Chapter 8 #2
“That’s how you know Charlotte? From your sorority?” He looks at me, purely entertained.
“For sure. Anyway, despite the epic Friday-night parties, we had quite a lot of rules, including a promise to volunteer in the community. I volunteered to be a big sister to a girl in high school, Phoebe. She has Down Syndrome, and she loves flowers—tulips, in particular. Our weekly meetings were always at the botanical gardens, visiting florists, or planting flowers at her house. Her family moved to Vermont, but every year, I send her tulip bulbs to plant so in the spring she has them blooming. So anyway, after college and one business loan with Ford’s help later, I put down roots here in Lake Spark. ”
Declan leans back in his chair, with his eyes surveying me, up and down, but in a way that feels almost captivated, and it sends a wave a warmth through me. I guess I forgot what it feels like to be the object of someone’s sole attention; I’m always the one there for everyone else.
“I’m trying to figure out your flaw. Everything you say makes it difficult for me to believe that you have any, except we all have one.”
I sigh. “Trust me, we all have cracks, even if you don’t see them.” I look away because I can’t handle his eyes on me, maybe because now I feel that he is watching me closer.
“You’re right. Just sometimes we manage to keep it to ourselves.” His voice is gentle almost, and I swear I hear vulnerability, or maybe I wish for it because then I would feel even in this conversation.
“I’m pretty sure that I didn’t come here for a burger and small talk.” I smile nervously because it’s best if I attempt to move us on to other matters.
“You’re right. Stand up.” I’m surprised how his tone switched to an order. Returning my gaze to him, I’m faced with his determination.
Wiping my hands quickly with the napkin, I stand up, very much aware that this man has no problem with dominance, but the playful smirk on the corner of his mouth is inviting and relaxed.
I slowly walk a few steps then plop myself onto the edge of the bed, sitting up straight like a polite woman would.
“I believe you mentioned something about de-stressing.” My eyes drift down to my finger where I’m tracing the lines of the duvet pattern.
Nonetheless, I sense Declan vacate his chair, causing my chest to flutter.
The mattress dips when he sits down next to me, and when his hand lands on my thigh, I nearly shiver from his touch. An unbearable aching ignites between my legs, and I feel my nipples tighten. All of this because he placed his hand on my oh, so sensitive inner thigh.
My breath catches when I feel the pads of his fingers slide up my skin, taunting me of his impending touch between my legs.
Declan leans in to whisper near the shell of my ear. “Do you want to know a secret, Vi?”
“Yes.” My breath feels heavy.
“All morning, you’ve been on my mind and how I want to touch you. I’m trying to be a good guy and let you have your lunch, but I don’t want to be the good guy anymore.” Declan’s lips trail down my neck until he finds my collarbone that he traces with his tongue.
“Never be the good guy around me.” My voice is filled with lust that I didn’t realize could be so overpowering.
His head tilts up, and our lips meet for a slow kiss. An instant sizzle that sets off fireworks inside of me. Nothing is enough right now. I need more of his mouth, more of his hands. I need him to take me the way he’s been thinking about since that night.
Our bodies tangle when he guides my leg to prop over his lap. His tongue is a delicious assault to my senses as he swipes gently the tip of my tongue.
We fall back onto the mattress, and our bodies curve against one another as we’re trying to feel everything at once.
“Clothes off,” I manage to say between kisses.
I’m searching for the straps of my dress that are midway down my arms now. I can’t see because I refuse to let our mouths part.
Declan reaches between us to fumble with his zipper.
But just as we’re about to remove all our barriers, a phone goes off.
“Ignore it,” I plead and struggle to drag my lips away enough to speak.
“Not my phone,” he mumbles into my mouth.
Shit.
I groan and reluctantly pull away. As much as I wish I could ignore it, I can’t. It’s still a workday, and I told Tilly to call if it was urgent.
Grabbing the phone from my bag, I quickly answer while I look down at Declan who has no plans on moving an inch.
“Hey, Tilly.” I sound almost out of breath.
She answers on the other end and explains the issue that someone phoned in an order because they forgot their wife’s fiftieth birthday party.
“Yeah, no. I mean, I’ll be there as soon as I can.
Give me fifteen minutes. Just grab a bunch of dahlias for now. Okay? See you soon.”
The moment I end my call, Declan is patting the mattress and inviting me back.
I throw on an over-the-top pout. “Sorry. I have to go. A last-minute order came in, and it’s a big one. Need to go save some husband after he forgot his wife’s surprise birthday party.”
Declan blows out a big breath, and he returns to sitting. “Work of a superhero.”
I begin to straighten my dress, severely disappointed in this change of events. “Raincheck?”
“Same time tomorrow?” he suggests.
I nod and rise from the bed. “I’ll even come caffeinated and fed so we can skip to the good part.”
Declan grins as he slides off the bed and approaches me, placing his hands on my shoulders, with his eyes so damn charming. “I think I like you wolfing down a burger and not afraid to ask questions.”
“I have a hundred more.”
“And I think I do too.” He leans down to capture my mouth for a quick kiss, a sweet parting. “See you tomorrow.”
I smile softly at him before I head to the door. “Maybe I’ll send you a picture later. An apology for leaving.”
“Wouldn’t complain. But you don’t owe me an apology. I left a note on the pillow, remember?”
I laugh to myself. “And I’m leaving you with a monster hard-on.”
“Call us even.”
I hold the door open as I look back at him. His head is low, and he wipes his hand across his jaw. His sexual frustration just makes him ten times hotter. “Hey, Dec.”
He looks up with bright blue eyes. “Yeah?”
“You said earlier that everyone is waiting for you to fail.” His head perks back slightly at my words. “I don’t think you’ll fail.”
He seems taken aback by my words. “Why do you do that?”
“What?”
“Say things that are actually sincere.”
I slant a shoulder up to my ear. “Why do you say things that remind me I can have the time of my life?”
“Because I’m selfish, and you haven’t left my mind since that night.” His blunt answer lingers in my mind for the rest of the day.