Chapter 46
Corine
The soft click of the door echoed in the quiet hotel suite, and I barely lifted my head from the arm of the couch. My feet ached from the back-to-back photo shoots, and Brittany was sprawled on the other side of the room with a face mask on, scrolling through her phone.
"I swear if that's room service again with the wrong drinks, I'm throwing a heel at someone," she muttered.
I groaned, dragging myself up with effort and heading to the door. My silk robe brushed against my legs, the satin whispering against my skin. I hadn't even taken off my lashes. My body begged for a nap before the after-party.
When I opened the door, all thoughts of sleep vanished.
There he was.
Jasper.
Wearing a dark navy coat over a fitted turtleneck and slacks, looking like he'd walked off a GQ cover and directly into my dreams. His hair was slightly tousled, the way I liked it best. His eyes locked on mine for a second, and I couldn't even say his name before he pulled me to him and kissed me.
A full, hot, breath-stealing kiss.
My arms went around his neck before I could think. My lips parted for him naturally, responding with all the longing that had been building since our last date in LA. His hands gripped my waist, firm and sure, and I could feel the tension between us snap into something electric.
Behind me, Brittany groaned dramatically.
"Okay, I am literally two feet away. Get a room. Oh wait, this is our room. Gross. But also, finally."
I broke the kiss with a breathless laugh, my cheeks burning as I leaned my forehead against Jasper's chest.
"Hi," I whispered.
"Hi," he said, his voice low and slightly hoarse. "I couldn't wait. I missed you. I came early."
I looked up, confused. "You weren't supposed to be here until Friday. It's only Wednesday."
"I rearranged my schedule. Couldn't stand being that far from you any longer. Besides..." His hand moved to my cheek, brushing a strand of hair away. "I heard you were dazzling the entire UK and I had to see it for myself."
I laughed softly, melting under his gaze. It had been years since someone looked at me like I was worth chasing. Even longer since I let myself believe it.
Brittany snorted. "He's been texting me all morning asking where you'd be. I told him you'd be too tired to flirt. Guess I was wrong."
I rolled my eyes at her and turned back to Jasper. "You flew all this way for me?"
"Of course. And also-" he pulled something from his coat pocket and held it up- "to ask if you'd let me be your date to your Luxe Beauty after-party dinner."
The golden envelope shimmered in the light.
I stared at it, stunned. Not because of the invitation. But because of how he was looking at me like it was the most natural thing in the world to want to show me off.
"I'd love to," I said, and meant it with everything in me.
He grinned. "Then it's a date."
---
The evening air in London was cool, the city lights glittering like jewels across the Thames as we stepped out of the hotel into the waiting car. Jasper held the door for me and helped me in like we were in a period drama, his hand lingering on mine just a second too long.
I wore a deep crimson dress that hugged my curves, a statement piece from Luxe's winter collection. My makeup was soft, romantic, and Brittany had added a touch of gloss to make my lips pop. When Jasper saw me step out earlier, he'd muttered something about needing a moment to breathe.
Now, as we drove through the city, his hand rested gently on my thigh.
"You look like sin," he murmured.
I blushed, glancing out the window to hide my smile. "Is that a compliment, Senator's son?"
"It's a warning," he teased.
---
The restaurant was a rooftop venue draped in crystal lights and velvet chairs. Guests were already mingling-models, influencers, press-but all I could think about was Jasper. He never left my side. Every time someone approached, he introduced me as his date. His voice always had a touch of pride.
At one point, he whispered, "You don't know how good it feels to have you next to me like this."
I leaned closer, my voice quiet. "I think I do."
---
After dessert, when the dinner started winding down and people started drifting to the bar or lounge, Jasper leaned close to my ear.
"Want to get some air?"
We snuck away, laughing like kids. Downstairs, we wandered the quiet cobbled streets of London, passing by red phone booths and little cafes.
"Remember when we pranced around LA like fools?" he asked.
"I remember you buying me street churros and calling it gourmet."
"They were gourmet. The guy had a food truck license and everything."
I laughed, leaning into his side. "I haven't laughed like this in so long."
He stopped walking. Turned to me. The moonlight carved shadows across his jaw.
"That's all I want to do. Make you laugh. Make you forget everything else for a little while."
His hand slid around my waist, pulling me close.
"I've waited a long time to find someone like you, Corinne. I'm not letting go now."
Then he kissed me.
Not soft. Not hesitant.
A full, deep, open-mouthed kiss that had my knees trembling and my soul screaming. He kissed me like he needed me, like he meant every word he said.
When we finally pulled apart, I was breathless.
He rested his forehead against mine. "I look forward to having you for myself, Corinne Holt. I'm not going anywhere."
And for the first time in years, I believed someone.
I let myself believe him.