"I'm involved with someone," I blurt out.
He turns to me, his expression not changing.
"Who? What's his name?"
"King. He's kind. I haven't met him yet, but we have a connection, like he sees me in a way no one else does."
His face turns smug. "So, this is the person I'm competing with."
I cross my arms. "What do you mean?"
"You haven't met him. He's going to lose." He finishes with a smirk that curves on the right side of his face, giving him a mischievous, roguish look.
The sheer audacity!
I snort. "You're not even in the line of competition, Declan."
He leans closer, invading my space. It's a welcome invasion that makes every cell in my body hum. My brain shuts off, and desire takes over. His eyes land on my lips. As if a string is attached to me, I move closer, lips tilting upwards.
Kiss me again,my mind screams.
"I am not, uh?" he asks, chuckling.
"No, you're not." My voice is low and silky.
His gaze pierces into mine. "That's because I'm way above the competition."
Then he withdraws, leaving me longing for the kiss that never came.
But at the same time, guilt flares up inside me. I’m seducing Declan of all people? Practically throwing myself at him? I stand up, hurry away from the couch.
"Hawthorne... Declan... I..." I take a breath to calm my nerves. "My body might want yours, but that's not the same as wanting everything that has to do with you. So, please stay away."
I wring my hands together, hoping he'll listen.
"You're begging me to stay away because of a man whom you haven't even met?" His voice sounds incredulous.
I turn sharply. "Yes. We'll be meeting soon, and I don't want him to think I'm entangled with you or any other man."
His eyes soften. "What does this King mean to you?"
"He's intellectual, thoughtful, and makes me feel brilliant. He's everything that makes sense."
"And I don't make sense," he says, setting his wine down and standing.
It's not a question, but I reply.
"You make everything complicated. You're my brother's best friend. You're arrogant and infuriating and..." My voice catches.
Declan is now standing in front of me, his eyes trained on mine. There's something in his expression that steals my breath.
And you make me feel things I shouldn't feel,I finish in my mind. "What is it?"
“Here’s a crazy idea,” Declan says, like he’s talking about grabbing coffee. “Date me.”
I blink. “What?”
“Not for real,” he adds quickly, though his eyes don’t soften. “For practice.”
