His face tenses, and his lips purse out while he takes a long breath. “It’s complicated. I want to be sure.”
“Of what?”
His head lolls gently to the side, and his eyes send heat across my skin before he leans in to whisper in my ear, “You look really good.”
My body trembles from feeling him so close, wanting more.
“Changing the topic, great.” I look up to the ceiling then back to him. “You still need time, that’s fine, but don’t look at me as if you’re about to devour me.”
He smirks and slides the outside of his thumb across his slightly stubbled chin. “Want to get out of here and head back to my place?”
My eyes grow wide. “No, Declan, meaningless sex isn’t going to help us right now.”
He grabs my elbow with a little force that catches me off guard but feels safe all the same. “It can never be meaningless with you.”
Declan’s twisting into my thoughts and feelings again, hope hitting me from all directions. I deserve to have it all, I remind myself.
But this is too good, seeing him again, his hand on me, his eyes possessive.
“How was your day?” I ask, as if we’re chatting over coffee, in an attempt to re-center us to neutral.
“Fine. I had an interview for a magazine profile on my new ownership gig.”
“Good. You can confirm you’re single and readership will skyrocket.” I don’t know why that just spit out of my mouth. The alcohol must be hitting me.
His look turns unimpressed. “I’m not single. We’re on a break.” Declan’s words nearly sound seething. “Tell me the sheriff or some asshole with flowers hasn’t already attempted to make a move.”
“No. Why are we even going over this? Our situation hasn’t changed. I want to give you time, but you are touching me and saying these things that send me right back on the mixed-message train.” I down my drink to the last drop.
His hand drops from my arm, and I hate that it’s my doing that I feel the loss of his touch.
“Violet, let’s get out of here,” he says again, adamant.
I cross my arms over my chest, doing my best to stay firm. “No way.” I can’t help the smile that wants to grace my lips because his persistence sends a swirl of fun tumbling inside my belly. “We’re not helping ourselves if we fall into bed together right now.”
His eyes dip down to me while he smirks. “Say that again and I might just throw you over my shoulder.”
Run far away from this man’s charm. Do it now. Save yourself.
“Find me when you have a clear message and know what to do with my heart,” I declare before I walk away from him, and I may look proud on the outside, but inside I’m desperate for him to proclaim everything I want to hear.
24
DECLAN
Iknock on Brent’s door at ten in the morning, hoping he has time to head out for brunch. I sure as hell could use a distraction.
I barely slept. I mean, how could I? Running into Violet last night was both a blessing and a curse. I’ve been avoiding sending her a message or giving her a call for two weeks, because I knew it would just confirm what I fear… Letting her go is the last thing I want.
But I need to be sure of so many things because stringing her along for an end game with different rules would crush her, and believe it or not, hurting her just isn’t an option in my playbook.
Damn, what I would have given for her to come home with me and to wake with her in my arms before I order in breakfast from this little French bistro nearby. We would have talked about our weeks, and she’d listen to my hockey talk because she gets it and has interest. She would sit on my lap while she explains how much her nephew drives her crazy, but her pure affection would be apparent. One of us would say something wicked, and domesticated-us would be thrown out the window. That’s my ideal Sunday.
Instead, Brent opens the door while he’s pulling a t-shirt on. “Hey, you look like shit.”
“Thanks. Exactly what every man wants to hear.” I follow him inside and immediately hear giggling.
Charlotte pops her head up over the back of the sofa wearing only a bra. “Morning.” She smiles, completely unfazed by her state of undress.
