Chapter 35

thirty-five

. . .

Hillary scrutinized her reflection in the dressing room mirror. The long blue maxi dress was flattering, but seemed too summery and casual for a professional interview. The loose curls framing her face distracted her and was why she almost always pulled it back. At least the makeup was better today—light pink lips, a natural eye and no fake eyelashes meant she felt like herself.

Of all the things she’d had trouble with since this began, making her personal identity into something else for the tour had been the hardest part.

The press tour had been a whirlwind - two weeks of bright lights, probing questions, and a sea of unfamiliar faces that left her stomach in knots each morning. She took a deep breath, trying to calm the butterflies that fluttered incessantly in her gut. Three days left and life would become her new normal after she moved into Julius’s sky rise apartment.

“You’ve got this,” she whispered to herself, tucking a stray chestnut curl behind her ear. Her green eyes looked back at her, wide and uncertain and utterly strange without the frames of her glasses partially blocking them. If only she could borrow an ounce of the easy confidence that Julius exuded in front of the cameras she’d be a whole new woman.

Lost in thought, Hillary nearly jumped out of her skin when she heard the soft click of the door opening behind her. She spun around, heart pounding, only to find Julius himself standing there with a gentle smile on his handsome face.

“Julius! You scared me,” Hillary said, pressing a hand to her chest. “I thought you’d be in makeup by now.”

He chuckled, the sound warm and comforting in the small room. “And miss a chance to check on my favorite co-star? Not a chance.” He crossed the space between them in a few strides, his presence instantly filling the room in a way Hillary still wasn’t quite used to even after almost two years.

The tension melted from her shoulders as Julius drew near. How did he always manage to put her at ease with just a look, a few kind words? She marveled at the effortless charm that seemed to radiate from him.

“I figured you might be needing a little pre-interview pep talk,” Julius said, his blue eyes twinkling with mischief. “Thought I’d offer my services as your personal cheerleader.”

Hillary let out a breathless laugh, shaking her head. “You’re too kind. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to all of this.” She gestured vaguely at the organized chaos bustling just outside her dressing room door. “The attention, the scrutiny, it’s a lot for a reporter who is used to barely being noticed.”

Julius reached out, gently taking her hands in his larger ones. His touch was warm, grounding, and Hillary found herself instinctively leaning into it. “Hey, you are anything but barely noticeable. Believe me, I know how overwhelming it can be. But you, Hillary Mitchell, are a natural. The cameras love you, and more importantly, the people love you. Just keep being your brilliant, authentic self, and you’ll win them over every time. But, I did come here with a specific purpose.” His eyes held a wicked glint she didn’t think she’d ever seen before.

Julius’s hand slid from her cheek to the back of her neck, gently guiding her toward the loveseat. His lips found hers in a searing kiss, stealing her breath and sending sparks of pleasure racing through her veins. He eased her down onto the plush cushions, his body covering hers as he sank to his knees.

His fingers trailed up her legs, marking a path she knew the destination of. Her breath caught in her throat as his intention became clear as day.

“Let me take care of you,” he whispered against her skin as he slid the dress until it bunched around her waist, pressing open-mouthed kisses along the inside of her thigh. “Let me worship you the way you deserve, you’ll be at ease then.”

Hillary’s head fell back against the back of the loveseat, a gasp escaping her lips as Julius’s mouth found her core through the tiny scrap of fabric. His tongue delved into her folds, licking and stroking, igniting a fire deep within her. Her fingers tangled in his dark hair, holding him close as he drove her higher and higher, his skillful tongue pairing perfectly with fingers dipping in and out of her growing wetness.

Her body began to buck and writhe underneath the effective thrusts of his tongue inside her folds. His expert touch bringing her to whimper every time his nose rubbed against her clit with his motions.

His skilled tongue plunged into her depths, eliciting a primal gasp from her lips as he ignited a fire that consumed her from within. With each stroke and lick, the room began to swirl and spin out of control.

Tension coiled tighter, pressure building with each flick of his tongue, each brush of his lips. Her hips rocked against his face, chasing the release she so desperately craved. Every flick of his skilled tongue sent surges of pleasure through her body, building the pressure within her until she was ready to burst. Her hips bucked against his face, desperate for the unrivaled release that only he could give her.

“Julius,” she moaned, her fingers gripping tightly onto his hair.

“Hillary,” he whispered against her body, breaking only for a second from his delightful assault.

The pressure built within her until she couldn’t take it anymore and she shattered into a million pieces around Julius. He kept lapping at her, his fingers digging into her thighs as he wrung every last iota of the orgasm from her body, stopping only when a knock came at her door.

“Five minutes, Miss. Mitchell!” a muffled voice called from the other side.

Julius pulled back, his chin glistening with her arousal, a wicked grin tugging at his lips. “To be continued, but I think I did a damn good job” he promised, pressing one last kiss to her sensitive flesh before easing her dress back down.

He rose to his feet, extending a hand to help her up. Hillary’s legs trembled as she stood, her body still thrumming with what else he could do to her. Julius pulled her into his arms, his lips brushing against her ear. “Once the interviews are done, I’m going to finish what I started. I’m going to make you come apart beneath me, over and over again until you’re boneless and sated.”

With a final, searing kiss and a blown kiss, Julius strode out of the dressing room, leaving Hillary flushed and aching, her mind reeling with the promise of what was to come. She took a deep, steadying breath, trying to regain her composure. There would be time for pleasure later. For now, she had an interview to conquer.

Hillary blew out a breath, trying to compose herself, her mind still clouded with the lingering haze of pleasure. She took another deep breath, pushing thoughts of Julius and his wickedly talented mouth to the back of her mind. She had a job to do, and she was determined to see it through with the same professionalism and poise she always strived for.

As she stepped out of the dressing room, Hillary couldn’t help but let a small, secret smile play at the corners of her lips. Julius’s surprise visit had been exactly what she needed to ease her nerves and remind her of what truly mattered. With renewed confidence, she made her way down the hallway, her heels clicking rhythmically against the polished floor.

“You’ve got this, Hillary,” she murmured to herself, her voice barely above a whisper. “Just one more interview, and then you can celebrate properly.”

The thought of what celebrations might entail sent a delicious shiver down her spine, but she quickly tamped down on the sensation. There would be plenty of time for that later, in the privacy of their hotel room. For now, she had to focus on the task at hand.

As she approached the designated interview room, Hillary squared her shoulders and lifted her chin, ready to face the final hurdle in this whirlwind press tour. She had poured her heart and soul into this film, and she was determined to see it through to the end with the same dedication and passion that had brought her this far.

With one last fortifying breath, Hillary pushed open the door, a genuine smile gracing her features as she stepped into the room, ready to embrace the final chapter of this incredible journey that somehow, against all odds, a reporter and an actor went on.