Chapter 7
SEVEN
DECLAN
It’s been a few hours since I checked into my hotel room, and although it’s after midnight, I’m too fucking wired to sleep.
Not like I ever go to sleep this early anyway.
I had hoped the shower would tire me out and relax me enough to sleep, but all I ended up doing was lying in bed for nearly an hour, staring at the ceiling.
All I want is a fucking cigarette. My skin is crawling, begging me for a taste of nicotine. It’s been nearly twenty-four hours since I’ve had a smoke, and if I don’t have one now, I might not be able to relax for the rest of the night.
What I really need is a cold drink and to slip inside of a warm pussy.
Giving into the urge, I sit up in the bed, push the covers off my body, drop my feet to the pale-pink carpet, and stand. Quickly pulling on a T-shirt, sweats, and shoes, I grab my pack of Marlboros from the nightstand along with a room key and exit the room.
The door slams shut behind me as I take a few steps forward, bringing a cigarette to my lips and light it, inhaling the nicotine deep into my lungs .
Just what I needed.
My eyes close, my head tilting up toward the night sky as I take a moment to enjoy the quiet night, something I’m not used to having lived in New York.
Quiet nights and a sky full of stars is nonexistent in the city.
I bring the stick back to my mouth and suck, the ember glowing in the night as the nicotine fills my lungs.
A high-pitched squeal has my eyes instantly popping open in search of the noise, suddenly on high-alert.
Great.
Just what I need is to be harassed by a screaming fan.
Hearing the noise again, I continue scanning my surroundings, my line of eyesight lowering until I land on a small figure.
A child.
Instantly looking around for the girl’s parents, I come up empty, not seeing anyone else outside aside from the two of us.
What the fuck is a little girl doing out here alone?
The little curly haired girl’s brown eyes widen when I look down at her, noticing the bag of chips and candy bar she holds in her hands.
Stepping toward me, she says, “I know you!” She yells louder than necessary.
My fingers twitch with the need to continue filling my lungs, but I’m not going to smoke around a child.
“Stranger danger, kid,'' I mutter. Clearly she was never taught not to talk to strangers.
Tossing the cigarette to the ground, I stomp it out then lean down to pick up the butt.
The girl looks at me again before speaking. “You’re not a stranger. I know you.”
“But I don’t know you, and I don’t talk to strangers.” Setting the butt on the windowsill, I cross my arms over my chest, staring down at the kid.
She mirrors me, a grin on her lips .
My heart aches at the sight. She appears to be around Luca’s age when he died, maybe a little older. A painful reminder of what I lost because of my actions.
“I’m Max, so now you know me too.” An unwanted grin tugs at my lips at her logic.
“Where’s your parents, Max? You shouldn’t be out here alone talking to a stranger.”
Her brown eyes continue staring at me, her little nose scrunching up. “I told you already that I know you!” She's a persistent little thing.
Her parents may have one of my albums, and she’s seen me on the cover.
Regardless, she’s out here alone, and I’m still a stranger. “Where’s your mom?” I repeat, looking behind her toward the lobby that I was in earlier.
“My mommy is making coffee. When you came outside, I knew it was you. I wanted to say hi.”
“Hi, kid. You should get back to your mom.”
“My name is Max. Say hi, Max ,” she corrects me, and I can’t help the laugh that bellows from me. God damn. This kid is going to give her parents a run for their money with her attitude.
“You’re right, I’m sorry. Hi, Max.” I nod toward the snacks in her hands. “Looks like you’ve got yourself some pretty good snacks.”
She nods her agreement, raising the hand with the snickers bar. “This is for my mommy. I bought it for her. Well, she gave me the money.” She holds up the other hand that holds a bag of Cheetos. “This is mine.”
“Nice.” Shifting my weight from one foot to the other, I ask, “What room are you in? I’ll walk you back. You shouldn’t be out here alone.” I’m aware I’m being awkward, but I’m really fucking uncomfortable. The last child I spoke to was my own, and that was the night he died. Other than that, I don’t have experience with children. Especially talkative little girls outside all alone.
Her face lights up with a mischievous smile. “I’m not alone. I’m out here with my new best friend.”
She reminds me so much of Luca that it pains me to see her innocent smile and wide eyes staring up at me as if seeing me has made her entire night. She’s just a child that doesn’t deserve me being rude to her.
That’s one thing I always loved about Luca.
His innocence.
Children have a happy way of viewing the world because they’re too young to be jaded, or to understand how fucked up the world is. They’re happy, and all it takes is a simple gesture for them to look at you like you hung the moon.
Squatting down until I’m closer to her height, I hold out my hand to her. “Miss Max, it was great to meet you, but you should be getting back to your mom. She must be waiting for that candy bar.” Without hesitation, she shifts the candy bar from one hand to the other and places her small hand in mine, a blush coloring her bronze cheeks.
“I am your biggest fan, Mister Declan.” She bounces from one foot to the other, excitement radiating off her. “Your biggest fan!” I silently judge her parents for allowing their child to listen to my music because it is certainly not child friendly.
What the fuck is wrong with her mother? Better yet, where the fuck is her mother?
My silent question is answered when I hear a feminine voice yelling, “Max!”
The girl lets go of my hand and looks over her shoulder, her lips twitching at the sound of her name. Her small shoulders curling in as her pouty bottom lip pokes out, knowing she’s been caught doing something she’s not supposed to be doing.
I know that look. It’s the look of someone about to get in trouble because she is not supposed to be out here talking to a stranger.
The voice comes closer, and I look up, my dark eyes landing on the frantic figure that’s quickly approaching us .
The woman’s dark eyes narrow into slits. Sure, she probably means for it to be intimidating, but I glare right back because why the fuck wasn’t she watching this child?
Based on how young and soft her features are, I’m assuming she’s Max’s older sister that was supposed to be babysitting.
“Max!” the woman hisses, making the girl look between the two of us as I stand to my full height. “What do you think you’re doing?” She grabs her hand, tugging her behind her back protectively.
“I’m sorry, Mommy. I was with my new friend,” Max defends, batting her eyes as she looks up at her mother.
Hold up.
Mother?
There’s no fucking way this is Max’s mom.
I don’t believe it, and I voice it, “You’re her mother?”
She continues glaring at me, as if I’m the one who did something wrong when she’s the one who left her child unattended. “Yes, I am.”
I shove my hands into the pockets of my black sweats, my eyes roaming freely over her appearance without caring if she notices or not.
I take in her appearance, from the boring black dress pants that are suffocating her thick thighs, all the way to the white cardigan that hangs loosely off her thick figure, hiding the squishy curves I know I’d find underneath.
It’s hot as fuck, so I know she must be sweating like crazy in the heavy cardigan, despite having the sleeves bunched up to her elbows.
The woman’s dark, curly hair is untamed and semi-frizzy, as if she hasn’t washed it in a few days. Her honey-brown skin is lighter than her daughter’s, but equally as beautiful. It’s soft and blemish free, and strangely enough, I want to reach out and run a finger along the softness.
Who the fuck thinks shit like that?
My eyes travel from her cleavage to her face, memorizing her small nose, plump lips, soft jaw, and those angry, dark eyes that are so full of hurt.
When you’re in pain, it becomes something you easily notice in others.
She wears her pain like a shield of armor, that much is obvious.
Her beauty is ethereal, but I get the sense she doesn’t know it. I wonder if she’s ever been truly worshiped.
My cock stirs at the thought of showing her how beautiful she is.
She’s dumb as fuck for leaving her child alone, but beautiful nonetheless.
“Mommy, I got your candy bar. Eat it so you won’t be upset.” Max breaks our silent standoff, offering the Snickers bar to her mother.
A pink blush colors her cheeks, likely from embarrassment. Her hands tug at the bottom of her awful cardigan to adjust it.
For an unknown reason, I feel the need to ease the embarrassment from her, even if I do think she’s an idiot for allowing her child to be outside alone. “That’s my favorite candy, too.” She stares at me like I’m stupid, and she can’t believe I just said that.
Her daughter may be a fan of mine, but it’s clear that her mother isn’t.
“Here, take it.” She shoves the candy at my chest, a chuckle erupting from me at her pissy attitude. “Max, let’s go.” She tugs her away, but the girl remains rooted in place.
“Alright, well, I’m glad you decided to come looking for your child. It’s not smart allowing her to be out here alone.” Turning my attention away from her, I look down at the girl behind her, winking when her eyes meet mine. “Goodnight, Max.” Without waiting for a response from either of them, I turn and walk back to my room, hoping like hell I’ll be able to get some sleep and that irritating woman will be checked out come morning.
“Goodnight, new best friend!” Max calls out to my retreating back, a smile tugging at my lips from her words .
Back in my hotel room, I toss the candy bar on the nightstand and shed my clothes before climbing under the covers.
With my eyes closed, I slip my hand down to my hard cock, replaying the memory of a scowling face and thick ass thighs as I jerk off.
Fuck. Me.