I say it just loudly enough that the crew who entered just behind him would be able to hear me, so when he turns back, one of them automatically throws him a towel. He doesn't miss a step as he closes the distance between us, tossing the towel against my chest with a slight grin.
Placing the towel on the seat beside me, I then motion for Cassidy to sit there. Declan remains standing in the aisle, eyes still slightly averted until Cassidy is seated and has stopped fidgeting.
She's staring out the window intently, her spine ramrod straight, and for a moment I second-guess my decision. But then she gives me a little intense side eye and I feel less bad, but I do lean forward, placing my hand on top of her bare thigh as I whisper, "Our secrets are safe here, Cass. It's just between us."
She visibly relaxes at my words, and this time, when she glances at me, some of that belligerence has been replaced by relief.
She gives me a slight nod and glances over at Declan almost shyly.
Declan, of course, immediately beams at her with that trademark Declan charisma oozing out of his fucking pores. I kick him under the table, drawing his attention to me as I say, "Don't fucking do that."
Somehow, he turns his smile up a notch as he asks, "Don't do what?"
"Don't play fucking stupid with me, man," I sputter. "Don't fucking look at her like that."
Now his smile turns rather predatory, and even though I know it's all for show, it still pisses me off. When he slowly slides his gaze back to Cassidy, his hand extending across the table, I slap it away.
His eyes turn back to me questioningly, and I grit out, "Don't fucking touch her."
Declan throws his head back and laughs, obviously enjoying my uncharacteristic response to something so trivial. I glance at Cassidy, who's looking at the two of us in confusion, and after a moment, Declan stops laughing and inclines his head toward her as he says, "Declan Hughes, at your service."
The expression on his face is no longer predatory, but I don't believe that Declan Hughes has an expression that isn't attractive to women. Sure enough, Cassidy's eyes widen slightly and then she averts her gaze, shifting to her lap briefly beforeturning her attention to his face as she responds, "Cassidy Logan. Pleasure to meet you."
The fact that she uses the word pleasure in conversation with Declan Hughes also irritates the shit out of me. It's all I can do to keep my mouth shut, because I know anything else I say will only encourage Declan to keep pushing the envelope. Sure enough, he shifts a little closer, moving to lean on the table, when he stops with his palms hovering over the surface, turns and looks at me as he asks, "Is this sanitary?"
Cassidy chokes, and it takes me a moment to understand what he's saying. And after a moment, I respond, "Yes. You're good."
Declan shrugs slightly. "Not that I technically care, but I like to know what I'm putting my hands in beforehand."
Cassidy squirms in her chair. I look over at her, smiling as I say quietly, "Don't worry. The mess was contained."
Her eyes shoot to mine, and she punches me in the arm as she exclaims, "Rennick Rafferty. You stop that."
I can't stop the self-satisfied smirk that grows on my face. I'm saved from having to respond when Declan says, "Don't worry, love. I highly doubt there's anything that shocks me anymore."
I kick him under the table again, and this time he glares at me slightly as he says, "It's just a word, Ren. I'd use it on you, too."
I intensify my glare slightly and then relax back in my chair, turning my attention to Cassidy as I ask, "Where's your witness?"
She lifts her eyes to mine and shrugs. "Don't have one."
I raise my brows at her. "We need two witnesses."
"I figure we'd just grab someone who's waiting around."
Frowning, I curse under my breath, but I'm saved from having to respond when Declan says, "I'm sure I can provide another witness. No big deal."
"Where is your lovely wife?" I ask slyly.
He takes his eyes from his phone where he's been tapping out a message to glare at me, and I smile innocently. Then he turns his attention back to his phone, continuing to tap away as he responds, "Coincidentally, she's waiting at home for some of our family to arrive so she can whisk them away for some pampering. They should be there soon, so she should be able to deviate from the original plan for a quick stop in Vegas."
Groaning, I ask, “How long will it delay us?”
Declan makes a face, then waves a hand at me. “It’s not like we have to rush right to the quickie ceremony. For fuck’s sake Ren.”
“But that was the plan.”
Declan’s phone vibrates, and he glances at the screen, smiling broadly at whatever is written there as he responds, “And plans changes.”
