Page 25 of The Publicity Stunt

"How long does the red carpet stuff take?" Kace says.

The ride remained silent and filled with tension. Sexual tension.

"Um, it depends on how long the line is. Hopefully, since we're arriving late, we'll be able to get through quickly because the show will start soon. I'm not counting on it, but it would be a nice little surprise."

The car stops, and for the first time in years, Kace feels nervous. Staring down large men on blades who have the ability to kill him in an attempt to score doesn't scare him. Taking the final shot right before the buzzer and potentially losing a game in front of fans doesn't make him nervous. But stepping out of this car to walk out with one of the world's most notable pop stars puts him so far outside his element, he's not sure what to do. How to act. Where to go. He'll take a hockey arena with the biggest, toughest, meanest defensive line any day. At least on the ice, he knows what to do with his hands.

The door opens, and he steps out first, holding his hand out for her to take. He's never been big on chivalrous actions, but something about Bri Waters makes him want to do things he never thought he'd want to. Like trip over his own feet to make sure he can open a damned door for her.

Her hand slips into his, and he helps her out of the vehicle. People immediately go crazy, and he's momentarily stunned in place by the number of people and camera flashes. Everyone shouts at once, and he can't decide where to even look.

"I'll be okay," Bri says to him in a low voice and squeezes his hand before guiding him along the carpet.

Her superstar persona turns on the minute she has an audience, and Kace can't help but watch in awe. She puts on a front for everyone, but he feels like he knows the real her. The version not many people get to see, anyway.

Bri helps guide him where to look by the movement of her hand in his behind her back. When he needs to look right, she pulls his hand closer to the right side of her back. When it's time to shift left, she moves to the left side. Forward has her pulling his hand straight back slightly, and he likes her method.

"Bri! Bri!" someone shouts. "Does this mean you and Kace Lyons are officially a couple?"

"Kace! How long have you and Bri been together?" another yells.

"Were you two together before Duffy got caught with his pants down?" a woman calls.

Rather than respond, Bri just smiles and looks from one camera to the next, and he follows suit. It feels rude not to answer any questions, but he's heard how dangerous answering questions can be. The moment he says something, the media will twist his words to fit whatever story they're trying to spin that week.

He looks behind him and sees Easton walking up with Johanna in a light pink evening gown while her gloved hand cups her little baby bump. Bending down to whisper in her ear, he knows it'll allow only her to hear what he says while simultaneously looking intimate and affectionate. "Be cool."

Her eyes look up to his, and again, he knows how amazing this picture will look. He makes a mental note to have Neo find it in the posts. It’s the type of picture he wants to decorate in his now nearly empty rental place after he threw out all of Sasha’s shit.

"What?"

"Easton!" the crowd shouts. "How does it feel knowing you're about to be a father?"

"Are you and your girlfriend planning on getting married?"

"Do you know if the baby will be a boy or a girl?"

Kace chuckles and leans down to whisper in her ear as they move to the next set of cameras. "They don't say her name."

Bri tries to hide her smile, but she fails. Her hand squeezes his, and he kisses her temple. He can't go as far as he'd like, which would be dipping her and kissing the hell out of her, but he can do something to focus the attention back on them.

"Kace! Have you told Bri you love her yet?"

"You two look so in love! Are you flying to watch her tour when you have a free night?"

"Bri, do you have plans to slow down the touring and create a family with Kace?"

Giggling, she looks up at him, and he dips down to hear her. "You did that on purpose."

"He's had enough attention, don't you think?"

"Bri!" Johanna calls. "Can we get a picture together?"

Bri's face falls, shocked, and he blocks her from the cameras. "Face."

"What?"

"Your face. It's telling how you feel right now."

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