Page 42 of The Publicity Stunt

"But she said no," Kace says, his eyes still on her as he nods knowingly.

Her hands lift in surrender. "That's a lot of math I just don't want to do."

"Liar," he says and finally moves to take her into his arms. He lifts her from the ground and kisses her with enough passion to ignite the smoldering coals she hasn't been able to put out. "Thank you."

"You're welcome. Did I pull off the surprise?"

"Did you? I about had to pick my jaw up from off the damn ice when I saw Dad standing next to you in the box. How did you pull this off? He's the most stubborn man on the planet."

Kace doesn't set her down, and Bri kind of likes feeling like a rag doll. "I'm a very persuasive person, Kace. You should know this by now."

His lips find hers again, and she holds him close as he takes one step forward to press her back against the wall. The way he kisses her reminds her of how he made love to her the last time they saw each other, and she itches to get him out of his clothes again. But her favorite part was waking up after sleeping next to him. The fact he was naked with her in his arms didn't hurt at all, either.

He took such care of her the first time they were together, and it was like nothing she ever thought she'd experience. With Easton, it was all about him. Within minutes, it was done, and after the one and only time he went down on her, she never quite understood what all the fuss was about. With Kace, she understood what it felt like to truly crave someone.

"The reporters are getting quite a show of us like this," he says, his forehead resting against hers.

"Who cares?" she whispers, her heart pounding.

Rudy walks around the corner, and Bri watches him stop as he sees the threesome. "Mr. Lyons?"

"Hello, Rudy," he says, his tone cool and completely opposite of the warm man she's spent hours with today.

"I guess Kace told you."

"You guessed correctly. The only thing I can say is thank you."

Bri and Kace glance at each other before turning back to Victor. Rudy looks just as confused and asks, "What?"

"If you wouldn't have been the snake in the grass that you are, Kace wouldn't have ended up with Bri Waters. And that girl, let me tell you, blows Sasha out of the water. You did the family a favor, actually."

Kace chuckles and sets her back down on her feet and walks over to his father. "Is that right, Dad?"

"I never liked Sasha. She's very shallow and flaky. The type of girl who'll leave when the money stops coming in. Better enjoy her while you can, Rudy. You only have so many years left in your career. My two pieces of advice would be to not knock her up and keep her away from anyone you consider a friend. You never know who's really your friend these days, huh?"

Bri's mouth drops in shock, and she hides behind Kace. She loves Victor. Officially loves him.

"Have a good night," Rudy says and walks away quickly.

"Dad," Kace says with a laugh. "Wow. You really hated Sasha that much?"

"He really did," Bri says. "I heard about it, too. You should really listen to your dad, Kace."

Victor smirks and pulls Bri into a side hug. "Yes, you really should. And I like this one. We should keep her."

Kace laughs with Bri and winks at her. "On that note, why don't we go and get something to eat?"

"Poutine. I only ever eat it here because everywhere else in the States that has it is shit," Victor says.

"Bri?"

She waves her hands in the air. As much as she'd love to go, she knows Kace should have time with his father. "You two go. Spend some time together. Your father's staying in the same hotel as I am because it wasn't really possible to plan for him to stay with you and not ruin the surprise."

"Come with us," Victor begs. "Please?"

"I have to get up early tomorrow. I have an interview right before we take off, and then I have to head to Atlanta for the soundcheck right after we drop you off in Texas. But I'll see you tomorrow morning on the plane."

Kace pulls her away from his father and cups her face. "Are you sure?"

---