you’re just a little bit turned on by this. Man - you guys are so good!”
She clicked away spasmodically, moving in and around the bed like some possessed member of the paparazzi. On crack.
“Kaley and Jim - I want you to look at each other’s mouths - and can you move in a little closer please? Tighten that hand on her hip, Jim. Tighter - I want to see your knuckles straining, your fingers digging into her flesh. And just a little bit closer. Perfect. Oh my God - that is so sexy! Jeez, I’m going to need a cigarette after this shoot - and I don’t even smoke.”
Jim couldn’t help himself - it was too much, too overwhelming - to keep his desire from showing in every nuance of his face.
Kaley noticed. Her pupils dilated as she gazed up at him, her breath coming in short puffs and intermingling with his. He vaguely heard Cleo yapping away in the background.
“I would totally understand if you weren’t into this, but Jim, Kaley - do you think you guys could kiss?”
Before she could even finish her request, their mouths crashed into each other, and Jim kissed Kaley with all the pent up desire he had kept carefully hidden over the past three years.
Her mouth was hot and soft and moist and hard against his and it took all his self-control not to utter a deep, intense moan of pleasure at finally having her exactly where he wanted her.
Except this was not his bed. Dear lord - this was a photoshoot - with about a hundred people watching them. He pulled away.
Her eyes stayed closed as she exhaled the breath she had been holding. He licked his suddenly parched lips.
“Wow.” This from Kunal.
“That was hot.” This from Simon.
“Huh. Maybe those Shenny supporters have a point.” This from Johnny.
“Oh - I am so good.” This from Cleo - right before she kicked back into dictator-mode and sent everyone to wardrobe to get ready for the next scene.
***
At the end of the shoot, after they had changed back into their own clothes, Kaley found Jim in his change room.
She knocked and he answered, as if he had - on some level - been waiting for her. She came in. He shut the door behind her. They stared at each other for a split second before she jumped him, his arms clamping around her body like he was never going to let go.
And then Kaley kissed him. And when she broke away - seconds, minutes, hours - later, it left him panting and breathless, her body’s proximity - flush against his - did nothing to help matters.
Not that he was complaining or anything.
“I think I’m in love with you,” she whispered softly, her gaze unwavering.
“I know I’m in love with you,” he responded quietly, and with conviction.
“Oh!” She swallowed. “I know too, I was just testing the waters.”
“Well - that’s convenient.”
“Isn’t it?” Her smile was sultry as she looked up at him, but the kiss that accompanied it was sweet and... loving.
“Will you come home with me?” He asked, trying not to be distracted by her soft mouth nibbling on his lower lip.
“Try and stop me.”
“Let’s go then,” he pressed one final, hard kiss on her mouth and grabbed her hand, pulling her out of the room in his haste. She giggled.
“Wait - did you say bye to Cleo?”
“Yeah,” he muttered impatiently, his eyes hot as they travelled over her face. Her smile widened.
“I didn’t - just give me five minutes to find her and say goodbye. I’ll meet you at the car, okay?”
And then she twirled and walked away from him, her summery yellow dress flirting about her thighs. He drew in ragged breath and leaned back against the wall, closing his eyes as he rode out a wave of swift, but sure, desire.
Male laughter caused him to open his eyes, and he turned to find Kunal, Johnny and Simon grinning at him.
“It’s about damn time, dude.”
***
“Cleo!” Kaley called as she approached the photographer, as she was talking to one of her assistants.
“Kaley!”
“I just wanted to thank you for a great shoot today.”
“Oh, you’re welcome, sweetie,” Cleo nodded at her assistant and he walked away from them.
Cleo’s expression went from professional to wolfish in the blink of an eye.
“I so own you.” Her smile bordered on evil. Kaley giggled.
“I know I promised that dinner was on me if you made this happen - but I think I’m gonna have to buy you dinner every day for the rest of your life after that shoot!”
“That good, huh?”
“You don’t know the half of it.”
“Honey - I was there, remember? I think I have a pretty good idea. And a great imagination.”
“He said he’s in love with me,” Kaley shyly confided.
“Well, what’s not to love?” Cleo asked with a saucy smile. “And it works out well - you’ve been in love with him for three years now. Deny it all you want - but you know it’s true. This is why you need me in your life - I see things you just don’t.”
“That’s why you’re the photographer and I’m the actress.”
“So - when are you going to tell Jim about this little scheme of ours?”
“I’ll probably tell him tonight sometime.”
“Sweet - so maybe I can actually hang out with both of you next time, and not just you going Jim this and Jim that.” Kaley blushed.
“So I talk about him a lot - so what? He’s so adorable - you’re gonna love him.”
“I think you got him covered with the love. How about a double date?” Kaley eyed her friend with a single raised eyebrow.
“Who’d you have in mind?”
“Kunal’s kinda cute.” Kaley laughed.
“I’m on it,” she said as she gave Cleo - her best friend from college - a quick hug and kiss. “Just keep in mind though,” she said with a mischievous smirk, “payback can be a bitch, baby!”
And with that parting shot - and Cleo’s laughter ringing in her ears - Kaley made her way back to Jim.
***
Thanks to arctic_fox for her pioneering fics in Jim/Kaley RPF. So you can all blame this on her ;o)
Comments = Love
Title: The Photoshoot
Warning: RPF
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 3,552
Disclaimer: No offense intended. I just love the thought of Jim and Kaley as a couple.
X-Posted to The PC Ship: http://community.livejournal.com/the_pcship/14181.html#cutid1
The Photoshoot
“You’ll be in bed with all four guys.”
“What?!” Kaley did a double take and nearly dropped her bottle of water in surprise. She stared at the Entertainment Weekly’s star photographer - the Cleo Hartley - in shocked surprise.
“Yeah, yeah - it’ll be totally hot! And in keeping with the new relationship development this season with Leonard and Penny!” Cleo exclaimed enthusiastically as she smirked at her, her mouth going a mile a minute. “For the cover - you’ll be in the middle with the four guys flanking you,” she looked at Johnny, Simon, Kunal and Jim - all of whom looked distinctly perturbed, especially Simon and Jim.
“Huh,” Kaley muttered for wont of something to say.
“Will we be clothed?” Simon asked.
“I was thinking - no,” Cleo informed him.
“You want us to be naked?” Jim’s voice pitched into the high range and Kaley giggled. Sometimes - it was like hanging out with Sheldon.
“Just from the waist up,” Cleo reassured him with a flirtatious smile. He continued to look at her in horror. Kaley shook her head - it was always that way. Could the man be any more oblivious to women? Especially since most of them figuratively had “Take me, Jim” signs flashing in neon across their foreheads?
“Err... have you seen the show?” Simon countered. “Have you seen us - we’re right here. Naked - really? Kaley - I understand and even encourage...” He paused to grin at Kaley.
“Simon!”
“But me? Oooh -I don’t think so.”
“I second that,” Jim vehemently declared.
“You wuss,” Kaley couldn’t resist teasing in an undertone, only for his ears. He was standing right next to her and the look he gave her was priceless. She hid her face in his arm to smother her giggle.
“Well, actually Jim - I was hoping you would wear a Sheldon shirt.”
“Hey, how come he gets to wear clothes?” Johnny protested.
“Because I have big pantless plans for him,” Cleo murmured, her eyes zoomed in on Jim. Kaley snorted and then faked a cough to cover it up. Jim glared daggers at her.
“Oh - I’m down with that!” Kunal grinned at Jim.
“Okay - that might just be a fair trade-off,” Simon chuckled. “I’m in.”
“Just point me in the direction of the dressing rooms!” Johnny laughed.
“Excellent, excellent!” Cleo rubbed her hands together in diabolical glee.
“Wait!” Kaley stopped her before she could move away. “I am not doing naked from the waist up. I’m sorry but that’s just not going to happen.”
“Oh no, honey - not you. I have this sexy little black, lace-trimmed, spaghetti-strapped silk tank/shorts combo for you to wear - so don’t worry,” Cleo reassured her and then walked off, barking orders about lighting and props as she went. A legion of crew scurried off to do her bidding. Johnny, Kunal and Simon trailed after her.
“No, I’m not worried,” Kaley mumbled to herself, tongue firmly in cheek.
“That’s makes one of us,” Jim muttered as he followed the guys to the dressing room.
***
Jim stared at the big - no, that wasn’t quite the appropriate adjective - humongous - yes, that was it - the humongous bed in the middle of the cluttered room.
He grinned with he saw the sheets and matching pillowcases. No black silk or even the usual crisp, white cotton for the Big Bang Theory shoot - no, these sheets were emblazoned with superhero logos from the DC universe. The bed stood on a raised dais surround by lights and other paraphernalia generally associated with photoshoots.
He himself stood there feeling awkward - well, more awkward than usual - and wished he had paid more attention to the fine-print when it came to agreeing to do photoshoots. Still, he was generally a good sport, and Cleo Hartley was supposed to be the best celebrity photographer around, so he supposed he could trust her vision.
That didn’t make him anymore comfortable standing there in Sheldon’s red Flash t-shirt, with its requisite long-sleeved undershirt and boxer briefs. Well, he did have a robe on for the moment but he dreaded the pantless plans Cleo had for him.
Kaley came to stand next to him - as always invading his personal space, not that he minded very much though. She leaned closer and he took in a deep breath as her vanilla-lemon scent wafted over him.
“Ready, cowboy?” she winked playfully up at him. He tried to focus but it was so difficult with her sometimes. It was why he always tried to keep his distance from her.
“As I’ll ever be, I guess.” She leaned even closer, and he bit his lip in consternation.
“I can’t wait to see what she has planned for you,” she giggled. Jim stifled a groan.
Did she always have to look and smell so delectable? Granted, she was wearing a robe but he wondered at what lay beneath it.
And damn his sweet tooth, but whatever perfume she always wore made him think of dessert. Dessert and Kaley. He took a healthy swig from the designer water bottle EW had provided.
Luckily the rest of the guys chose that moment to join them, and Cleo was not far behind.
“All right - everybody in bed!” She shouted commands to her lighting crew before she approached the still-empty bed with the five hesitant people gathered around it. She grinned. “Robes off!”
The robes - very reluctantly - came off.
There were times when Jim had - in the past - questioned his choice to become an actor. Those were the dry spells - things were always rosy when he had an acting gig. One thing he had never questioned though, was his ability to act - but right at this very moment, that ability was sorely put to the test.
As Kaley dropped her robe, he felt his breath hitch in his chest, and he looked away from her almost instantaneously - but it was too late. The image of her was indelibly burned into his mind, from the backs of his retinas all the way to his long term memory banks.
She was dressed in exactly the outfit Cleo had described to them, but those had been mere words... just words. They did not even begin to describe the reality of seeing Kaley in that lacy black silk tank with the matching short... shorts. Sure, Penny’s wardrobe hardly left much to the imagination at times, but Sheldon had never been required to get into bed with her.
Unless the “Shenny” fandom somehow managed to take over the collective minds of the powers that be on the show - and then he would be in serious trouble.
Dear God - how was he to survive this with day with his mind and faculties intact?
No one was that good an actor.
Cleo caught his gaze and smiled. He presumed it was meant to be reassuring, but his stomach roiled further. There were times he wished he were Sheldon and this was definitely one of those times. If ever there had been a moment to throw a hissy fit - this was it. Cleo approached them - studying the bed - and the five of them - with an almost clinical intensity.
“All right - this is going to be in character - for the most part. So let’s have Simon - you’re going to be on my left - the left end of the bed. Er... I think I want Johnny next to him. Kaley - you’re in the middle of course, and then Jim and Kunal.”
Here we go, Jim thought. Why did they always have to put him next to her? Couldn’t they give someone else a chance? His heart started to pound, slowly and heavily for now - like the opening beats of a tribal war drum. He took several deep breaths, trying to will his pulse to slow.
Kunal nudged him and he realized that the other three had already scrambled beneath the sheets. Kaley’s gaze briefly collided with his, her face flushed, her smile equal parts shy and bold.
He sent a prayer heavenward and climbed in next to her, taking exquisite care that no part of his body touched hers. Kunal slid in next to him, and playfully draped his arm and leg over him as he gazed into his eyes with a sigh.
“Oh, Jim, this is like a dream come true for me.”
Jim guffawed as the rest of his cast-mates joined in the laughter. It was a smooth tactic on Kunal’s part - the tension dissipated - but only slightly for Jim.
“Okay, guys - this is how I see the cover shot,” Cleo knelt on the bed before them, her knees narrowly missing his toes. “So Simon - you’re going to have the sheet pulled up to your chest...”
“Thank you!” Simon smiled and everyone giggled nervously.
“For now,” Cleo laughed. “I want you looking at Penny - a real Howard leer on your face.”
“That won’t be too hard,” he leered at Kaley. She mouthed a pouty kiss back at him.
“Minx.”
“Tease.”
This time most of the crew joined in the laughter.
“This is why I was so psyched for this shoot! You guys are such fun!” Cleo exclaimed happily. “Back to Johnny - seeing as how Penny and Leonard are a couple now - I want you to turn on your side facing her. Curl up your arm underneath your head. Perfect. For the first few shots I want your eyes closed - you’re sleeping.”
As he faked a couple of snores, Cleo turned to Kaley who looked expectantly at her. Then she gestured to a nearby crew member who came running over with some do-hickey that he held up by Kaley’s face.
Slightly startled, Kaley leaned back against Jim - who bit back a groan just in time.
“Now do Jim,” Cleo instructed, and Jim blinked when the crew member’s hand positioned itself all about his form.
“Good - excellent. Kaley, I want you on your side facing Johnny. I’m just going to rearrange this sheet here - can you stick out your hip a little bit higher?” Cleo positioned the sheet so it rested just below Kaley’s hip bone. “I’m just taking this up a little,” she continued as she lifted Kaley’s tank so that skin showed between the lacy edge of the tank and the waistband of her shorts.
Jim swallowed convulsively.
“Great - oh, that’s perfect right there.” Cleo scooted a little closer. “Now - even though you’re turned towards Johnny - I want you looking over your shoulder at Jim.” Kaley cleared her throat, and nodded - doing exactly as the photographer instructed. Jim kept his eyes on Cleo. “Oh good - yeah just like that. Now Jim, I need you to turn towards Kaley - basically kind of spooning her.”
Jim blasphemed inside his head, but outwardly he was a picture of concentrated calm.
Yes - because he was concentrating on very calmly going about losing his mind.
He turned - and spooned - taking care to keep his hips the hell away from hers.
“Now - give me your hand,” Cleo grabbed his left hand before he could even move. And then she stared at it. “God - I love your hands.” Laughter spurted out of his bedfellows. “Oh - first off - could you prop up your head on your other hand. Yeah - exactly like that - and when I call the shots I want you to lean over her face. This hand stays right here,” she said as she - no doubt artistically - arranged his hand on Kaley’s hip - directly over her bare skin. He felt Kaley twitch slightly as his skin touched hers, and his immediate thought was that his hand was cold, so he brought his hand up to his mouth, fisting it so he could blow a few hot breaths into it to warm his skin. Then he replaced his hand.
The look he gave her was somewhat apologetic but the look he received in return was... fiery.
He snapped his attention back to Cleo as she told Kunal that she wanted him leaning back, both arms linked behind his head, looking at Jim and Kaley with his mouth formed into an “O”.
Cleo sat back to survey the scene she had created. Then she jumped of the bed and grabbed her camera, clicking away like crazy. Then she abruptly stopped.
“Hmm... it’s good - but not quite there yet - Oh! That’s why! Kaley - your hands aren’t doing anything. That’s what’s wrong with this picture,” Cleo’s eyes darted from Jim to Kaley and then back again. “Kaley - honey - could you lean back against Jim. I want your back to be flush against his chest. Stick out your chest a little bit more too.” Jim almost whimpered as Cleo continued to direct them. “Reach over with your left hand and grab his t-shirt near the collar - like you’re yanking towards you. Ohhhh. Yessss. That’s it, right there,” she took several short breaths as Jim stared at her like she had lost her mind. “Jim - could you scoot a little closer to her? In fact all of you need to scoot closer...”
“It’s a really big bed - is scooting really necessary?” He asked, breathless and out-of-sorts.
“It is if we want this to be the bestselling issue of the season, baby! Now scoot, Jim!” Cleo looked at him in exasperation. “Your hips are like on another planet! Squish right up next to her.”
“Wait a minute, wait a minute!” Kaley suddenly protested. “I thought this was supposed to be about Penny and Leonard - why is she... squishing with Sheldon?”
“There’s a TV show somewhere in there,” Kunal quipped. “Squishing with Sheldon.” Everyone cracked up, Jim and Kaley more involuntarily than not.
“I would so watch that show,” Simon added his two cents.
“What do you think the rating of that show would be?” Johnny mused.
“R for raunchy, dude,” Kunal deadpanned, channelling Raj.
“Guys - can we focus, please?” Kaley pleaded. She looked at Cleo. “Again - I thought this was about Penny and Leonard?”
“Well, you’re facing each other,” Cleo said, somewhat defensively.
“But Leonard’s asleep.”
“But you’re awake with a geek god right next to you in Sheldon. How can Penny resist?”
“But...”
“Oh honey - you’re not going to win this argument. And don’t worry - I’m taking several more shots with just you and Johnny so I’ll make it up to you then.”
Kaley deflated slightly next to Jim, but she was a good sport too - and when she looked - sexily - at him over her shoulder, she grabbed his t-shirt and yanked him closer.
“Peldon fans all over the world are gonna die in ecstasy when they see this.”
“That’s Shenny fans to you,” he retorted, helpless to do anything but smile down at her.
“Oh God - that’s hot,” Cleo moaned. “Hold that look!” There were several clicks. “Simon - could lean over Johnny a bit more - I want you to look at Kaley and Jim and I want jealousy and desperation on your face - like you would give anything to be Sheldon right now. That’s it! Johnny - Leonard’s just awakened - I want to see shock on your face. Completely taken aback by Sheldon and Penny - but a little intrigued as well. Fantastic! Kunal - if I can get your hand on Jim’s shoulder as you lean over to look at them. I want to see fascination on your face - like you’re just a little bit turned on by this. Man - you guys are so good!”
She clicked away spasmodically, moving in and around the bed like some possessed member of the paparazzi. On crack.
“Kaley and Jim - I want you to look at each other’s mouths - and can you move in a little closer please? Tighten that hand on her hip, Jim. Tighter - I want to see your knuckles straining, your fingers digging into her flesh. And just a little bit closer. Perfect. Oh my God - that is so sexy! Jeez, I’m going to need a cigarette after this shoot - and I don’t even smoke.”
Jim couldn’t help himself - it was too much, too overwhelming - to keep his desire from showing in every nuance of his face.
Kaley noticed. Her pupils dilated as she gazed up at him, her breath coming in short puffs and intermingling with his. He vaguely heard Cleo yapping away in the background.
“I would totally understand if you weren’t into this, but Jim, Kaley - do you think you guys could kiss?”
Before she could even finish her request, their mouths crashed into each other, and Jim kissed Kaley with all the pent up desire he had kept carefully hidden over the past three years.
Her mouth was hot and soft and moist and hard against his and it took all his self-control not to utter a deep, intense moan of pleasure at finally having her exactly where he wanted her.
Except this was not his bed. Dear lord - this was a photoshoot - with about a hundred people watching them. He pulled away.
Her eyes stayed closed as she exhaled the breath she had been holding. He licked his suddenly parched lips.
“Wow.” This from Kunal.
“That was hot.” This from Simon.
“Huh. Maybe those Shenny supporters have a point.” This from Johnny.
“Oh - I am so good.” This from Cleo - right before she kicked back into dictator-mode and sent everyone to wardrobe to get ready for the next scene.
***
At the end of the shoot, after they had changed back into their own clothes, Kaley found Jim in his change room.
She knocked and he answered, as if he had - on some level - been waiting for her. She came in. He shut the door behind her. They stared at each other for a split second before she jumped him, his arms clamping around her body like he was never going to let go.
And then Kaley kissed him. And when she broke away - seconds, minutes, hours - later, it left him panting and breathless, her body’s proximity - flush against his - did nothing to help matters.
Not that he was complaining or anything.
“I think I’m in love with you,” she whispered softly, her gaze unwavering.
“I know I’m in love with you,” he responded quietly, and with conviction.
“Oh!” She swallowed. “I know too, I was just testing the waters.”
“Well - that’s convenient.”
“Isn’t it?” Her smile was sultry as she looked up at him, but the kiss that accompanied it was sweet and... loving.
“Will you come home with me?” He asked, trying not to be distracted by her soft mouth nibbling on his lower lip.
“Try and stop me.”
“Let’s go then,” he pressed one final, hard kiss on her mouth and grabbed her hand, pulling her out of the room in his haste. She giggled.
“Wait - did you say bye to Cleo?”
“Yeah,” he muttered impatiently, his eyes hot as they travelled over her face. Her smile widened.
“I didn’t - just give me five minutes to find her and say goodbye. I’ll meet you at the car, okay?”
And then she twirled and walked away from him, her summery yellow dress flirting about her thighs. He drew in ragged breath and leaned back against the wall, closing his eyes as he rode out a wave of swift, but sure, desire.
Male laughter caused him to open his eyes, and he turned to find Kunal, Johnny and Simon grinning at him.
“It’s about damn time, dude.”
***
“Cleo!” Kaley called as she approached the photographer, as she was talking to one of her assistants.
“Kaley!”
“I just wanted to thank you for a great shoot today.”
“Oh, you’re welcome, sweetie,” Cleo nodded at her assistant and he walked away from them.
Cleo’s expression went from professional to wolfish in the blink of an eye.
“I so own you.” Her smile bordered on evil. Kaley giggled.
“I know I promised that dinner was on me if you made this happen - but I think I’m gonna have to buy you dinner every day for the rest of your life after that shoot!”
“That good, huh?”
“You don’t know the half of it.”
“Honey - I was there, remember? I think I have a pretty good idea. And a great imagination.”
“He said he’s in love with me,” Kaley shyly confided.
“Well, what’s not to love?” Cleo asked with a saucy smile. “And it works out well - you’ve been in love with him for three years now. Deny it all you want - but you know it’s true. This is why you need me in your life - I see things you just don’t.”
“That’s why you’re the photographer and I’m the actress.”
“So - when are you going to tell Jim about this little scheme of ours?”
“I’ll probably tell him tonight sometime.”
“Sweet - so maybe I can actually hang out with both of you next time, and not just you going Jim this and Jim that.” Kaley blushed.
“So I talk about him a lot - so what? He’s so adorable - you’re gonna love him.”
“I think you got him covered with the love. How about a double date?” Kaley eyed her friend with a single raised eyebrow.
“Who’d you have in mind?”
“Kunal’s kinda cute.” Kaley laughed.
“I’m on it,” she said as she gave Cleo - her best friend from college - a quick hug and kiss. “Just keep in mind though,” she said with a mischievous smirk, “payback can be a bitch, baby!”
And with that parting shot - and Cleo’s laughter ringing in her ears - Kaley made her way back to Jim.
***