Jerry, Marcy’s husband and the band’s lead guitarist, laughs. “They have accepted your woman into the pack. I hope you plan on keeping her, because they do.”
“She doesn’t look old enough to be a cougar, Hustler.” Kirian hands me a cold Corona from an ice bucket on the table.
“She’s not. I haven’t dated one of them in a while.”
“Does she know?”
“Yeah, I told her in the parking lot—just in case one of you ran your big mouth.” I frown and narrow my eyes in his direction.
He chuckles. “Good call. One of us would’ve slipped. It’s just too much fun to poke at you about it.”
I snort and tip the bottle back, taking a healthy swig. Glancing over my shoulder, I catch Aila looking back at me, smiling. Something warm rushes through my veins, and I know in my heart that she’s the one—just like Mrs. Henderson said. “Well, be nice to me tonight. I like her and don’t want to scare her away.”
Kirian chucks me on the shoulder. “We’ll be on our best behavior.”
“Speaking of best behavior,” Jerry draws my attention back to him. “Jacob’s asking about Celia. I think my little brother has a crush on her.”
I frown at him and hold my hand out to Aila as the foursome walk back to the table, chatting excitingly about god knows what. I hope it’s not me. When she slips her fingers between mine, everything feels right. “I don’t know how I feel about that, man.”
“Jacob’s a good kid.” Jerry checks his watch as a group of people walk into the bar and Eric, their drummer, beats a cadence on his set, letting them know his gear is up and he’s ready to rock-n-roll.
Marcy’s head snaps up. “Oh yeah, he was asking about Celia.”
“So, I’ve heard.” I shake my head, my big brother instincts roaring to life. Jacob is a good kid, focused, even though he isn’t going to school. He works construction with Kirian sometimes, but got himself signed on with the county, which means benefits and job security. “She’ll be home for Christmas.”
Marcy bats her eyelashes but says nothing.
“Let’s warm up.” Kirian pulls Jamie into his body and lays a possessive kiss on his wife before smacking her ass and walking away. He’s been like that with her from the first night. Now that I think about it, he told me hejust knewwith her, too. He calls over his shoulder, “It was nice to meet you, Aila.”
“You’re going to stay for a while, right?” Jamie smiles and sets her drink down.
Aila glances at me, and I nod. “As long as you want.”
For the next twenty minutes, the band warms up, then they take a ten-minute break before starting a forty-five-minute set. The crowd is hopping instantly, people dancing in their chairs and taking to the dance floor. Jamie, Marcy, and Debbie stand up and dance near the table, inviting Aila to join them.
“Do you dance?” She smiles down at me.
I shake my head. “No, but I’m more than happy to have you dance for me.”
A couple of songs play, and Aila dances to each one, moving closer each time until she’s dancing between my splayed knees, her hands on my thighs as she leans forward to kiss me. “I like your friends. Thank you for introducing me to them. It means more than you can imagine.”
“They like you, too.”
“They told me I’m the first woman you’ve brought around since your college girlfriend.”
I nod. “That’s true.”
“Does that make me special?”
“You are special, regardless.”
She smiles. “I’m having a great time, but I think it’s time for you to take me home.”
My heart sinks because I don’t want the night to end. “Do you have to get up early tomorrow?”
“No. But I think the first time you fuck me, it should be in private. Don’t you?”
All the air leaves my lungs, yet I find the strength to stand up and grasp her hand, throwing forty bucks on the table. “Tell Kirian I’ll call him later.”