Chapter Thirty-One
jake
I take Kate’s hand in the limo, waiting for our turn to get out and walk the red carpet.
Although it may appear on TV that you hit the red carpet the moment your limo pulls up, that’s definitely not the case.
It all depends on where you fall in order of importance, and based on our arrival time, it looks like we’re sandwiched somewhere in the middle.
“You look beautiful,” I whisper to Kate, even though the driver has the partition up and we’re alone in the back.
It won’t be that way for long. Anna is meeting us on the red carpet, and Jason’s likely inside schmoozing already.
He lives for these types of events. Not me.
I only attend when it’s required for my job, but I have to admit there’s something different about tonight.
It’s the first time I have someone on my arm who truly supports and loves me.
In a way, I’m actually excited to be here and introduce people to Kate.
Kate smiles at me. “Yes, you’ve told me half a dozen times now.”
“But have I told you how much I can’t wait to get you out of that dress?” I wiggle my eyebrows and look up and down her body. “I can’t believe you’re all fucking mine. I’m the luckiest man in the world to be with you.”
Kate blushes, accentuating the pink stain already on her cheeks from her makeup.
I wish I could kiss her. Have her straddle me in the car and let out all this pent-up energy, but Addison practically threatened me with my life if I mess up Kate’s dress, hair, or makeup before the night is over.
It wouldn’t surprise me if Chelsi put her up to it, knowing how I can’t keep my hands off Kate.
Knowing the effect seeing her in this dress would have on me.
“The feeling is definitely mutual,” Kate murmurs, running her fingertips along my inner thigh. She bats her long eyelashes at me seductively as her hand dances along my groin, lightly caressing my growing erection.
I hiss as she touches the head of my cock through my pants. “As much as I hate myself for saying this… You need to stop. I cannot walk the red carpet with a hard cock.”
Kate chuckles, tossing her head back slightly, wearing the widest grin. She looks so fucking beautiful.
“I’ll stop only because I’m afraid of Anna and how she’ll react if you’re pitching a tent in pictures. If it wasn’t for her, I would spend the next few minutes teasing you just like you love to do to me,” she says softly, dragging her finger down my neck.
Fuck. This woman is everything. How did I get so lucky to call her mine?
I take her hand in mine and kiss it. “I love you, Kate.”
The limo pulls forward a bit and then stops.
The driver rolls down the partition to tell us we’re next in line and should be pulling up in a couple of minutes.
Kate tenses slightly, so I rub my thumb in circles on her hand to help soothe her anxiety.
Walking a red carpet is always stressful, no matter how many times you do it, but it’s unfortunately more unforgiving for women.
Men tend to get a free pass when it comes to what they wear—not women.
Entertainment shows and social media love to dissect every aspect of a woman’s appearance, giving zero fucks about what it does for that specific person’s self-esteem or the message it sends to others.
It’s why I was insistent on having Kate spend the entire day at the spa yesterday and work with Addison on her outfit.
I wanted Kate to have all the resources to feel her best before the vultures pick her apart.
Because they will, no matter what I, or anyone else, says or does.
When the driver pulls forward and stops, I squeeze Kate’s hand as someone outside opens our door, giving us the official signal that it’s time to make our grand entrance.
“We got this,” I whisper to Kate, kissing our joined hands one more time before letting go and stepping out of the limo.
After I adjust my jacket and pants, I reach for her to help her out.
Thankfully, the initial unloading area is separated from photographers, giving everyone a chance to ready themselves before stepping in front of the countless flashing lights.
“Great! You’re here. You look gorgeous, Kate,” Anna says excitedly as she pops out of nowhere, because I definitely didn’t see her when I exited the limo.
“Thank you,” Kate replies with a smile, lacing her fingers with mine. “You look great, too.”
Anna chuckles softly. “That’s the only thing I dislike about these events—having to wear a full-length black gown. I’d prefer to be in something much more vivid and sparkly.”
Kate scrunches her brow, not understanding why Anna can’t wear whatever she wants. “Why can you—”
“Don’t worry about me and the silly rules of the industry.
We have more important things to do. It’s your first red carpet, and everyone is clamoring for a picture of the two of you.
I’ll try to get you through the line as quickly as possible, but I’ve already been told all the media outlets want to talk to Jake. ”
I tense slightly and attempt to control my expression, not wanting Kate to see how nervous I am for her.
While this technically might be a work event for me, everyone will be focused on her.
And I’m sure Anna has warned some of the entertainment reporters about what questions I won’t answer.
But it won’t surprise me if they ask, anyway.
There’s always one reporter who likes to push Anna’s buttons on purpose.
“All right. It’s showtime.” Anna smiles and motions for us to follow her.
“You look beautiful, Kate. I’m so grateful you’re here with me. I love you,” I whisper, kissing her hand again, then following Anna, with Kate walking beside me.
The next twenty minutes are a flurry of bright lights and shouting photographers, asking us to pose in every direction so they can capture the perfect shot.
I do video interviews with at least half a dozen reporters and only get one question about the songs I wrote for the movie—the entire reason why I’m here.
Instead, they all want details about the new album and my relationship with Kate.
They’re clearly poking to see how serious things are between the two of us, one even asking if wedding bells are in the future.
I tried to follow Anna’s advice to be vague, even though I’d rather tell them I plan on spending the rest of my life with Kate.
When Kate and I walk off the red carpet and head into the theater, she lets out a deep exhale, almost like she’s been holding her breath this entire time.
Stopping, I gaze into her eyes. “You did great. It wasn’t so bad, right?” I ask, wrapping my arms around her waist.
“I mean…depends on how you define bad. It wasn’t the worst experience of my life, but I’m not clamoring to do it again.”
I chuckle. “Fair enough. Ready to spend the next few hours watching a movie and then schmoozing with a bunch of people at the after-party?”
“As long as you’re by my side, I can handle anything.”
She gently kisses my lips, waking every nerve in my body. I can’t help but let out a quiet growl, causing her to immediately smirk.
Damn. This woman owns every part of me.
She leans in, brushing her lips against my ear. “If you’re a good boy, I might get on my knees for you later in the limo.”
Holy fuck.
“Or should I ride you instead. So many options. Perhaps if you’re really good, I’ll do both.”
She wiggles out of my arms and starts walking away like she didn’t just give me a fucking boner in the middle of the concession area, where there are countless other guests, and we have to spend the next few hours keeping our hands to ourselves.
“Did you enjoy the movie?” I ask once we’re in the limo, heading to our hotel. While it was heavenly to have Kate by my side, I’ve been looking forward to being alone with her again.
Although I might be an extrovert by nature, tonight took a lot out of me.
I underestimated the number of people at the premiere who would be interested in hearing about the album and meeting Kate.
No one said it directly, but I have an inkling the rumor mill is in overdrive about us and how it relates to the album.
Should probably find out what Jason and Anna know about what’s being said and how we might need to deal with it.
There was one too many raised eyebrows when people saw us for it to be nothing.
Kate rests her head against the backseat and kicks off her heels.
“Yeah. It was good. But it was weird sitting in a movie theater wearing a designer gown. I much prefer yoga pants and a sweatshirt for my movie watching.” She lets out a soft sigh and then turns to look at me.
“Did you enjoy the night?” She raises her eyebrows.
I shake my head. “Oh. Are you referencing how you intentionally got my cock hard and then walked away? Making me uncomfortable all evening in these pants.”
A laugh escapes her mouth, and her eyes sparkle with mischief. “I’m not sure what you’re talking about.”
“So that’s how it’s going to be. You talk a big game, but once we’re back in the limo, you act all innocent.”
She shrugs. “Maybe. Perhaps you weren’t good enough to deserve a proper reward.
Ever think about that?” Her eyes lock on mine as she tugs her bottom lip between her teeth.
“I mean…you didn’t even bother to check before we left the hotel.
Or in the limo on the way here. Frankly, I’m disappointed in you. ”
My mouth drops open. Where is she going—
Holy fuck.
She’s not wearing any goddamn panties again.
An uncontrollable growl comes out of me. “Are you… Are you not wearing any underwear?”
She nods and smirks.
All of a sudden, the air in the limo feels thinner, so I unbutton my collar, hoping it’ll make it easier to breathe. “Why aren’t you wearing them?”