Page 115 of Outlaw Heartstrings
That he wants me.
Me.
And the terrible part is, I feel the exact same way he does.
The guilty look in his eyes tells me that he knows how wrong all this is. But somewhere along the line, we both sauntered past the point of no return.
It’s too late. There’s no takesies-backsies now.
With no idea what to say in response to Easton’s admission, I close the distance between us and I kiss him. I kiss him and I pour my entire heart and soul into it.
I’m not nearly brave enough to put these emotions into words. But whatever it is I’m trying to say back, I hope he can feel it.
41
ALBA
“Where are we?” I ask as Easton pulls the car into the parking lot of a huge convention center. “Isn’t this where they hold those big comic book events? Are you a secret Agent Tornado fan, Easton Raines?”
He scrunches his nose and shakes his head in disgust. “Heck no. Dakota Majestic all the way, baby.”
When Easton told me he was taking me to Sin Valley for the weekend, I thought this was ‘just’ going to be lucky number thirteen on my spicy wishlist, a.k.a., the naked getaway. He all but confirmed it when he let me know that we’d be staying in a lavish penthouse hotel suite instead of at the small bachelor pad he owns.
That’s why I didn’t pack a bunch of clothes. My small suitcase is mostly full of the silk lingerie and lace nighties that Jules and Laney helped me pick out.
So when Easton announced that we were leaving the hotel and going somewhere special today, we had to make a pitstop to pick out a new outfit for me. That pitstop quicklyturned into a full-on shopping spree inside the tiny boutique Easton dragged me into. But I’m not complaining.
I grin to myself, just thrilled to be here—wherever we are—on this weekend getaway.
“You’re really not going to tell me why we’re here?” I prod him.
Easton beams as he holds the car door open for me in the crowded parking lot. “It’s a surprise. Let’s just say, it’s the perfect way to celebrate you being brave enough to re-take the realtor exam a few days ago.”
He pulls his cap low over his eyes, like he’s trying to go incognito today. As if. The man draws stares with every step he takes. He can’t help it.
Ignoring all the blatant ogling, he grabs my hand and guides me across the parking lot.
When we step inside the convention center, I’m convinced that my first guess was totally right. It almost looks like one of those comic events, with all the tables and posters scattered around the big space.
But then I notice that no one is dressed in funny costumes.In fact, the crowd is mainly full of giddy women, many of whom are clutching piles of romance books in their arms.
“Ohmygod. Ohmygod. Is that…?” My hand clamps down on Easton’s forearm as I stare at my favorite author behind one of the tables. “That’s…that’s…”
“Blakely Hamilton.” Easton supplies with a chuckle. Then he points to the table beside her. “And that’s Emma Stanley-Westbrook.”
I just nod, my jaw on the floor.
He laughs at me some more. “It’s a book signing thing. I think you might recognize a few of the other authors here, too.”
“You knew about this? How did you know about this?” My head swings toward him, my eyes wide. “You brought me here to meet my favorite authors? How did you…? When did you…?” Right now, I don’t even know what question to ask.
All I know is, I gave Easton a few of my favorite books to read, and it looks like he didn’t just read them. He tracked down the freaking writers and brought me to them. Talk about going above and beyond.
We’ve been speeding through my wishlist this week. Easton has been making my fantasies come true, ticking them off the list one by one. He’s been sure to give me bonus lessons, and the opportunity to work for extra credit. He’s been the dirtiest teacher I could have hoped for, and I mean that in the very best way.
My knees are shaking.
Meanwhile, Easton shrugs, handing me a flyer. “I know a guy who knows a gal…”
