Chapter 6

SIX

I hold his gaze, curious and slightly scared.

This man is a few years younger than anyone I usually date, but he watches me like he knows exactly what he wants—me—and he plans to get it by any means necessary. There's obsession in his eyes, burning with his desire as he waits for me to speak. I just stare, unsure what to say. Usually, I'm in control. I hunt my partners and use them, but I have a feeling Kage won't make it easy.

No, I should stay far away. Getting involved with him would be complicated. He sees and wants too much. Crossing that line, though delicious, would be like waving a red flag at a bull.

"Nothing to say, sweetheart?" His lips curve with a grin, and I swallow hard.

He really does look incredible tonight, not just in a three-piece suit way, but in a made an effort way. His clothes make a statement. Not only do they match mine with tiny elements that shouldn't make me happy, but he wears the shit out of them. They mold to his body, and the outfit, which would look outrageous on anyone else, looks like a fucking perfection against his alabaster skin.

Kage is truly beautiful, but he knows it, and he wants to use it against me. He wants me to want him, and he'll take my desire however he can get it.

"Not to crazy people," I murmur, my eyes tracing over his long black eyelashes in jealousy. Mine always point down, so I have to curl them, but they aren't that long and thick. His skin is like porcelain, perfect and unmarred, which is even more annoying. His hair is glossy and luxurious, giving him that just fucked look, but I don't care.

"Like what you see?" he asks, and I realize he was letting me stare. "I did it all for you."

"What?" I feel my brows furrow as I try to make out the meaning of his words. Like most people, words are thinly veiled lies or sometimes threats. People in our industry wield them like weapons of war, but not Kage. He says exactly what he means. It's unnerving and slightly terrifying.

There is something very scary about a man with a truthful tongue.

"I know you like to match your partners, even though you won't admit it. You also don't like traditional clothing, so I picked this for you. Does it please you, sweetheart?" he asks, his voice whisper quiet, like he's telling me a dirty secret. His dark eyes hold mine, drinking down my every reaction as if using them to learn my secrets and truths. I've never been observed this closely, and I grew up in front of a camera. My poker face is excellent, but in front of Kage, it feels weak.

"It's acceptable."

He grins like I gave him the biggest compliment. His fingers trace over my cheekbone, his eyes following the movement as he leaves a trail of fire in his wake.

"How about we make a deal, Fallon?" For once, he's serious, watching me with thinly veiled hope and excitement.

It's almost contagious.

"Or a bet?" he hedges.

"What for?" I ask, even though I shouldn't. I should draw some ground rules and leave Kage to his fantasies of me, since they will never match up to who and what I truly am. Once people get the real thing, they don't want me.

They all want the idea of me, nothing more .

"Whoever kisses the other first loses." His sly smirk has my eyes narrowing.

"And what does the winner get?" I mock indulgently.

His dark eyes trace over my body as if he has a right to it. When others do it, I feel dirty and used, but when Kage does it, every nerve ending comes to life as if responding to him.

"Whatever they want, sweetheart," he murmurs.

"Whatever?" I scoff, looking away.

His hand grips my chin and pulls me back around, and my heart stops as he nearly presses his face to mine. "Whatever they want. We both know you'll win, and I'll let you. I'll be the loser every single time, and I'll be happy about it. Whatever you want, Fallon, take it because it's yours. If you want the world, I'll give it to you."

The car glides to a stop, and a tap on the roof tells me they are waiting for me to come out, but I'm locked in a staring contest with Kage. His tongue darts out to wet his lips, and I follow the movement. "Deal?"

I don't know why I reply, "Deal."

The smile he aims at me is so full of joy, I almost stutter out a breath. "Good girl, sweetheart. Wait there." He slides out of his door, the sound of it closing loud, and I jerk, my heart thundering as if I just ran a marathon.

What's happening?

Slowing my breathing, I swallow and put my mask on just as the door opens. His hand reaches in, waiting for me as he blocks their view. "Ready?" he asks softly.

"As always." I lay my hand in his and slide from the car, noticing the way his other hand presses against the doorframe above my head so I don't hit it on the metal, and then he takes my arm, shutting the door as he leads me away, ignoring the security whose job he just stole.

The lights of the flashing cameras are so bright, they blind me for a moment, and I cling to Kage's muscular arm as I force a smile and try not to wince. Their screams blend into one, and when I can finally see, I have dots in front of my eyes, but I wave and smile before letting Kage guide me onto the red carpet .

Barriers separate fans and reporters, all of them clambering to get the best picture or overhear gossip. The old theater, the most historic in the city, is lit up brightly with banners and posters for the movie. Other stars walk the carpet ahead of us, the actual stars of the movie, but every single eye seems to turn to us as we make our way down it. We stop every now and again to pose for a photo, and each time, Kage lets go of my arm and steps back, turning his face away from the cameras so they only capture me.

I frown at that, and then he takes my arm again, leading me farther down. This time, he leans in despite the questions and phones being shoved at us. "You look so beautiful. You shine just like a star tonight, sweetheart. Listen to them scream for you, all wanting to be you." His whisper makes me shiver, and then he steps away again as I pose for photos, trying not to let my reaction show.

Every time we stop or turn, he leans in to whisper to me just like that, driving me crazy.

"All I keep imagining is your dress on my floor."

"I wonder if they know just how incredibly lucky they are to be near you and get your photo."

"How could I even compare to your beauty?"

It pisses me off because I hate that my heart flutters at his words, making me smile. When he tries to step away again, I grab his arm and pose for the photo, letting them all get what they really want—Kage and Fallon.

I feel him looking at me, but I don't meet his eyes. I turn my head, making sure to get my best angles like I was taught. His other hand slides around my waist, tugging me closer until I feel his hard chest touch my side, the soft material of his suit brushing against my bare leg.

I can barely breathe. His scent wraps around me, and his warmth thaws me, but I force my usual smile onto my face, and then we move closer as I sign autographs and pose for fan photos.

"Fallon! Fallon!" I smile despite the mics being shoved at me. "Are you here with Kage as a date?"

"I'm just her plus one." He grins, clearly not wanting me to make a remark. "Fallon is the true star of the show tonight. I'm just here to support her."

It's not a no, the insolent bastard.

"Kage, just yesterday, you said your dream is to work with Fallon, and now here you are."

"Was that a question?" He chuckles as I raise an eyebrow at him. He said that?

"Are you two collaborating?" another calls.

His dark, hungry eyes find me. "Hopefully one day, but I'm a patient man. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to make sure Fallon gets inside before the movie starts."

I wave and sign more autographs, relieved though I'll never admit it that he fielded the questions for me. I feel raw tonight, and despite my cool attitude and confident smile, interviews still freak me out after the one last year stabbed me in the back.

His hand finds my back, guiding me through the throng, and I start to notice the way he moves his body to block fans or greedy reporters reaching for me. Despite them screaming his name, he ignores them, his entire focus on me.

He's protecting me as if I'm something precious.

I hate that it's working.