Chapter 37
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
Evie
Sam squeezes my hand. “He’s completely in love with you.”
“I know he likes me. But I’m confused.” Because the man I got so close to while camping overnight has turned back into my friend.
Yes, just my friend.
Maybe I got ahead of myself, but I assumed we’d spend some more time together Sunday night after Charlie went to bed. And by time together I mean sexy time together. But no.
By the time I finished putting Charlie down for his nap and Dec returned from the grocery, he was back to keeping me at arm’s length. Not even in a cruel way. Simply in that kind, gentle, infuriatingly controlled way.
“What’s confusing? You guys made out, slept together in the camper, and then you came home and thought you were going to finally get to enjoy your marital privileges, but he put his guard back up? The man is scared of ruining things. Guaranteed.”
“You’re almost as bad as Mary. Marital privileges is second only to her saying we needed to consummate the marriage.”
Sam cracks up, the sip of wine nearly bursting from her lips. I chuckle, too, frustration and yes, a touch of weary amusement comingling in my gut.
“Mary told you to consummate your marriage? I guess she knows what’s up.”
I sigh. “She has some inkling, for sure. I don’t think she’s upset. And she definitely said that for the shock value to help me stop sobbing.”
Sam’s compassion kicks in and she takes my hand in hers. “If May were here, I think she’d tell you to seduce him.”
I nearly choke on my own sip of wine. “And that’s why it’s good she couldn’t make it. Because we are not talking to May about me having sex with her brother. That crosses a line.”
Sam rolls her eyes. “Fine. But my point here is that you both care so much for each other. Maybe I don’t know if he’s in love with you, but I would be shocked if he’s not.”
She pins me with her dark eyes and I stay put. She’s got more to say, and I’m her captive audience.
“You can push a little. You know that, right? You know that you deserve to have clarity here, and that you’re worthy of love.”
Oof. This is the problem with letting people in.
“That’s mean.”
She grins. “I’m pretty sure you gave me a similar talking-to. And not to play Sam Ellis, amateur psychologist or anything, but the fact that you were willing to marry this guy for your child tells me that maybe you don’t believe that.”
My throat tightens. I press my lips together and will the tears already loading up not to fall.
Sam takes both of my hands in hers. “You are an incredible woman. I don’t know a ton about Dec, but what I’ve seen is enough to tell me he’s a good man.
That said, he’s not so good that he’d go along with this for purely altruistic reasons.
I just don’t buy it. I think he has real feelings and now that you guys are in it and we’ve seen some chemistry building and there’s a real shot at more, he might just not know how it all fits.
He’s one of those super smart, really stupid guys. ”
My watery chuckle comes with an eye roll of my own. “Dec is the least stupid man I’ve ever met.”
“Nope. He’s smart. He may even be fairly emotionally intelligent. But these guys… they don’t know what to do with love. And I’m not saying you and I are experts. But I’m saying none of this is going to make sense until you pin him down and one of you gets brave.”
I swallow hard right as the front door swings open. Grant pushes the door, then walks Dec in with one hand on his shoulder.
Declan looks… I’m not sure. Rumpled, for sure, but sleepy, too.
“Hey! You’re back right on time.” Sam takes her glass and sets it in the sink, then gives me a quick hug before slipping past Declan and hopping into Grant’s arms. “Have a good night, you two!”
She grabs the door as Grant backs out, his gaze finding mine. “Good luck,” he offers with a small nod, then the door closes, and they’re gone.
Declan is still standing a few feet inside the entryway.
I move forward, compelled by his presence and also a deep curiosity, because my occasionally peculiar man is being downright weird.
“How was the birthday?”
His blue gaze finds me and his expression instantly softens. “I drank too much.”
“Oh.” This is unexpected. As far as I know, he doesn’t really drink. He also doesn’t seem to be swaying or even tipsy, though his words aren’t as crisp as they normally are.
“Finn made everyone do shots. Because he’s an idiot.”
I chuckle because his delivery is so dry and older-brother-ish, I can’t help it.
“Did you have to do them? Doesn’t he know you don’t really like to drink?”
He nods in an exaggerated way. “Yes. But I did because I’m an idiot.”
There’s no point in trying to hide my laughter now. “Well, at least you’re honest.”
I want to hug him and smooth the hair out of his face. Kiss his cheek, get him water, and tuck him in. There’s just something about him right now that makes me want to protect him, even though he’s in no danger.
Instead, I hold out my hand. He takes it, our palms sliding together in a way that shouldn’t thrill me. After all, we kissed. His hands were all over me and mine, him. How does this still send my heart into cartwheels?
“Let’s get you some water, and then probably into bed unless you need something to eat?”
“We had dinner. I’m okay.”
His steps are heavier than usual, and he seems a little spacey, but otherwise, I would never know he’s been overserved. I’m sure he’s probably all out of words by now, so I keep a running narration going.
“Drink this first glass, and then I’ll refill it before we go up.” He does as I ask, and while I refill the glass, I ask, “Did you have any fun?”
Another big nod. “Finn’s great. He’s fun, so it’s easy to have fun with him.”
I can’t help my smile. It’s the sweetest thing to say. This man has the softest heart for his family.
“Any idea why Grant wished me good luck with you?” I slide my hand back in his and guide him toward the stairs, tugging him along behind me, the full glass of water in my opposite one.
“Probably because alcohol serves as a truth serum for me.”
I glance back at him to see his eyes squarely on my butt. “Oh, really? What are you thinking right now?”
“I’m thinking you have the most perfect ass.”
I cackle, a thrill zipping up my spine. Truth serum indeed. We’ve agreed to be honest, but that’s definitely in the realm of things he’s kept tucked away.
It’s probably wrong that a sense of giddiness fills me. Sam suggested I push him a little, so maybe now’s the time.
I tow him behind me. He’s not resisting, but he’s definitely requiring the connection to make sure he’s following me. But then he is stopped, halted like a mule in the middle of the hallway.
“I love Charlie. Can I see him? Just a quick glimpse?”
“Um, sure.”
How can I say no to that? I ease open the door and Dec trundles in and rests his hands on the crib. After a moment, he reaches down and presses his large hand over Charlie’s back for just a second. Then he looks up and nods. I follow him out and shut the door.
“I should go back downstairs to the couch.” He looks behind him in the direction of the stairs.
“No. Come sleep in the bed.” He has stayed on the couch the last few days and I haven’t known what to do about it. I reach for and take his hand again.
He shakes his head, feet planted. “No, love. I shouldn’t.”
I tug him toward me without success. “Declan. You’re not sleeping on the couch tonight. You have a lovely bed right here, and your wife is asking you to sleep in it.”
He moves far more quickly than I could have anticipated. His hand slides around my waist and he pulls me close, dips his head, and stops just shy of kissing me before speaking.
“I think you underestimate how much I want you, Evie.”
“What?” It’s all breath with a side of take me now.
“I am out of my mind for you, wife, and sleeping next to you will do nothing to help that.” He dips his head and slides his nose along my jaw, then down my neck.
My heart is hammering now. “Well, I am your wife. There’s no problem with you wanting me.”
His hand slides into my hair and he tips my head back. His blue gaze is hooded as it tracks over my face and settles on my lips.
“I want every piece of you, Evie. I want your body. I want my mouth on every inch of you. I want to feast on you and bring you so much pleasure you can do nothing but moan my name.” His other hand slips up and settles between my breasts, a warm weight against my thudding heart.
“I want your heart, too, though. Most of all, even. And I won’t take any of it when I’m like this or when you think you owe me. ”
He releases me and steps back. “See you in the morning.”
His heavy footsteps take him back down the stairs. I’m left staring after him with a racing heart and biting my tongue to keep from asking what he means with that last bit about me thinking I owe him.
Oh, and a body absolutely melting for him. Because… what? Who just says stuff like that and walks away? Granted, truth serum, and because of it, I wouldn’t feel right taking things further with him anyway. But. Um.
Yes, please!
We will definitely be discussing this in the morning.
For now?
I’ll probably just dump this water over my head to put out the flames.