Page 32 of The Publicity Stunt

"You got a thing for my girl?"

He steps towards him, but Kace stands right where he is. "I've seen her go through more than she should have growing up. Her family is a real piece of work, to put it nicely. She's had far too many people pretending to be her friend or interested in her, only to hurt her by either trying to extort something from her or selling her out to the highest bidder. She's the sister I never had, and she's the best boss I've ever had. I'd not only die for her, I'd kill for her."

The elevator stops, and they step onto the floor. "I appreciate the warning, Bobby. The last thing I intend on doing is hurting Bri in any way. She's a special girl, and I see that. I'll also do whatever I can to make sure she's not hurt by me or anyone else. Not if I can help it."

"I'm glad we understand each other," he says and pats his shoulder. "Because I will go Tonya Harding on your ass. Or knee. Except if I go for your knees, I'm taking both out."

Jesus, the last thing Kace ever expected was a descriptive threat of bodily harm, but the looks from the other security guards tell him hurting Bri will be one of the biggest mistakes he ever makes.

Knocking on the door, he stands to the side and waits for it to open. When it opens, he steps into view, and Bri's mouth drops when she sees him.

"Surprise."

"You got Smithers?" she gasps and pulls him inside the suite. "You are a wonderful, wonderful man."

Tessa walks over and raises an eyebrow. "You must've seen her post before third period because you stopped playing like total garbage."

"Yeah, I guess I missed my lucky charm. But the moment I knew she was watching, I had to pick up my game to impress her."

"Whatcha got there?"

"He picked up Smithers BBQ!" Bri says, pulling the food from his hands and setting it on the counter in her kitchen. "Please tell me they still had brisket."

He can't help the smirk on his face while watching her get so excited. "Should be. I thought I might've had the wrong place when I showed up."

"It looks janky, but it's better than any BBQ place in Texas."

"No way," Tessa says.

Bri opens up every box and does a little dance. "I said what I said, and once you try this, you'll have to agree. There it is!"

She takes a slice of brisket and bites into it, closing her eyes and moaning as she tastes the beef. "Damn," Kace says.

"What?"

"I think that's the sexiest sound you can make."

Tessa's jaw drops. "Well, on that note, I'm going to grab a plate and leave. And I will tell you just how wrong you are, Bri, in the morning."

"No, you won't," Bri says with a laugh.

"You don't have to leave," Kace says, but he doesn't mean a single word.

Tessa chuckles and walks towards the door. "Yeah, I do. I have a room one floor down. Bri, babe, thank you. I love you."

"I love you, too, Tee."

He watches the blonde leave, and he turns to the food. "Okay, give me lessons on what to try here."

Chapter Twelve

Bri

"Well?" Bri asks, her stomach fluttering with Kace sitting in her hotel room.

He'd said her moan was the sexiest sound she can make, and every part of her wishes he'd be the one to make her moan like that. And not with food. The moment he tells her he's completely over Sasha, she's his. Whatever he wants, she'll do.

"That was... better than Texas BBQ," Kace says, his hand over his chest like he'd just plunged a knife into it. "I can't believe those words came out of my mouth. They'll never let me back into the state."

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