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“Oh, crap. I hadn’t thought about that. Do you mind dropping me off at your sister’s place?” She stands and pulls the sweats up and then rolls them over so many times she’d look ridiculous if it weren’t for how big the hoodie is once she puts that on. “Oh my God, these are huge.”
“Sorry. At least the hoodie is too big to notice you have an extra roll around your hips.” As soon as the words leave my mouth, I hear my mistake. If I hadn’t realized it yet, the pissed-off glare I’m getting would definitely clue me in.
“Dec, you might not want to tell the woman you just spent the night fucking that she has a roll around her hips.” She turns, storming into my master bath, looking like the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.
I holler through the door, “There’s a box of toothbrushes under the sink.”
A minute later, the door flies open, and the gorgeous mess in front of me is still glaring. Her head is cocked to the side, her soft brown hair falling around her shoulders and toothpaste frothing from her lips. “Are these for all your overnight guests, Dec? I didn’t realize you were so full-service.” Her feisty attitude makes me want to strip her right back out of those clothes.
Oh, fuck no. I take the toothbrush out of her hand and throw her over my shoulder in a fireman’s hold, then slap her ass, no doubt leaving a nice red handprint on her creamy skin under those ridiculously oversized sweats.
“Declan!” she manages to yell before laughter overtakes her, and she pinches my ass. “Put me down.”
I deposit her on the bathroom counter, next to the sink, and watch her squirm to relieve the pressure from sitting on her stinging cheek. She spits her toothpaste out, then bends her head to rinse her mouth with water. “You shit. I got toothpaste on your rug when you picked me up.”
I shrug. “The cleaning lady will get it.” I step between her legs and rest my hands on either side of her thighs. “Listen to me, Annabelle Hart. Last night was incredible. You may not want more...”
Belle tries to cut me off, but it’s my turn to glare, only mine has been perfected against three-hundred-pound linemen. “I’ll give you a little space, but I’m not giving up on this thing until we get a chance to see what’s there.” I grab the box of unused toothbrushes and hold them in front of her face. “I have extra toothbrushes because I bought them in bulk when I moved. There were ten in a pack, and I’ve only used two since I came to Philly. You’re the first woman to walk into my home who isn’t related to me or about to be related to me.” I crowd her space so she has to tilt her head back to look at me. “I don’t do this. Ever. You’re the first woman I’ve slept with in nearly a year.”
Annabelle looks at me through her long black lashes, then mumbles, “Sorry.” Her hands let go of the marble countertop she’s been gripping, and flat palms splay against my chest. “I still can’t give you what you want, Dec. But I know you’re a good guy.” She looks like she wants to say more but doesn’t.
Stepping back, I hold her gaze a little longer before accepting that I lost this battle. “I’m gonna go throw some clothes on so we can get to Nattie’s. We can grab Tommy, then I’ll drop the two of you off. I’ve got to catch a few hours of sleep before I’m due at the stadium this afternoon for tonight’s game.”
I turn to walk away as I hear “I’m sorry,” whispered in the air.
She’s crazy if she thinks I’m giving up this easily.
Anything worth being given has to be earned.
And I’m gonna earn Annabelle’s heart.
