Page 15 of Verses Of Us

The air felt close, as if the walls were caving in, and her chest tightened with each laboured breath she took.

“Can we sit down?” she asked, suddenly lightheaded.

“Absolutely.” He showed her into a second, smaller room at the back, which had some clothes on a metal rolling rack and a guitar sitting in the corner. “We’ll be left alone here.”

Alexis took a seat on a small blue couch facing a rectangular glass table littered with candy wrappers and empty bottles of beer. The knowledge that Ciarán was a slob somehow made him seem more normal, but the mess made her obsessive side itch to tidy up.

“Are you alright?” He stooped down, resting his hands on her knees. The firm pressure had an immediate calming effect. “Do you want something to eat?”

“No, no, I’m fine, thanks.” Her cheeks and the back of her neck were warm. “I think the day is catching up with me.”

He sat down beside her, reaching for a basket filled with chocolate bars and offered it to her.

“Is that your Halloween stash?”

He smiled. “Nah, it’s on my roster. I always need candy. Me mam said I’d go up to heaven with rotten teeth or diabetes.”

She appreciated his humour, especially since he was talking about his mom who’d died a few years before from a stroke. Sadly, not long before Ciarán went solo.

Alexis reached into the basket and pulled out anO’Henrybar.

“Those are delicious.” His mouth quirked. “I’d never had one before, but I think I’m in love.” Ciarán rummaged through the stash, then eyed her chocolate bar. “Shit, you got the last one.”

She peeled the wrapper back, broke off half, and handed it to him.

“Thanks.” His crooked smile warmed her heart.

Their fingers brushed, sending sparks skittering across her skin, filling her with ease. They were acting like friends—two people hanging out. It was more than comfort, though; it was effortless and she couldn’t imagine having to leave it behind.

Her gaze shot toward the floor and she shoved the thought away. This wasn’t normal. This was nowhere near every-day life. They weren’t friends. This was a dream that would end in a few hours. No matter what, it would all need to be left behind.

She hesitated, then dropped the crumpled wrapper on the table. When she sat back, Ciarán’s hand feathered the top of her shoulder, making her heart skip a beat. But she didn’t dare move away. Even when his fingers ran through her hair, she thrilled at the pleasure that travelled across her skin.

“You truly are beautiful, Alexis. I doubt I’ve seen anyone so stunning.”

She side-eyed him with a small laugh. “Stop, of course you have.” His hand stilled. “Didn’t you date Baby Spice? She’s perfect.”

“That wasn’t dating… exactly.”

His meaning became clear, and she moved her head away. “Right.”

“I mean, yeah, we went out a few times and…” His words drifted with his nervous chuckle. He brought his arm down, settling his hand next to hers on the sofa. “I’ve met many people and so many,manywomen, but…” He sighed. “Can I be completely honest with you?”

“I already said you could.”

“Yes, you did.” He smiled, his pinky finger tickling the side of her hand in a gentle, affectionate way that stirred the butterflies in her stomach. “None of them ever invaded my thoughts like you have.”

“Ciarán…” she began, twisting her lips. He observed her. “I’m grateful you invited us back here, but if you’re trying to, I don’t know, make something happen here, then you have the wrong idea about me.”

“And what idea is that?” he asked with a lopsided grin.

“As you said, I’m not a groupie. I’m not that kind of girl.”

His brow dipped as he looked down. His hand opened, as if he wanted to take hers, but then changed his mind. “I wouldn’t dare push you into anything you didn’t want to do, Lex.”

Surprised by the nickname, mainly because of how much she enjoyed the sound of it rolling off his tongue, she laughed.

“What’s so funny?”

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