Page 102 of It's Always Us

He stops before we reach a giant man wearing a polo with security across the back. I hear the steady beat of a drum, and distant music fills the air. Cars file past us, stopping only long enough to let people out.

Mark moves us to the side, keeping his back to the arriving people and hiding me. He tips my chin up. “You ok?”

I survey my surroundings without moving my head. His eyes are filled with earnestness and dead set on me. “Um . . . sure. You’re not going to leave me, right?”

He shakes his head. “Nope. You’re stuck with me. Forever.”

I bite my lip to hide my nervous smile.

His large hands find the sides of my growing belly and hips. “You look incredible. I’m going to have to thank Krissy when I meet her.”

I peek at my form-fitting black dress and low-top sneakers. My stomach is getting so big that I have to lean a little to see my feet.

He lowers his mouth to my ear. “This pregnant with my babies thing definitely works for you.” He kisses the corner of my mouth, and heat surges from my head to my toes.

If offered, I’d be totally down with heading right back to the hotel.

He takes hold of my hand. “Let’s do this. Just ignore all the people taking pictures.” I whimper, and he grins, making me want to hit and kiss him at the same time. “You trust me, right?”

I nod, not even having to think about it. Mark takes my hand again, interlacing our fingers and holding tight as he pulls me toward the entrance. The bouncer, recognizing him, lets us walk right through. We stop for Mark to pose for pictures in front of a backdrop advertising his beverage of choice.

Women on their way in call out his name, trying to get his attention. I can’t even blame them. He’s beautiful. His smooth olive-tan skin and dark hair with those few strands that never want to stay in place. His perfect white teeth, under that devilishly handsome smile, but it’s different from the one that’s only for me.

He winks, and I smile back. He’s always been a bit of a rebel, but with a gooey center, I’m beginning to believe he’s held aside only for me. I want that to be true. I want to be the only one who gets that part of him. It’s selfish, and I’m undeserving of that kind of reserved intimacy, but I want it.

I want it so badly that a slight ache forms in my chest at the thought of it not being true. The ache quickly slides into a growing pit in my gut, where the truth resides, and I wonder if the past should remain where it is. Tucked far away from the one I aim to never let it touch again.

After a few rounds of clicks and flashes, Mark leads us through the crowd of people to the bar under a large metal awning. A band performs on a small stage, and a few hundred people are spread around high-top tables, laughing and having a good time.

Mark slides his arm around me, putting me between him and the bar while he orders water. I raise an eyebrow.

“I only have a beer now and then. Usually, only with Shane and Sean.”

I nod, understanding and incredibly proud that he only drinks when his brothers are watching. I push up on my toes to kiss him. Just a quick peck, but he grins like we made out.

I bite back my own, quickly feeling eyes on us as if we’re rare tropical fish in a pretty aquarium. People who’ve been drinking do a remarkably terrible job of being sly. Whispers are unguarded, phones are popping out, and people are shuffling around to get closer.

He braces his arms on either side of me, bringing his head down closer to mine. “Just ignore it. It’ll get better in a few minutes.”

This is a brand-new side of Mark that I’ve never seen. He’s calm, cool, and collected. The cockiness is still ever present, but it’s self-assured and sexy as hell. “Does it ever get old?”

He shrugs, unbothered. Confidence pours from him, but it’s different from the unshy, bold guy I fell in love with. He’s a man who lives his life with everyone watching, and he’s totally comfortable with himself. The allure is real, and my skin tingles with desire.

“I’m used to it, but you and this . . . ” His hand slides over my belly. “It’s going to cause a stir. That part is new for me, so we’ll see. I have no problem telling people to back off if it becomes too much.”

Mark’s hand moves around close to my butt as he settles against the bar.

“Maybe we should cool the PDA. I feel like everyone is watching us.”

He leans close, kissing my cheek. “That’s because they are watching, and I’m all about PDA. Only with you.”

I think about that. I tortured myself, scrolling through pictures of Mark with other women, but they weren’t anything other than him standing next to them, with an arm around their shoulders.

He pulls away, leaving his arm around me. “You’re here with me. I didn’t believe this would ever happen. I’m taking every advantage of it and making it perfectly clear where I stand.”

I roll my eyes. “You’re full of yourself.”But I love it.I take hold of his shirt. “Did I ever tell you that you’re trouble?”

“Yes, many times, and I know you’re non-dramatic ass secretly loves it.” He leans to kiss me but stops when we hear a loud, deep voice bellow.

---