"Is that all you want?" he cheekily asked, as if I hadn't spent all my energy minutes ago. Round two would guarantee me comatose.
Even in my exhausted state, I couldn't help smiling. "I am too tired for whatever it is you're thinking. I love you, but take it easy, babe." Add the fact that we had another audience that could easily hear us across the hall, that sure took a little of the excitement of our lovemaking.
I was hairsbreadth away from sleep when River's phone beeped from somewhere. He let out an exasperated sound before he reluctantly untangled from my arms and hunted down his phone, which was conveniently located on the floor.
"Babe, sorry to spring this on you so late, but can you be my plus one for the awards on Saturday?" he called out, summoning me out of my sleepy state.
That's in five days.
"Damn, this is getting real," I grumbled as my mind subjected itself to disastrous scenarios. Where did one begin? I had no dress, no plan whatsoever. Add the fact that I had never been to such highlighted events before, I was trying my damnedest not to panic.
"We are real. What are you on about?" River stood at the edge of the bed, looking down at me like a besotted dark angel while mischievously eyeing my naked body with those ever hungry, bona fide lethal eyes of his.
I languorously shifted my body so I could meet his eyes. They zeroed in on my nakedness, captivated, as I coquettishly raised my brow at him.
"Everyone will be curious about me … and I'm not sure I'm ready for that yet." Paparazzi life was something I was absolutely terrified of. Those bastards could be callously ruthless. Why court that kind of madness? From the little exposure I had from being with River, they were an unfriendly bunch. They would push your buttons, hoping to get the million-dollar reaction out of you. How did one navigate such treacherous waters filled with ravenous sharks?
Crestfallen, he seemed crushed. "I thought I could share this with you, but if it's too much, we don't have to go."
"Why don't you go alone?" I didn't want to dampen his fun.
He studied me a while before shaking his head, bewildered. "Maybe … we'll see."
Damn. Why did he have to look so glum? It made me feel guilty, and I hated feeling as though I made him unhappy.
"Would it mean a lot if I go with you?" I asked, eyeing him with scrutiny.
He raked a hand over his hair, making it look more disheveled and sexy as fuck. "Yes, so I can show you off, but mostly to stop everyone from bugging me about my past relationship."
He meant Hailey. He wanted to kill the gossip. Hailey had never been shy to respond if asked how she adored River and stating lies, like spouting the reason of their breakup was due to scheduling conflict and not lack of love from River.
River's love. Yeah, my big fat ass.
"Well, in that case, we'll definitely be going, then." Anything to squash Hailey's hopes of reconciling with River, I was all for it. And if the cost to accomplish such a feat was to share the red carpet with him, then so be it. But apart from that concern, another one sprouted in my mind as River kissed me before excusing himself to shower before heading out to the studio.
Mostly every gifted makeup artists were all booked up. This was a last minute decision and without a makeup artist handy, it bothered me that I might look terrifyingly ugly that people would start bashing me. I loved River, but this part of his life gave me anxiety. The flashes, the fame, I could do without. But being with him, this circus was part of the package, and no matter how much I loathed the thought of living a life in a fishbowl, I had to learn how to brave it out and grow a thicker skin.
//
The following afternoon, when the coast was clear from any slithering snakes around the apartment, I tried to call Kells, but it immediately went straight to voicemail. I knew she had a project in Brazil, so maybe the reception was scarce in her area.
"Babe, I know you're having a shoot and won't be back for a few days, but I have a huge favor to ask of you. River's going to MTV Music Awards this Saturday, and I'm going to be his plus one. I need you to do me up 'cause everyone's fully booked. I hope this isn't too much to ask … so please, if possible, get back to me when you can. Love ya."
With Anton's help, we managed to score a quick fitting for a designer dress after he strategically dropped River's name. And just like that, the once tightly shut doors hastily opened to cater to one of Hollywood's hunks' plus ones.
It was a gorgeous champagne, beaded gown with hand-sewn Swarovski crystals, dropped cleavage, and beautifully intricate designs that fitted my body like a second skin. Even amidst my anxiety, I couldn't begrudge how elated I was, thinking about how I would look standing next to my man.