Say You're Mine (The Gallaghers Book 1) by Layla Hagen (comprehension books .txt) 📕

“How?” I whispered.

“Like you see me, not just what I am.”

He was right behind me now, one hand on my waist, his mouth to my ear. He touched his lips to my earlobe, and my senses exploded. Goose bumps broke out on my entire body: my arms and neck, on my belly too, and between my thighs.

He feathered his fingers over the sensitized skin on my arms, swallowing hard. He placed a kiss under my ear, and I gasped at the shock of pleasure that coiled through me.

“Isabelle.” His voice was barely a groan. He clasped my waist tighter before turning me around slowly. He trailed kisses from my ear, over my jawline, until reaching the corner of my mouth. My whole body was shaking slightly. I wanted him to kiss me, even though I knew we couldn’t go back once we’d crossed that line. I shouldn’t want him, but I did.

He moved his mouth slowly over mine, so slowly that it drove me crazy. I was hyperaware of every fraction of an inch where our mouths were touching. He parted my lips with his just as slowly. I was completely lost in his kiss, the way he savored me. He tasted amazing. Deepening the kiss, he explored me with more urgency.

He moved his hands from my waist to my shoulders, then down again, this time cupping my ass as he pressed me against him. My knees turned weak when I felt his erection pushing straight against my center. Then the kiss became fierce and wild.

He moved us through the room. I wasn’t sure where we were headed until I felt the wall against my back.

Groaning, Brayden kissed down my neck, pushing my hair out of the way. He lifted my dress with one hand, touching my outer thigh up until he reached my hip, then dropping it altogether. He rested his head in the crook of my neck, possibly trying to regain his composure. But he was doing away with mine, because feeling his breath on my skin was pure torture.

“You taste amazing,” he growled.

“You’re driving me crazy.”

He straightened up, watching me intently. “Not more than you drive me, Isabelle.”

There was something about this man; he was like a magnet, and I couldn’t pull away. I knew this was crazy—I mean, seriously, what could the outcome possibly be? He was a rock star, I was a counselor, but what did that matter? I could have fun.

Isabelle, it’s time you throw caution to the wind.

He moved his thumb from one corner of my mouth to the other, as if now he suddenly had free rein to touch and kiss me. I’d been right. Now that we’d crossed that line, it would be easier to keep crossing it.

But we didn’t get a chance, because someone knocked at the door.

“Brayden, move your ass downstairs. They’re bringing out my cake, and I’d like for the whole band to be there.”

“Saved by the cake,” I whispered.

Brayden smiled at me.

I pointed at him. “What’s with that look?”

“I’m not sure you want to know.”

“Try me.”

“I’ve been imagining your legs wrapped around me, wearing only your heels, since you arrived tonight. Now I’m still imagining that, but you’re covered in frosting, and I get to lick it all off you.”

Holy shit! I cleared my throat. “Shall we go downstairs?”

“Too many details?”

“Far too many. Besides, now my dirty imagination is filling in more details.” I wiggled my eyebrows.

He blew out a breath as his pupils widened. I’d always been feisty, but Brayden brought out that side of me even more.

“You never make things easy, do you?”

“Not my MO,” I agreed. “Though now I was just trying to get a rise out of you.”

He grinned, stepping back and pointing to the door. “After you.”

“Who serves the cake so early?” I asked as we descended the staircase.

“Lars. He says people are too drunk later on, and he’s right.”

Everyone had gathered in the main living room, where the buffet was. Lars gave me a glass of champagne. Brayden was nodding and smiling at everyone, wearing that charm like an armor. The only time he seemed to lower it was when we were alone. I longed for more moments like that: raw and honest. I was also longing for more of those delicious kisses, but all instincts warned me to stay away.

Lilian was shooting daggers at me. I felt oddly proud, flashing her a satisfying smirk.

Thomas wheeled out the cake a few minutes later. It looked more like a wedding cake, with three levels and figurines of the band on top. There were also a billion candles.

“Folks, don’t count the candles,” Lars said loudly. “You don’t have to know how old I am.”

Everyone laughed before they started to sing “Happy Birthday.” The crowd formed a half circle in front of him. Lars ran a hand through his black hair, flattening it. He was wearing a blue shirt that highlighted his eyes. He looked elegant. Next to him, Harvey couldn’t look more different, with his light blond hair messed up in every direction and a ragged T-shirt. Thomas was like a mesh between the two with a buttoned-up black shirt and rugged jeans.

Where is Brayden? He hasn’t left, has he?

A second later, I realized he was right beside me. I smiled and was rewarded with one of those gorgeous, real smiles I’d only seen on him when we were alone. This was just for me. It didn’t even matter that we were surrounded by a bunch of people. Everything seemed to fade away... at least until they started clapping after they finished singing.

Lars blew out the candles, and then everyone lined up for cake. I hurried to get a paper plate, but not before hearing Brayden whisper in my ear, “Don’t go after the cake. We’re leaving tomorrow, and I want to spend a few more hours with you.”

“Where are you going?” I asked. My stomach bottomed out. Sasha hadn’t mentioned it, and I’d hoped to find