The press eting was held at the Kosonen dia Building, and just the na of the location alone already sounded dreadful to Kaija’s ears.
"Charles," she asked, "how high are the chances that we’ll run into your brother today?"
She sat nestled between his legs inside the moving limousine, her back resting against his chest, fingers tapping lightly against his thigh.
The last ti they’d sat together like this, in the sa vehicle, in the sa position, he hadn’t been nearly this well behaved.
Perhaps he was feeling slightly more responsible today, because if he did anything at all, the white dress she was wearing would inevitably wrinkle and stain, and her carefully done makeup and hair would be a complete ss by the ti they arrived.
"Even if we do," he said, "I won’t let him co anywhere near you."
His fingers were lingering near the hem of her dress now, brushing faintly back and forth against the skin of her thigh, as if tempted to slip higher, yet knowing better.
Her lips curved with amusent at the sight.
"Good," she said, catching that wandering hand and bringing it closer to her lips. "Because I can’t promise I won’t run my hand across your brother’s face."
His index finger slowly disappeared between her closed lips.
"Are you getting back at for overdoing it these past few days?" he asked, brow raised. Yet his hand made no move to withdraw.
"Maybe I am," she teased, "but it seems to you’re quite enjoying my little payback."
"I can’t say I’m not," he replied, giving her earlobe a deliberate suck in return. "I’m sure your perky ass can tell."
When the limousine finally stopped, the door didn’t open until five minutes later.
When it did, the two figures stepping out looked perfectly composed and immaculate, as if they hadn’t spent the entire one-hour drive teasing and provoking each other.
White light flashed from every direction, cara shutters clicking in rapid succession as the girl stepped out first.
She wore a chiffon white mini dress today, simple and elegant, matching the smile on her lips as she walked toward the building entrance, with the man in a black suit following a few paces behind, giving her every bit of the spotlight she deserved.
She paused just before stepping inside, her gaze lifting upward.
Above the entrance, a massive billboard displayed the cover of the single being released today.
The title *The Artist Behind the Star* glead in gold calligraphy alongside her first na. The cover image showed her in a light blue dress, seated in a poised pose, stage lights shining directly above her, mirrors glimring behind, the rest of the background dimd into shadow.
Whoever had taken the photo had captured it perfectly, right at the beginning of her performance, from the best possible angle.
"Nice shot, isn’t it," Charles’s voice ca from behind her, matching her pace now.
"I love it," she agreed. "Who took it?"
"If you want to know, I can ask the Art Departnt," he said, resting a hand lightly at the small of her waist. "They handled it."
"That won’t be necessary," she replied, stepping inside with him, though her gaze lingered on the image, admiring how striking it looked.
She could hardly believe that was her in the photo.
The press eting passed with more photographs and an endless chain of questions.
By the ti it finally ended, the smile on Kaija’s face had dimd slightly, along with her makeup.
"I’d love to join you for lunch, but unfortunately I have a eting a few floors up," Charles said as they returned to the waiting room, away from the flashing caras outside.
"Oh, what a sha," she said lightly. "I thought I could have you for lunch instead."
Charles’s jaw stiffened, one eye widening slightly.
With a swift pull of his arm, her back t the wall, her lips claid under the kisses he’d restrained himself from all morning.
"You’ve been getting really bold lately, haven’t you," he grumbled between kisses, "teasing relentlessly without thinking about the consequences waiting for you tonight."
Her chuckle slipped out despite the hunger in his mouth.
"What can I do," she said, "I recently discovered how much I enjoy seeing you caught up in my little teasings."
Her tongue slid between his lips as if to prove her point. His tongue answered imdiately, eting hers in the heat of their shared breath.
"Besides," she added, pushing him away at last, "I might be back very late tonight. Don’t wait for ."
His brows drew together in displeasure, at both the interruption and the news. "Don’t be too late," he said. "And text when you’re back."
"As if your n wouldn’t inform you the mont I return," she teased, chuckling softly.
"Just text ," he repeated. "And knock on my door, too."
She tugged him down by the lapel, giving him one last indulgent kiss.
When they finally left the waiting room and reentered the reception hall, the crowd outside was already beginning to disperse.
At the far end of the hall stood a familiar figure, leaning against the wall with a cara in hand. His lips curved into a faint smirk when he saw them erge, green eyes lighting up with it.
"What is that punk doing here?" Charles muttered, eyes narrowing in displeasure.
He turned to one of the security guards waiting nearby, flicking his hand toward where Juho stood. "Go tell that one over there to leave. Now."
"Wait," Kaija said, her voice steady despite the flicker of surprise on her face. "Can I have a word with him? I won’t take long."
Charles studied her a mont too long, then leaned close to her ear, lowering his voice. "I’m not leaving for that eting until you’re done talking to him. I’ll wait right here, so don’t keep waiting. Stay in this hall. Don’t go anywhere."
Kaija’s face twitched slightly, but she knew better than to waste more of his ti. "Of course, boss," she replied with a sly smile over her shoulder, already heading toward Juho.
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