The sexy smile that spread across his lips made my stomach flip. He leaned in, slipped his hands into my hair, and kissed me. It was gentle at first but gained fervour, and I gripped at his leather jacket, doing my best to stifle the moan of pleasure bubbling up from within me.
When he pulled away, he locked his gaze on mine. ‘Wow, you’re hot when you’re angry.’
I almost swooned on the spot. ‘Angry? Was I angry? I don’t remember.’
‘Come on. Let’s go watch people murder our favourite songs.’ He grabbed my hand and pulled me along. I was relieved when my legs remembered how to function after that underwear-igniting kiss.
As we walked Fin blurted, ‘How would you feel about meeting my boss and his wife prior to the ball?’
I was a little shocked. ‘Oh… I… erm…’
‘Alasdair is a top guy. He suggested we meet up so that you know someone else at the ball.’
‘That’s very sweet of him.’
‘Like I said, he’s a great guy. He suggested Deacon Brodie’s.’
I was surprised by the choice of venue but relieved too. ‘That sounds perfect.’
He put his arm round me and kissed the top of my head. ‘Thank you.’
‘For what?’
I felt him shrug. ‘Just for being you.’
* * *
The club was buzzing when we arrived. Some older guy was on stage rocking out to Led Zeppelin’s ‘Whole Lotta Love’ and the crowd loved him. He could’ve given Robert Plant a run for his money, no doubt. Fin still clutched my hand as he led me through the throng.
Suddenly he stopped and turned to me. He leaned in and spoke directly into my ear to make himself heard. ‘Okay, please don’t be angry, but I wanted to introduce you to my best buddy, Tom. Remember I told you about him? He’s the guy who—’
I narrowed my eyes. ‘Runs the gallery. Yeah, I remember.’
The annoyance must have been visible on my face as he cringed. ‘Look, I really want you to believe how talented you are. And I figured I stepped out ofmycomfort zone with the whole singing thing withyourhelp and so I thought—’
Irritation prickled at my skin. He had averyfair point. ‘You thought you’d drag me kicking and screaming out of mine? Well, I’m just not ready. I’m sorry to let you down, Fin. I think maybe I should go.’ I tried to turn away, intent on getting the hell out of Dodge.
How much of a hypocrite was I?
He gripped my shoulders. ‘Star, please? He’s my best mate and I want you to meet him anyway. You don’t have to agree to anything you’re not comfortable with.’
I sighed, feeling more than a little bit stupid. ‘Fin, you’ve clearly got him here under false pretences, and I told you I didn’t want exhibitions and notoriety. I trusted you to accept that.’
A pained, sorrowful look appeared on his handsome features and I felt shitty for my overreaction.
He dropped his arms from my body. ‘Forget it. I’m really sorry. I just wanted to help you like you helped me. But the last thing I’d ever want to do is upset you, Star. You mean too much to me. Do you want me to walk you home?’ The dejection in his eyes caused my insides to knot and I wanted to take back all of my negativity. I wanted to suck the words right back in and say that I would love to meet his best friend as I should have.
I softened, stepped towards him, and cupped his cheek. ‘No, Fin. It’s me who should be sorry. I’m being silly. I seem to make a habit of overreacting these days. Of course I don’t want to go home. I want to be here with you. And... and I want to meet Tom.’
His eyes widened and he smiled. ‘You do?’ He pulled me into a hug. ‘I promise I won’t mention exhibits, or photography, or anything.’
He gripped my hand and squeezed it, and I followed him through the crowd once more until I was suddenly pulled around to his side.
‘Hunter! You made it.’ A handsome dark-haired guy pulled Fin into a man-hug and slapped his back. ‘I thought you’d changed your mind. Oh, hey. You must be the girl who’s stolen my best buddy’s heart.’
He had smiley dark eyes. I guessed they were brown, but the club lights were kind of dim. He seemed sweet and was obviously one of those guys who didn’t mind PDA as he pulled me into a hug and kissed the side of my head.
My cheeks heated as I glanced briefly at Fin. ‘Um... hi. I’m guessing that makes you Tom.’
