My Protector | Damie

Chapter 20

JAMIE POV;

Amelia rolls her eyes at me, but I ignore her completely. I know if I stay our little disagreement will only escalate into something bigger and I don't want that. So, I walk down the hotel hallway and into the empty pool room. I strip out of my shirt and pants and climb into the hot tub next to the giant indoor pool, ignoring the signs that tell me it's against the rules to be in here at night. You're also probably supposed to be wearing swim trunks of some sort, but I don't really care at the moment. It was the only place I could think to go at this hour to relax for a while. I lean back and sigh, closing my eyes and letting the hot water soothe me. I'm not even sure how I got Millie so angry at me. I just wasn't able to be very affectionate and happy tonight because I'm already so nervous and stressed about the first Fifty Shades Of Grey premiere tomorrow evening, and I guess that hurt her feelings. I don't know what to say to her now to make it up to her. She just doesn't understand how I'm feeling right now and probably never will. It's something only Dakota and I understand.

The door creaks open and slams shut and my eyes pop open, expecting to see one of the worker coming to make me leave, but instead I see her. Dakota. She appears in the pool room dressed in a red bikini, looking far more prepared than I am, almost seconds after I was thinking about her. When she notices me she smiles and walks a little faster over to the hot tub. "I didn't realize you'd be in here. I was uh...expecting to be alone." She says, looking down at me from the outside of the hot tub. "Oh, I'm sorry. I could go? If you need to be alone?" I don't really want to leave, but the situation is so awkward I don't know what else to do. "No, you're fine." She climbs in and eases herself into the warm water. "I was just nervous about tomorrow so I thought I'd come down here...." It's almost as if she's in sync with my thoughts. "and uh now we're both here." She awkwardly stutters the last part out, wringing her hands. "So, not to be rude, but why are you down here anyway? Where's Millie and Dulcie?" I take a deep breath, deciding how I want to answer. I don't want to admit to Amelia and I having a small argument earlier. Especially since I know it's probably my fault. "They're up in the room sleeping." I lie. "I just needed to relax. I mean who know's what could happen tomorrow." Dakota nods, and I notice that her body moves just a fraction closer to me as she leans in towards me. "I don't know what'll happen tomorrow, but how about for now we just relax." She gives me a reassuring smile and I nod in agreement. There's no one I'd rather be nervous and slightly uncomfortable in a hot tub with before what's possibly going to be the biggest moment of our careers.

Time passes in what feels like slow motion as we get closer and closer to the start time for the premiere. Millie is still getting her makeup done while I pace back and forth, trying to figure out what to do, when I see Dakota. I head her way, walking with purpose now, and when she sees me she sets her drink down and pulls me into a hug. "You look great!" She compliments and my nervousness eases just slightly. "You do too." I look her up and down, her dress is elegant, long with a low cut neckline. It goes well with my black suit. She picks her glass of champagne back up off the table and swallows the rest in one gulp. Then she grabs two more and hands one to me. "Cheers?" She holds her glass out to me and I clink mine into hers. "Cheers." Dakota's four glasses deep by the time Amelia finishes getting her hair and makeup done. "Gah! Millie you look so so good!" Dakota compliments, her words slurring just a little. Amelia laughs in response, but I don't find the situation nearly as humorous. There's no way I'm letting Dakota go out there drunk. "Okay, I think you've had enough." I say, taking her drink from her and giving her a look that ensures she won't be getting any more for the night.

Dakota and I get the signal, It's finally time, so we head out. We sign things for the fans, and stop to take pictures with them, both Dakota and I running around like crazy to get to as many as we can. We pause for interviews with some people and we get up on stage for pictures when needed. Cameras flash all around us as we pose together, my hand on her waist, and her hand on my shoulder. "Don't look now, but I think there's a few people trying to take our picture." I whisper to Dakota, making her burst out laughing. She swats my arm and nearly trips on her heels from laughing so hard. I have to pull her up and hold her there to prevent any embarrassing falls as we pull ourselves together for more serious pictures. I started these movies knowing I'd have to be protective over Dakota, but that wasn't the reality, not really. It's not just me protecting her. Dakota has become very protective of me also, but in smaller ways. She's always there for me when I need her and I'm always there when she needs me. I hope that'll always remain both of our priorities, to protect, respect, love, and support each other, no matter what. We're going to need it to get through the rest of these movies together and whatever is to come after all this.