Page 10 of Beyond the Red Carpet

The feeling of Kate’s fingers interlaced with her own sent sparks through Vanessa’s up her arm, straight to her racing heart. The simple contact awakened nerve endings she’d forgotten existed. Each point where their palms met, where their fingers intertwined, ignited a subtle yet undeniable recognition that coursed through Vanessa’s veins.

How long had it been since anyone had touched her like this? In the last year, maybe even two, she couldn’t remember Laurenreaching for her hand. Those kind of romantic moments had been missing from their relationship for years.

But this - this casual intimacy with Kate - set her skin ablaze. The pad of Kate’s thumb brushed across her knuckles, and Vanessa’s stomach dropped as if she’d missed a step walking downstairs.

She hadn’t realized how much she’d missed being touched. How starved she’d become for genuine connection. Kate’s thumb swept another arc across her skin, and Vanessa’s pulse jumped in response.

And then Kate’s pace slowed. The change registered in Vanessa’s body before her mind caught up. Their joined hands pulled taut as Kate turned, and Vanessa found herself being guided backward. The wall pressed against her shoulder blades, solid and cool through her silk blouse.

Kate’s free hand rose to Vanessa’s cheek. The touch burned against her skin, gentle yet electric. Those stunning blue eyes searched her face with an intensity that for a moment made Vanessa forget that they were acting.

This wasn’t part of the plan. None of this followed Elliot’s careful script. But the thought dissolved as Kate’s thumb brushed across her cheekbone.

Kate’s gaze dropped to her lips, and Vanessa’s pulse thundered in her ears. The space between them diminished. Kate’s eyes fluttered closed, and Vanessa’s breath caught in her throat. She saw the intent in the subtle tilt of Kate’s chin, the slight parting of those full lips.

Vanessa’s body responded before her mind could process the action. She couldn’t say who initiated the kiss, only that her eyes drifted closed at the same instant their lips met.

The contact sent a shockwave through her. Kate’s lips were softer than she’d imagined, a sensation that stole her breath. Thekiss ignited every nerve ending, a surge of electricity that left Vanessa reeling.

Her fingers tightened around Kate’s, instinctively seeking an anchor in the whirlwind of sensations. The kiss deepened, and the sweet taste of Kate’s mouth invaded her senses. She assumed this was part of the act, another calculated maneuver. But when Kate’s tongue swept against hers, the tremble that coursed through Vanessa’s body confirmed the authenticity of her response.

Their joined hands pressed against the wall, Kate’s body arching into hers, and Vanessa could feel the length of her, the press of her thighs, the curve of her waist. A moan escaped Kate’s throat, vibrating against Vanessa’s lips.

The sound sent a wave of desire through Vanessa.

How long had it been since she’d kissed someone with such passion? Since she’d allowed herself to surrender so fully to a simple touch, to the raw power of a kiss?

Kate’s fingers slid into her hair, cupping the back of her head. The gentle tug urged Vanessa to deepen the kiss further, their mouths fusing in a reckless, fiery embrace.

She wanted more. Her body craved it, demanded it. But a flicker of awareness intruded, a reminder that this was a performance. That the photographer across the street was capturing each intimate moment for tomorrow’s headlines.

Kate’s thumb stroked her cheek, breaking the spell. Their mouths parted, and Vanessa’s eyes flickered open, dazed. She caught the hint of a smile on Kate’s lips, felt the warmth of her breath mingling with her own.

For a moment, their foreheads rested together. But then reality crashed in. They’d just staged a passionate encounter in a back alley, a risky move that would forever link their names. But in this moment, Vanessa wasn’t thinking about Elliot’s reaction or the media frenzy to come. She could only focus on the feel ofKate’s breath against her lips, the lingering taste of her mouth, and the whisper of Kate’s thumb as it brushed her cheek one final time.

Kate stepped back, and Vanessa instantly missed the heat of Kate’s body against hers.

Vanessa tried to get her heart rate under control. She placed a hand on Kate’s cheek. “We should go,” she whispered. “My car isn’t far.”

Kate’s eyes remained hooded, lustrous. She nodded slowly, as if awakening from a trance.

Vanessa found Kate’s hand. They’d arrived in their own cars, but if they wanted this to look real, Vanessa needed Kate to leave with her.

Reaching her car, Vanessa paused, her hand still entwined with Kate’s. “I can take you home.”

Kate glanced at their joined hands, then up at Vanessa, her eyes shimmering in the streetlight. She pressed her lips together. “It wouldn’t look great if we went our separate ways now.”

“No, it wouldn’t,” Vanessa said as she let go of Kate’s hand and reached for the passenger door, then stopped, her fingers hovering over the handle. She met Kate’s gaze, seeing the uncertainty reflected in her eyes.

Without a word, Vanessa pressed Kate against the car door. She brushed a stray lock of hair behind Kate’s ear, her fingers lingering there, then slid her hand to cup the back of Kate’s neck, pulling her closer.

Kate’s breath hitched as Vanessa lowered her head, claiming her lips once more. This kiss was different—hungrier, more demanding.

Vanessa’s body burned with a hunger she hadn’t expected. Kate’s lips parted beneath hers, inviting her deeper into the kiss. The heat of Kate’s mouth, the press of her body against hers,the small sounds escaping her throat - it all combined into an intoxicating mix that made Vanessa’s head spin.

What was she doing?

Why had she initiated this second kiss? They’d already given the photographer enough material. This second kiss served no purpose for their arrangement, yet Vanessa couldn’t pull away. Her body moved on instinct, pressing closer as Kate’s tongue swept against hers, one hand tangled in Kate’s hair while the other gripped her hip, drawing her closer. Kate’s fingers dug into her back, and Vanessa’s pulse thundered in response. The kiss deepened, grew more desperate. Their tongues met, and electricity shot through Vanessa’s core.

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