He gives me a sly wink, and I’m not sure how to feel about being his secret. Hearing it out loud hits me harder than I expected, leaving me momentarily ashamed.
“Would you like some wine?” Declan asks, cutting through my unease.
“Sure.”
He pours two glasses of chardonnay and hands me one.
“Cheers.”
I clink my glass with his. “Cheers.”
When he turns toward the stove, I hoist myself onto a barstool by the kitchen island and watch him sear the salmon, my eyes drawn to the lines of his shoulders, the way his jaw flexes as he concentrates.
I’ve always found him to be attractive. But watching him cook?
This may be the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen, especially since he’s only wearing boxer briefs.
“What are you thinking about over there?” He meets my gaze.
“You may have just unlocked a new kink.”
“A new kink?” He arches a brow.
“Yeah. You cooking in just your boxer briefs. It’s a definite turn-on.”
His laughter fills the space, the sound sending a rush of excitement through me. “Well, just wait until dessert.”
“You’re making dessert, too?”
He turns off the burner and glances my way, his eyes filled with lust. “I don’t need to.”
A shiver rolls down my spine, and I squeeze my legs together to dull the ache building inside. How does this man seem to turn me on with just one look? One word?
“Hope you like it.” He sets a plate in front of me before sliding onto the barstool beside me.
“It looks delicious.”
I slice into the salmon, having to bite back a moan from the buttery flavor. One thing is certain. Declan can cook. I’m notsure why I’m so surprised by this. I guess I had this image in my head of him hiring someone like Dylan to prepare all his meals. Or ordering takeout, considering all the hours he works.
“Is it okay?” he asks, his expression somewhat pinched and nervous.
“It’s fantastic. Thanks for going to the trouble. You didn’t have to.”
“It’s the least I can do after I interrupted your dinner plans.”
“I’m sorry about before.” I wave my hand. “The smoke detector. I didn’t mean to disturb you.”
“I told you. You didn’t disturb me, Claire. Youscaredme.” He holds my gaze for several long beats before refocusing his attention on his salmon.
I should drop it, but I can’t get his words from earlier out of my head. How he thought he lost me, too.
It’s thattoothat won’t leave me alone.
“What you said before. How you were afraid you lost me, too. What did you mean?”
His back goes rigid, and he stares ahead, the room going eerily silent. I swear I can hear my own heartbeat in the stillness, even the dog barking down the street going mute.
“I’m sorry,” I say after several awkward seconds. “I didn’t mean to pry. It’s not my place.” I avert my gaze as another silence settles between us, this one even heavier than before.
