Page 42 of Found in Wild Sage

It’s all he says and then settles one hand on my waist while the other comes to my cup the back of my head under my hair. He tilts his head and kisses me.

No hesitation. No discussion.

His lips are on mine with a soft press. Then another. Then he steps closer, his body nearly resting against mine despite the layers of tuxedo and wedding dress between us, when his tongue flicks against the seam of my lips.

Liquid heat bursts in my belly as I open for him, and then he kisses me. This man was called upon and hallelujah, does he deliver.

For a while there, I never imagined having another first kiss. I thought I’d eschew men indefinitely and in doing so, avoid the hurt and pain Trevor caused me. Not all men, of course, but always a man, as they say.

But this man is unique and he is kissing me like he wants this as much as I do. He is holding me like we’re really getting married and I’m his.

And I’m kissing him back like he’s mine.

A throat clears somewhere nearby, but Declan spends another few seconds devouring me, tasting me like he’ll be tested on it later, before he pulls back. Those eyes hit me right as both of his hands squeeze gently and he says, “See you soon, love.”

He walks away, which is impressive. I can hardly tell which way is up. My entire body is lit up with the possibility and promise that man just handed me.

With his tongue.

I press my hand to my chest, the wild thud of my heart palpable beneath my skin.

Holy crap, the man can kiss.

One more thing Declan Ryan excels at.

Which is, naturally, a gateway to thoughts about what other physical activities he might like to use me for excellence demonstrations.

Well, well, well. That there’s a rather literally slippery little slope.

When I find my bearings and turn to walk back to the house, Sam and May have Cheshire grins and I’m pretty sure I do, too.

“Let’s get that lipstick touched up and get you hitched,” Sam says, winking at me.

I don’t know what to make of that kiss, but I’m not mad about it. I’m pushing away that small voice saying, you’re going to fall even harder for this man and end up broken into a million pieces, and I head for the house.

I’m doing this for Charlie.

But yeah, I guess I’m also doing this a little bit for me.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Declan

I’ve heard very little of what anyone has said to me. My brain is too busy recalculating everything.

Grant, Finn, and my father are standing with me as groomsmen. I spoke to Mac for a few minutes early this morning. I hate that he’s not here, but it was good to hear his voice for the first time in quite a while.

Thus far, May, Eirinn, and Sam have processed down the aisle, all looking lovely.

But I’m hardly present.

The second Evie’s lips formed the word kiss ten minutes ago, my internal GPS lost its signal.

I forgot the reasons I promised myself Evie won’t know about my feelings. I’ve lost all regard for the determination I entered into all of this because…

She kissed me back.

The second she mentioned it, I decided I’d give it everything, just in case it was my only real chance. It is entirely likely we’ll marry today and that kiss will be the end of it. We’ll slip into functional roles as discussed, partners in this effort to make sure Charlie stays where he belongs, and anything between me and Evie will be impossible.