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Annabelle
Oh, dear God. “Tommy, get out of the bathroom.” I knew Declan was in the shower. I heard it running as we walked through the front door. I didn’t even think to tell Tommy not to go into his bathroom. He’s not used to anybody else being in the house.
At least he didn’t freak. That’s something... right? I slip into warm white cable-knit knee socks, my cotton shorts and throw on the Philadelphia Kings hoodie Declan left here a few weeks ago. I’m not going for style right now, just comfort. Well, these socks make might my legs look great, so maybe it’s fifty-fifty. After I towel-dry my hair and gather up my wet clothes, I open my door just as Declan’s peeking his head out of Tommy’s bathroom.
“Is the coast clear?” he asks, with the most adorably freaked-out look on his face.
“Yeah, Sinclair. I think you’re safe from the scary ten-year-old.”
He opens the door all the way, and my mouth waters at the sight of Declan Sinclair in a pair of black athletic shorts and a tight white t-shirt stretched across his broad chest and beautifully sculpted arms. Yum.
His shoulders relax, and he shakes his head. “So,” he says uncomfortably. “I’m guessing Tommy was talking about the size of my... you know...” I love watching him get flustered.
“Yeah, Dec. He was talking about the size of your penis. We watched a show on Animal Planet last week, and they talked about the size of a horse’s penis. This led to a very long, very uncomfortable conversation with my brother about different-sized penises. I may have told him his would get bigger when he gets older.”
Declan chokes.
“In all fairness, he asked. I didn’t just offer that up. And you were never mentioned. I’m guessing he noticed the size of yours, and it made him think of our conversation.”
“Is that your way of telling me I’m hung like a horse, Belle?” Declan crosses his arms over his broad chest, a big shit-eating grin stretching across his face.
I take the wet clothes out of his hand and push him backward. “No. It’s my way of telling you your dick is bigger than a ten-year-old’s whose balls haven’t dropped yet, Sinclair.” I skip down the stairs, throw the wet clothes in the washer, and start to get dinner ready.
Declan follows behind, asking, “What can I do?”
I shake my head. “Nothing. I’ve got this. Why don’t you go chill with Tommy? He’s either watching ESPN or Animal Planet. Go talk football with your biggest fan.”
He catches me off guard when he cups my cheeks, kisses my head and walks away. This man’s touch does things to me that I’m not sure I’ll ever be ready for, but I’m not strong enough to resist anymore.
If I add Declan to our lives, how will that change everything? I already walk a high wire every day. Will I be able to maintain my balance, or will I crash and fall to the ground below with no net in sight?
Tommy yawned all through dinner. I guess running around at Saturday sports camp tired him out. I generally try to put him to bed by eight-thirty, but today he put himself to bed an hour earlier.
When I come back downstairs after tucking Tommy in, I find Declan sitting comfortably on my couch with his feet up on the ottoman, fireplace turned on, and his phone in his hand. He looks good in my space.
When he hears me enter the room, he offers me his phone. “Kroydon University won. Looks like Brady and the guys are going to a bowl game this year.”
I take the phone out of his hand and read the text chain. I love seeing the guys so happy. “Good. They deserve it. It’s been a rough season for them.” I hand him back the phone, drop down next to him on the couch, and lean my head on his shoulder. “Thanks for coming to my rescue today, Dec.”
He pockets his phone and wraps an arm around me. “Belle, we need to talk about you leaving a key under the mat. And while we’re at it, why don’t you arm your security system at home?”
I shift to face him. His arm slides down to my waist, and I try to decide the best way to answer. “I didn’t know what my parent’s code was. After the accident, when I finally walked through those doors, I set off the alarm. The alarm company called, and I knew the password. It had been the same since I was a little girl, but I didn’t know the four-digit code. They turned the alarm off for me, and I just... I guess I just never reset it. I’ve never used it since I’ve moved back in.”
“Annabelle.” Declan searches my face before speaking again. “I can’t imagine what that must have been like. But baby, you’ve got to set the alarm. You and Tommy sleep in this house. You’ve got to be safe.”
“You’re not wrong, Dec. But it’s not like this is a bad neighborhood. My neighbors are a surgeon and a stockbroker. We don’t usually get someone looking for an easy score around here,” I try to laugh it off, but the look Dec gives me tells me it’s not working. “I’ll think about it, okay?”
When he doesn’t budge, I reach over and wrap my arms around his neck. “I’ll try. That’s the best I can do, Declan.”
Declan pulls me onto his lap and runs his hands up my exposed thighs. “I should go home, Belle. The game’s at one o’clock tomorrow. I’m kind of intense when it comes to my routine.”
I tuck my knees under myself on either side of his lap and grip his shoulders. “Oh, yeah? I’m all too familiar with routines. What’s your night before a game routine?”
Damn. His erection is growing harder beneath me.
My body has ached for this man for weeks.
Dec’s calloused palms move under my hoodie, sliding up my ribs, stopping to rest under my breasts. He’s making sure not to touch, but just the feel of those rough palms on my sensitive skin is heaven.
