Page 66 of I Want You
My name being called by the DJ.
Scarlett’s eyes were cartoon-sized as she looked at me with her jaw on the ground. I smirked at her adorable expression and ran my hand down her leg as I got up. Everyone was hooting and hollering at me. Wyatt looked like he was ready to bounce out of his skin, his grin stupidly big on his face.
This was quite possibly the dumbest thing I could do. I had thought it was a good idea at the time, but now, all I could think was that I was about to make a huge fool of myself. Thank God for liquid courage.
I grabbed the microphone and dipped my chin to the DJ to start the track that I’d selected. It wasn’t a fan favorite for karaoke, but that wasn’t what I was going for. I didn’t give two shits if the people in the bar were here or not. I only wanted one person to be here for this. This was for her. For a chance at us.
The music to Lee Brice’s song “Rumor” started, and the screen filled with the lyrics for me to follow along with. After the first two lines, I had it. I didn’t look at the screen, or the DJ, or at any of the other patrons.
I wanted to see Scarlett’s reaction. Only hers. Did she feel the same way about us taking the next step in our relationship? Did she want to take the rumors that we both knew were swirling about our relationship and make them true?
She walked toward the small stage area as I was singing, her eyes solely focused on me. When the song was finished, I put the microphone down on the stool and met her in the middle.
“Luke.” The way she said my name, her breathy tone and parted lips, made my blood run hot.
“What do you say, Letty? Should we give them something to talk about?” I wrapped my hand around her waist and pulled her to me. The silky fabric on her top slid through my fingers, buttery soft, and I fisted it in my grip. Her gaze locked with mine. I studied her face, trying to make sure I was reading the situation right. If I hadn’t already made acomplete ass of myself with that song choice, the last thing I wanted to do was misjudge this moment. After what felt like an eternity, she nodded her head, a tentative smile dancing across her lips.
My other hand came out to cradle her head as I crashed my mouth to hers. A sigh left her mouth, and I took that opportunity to slip my tongue past her lips. It was everything. The taste of her lips mixed with the whiskey on her breath was almost too much. She returned my advances with even more passion until the noise of the crowd overwhelmed us.
I pulled back from Scarlett and looked around, my eyes landing on my crew. They were the loudest bunch in the bar, all of them cheering and whooping at us, although they weren’t the only ones. The place was booming with applause. Seb wolf whistled shrilly, a stupid grin on his face.
“Are you ready to head back over there? They might be intolerable,” I warned her.
Her laugh lit me up. “I can handle them, as long as you stay by my side.”
Like I was going anywhere without her. Not a chance.
I grabbed her hand in mine, and we made our way back to the group. I shot a look at Wyatt and Seb to be cool, not that they would listen. Scarlett positioned herself in front of me at the table, and I wrapped my arms around her waist. The feel of her tucked in front of me settled my racing heart. I hadn’t even realized how fast it was beating until I took my first deep breath with Scarlett in my arms.
“Who’s got the next round?” Seb yelled to the group.
“It’s on me,” I told him. I had been plied with free drinks all night; it definitely felt like it was my turn to buy.
“It’s your party. You’re not buying the drinks,” Reid huffed. “I’ve got it.”
I was laughing along with the guys when Scarlett was tugged from my grasp. Claire, who was tipsy at best, pulled Scarlett aside to talk to her. As much as I already hated Scarlett not being in my arms, I appreciated how close they were. I knew Claire was looking out for her, making sure she was good. Maeve joined them, and snippets of laughter filtered my way. My eyes met hers before she turned back to her friends to gossip.
Scarlett sidled up next to me again a few minutes later. Maeve rejoined Wyatt, resting on his chest. Claire sat on Reid’s lap, leaning back to place a kiss to his jaw.
My heart rate kicked up when Scarlett placed her hand on my chest. She was absolutely perfect as she looked up at me with a shy smile on her face. I let my fingers slip into her curls and dipped my head to hers. My lips touched hers in a chaste kiss, but I wanted so much more.
“Are you having a good time tonight?” I asked.
“The best time.” Her sky-blue eyes sparkled, pulling me in for another quick kiss.
“Good. I was thinking we could take this good time somewhere else. If you wanted to. Or we can stay here for as long as you want.”
“It is a little noisy.” She shrugged, a coy smile tugging at her mouth.
In all the years I had been friends with Scarlett, I didn’t think I had ever seen the flirty side of her. I liked it. A lot. I leaned down again, capturing her lips for a third time. I would never get enough. The softness, the taste, the way she kissed me back, following me when I pulled back like she didn’t want us to break contact.
“Let’s get out of here?” I asked.
She nodded, her fingers playing with the fabric of my shirt. “Yeah.”
I linked my hand in hers.
“Hey, guys. Thanks for this. I really appreciate you all coming out tonight,” I said to the group. “We’re going to head out though. Maeve, Wes, can you make sure everyone gets home?”
