Page 19 of The Publicist
“Yeah, everything is fine, but we need to have a private conversation away from prying ears.” I lift my chin in the direction of Tait so he understands what I mean. He sneers and nods his head. Taking my hand, he leads me to a back corner away from everyone, and motions for me to take a seat. I slide into the booth, and he sits so close he’s practically on top of me. I scoot over a fraction of an inch and motion for him to tilt his ear lower.
“There are pictures surfacing of the two of us from last night and even just from entering tonight. The rumor is we’re dating.”
I see him smirk, and I want to smack him. “I’m failing to see a problem with this rumor.”Of course, he is.
“The problem is I’d like to get laid at some point this year, and if I’m seen attached to you, I won’t be able to because I’ll have every fan girl trying to break my kneecaps if I do anything to hurt their precious cinnamon roll.”
“I will gladly help you with your predicament; you know that. Again, I’m failing to see the problem.” He pauses and a smile crawls over his lips. “Also, I’m a cinnamon roll? Good to know.” He laughs and takes a sip of his beer.
“Thad thinks it would be a good move to help your image. You being seen dating a regular person and not some celebrity.” I hesitate. “And I have to agree with him. It’s a way to help change your image for sure.”
He smirks, and I hold back the urge to roll my eyes. “Whatever you want,Princess.”
Chapter 18
I watchas she holds back her eye roll.This is going to be a lot of fun.“So, what is the first thing we’re doing as a couple? Are we going to dinner and a movie? Are you finally going to come over for Netflix and chill? I can whip up some dinner and we can relax.”
“Slow down, Romeo. This isn’t real. You understand that, right? This is strictly for the purpose of your image. There will be no real dates. Everything we do in public will be for them—the public. We will smile, hold hands, simple kisses if it is warranted, and appear to be in love. The word I want you to focus on, though, ispretend. Are we clear?”
She is talking about how this is pretend, but I can tell she wants this just as much as I want it. The whole idea of this being a fake relationship and putting up a big stink is just her way of trying to make herself feel better because she’s attracted to me. I saw it in her eyes last night as she kissed me, and I see it now as she’s working on convincing herself. “Whatever you say, babe.” I take her hand in mine and smile at her.She’s mine.
Tait comes over and joins us. He’s smart enough to sit on the opposite side of me and keeps a fair amount of space between him and Quinn. I pull our conjoined hands up and place them on top of the table so Tait can see that he doesn’t have her. She tries to pull out of my grasp, but I won’t allow it. “No,” I tell her quietly. “I want to hold your hand. We have to try to sell it to them as well as the public.”
She stops pulling at her hand and huffs, taking a sip of her wine. I smile; she knows I’m right. I’m tracing small circles on the back of it, not paying attention to the conversation at the table. Something about her first time being allowed on a movie set and being excited. She’s making polite conversation, but all I can think about is getting her home and into my bed.
“Isn’t that right, Caleb?” she asks, pulling me out of my thoughts.
My name snaps me back to the conversation. “Huh? Sorry, I was zoned out. What are you talking about?”
“I was telling Tait how we decided to give us a try this morning when we were down in the gym. We’re attracted to one another, and you asked.”
“Right. She’s just so damn beautiful. I thought, why not jump in feet first.” I smile at her and lean over, giving her a kiss on the cheek. She allows it and puts on a pretty smile, but her body stiffens under my touch.
“Wow, seems a little convenient that she’s your publicist as well as your girlfriend now,” Tait deadpans.
“Well, we aren’t putting labels on things yet. We’re going to go on some dates and see how it all goes. We both want to take things slow, learn more about each other,” she responds and gives him the stink eye.Yeah, I know that look too well. She’s used it enough on me already.
“So, I guess that date with me is out of the question, huh?” he retorts. My body tenses and I keep a tight smile on my face.
She pulls me down and whispers in my ear, “So help me God, if you do or say anything right now, I’ll give you a fat lip.” She directs the next response to Tait. “Like I told you last night, Tait, I don’t believe that is a good idea. Besides, I’m a lousy date. I never know what to talk about, and I never invite guys back for a drink. You would be bored to tears.”
The music is pumping, and I need to get away from Tait, if only for a small reprieve. “Quinn, would you care to dance?” I ask, and the look I give lets her know I need to get away from him.
“Sure, that sounds like fun. If you’ll excuse us, boys.” She gives me a small push to exit the booth, and I help her stand. I escort her down the stairs and into the sea of people all swaying to the beat. Pulling her close into my arms, we begin moving, the sway of my hips matching hers. She throws her arms over my shoulders and presses her chest into mine. I can feel her nipples peaked under her shirt, and I groan as she pulls my face down to her lips to whisper in my ear.
“You need to stop getting jealous over Tait. There is nothing going on with him.”
I place my hands on her hips and sway in sync with her movements. She spins around and sways her hips as she lowers herself down, her ass rubbing against my growing length.Shit! This girl is going to kill me tonight. When she stands back up, I pull her ass right up against me, and whisper in her ear, “You’re playing with fire. Keep those movements up and I’m going to find a back room to have my way with you.” Just to mess with me, she grinds back on me and then turns to face me again, a glint of mischief evident in her eyes. “Can we get out of here?” I just want to be alone with her. I know I can convince her she wants this if she’ll just let me.
“I’m having fun though. Can we stay a little longer?” The way her body is moving has me mesmerized, and I’m afraid I’m going to embarrass myself in front of all these people.
“Quinn, with you dancing like that, you’re driving me crazy. The last thing we need is a story circulating how I can’t control myself. Please, can we go?”
She runs her hands down the front of my body and hooks her fingers in the belt loops of my jeans, pulling us together. “Afraid of not being able to keep it in your pants, Caleb?”
“If you don’t stop, I’m going to make you come standing here with everyone watching. Haven’t you ever been told it’s not nice to tease?”
I watch her eyes droop, and she bites her lip. She slowly nods in agreement.Fuck, that is the hottest thing I’ve ever seen.We walk back upstairs to get our stuff and say goodbye. We’ve only been here about an hour, but it’s enough time for pictures and to prove I showed up, as expected.