“That how it was between you and Dwayne the Wanker, then?” I guessed. “He’d have you come meet him at some club, and you’d be bored to death, readin’ ’bout your thunderstorm fairies and whatnot on your phone while he arsed about with his American football mates.”
“Actually, Wind Fae,” she corrected. “But other than that, yeah, you pretty much have it right.”
She looked down at the ground, visibly ashamed.
“Hey.” I took a hold of her chin and tipped her head back up. “I ain’t him, a’right?”
“I know,” she answered. “I know that. And it’s unfair of me to bring baggage from my old relationship into this… whatever it is. I’m sorry.”
She tried to lower her chin back down then, but I kept her looking straight at me.
“Nope, you were right. I was being a right knob earlier when you asked me to do somethin’ you wanted to do after the shopping spree.”
I moved my hand down to her neck so I could stroke her cheek with my thumb. “Thanks for callin’ me out on it. I appreciate you comin’ out tonight, especially considerin’ you were at a good part in your book and all that.”
She laughed, but I informed her, “I’m totally serious. Tomorrow night, I’m gonna make it up to ya.”
She peeped up uncertainly at me in a way that made me want to follow through on my offer to headbutt her ex. “Seriously, you don’t have to.”
“Ain’t a question ofhave to,” I answered. “I want to. Understand?”
All sorts of complicated emotions danced behind her eyes. But in the end, she gave in with a simple, “Okay. I’d really, really like that.”
I grinned. “Look at that, our first proper couple row—and we sorted it nice and easy. No shoutin’ or beer bottles chucked.”
“I, too, am weirdly proud of us,” she agreed with a little laugh. “But hey, we should probably be getting back to VIP.”
Probably. I could feel the phone I stuffed in my breast pocket vibrating with texts. Most likely messages from Max, wondering why I’d left him alone with a bunch of footballers who weren’t truly interested in partying.
But I stayed right where I was with Kayla. “I’d rather spend time with you. Ya get that, right?”
“Right,” she agreed with a nod. “Because we only have a couple of nights of sexy times left.”
“Not just because of that.” I shook my head and stepped closer to her. “I’d rather spend time with you. No matter what we’re doin’. Being with you. That’s all tonight was supposed to be about.”
“Really?” Her face broke into a relieved smile. “I’d rather spend time with you, too. Plus, I’m, like, so, so hungry, and Kentucky doesn’t serve any food. I asked.”
“A’right, give me twenty minutes,” I told her, taking her by the hand. “I’ve got an idea about dinner.”
With that promise, I led her back into the club—not to spend more time with Max and the Triomphe football club, but to chuck them some goodbyes before leaving out.
Also, it gave Kayla the chance to warm up before we scuttled out the back entrance to meet the limo that had replaced the Triomphe car. At least for this evening.
The same driver/guard attended to us, though, and he was already positioned at the new car’s back door.
But I waved him off before opening the door to the limo for Kayla meself. I held it open in anticipation of what would come next.
A thrilled screech sounded from inside the car. Then: “Oh, my gosh, I can’t believe you did this. Seriously, Mick, you are the best!”
No,shewas the best.
And I was determined to prove I was worthy of her.
I grinned from outside the car, loving her reaction to my little gift. Loving how she inspired me to be a better bloke. Loving that she’d rather have a quiet conversation with me than enjoy one of the best VIP lounges in France.
Loving…
The voice that had roared in my head so loudly that morning now whispered inside my most secret heart.Loving her.
