Page 41 of Only Ever Yours
The feel of his breath tickling my neck sent tingles rippling down my spine, and I clutched my drink tighter.
If only he knew how he affected me.
“No, I’m all good, thank you.”
“What happened last night…” he began.
He didn’t get the chance to finish his sentence before Ella gate-crashed our intimate moment.
She grabbed my arm. “You’ll never guess who I’ve just seen.”
Turning my attention towards her and away from the tense situation with Jase, I shrugged. “I don’t know. Who?”
“The barman from Bar 1380 who tried to chat me up the night you arrived back in Maplebrook.”
I laughed. “I thought he was too young for you.”
She tilted her head to one side. “A girl can change her mind, right? And it’s not like Finn’s interested, remember?”
I winced at her last comment, reminding me of what I’d said earlier. “I guess. We should have fun like we said we were going to.” As I spoke, I made eye contact with Jase and smiled.
Chapter Sixteen
Hollis
“You’re pretty cute,” slurred the man next to me, breathing beer fumes all over my face.
I took a step back to get away from the stale alcohol smell. “Um, thanks?”
“Do you want to dance?” He grabbed my hips and pretend-shimmied. “Bet you’ve got some great moves.”
Help me, I mouthed at Ella. She was no use, currently engaged in conversation with the barman from Bar 1380. Seemingly, she had got over the age-gap issue by the way she giggled and flicked her hair.
“Thanks, but I’m here with someone.”
The guy stopped for a moment and fixed me with a glare. “I’ve been watching you all night, and I haven’t seen you with anyone except your girlfriend there and the rest of the hen party.”
The wordsI’ve been watching youreminded me of Gil, and instantly, I wanted to run, but there were too many people around. I extricated myself from his grasp and tried to move away, bumping into a solid chest behind me.
“Is there a problem here?” Jase’s raised voice could be heard over the music.
“Nah, it’s all good, buddy. I think I’m making progress.”
Jase looked between me and the man, his eyes dark. “Is he?” he directed at me.
I shook my head, then shrugged. “He’s drunk.”
“And that makes it okay?” This time, his tone was low, and I had to lean closer to hear him. “I don’t like…” His words trailed off, and he looked away as if wrestling with something he wanted to say but couldn’t.
Turning to face him, I looked up. His expression gave nothing away.
“Oh, I see what’s going on.” The guy who had been hitting on me leaned over my shoulder, interrupting the moment. “You are with someone, but he’s been keeping his distance because of the whole hen party thing.” He huffed out a sigh. “Another time then, babe.” Then he melted into the crowd.
Jase and I were still pressed together chest to chest as the interloper disappeared. We were locked in an intense gaze I couldn’t seem to drag myself away from.
“Jase! There you are!” Barney practically jumped on his back. “I’ve got another dare to do, and I’m definitely going to need back-up. And you’re it.” He glanced at me. “Sorry, Hollis. It’s important. If I do this, I get another drink, and Ineedit so bad.”
“It’s fine. I need to go to the bathroom anyway.” I needed a break from the growing intensity of whatever simmered between Jase and me.
