“I know what you mean about the fame, Dil,” Jay says a few minutes later, looking deep in thought. “And I think being aware of that at the outset is half the battle, you know?”
I nod because I don’t disagree.
“I have a gut feeling we’re going to make it big,” Jamie adds. “Maybe I’m wrong. Maybe it’s wishful thinking, but I think we should all be open to at least considering it.”
“I’m not closed off to it, Jay. Just cautious. I don’t want to lose myself to the machine. I love playing music. I love it up on that stage. I just refuse to sacrifice who I am in the process. Fame and money will mean fuck all if we’re miserable.”
It’s been two weeks since I last saw Vivien, and I’m on edge as I scan the room, looking for her. I’ve been dying for an opportunity to apologize and start putting things in motion. Ash managed to convince her to come out tonight, and I’m determined to make things right with her. She should be here by now. Ash said they were coming to Whelans early, and I was expecting them to have arrived while we were upstairs. Ro and I were just interviewed byHot Pressmagazine, and I’m buzzing. It went well, and it’ll give us a good bit of exposure when the article is published.
Tingles of awareness tiptoe up my spine, and relief pours through me when I find her across the crowded room, sitting in a chair on the outside of a table in our regular area. I could pick her out in a crowded room if I was blindfolded based on instinct alone, which is kind of nuts but doesn’t make it untrue.
I take my time savoring her like a good wine, dragging my gaze up and down her luscious form, admiring every delicious inch of her. Vivien’s hair is wavy tonight, and she’s gone for anedgier look that still manages to be soft. My dick is throwing a party behind my jeans as my hungry gaze devours her. She looks incredible in a pink one-shouldered top, tight-fitting black leather trousers, and black knee-high fuck-me boots.Yes, please, I think as I lick my lips and toy with my eyebrow piercing.
I stifle a moan when I spot Breda hovering around the band at the second table. I knew bringing her to the housewarming party was a mistake. Her stalking has massively ramped up since then, and I’m close to losing my sanity. I’ve been about as subtle as a wrecking ball telling her I have no interest in her and we’re done. The girl either has skin as thick as a rhinoceros or she’s thick-skulled and brain dead. My money is on the latter. I don’t know what else I can do to drill the message home. I just want her to fuck off and leave me alone.
My gaze skims over the rest of our crew. Aoife is draped all over Jay, and Conor has an unfamiliar blonde perched on his lap. I sigh as I spy my little brother heading towards Vivien with that lovesick look on his face again. Fuck. I scrub my hands down my face as I watch Ro drool all over her. I don’t want to hurt my brother, but he’s got to back off. Truth is, I don’t think Vivien sees him as anything more than a friend, and I’m hoping I’m right. I don’t want to force Ro’s hand. I’m hoping Vivien will handle it instead.
I hang back, frowning as I watch Ro and Vivien’s interaction. It appears to get a little heated, and I wonder what that’s about. My eyes follow her as she stands and walks to the bar, not missing the interested looks she picks up from several guys along the way.
Back off, fuckers.
She’smine.
As I head towards her, determined to grovel at her feet, if necessary, I try not to focus on the fact I don’t have a fucking cluehow to romance a woman and get her to agree to be mine and mine alone.
Can’t be that hard though. Right?
23
AGE 20
Damn, her arse looks good enough to eat in those leather trousers. I’m frothing at the mouth as I take a few moments to appreciate the rear view when Vivien speaks in a clipped tone. “What do you want, Dillon?”
I bend down, planting my lips against her ear as she faces the bar, refusing to look at me. “You to look at me, for starters.”
She shivers, and I silently fist pump the air. Round one to O’Donoghue. Twisting around, she looks up at me, and my breath falters in my lungs.
Fucking hell.
How is it she gets even more beautiful every time I see her?
Electricity crackles around us as we stare at one another. Her tongue darts out, licking her lips, and I’m transfixed by her mouth. The craving to taste her is riding me hard, and my body is reacting in all kinds of interesting ways being this close to such perfection.
“What?” she says, averting her eyes.
Nuh-uh. I know I’m not the only one feeling this. She doesn’t get to ignore the chemistry we share. “Look at me,” I command, tilting her chin up with a finger. Fiery tremors skate up my armfrom the touch, and it’s like being zapped by lightning. This has never happened with any girl before.
“Why?” she snaps.
“Because apologies should always be made face to face. Only cowards apologize when someone is looking at their feet.”
“Okay. I’ll bite.” She cocks her head to the side, eyeing me curiously.
I lift a brow, fighting a lip twitch. “Didn’t peg you for a biter.”
“I’ve been known to bite,” she says, deliberately tugging her lower lip between her teeth.
Oh, princess, you are so out of your league with me.
