He smiles, but it doesn’t quite meet his eyes. “Of course. Look, I’ve got to go. I’ll see you later, yeah?”
I sigh as he walks off, trudging back to our table with a heavy heart. Grabbing my vodka, I knock back a large mouthful as I slide into my seat. “I hate you for making me do that,” I tell Ash.
“It had to be done.”
“Yeah. I know.” I swallow over the lump in my throat.
“He’ll get over it. Ro falls in love every other week. By next week, he’ll have forgotten all about you.”
I hope she’s right.
Alcohol sloshes through my veins, and I’m nicely buzzed as we push our way to the front of the crowd in the upstairs room where Toxic Gods has just started their set. “Over here,” Ash hollers, guiding us over to the right, away from Aoife and the other groupies.
My eyes latch on to Dillon as I sway my hips in time to the rhythmic beats of the music. He looks so good up there, wearing his signature black, his clothes already clinging to his toned physique with the stifling heat of the packed room. The Irish flag is wrapped around his slim waist, in a nod to the occasion, and a green bandana is tied around his brow. Apart from that, he’s remarkably low-key, but I guess this day isn’t as much of a novelty for the locals.
The band rips through a montage of covers and original songs, whipping the crowd into a frenzy. I guzzle water as we dance, wishing I could douse myself in it. Little beads of sweat pool between my breasts and cluster on the back of my neck, and a fine line drips down my spine. Yanking a hair tie off my wrist, I pull my hair into a messy bun on the top of my head, but it only grants light relief.
“He can’t keep his eyes off you,” Audrey shouts in my ear.
I look up at the stage, finding Dillon’s dark gaze already locked on mine. I get a thrill knowing I’m the one he’s constantly staring at. Girls are screaming at him, throwing bras and panties onto the stage, and he only has eyes for me. The atmosphere is already electric in the room, but the energy pulsing between him and me is enough to power a nuclear generator. I’ve caught a few side-eyes from different girls, but I’m careful to keep my distance. The irony isn’t lost on me. Maybe I have a type and I’m destined to go for guys other girls want.
I sincerely hope that isn’t true because I’m sick of other women hankering after my man.
41
The guys finish their set to the enthusiastic roaring of the crowd. Dillon jumps down off the stage, after passing his guitar to Conor, as the next band is getting ready to rock it out. Women grab at him as he makes his way toward us, but he has singular focus—me.
“Holy shit, babe,” Audrey roars in my ear. “He looks like he wants to eat you alive.”
I slap her arm. “Not helping!” I’m practically hyperventilating at the hungry glint in his eyes as he heads straight for me.
“Uh-oh.” Ash pulls me down, shouting in my ear. “You’re in trouble. Just remember to make him double bag it!”
“Ash!” I shriek, as she and Audrey burst out laughing. “I’m not sleeping with your brother!”
Lips brush my ear. “Is that a challenge?” Dillon grabs my hips from behind, tugging at my earlobe, and it’s like there’s a direct line to my pussy. My core throbs, screaming at me for release, as I push back against his body. He grinds his erection against my ass as his hand slips under my T-shirt. “Well?” he asks.
“Well, what?” I whimper, moving my body in sync with his movements and the music reverberating around the room.
His deep chuckle sends shivers cascading down my spine. “Is that a challenge? Because you know how I feel about those.”
“It’s…not,” I stutter.
Tingles race across my neck when he presses his lips there. “You don’t sound sure,” he whispers against my overheated skin, and my legs almost buckle.
“I’m not one of your groupies,” I say, angling my head so I can see his face.
All playfulness disappears from his face. “I know you’re not.” His earnest tone goes some way toward reassuring me. “But you can’t deny we have chemistry,” he adds, sweeping his fingers along my cheek. Jerking his head back, he tosses waves of damp white-blond hair out of his face.
“I won’t lie about that.” I stare deep into his startling green eyes. “But I’m still not sleeping with you.”
He lowers his face to mine until there’s only a tiny gap between us. “Yet,” he whispers, as his tongue darts out, licking across the seam of my lips.