Page 74 of One Hotlanta Night
“All I’m saying is Michael isn’t the only guy around here walking around with hearts in his eyes,” I tell her seriously, ducking when she halfheartedly swings a pillow at me.
“You’re imagining things.” She laughs softly.
“I’m not, and everyone else can see it too. Just ask Sheila.”
“What is Sheila saying?” she asks quickly, but my Nokia starts to ring. I recognize Michael’s number; this caller ID thing is really cool. No more having to guess who’s on the line. Claire sees me break into a smile. “Go, go on and talk to lover boy, Viv.” She waves me off. “But this conversation isn’t over,” she warns as I take the three short steps to the upper level of the house.
“Holding you to it, babe,” I tell her as I step quietly to my room, trying not to wake Raelynn next door. “Hello?” I say quietly.
“Hello there, beautiful.” Michael’s low voice soothes over the line like honey, and I couldn’t stop the butterflies that erupt in my stomach if I tried.
“Hey, baby,” I whisper back and hear him groan.
“Fuck, mi amor, you can’t talk to me like that when I’m not there to hold you.” His husky voice tells me he’s not playing.
“Oh, so you’re saying you miss me?” I tease.
“I’m saying that I can’t sleep when you’re not in our bed.” Damn this man and hismouth. Inallthe ways. My breath hitches as I think of all the amazing things he can do with it.
“Woman, when are you moving in with me? When are we getting your stuff?” His impatient tone makes me laugh, breaking me out of my lustful haze.
He just can’t help himself, can he?
“Not when it comes to you, Vivian,” he says seriously. And there I go again, speaking my thoughts aloud.
“About that,” I begin, and I can hear a sharp intake of breath. “Down, baby.” I chuckle, knowing he loves it when I call him that. “I want to do something for Claire. Something to give her a break, before I leave her high and dry.”
“You know I would never let that happen, mi amor,” he says.
“I know,” I reassure him softly. “But this, you, me… everything is changing so fast. I did talk to Claire tonight, and she is one thousand percent in favor of us not wasting any time. And you know why.” He grunts in admission. Anyone who values family as much as Michael does gets it. “Listen, Claire's favorite favorite band is coming into town and I have a hookup with tickets.”
“You have awhat?” His voice comes out with a barely suppressed growl. Uh oh, wrong choice of words. I’m dealing with someone who’s actually protective of me for once.
I can’t hide the smile in my voice as I amend, “I mean that I know someone. A friend at the restaurant who can get me concert tickets.Thatkind of hookup. Don’t be so grouchy.”
“Is he a male friend?” he asks sharply. Gah, it is too much fun teasing him like this.
“Well, yes, technically,” I say.
“Vivian, I will get the tickets. I’m the onlyhookupyou need.” His patience is wearing thin and I decide not to tease him anymore.
“You don’t need to be like that. It’s Derrick, okay? Remember, you were there?” I hear him let out a frustrated breath and grin to myself. He is so damn cute when he’s possessive.
“Right.” He exhales. “Honestly, mi amor, all I remember was getting to see you again. Pinching myself because I wasn’t sure you were real.” My heart is melting faster than a rocket pop on an August sidewalk.
Focus, Vivian. “Derrick told me he had tickets to the NSYNC concert next week and asked if we could watch Raelynn so he could take Claire.”
“Oh really?” I can hear the interest in his voice.
“Yeah, he’s had a thing for her for a while.”
“I could see that the first day I met you there.”
“Yup. I think everyone can see it except for her.”
“Maybe he’s not making himself clear enough.”
“Not everyone is as forceful as you, baby,” I tease.
