The last few days of filming before I flew back to New York were a whirlwind. I took over Sam’s position officially two days ago. After I agreed to the position, it only took a few days to get the contract signed. Even though it’s a little intimidating, I’m confident I know what I’m doing. I initially worried about the working relationship with Kane bleeding into our personal one, making up excuses that my fears had planted in my mind to pull back, but I know now it’s because of our relationship that I’m positive he meant every word about me being the only person he trusts.
Placing the last of my clothes into the box I had been working on for the last hour, I turn my head and look for the packaging tape I swear was just right here. I’ve been trying to get as much packing done as possible before Kane arrives. He had to handle some interview promos for Impenetrable and provide a tour of the set for the companion book that will release side-by-side with the film. Now that’s finished, he’s finally on his way back to me and we can officially cross Georgia off our to-do list.
My phone rings, and I abandon the search for tape, rushing to the kitchen where I placed my phone earlier.
“Hey,” I rush, trying to catch my breath after almost tripping over the stack of boxes in my path.
“You okay, baby?”
The rush of arousal from the deep rasp of Kane’s voice hits me instantly, and I smile. “Yeah, just almost took my head off on the way to grab the phone. Are you on the way?” God, please let him almost be here. I feel like I’m about to come out of my skin in anticipation.
“Just left the airport. It was a mad house. No fucking clue how they knew I would be here. Cam fought through the endless amount of paparazzi, but we’re mostly in one piece.”
“Mostly?”
A rumble of laughter follows my question. “Yeah. There was just a small incident.”
“Incident?”
“Not as bad as it sounds. However, I might not feel that way when TMZ repeats the clusterfuck that followed.” He laughs again.
“I’m going to go out on a limb and guess that since you’re laughing about it, there isn’t a need for me to worry about your well-being. You didn’t punch one of those paparazzi guys, right? I mean, I’ve seen it before when they don’t back off and it never ends pretty.”
He starts to laugh harder, and it’s hard not to follow suit, even not knowing the situation.
“Kane, you’re freaking me out with all the scenarios I’m imagining being painted all over the world right now.”
He manages to get himself under control, but I still hear the smile in his voice. “It was nothing like that. A chick was a little too exuberant in her quest to get to me. I’m not even really sure what happened, but one second, I was trying to weave through blinding flashes and screaming fans, and the next, I had a bra on my face and Cam had a bloody lip. Apparently, in her rush, she bumped into Cam, who then stumbled into the reporter from TMZ. It was a mess of elbows, grunts, and one dirty undergarment.”
By the time he finishes going over his airport insanity, I’m laughing just as hard as he was. “Should I be worried about flying bras?” I chuckle again just envisioning the scene described to me.
“Besides the fact that the only bras I want flying in my face are yours, no. It was just a normal day in the life of Kane Masters.”
I move and sit down on my couch; the only piece of furniture not covered in things I still have to pack. “Normal day, huh?”
“Exaggerating. Well, slightly,” he jokes.
“All right, all right. I’ll ignore the female masses and their lingerie heaving. As long as you only enjoy it when they’re mine.”
“Are you ready for me?” he asks, changing the subject.
“God, yes,” I breathe.
“Fuck, it’s only been a day, and I miss you like crazy.”
I smile, moving the phone to my other ear. “You have no idea, Kane. But if I get the kind of texts from you like I did last night, we might have to spend a little more time apart.”
“Yeah, that’s not going to happen. I’ll be there soon, okay? Cam’s got to make sure we’re clear before we head that way. I don’t want to bring the media right to your door.”
“Okay, honey, see you in a little bit.” I keep my voice even so he doesn’t know I’m a little bothered by him easily brushing off my attempt at flirting.
“Love you, Willow.”
My annoyance dims. Just like every other time he’s told me that, my heart picks up and the butterflies turn into a tornado of activity in my stomach. “I love you, too.”
I disconnect the call and drop the phone into my lap.
I shouldn’t be annoyed right now, but for the last six weeks, I feel like we’ve been having this massive session of foreplay. I could understand it at first, even welcomed the slow pace of our intimacy. But now? Now, I’m about to come out of my skin with the fierceness in which I desire to take our relationship to the next level.