I took a step toward her, forcing myself not to touch her, to push too fast, too soon. “You’re always the most beautiful woman in the room, Maia. Always.”
Her lips parted on an exhale. “I think you mean that.”
“I do mean it. I’ve always meant it.”
She glanced away, a shy, sexy smile curling her lips. “I always just thought … you know … you flirt with everyone.”
Shit.
It looked like Callan and John were right. That part of my personality really was coming back to bite me in the arse.
“Doesn’t mean what I say isn’t true.” I bridged thedistance between us and held out my hand. “Ready to do this?”
Maia eyed my upturned palm and slowly reached out to take it, my aunt’s ring sparkling in the light. I threaded my fingers through hers and squeezed.
She licked her lips, her gaze searching as if she wasn’t quite sure what was happening between us. Good. I didn’t want her looking at me with benign comfort. I wanted her off-kilter. I wanted her heart racing, her skin hot, and I wanted her questioning everything she thought she knew about what we were and could be.
“You look great too,” Maia opined quietly. “You always do.”
“I know that, beautiful, but I appreciate the compliment.”
She smacked my arm with her free hand. “Cocky bugger.”
Laughing, I shrugged and began leading her toward the exit. “You say cocky, I say self-aware.”
Her resultant snort-laugh made me feel about ten feet tall.
The club we were meeting our friends in was on George Street, so only a few minutes’ walk from Maia’s. While she managed in her heels with ease on the pavement, the cobbles were a bit of an issue, and I couldn’t say I didn’t enjoy being able to put my arm around her to keep her steady.
As we strolled toward the pillared entrance of the club, three guys walking toward us practically tripped over themselves ogling Maia. Possessiveness thrummed throughme, my hand tightening around hers as I glanced over my shoulder to see they’d turned to watch her walk away. They were whistling under their breath and smacking each other in that “Check her oot, mate” silent language when they noted my death stare.
They quickly turned around, and I shook off my uncharacteristic response.
I’d been with attractive lassies before who garnered a lot of attention and it never bothered me. I’d been out withMaiawhile she was getting attention and didn’t let it get to me.
Tonight, I felt weirdly uptight about it.
I told myself to get a grip as we walked up to the bouncers instead of waiting in line. “Baird McMillan.”
They didn’t even check the list. One of them glanced between us. “Saw you two on the news. Congratulations.” He stepped aside and gestured for us to go in.
“Thanks, mate.” I could hear the whispers starting in line as recognition hit the would-be clubbers.
I searched Maia’s face as we walked inside. “You sure you’re up for this?”
“Damage control,” she replied quietly.
A hostess greeted us like we’d been announced. “Your party is waiting for you.”
We followed her through the already busy club and upstairs where the hostess unclipped a roped-off area and led us toward a table. Callan, Beth, and John were already seated alongside my sister. I shook my head as we approached. “Cannae take you lot anywhere, you bougie bastards with your VIP sections.”
They laughed and greeted us as Maia and I slid into the booth beside them.
“Maia, that dress is to die for.” Beth had to raise hervoice across the table to be heard over the dance music. “Is that from Pennington’s?”
Maia nodded. “They let me have it for free. Marketing, they said, in case someone takes a snap of it tonight.”
“Well, at least there are perks to being under a microscope,” Ainsley offered. She studied Maia. “How are you doing with all the scrutiny?”
