Page 89 of For Wrath and Redemption
“Hey. What are you doing out here?”
I nod to the stage where Callie’s band, Caveat Lover, is playing.
“What do you think?”
“They’re so good! I had no idea Callie could sing and play like that.”
I nod and turn my attention back to the band, but I lean into Claire until our arms touch. I can feel the heat from her skin against mine, and I breathe. I’m so fucking obsessed.
“When did they get here?”
Claire rises on her toes and shouts the question to me. I crouch down so I’m closer to her ear, then I throw my arm around her for good measure. It’s absolutely not necessary, but I do it anyway.
“Rocky, Ezra, Becket, and Crue got into Scotland a few hours after we did. They’ll be opening for us this weekend, then next weekend in Dublin.”
“That’s it?”
“Yeah. The guys will probably stay with Callie for a few weeks, though. They’re finishing up their album. I think Sav got them some studio time in Italy.”
She smiles and turns back to the stage, but I don’t remove my arm from her shoulders. When she leans into me, swaying a little to the music, I pull her closer. I close my eyes and tell myself not to read into it. Not to get my hopes up.
I don’t listen.
By the time Caveat’s set is over, I’m resisting the urge to kiss Claire goodbye in front of all these people, consequences be damned. I don’t do it, but fuck, do I want to.
I’m hyperaware of her for the whole show. She moves around, taking pictures, but I always know where she is. I feel her. I smell her.
It’s fucking ridiculous, but I don’t care anymore.
I want her. It’s as simple as that.
After the show, I text Claire to meet me in my suite.
We’re leaving for Dublin in the morning. I thought I could wait until then, but I can’t.
I pace back and forth, wearing a hole in the carpet as I wait. My thumb starts to bleed, so I shove it into the pocket of my jeans. Nerves and excitement swirl in my stomach, making me nauseous. What if she hates it? No. She won’t. I know she won’t.
But what if she does?
I’m running through scenarios when there’s a knock at the door. It makes me laugh. I cross the floor and swing the door open.
“Don’t you have a key card?”
Claire rolls her eyes. “I don’t want to invade your privacy unless I have to.”
I move to the side and gesture for her to enter. “That’s a lie, and you know it.”
“Shut up. I’m trying to give you a longer leash.”
I grab her by the arm and spin her to me, then hold her eye contact.
“I don’t want privacy, Trouble. I don’t want a longer leash. You could tether me to your leg, and I’d fucking love it.”
Her cheeks pinken, and she flutters her lashes. She drops her eyes to my chest, almost shy, so I drop my hands from her arms and give her some space.
“I have a gift for you,” I say, forcing as much confidence into my tone as I can. “Go sit down.” She arches a brow. “Go sit down,please.”
When she’s perched on the couch, I grab the large velvet bag that I got from José. I could have wrapped it or put it in a gift bag. I should have.
