“Yup.” He licks my neck as I rip open his fly. It's not fair. I'm the only one who's naked.
“You’d be a good mom, too.”
That comment totally kills my mood.“Dax.”
“What?”
“I don’t want to be anyone’s mom.”
“You sure? ’Cause you kind of took a shine to my daughter.”
“That doesn’t mean I’m equipped to raise her.”
“None of us are equipped. Hell, I’m making this shit up as I go along.”
“That’s obvious.”
“I love her. That’s all that matters. And I love you. I want both of you in my life.”
“I don’t know if I’m cut out for a relationship. I’m too used to being on my own. I don’t want to end up hurting you or Aisling because I’m too selfish.”
“Really?” Declan ponders this. “Were you selfish when you agreed to help me? When you gave up everything to go on the run with us?”
“Only partly selfish.”
“Were you selfish when you made a deal with Ronan to save my life?”
“No. I was underhanded.”
“Were you selfish when you looked after Aisling when she was sick?”
“No. I was worried.”
“How did you feel when we were apart?”
“Which time?”
“Both times.”
“Really shitty,” I answer honestly because what do I have to lose?
“I felt really shitty, too. I know who you are, Fallon. I know what you need. I don’t expect you to drop your entire life for us. I just know I want you wherever we are. In Scotland. In Ireland. In the US. No matter where. And if maybe down the line, you like the idea of being with us more than not, I’ll be okay with that, too”
“I can’t have children,” I blurt out.
“What?” I have monumentally confused Declan.
“I can’t have children, so if you want more down the line, I can’t give them to you.” I feel compelled to tell him this. To be upfront.
“Ah, well, okay. I wasn’t planning on having any more. Aisling was already one gift I never expected. A man like me probably doesn’t even deserve anymore.”
“You’re an amazing man. Next to March, the second favorite in my life.”
“What a compliment.”
“Considering my track record with men, it’s the highest.”
“It’s the accent, aye?”
