Chapter 25 #2
And then Alba cleared her throat as she lifted her glass and smiled. “I’ll expect a threatening message from Audrey later, I suppose. Once you’ve let her know that you’ve seen us together.”
Susan’s head snapped towards her. “I wouldn’t!”
Alba lifted a brow. “You wouldn’t?”
There was no bite to Alba’s tone, and there was no raised voice. Just the truth. Because if Susan had her way, she would be texting Audrey right this very second to tell her the news.
Susan waved a hand between them. “I’ll just…leave you both to your evening.”
“Good idea.” Ellie lifted the wine bottle from the table and topped up their glasses. “See you Monday.”
Susan nodded quickly, turning on her heel and retreating back towards her table with far less confidence than she’d approached with. Ellie watched her go, and then she let out a breath, the tension easing from her shoulders as she turned back to Alba. “I’m sorry about that.”
Alba shook her head. “Don’t be. It was kind of satisfying.”
Mm, it had been satisfying. She just wished she could have told people about Alba on her own terms. God only knew it would be halfway around the staff circle by now.
Alba leaned in and narrowed her eyes. “Do you want to get out of here and go dancing?”
“Yes! Let me get the bill, and then we can be on our way.”
Ellie had never experienced anything like this before.
The music pulsed through her chest, deep and rhythmic, vibrating through the floor and up her legs as she stood just inside the crowd, her senses completely overwhelmed.
Everywhere she looked, there were people laughing and dancing, touching, completely unbothered by who could be watching.
There was no hesitation or second-guessing in this bar.
Just freedom. Ellie found herself staring at a couple swaying together, foreheads pressed close, their hands wandering without restraint, and everything within her shifted.
This is what it looks like when people are happy.
She exhaled a breath when her heart started to race. This place was filled with people who wanted one another, and they weren’t afraid to show it. It was filled with love, and hope…and Ellie wanted to be a part of it. All of it.
“You okay?” Alba’s voice brushed against her ear. “We can go somewhere else if you’re not comfortable here. I just thought a gay bar was the best bet if we don’t want Susan following us around.”
Ellie turned her head, her breath catching when she noted how dark Alba’s eyes were. “I-I’m fine. Just taking it all in, I guess.”
Alba smiled. “It can be a lot the first time around.”
“Well, yes.” Ellie laughed, still scanning the club. She wasn’t sure she wanted to drink anywhere else ever again. “You could say that.”
Ellie chose to lean into it all. Into Alba, the music, and into the atmosphere that seemed to encourage exactly what she’d been craving since she’d met Alba. Because why shouldn’t she? Why shouldn’t she feel this? Why shouldn’t she have this?
Before she had the time to think about her next move, more specifically…stepping forward and kissing Alba, Alba’s hand slid to her waist. Firm and certain…pulling Ellie closer.
Ellie’s hands rested on Alba’s arms as their bodies aligned, the hint of space between them no longer an issue.
And then they moved together as the music guided them.
Ellie felt the heat of Alba’s body against hers, her grip steady at Ellie’s waist as she drew her in just that little bit more.
Ellie’s head tipped back, her eyes fluttering closed as she gave into the moment and let herself feel whatever she was feeling.
God.
Alba’s thigh pressed between Ellie’s as they shifted, the contact subtle at first…but then not so subtle at all. Ellie inhaled, her fingers tightening where they rested against Alba’s skin, her entire body reacting before her mind could catch up.
“Hey.” Alba’s lips brushed Ellie’s ear. “Relax.”
Relax? That was the last thing Ellie was capable of right now. Not when every movement sent heat spiralling through her, and not when Alba was this close. Not when she could feel her breath, her body, her own arousal…
Ellie swallowed, her pulse hammering at her throat as she shifted, her body responding in a way she couldn’t ignore. Fuck, she wanted Alba tonight in ways she couldn’t begin to explain.
Alba’s hands tightened at her waist. “You’re doing fine. Just enjoy yourself.”
Ellie let out a quiet, shaky breath, her head turning until their cheeks were pressed together, and Ellie was drowning in Alba’s scent. “This is…a lot.”
Alba’s eyes darkened as she pulled back and searched Ellie’s face. “I’m dying to kiss you.”
Huh. Kissing Alba wasn’t the only thing on Ellie’s mind tonight.
Still, she wrapped a hand around the back of Alba’s neck and drew her in, smiling into a kiss.
Then came another shift…another press of Alba’s thigh.
And this time, Ellie couldn’t hide it. A soft whimper escaped her, drowned out by the music, but she knew Alba had felt it.
“Ellie…” Alba murmured, her tone dipping lower.
That was it. Ellie couldn’t stay here a moment longer. Not when she felt like she was about to completely unravel in the middle of a crowded room. She eased back and dragged her thumb across Alba’s bottom lip, overcome with everything she was feeling tonight. “We need to leave soon.”
Alba stilled, her brows pulling together in concern. “Are you okay?”
Ellie let out a breathless laugh, her fingers curling into the fabric of Alba’s top as she leaned in closer.
“I’m more than okay.” She swallowed, her heart pounding.
God, she hoped Alba wasn’t about to reject her.
“I just…I need to be alone with you.” Ellie felt the heat creeping onto her cheeks, but then she noted the look in Alba’s eyes and leaned in, whispering, “Preferably naked.”
“I’ll text Colin’s sitter on the way.” A slow smile spread on Alba’s lips. “It’s probably best if we head back to yours, rather than mine.”