My hands are shaking, and sheer terror has an iron grip on my heart by the time I make my way downstairs. I seriously hope I don’t mess this up. “Is this seat taken?” I ask, setting my beer down and placing one hand on the empty seat beside her at our usual table.
“Depends on who’s asking?”
Instant relief floods my body at her teasing tone. I wasn’t sure what reception I’d get from her today. This I can work with. “What if it’s me?” I flash her my signature grin, silently celebrating when a dazed look appears on her face.
“You can sit,” she says, and I don’t waste a second, sinking onto the chair beside her.
“Here.” I hand her the drink I just bought her. “You drink pink gin and 7UP, right?”
“Thank you.” She takes the drink from me, and our hands touch in the exchange, sending a scintillating electrical charge up and down my arm. I’m amazed at the things her touch does to me, and I can’t wait to explore it more.
“Good set, bro.” Ash leans across Viv for a knuckle touch. “When are we going to hear these new songs you’re writing?”
“You’re writing new music?” Viv’s brows climb to her hairline.
I fight a smirk as I toy with the label on my beer bottle. “I’m our chief songwriter. What else do you think I do with my days?”
“Watch porn. Jerk off. Bang groupies,” she drawls, and I crack up laughing.
I watch her watching me, and there’s no disguising her interest. I hope that means she’ll say yes when I ask her. Lowering my voice, I lean in a little closer. “You’re staring.” My thigh brushes against hers, sending bolts of electricity flooding through my body. I swear, if I don’t get to act on this chemistry soon, I’m going to detonate from the inside out.
“You’re kind of beautiful,” she blurts, and my heart swells behind my chest.
“You’rebeautiful, and there’s no kind of about it.”
A pretty blush steals over her cheeks. “Thank you,” she whispers, lowering her eyes.
“You act like no one’s ever told you you’re beautiful before, and I know that can’t be the truth.” Surely, in all the years they were together, my dick of a twin showered her with compliments? If he didn’t, he’s the biggest dickhead walking the planet.
She stares straight into my eyes. “I’m kind of not myself at the moment.”
“I kind of want to do something about that.” My lips kick up at the corners.
“You do?”
I nod.
“Why?”
I go with honesty. “I’ve never felt drawn to any woman from the first second I met them, like I have with you.”
“You were an ass to me.” She narrows her eyes a little.
“I was confused, and it scared the crap out of me. Still does.” She devours me with her eyes as I take a healthy swig from my beer bottle, and my ego sure loves that even if the intensity of our attraction truly terrifies me. I cannot fall for this woman, and I fear it would be far too easy to do it.
How can I make her fall in love with me and not fall myself?
“That makes two of us,” she replies with quiet sincerity before sipping her drink.
See?She feels it too. And I’m in awe of her. Her heart was pulverized but she’s not letting it hold her back. That takes a lot of guts.
Falling in love with her would be effortless.
I fear I’m already halfway there.
Get with the program, dickhead. I shake myself out of it. I don’t fall for women, not even when they’re as special as the woman sitting beside me. I’m worrying for nothing. I’ll fuck this crazy connection away, and when it’s time for her to leave, I’ll just pick up my old life without a care in the world. “Then I don’t see what the problem is.” I flash her another signature grin. “We can be scared together.”
“You don’t just want to fuck me?” she blurts.
