Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 144435 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 722(@200wpm)___ 578(@250wpm)___ 481(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 144435 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 722(@200wpm)___ 578(@250wpm)___ 481(@300wpm)
One way or another, I'm going to make her fall in love with me. Shelby doesn't get a say in that. Ireland is a grown woman, capable of making her own choices. I don't want to piss Shelby off, but I'll fight for her sister.
"Hey," I say, drawing to a stop in front of her. "What's up?"
"You spent the day with Ireland."
"I did."
"Thank you for doing the interview for her," she says, tightening her ponytail. "She really appreciates it."
"It was no trouble. I'll have the rest of the guys set something up with her, too." She and I already talked about it. We've all got shit we'd like to set straight. Beckett might not like us doing it on her blog, but it'll work in his favor. The little tidbits we dole out will only drum up more interest in his tell-all.
Shelby nods gratefully and then bites her bottom lip, her eyes filling with worry. "You're not just leading her on, are you? Because if this is just something to do to pass the time, then you need to look elsewhere, Crue. My sister isn't a toy. She has a huge heart, and I don't want to see it broken."
"Of course she isn't a toy. She's fucking incredible."
"I'll kick your butt if you hurt her. I'm serious. Hell will not compare."
"Hurting her is the last thing I want to do," I promise, holding my hand up in the Scouts' salute. What? I wore the fucking uniform as a boy. "Give me a little bit of credit here. I know the type of shit the press used to say about us, but you've been with us long enough now to know that we aren't those guys anymore. Hell, most of us never were in the first place. I'm not a heartbreaker. I never was."
She eyes me for a long moment, trying to determine whether I'm telling the truth. I think she wants to believe me, but this is her baby sister we're talking about here. And Ireland is about as innocent as they come. Of course Shelby's protective. But I'm not the enemy here. She and I are on the same team when it comes to Ireland.
"Look," I say, dropping my hand to my side as the stage manager motions for me to hurry it the fuck up. "I think your sister is phenomenal, and I get why you're worried. But I'm not the enemy here. She's safe with me. I'll move heaven and earth to ensure she stays that way."
"Fair enough," she says, expelling a breath. "But you better take care of her, Crue. If you don't, I know where you sleep at night." She gives me a smile that makes my blood run cold. "And I'm the one with spare keys to all the rooms."
"Jesus Christ," I mutter. "Has anyone ever told you that you're mildly terrifying?"
She beams at me, patting me on the chest. "Thanks!"
It wasn't a compliment, but I'm not going to tell her that. I'm not fucking crazy. She's the best tour manager we've ever had, Jameson will kick my ass, and I plan to marry her sister. I'm not fucking with that magic.
"Break a leg out there," she says.
I shake my head, jogging toward the stage. But I make a mental note to put a fucking chair in front of the door if I ever piss her off. Just in case.
"If you don't behave, we're going to be giving all these people a show right here," I growl at Ireland, grabbing her hips to still her as she grinds her ass against me on the dance floor.
She looks back at me over her shoulder, her smoky eyes full of wicked intent behind her glasses. The siren's smile on her face makes my fucking knees weak. She knows exactly what she's doing to me.
Sober Ireland is a sweet little treat. Drunk Ireland is a wicked little minx. I'm hooked on both.
I hook my arm around her waist, anchoring her to my body. "Keep playing with me, and I'm going to bend you over the nearest flat surface," I warn, dragging my lips down the side of her throat. Fuck, she smells good.
"Mmm," she moans, melting against me. "That feels good, Crue."
"Yeah?" I wrap my lips around the shell of her ear. "It'd feel even better if I were inside you, Éire." I have a feeling that's going to be pure heaven. Especially if simply touching her feels like this. Every time I've got my hands on any part of her, my entire body lights up like a livewire, shooting off electric sparks strong enough to power a city.
Nothing has ever felt better, and I've won Grammys and played in front of sold-out stadiums. Even with tequila pumping through my veins, she's the only thing on my mind.