Page 68 of Not So Happily Ever After (British Bad Boys)
I never could pass up a dare.
Sure as hell, I’m paying the price for it now. Every time I breathe, her scent taunts me, a constant reminder of all the times we’ve touched. She’s done something different with her hair, which is piled on top of her head in messy curls, with irresistible tendrils trailing over her cheeks and nape.
Resist at all costs.
The limo stops, and the doors open. Lucas takes Violet’s hand, and Jax takes Honey’s as they leave the car and wave to the inevitable crowds that are hoping for a glimpse of their favorite celebs. I flex my fingers. This is a bad idea, but I’ve had worse.
“Ready?” I hold out my hand, and after a second’s hesitation, she takes it. I swallow a groan, and since Lucas and Jax are signing autographs and taking no notice of us, I lean closer to her. “How are we going to handle this tonight?”
She squeezes my fingers, which doesn’t help with the whole self-control thing I’m battling. “I don’t know.”
She’s irresistible, and I kiss her before my brain kicks into gear. We both spring back like we’ve been electrocuted and glance outside. But apart from the chauffeur, who’s still holding open the door and ignoring us with stoic professionalism, we might as well be alone for all the interest anyone has in us.
She lets out a shaky breath. “For a start, we can’t dothatagain.”
“Agreed.” Not unless I want to spend the rest of the night with an inconvenient boner.
The chauffeur gives a discreet cough, and we both glance in his direction. He’s not looking at us, but Lucas and Jax have finished doing their walk of fame and are making their way to the hotel.
“You ready?” I ask.
“You bet.”
I leave the limo, give the chauffeur a nod of thanks, and only then realize I’m still holding on to her hand.
She steps out of the limo. Damn, she’s so hot, in a long dress with a split at the front. All I can think is,Are you wearing your sexy lingerie?
We follow the guys up the red carpet. The crowd, after eagerly surging against the velvet security ropes, ignore us when they discover our faces aren’t famous. Same goes for the paparazzi, who are already swinging their cameras around to the next limo in line.
As we catch up to Lucas, who’s chatting with the security guys at the door, Mac tugs my hand against her thigh. “Should we let go now?” Her whisper tickles my ear, and I have one crazy second when I almost tell herno.
“Sure.” Without much enthusiasm, I loosen my grip on her fingers, and she slowly slides free. Lucas’s arm is around Violet’s waist.What would happen if I did that to Mac?
Once inside, we’re swept up to the twelfth floor and directed to a massive room with a wall of glass that takes in the London skyline. The purple and blue décor gives it a faux regal feel, and the music is pounding. Lucas swings around and grins at me.
“The payoff for having to talk Jake down from the ledge the other week.”
Any other time I’d laugh and agree. I haven’t got my party animal rep for nothing, and Lucas and I made a good team before he fell for Violet. Sure, it was only one side of me, the city side, but I always had a good time.
I should be loving all this glitter, the beautiful chicks, and the free-flowing booze. But as Mac saunters over to a group of girls she seems to know, I can’t take my damn eyes off her.
I don’t want to spend the night chatting up random girls. I want to be with Mac.
Two more days.When I take her to Oxford on Monday morning, that’s it. Over.
Does it really need to be over?
Light explodes behind my eyes, a revelation smashing through me. Since when have I ever given up on something I want? Yes, it will be complicated. Especially with the pressure she’s under. But we’ve shown how good we are together. We can figure this out.
Chapter Twenty
Mackenzie
The lights of London glitter across the river as I gaze at the majestic backdrop of St. Paul’s Cathedral from the terrace. The party’s in full swing, and from the open doors behind me, music pumps into the early autumn night.
“Hey, Mac.” Heath appears by my side. “Rafe’s looking for you. He just got a text from Jake, who’s ready to make his big arrival. But get this. You and Will need to be at the front of the room. Lucky you. Ha-ha.”
I’d wondered where Jake was. Although he did promise a grand entrance after he burned his hair off. “Can’t let the star of the night down, can we.” I slip my arm through Heath’s as we make our way back inside.
