I know who Declan is.Jamie once called him “a ladies’ man,” which was so old-fashioned and stiff that it made me laugh.Special K’s comment was at the opposite end of the spectrum, referring to Declan as “the Gentleman Hoe” when he didn’t think I could hear.
So, yeah.I have wishes and dreams, but I have no illusions.The man I love, the man I prayed would one day make me a former virgin, is a total player.
It’s difficult to admit this to myself, but it’s almost certain that I’ll end up as just another notch on his belt.Eventually, he’ll want to move on, because that’s who he is.I’ve always known that.
His finger brushes down the inside of my right thigh.“What are these marks?”he asks me.
“What marks?”I glance down at myself, to the three round scars that have always been a part of me.“I have no idea.I’ve had them since I was a kid, so my guess is bad bug bites or something.”
“They’re in the shape of a scalene triangle.See?”He traces imaginary lines between the marks, all of different lengths.
“Huh.I never noticed that.Does that mean I’ve been abducted by the giant Mantis overlords?”
“Mygiant Mantis overlord, anyway.”Declan kisses my forehead and slips his arm and body from me.
“Moving on so soon?”
He laughs.I get to watch him walk naked into the kitchen.What a spectacular ass that man has, high and tight and all muscle.It’s an ass that looks good in everything—jeans, swim trunks, suit trousers, boxer briefs, and nothing at all.
Next, I get to watch him walk back to bed.I prop myself up on an elbow and swallow, overcome by the sight of all his individual parts moving in harmony as he makes his way across the room.
My mouth goes dry.
Declan’s still naked.He’s a graceful man for someone so huge and muscular.And naked.He’s carrying enough drinks and junk food to satisfy a high-school football team.While being naked.
Except for the red tartan selkie tattoo that flutters around his hip, the one that reminds him to conquer or die.
He’s sure conquered me.
“You good?”he asks.
I nod.“Yes, but I’m going to have to get used to that, I think.”
“To what?”
“You.Naked.It’s…” I sit up just as Declan plops down on the duvet, dumping an entire 7-Eleven’s worth of junk food by my side.
“What?”
I look into his eyes and shake my head.He’s not letting me out of this.“You’re intimidating.I don’t have much in my past to compare you to, but I’m pretty sure you’re… uh… gifted all around, but especially the dick department.”
He tips his head back and laughs.He’s so gorgeous I’m losing my train of thought.Dimples and dark curls, straining muscles and tendons, and an Adam’s apple I want to lick instead of kick.
Go figure.
Declan lowers his gaze to me again, his lips curled in an uneven smile.“Are you saying I can no longer model for the crooked wiener magazine ad?”
I snort.“They decided to go in another direction.”
He throws himself at me and we roll together across the gigantic bed, guffawing, crushing half the chips in the process.I’m straddling him when we stop.He’s on his back beneath me.And when our eyes meet, the laughing mellows.Declan reaches up and brushes his fingertips down my cheek.I close my eyes, tilt my head, and lean into his touch.
“You’re a dazzling force of nature, Summer.I can’t get enough of you.”
My eyes pop open.Declan’s got that look on his face, the one I saw when he told me he wasn’t laughing at my dress.He’s very serious.I lower my lips to his, my hair falling all around us as I gently caress his mouth with mine.
I can’t remember what my world was like before I knew the feel of his kiss.Or the touch of his big hands as they slide down my back and around my hips.
“Are you sore, Summer?”
