Chapter 6 #2
I set the boxes on the counter, then go back to grab another that was stuck in the back of the freezer. Closing the freezer door, I jump when I find Declan leaning against the counter with arms crossed.
“Came to give you a hand,” he states with a sly smirk.
Rolling my eyes, I stack the boxes. “No, you didn’t. You probably excused yourself to use the little men’s room with no intention to do that, and instead, you came to find me. Alone, for that matter.”
“One, ‘little’ and me don’t go in the same sentence, you know that. Two, you’re right.”
My hip dips out, and I lean against the adjacent counter while our eyes meet to linger for a few good seconds. We both have wry smiles on our faces as we stew in the fact that we did something so very intimate, because no-strings or not, history is something we now have.
“What do you want, Declan?” I sigh, with my half-stretched smile not fading, and I glance out the floor-to-ceiling windows to confirm that nobody is taking notice that we’re inside.
“Did you keep the card?”
I shrug my shoulders. “It wasn’t recycling day.”
“Meet me every day this week at my hotel room.”
My eyes shoot in his direction to find that he is dead serious.
“W-what?” I stutter.
He steps slowly once, twice, I lose count, but his hands land on either side of me to trap me between the counter and his body, causing a tingle to spread through my veins.
“We can repeat last time, enjoy the connection we have, have a little fun.” His voice is low, and feeling his breath so close makes me weak in the knees.
“Ah, so this is your crazy suggestion that I should agree to?”
He threads his fingers into my hair by my ear. “A card with flowers is an extra touch, right?”
I laugh under my breath at how unbelievable he is, but at least he has me smiling. “I’ve never sent a guy flowers as a thank-you for sex. Not from me directly. I’m sure a few of my customers had me doing that. Normally, it’s the guy sending flowers, though.” I raise a brow at him.
“We don’t do conventional.” He smirks.
“No. You just proposition me inside my brother’s house, which is a bold move. He may kill you one day if he ever finds out. Speaking of which, there are like baby monitors everywhere in this place,” I whisper loudly in absolute amazement at his bravery.
Declan’s fingers tap my hips as his eyes dip low to watch. “Living dangerously doesn’t scare me.”
“Clearly.”
“What do you say, Vi? Tomorrow is Sunday, I know you’re off. The sign on your door told me.”
Geez, he’s been thinking about this all afternoon.
My mouth opens, but I’m mute.
“I’m sure you have lunch breaks where you need a little more excitement than catching up on the gossip at the general store,” he adds. “Or are you hoping for the sheriff to sweep you off your feet?”
I shake my head at the fact he was listening outside and seems to be slightly annoyed, or maybe that’s my hidden wish.
This situation he’s offering is enticing, but I’m not sure it’s wise.
Laughter from outside breaks my gaze from the man in front of me, drawing my attention over his shoulder where I notice the adults outside, all happy in their solid marriages.
Pushing Declan away, I break free and walk to the cupboard that normally is home to the heavier stuff to drink.
“Damn it,” I curse to myself when I see the shelves are empty. I forgot that Ford hides the good liquid when Connor has parties. Responsible parenting is screwing me over right now.
“You okay there?”
I hate that I can’t suppress a grin, which is why I don’t face him. “Yup.” I recall another fact that I learned today. “Is it true?”
“That I want to fuck you in my hotel room? Yes.” His tone is neutral.
My entertained smile doesn’t fade. “I meant that Ford mentioned you might be in Lake Spark more often. You missed that detail earlier.”
I feel his eyes studying me. “Is that a problem?”
Could be. Makes an escape harder, and the reminder of him will always be around me.
“Not at all,” I lie.
My body trembles when I feel him step behind me, his talented fingers pressing lightly against my ass.
This man is shameless.
“What do you say?” His voice is a sweltering grovel that spreads across my skin, while he takes the opportunity to slide the strap of my dress back over my shoulder, as it fell slightly. I wish he would do that again.
Slowly turning on my toes, I face the devil that has me far too intrigued. “I think…” My tone is purposely a breathy, needy husk. “That the ice cream is going to melt.” I smirk, satisfied, and walk to the ice cream.
I notice he puffs a breath. “You’re the first woman to test me like this.”
The bottle of maple syrup sitting on the counter near the olive oil catches my interest. The label has a picture of a cartoon bear wearing sunglasses, leaning against a tree. It’s Declan’s family’s syrup. He really is unescapable.
Grabbing the boxes of ice cream, I slam them into Declan’s direction for him to carry. “Make yourself useful, will you?”
“Will I be rewarded?” How does this man flirt so easily?
Walking in a slow stride past him, I poke my finger against his hard pecs. “Undecided.”
He hisses a sound. “I’ll be relentless.”
“I’ll be defiant.”
Maybe a distraction and a good time is exactly what I need. I mean, my cheeks hurt from smiling so much today, despite my brain working overtime.
Declan’s jaw flexes, and then a relaxed droll grin graces his lips. “I’ll take the ice cream out.”
I nod in approval, as I need him out of here so I can steal the bottle of syrup.
Because I know exactly how I’m going to use it… when I show up to his hotel room.