I Hate the Way...

Part 60: "Hand Placement"

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"Welcome back, everyone! I am honored to introduce our next guest. She's managed to capture our ears and our hearts with her global hits. Her latest single is topping charts worldwide after a surprise performance and drop at her most recent sold-out performance. She's not just known for her incredible talent but also for her storytelling and her transparency with all of her fans through music. Please help me give a warm welcome to the sensational Josie Mikaelson!"

The audience erupts into applause and cheers as Josie walks onto the stage, smiling brightly as she waves to the crowd before briefly hugging the host and settling into the chair beside Kelly Clarkson.

"Josie, I want to get to the music, but first, thank you for being here. We're so excited to have you on the show, as you can probably tell." Josie smiles as Kelly gestures to the audience, who all cheer again for her.

Josie smiles widely at them all before turning her attention back to the host, "Thank you for having me."

Kelly leans in, her curiosity evident. "So, Josie, America clearly has fallen in love with you very quickly. But it's not just America. When we announced that you were coming on the show, we started getting tons of messages from all over the world about you. Like this one..." Josie and Kelly both turn toward the screen that displays a message, "'Josie, please bring your music and your wife to Argentina! PLEASE!'"

Josie laughs at the message, "It's honestly surreal. I never imagined my music would reach so many people. And the support from fans all over the world has been incredible. I'll have to talk to Hope about visiting with me for sure."

Kelly nods, clearly impressed, "I was so glad to be able to meet your wife briefly backstage today. Does she come to all of your shows and events?"

Josie nods with a smile, "Every single one. She's honestly my biggest supporter."

Kelly smiles warmly at that, "We actually received another message with a photo taken at one of your shows." Kelly gestures to the screen, and a photograph appears showing Josie and Hope offstage together, lips locked as Hope holds her close by her hips. "This one was captioned, 'This is what we mean when we say HAND PLACEMENT.'"

The audience cheers again while a blush lightly dusts Josie's cheeks. "What can I say? She really liked the new song," she jokes, making the host erupt in laughter, along with the audience.

"I mean, are you two able to go out together without being recognized now?"

Josie nods, "Oh, yeah of course. We try to have a date night out at least once a week together, and sometimes we'll go somewhere more private. Not too long ago, she took me to an old abandoned lighthouse at midnight, and we just sat over the ledge for a while. Actually, this might not be entirely legal."

Kelly laughs and shakes her head, "I don't think it is."

Josie chuckles as she looks into the camera, "This is all hypothetical, by the way."

The host practically wheezes in laughter at that, "It's very detailed to be made up."

"I have a very vivid imagination," Josie playfully counters. Once they recover from their laughter, Josie adds, "But yes, we've managed to adjust to the attention. And my wife is just–she's great. She's so supportive and so willing to be a part of this crazy world with me. I couldn't ask for a better partner."

Kelly's expression turns sincere, "I think I speak for everyone when I say we are so happy for you, Josie. Your love story has captured the hearts of so many, myself included. Thank you so much for sharing more of your story with us tonight."

The crowd applauds as the segment wraps up after that. Josie waves to them once more, her heart full of gratitude as she heads back to her dressing room where her wife is waiting for her.

Once inside, the door clicks shut, and the noise of the busy studio fades away. Josie leans her back against the door, her eyes landing on Hope as a playful glint and a grin forms on her lips as Hope rises from the couch to her feet, slowly making her way toward the brunette. There's something about the look in Hope's eyes that give Josie a thrill.

Hope reaches her, placing her hands on her waist as she tilts her head at the brunette in a playful manner, "So, are you just using me for PR, Mrs. Mikaelson?"

Josie smirks, her hands sliding up to rest on Hope's shoulders. She pulls Hope closer, her lips hovering just inches from Hope's. "That's not all I'm using you for," she whispers, her voice low and seductive.

Hope's eyes darken with desire, her hands tightening their grip on Josie's waist. "Oh really?" she murmurs, her breath warm and enticing against Josie's lips.

Josie nods, her pulse quickening as she leans in to close the distance between them. "Really," she whispers back, finally capturing Hope's lips in a deep passionate kiss.

Hope responds eagerly, one hand reaching up, her fingers tangling in Josie's hair, her other finding the small of Josie's back, pulling her impossibly closer.

But Josie lets out a small giggle against Hope's lips that makes the Tribrid pull away with a smile, "What's so funny?"

Josie shakes her head dismissively, "It's nothing." She pulls Hope back into the kiss.

Hope smiles into it briefly before pulling away to whisper, "You were incredible out there, you know?"

Josie can't help but blush at the compliment, her heart swelling as warmth spreads through her chest, "Thank you. It means a lot to me that you're here."

Hope 's eyes soften, and Josie can see the affection in them as Hope nods slightly, feeling their noses brush in the process, "I'll always be here for you, Josie."

Josie leans back into the kiss, a renewed passion surging between them.

But when Hope moves her hands, teasingly trailing up Josie's sides, Josie lets out another giggle.

Hope pulls away from the kiss again, deflating as she exhales, "Alright, out with it. Why are you laughing?"

Josie bites her lip, trying to suppress her laughter. "I'm sorry, it's just...that message about your hand placement. Now I'm hyper aware of how you touch me every time we kiss." Josie wraps her arms around Hope's neck, "I'm sorry, just...continue. I swear I won't laugh this time."

Hope rolls her head back a bit, holding her hand up as she steps back a bit, "No, the moment's gone now. Now I'm self conscious."

Josie pouts, trailing her fingers up and down Hope's abdomen enticingly, "Why? Babe, it's a good thing." She slightly shrugs as she steps closer to Hope again, "You're good with your hands."

"Mhmm," Hope hums, not relenting, "Nice try. Time to go home."

Josie pouts some more, "Hope–"

Hope raises an eyebrow at her, "Nope, not falling for that this time. Let's go."

Josie sighs dramatically but grabs her purse while Hope gets the rest of her things for her, and they make their way out of the studio and towards their car.

Usually, any time they are in the car, Hope constantly touches Josie, either holding her hand or rubbing light circles on her thigh. But this time, Josie is annoyingly left touch-starved.

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