Declan (3 page)

Chapter 5

Declan woke early to get his morning jog in at the park. After a night like last night, he had energy and aggravation to burn. He jogged into the park entrance and kept running, not even stopping to stretch. He pumped his arms at his sides as his breath came out in pants. He enjoyed jogging as a simple way to relieve his stress. He replayed the scenes from last night, the way she’d looked and the asshole with her. Would he have changed anything? Hell yeah, she wouldn’t have gone out on the date to begin with.

His lungs burned as he pushed harder for another mile as he remembered the look on her face when he’d kissed her. The hot, passionate kiss he’d been waiting for, yet he’d never imagined the slap she’d lain on his cheek right after. Did he deserve it? Absolutely. When it came to the Love men charming women, Flynn had been the only one to inherit that gene, but that wouldn’t stop him from going after what he wanted. And until last night, it had been only heated glances from across the table and noticing the blush of her cheeks when she was embarrassed, and damned if he didn’t notice the way she nibbled her bottom lip when she was nervous. He was the man who noticed those things, not the escort from last night, or even Flynn. It was Declan she belonged with, and now he just had to prove it. He’d kept her at arm’s length long enough. It was time he pulled her in before someone else cut the connection for good.

Declan jogged out of the park and headed to his house. If he was going to win her over, he was going to need to apologize the best way he knew how.

****

Declan grabbed the coffees and bakery bag from his car and walked up the sidewalk to Olivia’s door. After a long night of drinking and thinking, he owed her an apology, if not a hell of a lot more. As he was reaching for the doorbell, the door opened. Olivia was dressed in a sundress, her hair twisted up on her head, and her makeup just the way he liked it, understated in the girl-next-door kind of way.

“This look suits you.”

“I didn’t ask for your opinion.” Olivia rolled her eyes and let out a long sigh. “Why are you here?”

“I wanted to apologize for last night.”

“Good.” She pulled the door open and let him in masking the hesitation in her eyes. “I have to leave in a few minutes.”

He handed her the bakery bag. “Peace offering. It’s your favorite.”

She opened it and sniffed the contents. Her favorite blueberry muffins filled the bag. “How did you know?”

“I pay attention,” he said, walking past her.

“That’s debatable,” she mumbled and shut the door.

He put the container down on the table with the coffee and turned to her, hesitating with his words. “I don’t want things to be awkward.”

Olivia set the bag down next to the coffee. “Nothing’s changed,” she reassured him. “That one kiss….meant nothing.”

Lie. His lips twitched. “Everything’s changed.” He cleared his throat and slid his hands in his pocket. “Olivia…I need you to understand something.”

Olivia crossed her arms over her chest and lifted a brow. “Oh?”

“Last night, the kiss, seeing you with someone else, it did something to me. Something I wasn’t prepared for.” He slid his hands out of his pocket. His heart beat heavily in his chest as he cleared his throat. “I don’t know what this pull is between us, but I’m done fighting it.”

She held up her hand, stopping him. “Let me save you the breath. Declan, I know you don’t do relationships. I’ve liked you for a long time, and you were right when you said we were friends. I’ve always wanted more, dreamed of it actually. Then I went along with Flynn and pretended I was something more than I was. So, if what you want is the woman you saw last night, that isn’t me. That will never be me, and I’m good with that. Actually great with that. There’s only one thing that I’ve been waiting for…”

“Olivia…”

She closed the distance between them pressing her lips to his, catching him off guard. The muscles in his shoulders clenched as she held on to his hips.

He drew her body flush with his, letting her feel how much he wanted her. His hand tangled in her strands, tilting her head for better access as his tongue plundered her mouth, tasting everything she was. Her fast heartbeat matched his as her body relaxed into his, leaning into his embrace. In that minute, he knew. He broke the kiss and held her gaze. Her cheeks flushed a rosy pink, and her bruised lips parted.

“That passion isn’t something that can be faked.” His gaze landed on her lips as he debated taking her again. “But I…can’t promise you forever.”

“I don’t want your promises.” She pressed her lips to his. Her fingers fumbled with the button on his jeans before lowering the zipper. Her fingers slid inside, and she held him.

He groaned and held her wrist. “Olivia, don’t start something you aren’t prepared to finish.”

“Have you ever known me to quit anything?”

Truth.

“No.” He hesitated a mere second before reaching for the hem of her dress, slowly lifting it up her thighs. Her warm, long legs beckoned for attention as his fingers skimmed over her silky skin. He pulled the dress over her head and let it slip from his fingers. He held her breast, kneading it as his finger slipped below the bra and he lowered the offending fabric out of the way.

“Beautiful,” he murmured as he lowered his head and sucked the plump flesh into his mouth.  

He pressed his hips into hers, letting her feel exactly what she did to him.

Declan kissed a slow, sensual path up her chest to her neck, her pulse quickened beneath his lips. “Declan. I need you.”

Truth.

He lifted her by the ass, and she circled her legs around him. He carried her down the hall and kicked her door closed with his foot. When his knees touched the bed, he eased her down, following her up the bed. He took his time, pressing kisses to belly as he pulled her panties off. Running his palms up and down her thighs, he spread her and licked his lips before kissing a path up to her core. He watched her face as he licked her, tasting her on his tongue delved in for the first time. Her eyes slid closed on a moan.

He spread her legs wider and kept tasting her. Sliding a finger into her tight channel, he worked it in and out, moving her closer to the edge, where he was hanging by a thread.

He slid off the bed, stepping out of his jeans and boxers. She watched him from under her heavy lids as she moved to unhook her bra. She tossed it on the floor. Her chest rose and fell in anticipation.

He pulled a condom out of his pocket and tore into the wrapper, slowly rolling it down his engorged shaft. Olivia licked her lips, her cheeks flushed as he crawled up her body and settled between her thighs. He rubbed his shaft through her juices before sliding in an inch.

“You’re tight.”

She swallowed. “Declan, there’s something I need to tell you…”

He slid in another inch before breaching her barrier. He held himself still as he searched her eyes. “You’re a virgin.”

Her cheeks flushed as she nodded in answer, as if unable to speak.

Declan kissed her, leaving her breathless before moving down her chest and taking one breast in his mouth and cupping the other with his hand, increasing her pleasure to remove the upcoming pain from claiming her virginity. He scraped his teeth against her nipple before smoothing the sting with his tongue. He tweaked her nipple between his finger, and he could feel her tighten more.

He moved up to her mouth and kissed her again. “This may hurt a little.”

“If you don’t start moving, I may hurt you.”

She lifted her hips in invitation, and he slid in farther, breaching her barrier until he was seated to the hilt. He stilled, letting her get accustomed to his size. When her body relaxed, he began to move, holding his own desire until he felt her walls clenching him.

“Oh God.” She moaned, digging her nails dug into his back.

He quickened his pace. “Come for me, Olivia.”

He worked her, sliding in and out, over and over until she screamed his name.

Hearing his name on her lips was his undoing. His restraint broke, shooting his seed into the latex. He stayed inside of her while he pressed his lips to hers in a lazy kiss between lovers. Panic took hold when he felt something wrong. He pulled out of her and glanced between their bodies. What should have been a full condom was empty.

He rested his head on her belly and closed his eyes, unsure how to tell her what had happened. Her fingers played in his hair. “Olivia.”

“Yeah?”

He looked up at her and went with pure honesty, unable to find an easy way to tell her. “The condom broke.”

She lifted up on her elbows. Panic stretched across her face. “What?”

“I’m so sorry.” He climbed off the bed and went into the bathroom and discarded the condom and cleaned up before returning to clean her up. When he was done, he lay down beside her and pulled her close. “If you end up pregnant, we’ll deal with it.” He kissed her forehead. “I’m sorry this tainted your first time.”

She leaned up on her elbow, resting her cheek in her hand. “None of what happened was tainted. It was better than I could have imagined.”

Truth.

Change was needed, but it wasn’t Olivia that needed to change. No, it was Declan. If anyone needed to change it was him. He needed to be the man she wanted, the one she’d dreamed of, and the one she could fall for and in order to do that, he was going to have to put in the effort. Not just a quick roll in the sack, no matter how great it was.

He released some of the tension in his muscles and stroked her arm. “You want to do dinner some time?”

Olivia rested her arm and her chin on his chest, looking up at him. “I’ll think about it.”

He rolled on top of her and settled between her thighs. “You’re lucky I only had the one condom, or I’d make love to you again until you said yes.”

She reached over to the bedside table and pulled out a new box before tossing it back inside. “As tempting as that sounds, I’m afraid I can’t. I’m going to be late if I don’t get cleaned up.”

He pressed a kiss to her neck. “You sure your plans can’t wait?”

She pressed against his shoulder, stopping his kisses. “I’m afraid not. Sky Alexis and I are expected for our last fitting. I kind of have to be there, being the maid of honor and all. It’s my duty.”

“Shit.” Declan glanced at the clock. “I’ll drive you. I have to get fitted for my tux next door.” He didn’t move to get off of her. “Say yes to a date, and I’ll let you go.”

She hesitated, chewing her bottom lip before nodding. “Okay.”

He pressed a fast kiss to her lips. “How about tonight?

She shook her head. “I can’t. I have plans.”

His brows dipped. “Tomorrow?”

She shrugged. “Maybe.”

Chapter 6

Declan drove her to the shop and parked outside. He walked her to the door, pulling her to a stop and laying a kiss on her that left her dazed and giddy. He tapped her ass and opened the door for her. “Have fun.”

Olivia spotted Skylar and her cousin, Alexis, in the back of the store. They waved as she approached.

“My, my, you’re glowing.” Alexis teased. “Did you get lucky last night?”

“Don’t be ridiculous.” Sky knocked her shoulder until she looked at Olivia. “Oh my god you did.” She pulled Alexis and Olivia away from the seamstress. “How was it? Who was it? I need details. I really hope it didn’t hurt. Was he special? I thought you were going to wait.”

“Take a breath, Sky.” Olivia’s cheeks heated as she pulled them even farther away to the sitting area. “It wasn’t last night.” She couldn’t contain her smile. “It was about an hour ago, and it was with….Declan.”

Alexis squealed, and Sky jumped up from her seat. “Tell me he didn’t.” She planted her hands on her hips. “Did you tell him you were a virgin?” she demanded. “That sorry SOB hasn’t even taken you on a date and he seduced you? I’ll kill him.”

Alexis’s squeal stopped. “Wait? You’re a virgin?”

“Was,” she clarified before returning her gaze to Sky. “And he didn’t seduce me. I seduced him when he showed up on my doorstep to apologize for being an ass last night.”

Sky’s jaw dropped. Words eluded her before she nodded. “Well, good for you. It’s about damn time you got what you wanted. Are you dating now, or did he run scared?”

“He informed me he didn’t do relationships but then asked me to dinner.”

“So where is he taking you?”

Olivia rubbed her fingers together. “I told him I have plans.”

Alexis’s mouth parted, and Skylar grinned. “And he bought that?”

She shrugged. “It was the truth. I’d planned to go see a movie.”

“I don’t understand. I thought this was what you wanted.”

Olivia moved to sit down on the carpeted bench in the dressing room. “He’s not ready. I didn’t want him to feel obligated because we had sex, and had I said yes, then I’d never know if he’d really wanted to.” She held Sky’s gaze. “I knew I wanted him to be my first, so I didn’t think, just acted.”

****

Declan sauntered into the tuxedo shop. A tailor had a measuring tape around Flynn’s neck, and last night he would have used that position to strangle the bastard.

“You’re late,” Flynn announced. “You still licking your wounds?”

Luke, glanced Declan’s way. “I heard what happened.”

Declan moved into Flynn’s face. “She’s off the market. Do you understand?”

Flynn’s lips tilted up in a cocky smirk. “That’s for her to decide, bro.”

Declan shook his head. “Cut the crap, Flynn. No more setting her up.”

Flynn shrugged. “You aren’t her keeper. You aren’t dating her. There’s no reason she should sit at home every night. We both know she deserves better.”

Declan tilted his head. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think
you
liked her.”

Flynn shrugged, and Declan lunged for his brother, but Luke pulled him back. “This isn’t a game, Flynn. Back the fuck off.”

“Gentleman.” The tailor tisked. “The knock-down, drag-out will have to wait until after your measurements.”

Flynn held up his hands in surrender.

Luke clapped Declan’s back. “He’s screwing with you. We both know he’ll never settle down.”

“Hey….” Flynn grumbled. “I can settle down if I wanted to. I just don’t want to.”

“I can’t wait to see the day a woman brings you to your knees and the table is flipped.” Luke kidded. “So have you asked her out?”

“Yeah, but she said she had plans.”

“She didn’t say yes?”

“No, so who’s the dick you lined up for tonight?”

Flynn shook his head, walking away from the tailor. “I didn’t set up a date for her tonight. Olivia deserves to be swept off her feet and cherished. I haven’t found the right guy yet. Last night was just a test drive to see how she handles herself. She’s a virgin, you know.”

“How in the hell did you know that?” Declan grabbed Flynn’s shirt.

“I could tell.” Flynn brushed his brother’s hands off of him. “You didn’t know?”

Declan’s jaw ticked, and Flynn’s eyes widened as if he were peering down into Declan’s soul and knew first-hand that he’d slept with her. “Tell me you didn’t.”

“It’s none of your damn business.”

Flynn threw his hands up and turned. “You deflowered her.” He spun back around. “When? It wasn’t last night. I checked on her after she left.”

The tailor moved to Declan and started his measurements, keeping him immobile.

“Like I said, it’s none of your damn business.”

Flynn ran his hand through his hair. “This is my fault.”

Declan’s jaw ticked. “Why did you have to try and change her into a female version of you?”

“I just wanted her to be happy.” Flynn’s shoulders eased.

Fifteen minutes later ,after all of the alterations were complete. Luke twirled his car keys on his finger and headed to the door. “Come on, boys. Lunch is on me. I’m sure Declan’s a little rusty when it comes to sweeping women off their feet.”

“Bite me,” he growled.

Flynn patted Declan on the back and steered him to the door. “You need all the help you can get.”

“Like you helped Olivia? No thanks. I think I can manage.”

****

Sky and Olivia walked through the resort and into the pool area to look down on the beach below, where the wedding was going to be held. They were headed to LaAmour for a food tasting to approve the final touches on the reception and the cake. They both stared out into the blue water, watching the waves roll onto the beach.

“Take your time with him.” Sky turned to her. “He made you wait forever; maybe it will do him some good to see you aren’t pining away for him.”

Olivia nodded and let out a long breath. “I want the whole package with him, not just the crumbs he’s throwing my way.”

Sky’s phone rang, interrupting their conversation. Her eyes widened, and she gasped. “No. Oh please tell me you’re joking.”

“What?” Olivia turned her worried gaze on Sky, watching helplessly as the color drained from her friend’s cheeks.

“I’ll be right there.” She slid the phone into her pocket. “They ruined my dress.”

Olivia gasped. “We should leave.”

Sky rested her hand on Olivia’s. “The tasting, they’ve already prepared everything. Do you mind staying? I’ve already tasted the food and picked it out. This is just the final approval. Do you mind?”

“Not at all. Go…take care of the dress.”

“Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

Olivia walked Skylar to the parking lot before heading inside LaAmour. The normally quiet restaurant was buzzing with conversation and filled with nothing but men. She stood frozen just inside the door, her eyes scanning for anyone she knew. Skylar’s father stepped out of the backroom and greeted her.

“Where’s Skylar?”

“Something happened to her dress. So I’m stuck handling the food.”

He nodded and showed her to a table in the bar area. “The caterers are already here preparing in the back.”

“Who are all these people? You aren’t normally open for lunch.”

Her dad glanced behind him and grinned. “They’re all here for Flynn’s corporate team-building conference.”

“His what?”

“Flynn organizes most of our parties and corporate conferences, specializing in team building. These guys are his group.” He turned back to her. “Lunch was part of the package deal. Had I known he’d scheduled football players with healthy appetites for a two-week stint, I would have had him double the cost. Let me tell the caterers in the back that you’re here, and they’ll start bringing out the food and the champagne.”

“Thanks.” She placed her napkin on her lap and scanned the crowd of men as they talked and carried on. Several were looking her way. One specifically stood out. She’d seen his face, knew his name from watching football on Sundays with Sky’s brothers. “Trent Stewart.”

He held her gaze. A smile slipped onto his lips, and he gave her a slight nod. She felt the blood rushing to her cheeks and glanced away as the waiter headed in her direction with the first plate. He laid it in front of her and lifted the lid. Another server followed behind him with a bottle of champagne sitting in a bucket of ice.

“I hope you’re hungry. There is a feast worthy of any palate in the kitchen.”

“Perfect. Thank you.” Olivia was glad she’d skipped the muffins earlier that Declan had brought. If she’d eaten them, there was no way she could eat the amount of food that she knew was coming next.

Olivia rose, grabbed the champagne bottle, and tore off the wrapper from around the cork. She tried to pry it free, worried that the cork would shoot across the room if she pressed too hard. The last think Sky’s folks needed was a negligence lawsuit filed because she’d knocked a player in the head.

  “Let me,” a smooth voice said from behind her. His large hands slid on top of hers, taking the bottle from her hand. She turned to find Trent standing behind her, a smile curving his mouth.

“Thank you.”

He worked his magic on the cork without sending anyone to the hospital and poured her a glass. “Why are you eating alone?”

His question caught her off guard. “I’m doing the food tasting for a wedding reception.”

“A wedding reception. Now that makes perfect sense. I was wondering why such a beautiful woman was eating alone. When is your big day, and where’s the lucky man? Shouldn’t he be helping you?”

Heat crept up into Olivia’s cheeks. “Oh no. This isn’t my wedding. It’s for my best friend, actually. She’s getting married next weekend. She was here but had to leave. Some type of dress emergency.”

“Oh yes, I hear dress emergencies can be brutal.”

Olivia smiled and retook her seat. “So, do you have first-hand knowledge?”

“Is that your way of asking me if I’m single?” he teased and set the champagne bottle in the ice bucket.

Olivia’s mouth parted. “No, no, I didn’t mean it like that.”

“I’m teasing.” He gave her a thousand-watt smile. “Do you care if I join you? I hate to see a woman eating alone.”

Her eyes widened, and she glanced at the kitchen door. “Uh…no, I don’t mind.” She leaned across the table. “Maybe the others will quit looking at me.”

He glanced over his shoulder before turning back to face her. “Not a chance. They’re probably just pissed I talked to you first.” He held up his finger. “Let me grab my plate.” He grabbed his plate from his table and returned to hers. She gestured to the champagne. “Please have a glass. I’m not going to be able to drink the bottle.”

He poured a glass. “So, where’s your boyfriend?”

“Are you always this direct?” she asked and then took a bite of her salad.

“Yes, and you’re avoiding the question.”

She gave a slow nod. “Well, if you must know, I don’t have one. There is someone special, but he’s…”

“Got commitment issues?”

She grinned. “You must be a mind reader.”

He shook his head and cut into his steak as her salad was removed and replaced with another dish. He waited until the waiter left before answering.

“Nope, not a mind reader, but I have a sister, and I know the pensive look that just crossed your face.” He lifted his glass to her in a toast. “Here’s to getting everything you want.”

She smiled. “Thanks, you too.”

They each sipped. She was just putting her glass back on the table when Declan walked in, carrying a crate with champagne inside. He caught her gaze before narrowing his eyes on Trent.

“By the looks of it, I’d guess that’s him.”

“How can you tell?” she whispered.

“He looks ready to kill me.”

Declan set the champagne on the bar before stomping over to their table. “Is he the reason you have plans tonight?”

Olivia felt the blood drain from her face. Trent stood, tossing his napkin on the table. “You’ve got this all wrong.”

“Stay out of this. This is between me and her.” Declan spun on Olivia as if waiting for an answer. “You went from leaving bed with me to having lunch with him?”

Sky’s father stepped out of the kitchen and moved closer to them.

She’d given her virginity to him just hours ago, and here he stood insinuating she was a slut. The asshat. Olivia fought back the tears stinging the back of her eyes. Anger boiled beneath her skin all the way to the core as pain sliced her heart.

“Declan, you’re right. I deserve better. A lot better than this.” She rose and tossed her napkin on the table before glancing at Sky’s father. “Mr. Love, can you handle the food?”

He nodded, and she turned to leave. Declan grabbed her arm, stopping her.