‘Ignore him. Find a guy that makes you happy, whether he’s a doctor, a dentist or a road sweeper. You’re the one that’s going to have to live with him, not Eddie. I’ve got your back, don’t worry.’ He winks at me and excuses himself to go to the toilet.
I knock back my drink just for something to do and then help myself to another. Casually scanning the room, I’m drawn to the tiny makeshift DJ box where Abby Queenan-Connolly stands in an outrageously flattering gold dress, in charge of tonight’s music. Her husband, Callum, stands next to her. Ollie hovers alongside them like a third wheel. His pained glances at me are swift but not subtle.
‘Another drink, Amy?’ My future sister-in-law approaches wearing a floor-length black shimmering dress which clings to her every curve. No wonder Eddie is smitten, she oozes elegance I can only dream of, no matter how many of Keira’s dresses I put on.
‘Thanks.’ I down my drink, then swap my empty glass for another cocktail, even though I’m already feeling the effects of the first two. I half expect Eddie to creep up behind me and tell me I’ve had enough.
‘Don’t look now, but Ollie Quinn is staring soulfully at your behind.’ Emma gives me a conspicuous wink. ‘He’s single, you know.’ Her earnest eyes meet mine.
‘Did you hear he’s never been photographed with a woman before? Like a date I mean.’ I’m prying and we both know it. If she knows anything she’s remaining tight-lipped on the matter.
Shrugging, she says, ‘From the way his eyes are raking over your ass in that dress, that could change sometime very soon.’
‘That’s really not helpful.’ The drink’s loosened my tongue.
‘Why not?’ Her eyes gleam with intrigue.
‘Because I can’t stop thinking about kissing him, and apart from the fact my employment contract forbids it, my brother would murder both of us for even considering it.’
‘Ahh, give over. Eddie comes across all grizzly bear like, but you know as well as I do he’s a teddy bear underneath it all. Besides, I won’t tell if you don’t.’ She nudges me, knowingly, but I’m not sure I agree with her. I sip my drink. It’s the only thing Iamallowed to do under the beady watchful eye of my brother.
I might be the baby of the family, but I’m beginning to realise I’m all woman. A woman with needs that only someone exceptional can fulfil. I need to get some air before I do something reckless enough to cost me both my brother and my job.
ChapterTen
OLLIE
On the single wide step outside the grand frosted-glass spa entrance, I lean against the concrete pillar and gaze up at the midnight sky. It’s my fourth time getting some air. Truthfully, I’m escaping the noise and the same relentless questions about my non-existent love life.
A hundred gleaming stars glitter in the blackness from a million miles away. From inside, the sound of music, laughter and clinking crockery drifts by. The stillness outside is a stark comparison, one I want to hold onto for a moment or two longer.
Despite the crowded room, a sense of loneliness etches deep into my bones. I crave intimacy, true intimacy, not a meaningless short-lived release. I crave Amy Harrington. She’s like a drug I’ve never dared to take, yet I can’t stop looking at, considering, weighing up the risk versus the pleasure. I want to talk to her, to feel that connection again. To see her eyes light when she laughs, to be the person that causes them to do exactly that.
But even if I gathered enough courage, it’s impossible to get near her. Her family are like a tribe, with Eddie as the indisputable leader. I’m not sure why I even came. Instead of getting romantic ideas of her out of my mind, tonight’s only serving to provide more ideas. And the more I drink, the more indecent they become, especially when her toned, tanned thigh slips out the side of her otherwise-formal dress as she sashays across the room.
I’m only human and from what I’ve seen of her so far, she appears to be my perfect woman, both mentally and physically. She’s the entire package. From the way her eyes dart away towards mine, I gather she knows it. The door opens again. I lean back into the shadows, not wishing to make small talk with whoever is intruding on my wallowing time.
The clicking of heels across the concrete causes my head to swirl round and I peep from the shadows. A tall, curvaceous outline steps closer towards me. Clearly I’m not the only one seeking a little solitude tonight.
The waning gibbous moon provides little more light than the stars but it’s enough to offer a glimpse of a familiar head of loose spiralling curls. Either it’s fate, or my lucky night, because the only woman lingering out here with me is the one I’ve been dying to squeeze a minute alone with.
With a wistful look on her olive complexion, she silently gazes up at the starry sky. She’s only three feet away from me but has no notion of my presence. Barely daring to breathe, I watch her, drinking in her outline from the swell of her bust to the full curve of her backside, covered only by the thin floor-length material that clings to it before dropping elegantly to the floor.
A small sigh slips from her lips. Her hands reach for her mouth as if to take it back. I want to go to her but I might never get the opportunity to observe her this way again. Hesitating in the shadows, I wonder what she’s thinking about. Why her sigh is so weighted. My hesitation pays off as she taps her foot impatiently, her hands rubbing over the bare skin of her arms. My name falls from her lips, one distinct word intense with wanting.
For a split second I think I’m busted, but when she doesn’t look round a grin spreads across my face. She’s thinking about me. She wants me the same way I want her. I heard it from her own pretty mouth. Torn emotions twist and fight for dominance inside my ribcage. Amy is Eddie’s sister. Playing with fire doesn’t even come close. It’s more like I’m considering playing with loaded firearms amongst a room full of people I love.
I should step away, pretend I haven’t seen her. But the niggling, hopeful, opportunistic ‘what if’ inside weaves into my heart infiltrating the chaos, whispering, ‘it’s not like you’re going to jump on her’– not here, not now, at least.
Temptation wins. I step out from the shadows and into the moonlight, the stars lighting the path directly towards her.
‘You called.’ I bite back a smile as she jumps, startled.
‘I… I…’ Her hand clutches the satin material over her heart. ‘Were you spying on me?’ Her arms fold across her chest and she catches her lower lip between her teeth.
‘I was out here enjoying the solitude and the stars, when I was interrupted by a woman who just so happened to call my name. Were you looking for me? Or is there another Ollie that you sigh thinking about?’ My voice is low, sultry, the words come out in a smooth teasing tone that sounds way more confident that I feel.
She takes a tentative step towards me, as if she’s as conflicted as me. The pull between us is compelling. Its strength is out of this world. I’d never have believed it second hand. Our bodies simply seem to gravitate towards each other, defying all logic.
