Page 58 of Forbidden Billionaire Rockstar

“It was, but music got me through most of the grief, and it hasn’t stopped since. There are still moments when it really hits me that she’s gone, even after so much time has passed, but I also know that she would be my biggest cheerleader, and it makes me feel better.”

How did this conversation get into such dangerous territory?

I’m used to most women acting like they’re listening to my words when they aren’t, but Mallory looks completely invested in our conversation as she grabs her wine glass to take another sip. Iwatch her swallow thickly, my eyes lasered onto the movement of her throat, and my gaze darkens on hers.

As Mallory takes another sip of wine, I find myself mesmerized. With the gentle curve of her throat and the way her lips part slightly suddenly, the restaurant feels too warm and too small. Our eyes lock, and the air between us crackles with unspoken desire.

Our waitress stops in front of our table, smiling brightly between the two of us, and asks, “Would you like the check, sir?”

“Yes, please,” I say, my eyes still locked on Mallory’s. She’s still got a large portion of her meal sitting on her plate, so I nudge my head toward it with a smile. “And a to-go box, if you wouldn’t mind.”

The waitress leans forward, a hand resting on my shoulder, and she smiles knowingly at me without bothering to look over at Mallory. “Of course not.”

She’s blatantly ignoring my date’s presence, which only turns me off from her, and I can tell Mallory’s patience is getting thin by the tight-lipped smile she flashes at the waitress.

“Excuse me,” Mallory says, too cheerfully for my liking. “Could you please stop ogling him and grab me a soda to-go?”

Our waitress straightens, her hand falling away from my shoulder as if it caught on fire, and she nods at Mallory with a solemn expression. “Of course, ma’am.”

“I didn’t peg you for the jealous type,” I say with a smirk aimed at her.

Mallory rolls her eyes. “Not jealous, just don’t appreciate women who act like I’m invisible just because an attractive man is sitting here.”

“Attractive, huh?”

“You’re well aware,” she mumbles. Her eyes move around the room, taking in more of the interior while we wait for the waitress to come back to our table, and she cuts her gaze to me. “You didn’t do so bad tonight.”

“Good enough to manage a second date, I hope?”

She clears her throat and frowns. “Let’s not get too ahead of ourselves.”

We fall into silence, which gives my brain enough time to wander through my emotions. When the waitress comes back to our table, I can’t help but notice how she barely makes eye contact with me the entire time.

I leave cash on the table, including a generous tip, then slowly rise from my chair and hold a hand out for Mallory. She carefully takes her drink, then gently places her hand in mine, causing a surge of electricity up my arm. Our gazes lock, and suddenly I'm deaf to everything but the beautiful woman before me.

The only reason we break eye contact is because someone coughs at the booth behind us and pulls us from whatever trance we are in. I keep Mallory’s hand in mine, finger thread loosely through hers, as I lead us toward the exit with my head hanging low. Since I’m not in some sort of disguise, the best option is for me to keep my face out of view.

As we step onto the bustling sidewalk, I spot our driver waiting patiently by the sleek black car. He straightens up when he sees us, ready to open the door. But I'm not ready for this night to end just yet.

I turn to Mallory, a spark of spontaneity in my eyes. "What do you say we take a walk? There's a park just down the street."

She raises an eyebrow, a mix of surprise and intrigue on her face. I wave to the driver, who's watching us curiously.

"We'll be back in a few," I call out to him. "Just going for a quick stroll."

The driver nods, understanding clear on his face. "Of course, sir. I'll be here when you return."

As we start walking, I can feel Mallory's curious gaze on me. I'm not usually one for impromptu detours, but tonight... tonight feels different.

Before it gets too much later, I start down the sidewalk and head toward the park

“Not exactly dressed for a stroll tonight,” Mallory says beside me, her eyes falling down to the heels covering her feet.

I stop in the middle of the sidewalk, glance around, and bend down. “Get on, then.”

When she still hasn’t hopped onto my back, I glance at her over my shoulder and find her wide stare on my back. “We’re in the middle of the sidewalk. Get up.”

“More of a reason for you to hop on before people start to get angry with us.”

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