Page 37 of The Publicist

Glancing over my shoulder, I see the horde of people with cameras aimed at us, snapping this intimate moment. I know they’re all speculating what is happening, but I don’t have it in me to give a fuck. I want to yell at them to mind their own business but refrain, knowing Quinn would kick my ass for it. “Why don’t we get away from prying eyes?” I say as I motion toward the cameras. I take her hand and lead her into the theater, in search of something strong to drink.

“You look stunning, Quinn.” I’m having an extremely difficult time keeping my hands on her respectfully. I want to tear her out of the dress and feel her body wrapped around mine. I love everything about this woman.What the fuck? Love?There isnoway I love her already. I’ve known her for just over a month, and we have only been officially dating for a few minutes.

“Thank you. You don’t look too bad yourself, handsome.” She smiles. “Now, I was promised alcohol, and I’m here to see a movie. Don’t think I don’t know you were thinking of sneaking out early.”

“How about if we pick the last row and you let me do dirty things to you with my fingers?” I tease, which is a bad idea because that thought makes me hard as a rock.

She blushes, and I can tell she’s thinking about it. “No,” finally passes her lips. “This dress is a rental, and I can’t afford it, so you will have to wait until we get back to your hotel. Oh, shit! My bag is in Elena’s room. What hotel are you staying at? I can see if I can get to it.”

“I’m staying in my apartment. Remember, I have one out this way? Thought it would be nice to be able to spend the night in my own place, in my own bed.” I can’t wait to see her in my bed. Fuck! I just want to get out of here now. My night just got increasingly better.

She rounds her lips. “Oh.”

“We can stop by the hotel on our way to my place, and you can gather your stuff from her.”

Speak of the devil. Elena saunters over to us, looking great as always. “Doesn’t she look amazing, Caleb?”

“She always looks beautiful, but tonight is something else. She’s breathtaking.” I lift Quinn’s hand to my lips and brush a gentle kiss over her knuckles.

“You’re welcome.” Elena smiles and walks off.

I turn to look at Quinn, confused. “She’s the one who hooked me up with the flight, the dress, the makeup, and hair. She’s my fairy godmother for the night so I could get to you.”

I smile. “That must make me your Prince Charming then. Come along, Princess, we have a two-and-a-half hour long movie to sit through, and then I need to somehow get you home and gently unwrap you from that thing so I can have you all to myself.”

She smiles mischievously. “I’d rather you use some force to get me out of it. However, since I don’t own it, we will have to settle for gentle.”

The imagines that pop into my head make me wish I could get her home immediately. “Fuck, Quinn, you’re something else. You know that?” She smiles brightly and nods.Of course, she knows.

We are ushered to our seats, and I’m having a hard time concentrating. It’s an action movie, lots of big explosions and fight scenes, but it’s not holding my attention. I keep glancing over at Quinn, watching her reactions. She is completely engrossed in the movie. When something shocking happens, she gasps and covers her mouth with her hand. When the romance scenes happen, she smiles wide and reaches for my hand to hold. By the time the movie ends, I’m so wound up from watching her, I need to get out of there immediately.

When the audience stands and applauds, Quinn is right there with them. She turns and looks down at me, still seated. “Did you not enjoy it?”

I stand next to her. “I did, but I enjoyed watching your reactions to it better.” I give her a kiss on the cheek, take her hand in mine, and give it a few squeezes. “Are you ready to go?”

“Yeah. Let’s go.”

I lead the two of us out to the waiting area for the cars. Since I arrived in one of their cars, I need to get back to mine, which is valet parked at a hotel nearby. The black SUV pulls up, and I open the door for Quinn then slide in next to her.I wish I had a driver for tonight. We could have a repeat of our first date in Vancouver.She lays her head on my shoulder and stifles a yawn, allowing her eyes to flutter closed. Thisiswhat love feels like. I know it now, even though I was questioning it a few hours ago. I remember this feeling, and I’mnotgoing to let go of it this time. I’m in love with Quinn Harrison, and I hope to God she feels the same about me.

Chapter 33

Morning light filtersin through the curtains, and I wrap my arm over my eyes to block out the sun.I feel like the wicked witch of the west. I’m melting!I look to my right and see Caleb still sleeping peacefully next to me. Watching the steady rise and fall of his chest, I smile.How did I get myself into this?I gently push the covers off me and pick up his t-shirt from the floor, throwing it on. I walk into his spacious living room and smile as I see the disheveled pillows on the couch, memories of last night flooding back to me.

We had sex on the couch, in the kitchen, and finally in his bedroom. Something happened during our sex-capdes though, and the mood shifted. We weren’t just fucking like rabbits; we began making love.Is that even possible?Caresses were soft, kisses were languid, sex was slow and gentle. My heart squeezes at the thought. I haven’t known him for very long. Is it possible this can actually be love?Do I love Caleb Evanstan?

He walks into the living room and pulls me from my thoughts. “Thought you ran off on me.”

I smile and stretch, my thoughts of love not forgotten but momentarily abandoned. “Good morning. No, I didn’t run out on you, but you looked so peaceful sleeping, I didn’t want to wake you. Thought I’d come out here and see what a mess we made.”

He saunters to me and gathers me in his arms, kissing me. He is already in a t-shirt and a pair of jeans. I wish he was just in boxers like he was last night. “I’d be more than happy to repeat last night, but I have a plane to catch in two hours to head back to set. What time are you leaving?”

I nuzzle into his neck and then pull back out of his embrace. “Why not fly back with us on the private jet the studio sent us? They set Bradley up in it last minute to go to the premiere. That way we have a little more time this morning. I can make us some breakfast or something.” This whole situation feels so comfortable; it’s a bit unnerving. I can see myself having lazy weekends with him, making breakfast together, making love in each room, showering together. The more I picture it, the more I realize I want that to be a reality.Shit!

“I’d like that, but I’m afraid I don’t have any food in the house. How about I run out and get something for the both of us? I can bring it back here, and we can be lazy for a bit longer. You can tell me about yourself.” He pauses and clears his throat. “I, ah, I don’t know a lot about you, and I’d enjoy learning today.” Heat rushes to his cheeks, and he looks a bit embarrassed.

“Sure, that sounds good. Whatever you want to know; I’m an open book.”

“All right, I’ll be back soon.” He kisses my cheek and leaves me standing in the living room alone.