I lift my palms as panic bubbles up my throat. “Woah. Let’s not get carried away here. We’ve got chemistry. Right now, that’s all it is.”
“I hope you explore it, but I’m here for you, no matter what.”
“It won’t get awkward if anything does happen?”
She shakes her head. “Nope. As long as we agree that whatever happens between you and my brother won’t impact our friendship.”
“I can get with that plan.” I don’t know how easy it would be to separate things, but I can try.
“Ro needs to understand he’s out of the running,” Ash adds. “Please put him out of his misery. He’s my little bro and I don’t want to see him hurt.”
“You know I’d never do that, Ash. Ro is a great friend.”
“Tell him that,” she says, giving me a nudge. “Please, just tell him.”
I know she’s right. I also know I’ve been delaying this talk, because the thought of hurting Ronan upsets me, but I can’t let this linger. Whether anything happens between Dillon and me doesn’t even matter. Ro needs to know he’s a friend and nothing more.
Drawing a brave breath, I approach him just before the band leaves the room. “Hey. Can I talk to you for a second?”
“Sure.” A happy smile covers his mouth as he angles his body into mine. “I’ll meet you guys up there,” he says to the others. Dillon drills me with a look, but I pretend I don’t see it. “So, what’s up?”
My tongue darts out, wetting my dry lips. Fuck. How do you say this to someone without coming off like a conceited jerk and without hurting his pride as well as his feelings? Shoving my hands into the back pockets of my skinny jeans, I force a shaky smile on my face. “You know you’re one of my best friends, right, Ro?”
His eyes examine mine as uncertainty filters into his gaze. “Sure.”
“I was so nervous coming to Ireland, but meeting you, Ash, and Cat was a stroke of luck because you’ve made this experience everything I’d hoped it would be.”
“What are you getting at?” He folds his arms across his chest.
I purposely soften my expression and lower my voice. “I value your friendship so much, Ro, but that’s all there will ever be between us.”
Hurt flickers in his eyes. “Because of Dil?” His voice hums with quiet resignation.
“No.” I shake my head, hating to have to say this, but I don’t want him harboring false hope. “Because the feelings I have for you are strictly platonic. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t apologize for how you feel, and it’s cool. I appreciate you telling me.” He takes a step forward. “Was that it?”
I nod. “Are we okay?” I reach out to touch his arm before thinking better of it.
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.
Gingerly, I lift my hand, trailing my fingers softly across the dark stubble on his chin and cheeks.
“Hmm.” Closing his eyes, he leans into my touch as we’re jostled from the side. We should probably leave the dance floor, but I don’t want to break this connection. I feel like I’m getting a glimpse of the real Dillon, and I like it.