Chapter Four

Kipling

Having any kind of intimate conversation was nearly impossible in the Moonlight Lounge with my very own celebrity. He sat so close to me at the bar that our knees and thighs kept touching, yet I could barely hear a word he said, and that was in between people constantly approaching him.

One man even slipped a piece of paper into his hands. Hal smiled at the guy, not the smile I knew, but very much the lounge smile, and after said man walked away, took the paper out of his pocket, crumpled it up, and missed the garbage can behind the bar. Still, the gesture impressed me.

“Not interested in anyone but you,” he said, winking at me and squeezing my thigh. A flush of heat rushed through my chest. After getting back to his place, we’d gorged on pumpkin pie and some kind of mousse. I’d have to run double the next morning, but it was so worth it.

Except Hal hadn’t made a move to kiss me and every cell in me wanted him to.

He was sweet and funny and caring. I shivered once, while we were at his house, and before I knew it, he’d wrapped a blanket over my lap while he sang away.

Still, I longed to taste him.

“My turn,” he whispered into my ear as the singer ended his session and received all the applause. I nodded and intended to stay at the bar and watch him from afar like I had countless times, until he grabbed my hand. “Come sit with me, omega.” Hal ticked his head toward the piano, and my entire face heated. I didn’t like the attention, but if my alpha wanted me to sit by him, I couldn’t resist if I wanted to.

The crowd split in the middle as we made our way to the piano, and Hal sat, patting the seat next to him. A few gasps and some hollers from the crowd made me want to run, but my alpha, rock steady, held onto my thigh as though he knew what I was feeling. He played a long set, while everyone made requests and filled his tip jar.

Then he began to play “Faithfully” on the keys. The Journey song was my favorite, but even more so seeing Hal gracefully move his fingers along the black-and-white keys almost like a ballet dance.

The alpha was so talented. It blew me away.

Watching and listening to my man sing did things to me, down-in-my-pants things and, I hated to admit it, made me sleepy. I tried like hell to cover my yawn, but at some point, there was more yawning than breathing. I’d eaten so much, and carb crash was setting in.

The next song ended and I saw him lean into the mic. “Everyone, thank you and good night.”

He wrapped his arm around my waist and with his mouth on my ear said, “Let’s get you home.”

I wanted to stay, wanted to hear Hal sing to me, pretending every song was just for me, forever, but my body and my still-stuffed tummy had other ideas.

Plus, there is no day off for professions like mine. I had an eight a.m. appointment.

“I’m sorry. It wasn’t you.”

“What?” he asked, laughing.

“I’m exhausted, and I ate too many good things, and your voice relaxes me. That’s all.”

He put his arm around my shoulders and pulled me closer, kissing the top of my head in the sweetest manner. “I never thought that for a second, Kip. It’s been a long day.”

I didn’t remember getting to the car or even buckling my seat belt. I did recall something about him asking for my address.

But what I really remember is the way he woke me up. Tiny kisses being placed along my face, neck, and even my ears brought me out of sleep.

“I save the lips for when you were awake.”

“I’ve been waiting all day.” I could see my house in front of us. We were parked in the driveway.

“Let’s get you home.” He chuckled and came around to help me from the car, gentleman to the core.

We walked to my front stoop and under the bright white light of my porch, he stared at my lips. “I’ve never been so nervous about kissing someone before, Kipling. But you’re not just another date, are you?”

Gods, I hoped not.

“You’re not just another date to me. You picked me up at a supermarket like steak.”

Maybe it was the lack of sleep or the anxiety of the moment, but we both cracked up at my supermarket reference, even though it was true.

“I can’t wait anymore, Kipling.” Before I could say anything else, his lips were on mine. He tasted like cranberries as expected, since Cosmos were his drink of choice toward the end. I wasted no time in wrapping my arms around his neck and pulling him closer so that our hips bumped against each other.

I opened my mouth, inviting him in, and my bold alpha took advantage, tangling his tongue with mine. I moaned and threaded my fingers in his hair.

“Come inside,” I murmured, breaking free from his mouth.

“Oh, I want to, omega. I so want to be inside you, but I think you’re tired. When I take you, I want you to be wide awake. But soon, Kipling.”

I nodded, understanding but not really agreeing.

“When can I see you again?”

He laughed and nipped at my neck. “How about tomorrow night? Not singing, no big feasts, just you and me and dinner?”

“That sounds fantastic.”

“I’ll pick you up at seven.”

“Perfect,” I said and leaned in to kiss him quickly before fumbling with my keys and letting myself inside. I heard him tell me to sleep well, and I peeked through the window as he drove away.

I’d tucked myself into bed when I heard my phone ding beside me.

Stole your phone and called myself while you were asleep. I had an amazing night. See you tomorrow.

All of the sudden twenty-four hours seemed like a lifetime.