Tiger Teeth - Terms & Conditions // Book Two

Chapter 20

CHROI

Niall buried his face into my neck, his lips pressing to my shoulder while he squeezed me tighter and tighter with each passing moment. I was so happy to see him I felt like I was going to explode into confetti. He tried to loosen his grip so he could look at me but I just refused to let him go until I was good and ready.

I heard him chuckle lightly,

"Can I look at ya?" When I didn't release him at all he rubbed my back in gentle circles, "Promise I won't letcha go." He whispered.

I finally relented, pulling away just enough so we could look at each other. He lifted one hand to my cheek, but before he could say anything I took a breath,

"I love you." I admitted.

It didn't feel as scary and I thought it would. I tightened my arms around his neck and pressed my forehead to his,

"I love you." I repeated.

He smiled, a nervous smile, but a smile all the same,

"Wow..." He swallowed, "And t'think when I got here I was afraid ya were gonna be mad."

I pulled back to look at him,

"Mad?" I asked as I searched his face, "Why would I be mad?"

"Cuz I cut out on ya..." He explained, "I mean, I did it for a-"

Just then the door to the room opened, Dallas standing behind it looking frantic. She was momentarily taken back when she saw Niall but she quickly recovered,

"What the hell are you doing?" She demanded, "The final three awards are about to be given out and you need to be in your seat!" She yelled.

I released Niall from my grasp but quickly threaded my fingers through his,

"Sit next to me?" I asked him.

He nodded,

"O-ok."

When we made it out to my seat, Brandon saw us coming. He quickly stood up and moved after shaking Niall's hand and giving me a knowing wink.

Niall kept my hand in his for the entirety of the rest of the show. And when we won for Record, Album and Song of the year, he accompanied me up to the microphone to accept because that's exactly where he should've been.

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I knew we would be expected to show up at the after parties being held around town but all I wanted was to head back to the hotel and spend the night in Niall's arms. He reached over to pull my hair off my shoulder as we sat in the back of the SUV while we headed to a club,

"I know ya wanna talk." When I leaned my head against his mouth in frustration he kissed my temple, "We just need ya t'make some appearances." When I shot him an exasperated look he chuckled, "It's good for ya, Angel. I promise."

I rolled my eyes, my hand resting against his stomach,

"I just wanna be with you." It wasn't a whine.

Alright, it was almost a whine.

He caught my chin between his thumb and forefinger,

"We got all our lives." He whispered.

My heart fluttered.

I leaned towards him,

"I can't believe you're here."

He lifted his hand to my cheek, his thumb running over my cheek,

"Shoulda been on that red carpet with ya."