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Fuck.
Was that seriously the best I could come up with?
Smooth, Dec. Real smooth.
Annabelle Hart turns me into a tongue-tied teenager.
Hell, my little brother could come up with a smoother line.
Getting into the back of the limo my father’s fiancée, Katherine, insisted I use for the night, I’m trying to remember the last time I had to work to get a woman’s attention. When she didn’t just throw herself at me because of who I am. It’s pretty fucked up when I can’t think of a single time. I haven’t spent any time with anyone worth the effort in as long as I can remember.
Before long, we’re pulling up to a two-story white center hall colonial house. It looks homey and is as opposite to the McMansions my mother insisted on living in as it possibly can be.
When the driver starts to get out, I stop him. “Thanks, man. I’ve got it from here.”
He nods and closes his door as I walk along the brick path to the fire-engine-red door of Annabelle’s home. I don’t see a doorbell, but there’s a brass knocker below the curtain-covered window on the top half of the door. I tap it a few times and wait.
“Coming, coming, coming.” I hear the muffled words before the door is flung open, and the goddess in front of me takes my breath away. “Hey, Declan. Come in. I just need to find my purse.” She spins away from me on the hunt, and I’m left standing there staring after her. Her dress is on, but she’s got a silky white robe on over it.
I’ll never understand why women do that.
Once I get it together and force one foot in front of the other, I pull the door shut behind me and walk through her foyer into the family room. She has built-in bookcases full of pictures of Tommy and her, and some people who I’m assuming are her parents. The older woman in these pictures looks like she could be Belle’s older sister. Tall and thin with light brown hair and warm brown eyes. Her father appears a few years older with sandy-blonde hair and Belle and Tommy’s emerald-green eyes. They looked happy, and my heart sinks at the realization that they’re gone. I know her parents are dead and that she’s taking care of Tommy, but seeing these family photos makes that hit home harder.
Annabelle Hart is a package deal. Dating her... getting serious with her—because, let’s face it, she’s not the kind of girl who accepts casual—means being in Tommy’s life too.
The question is am I ready for that?
I don’t get a chance to analyze that thought before Belle comes back down the stairs, robe off, and glittery purse in hand. She’s stunning in a sparkly dress the same color as her golden skin. Her long caramel locks are parted down the middle and hanging in loose waves down her back. When she gets to the bottom of the stairs, she does a little twirl, so I can see all the angles, and holy hell, there’s no back at all. The champagne-colored dress dips down to just above her tight little ass, showing off two perfect dimples that I want to drop down to my knees and worship.
“It’s not nice to make a girl fish for a compliment, Declan.” She runs her fingers gently through her hair and looks into my eyes.
I think my heart may have just skipped a damn beat.
“Sorry.” I stare at her at a complete loss for words. “Sorry, Belle. It’s just... You just...”
She turns to walk away, not letting me finish my thought. “Do I need a coat?”
“Annabelle, stop. Please.” She listens but doesn’t turn to look at me. In two steps, I’m standing behind her, trying to resist spinning her to look at me. “Jesus, I’m screwing this up. Annabelle, you’re breathtaking. I’ve never seen a more beautiful woman in my life.”
I see a tremor travel down her spine before she steps forward and looks at me over her shoulder. “Thanks,” she whispers quietly before she’s reaching for a long coat out of her hall closet. “We should get going. Nattie just texted that Tommy’s happy and watching Jurassic World, but I don’t know how long that’s going to last.” She grabs keys off a hook by the door and stares at me.
I walk over, taking her coat from her and drape it over her back. “Your chariot awaits.”
Seriously, I used to be smooth. What the fuck happened to me?
