Surrendering (13 page)

I stare back at him trying to ignore the butterflies in my stomach. I lift my lips to his to let him know we’re okay and he holds me close. There are a lot of things I might not want to know about Declan’s past, but I know I’ll have to work through them if I want us to work.

Several hours later, Sayge is on their last song and the girls and I are swaying back and forth to it. We stayed on our feet with the rest of the crowd through the entire performance. The three of us are soaked with sweat and our voices are hoarse from screaming. Declan made a point to sing to me most of the night. He stripped off his sweat-stained shirt and threw it directly to me. When I caught it, I got hateful looks from all the girls around us. I laughed and poked it into the back of my jeans.

Sayge finishes the song and the lights go out. Then the girls and I make our way backstage.

“Holy Moses, I’ve never seen Dec perform like that before. Rave, what have you done to him?” Ella asks quietly as we walk to the room.

“I’m not sure I’ve done anything. Maybe it was just a good night for them.”

“Nope, pretty sure it’s you.”

I see him right away. He’s slipping a clean shirt over his head. There’s a redhead next to him, but he doesn’t even pay attention to her. I walk up to him and run my hands over his back. He smiles down at me and plants a long, wet kiss on my lips. When he pulls away, I suck on his ring and smile up at him.

“You do realize I just went from a semi to a full hard-on?”

“We’ll see what we can do about that when we get home.”

Blake calls out over the small crowd, “Dec, you up for a few rounds? Let’s Party!”

“What do you think, Sparkle, you want to stay?”

“Let me check with my ride home and see what they’re doing.”

“You didn’t answer me,” he says in my ear. “I’ll take you home. Do you want to stay with me?”

I’m breathless again, so I nod my head.

“Good, let’s make sure they know you’re with me in case they want to go.”

Abbi and Ella are standing at the door with water. They decline to stay so Declan walks them to their car and I go to the bar.

He tugs on my ponytail when he returns and lands a kiss on the back of my neck. I turn to him and wrap myself around his shoulders. We both have lust in our eyes and I rub my body up against his. Even though the band has stopped, there’s music blaring from the stage. He orders two shots from the bar. He hands me one and we slam them back.

Declan leads me to the dance floor. “Scream” by Usher is playing over the speakers and bodies are bumping into us as we find our way to a dark corner. He situates my back against his front and starts to dance. I can feel his hands all over my body. Every place he touches leaves a trail of heat. I forget we’re in public and grind into him as I throw my arms around him. He’s licking my neck and biting on my ears. I’m so turned on that I think I’ll burst. I feel his erection at my back and turn to look at him. I continue to grind with him in hopes that he can feel what I’m telling him. I want him too, maybe not tonight, but soon.

“You’re fucking hurting me. Can you feel how hard I am? Do you know how much I want you?”

I decide to play a game with him, “Why don’t you tell me what you want?”

He slices his eyes to me with such intensity I think I have a mini-orgasm in his arms. “I want to lift your ass up, carry you back to the room, and strip you bare. Then I want to finger fuck you until you scream my name. When I know you’re wet enough, I want to slam my dick into you until you can feel me in your chest. I want you to see exactly why I have an apa while you ride me bareback. Then, when you can’t take it anymore, I’ll take over until you can’t move. I won’t let myself go until I see you come at least three times. Then I’ll explode in you and you’ll see stars.” He stops and licks my lips. “How does that sound, Sparkle, can you handle hearing what I want?”

I start to grind on his leg and he knows what I’m doing. This isn’t like our dancing routine; I’m rubbing my center on his thigh. I’m so hot and bothered that I need him to give me release.

“You want me to make you come right now? Here on this dance floor where everyone can see what we’re doing?”

I’m not sure how to do this, but I need it now. “Please, Declan, I don’t know what to do. Can you do this discreetly?” I sound desperate.

He laughs down at me, “Yes, baby, I can do this discreetly. Just hitch your leg around me and I’ll take the lead. When you come, try to stifle your cries in my neck. I don’t want any of these fuckers to see.”

I hitched my leg around him and he keeps dancing. The friction of my jeans rubbing on my sensitive clit is sensational and I know I won’t last long. The silk of my thong is drenched and I can feel his hardness rubbing me right along the edge. Then, without warning, he brings his hand between us and unzips my jeans. His thumb goes directly to my clit and he circles. I’m sweating all over. I can feel it running under my bra and down the edges of my waist. All I can do is hold onto his neck and balance myself with the one leg I have. I know it’s coming so I stare into his eyes. He’s watching me while playing with his ring. That does it; I lift as much as I can and throw my face into his neck as I cry out. I feel the orgasm rushing through my bones. I can’t control myself and I bite down, trying to hold on. After a few minutes, he grips my hips and slowly releases my leg so I’m on my own two feet. I’m not sure if I can stand so I keep holding on to him.

Finally, when my mind comes back to me and I’m no longer dizzy, he loosens his hands. He lifts my chin and leans down, “That was hot as fuck. I’m so hard my balls are turning blue. You’re fucking amazing.”

“Please don’t talk dirty right now. I’m not sure I can handle it. ”

I look around to see if anyone is watching us, but no one’s looking our way. “Just so you know, that was the hottest thing I’ve ever done in my life.” I wink. He grabs my hand and leads me back to the bar.

We have a few more drinks, but it’s pretty obvious I need to go home. When I try to go to the bathroom, I lose my balance. Declan walks me to the door and stands outside while I use the toilet and wash my hands. When I walk out, he picks me up and carries me to the car. I fall asleep on the way home, but I wake to feel Declan putting me in bed and stripping off my shirt and jeans. Then he crawls in beside me and pulls me close.

“Declan, I had a great night. Thank you.” I close my eyes.

I’m seconds away from passing out and I barely hear his response, “Me too, Sparkle.”

“Me too.” He repeats again.

Chapter 15

Boyfriend

It’s been two weeks since The Steamroom. Declan and I talk every day and he tries to spend at least three nights a week with me. He hasn’t said it, but I think he’s uncomfortable with his sisters right down the hall. Even though we aren’t having sex, he still acts nervous. I haven’t brought up the subject of staying at his place because he hasn’t asked.

We’ve only been together a few weeks and I’m still not sure how to label us. I’m crazy about him. And every minute we spend together, he makes me feel special. We spend hours at night just talking. We both have a love for music and he’s started talking to me about his writing. We joke about his early days when the band didn’t have a following and would play for free just to get stage time. He even invited Finn to play football on Saturday so they could get to know each other.

Lately, Declan’s been playing two to three times a week around town. If I don’t want to go to one of his shows, I hang out with his sisters instead.

This weekend is the gala event my mom has been working on for the last six months. It’s geared to help families of wounded warriors acclimate to their new surroundings. It’s near to our hearts and we enjoy the event every year. When Finn and Robbie were both wounded in Iraq, we were a family that had endless support. Some families are not so lucky.

It’s Friday afternoon and Finn is picking me up. We’re heading to my parents’ house to help with the last minute preparations for the gala. He’s loading all the swag bags in his truck and I’m in charge of the silent auction materials. We have several rooms booked at the hotel where the event is being held tomorrow night so we don’t have to drive home. I was able to get tickets for all my friends, even Harper and Charlie are coming up from Atlanta. I’m glad they get to meet Abbi and Ella before our girls’ weekend. Finn, Robbie, and our friend Max are staying there as well. Max lives in South Carolina and came into town for the event. Declan has a show so he can’t come to the actual dinner but he may meet up with us later.

*****

We get to the hotel on Saturday morning to make sure we have enough time to set up the auction room and reception table. While Robbie and Finn unload the trucks, I check-in and take our clothes up to our rooms. I meet them back downstairs and we spend the next five hours setting up all the displays for the silent auction and the swag stations. I’ve followed my mom’s directions to the letter. I’m satisfied with the way it looks so I head upstairs to start getting ready. The girls texted me that they were here and I told them I’d meet them at the room.

When I get there, Harper and Charlie scream and run to me. We jump around hugging like school girls. We’ve never gone this long without seeing each other. Even though we talk on the phone, I haven’t told them everything about Declan. I hope they can meet him tonight. Abbi and Ella walk off the elevator and see us in our huddle. I introduce everyone as I open the door to our room.

Once everyone’s acquainted, we start getting dressed. I chose to wear a royal blue, one shoulder, tea-length gown with silver strappy heels. Harper ties my dark hair into a low ponytail that drapes over my shoulder. I apply my eye makeup heavier than usual since the dress has a little sparkle in the bodice. I have to admit the whole outfit looks hot. I’m not sure why I have butterflies, but I have a strong feeling tonight is going to be amazing!

*****

The gala is in full swing and everything is perfect. I’m at the table with Robbie, Max, Finn, Abbi, Ella, Charlie, and Harper. My parents come by to introduce themselves to my roommates and hug the guys. After dinner is served, my mom and the other co-chair get up to give a speech. They welcome everyone and explain what the charity is about. Then they open the silent auction in the other room. The mayor gives a warm welcome and introduces the speaker of the night. He’s a wounded soldier that returned to Tennessee after losing both his legs. His story is inspirational and when he’s finished, all the girls at the table are in tears. He gets a standing ovation. After he walks off the podium, the band starts up and almost everybody begins to dance.

A little while later, I’m dancing with Robbie and he asks me how things are going with Declan.

“Robbie, I’m so happy. You should give him a chance. I think you’ll like him.”

“That’s great, Raven; Finn said he thinks he’s truly into you. I only want you to be careful. I take it you haven’t told him about our family yet?”

“He doesn’t know everything, but he knows Dad’s into security. The topic has never come up. Anyways, I think Declan still has a hard time with Finn and my relationship.”

“If you trust him, you should tell him everything. I think his outlook on Finn would change if he knew the whole story.”

“Yeah, you’re right. But how do you explain Dad’s business? Or the danger our family faces every day? Nothing else has happened since Emory so I try not to think about it.”

“I understand that, but if it was me, I would want to know.”

“We’ve only been together a short time. I’ll tell him eventually.”

“Whatever you say, Baby Girl, just be careful.”

We end up at the hotel bar around midnight. My parents decided to go home after the silent auction so we gained an extra hotel room. Finn called his roommates to see if they wanted it and they said yes, so they’re on their way. Harper and Charlie are excited to see the guys; the whole group will be together again. Except for Abbi and Ella, we all grew up together so everyone knows each other pretty well. The guys are surrounding the bar watching college football highlights on TV and the girls have claimed a table nearby.

Well into our second round I hear, “Fuck, it looks like even Finn’s ugly mug can clean up.” Tripp walks up and gives him a shove. Gabe and Jimi are close behind. Max is barraged in man-hugs. Harper gazes at Gabe and it’s obvious to me how she feels about him.

Jimi compliments us, “Seriously, ladies, you look like a group of Glamour Girls. You all look beautiful.” I see Abbi blush as she grins at him.

“Thanks,” we say in unison.

I had sent a text to Declan earlier to let him know where we were, but I haven’t heard anything back from him. I guess he decided not to come. A new round of Cosmos is delivered to our table and we raise our glasses in a silent toast.

Out of nowhere, I feel him. My skin prickles and goose bumps form. I haven’t seen him but I know he’s here. I look around the bar, but can’t find him. Right before I turn away, I catch his eyes staring at me. I rush up to meet him before he even has a chance to make it to our table. I notice he’s wearing black dress slacks with a blue button-down shirt. He’s not wearing his lip ring. It takes a minute, but I realize that we match. He smells delicious and my first instinct is to wrap my arms around his neck.

“Hey there, I didn’t think you were coming.”

He takes my hand and spins me around, “I wouldn’t have believed it if I didn’t see it with my own eyes. You are even more stunning than your picture.”

“What picture?”

“The picture Ella texted me before I went on stage. I swear to God I almost canceled the show right then and there. Instead, I cut it one set short to get to you sooner.”

“Ella sent you a picture of me?”

“Yeah, she said something like,
Look what you’re missing!
I decided I didn’t want to miss it.”

“You cut your show short for me?”

“Sparkle, have you seen yourself tonight? You look beautiful.” He leans down to my ear, “Actually, you look edible.”

The goose bumps return, and he notices. He grabs me quickly and pulls me back to his lips. Suddenly, I feel myself being yanked back with force.