Page 23 of Release Me

He always does.

‘Come on,’ Ivy links her arm through mine, tugging me out of my thoughts as the Beckett clan gather their things. ‘That was incredible. Wasn’t it?’ Her eyes sparkle, cheeks flushed with champagne and music.

‘Incredible,’ I echo, my voice hoarse for reasons that have nothing to do with singing along.

The group spills into the corridor, past the velvet ropes and private staircases towards where the Beckett’s security staff congregate. They usher us out the door and past the crowds. Cameras flash as fans scream Hozier’s name from outside, but I feel invisible, untethered. Like no one sees me. No one except him.

I lag behind, not even aware of whether it’s deliberate or not. Rian falls into step beside me. His hand brushes mine again, casual to anyone watching, but I know better. My body knows better. He misses the contact, the same way I do. Heat sparks across my skin, urging me to close the distance, to give in to the reckless pull that’s been threatening to undo me since the night we met.

We round a corner. The others are way ahead now, but Ivyand Avery’s excited voices carry beneath the moonlight. The street narrows, and Rian stops abruptly like he’s going to say something.

I still beside him, barely daring to breathe.

The air is thick and electric.

He turns to face me, towering over me. ‘Rebekka…’ His voice is low, rough, weighted with desire. My name has never sounded so sexual. Like want and need and a raw desperation dripping with both unspeakable pain and the promise of unequivocal pleasure.

I tilt my face up to his, breath caught in my throat. His exhale is my inhale. His gaze drops to my mouth. Mine to his. Slowly, inevitably, we lean closer.

One breath. Two heartbeats. Three seconds from disaster.

And then his phone explodes in his pocket, vibrating through the silence. He curses under his breath, stumbling back. I don’t have to ask who it is.

I know.

Anthony.

Guilt and anger is etched into every line of Rian’s face.

The spell shatters.

Thank God, because I almost did something unforgivable.

I swallow the ache, plaster on a brittle smile, and keep walking, catching up to the Beckett entourage in their stunning selection of designer dresses and tailored suits. Scarlett is practically buzzing. Her silver eyes are alight with mischief, like she’s gearing up for round two.

‘One drink,’ she pleads, grabbing James’s arm. ‘There’s a new club in Temple Bar. I heard the DJ is unreal. Text your guy to get us a table.’

‘Yes!’ Avery claps her hands, golden hair shimmering under the dim streetlights. ‘Please, Killian?’ She squeezes his arm. ‘It’s so rare we all get out together.’

He presses a kiss to her temple. ‘Whatever you want, princess.’

‘I did have other plans for Ivy,’ Caelon grumbles, ‘but I suppose they can wait an hour.’

Ivy laughs, her cheeks are still flushed from the champagne. ‘You could just get me off in the bar. It wouldn’t be the first time.’

‘Too much information,’ Zara screeches, making a show of putting her fingers in her ears.

‘Oh, wait until you get a boyfriend,’ Scarlett teases. ‘Then we’ll see what’s too much information.’

‘Who says I don’t already have one?’ Zara sings with a smug smile.

‘What?’ James, Caelon, Killian and Sean almost snap their heads from their necks as they turn to their sister.

‘Just joking.’ Zara loops her arm through Layla’s with the kind of easy affection only she can pull off.

God help the man who wants to date that girl.

She turns to me then. ‘You coming for a drink, Beks? It’s turning into a full family outing.’ All expectant faces turn toward me, bright and persuasive, their collective energy impossible to resist. Almost.