Page 29 of Beyond the Red Carpet

“Vanessa?” Her voice echoed through the empty space.

Kate wheeled her suitcase across the hardwood floors, past leather couches and a fully equipped kitchen with black countertops. A hallway led to what appeared to be the bedrooms.

Kate found Vanessa’s designer suitcase in the master bedroom, positioned neatly beside the king-sized bed. The sight of Vanessa’s belongings twisted something in her chest. She backed out and wheeled her own luggage into the guest room, a cozy space with a queen bed and windows overlooking the forest.

Back in the main living area, Kate noticed glass doors leading to a huge deck. Beyond the glass, steam rose from what must be the jacuzzi she’d seen in the photos.

Kate stepped onto the deck, and her breath caught. Vanessa reclined in the steaming water, her dark hair swept up in a loose knot that exposed the elegant line of her neck. Droplets glistened on her bare shoulders under the warm glow of the porch lights. The way she relaxed against the jacuzzi’s edge, eyes closed and lips slightly parted, made Kate’s heart race.

“Hey,” Kate finally managed to say, her voice low as she stepped closer.

Vanessa opened her eyes slowly, a hint of surprise flickering across her features before a soft smile spread across her face. “Hi.”

The sight of that smile lit something inside Kate, a warmth that spread through her chest and ignited a familiar flutter deep in her stomach.

“Are you going to join me?” Vanessa tilted her head slightly, playful curiosity shining in those hazel eyes. “There’s a bottle of wine open in the kitchen.”

“Sure.” Kate swallowed down her nerves. “I’ll go change.”

In the guest room, Kate unzipped her suitcase and pulled out her black bikini. She got changed, trying not to panic about being in a jacuzzi with Vanessa. She caught her reflection in the mirror. The bikini hugged her curves, revealing more than she’d planned when she packed it. But it was too late to change her mind now.

Kate paused in the kitchen, grabbing a wine glass from the cabinet. The bottle of Chardonnay sat on the counter, beads of condensation rolling down its sides. She poured herself a generous glass, taking a long sip and reaching for the bottle before heading back outside.

“Top up?” Kate asked.

Kate approached the jacuzzi. The steam curled around Vanessa’s shoulders, creating an ethereal glow in the dim light.

“Please.” Vanessa lifted her glass, water droplets cascading down her arm.

Their fingers brushed as Kate took the glass. A spark of electricity shot through her palm, up her arm. She poured the wine, willing her hand to stay steady.

When Kate looked up, Vanessa’s gaze met hers. Those hazel eyes caught the light, turning almost golden. For a moment, Kate swore Vanessa’s eyes dipped lower, trailing down her body before darting back up to her eyes.

But that had to be Kate’s imagination playing tricks.

The same imagination that kept replaying their kisses, finding meaning in casual touches, reading too much into every smile. Kate knew better than to trust her own perception when it came to Vanessa. She’d spent too many hours analyzing every interaction, desperately searching for signs that weren’t there.

Kate set the empty bottle down on the deck and stepped into the hot water. The heat enveloped her legs as she sank down, settling onto the bench beside Vanessa, leaving space between them. She took a long sip of wine, letting the crisp flavor wash away the tightness in her throat.

Kate swirled the wine in her glass, letting the aroma fill her nose before taking another sip. The Chardonnay danced across her tongue, bright notes of apple and citrus mingling with hints of oak.

“This is nice.” Kate lifted her glass. The wine offered a welcome distraction from the way Vanessa’s presence made her skin tingle.

“It is.” Vanessa’s voice carried a rich warmth that rivaled the jacuzzi’s heat. “Logan always keeps his wine selection well-stocked.”

Kate watched the steam rise between them, curling in delicate spirals that disappeared into the night air. Kate nodded, focusing on her wine glass rather than the way water droplets traced paths down Vanessa’s collarbone.

Kate took another sip of wine, steadying herself. “Elliot mentioned you needed to take a step back.”

“I should have told you myself.” Vanessa closed her eyes for a second as she shook her head. “I generally avoid being in the headlines, and I guess, it all kind of caught up with me? I don’t know. It probably doesn’t make sense. You’d think I’d be used to all this by now.”

“No, I understand.” Kate might not have had much experience with being chased after by photographers or seeing her name in the headlines, but she did know that those first few days had been a lot, for different reasons, but it had still been overwhelming.

Kate watched a droplet of water trail down Vanessa’s collarbone, disappearing beneath the water’s surface. She forced her eyes back up to Vanessa’s face.

Kate wondered if there was something more to Vanessa needing space. Maybe it had nothing to do with her and letting her true feelings show. Maybe it was about Vanessa’s feelings. “Are you sure you don’t still have feelings for Lauren?”

Vanessa’s eyes widened. “God no.” She reached for her glass. “Although I seem to have developed feelings for someone that I really shouldn’t.” She tilted her head back and took a long drink.

---