Natalie raises her palms like a white flag. ‘Chill, I didn't mean it like that.’
‘Sorry, I didn't mean to snap. Let’s get another cocktail.’
‘Great idea. But no more for Mam.’ Natalie jerks her head towards our mother who’s accosting one of the ‘waiters’.
‘Get up on the table and give us a dance, will you? Ripple those abs! Show us what your mama gave you!’
Holly, Savannah, and Ashley are doubled over across the table, clutching their stomachs. Holly’s wearing a white dress, complete with a pink sash bearing the logo Bride To Be and she has actual tears streaming down her cheeks.
I turn to my sister, ‘Imagine Holly is willingly signing up to be part of this fucking family.’
‘That’s love for you, right?’ Natalie and I watch our mother cheering as two nearly naked guys get up on top of the table.
‘That’s it, I’m ringing Dad. He needs to come and get her before she drinks anymore.’ I pull my phone from the pocket of my bronze-coloured shift dress and glance down at the screen. No messages from Cillian. I hope I didn't overstep the mark by offering to take Phoebe to Hollybrooke Hall. My intention was to calm, not complicate things.
Then he had to go and ask if I wanted children of my own.
‘Good idea.’ Natalie nods, keeping her eyes on our mother. ‘Go outside where it’s quieter.’
I glance at my phone as I pass through the throng of people, bopping along to the beat. A tall, blond hunk of a guy in a Santa hat pulls my hand as I pass. ‘Dance with me!’ He begs, tugging me towards his friends.
A powerful arm slides around my waist and locks me backwards against a rock-solid torso. ‘Sorry pal, she’s spoken for.’ Cillian’s familiar gruff tone bursts past my ear.
I spin on my heels to face him, drinking in those chiselled cheekbones and razor-sharp eyes. A small smirk lifts the corner of his lascivious lips.
‘What are you doing here?’
‘I came to see you.’ His palms roam round to my back, tracing over my spine.
‘But it’s a hen night.’ My mouth drops open, staring in wonder at this gorgeous man in front of me. The one I’ve spent all day obsessing about. Ok, who am I kidding, all year, truth be told.
His low chuckle permeates the air between us. ‘I won’t stay long. I just had to see you.’
Relief trickles through my core.
I didn't terrify him the other night.
‘When you didn't call, I wondered …’ Hot lips crash against mine, halting me from finishing the rest of my sentence. His tongue swipes through my mouth dancing, teasing, possessing me. The rest of the bar fades away. It’s just him and me.
When he does tear his lips from mine, regret spins in his silver eyes. ‘I should let you get back to it.’
‘Wait, who’s with Phoebe? How is she today?’
‘She’s at Sarah Snowden’s for a sleepover. When I picked her up from school today and she said she’d been invited, I swear I’ve never been happier to hear that name.’
The cogs whir in my brain as a plan formulates. ‘Did you drive here?’
‘Yes.’ His eyes fall to my lips, then up again.
‘Is there any chance you could take my mother home? She’s had one too many and she’s about three minutes away from tearing the apron from Magic Mike’s crotch with her teeth.’
‘Why does that not surprise me? Let’s hope her daughter is better behaved.’ He tightens his grip on my ass and squeezes. ‘I was hoping to take you home, but I suppose I’ll settle for your mother.’ He teases, and it’s my turn to squeeze his ass.
‘Well, if you play your cards right, you could do both.’ I lift my eyebrows suggestively.
A low, carnal rumble sounds from the base of his throat. ‘Have you got any underwear on beneath this poor excuse of a dress?’
‘Yes.’ I pout indignantly.
