Chapter 26
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
CLAIRE
I’m late.
Not by much, but enough to put me in full-on power walk mode down the icy sidewalk of Main Street, my boots clicking in a staccato rush, my scarf hanging half-wrapped because I couldn’t be bothered to loop it properly.
Normally, I’m up before my alarm goes off. Today, I hit snooze. Twice. It felt like I’d only just closed my eyes when that stupid chime went off.
I can’t remember the last time I slept that well.
Actually, that’s not entirely true. I can.
Boston. After the night I spent with Declan.
I fight against a smile, but it still tugs at my lips anyway. It must be the effect of his magical penis, as he so eloquently put it. And God help me, he’s not wrong. The things he made me feel… I didn’t think I’d ever experience them again.
I’m so lost in my thoughts of last night that I’m barely paying attention where I’m going. So much so that I don’t notice the slick patch of ice on the sidewalk until it’s too late.
The world tilts, and I reach for something to prevent me from falling, but there’s nothing to grab on to. I brace myself to hit the sidewalk.
But it never comes.
Instead, a pair of strong hands clamp around my hips, yanking me back against a solid chest. My breath whooshes from my lungs, and a familiar scent hits me. Citrus. Wood. Spice.
I dart my head up, and Declan’s eyes lock on mine, a faint smile curving his mouth.
“Hey.” His voice is low, rough, and far too sensual for eight in the morning.
“Hey.” My reply comes out breathy.
“Hey,” he repeats, softer this time. Like he’s testing how it feels between us.
“Hey,” I say again, too transfixed by the feel of his hands on my body to come up with a single coherent thought.
I should step back. Put distance between us.
But my body isn’t interested in logic. It’s greedy for his touch.
For the steady weight of his fingers splayed at my hips.
He doesn’t appear to be in any hurry to let go, either, his gaze tracing over my face, pausing on my lips in a way that makes my stomach flip.
I dart my tongue out to moisten them, and I swear his grip on me tightens.
But before the moment veers off into dangerous territory, a baby starts wailing somewhere down the block, breaking the spell. I push out of his hold, smoothing a tendril of hair behind my ear.
“Thanks,” I say, trying for casual. “If you hadn’t caught me, my ass would be all black and blue.”
“You mean even more black and blue?” he murmurs.
Heat blooms low in my belly, vivid flashes of how ravenous he was for me after dinner last night flickering through my mind. His teeth clamped on my neck. His bruising grip on my hips. The sharp crack of his palm against my ass.
He’d warned me I’d need my energy for what he’d had planned.
He wasn’t wrong.
The things he did. The things he made me feel. The pleasure I experienced.
And by the heat in his gaze, I know he’s thinking about the same thing.
“Well… Thanks again,” I manage, turning from him and continuing toward Bean & Bloom.
“Going to get coffee?” he asks, falling into step beside me.
“I am.”
“I’ll walk with you. I’m headed there, too.”
Part of me wants to say no, too worried what people might think. But it’s not like we planned this. We’re just two people headed to the same place walking together. Nothing wrong with that. Or so I tell my guilty conscience.
The wind nips at my cheeks as we walk through downtown Sycamore Falls. Garland twists around every lamppost, strings of lights still twinkling faintly against the pale morning sky.
“It’s beautiful,” Declan says, glancing around. “Like something straight out of a Christmas card. You’re lucky you grew up somewhere like this.”
“Small towns have their disadvantages,” I admit, “but I don’t know if I’d want to live anywhere else. Unless I inherited a tropical island.” I slow my steps as we approach the coffee shop. “Then I’d be on the first flight out.”
He chuckles, holding the door for me.
Inside, the scent of espresso wraps around us. I smile at a few familiar faces but keep moving toward the counter.
“So is that your dream?” Declan asks as we join the line. “Moving to a tropical island?”
“More of a fantasy. I’d miss my mom and sister too much. Plus, I’m about to become an aunt.”
“Congratulations.”
“Thanks. What about you? Where would you live if you could go anywhere?”
He shrugs. “I like where I—”
“And you can’t say where you live now,” I cut in. “Anywhere else in the world. Where would you choose?”
His eyes find mine. “This place is growing on me. Especially the people. Especially one person in particular.”
I swallow. That’s the kind of thing people say when they’re in a relationship. When they have feelings for each other. We’re just two people who happen to have amazing sex.
Nothing more.
But before I can remind him of this, an annoyed voice calls my name. I tear my gaze from Declan to see the line in front of us has disappeared. I give the barista, Tilly, an apologetic smile and hurry up to the counter.
“A ginger tea and an Americano with steamed milk.”
“Make that two Americanos,” Declan says from behind me, leaning in and handing Tilly a twenty, his body brushing against mine.
“You don’t have to pay for my coffee. Or my sister’s tea.”
“Tis the season of giving,” he says with a mischievous grin. “And I really like giving.”
Tilly looks from me to Declan, and I can see her brain spinning, which is never a good thing.
I’ve known her for most of my life. She was voted biggest gossip of our high school graduating class, which is saying something, considering we live in a small town full of gossips.
The last thing I need is for Tilly to spread baseless rumors about seeing me and Joshua’s dad getting all cozy at the coffee shop.
“Thanks.”
As Tilly counts out his change, I move to the far end of the counter to put some space between us.
I keep my eyes fixed on the baristas preparing espresso and steaming milk, as if it’s the most fascinating thing I’ve ever seen.
Anything to help me ignore the fluttering in my stomach, especially when I sense Declan approach from behind, the tiny hairs all over my body standing on end.
“I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you,” he murmurs after several seconds, his voice low, almost a growl. “Doesn’t help that my bed still smells like you. And not just your body wash, either. It still smells like your cunt.”
I close my eyes. “Declan…”
“I know.” His breath is warm against my ear. “I know I shouldn’t think about you like this. It’s wrong on so many levels. Part of me thought last night would be enough. That I could get you out of my system.”
“And did you?”
He huffs a laugh. “We both know the answer to that. We both know it’s impossible.”
I turn, meeting his gaze. “But this—”
“Can’t go anywhere.” He curves toward me. “But knowing that doesn’t make me want you any less. Doesn’t make—”
“Declan!” the barista calls out. “Two Americanos and a ginger tea.”
I quickly turn away, grateful for the welcome distraction, and approach the counter. I hand Declan his Americano before grabbing my two drinks, then start for the door.
I only make it a few steps before a hand on my forearm stops me.
“Have lunch with me today,” Declan’s says, a cross between a request and a demand.
“What?”
“You get a lunch break, don’t you?”
“I usually eat in my office while I work.”
“But you can leave, right?”
“I suppose…” I draw out.
“Then spend it with me. I can meet you somewhere.”
“How will you explain that to Joshua? This is a small town. He’ll find out we had lunch together. People talk. They’re probably already talking.”
I look around the coffee shop. Tilly still glances our way every few seconds between taking orders, her expression a mixture of curiosity and suspicion.
“It’s just lunch.”
“That won’t matter. Not around here.”
“Fine. Then you can come to my place. I’ll leave the back door unlocked so you won’t be seen walking up to my front door. It’ll look like you went home for lunch. No one will know.”
I chew on my bottom lip. “I don’t know, Declan.”
It was one thing to sleep with him last night. But to keep sleeping together? I’m not sure I’m made for casual sex.
Then again, I had no problem having casual sex with Joshua.
That was different, though. There was no spark. No unrelenting craving I didn’t think I’d ever be able to satisfy. Not like there is whenever I’m with Declan. He doesn’t even need to touch me to cause this sort of visceral reaction. One look, and I’m putty in his very large, very capable hands.
“Just think about it,” he suggests. “If you decide you’d rather spend lunch with a sad sandwich and your laptop, I’ll understand.
” He leans closer, dropping his voice so I can barely hear him.
“But if you’d rather spend an hour of your day with my face buried between your thighs, I’ll be waiting.
” He pulls back, a devilish glint in his eyes once more. “Okay?”
I part my lips, about to berate him for not playing fair when another familiar voice interjects.
“Why am I not surprised to see you here?”
I jerk back as Joshua approaches. I attempt to move away from Declan, but there’s nowhere to go in the crush of people. Joshua leans in and kisses my cheek before noticing Declan.
“I didn’t realize you’d be here.” They give each other a quick hug.
“You keep saying this place has the best coffee around.” Declan lifts his cup. “I figured it was time to give it a try.”
“You won’t regret it.” Joshua beams, looking between Declan and me. I bring my coffee to my lips, praying he didn’t see or hear anything he wasn’t supposed to.
“Did you two come together?” he asks, gesturing between us.
Heat floods my face at the double entendre, and it takes everything I have not to choke on my coffee.
“Just a happy coincidence,” Declan answers smoothly.
“I need to run,” I say quickly. “I have to drop Gen’s tea off at the library before heading to the ridge.”
“See you there,” Joshua says, and I manage a smile before slipping out the door.
That was close. Too close. All the more reason going over Declan’s for lunch is a horrible idea.
But when I steal a glance over my shoulder and meet his eyes, I fear I won’t be able to stay away.