Page 24 of Verses Of Us

“Why am I here?”

Ciarán chuckled, propping the guitar against the couch. “Because I invited you.”

“No, I mean, why me, in particular?”

“Oh.” Confused, his brow dipped, and he crossed to the bar area. “Want a drink?” he asked, ignoring her question.

He reached into the mini-fridge and pulled out two beers, but when he handed her a bottle, she made a face. “Or something fizzy instead?”

“No, beer is fine,” Alexis lied. Except for a glass of red wine at Christmas dinner or even the occasional wine cooler at Julie’s over the summer, Alexis didn’t drink.

Ciarán sat down, this time closer, his thigh pressing against hers. The closeness brought on a heatwave that swam over every inch of her skin.

“To pleasant surprises,” he said, raising his bottle. She clinked hers to his and watched him take a sip, her insides igniting at the sight of his Adam’s apple bobbing.

“Are you going to answer or…”

His cheeks dimpled seconds before he laughed. “You are so impatient.”

“Sorry. I don’t mean to be so direct. I’m just curious. You can ignore me.”

“Alexis, I could never ignore you.” He took her hand. She glanced down. In his much larger one, hers was minuscule. He stared at their intertwined fingers, pressing his lips together. “Honesty is extremely rare in this business, so I appreciate people who share it so willingly. And you, you’re upfront and I like that about you. It’s different from what I’m used to.”

“Which is what, supermodels and actresses?”

“Sometimes.”

“So, again, I ask, why me? I know I’m no Baby Spice and I’m definitely no supermodel. Plus, I’m way younger…”

He tensed up. “You aren’t that much younger than I am.”

They only had four years apart, but sometimes he seemed so much older than her. “No, not really. Still.”

“Lex, do you think I asked you here because all I do is shag supermodels?”

She tilted her head. “I’mnota supermodel.”

He mimicked her head tilt, but with a smirk. “And I’mnotshagging you.”

“True.” Her nose crinkled as her stomach cramped. “Do you not want to?”

“There’s nothing I’d like to do more.” He shifted to face her, holding her hand between his. “I’m not denying I’d like to take you into that bedroom right now.” He nodded behind her. “But that’s not up to me, remember?”

Unwittingly, her eyes darted toward the bedroom. Ciarán caught her glance and pinched her chin, forcing her attention back to him. “I’m not pressuring you into anything, Lex. If you want to, we will. If you don’t, then I’m good just sitting here.”

“I can be like them.” She didn’t recognize the deep lustfulness in her voice or why she needed to prove herself.

“Who?”

“The groupies. The others.”God, what was wrong with her?Her eyes darted toward her purse, remembering Julie’s ‘gift’.

When he shook his head, his brow pinched and her heart sank with worry. “Remember what I said about groupies?” Dipping his head, he searched her eyes, his thumb rubbing her hand. “You are nothing like them. And I don’t want you to be.”

She pulled her attention away, staring instead at the view out the window. Despite the room’s opulence, and the hefty price tag the Ritz Carlton held, what should have been a stunning view of Mount Royal, the city’s iconic mountain was hidden behind the buildings across the street.

“Does my life bother you?” he asked.

Her mind raced, trying to conjure up an adequate response, and a veil of insecurity dropped over his features. This wasn’t the Ciarán Jones she’d seen over the years. This version was sweet, shy and strangely awkward. Nowhere in his expression did she see the usual macho, arrogant side he portrayed in public. This was him, his true self. Uncovered and vulnerable.

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