Good Girl Gone Plaid(36)

He settled for an answer his brother would expect. “I might want her for a few nights, but I’m not the sort for permanence.”

Colin grunted. “You would with the right girl. Go ahead and throw crude words my way all you want. But I know you better than you know yourself sometimes.”

Sometimes Ian didn’t doubt it.

He played with the idea in his head. Could he ever be serious about Sarah again? Could he even gain her trust once more?

Do you deserve her trust? The question had always haunted him.

Their history was messy. Complicated. He’d be smarter off just letting go. So much easier said than done, though.

“I see I’ve at least got you thinking. That there is a novelty.”

“Fuck off,” Ian murmured lightly, knowing his brother was just taking the piss out of him.

“Aye, maybe later. If I find someone who sparks the urge.” Colin’s gaze slid beyond him. “But your girl is coming back. You should pull yourself together a bit.”

Your girl. As irritating as hearing it was, he did feel a bit territorial over Sarah. And apparently was acting it as well.

Shite. He’d have to be more careful.

He couldn’t help but watch when she sat down. Her focus was on the band, while she took occasional sips of wine. But she had to sense he watched her—there was a stillness to her body, even as her gaze seemed deliberately glued to the stage.

Her lips tightened at one point, the plump curves almost pouting with unhappiness. And then those little lines appeared between her eyes in a tiny scowl.

Oh yeah. She was aware of him.

It just fascinated him. Made him want to get deeper into her head. Was she thinking about him? Thinking about that moment in the garage?

His fingers curled into fists and he drew in a slow, steadying breath.

She was so damn unattainable. Like a rare, exotically beautiful butterfly one could observe, but shouldn’t touch.

And he wanted to touch. Wanted to taste. The need to possess her raged through him again. Just as fierce as it had the other day in his garage.

The band began to play an upbeat song and half the crowd got up to dance again. When a flicker of wistfulness entered her gaze it was all he needed.

“Come.” He set down his drink and caught her hand. “You’ll have to join me for a dance.”

Panic replaced the wistfulness, and she tugged at her hand. “I can’t—”

“Say yes. It’s just a dance, doll.” He tugged her onto the floor to join the crowd of people.

It wasn’t a slow song, but a fast-moving one that had people hopping around in a somewhat chaotic jig fashion.

Though hesitant at first, it didn’t take long before Sarah joined in. She kept space between them, but clearly enjoyed the enthusiasm of the crowd. Seemed to relax enough in his presence to have fun.

With her body moving to the beat, and her hair swinging wild, he had to fight the temptation to wrap the silky black strands around his fist and pull her closer. To press his mouth to the delighted smile on her lips.

Her cheeks were pink by the time the song ended and her smile was wide.

“Thank you. That wasn’t bad exercise.”

“My pleasure.” And it had been. It wasn’t enough, though. It would never be enough until she was lying beneath him and he was claiming her once more.

They rejoined Colin at the table and discovered Kenzie there as well.

Ian could feel the curious gazes of his siblings on him and Sarah—knew what they were thinking—but he refused to acknowledge them.

“When do you sing, Kenzie?” he asked instead.

“I’m up next song. Care to join me?”

“Not at all. I have no wish to burst eardrums.”

Everyone laughed, seeming to appreciate the humor.

Aleck approached the table, increasing the crowd of McLaughlins.

“Ian. Sarah. I must say it’s great to see you both getting along so well.”

Really? Ian was tempted to smash his beer bottle over Aleck’s head, but instead just kept a lazy smile on his face.

“Well, now, it seemed the adult thing to do,” Ian murmured.

“Aye. It is.” Kenzie stood. “Time to sing. Try not to fall asleep on me now, all right?”

“As if I could. I can’t wait to hear this.” Sarah turned her chair a bit more and faced the stage.

Watching her, Ian could see she truly enjoyed hearing Kenzie sing, even clapped along with the melody as the tempo grew fast again. There was no denying Kenzie had the musical talent in the family.

The evening progressed, and his siblings came and went from the table, but he and Sarah stayed put for the most part. There was no more dancing, no intimate discussions, but they were deeply aware of each other. There was no denying he was, and he could still sense the tension running through her body.