Page 117 of Outlaw Heartstrings
He flashes the wickedest grin as he starts the car. “Just wait for tonight, baby. Remember that massive tub in our hotel room?”
I nod, heat pooling low in my belly.
“There’s a bubble bath with your name on it.” With a wink, he swerves out of the parking lot.
42
EASTON
“But do you see yourselves writing a sixth book in your joint series?” Alba asks, her voice rising above the thumping music of the nightclub. “I’m thinking, that estranged uncle the whole family shunned—he could try redeeming himself…Or maybe you could introduce a long lost brother none of the siblings ever knew about or…Or…I don’t know. You ladies are the writers.”
I love seeing Alba this excited, her green eyes alight as she slings questions across the table at Emma Stanley-Westbrook and Blakely Hamilton.
Emma swirls the straw in her pineapple juice and elbows Blakely’s side. “I think I like the estranged uncle story line. We could vibe with that.”
Blakely gives her co-writer a playful warning glance. “I told you. No more ruminating on book ideas. Not until you’re done cooking the bun that’s currently in the oven.”
Nicky Westbrook laughs from where she’s burrowed against Ronan’s side. “As if. Trying to slow this girl down is hopeless. Her brain keeps churning out story ideas aroundthe clock.” She reaches over to affectionately rub her bestie’s bulging belly.
Emma’s husband, Jasper, nods in agreement. “I’m willing to bet that she’ll be pitching this estranged uncle idea to some book publisher in the next three to five business days. Right, Em?” He bends over to kiss the tip of her nose.
“I’m dying for the next book in that series, too. The estranged uncle story line is intriguing.” Nicholas Sullivan slips his palms over his wife’s ears and whispers exaggeratedly across the table to Alba. “Don’t worry. I’ll get Blakely onboard.”
Laughing, Blakely presses her cheek to her husband’s. “Well, you know what it takes to convince me whenever you want to have your way.” She winks playfully at him.
Alba loops her arm through mine and she squeals with delight.
I swear, she’s been having such a great time tonight. So have I, to be honest. Good food, plus good company, plus knowing I put that brilliant grin on Alba’s face? That’s a winning combination for me.
We started the evening with dinner at The Cathedral Pub. Then the girls selected Club Mermaid for drinks. Not my usual scene, but Alba’s happy. And Happy Alba is my scene.
So here I am, slurping a booze-y blue slush cocktail out of a half-gallon fish bowl while Alba steals all the cherries and gummy fish out of my drink for herself.
She’s so fucking beautiful. It’s making my cock ache, which I know is totally inappropriate given that we’re in a public setting right now. I need the perfect excuse to have a moment alone with her.
When the DJ starts playing a new song, I lean by Alba’sear. “Time to scratch another item off your wishlist, Tiny Tiger,” I whisper so only she can hear.
Her pupils flare, a nervous excitement dancing in her green irises. “Here?” she whispers back. “Now?”
“Here and now, baby,” I confirm.
Her chest stutters. “W-which one?”
“Wish number eleven,” I respond, taking her hand. “Dirty dancing at a nightclub.” My eyes sweep over the table. “If you’ll all excuse us, I’m about to show this lovely lady my best dance moves.”
Ronan chuckles, shooting my girl a glance. “Good luck out there on the dance floor. This guy’s got two left feet.”
Alba sniffs out a little sound of amusement as she shimmies in time with the pop song. “Thanks for the warning, but I’m willing to take my chances.”
I like that. I like that she’s willing to take a chance on me. I wonder what other risks I can convince her to take where I’m concerned.
I’ve told Alba that I love her. She hasn’t said it back. I’m trying not to take it to heart. After all, falling in love was never part of our plan.
Alba is hesitant about going public with our relationship. I can tell she’s worried about what people around town will think. Personally, I don’t give a fuck. I want to build a life with her and Jagger and that’s my only concern.
As much as I know I should be patient and just keep putting in the work to win her love, my summer in Fairy Bush is drawing to an end and that makes me so damn nervous. What if I run out of time before I’m able to convince her to love me?
Forcing my anxiety into the backseat, I hold Alba’s hand and she follows me over to the middle of the dance floor.When I put my large hands on her tiny waist, sliding my fingers across her hips to the small of her back, her entire body shivers.
