Page 10 of Adrian (Love Under the Lights 3)

“That a neuroscientist is worried about my head.” My lips curved up in a grin as I winked at her.

“Nicely done.” She giggled and shook her head. “That was so smooth, I might even forget what you said about walking the red carpet.”

I laced my fingers through hers and placed our hands on my thigh, just above my knee. I’d meant it to be a gesture of comfort, but I’d seriously underestimated my reaction to her touch. The instantaneous hardening of my cock almost made me forget the concern she’d just voiced.

I’d grown so accustomed to the ins and outs of Hollywood events that I hadn’t even considered how she’d feel about the whole thing. I could understand how it might be a little daunting to the beautiful college student sitting next to me, but she didn’t have anything to worry about. “You’re so fucking gorgeous, the photographers are going to stumble over themselves trying to get the best shot of you.”

Her hand clenched mine. “I’m just—I’m not—I don’t really like having my picture taken.”

She was trying to downplay it, but the way Casey stumbled over her words made me realize she was dreading the red carpet more than I realized. The last thing I wanted to do was make her uncomfortable. “On a scale of one to ten, how grateful would you be if I came up with a plan where you didn't have to walk the red carpet with me?”

“Fifteen.” Her answer was as swift as her smile was blinding. Yet all too quickly, her smile turned to a frown. “But what about being seen in the dress?” she asked, gesturing down to herself as she spoke. “It’s only free if I’m seen in it.”

She was right, but I wasn’t going to tell her that. It would be worth every penny to buy it just so she wouldn’t have to suffer the press line. “Being seen in it inside the restaurant counts,” I assured her.

“You’re sure it’s okay for me not to walk with you?”

I nodded. “Positive.”

Eager to move on from the subject so that she wouldn’t stress, I leaned forward and tapped the driver on his shoulder to get his attention. “Hey, can you do me a favor?”

“Sure, man. Whatever you need,” he agreed.

“After you drop me off in front, bring Casey around back.”

He nodded. “Will do.”

I did a swift calculation in my head and added, “If you could give me about ten minutes before you let her out, I'd really appreciate it.”

The driver nodded in agreement, and Casey snorted. “Let me out, huh?”

“It’s not like you’ll be trapped in here without any way out.” My gaze dropped down to the seat belt stretched between her ample tits, and my cock pressed closer to my zipper as I pictured her strapped down to my bed. By the time the night was over, I wouldn’t be surprised to find its imprint against my skin. “I just don’t want you waiting around for me in a crowded restaurant where you don’t know anyone else.”

“Don’t mind me. I was just giving you a hard time.” She grinned, having no idea exactly how apt her choice of words was since I was hard as a rock. “Hanging out in the car is a good plan.” She pulled her phone out of her purse and gave it a little shake. “If you need more than ten minutes, that’s fine by me. I have plenty of stuff to read.”

Most women would complain about me abandoning them—although this never would’ve come up because they would’ve pushed to walk the red carpet with me—but here Casey was, perfectly content to be on her own while I got shit done. It was yet another facet of her personality that I appreciated.

We talked about our favorite books during the rest of the ride to the restaurant, and I was surprised by the variety of genres she enjoyed reading on her downtime from school. When the driver pulled up to the curb in front of the restaurant, I bent my head closer to Casey's. Her lips parted, and I wanted nothing more than to claim them in a deep kiss. But I knew if I showed up on the red carpet with any sign of her lipstick on me, the paparazzi would be relentless. Then it would take me even longer to get back to Casey, and that wasn't a sacrifice I was willing to make. Softly brushing my lips over her cheek, I whispered, “See you soon.”

I nudged her farther down the seat, closer to her door, before I carefully opened mine and climbed out. I didn't want anyone to spot her inside the vehicle because that would ruin the entire point of having her use the back entrance. I quickly slammed the door shut behind me, already feeling the loss of her at my side as I stepped forward. It was odd because I had never walked the red carpet with a girlfriend before. The only women I had been pictured with so far had been co-stars. My mom had warned me to be careful of my reputation with women since so many eyes were on me, but all my caution had gotten me was the attention of my stalker. She’d been convinced that I avoided being pictured with other women because of the relationship she had built up between us in her head.

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