“Yeah, I would love that. I should tell you I have a big week coming up though. Apart from going with Nana tomorrow, I have an appointment the following day,andI also asked Dad to go riding with me on Wednesday. I guess it depends on what Declan finds out this week about the horses. If they go to the set before the weekend, then absolutely. If not, I may have to skip the trip.” Disappointment stirs, and I almost sit up straighter, surprised to realize that that’s what I’m feeling. I want to try to examine why I feel that way, but if I look too closely, a whole heap of other worries are going to surface. I’m too relaxed to deal with all of that now.
His smile drops, and his disappointment is almost enough to break my heart. He looks like a little boy who’s had his favorite toy taken away from him. But that look quickly clears until he’s smiling again. “Fair enough, but I hope that they’ve gone by then.” His heated look has my pulse spiking, and a thrill flows through me at the thought that he wants to spend time with me. I can’t say I don't feel exactly the same way and discreetly cross fingers in hope.Maybe third time’s the charm? Sometimes the nice guy does actually get to win.
* * *
The next morning, I wake up early to prepare for my day at Neighpalm Couture with Nana and Hope. She’s going to be my guide to all things Neighpalm Industries, and I’m actually a little excited and a little wary to meet her. At dinner last night, Holden was saying that she’s one of his best friends and has known the family for years. That had my heart skipping a beat, because what if she was just like Jacinta? Thankfully, Kai whispered in my ear that she doesn’t approve of Jacinta's games and will have nothing to do with them. That made me feel a lot better about today. It also didn’t hurt to have his lips that close to my ear or the heat of his body pressing just so slightly into mine.
Staring at my closet, I chew on my lip as I contemplate what to wear. Nana assured me that I didn't need to worry, but I’m not sure if what I feel comfortable in is really the best choice.
“You’re a Summers now, Harlow, and we can do whatever we want.”Her haughty advice rings in my mind, the twinkle in her eye letting that good humor of hers shine through. Nana means every word she says. Shedoesbelieve that Summers can do whatever they want, but her good nature has always stopped her from being a tyrant to anyone who didn’t deserve it.
“Meow.” The quiet call out from the very pregnant stowaway on my bed makes me realize I’ve been staring at my clothes for the last few minutes.
Pulling out a pair of three-quarter capris and a nice top from Melinda that I haven’t had a chance to wear yet, I lay them on the bed.
“Do you approve, Princess? Or do you think that they’ll all look at me like I don’t belong there?”
“Like Nana said, you’re a Summers now. First step to keeping others from thinking that is to stop yourself from saying the same.” Looking up, I jolt in surprise at the almost kind words coming from the man in the doorway. Almost immediately, my eyes narrow in suspicion.
“What do you want?” I growl as he steps into the room. Why the hell does that door keep opening? I swear I’d closed it. Either the latch is faulty or the jackass has ninja skills.
“Just came looking for my cat. Wanted to make sure that she was okay.” Declan’s eyes cloud with sadness as he looks at the pregnant feline. “It seems I’ve been replaced as her favorite.”
A smug feeling flows through me to hear him say that,damn right, you have, but then it’s followed by a shadow of guilt. Princess seems to be the only creature he shows any kind of softness toward, apart from his siblings. I watch as he sits down on my bed and lowers his face to hers, muttering quietly to her. I strain to hear what he's saying, but I can't make out the words. Rolling my eyes at my inability to hold a grudge, I throw him a bone.
“Why don't you take her with you? I’ll be gone all day today, and I’m staying in town at Shane and Alex’s tonight.” I gesture to my packed overnight bag, and his eyes narrow again as he stands back up.
“Are you dating one of them?Bothof them?” He tries to sound gruff, but he doesn't quite pull it off. Instead, he sounds nosy.What the hell?
“Not that it’s any of your business, but no, they’re just my friends. To be honest, the two of them are kind of keen on your sister. There’s no accounting for taste, I guess.”
His frown deepens as he runs a hand through his hair, pushing it back before he lets out a big sigh. “Look, it’s not my place to tell the story, but Jacinta had it rough before she came here, then again when she was a teenager. Things happened, and her ability to trust or even see reason is sometimes a little... skewed.”
“So what'syourexcuse then?” I cross my arms, staring him in the eye. “What did I do to you that was so offensive? You’ve been nothing but nasty since the minute I walked through the door! None of you gave me a chance. Except maybe Kai. I thought the fact that you were adults would have made things easier, yet I feel like I’m back in high school.”
Declan breathes out another deep sigh, and his shoulders slump like all the weight of the world is on them. “You’re right. We have been awful, and you didn't deserve it.”
What did he say? Did he just agree with me?This has me blinking in the ensuing silence, a little shocked at his admission. He keeps stroking the cat and avoids looking at me as he continues to talk. “It’s a little like a pack mentality. We all kind of circle around her when she lashes out; it’s what we’ve always done. Me and Jaxon more than the others. I was the only one Brad had adopted by the time they arrived, so it was just me and the twins, and they were both shy and reserved, and I felt like it was my duty to take care of them. I was a big brother, and it was my job to make sure my new brother and sister were ok, especially my sister.” He looks off into nothing as he recalls his memories, the smooth stroke of his hand down Princess’ back the only movement he makes.
“I remember the first time I saw them. She was smaller than him, this pale skinny fragile thing that looked like she would blow over with a stiff breeze. She was huddled behind Jaxon like he was the only thing protecting her from the world, and I don't know what came over me, but I vowed to protect her from everything in life even if I’m only protecting her from herself. Though I guess I haven’t been very successful at that last part...”
He shakes his head, his scowl returning as he brings his mind back to the present. “Look, I know this might seem stupid to you because you’re also Dad’s daughter and I should feel the same way, but like you said, it’s different now that we’re adults. I’m sorry that you’ve gone through shit in your life just like Jacinta did, but I look at you and see someone who can handle herself. Jacinta’s not like you, not yet. Maybe part of this is my problem or even my fault, and there’s no reason I should be that overprotective big brother anymore, but I just can’t go along with something or someone who puts that look back in my sister’s eyes. So, unless she changes her mind, I guess you and I are enemies.”
He’s very quick to hide it, but I see the disappointment in his eyes and can’t miss it in his voice. However, Declan is nothing if not a man of his word, scooping up his cat and heading out of my room. “You and Nana are getting a lift in the helicopter with me this morning since the interviews for the new designers will be held on the Couture floor at Neighpalm Headquarters. I’m leaving in an hour. Don't be late, I won’t wait.”
The cold demeanor is back as he leaves my room, those cryptic words floating behind him. What does he mean, he won’t wait?
* * *
Declan
As I walk away from Harlow's room with Princess under my arm, I thank god she couldn't see the tent in my pants. She’s so fucking sexy when her eyes are flashing in anger, and her nipples had pebbled under her top, drawing my eyes right to them. A quiet groan leaves my mouth as I stalk to our side of the house and upstairs to my room. I want to support Jacinta, and I still think there’s something suspicious about how her mother just conveniently overdosed, leaving a perfect opportunity for her to find her birth certificate. She’d never tried to find it before then? Never wondered who her birth father was? I love my father and grandparents, but that doesn’t stop me from thinking about, and getting lost in memories of the family that I used to have. No matter how amazing the Bostons were to try and compensate for her disastrous biological mother, I really can’t believe that she had never tried to find out who her real father was.
But no matter how perplexing the woman is, she’s gorgeous and she challenges me like none of the air head actresses I usually date do. They’re all so narcissistic and only want to hear how pretty and talented they are even though most of them are as dumb as a box of rocks. There’s a kind of safety in that, isn’t there? If I can easily outwit my partner, then I’m the one ahead. There’s no way that they can get the advantage and find a way to use me or my family. Instead, I can use them for what I want and then move on. Or at least that’s what the therapist said the time Dad talked me into speaking with one. I’m not saying they’re wrong, but what does it mean that I’m now spending so much time thinking about Harlow? I don’t know if it’s my brain or my dick leading the charge on that one, and with the added complication of Jacinta’s feelings, it’s really just best for everyone if I don’t get involved in any shit with her.
Placing Princess down on my bed, she does a couple of turns and flops down gently. Satisfied she’s back where she belongs, for now at least, I rush to get ready and down for breakfast. It would be no good for me to be late when I’ve just told Harlow not to be. I don’t get the impression that she’d lord it over me like Jacinta would, but I want to make sure I’m staying that step ahead anyway. Stripping off, I climb into the shower, my cock still standing at attention.
I almost refuse to give in to the urge to do something about it, but the way Harlow’s eyes flash when she’s angry is such a fucking turn on. My siblings would be the first to tell anyone that I’m the biggest control freak of us all, and that’s served me well in business. If I can control the situation, even others’ emotions when possible, I can figure out a way to work things to my advantage. So, knowing that spark is in her eyes is because of me, knowing that I was able to push her just that tiny bit, well, that just makes this all the more satisfying. Maybe it makes me a little bit like that boy who pulls the girl’s pigtails because he can’t admit that he likes her, but if I can’t make her eyes spark with some other kind of emotion right now, I’ll grab those little sips of control where I can.
