Baird kept singing and bopping more than dancing, totally loose and uninhibited. He ignored the guys shouting good-natured abuse at him, his gaze fixed firmly on me.
“Control yourself …,” I whispered, forcing my legs to move.
He reached for me, twining his fingers through mine as his movements vibrated down my arm, making me move too.
My voice grew louder, my hips looser as I focused on Baird. And instead of the memories of Mum, I let the memories of the past few months flood over me. Baird’s confession about wanting to be with me, the way he knew me,reallyknew me, his protectiveness, his encouragement, his belief in me. The way his body felt wrapped around mine, his sweet kisses, his hard kisses … his utter devotion.
I laughed as Baird tossed his head like an idiot, his hair that he’s growing out flying around as he winked at me, trying to keep me with himin this moment.
It was then that I realized how unfair it was to wait for him to say the wordsI love youwhen he’d been making all the first moves from the very beginning.
Knowing the song by heart, I knew when the last refrains of it were dying, and I stopped dancing.
Baird did too, concern puckering his brow as he waited to see if he’d done the right thing.
Be brave, Maia. Be brave for him.
My heart thumped so hard I felt sick, but I took a breath and then I let it out on three words, “I love you.”
Baird’s expression slackened.
Oh shit.
“I—”
He abruptly stepped into my personal space, his grip on my hips almost bruising. “Say that again,” he demanded harshly.
I refused to look away as I licked my very dry lips. “I love you, Baird McMillan. I’m in love with you.”
There. I’d said?—
Baird kissed me hard, rough, desperate, and I clung to his shoulders as I tried to match his ferocity. Suddenly he pulled away, physically turning us and nudging me back toward the booth. What the heck …
He snatched up my purse, barely looking at our companions. “Maia and I need to leave. Catch you later.”
“What—” I shot my friends a look of apology as they catcalled after us, seeming to understand the situation better than I did.
“Baird!”
“Keep going.” He gently pressed on my back as I descended the mezzanine stairs.
“What is happening?”
Baird did not answer. Instead, he grabbed my hand assoon as we reached the bottom and bulldozed his way through the crowd of dancers, leading me out of the club.
“Hey, that’s McMillan and his bird!” some bloke shouted.
“Oh my God, it’s Maia and Baird!”
A phone appeared in my face. “Can I get a selfie?”
“No!” Baird barked, tugging me after him.
It was a chaotic departure, and my heart was pounding. “Baird, will you talk to me, please?” I demanded.
“As soon as we are alone,” he replied breathlessly.
“Baird!” I jerked on his hand, almost stumbling on a cobble.
