“Have lunch with me today,” Declan’s says, a cross between a request and a demand.
“What?”
“You get a lunch break, don’t you?”
“I usually eat in my office while I work.”
“But youcanleave, right?”
“I suppose…” I draw out.
“Then spend it with me. I can meet you somewhere.”
“How will you explain that to Joshua? This is a small town. He’ll find out we had lunch together. People talk. They’re probably already talking.”
I look around the coffee shop. Tilly still glances our way every few seconds between taking orders, her expression a mixture of curiosity and suspicion.
“It’s just lunch.”
“That won’t matter. Not around here.”
“Fine. Then you can come to my place. I’ll leave the back door unlocked so you won’t be seen walking up to my front door. It’ll look like you went home for lunch. No one will know.”
I chew on my bottom lip. “I don’t know, Declan.”
It was one thing to sleep with him last night. But to keep sleeping together? I’m not sure I’m made for casual sex.
Then again, I had no problem having casual sex with Joshua.
That was different, though. There was no spark. No unrelenting craving I didn’t think I’d ever be able to satisfy. Not like there is whenever I’m with Declan. He doesn’t even need to touch me to cause this sort of visceral reaction. One look, and I’m putty in his very large, very capable hands.
“Just think about it,” he suggests. “If you decide you’d rather spend lunch with a sad sandwich and your laptop, I’ll understand.” He leans closer, dropping his voice so I can barely hear him. “But if you’d rather spend an hour of your day with my face buried between your thighs, I’ll be waiting.” He pulls back, a devilish glint in his eyes once more. “Okay?”
I part my lips, about to berate him for not playing fair when another familiar voice interjects.
“Why am I not surprised to see you here?”
I jerk back as Joshua approaches. I attempt to move away from Declan, but there’s nowhere to go in the crush of people. Joshua leans in and kisses my cheek before noticing Declan.
“I didn’t realize you’d be here.” They give each other a quick hug.
“You keep saying this place has the best coffee around.” Declan lifts his cup. “I figured it was time to give it a try.”
“You won’t regret it.” Joshua beams, looking between Declan and me. I bring my coffee to my lips, praying he didn’t see or hear anything he wasn’t supposed to.
“Did you two come together?” he asks, gesturing between us.
Heat floods my face at the double entendre, and it takes everything I have not to choke on my coffee.
“Just a happy coincidence,” Declan answers smoothly.
“I need to run,” I say quickly. “I have to drop Gen’s tea off at the library before heading to the ridge.”
“See you there,” Joshua says, and I manage a smile before slipping out the door.
That was close.Tooclose. All the more reason going over Declan’s for lunch is a horrible idea.
But when I steal a glance over my shoulder and meet his eyes, I fear I won’t be able to stay away.
