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Moments later, a few people wandered off the dance floor and made their way to our end of the bar. I introduced them to Esme, who smiled politely. Still had her mask on, it seemed. Definitely for the best. Although she drank the cocktail pretty quickly, which made me grateful for the fact I was still making them half strength.
“It’s her birthday!” Thelma called out.
“Lemme get you a drink then, hun! I know, let’s do shots!” Betty, tall and slim, with salt and pepper hair and a tight leather vest.
“Okay!” Esme replied enthusiastically.
“This round’s on me, but you fuckers better pony up. It’s Esme’s birthday!”
Everyone laughed and agreed.
“Twelve Jolly Ranchers, Thelma!”
“You got it.” Thelma nudged me with her elbow. “Go join them. Your girl’s going to need looking after in about three minutes, I’d say.”
I couldn’t fight it. There was no use trying. So, I rounded the bar and stepped in behind Esme.
The group downed the Jolly Ranchers, then someone else ordered a round of B-52s. Two more rounds in, and Esme was swaying on the stool. She’d turned out from the bar to chat to everyone, so her back was to me. I slid a stool over and sat next to her, turning my body so that if she started tumbling, I’d have no problem catching her.
The party atmosphere revved up even more and with one more shot in her, Esme becameveryaffectionate. It started with her leaning back against me, while one woman told a funny story. I widened my knees, so she’d be more comfortable, and she scooched back on the stool, resting her head on my shoulder. Wanting to keep it light and casual, I kept my hands on my thighs. Although I imagined wrapping my arms around her, kissing up the side of her neck, turning her head and kissing her lips.
I noticed a few curious glances flicked our way, and I knew it was because Esme was not the usual sort of companion I brought here. It was a sharp reminder to keep my hands to myself.
“Oh, I loooove your shoes!” I couldn’t remember this woman’s name, but she was short and curvy, with riotous blond hair, green eyes and five inch heels.
Esme lifted her foot, waving it around. “Thank you! I just got them today! They’re so pretty. Yours are gorgeous too!”
“I love them, but they’re shredding my feet right now.”
Before she’d even finished her sentence, Esme had slipped off the stool. “Here, sit down.”
“No, it’s fine.”
“Honestly, I’ve got a seat.” And with that, she just plonked herself in my lap, threw her arm around my shoulder to hold on, and turned her head to look at me. “You don’t mind, do you?” Her gaze was fuzzy, and she was smiling, but when I didn’t answer straight away because I was wrestling with what to do, a gleam of anxiety appeared. She went to move off me, but my instinct kicked in and I grabbed her hips, holding her still.
I should mind, because this was madness, but I fucking loved the feel of her in my lap. “No, I don’t mind.”
She shot me a heart-stopping smile, wiggled torturously to get herself comfortable, then turned back to the group.
For the next half hour, she snuggled in, linked her fingers through mine, toyed with the hair at my nape, wriggled her butt when she was excited or laughing. All around tortured me, but in the cutest fucking way, there was no way I could stop her.
Finally, it was after four am. “Time to go.”
She sighed. “I guess.”
Someone roused everyone to sing happy birthday, and they did. Esme soaked it all up, raising her empty shot glass along with the hip hip hoorays. Her eyes were sparkling with such joy and exuberance that she was a gravitational force for me. I couldn’t take my eyes off her.
Esme took ten more minutes to say goodbye to everyone and thank them for celebrating her birthday with her before we could leave. Finally, I was helping her into the car, checking that she was belted in and moving around to the driver’s side.
“Wolfe?”
I started the car, giving her a quick glance. Her eyes were closed, but there was a small smile curving her perfect lips. “Mm?”
“I can’t thank you enough for today. All of it.” She opened her eyes, turned to me, looking at me for the longest moment before her smile turned radiant. “Thank you.”
She was so exquisite it made my heart hurt and I had to swallow around a weird lump in my throat before I could answer. “You’re welcome.” I dragged my gaze away.
“Can I tell you something else?”