For now, I need to focus on and enjoy the twenty-four hours in Rome. Brian opens the hotel door and steps to the side while Hunter walks in. I jump out of the chair, a line of eyeshadow brushing across my cheek in my haste to run into his arms. He lifts me and I wrap my legs around his waist.
“I could get used to that greeting,” he says, squeezing my ass.
I kiss him quickly and grin. “So could I.”
He steals another kiss before lowering me to my feet.
“I’ve missed you,” he says, nuzzling my neck and breathing me in.
I run my hands through his hair. “I’ve missed you more.”
“Impossible.”
A throat clears behind us, and I begin to pull away, but Hunter grabs me and brings me close to his body.
“Sorry to interrupt,” my makeup artist says. “But we need to continue to make sure we finish on time.”
I sigh and plop back into the chair. The makeup artist grins and cleans my cheek. Hunter excuses himself to shower and get ready while I impatiently wait for my makeup and hair to finish.
Hunter returns wearing eggplant-colored pants and a white shirt. He places his matching jacket on the couch and waits for me to finish. When it’s done, after far too much time, Hunter hurries the people out of the room.
“Finally,” he says, once the door closes. “I’ve been waiting to give you these.”
He hands me a box full of Buckeyes. I bite into the ball of creamy peanut butter and chocolate like a robot. Moving my arms and jaw in jerky, stiff movements. Hunter chuckles and rolls his eyes at my antics.
“You keep me on my toes without even having to try,” he says. “But I like this look. It’s sexy.”
I laugh. “Never thought you’d have a robot fetish.”
“Don’t you know? Anything involving you is my fetish.”
The heated way he says it ignites my body. I lift one of the Buckeyes to his lips and he takes a slow bite, his gaze on me the entire time. He licks my fingers, and I swallow hard as I imagine him licking me in other places.
“What are you thinking about?” he asks.
“If we can have a quickie without messing up my hair and makeup.”
“Hmm, same.” He sucks on my pointer finger. “But I won’t be able to resist ruining your hair and makeup while I fuck you.”
“I don’t mind.”
He grins. “I quite like the idea of waiting until tonight. Where you get to a point where you’ve soaked through your thong, and I’ll enjoy?—"
“You’re evil.” I cover his mouth with my palm, not able to listen to more. Not when I’ve already soaked through my thong just by being near him. “You’re getting me all worked up for nothing.”
He laughs and kisses my palm. “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of you. When you’re good and ready.”
Hunter holdsthe car door open and helps me out. He doesn’t move until I adjust my strapless, embroidered lavender gown with a large bow on my hip and cutouts in the skirt. It’s the nicest thing I’ve ever worn, and I don’t know if Stella owns this or if she rented it, but I want it.
Hunter smooths out his suit before stepping to my side and grabbing my hand. The cameras flash and the noise increases when the paparazzi and fans catch sight of us. Hunter takes a step down the red carpet, but I can’t do it. My arm stretches in front of me, but I’m frozen, lost in the bright lights and screams that remind me of the night the paparazzi hunted us down.
Hunter turns to me. “Okay?”
I squeeze his hand two times. He immediately takes a step toward me and cups my cheek in his hand. “What’s wrong?”
“It reminds me of that night,” I whisper, glancing at the hungry paparazzi and back to Hunter.
His face softens in understanding. “I know, but I’m here and you’re safe. I won’t let anyone hurt you.”