Page 17 of The Publicity Stunt

"How you were with someone for as long as you were with him and not fall in love. He wasn't giving it to you like he should have."

She snorts and almost spits out the wine she just sipped. "Is that right?"

"Trust me, if you do it right, you both fall in love."

The idea of making love with Kace stirs something she hasn't experienced in a long time. Sex with Easton was good, but she never had a toe-curling moment. And she certainly didn't crave it like she always read in books or sees in movies. It was just something they did when they saw each other every few months, and sometimes she'd find a release, but usually not.

"So, what kind of rules should we put into place?" she asks, needing to change the subject before images of how Kace may be in bed turns her face the color of a beet.

"I think the better question is what you're comfortable with."

That's a good question. Right now, in this moment, she wouldn't mind if he pulled her back into his lap like he had in the car, only this time, kissing the bejeezus out of her. "Um, I guess it would be best to take things slow. Easton and I were never really big on the public displays of affection, so if we start groping each other in public, it may look staged."

"How about we start with holding hands?"

His large hands hid hers almost completely, and she liked how it felt. Like he could protect her from anything. "That's fine with me."

"When do you think we should make it official? I don't think either of our teams should make a statement on it, but we can make it clear at some point."

"I have an awards show in a couple of weeks. You could come with me and take pictures on the red carpet. Or whatever color this year is."

Kace chuckles. "Yeah, that would make a statement. Send me the date, and I'll check to make sure I don't have a game that night. If I'm off, I should be able to make it."

"If you need, I have a private plane."

"So you said."

"And you don't even need to ask to use it. As long as you come to the awards show, it's yours for the night," she jokes as Carl walks over with the food.

"I think I can manage, but I'll maybe let you know if I'm ever in a pinch."

Stabbing at her salad, she feels oddly at ease with the man she wishes would just take her to the bathroom and tear her clothes off to ravage her like the steak he's digging into. How she can feel so comfortable but also filled with anxiety at the same time confuses her.

"It'll be nice to have someone to go with considering Easton will no doubt be there with his pregnant girlfriend. I was going to skip it after everything and claim jet lag from the tour, but I’m up for a couple of awards. Oh, and I'm supposed to perform, too."

"How can you say it so nonchalantly? 'I'm up for a couple of awards. Oh, and I'm supposed to perform, too.' You act like you're not some big superstar or something. And you definitely don't seem excited. I bet you have a wall full of awards."

She giggles. "I do have a few awards, but my favorite are my three Grammys. They're a symbol I've made it, I guess. The fan voted awards are amazing, too, but depending on what happens in your life, those fans may not always be devoted to you. But the Grammys... those are voted on by people in the industry. They're harder to impress enough to get a vote."

"That's amazing, Bri. I know what you mean when you talk about it being a symbol you've made it. That's what the Stanley Cup means to me. I want it so badly, I can almost taste it. And it'll make the last twenty years worth it. Especially since I only have a few good years left to get it."

The way Kace digs into his food, not caring what a soul thinks, makes Bri envious. Nothing seems to make this man self-conscious, and he just confessed something personal. Not as personal as her sexual inexperience, but it's what she suspects is personal for him. No, he's just Kace Lyons, and he's unapologetic about it. If only she could harness that power.

"Based on my very limited knowledge, and tonight's experience, you look like you have a good chance at winning it. You were a beast out there."

"Having you there tonight made it better. I haven't had someone to show off for in a long time. My ex stopped showing up to the games a year ago. It made the game better, and Tessa might be right. I think you may very well be my lucky charm. You should come to all the games to ensure our spot in the playoffs."

Bri laughs, and she likes the way he looks at her. Appreciative. It's a new look she doesn't get very often outside of donating money to good causes. "Nia started running through your schedule and my tour dates to see what could work the moment we left that lunch just in case we agreed to give this a try. We'll figure out how to get me to as many as possible. I just don't know how many that will be. You have so many games."

He smirks. "And your tour schedule isn't exactly simple. They don't align too much, but I'll try and come to as many concerts as I can. You're either performing on a game night, or you're on the other side of the country."

"We'll figure it out. Our reps seem pretty excited about the idea, so I'm sure they'll make it happen."

"I'm looking forward to it."

The way he looks at Bri makes her thankful she's sitting. The intensity in his eyes would have surely made her knees buckle had she been standing. It crosses her mind this "fake" relationship could hurt more than a real one when it's over if he keeps looking at her like this.

Chapter Seven

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