Teagan turns to me and gestures for me to go ahead of him. It’s a tight space, so I brush against him as I step by. God, he smells good. I’m suddenly very thankful I’m familiar with not only Beauty and the Beast but all of Norah’s work because I don’t think I’ll be able to concentrate on anything other than Teagan tonight.
We find our seats with index cards taped to them that read, “Reserved for T. O’Brien and L. Diaz.” Once we’re settled, I realize just how great these seats are. We’re far enough back that the actors’ voices won’t be booming at us but close enough to see details. I turn to remark on how good this spot is but stop when I find Teagan staring at me with an unfathomable look in his eyes. My breath hitches at the intensity of it.
“What?” I ask quietly, bringing a hand to my hair and looking down at my dress. “What’s wrong?”
His mouth tips up at the corner. “Nothing. Absolutely nothing is wrong. I’m just mesmerized is all.”
“Wow,” I huff in an attempt to break the tension thickening around us. “I guess I need to make myself up more often, huh?”
A crease forms between his brows, and his lips turn down. “No, I wasn’t saying you’re not always beautiful— because, lass, you are stunning. I’ve just never seen you all decked out like this.”
Snorting in amusement, I turn back to face the stage. I knew exactly what he was trying to say; I just wanted to tease him. Then I feel his hot breath on me as he whispers against the shell of my ear, “Those red lips are distracting, Layla. They have me thinking abouttamales.”
A flash of heat shoots straight to my core, and I immediately press my thighs together. I slowly look over at him, not at all surprised to find his face so close to mine, but my pulse still quickens at the proximity. Unable to control myself, my gaze darts to his mouth and back to his eyes. My teeth latch on to my bottom lip, and Teagan’s eyes zero in on the movement. The tension continues to press in as he angles his head closer, so close I can feel his breath fanning over my lips.
Then the lights in the auditorium dim momentarily, signaling the production will be starting in five minutes.
My eyes slam shut as I turn back to face the stage, and I hear Teagan curse under his breath. I’m immensely thankful for the program I managed to snag from the lobby on the way in. There’s nothing subtle about the way I’m fanning my face with it, but I can’t bring myself to care. I am onfire.Not from embarrassment, but from being so turned on it’s unbearable. Twice now we’ve been on the verge of what I know will be an earth-shattering kiss only to be interrupted. I know for a fact I won’t be able to control myself if we find ourselves in this situation a third time.
Chapter Nine
Teagan
The lights lower and the conversations around us silence in anticipation of the play starting, but all I can think about is grabbing Layla’s hand and finding an empty room with a locking door. When I discovered that she had parked farther away from the building and would be walking alone, I automatically headed in her direction. I was nervous and excited to see her but not at all prepared to see her dressed like a wet dream, prowling towards me in fuck-me heels and with lips painted devil red. I actually tripped over my own feet. The closer she came, the harder it was for me to breathe. She’s so beautiful that it’s physically painful. When I said that I practically fell to my knees, I wasn’t slagging her. I would have gladly crawled across the ground to worship at her feet.
As we entered the building, I was acutely aware of all the heads turningin her direction. I couldn’t blame them, but a primal urge came over me to step in front of her and beat my chest, telling them all that she’smine. It was instinctual for me to grab her hand and lead her to the outskirts of the room in an attempt to hide her from wandering eyes. Eyes that kept drifting to the low- cut neckline of her dress.
I’ve more than noticed how her ample breasts fill it out and nearly groan out loud every time I let my own eyes roam, which I’m trying not to do. Really, I am. I respect her and will treat her accordingly, butfuck me, Layla Diaz is an absolute bombshell. Not to mention those lips. I want to mess up that red lipstick in all sorts of inappropriate ways.
The packed theater is the last place I want our first kiss to be— therewillbe a first kiss and soon if I have any say about it—but when she’s sitting so close and smells that good, I can’t think of a reason why this isn’t as good of a place as any other. Then those fucking lights flashed and killed the moment.
I’m attempting to discreetly adjust my growing erection when I notice Layla fanning herself with a program she snatched from the lobby. Her face is flushed, a beautiful russet color traveling down her throat to her chest that’s heaving slightly.This is torture.
Surprisingly, I’m actually able to focus on the play once it starts, which is a testament to the actors’ skills and Norah’s incredible costumes. The dresses she designed look like actual flowers, with Belle’s resembling an upside- down yellow rose. Layla gasped audibly when it was revealed, pride in her eyes for her friend’s work. I’m completely enamored by her. She catches me watching her, and those gorgeous brown eyes soften in a way I can’t pinpoint, but I vow to do everything I can to make her mine.
At the end of the evening, we find Eamon in the lobby waiting for Norah, so we stay and visit a while. He’s beaming with pride.
“Oh my god,” Layla squeals. “That was incredible! Everything was absolutely perfect! And Norah’s costumes! I can’t get over Belle’s dress!”
Eamon and I share an amused look. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Layla so animated before, but I like It. Hell, I like everything about her.
“Yeah, she really did amazing,” Eamon says, shoving his hands into hispockets. “It all really came together on stage, though.”
“Hey!” Norah’s voice sounds from behind us.
We all turn to greet her with hugs and congratulations, and Eamon pulls her into his arms to press a kiss to her temple.
“Well done, Acushla. That was incredible.”
Norah beams up at him with nothing but love in her eyes. I sneak a glance at Layla, who’s watching the couple with a small smile on her face. To anyone else, it would look like she’s patiently waiting, but I don’t miss how she takes in every touch between our friends. She looks…wistful.
“I have to get back. I just wanted to come out and say thanks for coming real quick,” Norah says before looking back to Eamon. “See you tonight?”
“Definitely,” Eamon answers.
The two share a heated look, and he watches her walk away.
“Well…” Layla clears her throat, but Eamon doesn’t even flinch.
