After his meteoric rise to superstardom, Jim O'Brien is no longer a small-town boy who plays in bars and dreams of success. His handsome face is plastered on the covers of celebrity gossip magazines, and his voice alone is enough to make girls swoon...
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It was dark when Ava and I left the restaurant. I took her hand in mine, and we headed to the promenade.
The lights reflected off the water in the bay, but that was nothing compared to the way Ava's eyes shone. She leaned into me as we walked. I let go of her hand and drew an arm around her shoulders.
Ava halted and turned to look at the water. I stood behind her, hugging her to me. Her back touched my chest, and I closed my eyes for a second, enjoying the way her body molded against mine.
And even now, while I was relishing our closeness, I couldn't help surveying my surroundings to make sure nobody recognized me. I hoped no one would take pictures without me noticing.
"You're quiet," Ava whispered, turning her head to see my face.
"No, Beautiful." I smiled, kissing her lips. "Just thinking, but I'm not anymore."
Ava laced her fingers with mine and studied our hands clasped in front of her.
"You have the fingers of a musician."
Heat rose to my cheeks. I swallowed and said nothing.
"They are long. I bet if you played an instrument, you'd be good at it." Ava's thumb caressed mine.
I kissed her temple, and my gaze strayed to the yachts docked in the marina. Ava and I could take one when the weather was better. I would love to show her how the city looked from the water.
"You went quiet again. Is anything wrong?"
I had to rein it in if I didn't want Ava to get suspicious. "I'm sorry. I was planning our future dates."
Ava chuckled. "Future dates when this one isn't over yet?"
"Yeah. I'm an overthinker sometimes." Every time. Every damn time, which made me lose sleep at night.
"What did you plan?"
"Something cute," I whispered against Ava's cheek and placed a soft kiss on it. "And then something daring. I promised, and I always keep my promises."
"Is the daring part going to happen tonight?"
"No. Tonight we're gonna enjoy the walk, and then I will convince you to go to my place and eat that chocolate cake we have waiting for us in my car."
"Now I see why you asked the waiter to pack it for us."
I cupped Ava's face in my palm and kissed her lips. "I've had this fantasy since the first time you were at my place."
"Eating some chocolate cake?" Ava laughed.
Eating it off you. "Eating it together snuggled up on my couch with you wearing my clothes."
"I think we can make that happen. Any other fantasies you want to share with me?"
Not if I don't want you to run for the hills. "Maybe, but later."
