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Elle
DECLAN MUST HAVE RECOGNIZED her. Her emotions alternated between hope and anxiety. The way he stood up for her, defended her, thrilled her. No one ever came close to arguing with The Judge. The way Declan looked at her suggested he felt an attraction and heated her blood. The connection between them proved stronger than her appearance, and she couldn’t wrap her head around the impossibility, the unbelievability.
Following the GPS, she pulled up to the gate of Declan’s family home. She’d grown up with money and a nice home, so she hadn’t hesitated over the estate. Patrick had welcomed her and treated her with warmth and respect, so she felt comfortable in his presence. The idea of meeting Bethany O’Hanrahan made her quake. The idea of talking with Shannon and Freesia made her feel ill with nerves.
An oak canopy covered the drive, and she smiled at the sense of comfort the old-time look generated. When she parked her rental behind a contractor’s oversized pickup truck, she took a deep breath.
Checking her appearance in the mirror, she reapplied lip gloss. Declan told her to come as herself. She knew what “self” he meant, so she’d left off the makeup only highlighting her eyes and glossing her lips. Her nerves danced with two left feet, tangling up and falling over each other.
Carrying her cobbler dish, she walked to the grand front doors and rang the bell. She shook with nervousness as she waited for the door to be answered. When it opened, Declan stood on the other side. She’d expected a maid or even a butler. Surprise had her mouth gaping. “Declan.”
His expression lit as he looked her over. “You look fantastic.”
“Thank you. You look handsome.” He did. The t-shirt he wore clung to his chest, displaying the muscles in his arms and breadth of his shoulders. She felt overdressed in her summery dress and pretty, strappy sandals.
“Thanks.” He stepped back to let her enter.
As she stepped to pass him, his arm came around her waist, and he pulled her into a hug. A rush of heated sparks shot over her. “I’m glad you came. I was afraid you wouldn’t show.” His smile was warm, sincere, and his hold tightened before he released her.
“I said I’d come,” she snapped. Turning to the foyer, she clutched her dish to her chest like a shield. “Where should I put this?”
“In the kitchen. This way.” He laid his hand on her back, and heat zinged up her spine.
He opened a door in the foyer that led into a dark, narrow hallway, the old servants’ hall. Elle felt like she’d stepped back in time.
Down the long hall they walked, and he pulled her against his side instead of letting her fall behind. Declan’s closeness made her hyperaware of every sense, and her body didn’t know how to respond to the onslaught of mad sensation. It delighted but it terrified every cell of her body.
She sent him an irritated glance and found him grinning at her with a knowing glint in his eyes. Hmm. That looked an awful lot like a challenge.
Slowing, she turned her body fully toward his. Their gazes locked, his darkening to green as he stared at her. She eased closer until they touched chest-to-chest. His breathing hitched. Keeping her gaze on his, she traced her free hand up his arm to the back of his neck. His eyes closed a second then he looked at her again with a powerful longing. The intensity caused a sweet pang to spark through her center. She pulled him toward her as she rose on her toes and pressed her lips to his in a soft kiss.
His response was immediate, powerful, overwhelming, as he gripped her waist to pull her tighter against him and took control of the kiss, crushing his mouth to hers with all-consuming need. The longing she’d kept in hiding burst from its cage ravenous, desperate, burning. He moaned her name before reclaiming her mouth with a thirsty, driven demand. “Do you know how much I’ve wanted this, for how long?” he murmured against her lips.
She met that challenge by kissing him harder, demanding he take the kiss deeper. He didn’t disappoint, but matched her breath for breath, caress for caress, until her body trembled in his arms.
Parting their mouths, he pressed his forehead to hers and fought to breathe. She caressed her fingertips over the nape of his neck as her heart threatened to beat its way through her chest with the heady flow of desire.
“We’re going to talk about this, about us,” he said in a husky whisper. He looked into her eyes with a smile. Fear shimmered on the edge of her desire. “It’s all right,” he murmured, reading her expression.
“I-I shouldn’t have done that. I-we can’t.”
“We’ve already done it. The question is, where do we go from here?” He brushed his knuckles down her cheek. “I won’t hurt you, Elle.”
She pressed her eyelids closed and pulled up the courage to be honest. “I’m afraid of disappointing you, hurting you. I’m cold, frigid.”
His laugh had her opening her eyes. “You’re overflowing with passion. How can you think you’re cold?”
“I know I am.”
He frowned. “They’re going to start looking for us. We’ll talk, later.”
“Maybe.” She stepped back for a few inches of space in the narrow hall.
“Don’t,” he said. “Don’t pull away.”
She didn’t respond but moved down the hall. Declan took her hand in his, and her heart didn’t have the strength to stop him.
He pushed open a door and pulled her into bright light. They stood in a sunporch converted into an informal dining room with a long farm table stretching through the room. Dishes covered the center of the table. A wildflower arrangement made a chunky, fun centerpiece.
Declan pulled her along to the kitchen where several people stood. She knew them all except the petite woman rinsing pans in the wide, copper sink. Bethany.
Brennan nodded his head at her, and Shannon gave her a small wave. They stared, especially Brennan. He exchanged a silent, quick glance with Declan that spoke volumes.
“Mom, let me introduce Eleonora Alvarez.” He grinned at Elle. She could’ve sworn pride shone from his voice.
Bethany turned to look her over, and a smile brightened her face. Her dark eyes sparkled. “Welcome, dear.”
“Thank you. I brought cobbler.”
“Perfect! Just squeeze it onto the table someplace.” Bethany dried her hands as she stepped forward, and Elle held out a hand to shake. Bethany ignored her hand and pulled her in for a warm, welcoming hug. It felt like sunshine breaking through a cloudy sky. Elle sank into the comfort, surprised by her emotional response. A vision of her mom flashed through her thoughts.
When Bethany pulled away, she looked into Elle’s tear-filled eyes and pressed a warm palm to her cheek. “Goodness, what’s the matter?”
“Nothing. Thank you for having me.”
Bethany waved off her thanks and returned to the sink of dishes.
Declan rubbed a hand down her back. “Are you ok?” he whispered close to her ear.
“She reminded me of my mom. Forgive me, I just had a flash of emotion.”
Shannon interrupted them. “Freesia’s outside with the kids and Lucas. Want to come out for some girl time?”
No. Not a bit. “Sure.”
A smile lightened Shannon’s wary expression. “Great!”
Declan gave his sister a look full of meaning before he smiled at Elle. “You’ll fall in love with baby Gretchen. Watch out for Cody. If he asks you to look at the tadpoles, run!”
Elle laughed.
Shannon shook her head. “It’s true, about the tadpoles. Cody would have you knee-deep in mud within seconds. Lucas brought his golden retriever, Sadie. Are you ok with dogs?”
“I don’t know.”
Declan and Shannon gaped at her.
He raised a brow. “What do you mean, you don’t know?”
Embarrassment made her twist her hands together and look at the floor. “I’ve never had a dog. I’m from the city, remember?”
“It’s ok.” Shannon looped her arm in Elle’s. “Sadie’s a sweetheart, really. You’ll love her.”
Elle gave Declan a quivery smile as she moved with Shannon to the French doors leading outside.
“I’m so glad to have you and Freesia. I’ve been outnumbered by men for long enough.” Shannon’s light chuckle relaxed Elle. “And my mom, well, she’s always been my mom. You know?”
Pain echoed through her. “Declan told me some about how she raised you all. I admire her.”
“Oh, don’t get me wrong. I admire and love Mom. It’s just not the same as having girl friends.”
“True.” Elle had friends through high school and college, but she’d lost touch with all of them once she’d focused on her career. It dawned on her how sad that was. Funny, it hadn’t bothered her until now.
A lanky man sat on a terraced step of the deck watching Cody race around the yard with a dog on his heels. Lucas. He turned his face up to them as they walked onto the deck. Oh my, but he was gorgeous with brilliant, blue eyes contrasted against thick, black hair. He had a rugged, outdoorsy look with a close-trimmed beard.
Shannon’s arm tightened on Elle’s as Lucas stood and fastened his attention on Shannon. Glancing at her, Elle caught her expression harden. Pain flashed over his face. Its intensity caused Elle’s chest to ache.
“Lucas, this is Eleonora Alvarez.” Shannon’s voice sounded natural, but her eyes flashed. “She’s working as the company’s in-house lawyer, and she’s Declan’s special friend.”
It was Elle’s turn to stiffen. “I don’t know about special.” She broke free from Shannon to shake Lucas’ hand. “It’s nice to meet you.” Looking at them, she smiled. “I’ve gotten to know your Cody. He’s a charmer.”
They shared a warm glance, naturally and unexpectedly. Shannon’s head swiveled back to Elle fast enough to cause whiplash.
“Thanks,” Lucas said. “We think he’s great.”
Freesia joined them with baby Gretchen on her hip. “It’s nice to see you again, Eleonora.” Her eyes widened as she stared at Elle’s face and dress.
“You too, Freesia.”
A silence fell over the group, and Lucas escaped into the house.
“Let’s sit,” Shannon said, taking Gretchen from Freesia and leading them to a collection of colorful Adirondack chairs.
“What do you think of the estate?” Freesia asked.
“Oh, it’s lovely.”
The two women exchanged smiles.
“Am I missing something?” she asked.
Freesia laughed, a musical sound. “I was terrified and intimidated. It took me a while to get over it and accept Brennan’s love.”
Shannon rolled her eyes.
“Declan told me you run the local floral shop. You’re a floral designer?”
“Yes. I run it with my sister. She’s the real business mind behind our success.”
“Your arrangements are art. Don’t sell yourself short.” Shannon turned to Elle. “Freesia makes sculptures, too, from driftwood and sea glass, really whatever she finds.”
Freesia blushed and shrugged. “I enjoy it.”
“That’s nice you love your job.”
Shannon’s eyebrows quirked. “Do you enjoy being a lawyer?”
“I do. I like helping people settle problems. It’s satisfying. Maybe not exciting or creative, but it has its moments. Like this situation with LaRose.”
Freesia shuddered. “You watch out for him. What a creep!”
“What did he do?”
“He grabbed me at a party and tried to force a kiss. Brennan got me away, protected me, but he’s a lech.”
“He’s out to get my brothers. Freesia’s right. You be careful of him.”
“I will. Hopefully, I won’t have to see him. He has no reason to come to the office.”
Freesia and Shannon exchanged a look.
“He’s unpredictable and arrogant,” Shannon said. “He printed those lies. Brennan asked me if it could have anything to do with Lucas, our separation. I don’t see how it could. No one knows we’re separated outside of the family, and the family doesn’t know why.”
Freesia squeezed Shannon’s hand. Elle understood at that moment, Freesia knew, but she wouldn’t press Shannon. They didn’t have that kind of relationship.
“I understand the pressure to maintain a certain image,” she said. “I admire you keeping your business private.”
“What was your family like?” Shannon asked.
What a heavy question. “I grew up with a wealthy, successful father, moving in elite circles. I can understand how this overwhelmed Freesia, but I know money and big houses don’t make the world go ‘round. There were times I would’ve preferred warmth to prestige.”
“Was your father distant?” Shannon asked, her voice quiet and soft.
“He was driven, focused. Most of my conversations with him revolved around my future and what was expected of me. My mom was the opposite. She nurtured and encouraged me and my sister. She understood my heart.”
“Are they still around?” Freesia asked.
“My dad and sister just came for a visit. I needed a break from them, distance, so this position was the perfect opportunity. My mom died years ago.”
“Oh, I’m sorry,” Freesia said.
“Did you always want to be a lawyer?” Shannon asked.
“No. I didn’t want to be anything like my father.” How did they get on this conversation?
Shannon studied her a moment. “Was there a man back home?”
Elle met Shannon’s eyes. “Not anymore.”
A wide smile took over Shannon’s face. “Do you like Declan?”
A flush warmed Elle’s cheeks. Both women laughed.
Freesia shook her blond ponytail with her laugh. “You don’t have to answer that, your face says it all. He’s adorable, isn’t he? Can you believe that mischievous grin of his?”
Elle laughed. “He’s kind and so talented. I like his hands.”
Shannon’s eyes glittered as she laughed. “He likes you.”
“Did-did he say so?”
“Oh, yeah. And it’s obvious when he looks at you.” Shannon ran her hand through Gretchen’s soft baby curls. “You look different here, now, than at the office. I wouldn’t have recognized you. Why do you dress severely?”
Silence fell. Elle’s insecurity and fear filled her chest with heavy pressure.
“It’s just us girls,” Shannon whispered.
Elle didn’t think for a second she’d keep her secrets from Declan.
“I am that person. This,” she ran her hand over her dress. “This is not who I am. I tried to explain to Declan, but he doesn’t understand. No one understands. I had to buy this dress and shoes for today. I am reserved, cold.”
Freesia’s brow furrowed. “I don’t get it.”
Shannon watched her, much like Declan did. “It’s how you see yourself. How do you think others see you?”
“No one sees me like this. It was a fluke Declan saw me without my usual makeup and clothing. He wants me to be this person, but I’m not.”
“Who do you want to be?”
“What?”
Shannon’s expression sharpened. “If you could choose which person to be, which person would you choose?”
“If only it worked that way.” She couldn’t answer the question. An ache caught her breath. Leaping up from her chair, she rambled about wanting a drink. “Aren’t we going to eat soon?”
“It’s ok,” Shannon said. “Eleonora, it’s all right. I’m sorry if I pushed you too hard. It’s my nature to question and study. I’m too curious for my own good. I’m sorry.”
“No, it’s fine.” Elle’s arms went around her stomach, hugged herself. “I’m going inside.”
Declan
Declan watched Shannon disappear out the French doors with Elle in tow.
“Hey, man.” Declan clapped his brother on the back. “How’re things with Freesia?”
Brennan’s face took on a sappy, happy look. “She’s amazing. What’s going on with you and Ms. Alvarez? Whew, she couldn’t look more different.”
“I know. She’s great, but she hides herself.” Declan filled Brennan in on saving her at the airport and their two days at the cabin.
Brennan laughed. “I knew an undercurrent flowed between the two of you. I couldn’t figure it out. She looked scary, but you couldn’t stop watching her.”
“I’m still figuring her out. Her dad’s a real piece of work. You should’ve heard him talking about her working in a man’s world. He made some comment about her not keeping a man.”
“No. In front of you?”
“I couldn’t believe it. He expects her to find a man but hide her femininity.”
“Messed up.”
“Pretty much. I’m not giving up on her. She’s softening.”
“Do you love her?”
Declan’s heart stalled. “That’s powerful, bro. I don’t know if I’m there yet. What if I can’t get her to come around?”
“I can tell you, if it’s real, you’ll love her whether she loves you or not.”
Declan couldn’t talk. Emotion choked him.
“Tell me what you like about her. What makes her worth the effort?”
He met his brother’s knowing eyes. “She’s warm and kind. At the cabin, we had fun doing every day, small things. She enjoys hiking, the outdoors. There isn’t anything haughty about her. Cody took to her, and she enjoyed being with him. You should hear her read him a story. She appreciated everything I did. Not once did she gripe about things not being nice or fancy enough. Her appearance at work shocked me. Underneath the armor, she’s tender and sweet, humble. She has passion. And she’s smart. You must admit, she’s done great work for us. She works hard.” Declan rubbed his chest. “Seeing her in the cabin, she belonged. We have a connection I can’t define. I never felt this with any girl before her.”
“Sounds like love.”
Declan let a breath escape. Looking out the windows, he watched Elle with Shannon and Freesia. She looked so pretty with the sun glinting off the highlights in her hair. Her dress fit all the right places, showing her slim, subtle curves, and ended at her knees. Those legs of hers made his mouth go dry.
Brennan chuckled behind him. “You’ve got love written all over your face.”
Lucas joined them with a glass of water. “Hey, guys. Admiring our girls?”
“Yeah,” Brennan said.
Declan studied Lucas’ dark expression. “No change with Shannon?”
“No.” He took a swallow of water, but Declan caught the shimmer of tears in his eyes.
“You miss her.”
A pained laugh tore from Lucas. “Half of me has been ripped off leaving a gaping wound.”
“I understand,” Brennan said with emotion.
“No.” Lucas spit the word. “You think you love Freesia now. Wait a few years. Have a couple of babies. Share your life with her. Then tell me you understand.”
“I’m sorry,” Declan said.
“Tell us what happened. Maybe we can help.”
“I can’t defend myself.” Lucas turned from them, swiping a hand across his eyes. “I would never hurt her, but she...doesn’t believe in me.”
Patrick and Bethany entered the kitchen hand-in-hand.
Elle burst through the French doors and pulled up short. “Oh.” Her eyes flew to Declan, and she colored to the tips of her ears.
“Are we ready to eat?” Patrick asked.
Brennan trotted out to the deck to get Freesia and the others.
Declan moved to Elle’s side with a smile. “Hello, beautiful.”
“Hi.”
He took her hand, and she let him. Hope flared in his heart. “Did you get to know the girls better?”
“Yes.” She lifted her eyes to his with a flicker of shyness.
“Did you talk about me?” He grinned to let her know he was teasing, but her eyes widened.
The others crowded through the doors. Cody chattered while Sadie barked and dashed around the kitchen. Lucas grabbed her collar and hauled her from the room.
Elle’s hand clenched his, and he wondered if this was more commotion and family than she’d ever experienced. He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her back against his chest. She smelled like spice and citrus, and he inhaled a deep breath of her. When she relaxed against him, he felt like he’d been given a gift. Did he love her?
They settled around the table, a loud tumbling mass of voices and laughter. Elle sat across from him. He couldn’t take his eyes from hers, dark and warm like melted caramel.
Bethany sat beside her and said, “Tell us about yourself, honey.”
She smiled as she took a spoonful of mashed potatoes and passed the dish. “I grew up in the city. I have a younger sister.”
“Oh, so you’re the oldest,” Shannon said as if that explained so much.
“Yes.”
“Have you seen Declan’s paintings?” Brennan asked.
She met his eyes before looking to Brennan. “I have. They’re impressive, rich and powerful. You must be proud.”
“We are,” Patrick said, elbowing Declan’s side. “He’s been drawing and painting since he could hold a crayon.”
“Even before,” Bethany said with a chuckle. “He’d crawl into Shannon and Brennan’s paints and things. I can’t tell you how many walls we had to repaint because he’d smeared his hands all over them.”
Both Brennan and Shannon groaned, making everyone at the table laugh.
“He was so annoying, always getting into my room and my stuff,” Brennan said with an exaggerated glare.
Shannon shook her head. “He read my diary. Rotten, Declan!”
Declan tried not to laugh. “You shouldn’t have left it out to tempt me.”
She tossed a balled-up napkin at his face.
“What was it like with your sister?” Bethany asked Elle. “Are you close?”
“We’re very different.” She studied her plate. “I was more outdoorsy and creative. She was girlie, always fixing her hair or playing dolls. We didn’t have much in common.”
Declan cleared his throat. “Freesia, how’s wedding planning?”
She beamed, and Brennan winked at her. The rest of lunch they spent discussing their future.
When Declan got a chance, he pulled Elle to his side. “I’d like to show you someplace special.”
“Oh, really?” she said with a teasing look. “I don’t know about your surprises, Declan O’Hanrahan.”
“Follow me.” He took her hands and led her to the servant’s stairway.
Elle
Declan’s gleeful expression made her laugh. She followed him into the servant’s section of the house.
“We don’t use this area anymore unless we’re throwing a weekend house party and hire help.”
The narrow stairs wrapped around the back of the kitchen and came out on the second-floor hallway. He led her into a library with floor to ceiling bookshelves stuffed with books. She took a deep breath of the musty book-smell.
“Is this it?” she asked.
He chuckled. “You sound disappointed.”
“Not about the library. I love books. I wanted to be a librarian slash journalist.” She ran her fingers over antique book spines.
Declan watched her. “Why didn’t you?”
“It wasn’t practical. I’m fine with my choice to be a lawyer, but it wasn’t my first dream.” She took another deep breath and flashed a happy grin at Declan.
He stared at her, captured, and it felt wonderful to have his admiration.
“Do you read?” she asked.
“Not much.” He looked around the room. “Generations collected books. If I took the time, I’d find some treasures.”
“I would love an afternoon with your collection.”
“Just name a time.” He smiled. “I love the excitement on your face.”
She laughed. “This is my dream room.”
“I had something better in mind.” He stepped to the line of shelves and pressed his fingers against a wood edge.
“Ooh, you’ve got my curiosity piqued.”
The shelf swung forward to reveal a dark opening in the wall. A thrilled gasp flew from her throat. “A secret passage!”
“We have several.” He took ahold of her hand and pulled her into the dark.
“How do we see?”
He held up a slim LED flashlight. “I’ve got you.”
“Why are there passages?”
“It’s normal for the era. They had long house parties, and the passages created shortcuts between sections of the house.”
She pressed close as they crept through the chilly dark. A shiver coursed through her. “Are there spiders?”
“Maybe.” He chuckled as she clenched his hand tighter.
It felt delicious, the spookiness and the dark intimacy of the passage. The warmth of his body seeped into her making her thoughts fuzzy. “Where are we going?”
“You’ll see.”
Declan pressed against a section of the passage wall, and a hidden door swung into a sunlit room. She stepped through the opening.
“A sitting room.”
“Not so exciting?”
“It’s pretty.” She glanced around the room. “You’ve kept this true to the period?”
“Mostly. The antique furniture isn’t comfortable, but it shows well.”
She studied the portraits. “Is this Liam O’Hanrahan?”
“The famous man himself.” Declan joined her to study the face of the man who started it all. “I used to study the portraits throughout the house, looking for family resemblance.”
“You have his eyes.”
Declan grinned, pleased. “You think?”
“Mmhmm. He was handsome, and he’s got an impish quality. Just look at that smirk.”
He laughed, wrapping an arm around her and giving her a side hug. After a moment, he pulled her along to sit beside him at a bay window.
“I enjoy being with you, Elle.” His expression turned serious, held a question.
“I enjoy being with you, too.”
A smile lit his entire face. “Good.” He tilted his head toward her, his breath fanned across her lips, and her heart leaped. He paused, his eyes asking permission, giving her time to pull away. She didn’t. Lifting her chin, she met his kiss.
It started gentle, soft, but changed in an instant to hot, passionate. His hand cupped the back of her head, held her close. She sighed against his mouth and opened to him, deepening the kiss. Kissing Declan felt right, like a promise and a dream. He lit the flame of her passion, bringing her to life. She responded to his affection with pure emotional need, raw hunger, as if she’d been famished and he fed her soul. He slowed the kiss too soon.
“I want to be with you.” He kissed her, soft and slow. “No more hiding.” He kissed her again, lingering on her lips. “Say yes.”
“Yes,” she breathed against his hot, moist mouth. “Yes.”
She slipped her arms around his waist, holding him, as he took her mouth again in a kiss of celebration, of joy. She couldn’t do anything except feel as desire whispered over her skin, filling her senses.
After a long, sweet moment, he drew apart but stared into her eyes. “Your dark eyes draw me in. I can see every emotion in them. I see your passion.”
“You really see that in me?” she whispered, moved by the tenderness in his expression.
He touched his lips to hers in a light caress. “And more. I see your sweetness and your warmth. I admire your determination, your sense of fun, and your competitive streak. I want to know everything about you. I want you in my life.”
“Oh, Declan.” She traced the shape of his jaw, his narrow face and full lips. “I’m not sure I even know myself.”
He kissed her again, running his fingers into her hair and fisting it in his hands as she responded. When their lips parted, he took a shaky breath. “I swear your lips were made for me.”
She stood, to distance herself and regain some control. Moving around the room, she studied the landscapes and portraits. Declan watched her, his expression warm and possessive.
“Tell me another legend,” she said.
A smile slipped across his lips. “Have you heard the legends of the Aran sweater?”
“Tell me.” She settled down beside him again on the window seat.
He pulled her to his chest and ran a hand over her hair. She relaxed into his warmth, letting her head rest against him. “A group of islands off the Irish coast is home to hard-working fishermen who brave the cold and the wild sea. In this land called Aran, knitting a sweater is a work of love. There are several traditional stitch designs with meaning for the fisherman. A loving wife would knit her husband a sweater using all the traditional stitches and send him to sea knowing he’d be warm and dry. The fisherman would wear the sweater while he battled the sea and know he was loved. During the long days and nights, the sweater would remind him of home and help him remain strong until he could return.” He kissed her hair, dipped his head to nuzzle against her neck until she shivered. “When a girl had her eye on a young fisherman, she knitted him a special Aran sweater with the zigzag pattern for marriage. She would go to him and offer it as a gift. If the young man accepted her sweater, it meant he loved her in return. To this day, the Aran sweater is a treasure of Ireland with much meaning and history, especially as a symbol of love between a man and a woman.”
“How sweet and romantic. I can picture that in my mind, a man at sea finding comfort in the sweater his love made him. It would’ve made him feel close to her, I think. Thank you, Declan.” She smiled up at him. “You know, most stories are about a man giving a gift to a girl.”
“True.” He held her tight, and she snuggled into his warmth with deep contentment.
“I need to get back.”
“Why?”
“It’s getting late, and I don’t want to overstay.”
“All right.” But he didn’t loosen his hold. “I don’t want to let you go.”
She laughed. “You’re sweet, Declan. You make me feel special.”
He shifted to look into her face. “You are special to me.”
Reaching up, she traced the outline of his lips. His eyes darkened as they roamed over her face. He leaned down to kiss her with tender sweetness. With a groan deep in his throat, he released her.
“I’ll walk you out.”
They walked into the main hall, and he led her to the foyer. They didn’t speak.
Pulling her back into his arms, he kissed her hard and fast. “Promise you’ll give us a chance. Don’t disappear on me.”
“I-I promise.” She’d do her best.
From the car, she looked back at Declan standing on the front porch. The idea of letting him in, trusting herself, showing herself, terrified her. What if it wasn’t enough and she lost him? The thought of Declan walking away filled her with gnawing fear.