Ash splutters, almost spitting her drink all over the table. That’s what she gets for being a nosy bitch. Viv faces my sister while rubbing her back, and I slowly drink in every aspect of Vivien’s appearance tonight. She’s sexy as sin and sweet ashoney, and I want to eat her alive. Placing my lips beside her ear, I admit one truth. “Trust me, there is no part of me that doesn’t want to fuck you.”
Panic is etched upon her face as she tries to pull away from me, but I wrap my arm around her shoulders, keeping her close. “Stop. Fucking. Running. I wasn’t finished speaking.”
“I kind of want to slap you right now,” she says.
“And I kind of want to knock some sense into that beautiful thick skull of yours. So just shut up and listen.”
She glowers at me like she’s contemplating putting a bullet in my skull.
“You’re sexy with a body to die for. I’m a horny twenty-year-old man with sex on the brain twenty-four-seven. Of course, I want to fuck you. I want to fuck you so hard you’ll be feeling my cock inside you for days. But—” I hold her chin and trap her gaze in mine. “Listen up, Hollywood. This is the important part.” I chuckle when her glare expands. I love seeing her feisty side, and I’m determined to push her buttons any chance I get so it comes to the surface. Viv is full of pent-up emotion, and I can’t wait to see it overflow. “I also want to get to know you. Ilikebeing around you.” It’s not a lie. I love being with her. “Your presence calms me, and I just want to spend time with you.”
Ash snorts, and Vivien elbows her in the ribs. I drink the rest of my beer, trying to leash my anxiety, while I wait for her to respond. She’s not the only one being vulnerable tonight, and the fear of rejection is never far from my mind.
When she reaches out and touches me, I literally melt on the inside. The expression on her face as she strokes my arm is nothing short of miraculous, and I’m instantly under her spell. I want her to look at me like this for the rest of my life. Nothing else matters in this moment but her. I couldn’t look away from her if I tried. It’s as if we’re the only two people in the bar, the only two people in the world. My heart swells with potentlonging, and my fingers twitch with the need to hold her, cherish her, and worship her.
“I know that was hard for you to say,” she says in a breathless tone.
“It was. This isn’t me. I have no clue what I’m doing.”Isn’t that the truth?A strained laugh leaves my lips. What was I just saying about not falling for her? With one look, I’m putty in her hands. I’m beyond terrified. There isn’t a word in existence to describe how absolutely petrified I am of doing this with her. At the same time, wild horses couldn’t hold me back now. Even if I wanted to walk away or ditch my plan, I can’t. I’m already way too invested. “But I’d like to try.”
“What exactly are you saying?”
“Go out with me?”Please say yes.
“Like, on a date?”
My throat is dry, and my hands are clammy as I nod.Please, please say yes.As much as I’m afraid of feeling too much for Vivien Grace Mills, I’m more afraid of her rejection. Of never getting to touch her how I’ve been dreaming about touching her from the minute she appeared in my life.
I’m trying to prepare myself for the worst when she says, “Okay.”
I stop breathing for a second. “Yeah?”
Her beautiful smile washes over me like a comfort blanket. “Yeah. I’ll go out with you.”
“Surprise. You’re alive,” I tell Vivien when we reach Killiney Hill, and I park my bike at the back of the car park.
“That was actually fun.”
“Told ya!” I tweak her nose before helping her off the seat, and then I unzip my leather jacket to cool down after the ride.
“You love your band shirts,” she says, checking out my U2 shirt while unzipping her jacket.
“I’m a rocker.” I shrug. “And I like shirts.” Removing my backpack from under the seat, I pray our picnic is still in pristine condition. I went to a lot of trouble making various sandwiches, and I hope they’re still fresh. “Bono lives near here,” I confirm.
“Really?”
“Yep. If it’s not too late when we leave, I can drive by his place, if you like.” I close the seat, smiling as I watch Vivien casually shrug. “I keep forgetting you’re not bothered by celebs.”
“One of the things I love about Ireland is how relaxed people are about fame. It’s a refreshing change.”
Slinging the bag over my shoulder, I take her hand and walk toward the path that leads up the hill. Warmth seeps into my callused palm from her much softer one, and fiery tingles spread across my skin. I’m amazed every time we touch with the extent of how deeply it affects me. “I hate the thought of fame,” I admit, and we chat about it in more depth as we make our way to the very top.
Vivien has given me a lot to think about in relation to integrity, and she even talked a little about Reeve and his celebrity.
Her hand is still curled around mine as I lead her toward my favorite picnic spot in a little secluded area right by the edge of the cliff.
“Is this safe?” she questions, and I can’t help laughing at the expression on her face.
“You really are a scaredy-pants, aren’t you?”
