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Wearing his clothes made me feel warm and cozy in a way I’ve never experienced before. It’s a feeling I can’t afford to get used to. I know it, but I don’t think that’s going to stop me.
Declan has already found his way underneath my skin. I know it’s going to blow up in my face, but I can’t seem to stop it now.
I can only hope I’ll be able to walk away with my life when the truth comes out.
I give Oscar a nod before approaching the car. He opens the back door and I slide inside. It feels like a choreographed dance we’ve done a thousand times before.
I should feel awkward being driven by him, but I’m glad I don’t have to deal with traffic. It won’t be too bad with how late it is, but I’ve always hated driving in Boston.
As the car slides through the streets, I watch the change of the neighborhoods from the warmth of the car. It’s like watching a movie. The thing is, I know it’s real. I should be going in the opposite direction right now, but I’m not.
I’m just as much in awe of Declan’s home when we pull up as I was the first time. I take a moment to admire it while I’m not being lulled into a lust induced fog that leaves me breathless while my mind can only process the bliss of my orgasm. His home is gorgeous, the brick warm and inviting, even though the address alone screams money.
Oscar is there to open the car door and I can only give him a small smile of appreciation before my attention is pulled to the front door. There he is. Declan is standing in his doorway, his entire being filling the entire space.
I feel like I’m pulled toward him and unable to stop my feet, even while danger sirens are going off inside of me. I can’t see Declan’s face; his body is backlit to create a show of shadows and hard planes for my own personal enjoyment.
I can’t see him very well, but I can feel him. And there’s something different about him.
Even when I’m right in front of him, his face is mired in darkness which has nothing to do with the lack of lighting. His blue eyes, which I got used to sparkling at me with adoring intensity, are much darker than I’ve ever seen them.
My brain is screaming for me to back up and go back the way I came. My heart and body are not on the same page. No matter how many neurons are firing and warning me of the danger I’m in, my feet won’t move.
He’s in full predator mode, something primal speaking to a need I have to flee and be chased. I don’t think I’d get very far, but the naughty side of me is tempted to find out.
Before I can move away from him, before the flight part can kick in fully because my body won’t really cooperate with the demand, Declan’s large hand shoots out and cuffs the back of my neck. His fingers tangle with my hair as I’m being hauled against his chest and then into the house.
The sound of the door slamming behind me is like a shot ringing out. It sends my heart racing, as if it wasn’t doing that already. I feel like a rag doll in his hold, uncoordinated and boneless. I’m at his mercy and fear skitters up my spine in a way I haven’t experienced around Declan before.
I want to ask him what’s wrong and get to the bottom of his change in attitude, but I’m afraid of what he’ll say. He’s the most powerful man in the city. I’ve known since the moment I stepped into The Irish Rose to apply for the job that it wouldn’t take much to uncover almost all my secrets. If he looked deeper than the background check I have no doubt was run on me for employment, he’d find out most of my truths.
He'd know who my father is. He’d know the ties my father has and his association with Cillian. I knew this and I came here anyway, letting the magic between us wear off just enough to leave me unsure if the tides have turned, twisting around on me, and leaving me floating out into the abyss without a buoy.
It would serve me right. Because I agreed to my father’s plan. Because I let this man slither down to my marrow after he stormed my walls which weren’t nearly strong enough to begin with.
“Roisin,” there’s something in his voice that has me shivering and clenching my hands into fists. To defend myself? To keep from reaching for him? I don’t even know. The forced casualness in his voice sets my teeth on edge, “How was work?”
“It was fine,” my throat is dry, and my words feel like sandpaper in my throat as I force them past my lips. I throw some sass between us, salt in the wound I can already feel festering, “Don’t think for a moment I didn’t notice one of your guys keeping an eye on me. Were they there to protect me or you?”
Declan’s chuckle curls my stomach. I try to step out of his hold, but he’s not having it. His fingers flexing and pulling me closer is the only warning I get before he’s taking my mouth in a kiss that obliterates my soul. Bits and pieces scatter around us, sparkling diamonds of what once was and will never be again.
How does he do this to me so effortlessly? My fingers uncurl and I press my palms to his chest before they slide up and up until my fingers wrap around the back of his neck. I cling to him. In apology? For safety?
I don’t know, but I can taste the warning on his tongue as he shoves it into my mouth. He doesn’t wait. He doesn’t slow down.
I’m being lifted before I know what’s going on, my mind reeling and spinning.
We’re moving and I’m hardly aware of it. Until we’re in his room and my feet are on the ground. Only then do parts of me, that I should have had control of this entire time, come back online. I gasp and wrench my entire being out of his grasp, my body, finally, cooperating with me. Thankfully.
His eyes hold me captive, piercing and demanding. My chest is rising and falling with every panted breath, but he looks calm and collected. As if he didn’t just shatter the very essence of me. But he did. And I get the feeling he will again.
Until he can mold me into whatever he wants me to be. Until he wins.
What will I be then?
I need a moment and my brain scrambles for something. Anything.
“I’m all hot and sweaty from work.” It’s not entirely a lie, but the last few minutes in his presence has me feeling like the ground beneath my feet is shifting and falling away. “I’d really like to take a shower. If I would have known I’d be coming back here, I would have packed a bag,” I throw the last bit out like barbs, hoping they land and make him bleed.
