Chapter 11
I left my rental car at the bar, assuming Declan would drive me back for it later. The night was quiet on High Street and the October breeze in the air felt refreshing after a long day at work. Windows down, we headed around the curves of the mountain roads. A chill broke out across my skin, and out of habit, I rubbed my hands along my arms to warm myself up.?
Being the most observant person I knew, Declan caught on to the fact that I was cold. Rolling up the windows to the old pick-up truck, he reached for something in the back seat as he kept his eyes on the road. Finding what he needed, he handed me a gray hoodie.?
“Here. Put this on. It will be a little chilly where we are headed.”
My curiosity peaked wondering where it was we were driving to. Taking the extra-large hoodie that looked like it was made for a giant, I slipped it on over my head. The words Cooper Construction were plastered across it in faded blue font, and I figured it was a sweater he probably wore to work. It didn’t smell like it was worn out on the construction site though, it smelled just like him: juniper and sage. I wanted to fall asleep in this sweater. It reminded me of how I felt when he would wrap his warm body around mine. Safe and comfortable.
It was an added bonus that I could cover the small bruise Logan left behind. I caught Declan’s gaze roaming over it all night. Every time his eyes connected with the red spot on my bicep, his jaw would tick. Almost like he was holding back bottled up anger.
Turning onto a dark road with a single home just ahead, I had a feeling it was his house in the distance. It was beautiful. A porch light lit up the beautiful wrap-around patio. Part of me felt envious. This man who was twenty-five years old had his own house to come home to each night.
I knew I’d get there one day, but it was depressing that at thirty, I wasn’t even close to where he was with his life. Even though he was a few years younger, he felt so much older. He was mature and stable and everything I wanted in a man.
Staring at the beautiful white home ahead, I joked, “Bringing me over to your house already? Don’t you think it’s too soon for that?” I let out a small laugh when I looked over at him in the driver's seat.?
“Oh, you think I’m bringing you inside? If I’m anything, I’m a gentleman. You aren’t allowed inside until at least the second date.” That word date caught me off guard.
“How confident of you to consider this a date,” I teased.
“You’re my fake girlfriend, of course this is a date.” He peeked at me from the corner of his eye as a flirty smile ticked up the edge of his mouth.
“Well then, if I’m not allowed inside until date number two… What are we going to do at your house?” I asked, slightly confused but also intrigued about what he was up to.
Parking the truck in front of his house, he hopped out and came around to my side to open the door for me. Okay, maybe he was a gentleman. I couldn’t remember the last time someone opened the car door for me.?
Grabbing my hand to help me out of the tall truck, he gave me a slow once-over. “You look better in my clothes than I do.” The praise so easily escaped from his mouth making this feel like maybe it really was a date. Normally, I didn’t take compliments well, but something about the way he directed them toward me felt honest.
“Did you just check me out?” I responded with a flirtatious gasp.
“I’m allowed to check out my fake girlfriend, aren’t I?” he shot back with that deep, rough laugh of his.
“You never answered my question. What are we doing here?” I stood outside of his truck in confusion.
“Come on, I want to show you something,” he said, reaching out for my hand.
Avoiding the direction of his house, we headed the opposite way down a dirt pathway. The further down the path we got, the more I took in my surroundings. It may be dark out, but with his hand still in mine, leading the way, I felt safe.?
Coming to a stop, he pointed at the painting-like view ahead. “This is where I come to get my best thinking done. Or when I’ve had a hard day, the sounds of the creek relax me.” As my eyes adjusted to the dark, I could see more of what stood around me, and it was a stunning sight.?
Lush trees filled the area so much, I almost missed the small patio that looked like he built it with his own two hands. A few chairs, a fire pit, and string lights sat right above the water. He walked over to plug the lights in, the illumination leaving me in awe.
“Did you build this patio out here?” I asked, clearly impressed.
“I built everything out here.” His response made my jaw drop. Why was that so damn sexy? Thank God it was dark out here so he couldn't see the blush dancing along my cheeks.?
“Come on, let's sit.” He patted one of the chairs next to him. Fuck going home later, I could sleep soundly down here by the creek. I’d rather be here than an old guest room filled with family memories.
The longer I stayed here, soaking it all in, made me think about getting my own space. Something more comforting and my own. But I’d save that thought for another day.
I understood why he adored this spot so much. It was quiet, and you could easily kick back down here each night, taking in all the sounds of nature surrounding you. It could easily become my favorite spot too, especially if it meant he was here.?
“You’re saying you built your own house? What is this, ‘The Notebook’?” I giggled, still in shock that he was so talented.
“Well, I'll take that as a compliment. If you’re comparing me to Ryan Gosling, then I’ve already won.” He laughed before adding, “I loved the property. I always wanted to live on land and be far away from others. It’s how my house was growing up. So, when I came across this house for sale, I bought it. But the house was hardly livable. Looked like an old run-down barn. I just fixed it to my liking.” Running his hands through his shaggy blond hair, he made it seem like it was no big deal to build an entire home for himself.?
“I don’t know if I’m more impressed that it sounds like you’ve seen ‘The Notebook’ or that you built your own house. Both are quite impressive.”
“Yeah well, an ex-girlfriend years ago made me watch it and it turns out it wasn’t too bad of a movie.” Hearing him mention an ex-girlfriend hit me with a bolt of jealousy I wasn’t expecting.
“How long has it been since your last relationship?” The question slipped out of my mouth. Adjusting the way he was sitting in his chair, he turned, facing me while leaning his elbow on the arm rest.?
Looking me in the eyes, he answered, “Hmm, five years, maybe?” The way his gaze looked into mine felt serious and heavy. Like we were getting to know each other on a level that was more than friends. More personal. And that scared me.?
“Wow, that's a long time for a guy like you not to be in a relationship.”
“A guy like me? What kind of guy is that?” One of his eyebrows lifted in question.
“I mean you’re so kind and successful. I guess I'm just surprised someone hasn’t snatched you up,” I answered nervously.
He placed his hand on his chest and reared back with his mouth open like he was in shock. “Was that a compliment?! You think I’m kind and successful?” he joked.
Rolling my eyes at him, he added, “Yeah, well… I don’t get into relationships unless I know the girl is someone I want to take home to my parents,” he looked down at my lips and back up to my eyes before finishing, “but that doesn’t mean I haven’t fulfilled my needs in the last five years.”
Man, did he have a way of going from flirty to serious in a heartbeat. Swallowing the lump forming in my throat, I did my best not to appear nervous.
Thinking of him fulfilling his needs had me feeling jealous of any other woman who had the pleasure of helping him in that department.?If he kept saying things like that, I’d end up straddling him on that chair, selfishly fulfilling my own needs.
I think we both had needs and desires to fulfill but now wasn’t a good time with the way my thoughts were going back and forth like a ping pong ball. I was torn between my feelings of wanting to grab hold of him and selfishly fulfill this aching desire deep inside of me and not wanting to use him. Declan wasn’t the kind of guy you used and ignored when you were done with him.?
Clearing my throat, I said, “I like your tattoos, you have so many. What do they mean?”
Looking down at his arm, he pulled his sleeve up to get a better look. “Well, for now, I just have one arm fully done. I wish I could impress you by saying there are all sorts of deep meanings behind them, but I just enjoy the art of it. I always loved geometric designs and the overlapping lines. Just thought it looked cool.” He shrugged.
I was drawn to his tattoos. Everything about him drew me in. My hand found his forearm when I rubbed my fingers gently across the tattoo that intrigued me the most. It was like looking into a kaleidoscope, being entranced by all the different shapes meshed together. All the black and white lines crossed over each other created the most intricate designs.?Whoever drew these on his body was a fucking saint because I found myself wanting to trace each line with my fingertip to see where they led to.
My eyes met his when I started to realize I was burning up. Declan was making me feel things I haven’t felt in a really long time. I couldn’t control myself when I was around him. I wanted to loosen up and flirt. I wanted to be near him all of the time. I wanted to feel his touch. But I didn’t want to lose the only person who had been there for me since I came home. Fuck, my mind was all over the place with what I wanted.
His eyes were heavy and glossed over when he looked down at my mouth. His hand landed on my cheek, his thumb grazing across my bottom lip. I wouldn’t be able to stop him if he went in for a kiss. My self-control was hanging on by a thread.?
The moment between the two of us felt like a lifetime, and seconds ticked by that went on forever. His touch was burning a hole through me, and I wanted to give into my desires so desperately. He looked lost in thought, like he was torn between taking this moment one step further and ending it completely.?
To my disappointment, he chose the latter.