Page 83 of Outlaw Heartstrings
That’s when Easton’s eyes fall on me and his jaw unhinges. He looks downright breathless at the sight of me. He blatantly checks me out from top to bottom. Then our eyes lock and I feel heat rush to my cheeks.
“Hi…” I say, my tone doing nothing to hide how jittery I feel.
“You look so beautiful, Alba,” he says, his voice low and rough.
I blush even harder. I reach up to adjust my glasses—a nervous tic of mine—but since I’m wearing my contact lenses tonight, I almost stab myself in the eye with my awkward new fingernails.Oops!
I quickly play it off, smiling at Easton. “Thank you. You look very handsome.”
He clears his throat. “Are you ready to go?”
My head bobs slightly. “Y-yes.”
Laney hands me my purse and then gives me a little push toward the door.
“Good night, Laney.” Easton pats my friend on the shoulder, his eyes coasting over me again from head-to-toe.
“Welp—I’m pregnant now,” Laney mutters, shivering visibly. Then she slaps a hand over her mouth. “Oops!”
I snort a laugh. “Lock up for me?” I ask her as I descend the steps on wobbly legs.
“Of course,” she promises as Easton carefully guides me down the staircase, my palm clasped firmly in his. “You twohave a good night now,” Laney calls out, a devilish tone in her voice.
“Oh, we will,” I hear Easton say with a delicious promise hidden in his words. A shiver runs down the length of my spine.
How does he make me feel this way?It’s foreign and it’s overwhelming.
Laney yells her goodbyes. When I glance back, there’s lots of winking and thumbs-ups behind Easton’s back, as he leads me to his car.
The man walks me all the way to the passenger side and opens my door for me, helping me inside. Once he’s closed my door and is walking around to his side, I take a shaky breath.
I don’t know—I think tonight’s gonna be a good night.
31
ALBA
On the drive to town, we don’t talk much. But Easton can’t stop staring. His eyes barely stay on the road in front of us for more than a few seconds at a time, as he keeps peeking in my direction.
It’s the dress. I’m sure of it.
Laney talked me into this dress that shows way too much of my boobs, and now they’re just spilling over the top like two eager puppies begging for attention.
“You’re making me nervous,” I say to Easton when I catch him with his eyes on me for the millionth time. The heat from his body and the scent of his cologne filling the car put me even more on edge.
“I’m sorry,” he says with an embarrassed chuckle. “You’re just…I can’t…” He clears his throat. “You’re stunning. That’s all.”
My cheeks prickle and sting, my blush only intensifying. “Thank you.”
This feels weird. I’m definitely not used to this type of attention, especially not from a man I’m so freaking attracted to. But instead of deflecting the compliment, Ipractice feeling like I deserve it. That’s what tonight’s all about, right? Practice.
Easton pulls into a parking spot across the street fromLe Trésor des Féesand cuts the engine. His eyes shift toward the restaurant.
“Are you sure you’re okay with eating here?” he asks me.
My gaze follows his, taking in the warm light that shines through the large front windows. Twinkle lights sparkle between the climbing vines that scale the brick facade, all the way up to the eaves. The conversation and laughter of well-dressed patrons float across from the street-facing terrace.
I shrug. “It’s fine. I promise.”
