And when she finally speaks,“Luc”, it’s breathy, it’s soft, it’s just this side of flustered.Music to my fucking ears.I bite back a grin and keep my focus straight ahead, letting the silence stretch out.I want her squirming.I want her wondering what else I’ll say.What else I’ll do.
Out of the corner of my eye, I catch her glancing at me, like she’s checking to see if I’m still watching her.
I am.Of course, I am.It’s practically impossible not to.
“We’re here.”She blurts out as we pull up in front of a hotel entrance.She shifts into park as the car rolls to a stop, a valet driver appearing from the shadows to open her door.
“Checking in?”He inquires, extending a hand to help her out of the car, as I exit on the opposite side.
She wasn’t kidding.It’s gorgeous here.
“Nope.”She takes the ticket he offers.“Going to the restaurant.”
“Got it.”The valet nods.“See you in a little bit.”
She thanks him, walking around the rear of the car to my side.I grab her hand in mine, liking how smooth it is, noting how perfect it feels in mine.
My heart does a little jolt against my rib cage at the realization.I’m leaving tomorrow.There is no way I can let myself get attached to this girl.To any girl.My lifestyle just doesn’t support that luxury.
Maybe when I decide to stop touring with the band.Besides, I’m only twenty-eight.I’m nowhere near ready to find ‘the one’ and settle my shit down.This is not the time to fall in love.
“You freaking out?”Her fingers clench around mine, pulling me out of my own head.
“What?”
She inclines her head toward our linked fingers.“Your palm just got really sweaty.”
I’m glad I have my glasses on so she can’t read any truth my eyes might reveal.“It’s hot.”
I realize it’s a shitty excuse the moment the words leave me.Not only are we now at the top of a mountain, we’re in the hotel lobby, which is clearly air-conditioned.
“If you say so.”She chirps.I know she’s letting it slide, so I don’t push the issue.She’s giving me this one and I’ll take it.
We reach a hostess station and she asks for a table outside.It’s almost eleven, and we seem to be lucky, catching the restaurant between the breakfast and lunch rush.We’re led to a table that’s out on a deck, up against a wooden banister.The view is amazing.All I can see are miles and miles of pine trees.Not a single hotel or casino in sight.
“You were right.”I pull a chair out for her to sit and then lower myself into the seat beside her.“You would never know The Strip is thirty miles away.”
“Told ya.”She beams as she accepts the menu from the hostess who informs us our server will be with us shortly.“They have the best bloody Mary’s too, if you’re interested.”
“Vodka for breakfast?”A wide smile breaks across my face.“You are definitely my kind of girl.”
She snickers.“The easy kind?”
My expression softens, and I slide my sunglasses off.“I don’t think that about you at all.”I scoot my chair until it’s flush with hers, wanting her to understand I mean it.“I think you’re incredible.Smart.Funny.Obviously independent.”
I rest my hand on the bare skin of her thigh.“I definitely do not think you’re a girl who jumps into bed with people you’ve just met.Especially someone like me.”
“Okay.”Her response is quiet, her eyes shifting away, and it feels like she’s just telling me what she thinks I want to hear.
“I mean it.”I squeeze my fingers around her flesh until her gaze swings back to mine.“I have never, and I do mean never, spent the day with someone after a hookup.You aren’t that.You’re much more.”
Our gazes remain locked, both of us staring into the soul of the other, looking for what, I’m not sure, until we’re wrenched back to reality by a chipper voice.
“Sorry to interrupt.You two ready to order?”
“Two bloody Mary’s to start.”I clip out, not breaking eye contact with Lily, wanting her to feel my full attention is on her, and her alone.
The waitress reads the situation and advises she’ll be back with our drinks in a second before scurrying away.
